The Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) Day 1.

Next up on my ACW project is the Battle of Seven Pines, also known as Fair Oaks. The scenario is taken from the Fire & Fury Great Eastern Battles Scenario Book. Once again I shall be using the Guns at Gettysburg rules by David Brown.

Conversion is relatively straight forward. I simply replace a F&F stand, typically of 3 x 15mm figures, with a 6 figure stand of 6mm. The base frontage is 15mm, 60% that of F&F's 1" or 25mm. 

This reduced the size of the 6' x 6' board in F&F to 3'7" x 3'7" or the closest for my boards of 3'9" x 3'9". The other change I had to make was the number of turns. Movement distances of 6mm figures in GaG rules are roughly 30% of the 15mm figures in F&F. It takes twice as long to cover the same ground and therefore the number of moves are doubled to that in the scenario.

Units in GaG are at battalion level and thus I introduced a few minor changes to reflect the fact that this will be at brigade level. Primarily around Brigade attack columns with a minimum of 2 stands in each of 3 lines to constitute such a column. Where brigades are too small to form their own attack columns they can combine with other brigades to form what is essentially a division attack column.

This is a two day battle with Day 1 consisting of 28 moves including 2 twilight moves. There is one special night move followed by 36 moves in Day 2.

The map shows the situation at 1.00 p.m. on 31st May 1862. The darker green represents wooded areas and the dotted line is the dividing line for the overnight turn. The letters around the edge of the map indicate entry points - more of that later.. X and Z are targets for capture. All streams are flooded preventing artillery from crossing. All other units may cross at any point but suffer a movement penalty. Any unit defending a stream against a charging unit receive a bonus +1 in melee.

Continued - 

There are 2 victory conditions:

1. Receives the most Victory Points. 

1VP Each Broken enemy brigade

1VP Each destroyed or captured enemy battery

1VP Each killed, wounded (not light wound) or captured enemy Corps, Division or Excellent Brigade Commander.

4VP Each destroyed or routed enemy brigade.

1VP Every 2 turns control Fair Oaks Station at X

2VP Every 2 turns control Seven Pines Crossroads at Z

2. Control the crossroads of Seven Pines at location Z at the end of the game.

If each side achieves one victory condition then a draw is declared.

ORDERS OF BATTLE

The 3rd column indicates the number of bases and the 4th the number of figures. The right hand column lists the weapons carried - RM Rifled Muskets, SB Smoothbore - and Smoothbore or rifled artillery.

Overview of battlefield looking west.

Looking north east with Fair oaks station upper middle left and Seven Pines crossroads upper middle right.

A closer view of Fair Oaks railway station in middle of photo.

The Confederate Garland's brigade begins to emerge from the wood.

More of Hill's division advancing through woods.

Beyond Hill, Casey's Union division awaits to receive them.

The scene from behind Palmer and Naglee's brigades.

An overview of Keyes' 4th Corps with Seven Pines crossroads bottom left. 

A closer view of Couch's division holding Seven Pines crossroads.

This tabletop tested my collection of trees to the limit. In order to fill in gaps I had to include my pines. In the above photo you will see my interpretation of Seven Pines crossroads..... what else but seven pine trees!

For the main AAR instead of reporting turn by turn, I will be covering each time period of 1/2 an hour as per the original scenario. Each 30 minutes = 2 turns.

1.00pm - 1.30pm (Turns 1 - 2)

Hill's orders 3 of his brigades to assault the foremost Union line with the 4th supporting. Time is of the essence and he has to make as much ground as possible towards Seven Pines. All Union units are on 'Hold' orders. As Garland's and Rodes Brigades emerge from the woods they are met with volley fire from across the Union frontage. Rodes, who has formed a brigade attack column (at least 3 lines - battalions of troops behind each other) suffers the most due to their massed state but his troops are held steady. Garland's troops find partial cover behind the abatis but nevertheless lose several including to canister fire from the Union artillery section.

Garland chooses to soften up the Union troops with a volley of his own before a charge is declared. Although several Union casualties are sustained they hold their line.

1.30pm - 2.00pm (Turns 3 - 4)

With the Confederates having won the initiative, both Rodes (nearest the camera) and Garland initiate charges.

Rodes' attack column is met with very effective fire from the Green Union troops of Palmer's brigade. The lead confederate troops fail to charge home and 'go to ground'.

Garland's brigade charges across the abatis slowing their movement to 1/2 speed and a test has to be taken to establish if they remain formed. Luckily they pass the test and close on Naglee's brigade. More effective fire (the Union troops are rolling well today!) meets the charge and numerous confederates are scythed down. Morale collapses among the green confederates and they immediately retreat. Worse was to come as the brigade failed to rally in the morale phase so will continue to retreat the next turn. 

Rodes attempts to get his troops up to charge the Union line but fails to do so and a one-sided firefight ensues with the confederates coming off the worst.

With his initial attack stalled, Hill orders his two remaining brigades into the breach. Here the brigade attack column of Rains' brigade moves through the woods aiming to take the lead Union troops of Casey's division in the flank.

Hill successfully changes G.B. Anderson's brigade from support to attack and here the Union troops observe their movement towards the gap left by Garland.

Hill is advised of the good news that Garland successfully rallied his brigade before they left the field.

2.00pm - 2.30pm (Turns 5 - 6)

The Union line now pours fire into the Confederate columns much to the concern of the green troops.

Rains' Confederate brigade moves through the woods in preparation for launching a charge into the flank of the unsuspecting Palmer's brigade.

Rains on the left launches his charge out of the wood towards the left of Palmer's line. Palmer's troops falter and recoil placing them beyond charge range of Rains who elects to hold ground in line with Rodes to his left.

On the right of the photo G.B. Anderson has launched his charge across the abatis to receive murderous fire from Naglee's brigade and its supporting artillery. The cut down 12 of Anderson's brigade who subsequently roll a double '1' when testing for morale. A 'rout' result leaves them fleeing to their rear.

Worse was to come for Hill's division. As a result of the rout a Divisional morale check had to be made (at this level, 'division' replaces 'brigade' morale check). Morale collapsed within Hill's division causing G.B. Anderson's brigade to rout from the field and the rest of the division will have to fall back disordered next turn.

A view of Palmer's brigade reforming behind Wessell's brigade in the middle of the photo.

2.30pm - 3.00pm (Turns 7 - 8)

Longstreet arrives leading R.H. Anderson's division along the Williamsburg Stage Road.

Another view of Anderson's approach march with Jenkins' brigade leading the division.

In the face of Confederate reinforcements and at risk from being cut off, Naglee's brigade with its supporting artillery fall back towards the rest of the division.

Jenkins' brigade moving his column behind the limited cover of the abatis takes a casualty from the artillery section (below right).

Kemper's brigade follows Jenkins along the Williamsburg Stage Road.

3.00pm - 3.30pm (Turns 9 - 10).

The arrival of Longstreet sees the Confederates change tactics. As R.H. Anderson's division arrives the begin to form a large attack column with each brigade forming a line. Here Jenkins' brigade forms the first line with Kemper taking up position in support. To the rear, the rallied brigade of Garland forms the 3rd support line.

Anderson's division continues to arrive with a battery of artillery joining the two arrived brigades.

An overview at the end of the period. In the foreground, Hill with Rains and Rodes's Brigades are ordered to make a flanking move. Rains will engage Casey's Union division holding the earthworks around the Twin Houses. Rodes is to engage the Union troops holding Seven Pines.

In the background Union artillery fires on Jenkins

3.30pm - 4.00pm (Turns 11 - 12)

Pickett's brigade now arrives and moves to the south of the Williamsburg Stage Road along with the artillery.

Rains turns his column to form a line still out of view of the unsuspecting Union troops. In the foreground Rodes marches behind Rains towards Seven Pines.

Union reinforcements arrive. The first units of the 3rd Corps arrives along with the Corps commander, Heintzelman, Divisional commander, Kearny leading Berry's brigade along the Willamsburg Stage Road.

Birney of the same division arrives marching along the Richmond & York River railroad with orders to occupy Fair Oaks station.

4.00pm - 4.30pm (turns 13 - 14)

Jenkins confederate brigade successfully crosses the abatis remaining formed. They are joined by artillery deployed ready to rake the Union lines with canister. Union infantry and artillery open up on Jenkins, and even though long range for their rifled muskets, they exact a heavy toll among the confederates.

Rains' confederate brigade takes up position along the woods' edge much to the discomfort of Wessells' Union troops defending the earthworks.

Jenkins advances and as his brigade prepares to fire they come under a withering fusilade from the Union line. Their reply was pitiful with only couple of casualties inflicted. The entire brigade receives a 'go to ground' result in the subsequent morale test. The confederate artillery had considerably more success rolling a double 6 when firing at the Union artillery within the earthworks. This knocked out the gun and inflicted a light wound on nearby Gen Wessells.

Bottom right of the photo, Rains brigade was preparing to fire when a portion of Wessells' brigade who had turned to face them, beat them to it rolling a double 6 (Union had the initiative this turn). This caused Rains' brigade to falter preventing a response with Rains suffering a light wound.

An overview of the action in this part of the battlefield with Kearny's division converging on Fair Oaks station in the foreground.

The Union position holding Seven Pines is in danger of being outflanked as Rodes deploys into line in the top middle of photo.

More reinforcements arrive with Jameson's brigade of Kearny's division advancing along the Williamsburg Road.

Sedgwick's division arrives in the north east corner of the battlefield marching towards Fair Oaks.

More of Sedgwick's division snaking their way towards the Fair Oaks destination.

2 photos of Whiting's division marching along Nine Mile Road towards Fair Oaks station.

4.30pm - 5.00pm (turns 15 - 16)

Pickett moves his brigade up (far left) lining up with the artillery. Rains' brigade (bottom) recovers but will not yet be ready to fire. Jenkins orders his brigade to remain prone allowing Kemper's supporting brigade to pass through (top middle). They exchange fire but with much reduced effect.

With the Union gun destroyed, the confederate artillery turns its attention on Wessells' brigade raking them with canister.

Kemper has successfully passed through Jenkins' prone brigade without becoming unformed. They too take heavy casualties and are not yet ready to respond.

An overview as Pickett's and Rains' brigades join the artillery in mauling Wessells Union brigade (far left).

The battered Wessells' brigade falters in the face of the onslaught.

Rodes, now having occupied the farm building exchanges fire with Peck's brigade who has been sent to counter the flanking move.

Peck's brigade goes to ground. Seeing an opportunity, Rodes orders a charge. Even though only suffering light casualties from reduced fire, Peck's brigade fails to charge home and falters (poor dice roll!). An opportunity in rolling up the Union flank around Seven Pines is missed.

Fair Oaks railroad station is proving a magnet for both sides. On the left, Kearny's Union division converges on the station. To the right, Whiting's confederate division does likewise.

The view from the Union side looking along Nine Mile Road.

The same view as both sides deploy into line preparing to engage with each other.

Birney's Union brigade successfully occupies the station facing Hood's brigade.

Sedgwick's Union division continues its march towards Fair Oaks to add its weight to the cause.

To the right, Gorman's brigade of Sedgwick's division forms line while to the left, Laws brigade, on seeing the threat develop angles its march to head them off.

A closer view of Law's brigade advancing towards Sedgwick's Union division.

5.00pm - 5.30pm (turns 17 - 18)

The firefight continues between Kemper's Confederate brigade and the Union brigades of Palmer and Naglee together with a single cannon. Kemper gets the better of the exchange with what was left of the artillery crew dispersing from the field.

Pickett's and Rains' brigades charge the faltering brigade of Wessells. Rains once again failed to charge home but Pickett's brigade column had no such reservations. The already shaky Wessells' brigade routed before contact could be made with Pickett overrunning the Union position.

Pickett now wheeled his brigade towards the flank of Palmer's brigade, who, along with Naglee, were still preoccupied with their musketry duel with Kemper.

Peck's Union brigade had again failed to stand as ordered and in their prone position severely hampered their firepower. Rodes was joined by his divisional commander, D.H. Hill, in an effort to capitalise on the vulnerable Union brigade. The charge was ordered and despite only losing a single casualty they once again failed to charge home and faltered much to the dismay of both commanders.

The troop build up around Fair Oaks continued with a firefight breaking out around the station. In the distance (top left) the Confederate brigade of Hatton arrives marching along the railroad track.

Smoke from the fusilade of musketry erupts as Sedgwick's division comes into contact with Whiting's Confederates. The third brigade of Sedgwick's division, that of Dana, suffered a command failure and had halted rather than supporting the other two brigades as ordered. 

Hampton takes his brigade along the rough woodland roads seeking to outflank Sedgwick.

An overview at the end of Turn 18. It is now 5.30pm.

The situation at the end of the turn. The arrows indicate ordered movements. Wessells successfully rallied his routing troops behind Devens' brigade. Keyes is praying for darkness to save his Corps.

5.30pm - 6.00pm (turns 19 - 20)

An overview of Seven Pines illustrates Confederate pressure building as Casey's Union division holding the earthworks in front of the Twin Houses gradually folds.

A closer view in the centre of the photo shows Pickett's charge. He initially charged towards the flank of Palmer's brigade who promptly retreated. Pickett continued the charge and caught Palmer giving his retreating brigade a severe mauling and causing them to rout. In the pursuit test Pickett maintained superb discipline over his green troops. 

Naglee's Union brigade was now isolated (top middle) but still holding out.

 An overview of the battlefield looking towards Fair Oaks station - top left.

Palmer's brigade routs towards Couch's division and takes more casualties from Pickett's troops as they fire into their backs. They rout through the Union division and despite Palmer's best efforts he fails to rally them and the entire brigade disperses from the field.

Rodes' Brigade is joined by their divisional commander, D.H. Hill, and spurred on by him and Rodes the brigade finally charges home into Peck's brigade. After all the failed charges, Rodes' brigade excels rolling a double 6 in melee. This utterly destroys the Union brigade with the handful of survivors fleeing the field.

The position of Keyes' 4th Corps holding Seven Pines looks increasingly precarious. 

To the Confederates' rear, yet more reinforcements arrive in the form of Wilcox's brigade who hurries to support Garland's brigade as the latter forms a brigade column (middle of photo).

At Fair Oaks railroad station Kearny's small division continues to hold off the Confederates.

An overview of the area around Fair Oaks with Whiting's confederate division heavily engaged on two fronts.

Gorman's Union brigade is involved in a heavy firefight with Laws' Confederates who are postioned behind a fence.

Burns' Union brigade has been ordered to cover Sedgwick's right flank. As they advance they catch sight of Confederates moving along a woodland track.

Hampton's Confederates are oblivious to the proximity of Burns as they continue their march.

Burns (middle right) angles his brigade towards Hampton's column. Dana's brigade (bottom of photo) is making up time after his order confusion.

6.00pm - 6.30pm (turns 21 - 22)

As the Confederates prepare to make a final overwhelming assault on Seven Pines, the remaining two brigades of Anderson's division arrive lead by Pryor's brigade (far left).

Even worse news for Keyes was the arrival of Huger's Confederate division on his left flank. (Huger was required to test for arrival and he passed on first attempt!)

Pickett (middle of photo) was ordered to merely engage with Couch's Union division but he had other ideas and ordered an attack. His brigade crossed the abatis maintaining good order. His advance though prevented the Confederate artillery from using canister for fear of hitting their own troops. 

Rains' brigade to the left and Rodes on the right both ordered a charge on Devens' and Wessells' brigades. Rains failed to charge home but Rodes, now on a high, had no such reservations contacting both brigades.

Rodes defeated both brigades causing them to retreat with heavy loss. The Confederates will pursue them in the next turn.

Naglee's Union brigade (bottom left) steadily retires along with their divisional commander, Casey, through the woods followed by overwhelming Confederate forces.

Another view of Seven Pines with Naglee's brigade in the foreground which is beginning to resemble a last stand.

Kearny's Union division holding Fair Oaks is also beginning to struggle under relentless Confederate attention.

In the foreground, Jameson's Union brigade was turned to meet the threat of Hatton's brigade steadily advancing towards the Union division's left flank.

Disaster for the Union troops as Hatton's brigade charges into Jameson's column. The Union brigade loses the melee and retreats exposing the division's flank.

Pettigrew's Confederate brigade is ordered to bolster their left flank which is coming under increasing pressure from Sedgwick's division.

Pettigrew's move proved to be timely as Gorman's Union troops in the foreground were gradually getting the better of Law's Confederates in their exchange of musketry.

Hampton's Confederate brigade at last responds on seeing movement in the woods to their right. They immediately form line facing the woods edge.

As the Union troops emerge, both sides engage in a furious firefight with neither getting the upper hand. Ominously for Hampton, Dana's brigade approaches (bottom left).

6.30pm - 7.00pm (turns 23 - 24)

Pickett's charge into Abercrombie's brigade (middle right) signalled the end of Union resistance at Seven Pines. The Confederates carved into Abercrombie's troops causing significant casualties and forced them to retreat. The exhilarated rebels will pursue the retreating brigade. Union artillery defending the earthworks are also charged and as a result they hurriedly limbered up and rode east along the Williamsburg Stage Road.

 Another view of the carnage at Seven Pines.

Casey had done an excellent job with Naglee's brigade (bottom middle) steadily falling back in good order in front of the Confederate horde. However, on seeing Birney and Jameson's brigade retreating and routing, it was too much for the green Union troops will will perform and uncontrolled retreat the next turn.

An overview of the Confederate troops pouring towards Seven Pines. 

The collapse of the Confederate line at Seven Pines is all too apparent as Confederate troops swarm over the now vacated earthworks. Devens and Wessell's Union brigades failed to rally and fled the field. Union artillery is furiously galloping along the Williamsburg Road as Huger's division emerges from the woods to their right.

Pickett in the middle of the photo was unable to maintain contact with Abercrombie's retreating brigade and will now reform.

A closer view of Pickett's victorious brigade.

Fair Oaks Station proved no better for the Union forces. Birney's brigade holding the station, already reduced through heavy casualties, finally broke and seeing their fellow brigades streaming to the rear. Kearny himself attempted to rally Birney's brigade but could not prevent them from fleeing the field. They joined Berry's brigade from the same division who also failed to rally.

Hood's battered brigade now took possession of Fair Oaks Station.

Sedgwick's division is the last Union formation still in reasonable shape and capable of holding the Confederates. On the left, Gorman's brigade continues its musketry duel with Law's brigade. To the right Burns does likewise with Hampton. In the foreground within the woods is Dana's brigade who have suffered repeated command failures. More was to follow. On seeing Pettigrew's confederates moving along the woodland track (upper middle) Sedgwick orders Dana to intercept them. Once again Dana fails to respond to his orders (failed both Divisional command and Brigade command initiative rolls). He therefore continues to sit in the woods confused!

This has potentially serious consequences for Sedgwick's division as Pettigrew heads towards the rear of Burn's brigade (top of photo).

With Dana paralysed, Pettigrew seizes the advantage and charges the rear of Burn's brigade. The latter retreats but fails to put enough distance between them as Pettigrew piles into the unformed brigade. The inevitable happens with the confederates inflicting heavy losses on Burns troops. They have had enough and will rout the next turn.

One piece of good news for the Union forces, Gorman finally overcomes Law's brigade in their gruelling duel. Law's brigade falls below 50% strength and fails the dispersal test. His brigade now flees the field. The Union army has precious few troops to exploit the gap left by Law.

An overview of the battlefield at 7.00pm. The Union forces are desperately hoping for nightfall and reinforcements.

7.00pm - 7.30pm (turns 25 - 26)

With the collapse of the Union army around Seven Pines, the Confederates wasted no time in overrunning the crossroads and continued their surge towards what was left of the remaining Union brigades.

The situation at the end of turn 26 with Seven Pines safely in Confederate hands.

The situation at Fair Oaks was little better for the Union with Jameson's brigade being the only formation in good order. Lead by Kearny the intention is to make an attempt at forming a defensive line in order to buy time for nightfall. A daunting task given the Confederate horde to their rear.

Anderson's division along with Garland's brigade continue their advance towards the railroad unopposed.

Jameson's brigade continues its march intending to form a defensive line behind the river and bridge.

The one moment of success for the Union. Sedgwick joined the brigade of Dana and ordered them to charge out of the woods into the flank of the now unformed Pettigrew's Confederate brigade. They at last obeyed their clear order and poured out of the trees with bayonets fixed towards the startled Confederates who promptly turned and ran. They had no desire to be butchered! As Pettigrew's brigade routed to their rear (middle top), Hampton sought to stabilise the situation and moved his brigade (right of photo) into effective musket range before delivering a volley into Dana's troops. Although they downed several, the Union brigade held their ground.

Sedgwick's Division disengages and begins to fall back aiming to link with Jameson's brigade.

An overview which demonstrates the dominance of the Confederates as the end of the day nears. Only Sedgwick's division (top of photo), is in any sort of fighting condition for the Union. Burns and Abercrombie's Union brigades fail to rally and rout from the field.

7.30pm - 8.00pm (turns 27 - 28 twilight moves)

Naglee's Union brigade is rallied by Casey. They and the artillery are the last of the formations tasked with defending Seven pines to remain on the battlefield.

With light failing and both sides disengaged, the Confederates call a halt to their troops. There is no prospect of them inflicting further damage on the Union forces so they seek to consolidate their gains.

The map shows the final positions at nightfall. It was not planned and purely the way the game played out that the Confederate positions are roughly in line with the starting positions for day 2. The victory point tally so far:
         
Union - 33 VP's
Confederate - 41 VP's

Additionally, the Confederates have control Seven Pines.

Most of the Union points were gained early in the game as the Rebels were arriving. They have a steep climb to make on day 2 for any chance of victory.

The Confederate C in C, Johnston, should have arrived during the 1st day but I was so absorbed in playing the game I missed the fact he was not included on the F&F time of arrival chart. He was wounded in the actual battle and therefore, G.W. Smith will take on the roll of C in C in day 2. Including Johnston would not have made any material difference to the outcome.

The Union receive reinforcements during the night and all dispersed brigades return. All units recover half their losses.

All forces must move to the west of the dotted line for the Confederates and east for the Union. Union reinforcements are placed anywhere in their zone but all other units of both sides may only move a maximum of 24 cms from their current location and in any formation.

I will produce new orders of battle for the next day showing the new strengths of each unit.

Day 2 will be played next but there will be a delay due to a 1 week holiday from 15th November.