Mercer's Farm 1863

A rematch of sorts between myself and Martin and another trot out of his American Civil War troops and the Black Powder rules.

The scenario was a classically simple one. A single brigade of West Virginians defended Mercer's Farm in the face of three Brigades of Union infantry totalling nine Regiments and two batteries of artillery. The Union commander, Martin was informed that reserve forces were on their way to support the Confederates and so he was under pressure to beat the small force in detail. He certainly had the numbers to do so.

The Union forces came on initially swiftly, two Napoleonic style Brigade Columns moved on the farm, whilst a supported line covered the ground to their right. The exposed Confederates on their own right withdrew in the face of withering fire, but on the Confederate left an opportunity to turn the flank of the extended Union line arose, and so the rebels swung one of their regiments out of safety in an effort to out manoeuvre the enemy.

The Union artillery was slow to deploy and at this stage there was no sign of rescue for the Confederates.

The centre Union Brigade began it's attack on the farm, but as in past engagements they showed little will to close, the defences of the stone walls gave the rebels every advantage.

Once again the Union generalship prove lacklustre, as aggressive as they may wish to be the infantry simply refused to respond to the commands, or failing that their communication was so poor that the orders simply never got through.

Latterly the Union artillery deployed to a hill on the Confederates right with a good view of the farm. They prepared to unleash a barrage that would surely allow the Yankee to seize the farm.

Alas for them, this was the point that the Southern gentleman's cavalry arrived on the field. A single regiment of them furiously took to the battle, charged the hill and caught both batteries of guns unready. Both batteries were shattered.

Shortly after the Louisiana Brigade arrived marching hurriedly to relieve the Virginians.

The Union forces found themselves in a deadly pincer. The Confederate cavalry carried on into the flanks of The New Yorkers, whereas the centre faltered at the walls of the farm. So confident now were the West Virginians, that they sallied forth with a second regiment against the New Jersey Brigade.

Time had run out for the Union troops and they had to withdraw in some disorder. The Confederates were happy to allow the Union to lick their wounds and withdraw. In the even only one rebel regiment broke, whilst four Union regiments fled the field, along with the artillery.

Martin had to concede to a bit of a battering. Nice to win one for a change!