Action at Brawner's Farm v2.0

Doubleday's BDE Approaches Brawner's Farm

After having fought the Action at Brawner's Farm in an earlier outing, the table was reset and a second game was readied.  Prior to the replay, slight adjustments were made to the OB and arrival time table.  To read these earlier battle accounts, see:

• Phase 1
• Phase 2

As a refresher, the initial deployments find Gibbon and Doubleday's brigades strung out along the Warrenton Turnpike with the head of the Union column nearing Dogan's House.  Jackson, holding the high ground, lays in wait to spring the surprise.  With only a few hours of fading daylight, Jackson must act quickly to bring this action to a successful conclusion.

Positions at Start

The first sign of concern for the Federals appears when Gibbon spots several Rebel guns deploying on the high ground around Brawner's Farm.  The situation begins to sink home as Confederate artillery rounds whiz towards the long Federal columns.  Doubleday's brigade in the rear is the first to take effective fire from Danville's guns.  Before Doubleday can even get his troops off the road and deployed to challenge the guns, he is dropped dead from the saddle as artillery falls among the 56 PA.

Doubleday deploys on the left

With their brigadier on the ground dead and taking casualties, Doubleday's brigade smartly deploys into line and begins an advance upon the Rebel gun positions.  The Virginians under Baylor quickly advance from their hiding place in the treeline to take up a position at Brawner's Farm.  Who are these Virginians?  They are part of the famed Stonewall Brigade.

Doubleday deploys and advances

Realizing the difficulty in which his lead brigade has found itself, Gibbon, having reached Dogan's House, orders his brigade to deploy from the turnpike.  As the Iron Brigade deploys and begins its passage of Brawner's Woods, Federal artillery has dialed into the Rebel gun positions around Stony Ridge.  

Gun duel on the Federal right

Federal artillery fire from the 4th US - B battery is so precise that two Confederate gun sections are knocked out of action almost immediately.  Having won the artillery duel on the Federal right, Gibbon pushes his boys up to the edge of the woods in an attempt to recontact Doubleday's right.

Gibbon advances through the woods

With the Federals deployed and advancing upon seemingly, insignificant Rebel forces, the long blue line makes a spectacular sight as if on the parade ground.  What fate awaits?  They know not.

Doubleday's thin blue line

Having only moments before taken over command from the fallen Doubleday, Doubleday's replacement falls to artillery fire.  Not even thirty minutes into the engagement and two Federal generals are dead on the field.  These will not be the last officers to fall this evening.

A second Union Brigadier falls to Confederate fire

The six Confederate guns (each stand is a two-gun section) are causing quite a bit of mischief in the Federal line.  The downside of dealing such chaos is that Danville's battery spends much of the early throes of the contest low on ammo.  With the Federals advancing within small arms range of Baylor's position at Brawner's Farm, the Virginians occupying this objective are beginning to feel the pressure.  As casualties rise, cohesion within the Virginians wanes.  

Danville Battery in action

As the Rebels opposing ex-Doubleday's brigade (should that be ex-ex-Doubleday?) slow Federal progress upon Brawner's Farm, Gibbon's brigade successfully navigates the woods and broomstraw field to threaten the Confederate left.  Having destroyed most of the Confederate artillery opposing him, Gibbon makes excellent progress taking the fight to Jackson.  Still, where are Jackson's gray-clad troops? 

Federals tighten the noose on Baylor

Having sent one more Confederate gun section scampering to the rear, Gibbon's command presses on.  With his Confederate left unsecured, Baylor and his Virginians holding the farm are forced to retire.  Doubleday gains the farm without much contest.  With a Key Objective lost, Jackson must fight hard to win back the farm.  With the area thick with Union blue, this will be a difficult task.  Jackson, finally frustrated by his subordinates' inability to join the fight, commandeers two of Lawton's regiments (26 GA, 38 GA) and strikes back in an effort to stem the Federal advance.  

Jackson strikes back

Gibbon finally finds a Rebel regiment lurking in the copse of trees as his 6 WIS crashes into the other half of the Stonewall brigade.  Surprised by the sudden appearance of anything resembling enemy opposition on the Federal right, the 6 WIS is repulsed by Baylor's Alabamans.

Alabama vs Wisconsin

With the repulse of the 6th at the copse of trees and the timely arrival of Jackson leading the Georgians and two additional gun sections, the ragged Confederate line begins to congeal.  In close range musketry duels, casualties mount on both sides.  Can the Federals be stopped from sweeping the field of Rebels?  My Confederate opponent thinks not and tension mounts as the fight continues without hope.  "Where are my reinforcements!" Jackson exclaims.

Jackson's line stabilizes

Federals in firm control of Brawner's Farm

Firefights rage across the hillside, as men drop in scores.  For now, Confederate marksmanship dominates and Federal casualties increase disproportionately.  While the Federals still cling to the key objective of Brawner's Farm in the center, Doubleday's brigade is beginning to melt away on the Federal left.  How long can Doubleday remain under this hot fire?

Doubleday takes a pounding

Not long!  First one regiment breaks and withdraws back down the hill followed by a second regiment.  The Federal position at the farm has been uncovered. 

Federals losing control of Brawner's Farm

Unable to maintain the Brawner's Farm position, Doubleday's command falls back to regroup.  Can Jackson capitalize on this turn of events?  Before the action in the center can be resolved, Ewell's guns come up and prepare to engage Gibbon's over-extended brigade.  Gibbon's command suffers great losses from artillery fire and Gibbon goes down.  Dead on the field.  Third Union general dead on the field this evening.

The tide has turned

Not only is Gibbon's brigade staggered from both artillery fire and the loss of its commanding officer but Trimble's brigade and the remainder of Lawton's brigade charge out of the railroad cut.  The Federal right has been knocked back onto its heals.  Casualties mount at an alarming rate as Confederate musketry ravages the Federal line as the number of muskets under arms favor the Rebels. 

Trimble and Lawton snap into action

As Gibbon forms up a gun line to lend support to his wavering brigade, Trimble presses his advantage.  Threatened by being outflanked on Stony Ridge Gibbon must consider withdrawal.

Ewell attacks!

In the quickly fading light, Gibbon is forced to fall back onto his guns.  The last half hour has witnessed a significant turn of fortune.  Federals have suffered tremendous casualties at the hands of Jackson and are now at heavy casualties.  Having suffered more casualties in total than their adversary, the Federals call a halt to the fighting. 

Gibbon falls back on his guns

In the end, each hold one key objective.  Those objectives cancel in victory determination.  On the casualty front, much of the Confederate artillery was destroyed early in the engagement.  For infantry losses, Federals lost about twice as many men as did Jackson.  Having reached the Heavy Casualty threshold and having lost more men than the Confederates, Jackson gains victory points for casualties inflicted.

It was a good contest that maintained a definite ebb and flow.  There were points in the game where each player thought all was lost.  Die rolling was hot and cold as we both played the extremes of the D10 distribution.  Early on, the Federals had great success against the Confederate artillery and gained ground quickly.  In the end, the tide turned and Confederate numbers overwhelmed the already battered Union brigades.  This may have been the Iron Brigades' baptism of fire but it may be a long time before this brigade is fit for duty.  My thanks to Jake for a well played Jackson.

Next game on the schedule will see the debut of my Russian Great Game collection in their first battle.  That game takes place on November 5.

Once More Unto the Breach, My Friends

Federal guns of 1 NH LT Battery survey the battlefield

Yes, once more into the breach with a second refight of the Action at Brawner's Farm.  The second trial of the scenario is set for a playthrough Friday evening in a version of Friday Night at the Fights. I remember following EEL's Friday Night at the Fights and the exploits of that gaming group from long ago.  What fun they had!

Battlefield showing initial dispositions

Following the outcome from the first game (see: Action at Brawner's Farm BatRep), I decided to make a few modifications to the scenario.  While the game resulted in an historical outcome, the dominance of Scott's forming of a Federal grand battery on the Federal left gave some concern.  To mitigate that response, the Federals have lost one battery and the 1 NH LT guns begin the game already deployed upon the high ground at Dogan's House.  Also very slight adjustments to Confederate arrival times have been considered.  The outcome may remain as before but an aggressive Jackson might be able to make a bit more progress.

Rules: Regimental Fire and Fury
Game area: 6' x' 6'
First Player: Confederate
Game Start: 5:15pm beginning with Confederate Turn
Game End:  8:30pm
Twilight at 7:45pm
Key Positions: Brawner's Farm (held by Confederates), Dogan's House (held by Federals)

Heavy Casualties: Federal = 34; Confederate = 47

Reinforcement Schedule:
At 5:15pm, only Baylor's brigade, Alleghany, Danville, and Staunton batteries are present on table for the Confederates.  Union troops in column along Warrenton Turnpike with Gibbon's brigade in the van and Doubleday following up about half mile behind.  4-US-B battery begins along Warrenton Turnpike near Dogan's house.  1 NH LT artillery deployed at Dogan's House. Other Federal guns dispersed throughout column.

Confederate Reinforcements:
6:00pm: Jackson, 26 GA, 60 GA
6:15pm: Maryland, Courtney batteries at railroad cut near Stony Ridge, Rockbridge battery at railroad cut northwest of Brawner Farm.
6:45pm: Ewell, Trimble with brigade at railroad cut near Stony Ridge; Lawton and brigade at railroad cut near copse of trees north of Brawner's Farm.
7:45pm: W.B Taliaferro, A.G. Taliaferro and brigade at woods northwest of Brawner's Farm.

Federal Reinforcements: None

Gibbon on the march

We will see what happens in Round 2 of Brawner's Farm.

Brawner's Farm - Night Attack!

With Jackson's death and light fading quickly, General Ewell called off the attack against the Iron Brigade at Brawner's Farm.  For a reminder of this earlier action see, Action at Brawner's Farm.  Even though Ewell conceded the field to Gibbon and Doubleday, Gibbon's brigade had been dealt a serious blow.  Could Ewell have pressed on into Gibbon as twilight approached?  Both forces approached the RFF heavy casualty threshold and a good push might shove the Federals over this limit.  Much kibitzing followed the game regarding the prudence of Ewell's cessation of hostilities.  Having Trimble only recently joined the battle and Lawton barely engaged, fresh Confederate forces were at hand to press on.  This, then, will be an account of that twilight action as Ewell retracts his own order to disengage and launches an attack on the Federal right.   

Trimble's brigade having cleared the railroad cut advances on Gibbon's right and contacts the 6 WIS at the double quick.  In the assault, the 49 VA supports the attack by the 21 GA.

As the Rebels close, the 6th with support from one section of 4 US B fires into the advancing Georgians.  The Georgians receive telling fire and become disordered.  Undaunted, the Georgians press on into the 6th with cold steel.  

Having pinned Gibbon's right, the remainder of Trimble's brigade makes its way through the woods and rocks on Stony Ridge.  Perhaps, Trimble will fall onto the open flank of Gibbon's brigade?

While the Confederate guns in the copse of trees provide counter battery fire against 4 US B, the 21st GA strikes.  With the 21st fresh and the 6 WIS spent, the Badgers are no match and retreat back through the broomstraw seeking shelter.  The 6th suffers 80 casualties as it breaks for the rear.   

Having dealt with the 6th, the Rebs turn their focus on the Federal guns.  First wheeling to the right to  face the guns, the Georgians light into the surprised gunners and catch the guns out of position. 

The pressure from the Georgians is too great.  Both gun sections limber and are driven back.  Like their comrades, they too are driven back into the broomstraw field.  Seeing their guns skedaddling back toward them, the 6 WIS succumbs to the stress of combat and scatters.  For them, the battle is over.

Gibbon draws back his right to refuse it from the Confederate attack.  Firefights develop all along the lines.  In the exchange between the 2nd WIS and 60 GA, Gibbon goes down with a grievous wound. 

With Gibbon lost and the Federal right reeling, Confederate attacks develop from the copse of trees to Stony Ridge.  The 49th VA advances on the 7 WIS while Lawton and the 60 GA charges into the 2 WIS with 38 GA in support.

The advancing Rebels take casualties on the approach but the loss of men does not stop their momentum.

On the Confederate right, Taliaferro with the 47/48 AL advances into the 76 NY.  Adding weight to the Confederate attack is the 10/23/37 VA.

Taliaferro's Alabamans go in without firing a shot against the disordered 76 NY.  Unflinching, the 76th stands firm and the Alabama boys are repulsed.  

Back in the center, the 60th and 38th GA goes in against the 2 WIS who have taken up positions in Brawner's Orchard.  As the Georgians close, the disordered 2nd retreats out of the orchard and back into the broom straw field suffering 40 casualties. 

Having witnessed the collapse of Gibbon's command on the Federal right and heavy casualties on both sides, Doubleday orders a consolidation of the Federal battle line.  Still in control of Brawner's Farm with a number of guns covering the open ground, Doubleday prepares for the next Confederate attack.

That attack does not come.  With the battlefield covered in darkness and unmoving bodies, the threat of commands becoming horribly intermingled in the confusion is too much.  Ewell, this time, calls off the attack for good.  Having reached the heavy casualty threshold and having lost more men than the Iron Brigade, Ewell sees no point in attempting to push his command farther on this day.  With Jackson dead on the field, Ewell fights no more.  The Iron Brigade's baptism of fire was a surprising success. 

The battle result closely paralleled the actual action.  Could the result have been different?  I would like to think that more aggressive action early on by Jackson could have put the Federals onto their heels and slowed the Federal advance towards the higher ground around Brawner's Farm.  Historically, both Gibbon and Doubleday committed their troops by regiment as needed to respond to Jackson's movements.  No coordinated maneuvers occurred.  Jackson's inability to get his Corps moving in a timely manner contributed to the Federals seizing and then maintaining the initiative.

The action deserves another replay and it will get one.  In the next replay, several of the Federal gun sections will be confined to the Turnpike as they were historically.  Allowing them to form up and advance to Brawner's Farm provided a killing zone that a timid Rebel commander would not cross.

Even with piecemeal and uncoordinated Confederate attacks, more aggressive action might make a difference.  As seen on the Federal right, once Trimble got into position, Gibbon's collapse was quick.  Stronger action may make a difference in seizing the Key Position at Brawner's Farm.  

Action at Brawner's Farm - BatRep

With the lead up to the Action at Brawner's Farm detailed back in June (see Action at Brawner's Farm - Scenario), I recently gathered the troops for a refight.  The action begins at 5:15pm with elements of Jackson's Corps springing a surprise attack upon King's Division as it marches along the Warrenton Pike.  With limited daylight, Jackson must strike swiftly to take advantage of this surprise before the Federals can react.  As fate would have it, Jackson's attack struck the later acclaimed Iron Brigade under Gibbon and Doubleday.  This would be the Iron Brigade's baptism of fire.  As game moderator, I did not take many notes during the heated action so photos must relay the narrative.

The action opened with Confederate artillery catching the Federals in column marching east along the Warrenton Pike.  We pick up the action after the initial Confederate artillery fire. 

Surprised and taking fire,
Gibbon and Doubleday deploy their regiments to the north of the pike.

As the Federals deploy,
Jackson becomes impatient that his commanders are not acting.
Grabbing the 26 GA and 60 GA,
Jackson,himself, strikes off for Brawner's Farm.

Jackson leads the Georgians to take Brawner's Farm

Deployed, the Federal infantry advance through the woods
 to threaten Brawner's Farm and discourage artillery fire

Doubleday sends two regiments into the woods on the Federal
 left to pin half of the Stonewall Brigade.

Taking casualties, the Stonewall BDE holds its ground

Will stalemate on the left, Federals mass their guns
 and advance upon Brawner's Farm in the center.

Jackson beats the Federals to the farm and digs in
 for the assaults that will be coming.

Jackson takes fire but holds the farm

Federals close in on Jackson at Brawner's Farm.

With his subordinates inactive, Jackson must hold on
as the Union wave crests on his position.

Jackson's position is threatened on both flanks

Taking heavy casualties,
the Stonewall Brigade falls back from the farm.

Federal guns pound the Rebel positions disordering
all of the Confederate formations.
In the confusion, Jackson falls from his horse.
Mortally wounded!
Jackson is carried from the field.

With the Confederate center reeling,
 Doubleday pushes on against the Rebel right.

With no response from the Reb forces lingering in reserve,
Rebels fall back to the copse of trees seeking reprieve
 from the ferocious Federal artillery.

Heavily outnumbered, Confederates hug the treeline
in search of shelter.

Rockbridge battery deploys near the railroad cut and
begins lending support while Maryland and Courtney batteries
 take up positions near Stony Ridge.

Two battle lines are drawn up as Confederates
cling to the bank of the railroad cut.

Finally!  As dusk looms, Trimble and Lawton snap into action.
Both formations step out of the railroad cut. 

With night approaching and Jackson lost, Ewell calls off
the attack to regroup and reconsider his options
for the morrow.

With heavy fighting, both forces were approaching heavy casualties.  Although Gibbon was roughed up and would unlikely offer much resistance to combined attacks by Lawton and Trimble on the Federal right, Ewell had no stomach for continuing the fight.

The loss of Jackson will be felt, no doubt.  In the Iron Brigade's baptism of fire, they came through to fight Jackson to a standstill.  Gibbon and Doubleday gain a victory for their actions on the field this evening.

What if Ewell had pressed on as night fell?  Could Lawton and Trimble have tipped the balance and gained victory from the jaws of defeat?