The Courier's Bulletin -- #05 -- The Third Battle of Cumberland, Maryland

 Courier' Bulletin #05

- In a final, futile attempt to dislodge J. E. Johnston from his position at Cumberland, Patterson's Department of Pennsylvania advances on the Confederate position on October 21, 1861.

Strength Report:

Department of Pennsylvania (Patterson):

Men: 9,900

Cavalry: 0

Guns: 12

 Army of the Shenandoah (Johnston): 

Men: 12,789

Cavalry: 0

Guns: 27

Telegram(s):

-  Johnston's force deploys in two segments, holding defenses along a thickly wooded stream to the north-east of Cumberland. Lawton's division (Bee & Bartow) holds the left, guarding a designated ford in the stream. Wade's division (AP Hill, EK Smith, and Jackson) holds the right further down the stream, guarding the approach to a bridge. Patterson's skirmishers discover the gap between Lawton and Wade, at a 45 degree bend in the stream, and attempt to exploit it.

- Before Johnston's infantry can engage Patterson's brigades, Johnston's artillery interdicting Union movement, Patterson sends two brigades between the Confederate divisions. Lawton immediately abandons his prepared positions opposite the ford and races to the bend in the stream, beating the Union brigades. Wade sends Hill in emergency support from the right. The Union brigades make it to the stream, under the cover of trees on either bank, and meet stiff resistance from the Confederate-occupied heights opposite. 

- In a veritable slaughter, Bee, Bartow, and AP Hill cut the Union brigades to pieces, inflicting over 50% casualties as the Union boys attempt to cross the stream under fire. Four more of Patterson's brigades attempt to provide cover from their own positions on the heights, on their side of the stream, but unsuccessfully. With the Union forces repulsed at little cost to Johnston, he orders a counter assault across the stream. 

- Bartow and Hill lead the charge, followed by Bee and EK Smith.  Two more Union brigades are smashed in close combat, destroying their cohesion, but Confederate forces begin to sustain casualties; the climb up the opposite bank comes under heavy fire from a farm on the left. A retreat would risk further loss of life at no reward, so Johnston orders Wade and Lawton on.

- Bartow and Hill, still followed by Bee and EK Smith, begin to tire, but press on as half of Patterson's force wavers just within reach. The Union positions at the farm are breeched as Bartow and then Hill make contact with Patterson's reserve brigades. It is here that Bartow falls. Pressing his men forward, General Bartow is felled before he is able to observe the final Union rout from the field. 

Casualty Report:

- Union Casualties: 2,304 men (318 killed)

- Confederate Casualties: 904 men (159 killed)

- General Bartow is succeeded by Colonel Henry Heth.

- Johnston continues to hold Cumberland, and with so many Union forces drawn West in an attempt to dislodge him, P. G. T. Beauregard's Army of the Potomac, 'til now static in its positions south of Alexandria, VA, begins to march on Washington.

The Courier's Bulletin Special -- #02 -- Engagements in Maryland and Arkansas

Special Courier Bulletin #02

Date: October 13-20, 1861

Telegram(s):

- Cumberland, MD: Joseph E. Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah has successfully repulsed McClellan's Army of Occupation in the Second Battle of Cumberland on the 13th of October. In a desperate attempt to turn the Confederate flank following Lawton's defeat of the West Virginia Militia one week prior, McClellan's force assailed Cumberland from the East, but unsuccessfully. Johnston's division commanders successfully routed McClellan's brigades from the field, inflicting 538 total casualties at the loss of 192 of their own (only 27 of their number killed). Johnston's second victory cements Confederate control in western Maryland. In support of their victory, Garnett's Army of the Northwest is reportedly marching on Grafton, WV, projecting Confederate command and control further West.

- Fort Smith, AR: General Benjamin McCulloch's Western Army (S) reports the first Confederate victory West of the Mississippi River. Commanding the Confederate defensive positions at Fort Smith, AR, McCulloch's forces successfully repelled an assault by the Union Army of the West (commander unknown). The Union forces, numbering more than 25,000 men strong, outnumbered the Confederate garrisons and Western Army at Fort Smith, the total force of which did not exceed 13,500 men. From their defenses on the Arkansas River, McCulloch's men withstood a weeks-long effort by the Union Army of the West to overcome the Confederate position. Preliminary field reports indicate that once the siege was lifted - with the Union force retiring to forward positions back in Fayetteville, AR - the Union Army had suffered over 200 casualties (45 killed) while the Confederates only lost 6 men wounded, and a further 6 killed by shelling of the battlements. Situation stable as of October 20, 1861.

-- End Special Bulletin

The Courier's Bulletin -- #04 -- The First Battle of Cumberland, Maryland

 Courier's Bulletin #04

- Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah (reinforced by a brigade of infantry under Ambrose Powell Hill) proves unstoppable in Western Maryland. On October 2nd, his force beats off a raid by the West Virginia Militia (N) advancing into Maryland.

Strength Report:

West Virginia Militia:

Men: 3,662

Cavalry: 0

Guns: 0

Army of the Shenandoah (Johnston):

Men: 12,677 

Cavalry: 0

Guns: 29

Telegram(s):

- The Army of the Shenandoah is deployed along a wide front as the far right comes under attack from the West Virginia militia. Only Bee's brigade and a battery of artillery are available to fend off the attack (skirmishers from Bartow lend support). Behind a single picket fence, Bee's brigade withstands three separate charges from the West Virginia men before the Union attack is called off.

Casualty Report: 

- Union Casualties: 750 men (134 killed)

- Confederate Casualties: 248 men (27 killed)

- The Army of the Shenandoah, well bloodied, has secured the town of Cumberland, Maryland, and is reportedly preparing to withstand an assault by McClellan's Army of Occupation, outnumbered 2 to 1 but determined to prevent and further loss of Union territory.

The Courier's Bulletin -- #03 -- the Battle of Harper's Ferry

 Courier's Bulletin -- #03

- To the West, the Confederate line continues to shrink and shift without decisive action, but in the East, reports strongly encourage confidence in the integrity of the Virginia border. At Harper's Ferry, General Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah (S) - already well bloodied - is again struck by the Department of Pennsylvania (N) under General Patterson. On August 22, both armies again do battle, this time, at the strategic town of Harper's Ferry.

Strength Report:

The Union Department of Pennsylvanian (Patterson):

Men: 10,000 (estimated)

Cavalry: 0

Guns: 5

The Confederate Army of the Shenandoah (Johnston):

Men: 9,942

Cavalry: 248

Guns: 20

Telegram(s):

- J.E. Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah holds Harper's Ferry on the 22nd of August. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry reports Patterson's advance is close at hand, unobserved by the main body. 

- Afternoon: the Union advance is finally observed marching down the Shepherdstown Pike as anticipated. Johnston wheels to intercept north of Harper's Ferry. Entrenched along a picket line, Johnston deploys his force against Patterson's lead division: the Second. The hour is late as the Confederate artillery opens up. Light volleys are exchanged along the line. Bartow and Smith hold the left, Jackson and Bee hold the right. 

- Dusk: The Union launches a hasty, ill coordinated attack that Jackson/Bee withstand and repulse. Repulsing the Union forces, Bee launches a counter assault and overtakes the last Union brigade (commander unknown). Jackson and Stuart follow up Bee as there is too light time and light to waste.

- Night: The pursuit continues after dark, leading to the only significant Confederate losses. Advancing far beyond the main Confederate line, attempting to deepen the Union route, Stuart strays out of contact with Bee, stumbling into the First Union Division. Of his 289 troopers, the contingent is cut-down to a man. General Stuart has returned with only 38 troopers and exited the battlefield, heading for the rear.

- Dawn (August 23): the Union launches a second assault, hoping to dislodge the Confederates from their consolidated positions. The assault fails as the Second Division (N) tries to turn the extreme right flank of the Confederate line (Jackson and Bee). The First Division exchanges skirmish fire with Bartow and Smith, but without contesting the position. Jackson and Bee once again counter assault and rout Patterson's Second Division. Rather than repeat his failure to turn the Confederate line a third time, Patterson withdraws north towards Maryland.

Casualty Report:

- Union Casualties: Estimated 2,500 Men (299 killed)*

- Confederate Casualties: 635 Men (83 killed)

* Fifth Brigade, Second Division, Department of Pennsylvania, 900 men strong surrenders to General Jackson's Brigade.

- General J.E. Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah continues to hold the line at Harper's Ferry and is hard at work fortifying the location.

 

The Courier's Bulletin Special -- #01 -- Skirmishes in West Virginia and Missouri

Special Courier Bulletin #01

Date: July 27, 1861

Telegram(s):

- Staunton, VA: General Garnett's Army of the Northwest - pursuing the broken forces of Union General George B. McClellan - has reportedly encountered the West Virginia Militia (N) of General Benjamin Kelley at Beverly, VA! General Garnett was luckily reinforced by a brigade of infantry under Brigadier General Sibley (S) - newly arrived from South Carolina - and was able to thoroughly whip Kelley's thousand militiamen. Garnett's force, just shy of 4,000 men, suffered 73 casualties (13 killed) to the militia's 100 casualties (6 killed). The lines are reportedly stable at this minute, with Garnett holding just south of Beverly, the Union forces falling back in disarray, away from the Virginia border.

- Fayetteville, AR: The Missouri State Guard (S) has until recently been holding a static line against the Union forces at Springfield, Missouri, but news today came that the Confederate force there was dislodged by an unknown force on the 27th, and is reeling back towards the Missouri-Arkansas border. Early reports indicate that the only casualties were one Confederate soldier and three Union soldiers. The Union army, one of two known to be in Missouri, is reported to have outnumbered the Confederates more than five-to-one. With the exception of the Missouri State Guard, there are no other Confederate forces in the immediate vicinity ... until more forces are raised in the territories West of Arkansas, the Trans-Mississippi Theater will be in dire straights.

-- End Special Bulletin

The Courier's Bulletin -- #02 -- the Battle of Beverly, VA (Adcock's Farm)

 Courier's Bulletin -- #02

- Following the Union withdrawal from Virginia after the skirmish on the 17th, Joseph E. Johnston raced south with his command to Staunton, VA following reports that the Confederate forces in West Virginia had been dislodged.  Indeed, the men under General Garnett had been forced to retire towards Staunton under pressure from General George B. McClellan's advancing Army of Occupation (N). Just outside of Beverly, VA, Johnston's command made contact with Garnett's delaying force, and together countermarched on McClellan on the 22nd of July.

Strength Report:

The Union Army of Occupation (McClellan):

Men: 6,784

Cavalry: 0

Guns: 14

The Confederate Army of the Shenandoah (Johnston):

Men: 9,689

Cavalry: 258

Guns: 20

The Confederate Army of the Northwest (Garnett):

Men: 1,286

Cavalry: 0

Guns: 8

Fig. 1: The Battle of Adcock's Farm

 

Telegram(s):

- Generals Garnett and Johnston located the Union Army of Occupation just outside of Beverly, VA. Positioned along the stream east of Adcock's farm, the Union line ran North-South, anticipating Garnett's advance from the East. Stuart's cavalry had located the Union army undetected ahead of Johnston's column approaching from the South West, near Warren House. 

- Deploying undetected in the wooded heights west of Adcock's farm, the Confederate Army of the Shenandoah advanced into the open and occupied the picket line on the edge of Adcock's farm. McClellan ordered a sudden about-face as the Johnston appeared in his rear, the Union artillery initiating the battle. With the Union flank turned, Garnett advanced from the East. 

- General Pegram's Brigade (Garnett's Command) advanced on the rear of the Union line, forcing the Union battery to waver. At this moment, Johnston sent his brigades headlong for the Union along the southern half of the stream, pressing McClellan from both flanks. Generals Bartow and Bee led the charge, followed by Jackson and EK Smith. The Union guns were shortly overwhelmed, and as soon as the nearest Union brigade was routed following fierce hand-to-hand combat with Bartow, McClellan's whole line began to buckle. 

- From South to North, each of McClellan's brigades broke and fled north, parallel to the road back to Beverly. 

Bulletin #02:

Casualty Report:

Union Casualties: 1,400 Men (175 killed)* 

Confederate Casualties: 211 Men (31 killed)

* The Union Battery of the Army of Occupation has been wiped out; all guns captured by the Army of the Shenandoah.

- Garnett's vastly smaller West Virginia force is reportedly pursuing McClellan back towards Beverly as Johnston heads back towards Harper's Ferry on the border with Maryland.

The Courier's Bulletin -- #01 -- A New Series (?)

Finally finished with my degree for the time being, I'm just starting to find time to get back into things that I enjoy ... slowly that is. Long neglected as this place has been thus far, I'm deciding on a manageable new series, I'm hoping. Still stuck in Brooklyn for the time being, my ability to break out my board games (most of which are in another state) is quite limited. As such, I figure I don't necessarily have to limit my AARs to just board games and miniatures, so perhaps it's time I include some of the other games that I can play for the moment, and one game - Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) - seems like a good one to start with.

Hoping that I can keep this manageable, The Courier's Bulletin will be a short and sweet AAR of every battle and skirmish that I fight in my new campaign for The Civil War (1861-1865), provided my save games aren't lost to the void like my last game. We're starting this in the summer of 1861, right as war between the North and South has been declared. In my previous campaign (the one that has forever been lost) I was pretty much steam rolling the South, playing as the North. By December 1861, I had captured Richmond, liberated West Virginia, and encircled most of the Eastern Confederates in the Shenandoah Valley with three of my armies. This time, hoping for more of a challenge, I have taken up command of the Southern forces, and indeed we shall see how long I last. 

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We start July 1861. From the Atlantic to the unsettled territories out West, the Confederacy has less than 50,000 men under arms. Blockades stretch from the Chesapeake Bay to the Florida Keys, and already forces move to engage one another. 

Reports indicate the conclusion of early skirmishes between two armies just south of Harpers Ferry, VA at Winchester as the Army of Occupation (N) further west drives the Confederate militia from their pickets at Bartow, WV, falling back on Staunton, VA. Now there is no stopping the war that is to come.

... standby for telegram from Winchester. 

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Courier's Bulletin -- #01

- Early reports from the field suggest that the Department of Pennsylvania (N) crossed the Maryland border into Virginia, occupied Harpers Ferry, and continued on to Winchester where its advance was checked by the Confederate forces of the Army of the Shenandoah on July 17, 1861. 

Strength Report:

The Union Department of Pennsylvania:

Men under arms: 18,152

Cavalry: 0

Guns: Unknown

The Confederate Army of the Shenandoah:

Men under arms: 10,068

Cavalry: 352

Guns: 20

Telegram(s): 

- Major General Joseph E. Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah advanced on the north of Kernstown and deployed for combat along the stream just south of Winchester. The artillery batteries deployed between the two main roads leading north, with one brigade of infantry on either flank and one in between them, with Jackson's brigade held in reserve by Jonhston's HQ. The Union column appeared marching south, exiting the town of Winchester as anticipated. The Confederate guns opened the engagement as the First Union Division (commander unknown) deployed before them. Union skirmishers approached the stream but were sent back under fire from Mississippi rifles.

- The Union brigades of the first division advanced under heavy fire from the Confederate howitzers until in range of the main Confederate body. The volley exchange was quick and fierce. A charge by Stewart's (S) cavalry detachment on the extreme right flank was repulsed, but Bee's (S) charge on Thomas (N) behind Stewart's attack carried the day. Thomas was sent in flight, soon followed by the Union brigade on the far left as the entire Confederate line charged across the stream. With Patterson's First division whipped, the Union general ordered a withdrawal from the field before his second division had even arrived.

Bulletin #01:

Union Casualties: 2,673 (365 killed)

Confederate Casualties: 594 (103 killed)

- Johnston is reportedly pursuing Patterson north and has stopped at Harpers Ferry. The Union forces have continued north, as far as Frederick Maryland.

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Two Poorly Fought Games of Warfighter WWII (Pacific)

 With the ever-so-rare time to myself and no where to go over the holiday, I spent the new year breaking in my copy of Warfighter WWII (the Pacific edition), and wow did it not go over well.  I played two games and lost them both.  The first was a flat-out loss, but I could have won the second.  I was too exhausted to slug-out the last eight turns or so of my second game though, so I through in the towel when I was looking over the field before me.

Game 1: A Swamp too Far

For the first game, I ended up drawing the still waters mission card, depicting what looks like jungle waters or someplace rather wet.  Fittingly, I drew a swamp location as my first location card, and I never really made it out of the swamp.  Mired from the start, my squad desperately fought to avoid being overrun while battling the feverous elements surrounding them.  If memory serves, I (meaning me and my boys, aka the five poorly equipped dudes I chose to send into battle under-armed) spent the first five to eight turns trying to get out of the swamp.  With an 8+ fever rate, almost every soldier I fielded was suffering from environmental effects every turn, severely undercutting their fighting ability AND their ability to move out of the location.  

One of the high points of the first game was securing naval fire support against the jungle location that bordered the swamp my squad was in.  This was just after placing the jungle location (so it was stacked with a full set of fresh hostiles).  An officer, and NCO, and another unit (which I have since forgotten) outright perished under the naval fire, and the remainder were pinned.  

Just as I was about to leave the swamp, and enter the adjacent jungle, I lost my first soldier to a kamikaze attack.  Most of my men were out of actions, having expended most of their effort in the elimination of the last hostile in the swamp.  Only so they thought, a kamikaze soldier appeared in the hostile reinforcement phase and charged one of my most vulnerable squad members.  Charging unchallenged, he detonated the device, killing both himself and my fifth squad member.  

Then, to make things worse, a legendary sniper appeared in the jungle location, almost doubling the entry cost.  It cost my men a fortune (in effort) to enter the jungle location, and only two were able to do so at that.  In the following turn, the sniper killed what second squad member in the swamp location.  I successfully downed the sniper in the subsequent turn, but my discovery of a village in the next location stacked with machine gun units and a harassing force outright destroyed not only my men's morale but my own, so I through in the towel.

There were simply too many locations and too few turns left for me to meet my objective.

Game Two: Stuck on the Beach

The second game fared much better, but I ultimately spent too much time on the initial beachhead trying to clear it.  I remember less about this game (since I didn't have anyone absolutely decimated by a kamikaze soldier in the middle of a swamp ... which was honestly heart breaking) but I do recall that it was just too much of a grind. I made it off the beach and rather quickly down a muddy slope, but I got stuck again in a jungle location, all the while under the eye of an enemy mortar team away on the far ridge -- my designated objective.  I could have made it if I were ambitious, and were confident of making better environment rolls, but I counted the locations remaining in my path, all of which were susceptible to fire from the ridge.  If I'd brought more long-range weapons I would have been more optimistic, but I was kitted for a fight on the beach, not a cross-map range contest, so I threw in the towel on this one too.

Neither game was disappointing though, and I look forward to playing again soon.

Til then:

   Dan Verssen - 2

   Me - 0