Port Republic

We played the final game in our ACW Black Powder campaign on Thursday, with a refight of Port Republic.

In this action, two Union brigades are on the offensive against three Confederate ones, although two of the Confederate brigades come on as reinforcements. The Union are holding four objectives along a road. Since the Confederates were three points ahead in the campaign, they only had to capture one to draw the campaign and two to win it.

Here's the Confederate commanders having a think, with their first brigade marching towards the Union lines.

The Union opted for an active defence, looking to hit each incoming Confederate brigade hard as they came up.

More Confederates arrived on the Union left. There was a time/turn limit on their attack, so they had to advance quickly, which meant column. The forward Union defence moved up to exploit this.

A shot along the lines. The fields provided some cover from firing, so, in fact, the Union move forward made a lot of sense. At this stage all three Confederate brigades were on the table.

Close action in the centre.

The Confederates looking concerned. Time was running out and they'd yet to break through the thin blue line.

More action in the centre.

The objectives remained firmly in Union hands.

And the end came quickly. The Confederates finally managed a push on their right, breaking through the Union infantry there. But they were stopped short of the objective by Union guns, and failed to take it by the end.

So despite losing, or at best scraping a draw in, the other battles, the Union clinched a one point victory in the whole campaign by holding all four objectives.

Thanks to Ralph for putting together an interesting set of encounters, and to all those who provided the lovely figures.