The Battle of Brecher's Farm

For our final game of 2023 here in GHQ Phil chose an ACW game with Black Powder 2nd Edition as the rule set, incorporating some suggested rules from the Glory Hallelujah supplement. This should be the decisive engagement in our loosely linked series of games this year under the overall heading of Robinson in the Valley. Once again Phil will command the Rebel forces and yours truly the Union. The situation as dawn breaks in the Valley ~

The Confederacy's last hope of driving Useless S Bykleigh and his Union forces rests on newly promoted Major General PJ Robinson, while failure once again for Ol' Useless may see him posted way out West fighting Indians for a living! Much rests therefore for both the individuals and for the cause they espouse... As ever, an annotated photomontage will hopefully convey some sense of the unfolding action for the interested reader ~

Winning the initiative did little to further the Union cause, the US Sharpshooters failed to advance! Though the New Yorkers on the Union left headed resolutely to man the field's fenceline. 

Thankfully for the Union cause the Georgians also fail to receive orders to advance. Some respite for the troops on the stretched Union lines.

Not so the boys from North Carolina, they advance boldly against the Union left.

The New Yorkers line the fences ready for the coming Reb assault. Just as well as the supporting Regulars falter, with the 1st Regiment blundering off the table and the 2nd failing to move!

The Battle begins in earnest, Union canon and muskets burst into life giving the first blood to their cause!

The Rebs bring up their artillery and a duel begins with their Union counterparts.

Making amends for their initial tardiness the boys in the Georgian Brigade advance at the quickstep aiming to turn the Unions right flank before their reserves can match to the sound of the guns.

In the nick of time, just as it seems the Georgian Brigade will succeed a second New York brigade shakes out into line sealing off the path to the army's flank! The reserves have made it at the vital moment! 

Pressure is building up though on the Union lines all across the battlefield as the weight of the Georgians' attack builds in strength.

On the Union left heavy fire staggers the advancing brigade from North Carolina and buys Ol' Useless time to try and rally his faltering Regular brigade 

Still the Rebs come on, nothing it seems can stem their inexorable advance! The US Sharpshooters find themselves flanked and  under heavy fire to their front!

Rifle fire ripples along the Union fenceline but still the Rebs press forward. The Sharpshooters are Shaken by the scale of their losses but hang on grimly!

Battle rages on the Union right! Despite the weight of firepower Rebel losses are slight. The New York boys must be firing high!

Meanwhile the Union centre is looking increasingly fragile. Somehow Union fire is ineffective and Rebel casualties ridiculously light!

The Union right is buckling slowly, one New York regiment is Whipped and falls back towards the rear and safety.

But the Rebs are not having it all their way. Slowly their losses are mounting too, but somehow their morale holds and they cling on!

The boys from Louisiana held in reserve finally arrive on the far Union left and close range fire fails to deter the Tigers from a direct assault on the 20th Massachusetts. Hand to hand fighting is fierce, but the Tigers are hurled back! The left is holding!

Events on the Union right though are far from favourable as losses mount, morale wavers and the Rebs sense their moment is close!

Fighting is now going on all along the front as the crisis of the battle fast approaches.

The 2nd US Regulars arrive at last to shore up the Union lines. But it may be too late, the New York brigade is broken and falls back in Disorder!

The boys stream to the rear intent on no more than self preservation and safety.

The Rebs sense victory now! The Union right is broken and the centre begins to crumble knowing it is outflanked.

The Union's cause is lost with its right and centre Broken! Ol' Useless has to concede the field to PJ! A Rebel victory bringing the campaign to a conclusion, the Valley is safely in Confederate hands over the winter...

The game went to Turn 11 of the alloted 12 before Ol' Useless saw his army fade away and quit the field. A final victory for the Rebs then lead by PJ Hiself! Perhaps the coming year will see a turn around in the fortunes for Ol' Useless, time will tell...