Surprise Attack along the Valley Turnpike

Having opened the second year of the linked games/campaign in The Valley with an indecisive drawn encounter - see an earlier blog post - Phil and I decided on a follow up game this week. The Rebs, ably lead by 'PJ hiself' and despite being weakened by the loss of the Louisiana brigade, would mount a surprise attack on the Union force in its camp. Thus Phil had of the initiative in the first of twelve planned turns, needing to move rapidly and defeat the Union before reinforcements rushing from Washington could arrive from Turn 7. As usual now an annotated photomontage to carry the reader into the unfolding action ~

An important visitor from Washington poses for a photo opportunity with Mr Brady as Useless S Bykleigh seeks to rouse the camp from it's torpor.

Meanwhile it seems the men will not have their early morning coffee rushed despite the urging of their officers!

The Rebs though are on the move! The South Carolinians break camp and shake out into their attack formation aiming to sweep up and around the Union's right flank. Meanwhile the Tar Heels press forward down the Valley Turnpike.

Speed is of the essence for the boys of "Robinsons Foot Cavalry" as they step off briskly down the Turnpike. I hope they paid the Toll though!

On his right Robinson cannot get the boys from Georgia to move with great urgency. They need to pin the Union left for the plan to unfold as envisaged.

The battle opens when the US Sharpshooters surprise the advancing Rebs with a sharp volley. The Rebs are halted and then thrown back in Disorder as the 79th New York add to the weight of lead thumping home!

The leading Rebs have retired on their camp, sowing confusion on the South Carolina brigade struggling to get forward.

Given a reprieve by the unexpected repulse of the initial assault ol' US Bykleigh is able to consolidate his defensive line on the left and throw out troops on his right to block the Rebs' left hook.

Hampered by tardy movement the South Carolina brigade finally gets forward and deployed into its attack formation. The famed 'Rebel Yell' is sure to sound out soon signifying a terrifying bayonet charge!

As the Rebs' right flank advances the 1st US Regulars rush to line the Turnpike fencing and steady themselves to deliver a telling first volley.

Meanwhile in the centre the Rebs renew the attack against the thinly held line comprising the Sharpshooters and the 79th. Reinforcements are urgently needed but none are moving forward yet!

Finally the Georgian Brigade is getting forward after some hesitation and confusion of orders.

A deadly firefight erupts along the Union's left front as the Rebs' seek to advance and throw the defenders out of their position. The 2nd US Regulars are hurrying into action along their comrades' right flank.

The Garibaldi Guard are caught by an unexpected Reb charge as they move forward into position. A fierce but indecisive melee begins with neither side able to deliver a telling blow but neither giving ground either.

The Union left in buckling under heavy Reb fire but has not broken. Could the Rebs' attack be begining to stall?

At last the Union centre receives reinforcement at just the right moment. It seems the Rebs' attack in the centre has also stalled?

Indeed all along the front the Rebs' attack has first been halted and then thrown back by staunch Union defenders.

It's all up for PJ's boys in Turn 8 as broken brigades stream away towards the safety of their encampment. US Bykleigh's men are too worn to offer much in the way of pursuit as the expected reinforcements have failed to march to the sound of the guns!

The Rebs' camp is safe for the moment. PJ must needs take stock of his position and urgently beseach Richmond for much needed reinforcements before he can take the fight to the Union once more.

As ever Black Powder, with some additions from the Glory Hallelujah supplement, provided us with a challenging game. Fortunes ebbed and flowed, orders were lost in confusion, and men stubbornly held on or unexpectedly failed. All you could want from a game really! What will the next development be in the intense struggle to control The Valley...?