ACW Battle of Cross Keys. 8th June 1862 - Introduction

This is the 6th Scenario from the "STONEWALL" Guns at Gettysburg Scenarios Book 4. I have added the label "ACW Battles Stonewall" on the right where you will find the other 5 scenarios. 

In the previous scenarios GaG rules were used but here I will be using Black Powder 2 for the first time with amendments from the "Glory, Hallelujah!" supplement. Conversion was relatively straightforward with only minor adjustments in unit sizes. 

BACKGROUND

Having achieved his aims of diverting Union troops from the Richmond theatre, Jackson considered the Valley campaign at an end. Lee gave Jackson several options, stating that Whiting's Division was on the way to join him and that he should join the main army at Richmond. He also gave him the option to strike a blow on the Federals.

The same day Lee issued these orders, Jackson's camp at Port Republic came under attack. A raiding force had been sent by Shields to seize the bridge but had been driven off although Jackson had nearly been captured. Fremont's Union army marching from Harrisonburg to the north-west intended attacking Jackson from this position.

With the possibility of getting caught between two Union armies, Jackson began getting his troops out of Port Republic. Meanwhile, Ewell organised a stand against Fremont on Mill Creek Ridge in the vicinity of Cross Keys Tavern.

Fremont decided that he would attack the Confederate right and attempted to conform his own line to that of Ewell's.

The game will be played on a 4'6" x 3'0" table using Baccus' 6mm figures. 

Continued -

VICTORY CONDITIONS

Union

Seize the Pence House hill with at least one supported, unshaken unit and have more units on the Mill Creek Ridge than the Confederates at the end of turn 12.

Confederates

Prevent Union victory conditions and hold the line X-Y and Y-Z with at least 1 unshaken unit per section at the end of turn 12.

DEPLOYMENT

Union
Fremont arrives at Union Church on a roll of 6 at end of turn 1. Thereafter add 1 to dice roll at end of each turn.

Bohlen and Koltes dice for arrival in same way.

Confederate
Taylor arrives on a dice roll of 6 in the turn following a Union brigade activation (not including Milroy). Thereafter and 1 to dice roll for each additional Union brigade activation.

SPECIAL RULES

Union Timidity
With the exception of Milroy, all Union brigades must activate on a roll of 6. Thereafter 1 added to dice roll for each turn.

Ambush of the 8^th New York
Deploy 9cm from the fence line occupied by Trimble and given an automatic initiative move order on at least turn 1 until contact. Confederates may interrupt move prior to contact to deliver a volley at which point they become visible and the 8^th NY may react.

Union Rifle-Muskets
In the main, regiments were armed with inferior types of rifle. Re-roll one hit.

TERRAIN

Woods are mainly light. Woods on Mill Creek Ridge and Pence House Hill are heavy. Mill Creek is fordable and movement at rough ground rates.

ORBATS

I have retained the Guns at Gettysburg unit quality ratings for reference. Their stats have been adjusted slightly to reflect those qualities. 

Stahel's Brigade.

Ambush of the 8th New York. Their first move will be towards Trimble's Confederates hidden at the edge of Pence Hill wood behind a fence line. The Confederates will fire first which will be at close range.

Pence House with Walker's small brigade to the right.

Schenk's and Milroy's Brigades.

The first of 3 photos of Mill Creek Ridge. The Confederates line the edge of the wood and are able to fire out.

3 of Courtney's artillery batteries.

Steuart's Brigade nearest the camera.

The intention will be to cover the entire game in the next post. If longer than expected it will be broken down into bitesize chunks!