Return to The Valley

Continuing with our American themed games, Phil and I have reached 1862 and the second year of very loosely linked ACW games here in GHQ set in The Valley. Once again the fate of the Union is entrusted to that well connected military incompetent Useless S Bykleigh, testing his pitiful military ability against ol' PJ Robinson hisself, aiming to drive the damned Rebs once and for all from The Valley. Soon the peaceful rural idyll will be disturbed by of columns of blue and gray snaking across the landscape as each seek to secure that elusive victory! On to Richmond...or not!

The larger Union Brigade with it's supporting artillery on the Union's left is urged forward by Useless S Bykleigh himself.

On the Union right a small Brigade of New Yorkers are supported by two large regiments of Regulars and a battery of rifled artillery.

On the Rebs' left Hood's Texas Brigade makes for a low knol to their front as a base from which to assault the Union lines.

The Rebs' right has not advanced with their expected vigor leaving the two lead regiments from Massachusetts and New York on the Union's left to advance on the Rawnsley House unopposed.

The Two small Brigades on the Union's right move forward under the covering fire of the rifled guns to their rear. The first of the Texas Brigade are noted as they take up their positions.

Soon they are joined by the rest of Hood's boys who form up under ineffective Union volleys ready to move forward on the order.

Hood's Texas Brigade moves forward on the command! Volleys are given and received with both sides taking their first casualties.

One New York regiment cannot maintain its place in the line of battle as casualties mount and falls back behind the Regulars to regroup.

Hood's artillery are soon in action supporting his infantry's assault on the Union right. He is alarmed to see that to his right the attack has faltered and the Union left is advancing. He may be flanked it seems!

Never daunted by the odds Hood's boys press the attack vigorously as Union losses mount.

It's not all going the way of the Rebs though. Despite losses the New Yorkers are holding up well and have Broken the first of the Rebs to their front!

As battle rages Ol' PJ is pleased to see the leading regiments of his third Brigade marching down the Valley Turnpike to the sound of the guns.

On the Union left an attempt to flank Hood's advancing regiments fails and under fire from front and flank the Union infantry Break and flee the field. No Red Badge of Courage moment for these volunteers!

Fighting around the Rawnsley House and along the lane from the Turnpike is fierce. The Union lines are holding up the advance of the North Carolina brigade.

The general situation is very confused. While the Union left is holding off the Rebs for now the right is falling back under pressure from the Rebs' third Brigade in the centre. Sadly for Ol' Useless his fourth brigade have not made the hoped for impact. One Brigade on the right is retiring Whipped leaving the Regulars heavily outnumbered and being pressed back.

As dusk approaches neither side has been able to convincingly break their opponents. The Union right is falling back under pressure but their left is holding up well despite flanking fire from freshly arrived Reb infantry.

Despite determined urging from their officers in the fading light the Rebs just cannot get to grips with the determined Union regiments clinging to the fence lines around the Rawnsley House lane.

As darkness comes on the Union troops slip away leaving the exhausted Rebs unable to turn a winning draw into a decisive victory. Ol' Useless lives to fight another day!

It's been more than a while since we played out the full 12 Turns of a game without a clear winner here in GHQ. We called it a winning goal draw for PJ's boys as the Union right was being pressed back and the Left flanked by arriving fresh Reb infantry. Time had run out for both sides...