Longstreet Campaign 1861 Meeting Engagement Union v Confederate

After a while playing 02:00 Hours and Test of Honour I felt like a change from skirmish games so arranged with Dave to play Longstreet, potentially as part of the campaign in the rule book.

Dave opted for the Rebels so I took the Union. My brigade consisted of three ten base infantry battalions, an 8 base cavalry regiment and two bases of 6pdr artillery. Of course it had to be commanded by my favourite Union general 'Fighting Joe' Hooker!

The first game, set in 1861 and so perhaps part of the Bull Run battle, was an encounter. The Brigade quickly deployed to face the enemy:

The Rebels are quickly moving up in march column:

They waste no time pressing forward while the Union occupy a field:

Union cavalry dismount. Perhaps the Rebels can be caught still in march formation?

The Rebels are too smart to be caught though and deploy just in time. They send some men around the Union right flank to threaten the artillery:

Rebel infantry prepare to assault the dismounted cavalry:

The Rebels charge home with a Yell:

The dismounted cavalry are pushed back but this exposes the Rebel infantry to a potential flank attack. On the Union right the Rebel cavalry have charged the Union artillery and captured some of the battery:

The Rebel infantry fall back from their exposed position but take fire from the Union line:

The Union forces charge home clearing the wood of Rebels. At this point things are looking good for General Hooker (who lived up to his nickname by leading the charge!):

In the centre the situation is less promising for the Union with the Rebels putting heavy pressure on the Union line:

The Union left has driven off the Rebels facing it. The battle will be decided by their ability to save the Union centre before it breaks. It is going to be close!

The Union centre is badly mauled and holding on desperately:

With the Union left menacing the rear of the Rebels they decide their only option is to charge forwards:

The Union centre breaks after almost hanging on and the Rebels are triumphant in a close game. Fighting Joe will have to retire and fight again but at least his force has now 'Seen the elephant' and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy:

A really close game that could easily have gone the other way and where fortunes changed several times. Dave's flanking move on my right initially looked like it would be too slow to affect the battle but, in the end, was decisive after the Union centre had been worn down.

Having played a couple of games of Longstreet I'm revising my opinion of it really, when I tried it a long time ago I wasn't impressed (but then I really like Fire and Fury so any other set of ACW rules is starting from a difficult position!) but, like Sam Mustafa's other rules, there is more to them than appears initially and the campaign system is certainly a nice addition.

Dave really enjoyed the game as well so we will be continuing the campaign for now at least!