Sunday 24 August 2014

Battle of Kernstown

Battle of Kernstown - 15mm ACW Scenario
March 23rd 1862, 3.00pm – 5.00pm (12 turns)

Jackson advances directly up the Valley Turnpike with the aim of surprising and defeating what he believes to be a single Union brigade at Kernstown. In fact the town is defended by an entire Union division under the temporary command of Col. Nathan Kimball.

During the morning Jackson attacks the Union line in front of the town but is checked and pushed back. Realising he can make no headway by a direct assault he decides to shift the bulk of his forces to his left in an effort to turn the Union right flank. This scenario is based very loosely on the action that followed.

The Confederate brigades of Fulkerson and Garnett are advancing with the aim of gaining the high ground of Sandy Ridge. At the same moment Tyler’s Federal brigade arrive to shore up the Union flank. All units begin the game in field column with artillery batteries limbered.

 Initial deployment of the forces - click the image to zoom in.

Order of Battle

Union Forces 
Third brigade (Col. Erastus Tyler)
1st West Virginia – Thoburn (10)
110th Pennsylvania – Lewis (12)
7th Ohio – Creighton (10)
7th Indiana – Cheek (14)
29th Ohio – Buckley (8)
4th US artillery

Confederate Forces
Fulkerson’s brigade
37th Virginia – Carson (10)
23rd Virginia – Taliaferro (12)
West Augusta artillery
Garnett’s brigade
4th Virginia – Ronald (14)
27th Virginia – Echols (10)
33rd Virginia – Cummings (8)

(the number of stands in each unit are given in brackets)

Victory Conditions
The Stone Wall – 2VP’s are awarded for control of the wall.
Glass Farm – 2VP’s
Sandy Ridge – 2VP’s for each Confederate brigade that reaches the ridge.
Marcauley House – 2VP’s for each Union brigade that reaches the house.
2VP's for each enemy unit routed.
1VP for each enemy stand removed.
The first player to amass 10 VP's wins the game.

Troop Experience Levels
Each player secretly rolls a D6 for each regiment at the start of the game and allocates experience levels as follows:
Confederates: 1 = green, 2,3,4,5 = hardened, 6 = veteran
Union: 1,2 = green, 3,4,5 = hardened, 6 = veteran

Leader Ratings
These are diced for by both sides as follows:
1 = poor
2,3 = unpredictable
4,5 = dependable
6 = bold

6 comments:

  1. Should be a challenging scenario. The map is brilliant..... Dave's work I take it? I like what you are doing here re the Victory Points, will be interesting to follow this one :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Lee - I came up with the scenario but the map is Dave's work of course. We hope to start playing this week!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Would it be possible to borrow the excellent map of Kernstown for my blog - I will of course credit you and your blog , as I would like to refight the battle using several sets of rules (Featherstone , Black Powder ) to compare results , Cheers Tony
    http://tonystoysoldiers.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tony - no problem (a link would be nice). I look forward to seeing how your refights turn out as well as our own!

      Delete
  4. This looks like a interesting set up. I like the victory point assignment. I have been trying something similar with my games. I'm looking forward to see this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Charles, the VP system does seem to work and generally gives a clear winner (and loser!).

      Delete