Bloody Lane! ACW action in 28mm

ACW is one of those periods that has kind of passed me by really. I can see the appeal of wargaming the conflict, but for whatever reason, it's not something I've really tried. Probably partly to do with a long-standing hankering to 'do' something more European for that period - 1866 Germany etc.

Anyway - yesterday I was invited to join Scrivs over at his house to play 'Bloody Lane', which I learned was an element of the battle of Antietam. We were using his extensive ACW collection, with Scrivs and I leading the Union forces in an attempt to dislodge the Confederates, commanded by Nick (NorthStar) from said lane. (I believe some of the commanders were Nicks figures too).

We were using 'Picketts Charge' rules which I wasn't familiar with, but with suitable coaching from Scrivs, were pretty intuitive to pick up. (They are mechanically quite similar to the 'General d'Armee' Napoleonic rules we used before)

The Union forces really struggled to get going this day.. Nick winning and retaining the initiative for much of the game and even starting to push out on to our right flank, as we struggled to co-ordinate our brigades. Eventually Scrivs Irish brigade broke onto the lane, and I had some success in the centre, but it was to be in vain, as the Rebs forced the issue at bayonet point, winning the lane and the day.

I took rather a lot of photos!

The lines of Union advance (The Rebs later pushed along the lane on the bottom of this picture)

Union forces advance

Rebel lines

a view along the Reb defensive line

Union brigades crest the hill above the lane

Nick moves sharpshooters out to slow the blue advance

Confederate flankers!

a view from behind Confederate lines

Fire and Fury in 6mm

Tuesday night's game was a first for me.. the first game of Fire and Fury in around 20 years (I have the rules, bought them new in 1990 but only ever played them through solo once or twice at best)..Scrivs brought his collection of 6mm ACW and had set up a scenario.. being hopelessly ignorant of ACW and blaming the heatwave for my short term memory loss, I can't remember the name of it!

We rolled to randomly allocate sides and I ended up with the US. My job was essentially to effect a fighting retreat. A line of troops started the day in an advanced position but were under orders to retreat to the south of a point on the table, whilst some reserves arrived from the rear, with orders to advance no further than that southerly point. The rebs, meanwhile, were to come on and basically attack!

It was a very enjoyable game, definitely a close run thing, with total VPs at the end of the game giving the Confederates a narrow victory. I was pleased with the performance of my rather reluctant and average boys overall.. just about managed to get back in some order and form a line before becoming overwhelmed by the Reb advance.

The rules were far easier than I remember them being too, which made the game that bit more fun as I wasn't having to spend the whole game learning the stuff.

We were both on phones, so no great pictures, especially with the armies being 6mm, but a couple here..

US guns making a dash for home, being hotly pursued by the Confederate lines

The table from the Confederate end, the Union forces can be seen  forming a line up near the farm

The far left if the Union line, Stahel trying to get his cavalry dismounted

The Rebs breakthrough on the last turn, much whooping and a-hollering no doubt!