McPherson at Resaca, Part 2

[kipt]

At this point we did a break for lunch and some fraternization. Here is General Logan talking to General Canty.



Turn 5 and 6 saw much shooting and lines wavering back and forth.







Sprague's brigade, in field column, advanced against the Rebels but were unable to dislodge them.  A notable combat occurred between the 35th NJ and the 4th, 25th AR/39th NC. The 35th NJ is a Trained unit (11 stands) and the Rebel is Veteran (11 stands).  They had two tied melees so stayed in contact at the end of turn 6.



Turn 5 casualties were 6 Union and 15 Confederate (good dice on the Union side).

Turn 6 saw more of the same and casualties were 6 for the Union and 3 for the Rebels.

At the end of turn 6 it was almost 4:00.  We started at 10:00 with a break for lunch and our commanders were ready to stop.  I told them I would continue the fight over the next couple of days.  In addition, there was only one more turn of daylight hours, with turn 8 becoming twilight, which reduces visibility in the open to 12" and in woo0ds to 6".  Also, musket and artillery fire is halved.

The Union had started moving artillery to the hills but had not reached them as of the end of turn 6.  Here are photos where we stopped.


 




As can be seen the Confederate right flank attacks came close to the stream and woods on the left of the Union position.

I had word from both sides later; the Union wanting to push back the Rebels and the Rebels wanting to retreat back to their main line of defense.  By keeping the action going during the daylight hours and pulling back with only 15 minutes of daylight remaining, they would negate any Union artillery on the hills at the hasty works defended by COL Murphy.  By the time artillery reached the hills it would be twilight that only lasted for 45 minutes (3 turns) and then it would be night.

I started Turn 7 on Sunday the 26th of January.  On the Union right flank G Smith's brigade had been pushed back with the 111th IL panicked and broken, retreating to the stream on the far right where it was uncrossable.

Part of Murphy's regiments fired into the flank of one of Sprague's, who subsequently formed line to the right.  The Rebels started withdrawing, some by turning to put as much distance between them and the enemy, while others backstepped.  Some rebels were too close to do anything but fire.


 






During the fighting the 26 IA of Woods brigade was eliminated.

Murphy's regiments fell back to the light woods behind them, taking casualties as they went. COL Murphy had his coat pierced by a ball while pulling his brigade back.

Ammunition was running low in several units on both sides, which effectively cut their musket fire.



Turn 8, which I played on Monday the 27th, saw the Confederates reaching their main line in some instances and desultory firing happening along the lines where units could still see each other.  BG Adams of Loring's division had a staff officer shot while retreating.  Union troops were straightening their lines and sending more artillery towards the hill.  However only one battery, B/1st IL, 2 stands of Napoleon's, unlimbered.



Pictures at the conclusion.














At the actual battle the confederates were able to keep the Union off the hills most of the day.  They did not come out of the defenses as a spoiling attack as happened in this game. And the Union did not advance more troops from their main line.  At night General Johnson withdrew his whole army south towards Cassville, leaving the Union to find nothing in Resaca but burned bridges.

The scenario in the booklet is more restrictive on additional troops moving forward but I decided to let the commanders decide what to do after some of the hills were taken.

The Confederates could release one brigade is one hill was taken, 3 brigades if 2 hills and all brigades if 3 hills.  Rebel artillery could not move.

The Union could not release more than the two starting brigades until 2 hills were taken or all assaults were repulsed. Union artillery could move but it didn't until about turn 5 or 6.

So, I would say that the Rebel army would withdraw as actually happened but with both sides suffering from many casualties.

Union:
Osterhaus division: 16 out of 75 stands.
M Smith division: 23 out of 86 stands.
Sprague brigade: 7 out of 59 stands.

Confederate:
Canty division: 35 out of 69 stands.
Loring division: 30 out of 125 stands.

[Chris Pringle]

Unfair, Kip - you got me all excited by saying you were going to do Resaca, but then it turns out the scenario only covers a quarter of the battle!?   

I still enjoyed your report, thank you, and it looks great. I hope all your guys had a good time.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

What an amazing looking game. Wow

[Orcs]

Lovely looking game, What rules were you using?

[fred.]

What a great looking game both the table and the hordes of figures!

The rules seem very granular for the number of figures, with 15min turns, but perhaps with the number of players this offset it

[kipt]

Rules are Regimental Fire and Fury.