Micro Table Battles - Part Twelve.

It seems the dice god is backing Ade Ames, just!

Three battalions of Union muskets open up.

17th Connecticut score a single hit on 2nd Mississippi. Their elan is down to three so could only roll three dice.

A blue disc for the rebels.

153rd Pennsylvania, down to only two elan, fail to register a hit on 13th Alabama.

Finally, the full strength 25th Ohio record two hits on 1st Tennessee, moving them to a green disc.

The soldiers in blue brace themselves for what they are about to receive.

The 1st Maryland and 2nd Virginia Cavalry swoop down behind the enemy battle line.

2nd Mississippi let rip at 17th Connecticut.

Hitting twice.

With a red disc they become a spent force.

5th Alabama on 25th Ohio.

Two casualties and a fall back.

13th Alabama on 153rd Pennsylvania.

Three hits and two flags totally destroy their opponents, the survivors of which flee to the rear.

The end of the 153rd Pennsylvania.

The carnage continues, both batteries concentrate on the 54th New York, with a predictable outcome.

The battalion dissolves and those who still can, flee.

The blue wave is reduced to a ripple.

Ames cannot allow this carnage to continue, both Leo's, and his own men, have given all they could.

The beleaguered survivors of the 17th Connecticut, surrounded by the enemy.

The rebel cavalry have a ringside seat.

The costly Union assault has made little difference to the two Confederate brigades.

Union initiative.

Ames and von Gilse, lead what is left of their brigades north, in the hope of making an escape. 17th Connecticut attempt to follow.

17th Connecticut are forced to surrender.

The artillery give a parting shot to the 25th Ohio and von Gilse.

With a devastating result.

The battalion is destroyed and von Gilse, is severely wounded.

A view with the captured and destroyed Union units removed from the table.

The mauled 107th Ohio move off up the valley with Ade Archer. Leo von Gilse lies wounded among his men.

So the battle ends, the rebels are once again victorious and in control of the field, this will allow them to recover some elan. But the Union will not receive any, their men fall into captivity.

The next table is interesting, with the road dropping down from a plateau, continuing through the town of Garton, before climbing again and swinging north west around a wood.

First Division commander Brigadier General Barlow will soon discover that two of the three brigades that make up his division, have been lost. If he wishes to prevent the rebels exiting the northern edge of the valley, he will have to fight with what he has, and request reinforcements from his boss. Major General Oliver Howard, commander of XI Corps, will not be happy to receive such a request.

I think this battle showed the limitations of the small table I am using, granted it was fought within the confines of a narrow valley, but a total of four brigades and attendant artillery and cavalry, really did push it to the limits. I am really trying to avoid wall to wall units, with no room for maneuver. I think I just managed to get away with it on this occasion.