ACW Warplan Campaign: Cavalry Skirmish at Isserlohn

With the camera now back in operation normal service is resumed -

The opening moves of the campaign brought two cavalry skirmishes, this being the second. A reminder of the opening moves:

Buford's cavalry division are moving ahead of the main Union army scouting Confederate positions. Confederate cavalry outposts have partially pulled back but a couple decided to engage with the Union troops. This action involves Devin's brigade.

Most of Devin's brigade advanced unopposed with the exception of the 6th New York (bottom right). As they advanced towards Isserlohn they became aware of movement up ahead. The Confederate Hampton with Cobb's Cavalry Legion intended on giving them a bloody nose! 

Continued -

Cavalry Skirmish at Isserlohn

Figures - Baccus 6mm

Table Size - 3'9" x 3'

Rules - Guns at Gettysburg

Orders of Battle:

Confederate
Hampton
Cobb's Cavalry Legion - 48 figures in 4 squadrons. elite, 2 pistols, shotguns

Union
6th New York Cavalry - 30 figures in 2 squadrons, veteran, breach loading carbines

Devin arrives from 17B22 with part of his force -
17th Pennsylvania Cavalry - 34 figures in 2 squadrons, veteran, breach loading carbines.

Terrain
17B22 (square on left) Flat firm grazing land, fences, 2 farms.
17B23 Village of Isserlohn with railway station and goods yard, firm grazing land, stone walls, orchards, farm.

Hampton is in square 17B23 with the 6th NY cavalry arriving from the south in the same square.

Overview at start.

Devin with a squadron of the 17th Pennsylvania.

Another squadron of the 17th Pennsylvania observed by a herd of newly painted cows!

Hampton in Isserlohn observes the approaching Union cavalry.

The squadrons of Cobb's cavalry Legion deploy around Isserlohn preparing to defend it fiercely:

The Confederate right flank and a view of my new train set!

Turn 1 - 2

In the opening moves, the 6th New York are ordered to conduct a flanking attack on the town with the church being the immediate target.

Having advanced through the orchard the 2nd squadron take up position by the stone wall boundary and ignore orders to mount up!

The 1st squadron of the 6NY brings the church into view along with the Confederates defending it.

To the west of Isserlohn Devin with 2 squadrons of the 17th Pennsylvania cavalry advance towards the town.

One squadron of the 17th Pennsyvania dismount as the squadron of Cobb's Legion defending a fence line mounts up with orders to attack.

Turns 3 to 4

The 6NY CO orders the 1st squadron to charge the rebels holding the church.

The defending rebel dismounted cavalry make good use of their shotguns and with their defensive position goes some way to cancelling out the advantage of charging by the Union cavalry. The Rebels desperately hang on successfully holding the wall. A draw result means that the mounted cavalry will have to retire to their own lines.

As the rebel cavalry traverse the fence they come under accurate fire from the dismounted squadron of the 17th Pennsylvania who use the 'pour it on' option for their breech loaded carbines.

Concerned about the threat from the west, the rebel squadron defending the town are ordered to mount up to counter that threat.

The Confederate squadron charges the dismounted Union troopers who pour murderous fire into them (a double 6 is thrown) downing several causing the charge to falter. This does mean though that the Union troopers are low on ammo.

The Rebel cavalry from Isserlohn now deploy into line ready to move west of the town.

An overview at the end of turn 4.

Turns 5 - 6

After a couple of command failures the 6NY squadron stuck in the orchard finally acknowledge their orders and mount up.

Not a moment too soon as their compatriots in the 1st squadron continue to retire with the rebels about to pursue.

The two 6NY squadrons meet up as the 2 rebel squadrons approach.

The rebel cavalry out of Isserlohn charge the dismounted 17th Pennsylvania squadron who immediately retreat towards the woods.

The fresh Pennsylvania squadron lead by Devin clashes with the depleted rebel squadron. The latter falls to 50% strength and disperses from the field.

The victorious Pennsylvanians maintain superb discipline and angle themselves towards the surviving rebel squadron to the west of Isserlohn.

Devin breathes a sigh of relief as the retreating dismounted cavalry successfully rally.

Turns 7 - 9

With Devin joining in, the unformed squadron of 17th Pennsylvania counter-charge the rebel squadron. Neither side gets the upper hand with the melee continuing into another round. 

A 2nd round of combat again results in a stalemate but ominously for the rebels, the squadron of the 17th Pennsylvania that had rallied in the woods now emerged from the trees mounted up. The cows to the right find the mayhem fascinating!

The Union squadron commander wasted no time reforming his men having alighted from the woods ordering them to immediately charge into the melee. This they did without hesitation piling into the rear of the hapless rebel squadron who were already fighting for their lives. Having suffered a severe mauling and with escape impossible, the survivors surrendered. 

On the opposite flank both sides squared off for the final showdown.

One squadron from each side were eager to get to grips with the others reluctant to engage.

The engaged Union squadron was defeated and forced to retreat. The Confederates pursued turning the Union retreat into a rout. The other squadron for each side edged closer but still did not make contact.

Turns 10 - 12

The reluctant warriors finally made contact and once again the 6th New York were defeated and forced to retreat. This took them off the board and out of play. The Confederates did not pursue.

The victorious 17th Pennsylvania reform in preparation for moving on Isserlohn.

An overview at the end of turn 10.

As the 17th Pennsylvania entered Isserlohn.....

The surviving and victorious squadrons of Cobb's Legion lead by Hampton decide it is time to retreat from the field. They are satisfied having given the Union Cavalry a bloody nose but to linger much longer risked annihilation with more Union cavalry available to the west. With no prospect of the Union cavalry intercepting them the battle concluded at the end of this turn - turn 12. (The pigs rummaging around in the farmyard to the bottom left are another new addition to the battlefield inventory!).

The loss of a complete squadron meant a very narrow Confederate defeat when losses are taken into account. Overall though they can content themselves with giving the Union cavalry a fright. They will have to take care when scouting ahead of the main Union army in the days to come.

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