Despertaferres

American Civil War Wargaming: Kernstown 1862 Redux

A miniature reenactment of one of the key battles from the American Civil War by Cardiff Dice Studz.

redcaer1690
2–3 minutes
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Sometimes a game just captures your imagination. My reader will know that I had begun rebasing my Federal army in the summer and now it was ready. Finally! It would be up against a stern test, Thomas “ Stonewall” Jackson in the Shenanandoah Valley.

The Rebels advanced but, unbeknownst to them, against superior numbers of Federal troops.
Confederate six- pounders might not cut it against Northern artillery from Pritchard’s Hill.
A Northern pincer movement was planned but it was a big ask for the Northern army.
Southern troops pass Sandy ridge and quickly reach the wall which ran west to east across the battlefield
CSA foot cavalry had their artillery set up in a strong position.
Kimball and Sullivan ( leading) move to their destiny
The Union send skirmishers forward to gain some cover to flank the stone wall and snake fencing position adopted by the Rebs!
Mixed order saved some time…
1st Pennsylvania, 1st Michigan and first Ohio begin a turning manoeuvre.
The 7th Virginia advance to challenge the Union horse but are blown away by infantry and cavalry fire!
The fight for the wall begins..
It’s damned hot in the centre!
The Reb line is holding but critically reserves are being drawn into the fight!
5th Virginia hold the flank! Kimball’s 12pdrs are suppressing the Rebs to his flank though…
The flank attack forms up! 13th Indiana from Sullivan’s brigade see a chance to roll up the position at the wall.
Carbines are an effective counter to the Rebel reinforcement.
From the trees, the assault goes in!
All through the battle the Union Artillery on Pritchard’s Hill punished any Rebel movement to reinforce.
Take those guns!
The line in the centre breaks: bayonet against battery and the brave bluecoats are through!
Jackson was game to keep assaulting but the Rebs were skeddadling Southward!

I do hope you enjoyed reading of our refight. Mr Lane was in an unenviable position with the South, just like the actual Southern commanders. The Black Powder rules gave a quick hassle free resolution and the ranges and ratings seemed to reflect the historical performance on the day. The next time we play we shall use the o.o.b. From version two of the Black Powder set. The Command and Colors scenario gave a good approximation of this phase of the battle though.

Until next time…

Michael

13 responses to “American Civil War Wargaming: Kernstown 1862 Redux”

  1. theoldgit8160 Avatar
    theoldgit8160

    I have the Richard Borg game and this is a superb source of scenarios for table games regardless of the scale.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. redcaer1690 Avatar
      redcaer1690

      Roger that: that’s where the scenario came from. They have a knack of creating great games from historical events: not too much detail but enough! Is your wife any better???

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. theoldgit8160 Avatar
        theoldgit8160

        Thanks for asking she is a little better but It is more through pain management than anything else. We can go places as long as she is not on her feet for more than 1/2 hour which means a lot of things are ruled out. I managed to take her to our eldest’s new home earlier in the week so she could see our Granddaughter as well, that was an hour each way which is as far as she could manage. I am trying to get back some enthusiasm for the game having prepared a board for Port Royal and obtained the starter and rules for Bolt Action, I had a small German for version 1 when it came out so I will see how that goes.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. redcaer1690 Avatar
        redcaer1690

        Spent too much on Flames of War back in the day to get heavily into 28mm ww2 but I have invested just recently!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. theoldgit8160 Avatar
        theoldgit8160

        What sort of points value do you guys regularly play and where best to start points-wise?

        Liked by 2 people

      4. redcaer1690 Avatar
        redcaer1690

        400 points gets you a infantry platoon. 750 points is best but with maybe one vehicle ( not technically allowed by rules) but recommended by Bo on YouTube!?? It’s a great system!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. theoldgit8160 Avatar
        theoldgit8160

        Great, that gives me something to work with.

        Liked by 2 people

  2. John@justneedsvarnish Avatar
    John@justneedsvarnish

    Nice looking minis and game! 🙂 Sounds like there was quite a bit of action!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. redcaer1690 Avatar
      redcaer1690

      Merry Christmas John!!!! Usual murderous simple rules favoured by yours truly! I’m not sure I could ever go back to numerous charts and tables! Looking forward to extending battle to all of the historic brigades!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. John@justneedsvarnish Avatar
        John@justneedsvarnish

        . . . and a Merry Christmas to you! 🙂 I’m now firmly wedded to what are in practice simple rules that make me think about what I’m doing and seem to give realistic outcomes (although, to be fair, I can lose a game regardless of which rules I use)!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. redcaer1690 Avatar
        redcaer1690

        Haha! One of the benefits of a historical game is that you can blame the scenario. If the Rebs lost in the game then you are only repeating the failure of General Jackson!
        And the alternate to be happy to win or lose is of course the dark world of meta chasing!!!!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Guru PIG Avatar
    Guru PIG

    I still remember the old Airfix Civil war book that had this scenario. I enjoyed their version and have played it many times. Great post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. redcaer1690 Avatar
      redcaer1690

      Thanks my friend! It was a highlight of the gaming year! All fired up to get more ACW and awi battles done in 2025! I’d buy the Aixfix sets just for the boxart alone!!!!

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      Reply

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