ACW Showcase

On Thursday last week Paul and I replayed the Valley game previously seen here, though with slightly altered forces and dispositions. Rather than attempt an AAR which would perhaps mirror that earlier game I'd like to present a photoshowcase of my ACW collection in action. Paul took all of the photos which follow, his camera phone is much better than mine! Here we go then ~

The opposing commanders first: the Confederate Staff Officers group, from Redoubt Enterprises, gather in the shade of the trees to plan their opening moves...

...while Ol' Useless S Bykleigh has his headquarters firmly in his hindquarters it seems. "Forward boys! On to Richmond!" Matt sculpted 'my head' as a Christmas gift...and fattened out the body too!

A battery of Dixon Miniatures Reb 12lb Napoleons prepare to fire on the distant Union lines in support of the coming infantry assault.

A carefully concealed sharpshooter takes aim. Ol' Useless S Bykleigh had better watch out? The free figure with the Black Powder supplement, Glory Hallelujah, I recall. His Union counterpart is a Dixon Miniatures figure painted up as a US Sharpshooter.

The 2nd US Infantry prepare to advance under the watchful eye of their Brigade commander. Can you spot the Old Glory miniatures amongst all the Dixon Miniatures goodness?

The Union New York Artillery battery prepare to fire down the Turnpike on the Rebs just beginning their advance in the distance.

Supported by a battery of 12lb Napoleons the boys from South Carolina step off to assault the Union lines!

With the 20th Massachusetts Regiment taking the lead the boys in blue prepare to drive the Rebs from the low rise to their front!

Lincoln's Highlanders, the 79th New York, and the 55th NYSM in support of the attack on the South Carolina brigade. The 39th New York, the Garibaldi Guard, can be seen in the  far left leading the attack.

Fierce fighting sees the 20th Massachusetts broken by the Rebs holding the low rise. The regiments distinctive flags are from Redoubt Enterprises. Most of the other flags you see gracing my collection are from GMB Designs.

Successive lines of Union infantry surge forward intent on driving all before them. The fences from The Last Valley lend an authentic touch to any ACW tabletop battlefield in my opinion.

The 3rd Arkansas, later from Hood's Texas Brigade, charge forward down the Valley Turnpike! These are some of my favourites Dixon Miniatures' figures, full of action and threat!

The venerable scratch built Rawnsley Farmhouse in the distance has seen much action and bloodshed down the last 30 years or so. It's still my favourite building for the period, despite it's age!

I made this and other casualty markers using Dixon Miniatures' range of dead/wounded figures for display games back in the latter years of the last century. I always forget them when we play, but this time they got an outing! There are bases with one, two and three figures on them as it happens, ideal for Black Powder games. I must make an effort in future to use these markers in our ACW games!

Another view of a casualty markers deployed in the game. As good a time as any then to satisfy your curiosity by letting you in on the outcome? The game ended in a draw after over four hours play when we ran out of time! The Rebs were being pushed back on the right but holding their positions in the centre and on the left. I do hope you have enjoyed seeing these pictures of a part of my ACW collection in action. Next up in GHQ will be a return to action in the South Staffordshire area from the VBCW.

WMMS 2025

Well, it's that time of the wargames year again with the annual Alumwell Wargames Society WMMS show at Aldersley Leisure Village, Wolverhampton. As I say each year now, an Olympic Qualifying stone's throw from GHQ. Phil, William and yours truly were duly dropped off at the venue by Sue for a couple of hours of hobby goodness to recharge the batteries after the long winter hiatus since The Other Partizan. So, without more ado, on to my take on the event, starting with a selection of the many games presented by various wargames clubs and groups.

First up an C11th game entitled Sicily in Turmoil 1063, pitting Normans against Arabs. It chimed with me having visited a Norman castle from the period, though on Cyprus that time.

Lovely terrain and figures presented by the Border Warlords.

Next I was rather taken by this Russian Civil War game being played using modified Black Powder rules.

A lovely idiosyncratic collection of period planes, vehicles and figures were beautifully presented by Leamington & District Wargamers.

Pride of place though for me was a quite splendid armoured train.

The action around Placenoit from the Battle of Waterloo.

A splendid array of buildings gracing a fine renaissance game complete with war wagons.

I'm a keen observer of buildings on the larger game table, this small group I thought was very effectively presented.

A rather splendid SYW game, such a colourful period beautifully enhanced by the lighter coloured terrain.

Derby Wargamers with a rather eye catching WWII game. Again the lighter terrain colour enhanced the details for the viewer.

A fine American frontier log fort graced this game.

Spartan Circle Wargames Group had this rather wonderful Vietnam War game, very evocative of the period and the up country terrain for my money.

Something  now that you don't see so much of today, a game featuring Miniature Figurines or Minifigs 25mm figures. It certainly took Phil and I back right back to our Marlburian game. Pure nostalgia for those gamers like us of more mature years.

By John French and friends the action at Torgau 1760. I was very taken by the silhouette backing the rather fine buildings which suggested a larger town just off the table. A clever idea in my view.

A rather nice touch was the map presentation and order of battle just off table for the interested visitor.

The Knights of St George had a rather nice Participation Game featuring Pirates and Cannibals I suspect. This was the only time I could get near it for a photo.

One regular feature of WMMS down the years is the participation of Re-enactment Societies and Modelling Clubs. This year an extensive WWII group seen here and a lone representative from an Anglo-Zulu War group. At least one of our group enjoyed the WWII kit on display...

Mind, William was very interested in the Modelling Clubs' displays and had a long chat with a couple of folk manning their displays. He managed his budget really well too, buying a Sherman Firefly kit by Airfix, a diecast Challenger II - because he liked it! - and some paint. What did I buy then you might ask? Well, two Medium and two Small trees from The Last Valley; some Wars of the Roses Archers and Foot Knights from Athena Miniatures; and lastly, three packs of Perry Wars of the Roses figures from Dave Thomas. I also received a further pack from Paul as a surprise gift!

Sadly though, one absent stalwart of the WMMS scene from the very first show through to last year was Dave Page from the Kinver group. I learned that he passed away last year, but noone knew until much later as he had no web presence. It was really very salutary for we older gamers, realising another friend and  local hobby fixture had passed us by...

WMMS is a well established event in the Midlands wargames firmament, at one stage the largest one day show in the area. Relocation to Aldersley Leisure Village and the malign hand of COVID, assisted by Boris the Barsteward, has knocked it back a bit. However, hard work by Paul and Dave, together with other club members, has restored the show to health. A whole host of traders, gamers, modellers and re-enactors thronged the venue. The only fly in the ointment was a small drop off in numbers, put down to a combination of Mother's Day and the clocks moving forward last night! I'm already looking forward to next year's version. Perhaps we should put on a game Phil...? 

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...