Crane's Station - Objectives & Rules

Victory

McClellan's Army of the Potomac is trying to fight its way south to the James River – to escape from the Peninsula. General Lee with his fledgling Army of Northern Virginia is attempting to cut off this escape route. The DM level for both armies is 6.

Union infantry control of The Sawmill, the Sawyer House or Beckettville will increase the Union DM level by one point per location for as long as they are held.

Deployment

Allocate a numbered entry point on the northern map edge to Cooke's Cavalry and to each infantry Corps – forces may enter behind each other on the same road if required. Initial orders for infantry Corps are simply to march south with all haste by road. This may create traffic jams but this is intentional to simulate the chaos of the real flight. Order of march as per order of battle - all units arrive in March Mode. McClellan's Army HQ will enter just behind V Corps.

Cooke's Cavalry Division is in Recon Mode but must also have orders that he attempts to follow as the situation permits. He begins the game on the table deployed in road column, starting from his chosen entry point.

Intelligence

The enemy may have manoeuvred to block your path, screened by Stuart's cavalry. They are likely to consist of Longstreet's and A.P.Hill's commands, plus Magruder's small Corps from the Richmond defences.

Rules

Ammunition rule is not in use, but each Union Corps is encumbered with wagons for more historical chaos.

Game starts 7:00am -  ends in a draw if there is no winner by 8:00pm.

Crane's Station - Union OOB

Army of the Potomac ~  General McClellan (C)

20 infantry brigades – 164 SPs – 8 batteries - DM level = 6 

Cavalry ~ Cooke (C)

Emory                   7

Blake                    7

Stoneman             7

ART Horse           7

V Corps ~ Porter  (C)

1^st Division Morell    (C)

Martindale            8  

Griffin                   8  

Butterfield            9     

ART bty                8

2^nd Division Sykes    (B)

Buchanan            8     

Chapman             8    

Warren                 7

ART bty                8

3^rd Division McCall   (C)

Reynolds              9

Meade                  8

Seymour               7

ART  Rifled          9

ART  Rifled          9

WAGON x2

IV Corps ~ Keyes   (C)

1^st Division Couch   (B)

Howe                    9 

Abercrombie         8  

Palmer                  8

ART bty                8

2^nd Division Peck      (C)

Naglee                  9

Wessells               9   

WAGON x1

II Corps ~ Sumner   (C)

1^st Division Richardson (C)

Caldwell               8

Meagher               8

French                  9

ART bty                8

2^nd Division Sedgwick    (B)

Sully                     8

Burns                   8

Dana                    8

ART bty                8

WAGON x1

Battle of Crane's Station - Map

Click on the map for a closer look.

New Campaigning Season

The temperature in the garage is now creeping up above freezing so it’s time to take stock in preparation for the new campaigning season:

Terrain Tiles:

Curved Road x 4

Straight Road x 1

X-Road x 2

T Junction x 3

Plain x 1

Curved River x 1

Straight River Crossed by Road x 3

Curved Creek x 2

Straight Creek Crossed by Road x 2

Army of Northern Virginia:

Infantry Brigades x 24

Cavalry Brigades x 4

Rifled Artillery x 3

12pdr Artillery x 6

Horse Artillery x 1

Army of The Potomac

Infantry Brigades x 27

Cavalry Brigades x 5

Rifled Artillery x 3

12pdr Artillery x 9

Horse Artillery x 1

For the next game I hope to have the table extended to 8’ x 4’.

After the Battle

A few random shots of the battlefield just before the troops were put back in their boxes...

Crenshaw’s rifled battery of A P Hill’s Division – fire from this battery stopped Kearny’s routed troops from rallying in the town.

A view of Kearny’s collapsing flank from behind the advancing Confederate line – that’s Joe Hooker looking a little exposed in the middle of that field!

The view forward from the Union left flank – A P Hill’s men are visible in the distance.

Another view of the Rebel attack on Kearny – looking due north from the Wheatfield towards Avery’s Ridge.

Fitzhugh Lee’s troopers on Pitt’s hill didn’t fire a shot all day but added a bit of dash to proceedings.

More of Kearny’s Division in front of Elington – the general can be seen trying (unsuccessfully) to rally his broken command.

A ground-level view looking west towards Elington – Rebel infantry are advancing through the Wheatfield in pursuit of the Yanks…

Second Half

1.00 pm to 3.00 pm

Ewell’s Division assaults Elington from the south. His Brigades press forward towards the town and the flank of Kearny’s line near the Wheatfield.

The view of Ewell’s assault from the southwest of Elington. Randolph’s unsupported battery was routed as the sea of grey & butternut troops drew closer.

Under the watchful eye of General Jackson the ‘Stonewall’ Division move down the western edge of Round Top to support Ewell.

It was touch and go for Ewell as Sykes Division arrived to temporarily stabilize the Union right. They succeeded in routing one Rebel Brigade and causing Ewell to quit the field with a grievous wound!

To the north of the town the Divisions of Steven’s, Hooker and Reno come under increasing pressure from A P Hill.

The same scene from the Confederate perspective.

More of A P Hill’s Brigades move along the crest of Avery’s Ridge. Possession of this feature was to prove crucial in the eventual Rebel victory.

Confusion reins in the centre of Elington as one after the other Kearny’s Brigades collapse and rout under the weight of Ewell’s flank attack.

Half Time

The situation at 12.30 pm.

General Pope arrives on the field and takes over command from Heintzelman (Pope is a "C" rated commander which doesn't bode well for the Union).

Signs of confusion in the Union ranks - Reno's Division of IX Corps attempt to deploy on the left flank but keep failing the die roll to receive their orders and just keep on marching!

Meanwhile A P Hill's men can be seen forming up into battle-line between Cartharpen Run and Avery's Ridge - all of Hill's Brigades are "9" strength which is not so good for the Yanks.

In the centre Union sharpshooters move forward through The Wheatfield supported by Kearney's line. So far neither commander has issued any "Engage" orders so the main battle-lines remain silent.

The Confederate side of The Wheatfield.

Over on the south side of the table Pelham's Horse Artillery are in position on Pitt's Hill - these Rebel troopers have a good view of proceedings but their artillery is out of range of the enemy.

Ewell's men move forward to menace the Union right flank which looks a bit "up in the air" at the moment.

A close up of Ewell's boys (painting those Rebel flags must have been almost as much hard work as painting the Stars & Stripes!).

Randolph's Rifled Battery prepares to fend off Ewell's Division all on its own on the extreme right flank of the Union army.

General Jackson surveys the battle from his position on Round Top.

Kearny's Division - planted firmly in front of Elington and unable advance without further orders. Now General Pope is on the scene perhaps things are about to change?