The Union call up 90,000 militia. Rosecrans replaces Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac.
Hurlbut with his 20,000 men start their march to Fayetteville, AK. A definite sideshow, but someone has to do it.
McCook delivers 10,000 men to Buell who is now safely entrenched and then goes on to take command of the troops at Bowling Green.
Grant and 80,000 men advance on the Confederate cavalry screen at Humboldt. Fearing an overrun it retreats to Brownsville. They retreat again as Grant now nears Memphis, but as they attempt to retire into the city Grant unleashes his cavalry. It is a 2:1 encounter with a +1. The die roll is a 4. Both sides lose 5,000 cavalry. Grant is able to advance and makes a second attack on Ft Pillow. It is a 4:1 +1 with a die roll of 5 (oh dear). The Confederates are wiped out, but the Union also take 5,000 casualties. Grant narrowly avoids being wounded, but Logan is killed. Grant captures Ft Pillow, but there is a question on advance after combat. A careful reading of the rules reveals that troops under the command of a leader may advance even if they didn't participate in the battle (the trick being Grant only used the necessary minimum of troops in the assault on Ft Pillow).
Lyon sends Thomas with 30,000 men in pursuit of Van Dorn. He overruns him at Cumberland Ford. It is a straight 4:1 and a die roll of 9 sees the Confederates lose 5,000 men, but Thomas gets to follow up and another 4:1 attack with a die roll of 7 has the Confederates wiped out, but with 5,000 Union casualties. Van Dorn is wounded.
Lyon starts to head to Bowling Green.
Over east, Porter and Hooker rest their troops and dig in, along with all the other forces there.
Franklin and 10.000 soldiers descend on Sabine City, TX.
Farragut tries his hand at bombarding Ft Jackson again. The first bombardment creates a suppress level 2 which will be hard for the Confederates to remove as the fort is out of supply. It is of no matter as subsequent bombardment eliminates the battery (a roll of a 10 with a +3 will do that).
Buckner is ordered to force march back to Memphis were his presence will at least give the Confederates parity with Grant. Other troops are railed to cover Knoxville and Corinth. The Army of the Tennessee digs in, happy that it is blocking the railway line that stops the Union railing troops directly to Grant.
Lee and Jackson make an attempt to cross the Potomac attacking the 40,000 troops dug in with McDowell. It is a 1:1 attack with a +3. The die roll is a 7. Both sides lose 10,000 men, but the Union have to retreat. The Confederates can cross, but that Army of the Potomac is ready to counterattack so they have to wait till they can get more troops up. The Confederates have 1 fatigue and the Union 2.
Grant living up to his reputation as General Victory Bloodbath.
ReplyDeleteThe battles don't seem to be as bloody as in War Between the States, losses are calculated on the smallest force engaged. The big risk is to commanders if a natural 5 or 6 is thrown.
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