 |
| Retreating Confederates flood the roads leading away from the battlefield |
The Battle of Sharpeville is over - and it was pretty much an unmitigated disaster for the Rebs!
See http://wargameswithmybrother.blogspot.co.uk for a blow by blow account.
Confusion and doubt about the whereabouts of Pope's largest corps led me into a paralysis which unfortunately coincided with some assertive tactical play by Ian. The divisions of Hood and Starke never fired a shot, and by some appalling incompetence that I don't even fully understand myself, the majority of Confederate artillery remained limbered up and useless for the duration of the battle! Rebel army demoralisation (6 simultaneously broken units) was reached after playing just 8 tabletop turns - our final session consisting of 1 turn only! Map moves have resumed with campaign turn 10 commencing at the time that the battle ended - 3pm.
In short - Jackson's corps was severely damaged in defence, Longstreet's was crippled in attack, and I was hampered by over-confidence alternating with baseless paranoia.
By mid afternoon, the Army of Northern Virginia was in full retreat, and Ian had recieved 5 Campaign Victory Points for winning the battle. During Longstreet's disastrous assault it was Anderson's Division that took the heaviest losses and is now designated 'battle weary' in campaign terms. Kemper was killed in the chaos when his men broke in the woods, so a replacement will need to be found to command his division. I have started to extricate my army from the battlefield with a view to retiring southwards and having a serious re-think. If I lose a second battle then victory goes to that dreadful character, General Pope . . . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment