ACW Warplan Campaign: Cavalry Skirmish at Rorketon

The ACW campaign commences. As with my Napoleonic campaign, I am using the Warplan 5/5 system but with railways added. Refer to my first blog which provides an introduction together with the first map moves.

To recap:

The lead cavalry elements of the Union army has advanced north to scout the Confederate positions. Several Confederate cavalry units have fallen back in the face of a more numerous enemy. A couple of Confederate cavalry regiments though took the opportunity to engage the Union forces with the intention of giving them a bloody nose. To the right, Phillips with his cavalry legion based at Rorketon is one such and his location becomes the scene for the first action of the campaign.

Continued -

I have yet to find skirmish rules that I am happy with for the ACW at this level. I will therefore be using Guns at Gettysburg but with my own modifications to shooting and melee, making them more detailed. Basically, each figure rolls one dice to hit with adjustments for troop quality, the weapon fired/used, and circumstances at the time.

Command is scaled down with the regimental commander issuing orders rather than the brigade commander. Each squadron acts as a unit in its own right.

Skirmish at Rorketon

Figures used - Baccus 6mm

Table Size - 3' x 3'.

Rules - Modified Guns at Gettysburg

Orders of Battle:

Confederate

Phillips Cavalry Legion - 24 figures in 2 squadrons 

Elite, 2 pistols, shotguns

Union

12th Illinois Cavalry - 48 figures in 4 squadrons

Veterans, 1 pistol, Breech loading carbines.

Terrain - Village of Rorketon, Railway station and goods yard, smooth grassy hills, firm heathland.

Overview at start. Union cavalry advancing along valley floor in two columns towards Rorketon. The Rebel cavalry has dismounted with one squadron each positioned on the reverse slopes either side of the valley.

Rorketon

Rorketon

Turn 1

With 2 squadrons continuing to advance along the valley floor, one squadron is ordered to reconnoitre each of the hills on the flanks. The Confederates remain hidden. 

Turn 2

The squadron on the west side of the valley begins to ascend the hill when Confederates suddenly appear on the hillcrest. A blast from shotguns downs 2 of their number and they falter.

The scene is repeated on the opposite side of the valley. This particular squadron is met with disaster with 6 being killed - 50% of their strength. (A fistful of 6's rolled by the Rebels!). They fail their morale test and flee the field.

The Union commander looks on incredulously. A rapid rethinking of his plans will be required!.

Turn 3

One Union squadron is ordered to dismount and engage with the Confederates on the west hill only to observe them quickly retiring to mount up (in foreground of photo). With the Union squadron on the right recovering from falter, it just leaves one squadron able to respond (middle of photo). They are formed into line formation and ordered to engage the Rebels on west hill.

With the Union commander focussing on the west hill it leaves the other Confederate squadron on east hill free to mount up and is now being lead by their commander across the ridgeline (top left).

Turn 4

Command failures bedevil the Union troops with the squadron on the right the only one to respond successfully to a change of orders. I remounts ready to attack the west hill Confederates. One squadron reaches the summit of west hill and promptly halts ignoring orders to attack. The Confederates on the other hand, pass all their command tests with ease.

Turn 5

Another turn and yet more Union command failures. The Union commander joins the squadron in the middle of the photo intending to charge the Confederates, only to roll a double '1' command test! This translates to a command blunder causing the squadron to go onto hold orders. 

The Confederate squadron has no such problems and charges the Union unit. Their commander attempts to counter-charge only to see his squadron falter as the Confederates charge home. They were fortunate to have lost only 3 figures, inflicting 2 in return, which pushes them back with the Confederates pursuing maintaining contact.

At the top of the photo, the Union squadron had been ordered to change its target to that of the 2nd Confederate squadron now moving across the valley floor.

The Union squadron on the top of west hill appeared to be totally confused! It remained there looking on at developments.

Turn 6

The melee across the rail tracks continues with the following up Confederates winning again, killing 3 more while losing 2. Crucially for the Union troopers, their commander receives a light wound and retires to receive treatment. Having lost half their number, the Union squadron fails its morale test and flees the field.

The Confederate squadron lead by their commander off east hill charged the Union squadron that had been diverted to intercept them. The Union troopers counter-charge but are overwhelmed by the ferocity of the Rebel charge. Although managing to inflict 4 casualties on the Confederates, the Union lose an incredible 6, half their number! This proves devastating to their morale and they too flee the field.

The last of the Union squadrons finally passes its command test and swings around the west hill to intercept the Confederates (middle right) only to see their comrades fleeing the field. Given how easy it proved to be for the Confederates to destroy most of the regiment, this last squadron decided it was time to vacate the field. 

The quick but brutal skirmish at Rorketon was brought to an end with an unlikely Confederate victory.

The final butchers bill, the Union lost 16 troopers to the Confederate 5.

NEXT: Cavalry Skirmish at Isserlohn