Battle of New Glasgow Pictures

Here are the pictures I promised from our last ACW campaign game.

This is the view from the Union right flank. These are the fellows that faced the 4 brigades I wrote about in the battle report. They are behind earthworks which made the attack pretty rough. The main attack was on the Union left, just out of this image.

Touching Base

Thought I had better touch base since I haven't blogged in awhile. I have been busy with work and other things and my gaming has been placed on the back burner for a short time. I do have some pictures to post from my last ACW campaign game. However, they are not on this computer I am currently using. I do plan on posting them soon.

I have not gamed in quite sometime now, but now that it is cooling down with fall and winter approaching, my gaming should pick up. As well as my painting projects, of which I have a few. I have a few more projects coming up as well as a convention I hope to attend. It is Rock Con in Rockford Ill. I went last year for the first time, and I hope to attend again this year.

My friend plans on doing a game at the convention this year. I can only say that the time period is around the Egyptian period. He has been working on this project for awhile and last Saturday, I got a look at the figs and the rules. Though it was only for a short time as I couldn't stay to game, they did intrigue me. I will make more of a report when I get a chance to play them.

Until Next Time!

Battle of New Glasgow

Well I see it has been quite sometime since I last posted. Summer is winding down and I know I will be gaming more soon. The last game I was involved in was our ACW campaign. I was to attack the town of New Glasgow. It was a large game and I was attacking from 2 different directions. Below is a report I made for our club:

With the East on the defense, the West attacked from 2 different directions based upon the strategic move. Ray began the night by moving his 4 brigades and 2 batteries from the Northwest corner of the table. For the first 4 turns, Ray managed to move his units up to face the East. However, with the east behind fortifications, it was tough going to say the least. Ray was shot up pretty bad, but managed to still have his 2 arty and 1 brigade still on the table by games end. Dave F. took some minor casualties from Ray's units, but Ray's orders were basically to pin Dave in place, while I with the larger force, made a move from the south end of the table. Ray paid a heavy toll for his actions.My forces came in from the south end of the table. I had to wheel my units towards the east end of the table, to make the attack once on board, but it proved to be just what the doctor ordered.I moved in with a 4 stand cav brigade and 4 infantry brigades and 3 arty batteries. Behind them were another 3 brigades and 2 arty and behind them, were another 3 brigades with 2 arty. Dave had some units down on my end, so it wasn't a cakewalk. As I moved on, my cav moved up to point blank range and began to hammer a green unit of Frank's from the flank. They managed to hold for a good number turns until being overwhelmed by infantry and finally were routed off. Another unit of Frank's was nearby and began to exchange fire with my units. After some exchanges, he too was routed away which opened up a gap for me to begin to maneuver. Frank did have a surprise for me when he launched a charge from the woods with an Elite cav brigade. However, his charge came up short. He was attempting to charge a battery of mine that was still limbered up. It came down to the initiative rolls and Frank did finally manage to initiate his charge again. But my guns stayed and I was able to pour in 2 batteries worth of canister, knocking the 6 stand cav. unit down to 1 fig. The cav. continued the attack on the battery but was defeated and wiped out! As I began to continue my assault, I had 2 larger units get routed after losing a stand each, while exchanging musket fire. This didn't have much effect on the Western juggernaut as they continued in wave after wave. The sight of the Western hoard seemed to have a demoralizing effect on the East as they decided to pull out. My large attack was on his flank which was crucial for me because most all of units were behind fortifications facing the west end of the table. I didn't have to face them dug in. However, if Dave F. had continued the battle, it would have been very bloody for me! He had 5 brigades with an Elite morale and I on the other hand, had 5 brigades that were Green. Losses were pretty even.West: 24 infantry stands, 1 cav stand and 1 battery 59pts total.East: 6 cav stands and 17 infantry 52 points total.For Dave F., a 1-1 kill ratio is good and for me as the West, just a victory over the East is a bonus. We have 1 more battle to fight for this last strategic turn.

I have some pics to add to this blog. I plan on doing that soon.

Bullets and Burritos

Bullets and Burritos is a typical beer and pretzel type game. We use 25mm figs and percentage dice and d6's for movement. I had never played these rules before and I was actually pleased that I finally had a chance. Most of the time it is a game thrown together on short notice when nothing else has been pre planned.

There were 4 of us, we each had 3 figs each. We had to pay for their weapons, ammo, and hit points. Damage was done based upon the percentage dice as well as the hits. You could die real fast, or real slow:) The victory condition was to retrieve a money bag that had fallen off a stagecoach. All the figs had an identification number/letter on them and this was used for initial placement and movement. Their ID's were written on paper and drawn for. Totally random!

The game was 6 figs vs 6 figs. Placements were all over the board and it made me laugh actually. I placed my best guy in some rocks after my opponent placed his horseman a little over 12" away from me. He was gonna use his speed from the horse to go for the money bag. However, I had a repeating rifle and I gunned him down, dead!, on his first move from the rocks. We all thought it would be a victory for me and my ally, but as it never fails, die rolls play a key role! It got down to a foot chase with numerous rounds fired at my ally as he approached the edge of the board and victory! My opponent gunned him down with some hot rolls, stealing the money bag and the victory from our grasp!

A very fun game and I look forward to playing again!

Workbench

Well I am back after a brief hiatus. First I would like to say I hope everyone had a nice 4th! Though it is a bit late, it was a good one for and my family! It has been awhile since I last posted. I just didn't realize how long ago it was until I began this post.

Well what has been going on? I haven't been gaming much to begin with. Summertime curtails some of my gaming availability with work and vacations etc. The most recent game I did was last weekend. We played a beer and pretzels type game that I haven't ever played before. It is referred to as Bullits and Burritos. I will into that in another post.

My workbench has been busy though. I recieved some painted figs awhile back. They were Union Iron Brigade in 15mm. Great addition to my collection. I have since mounted them on my metal stands and placed the name of the unit on the stands. I use a computer print out, cut them out, and glue them down. The unit name is on the top, easy to read.

I also completed another Union brigade and I named it the New Jersey Brigade. This unit as well was a Union unit during the ACW. I have a variety of painted figs in this unit. I have a stand of Zouves, as well as Union blue's. I also added a few stands I painted up in a green color. Not Berdan's Sharpshooters. These figs I painted up represent a group of all Germans, complete with the German/green uniform color. I finished off a few artillery batteries and 2 small units of Rebel dismounts to go with my mounted. I put the final touches by naming quite a few general stands on both sides. Things I have been wanting to do, but hadn't got around to it till now. I recently found a Union brigade that was basically all colored. I have one brigade painted up already, and I want to add another. I have the figs and plan on painting this unit up in the future. I have a few Rebs to add as of yet, plus work continues on a grand battery I want to complete.

I have these done just in time to continue our ACW campaign. We have another battle tomorrow night. It will be a large game as I have a minimum of 14 Infantry brigades, 1 cav brigade and 8 batteries in an assault I am conducting. I have no idea what I am facing, but the battle will be a large one from what I understand. I plan on taking pics and doing a report.

The Battle of Laguna Morales

Hi All! Been awhile since I last blogged so I thought I had better get up to speed! Last weekend, my friend Mike had us fight a battle for his Mexican American War campaign he began. The Mexican commander for the campaign as well as the American, are both players from out East. They do the strategic moves for the campaign and we are to fight the battles when contacts are made.

As part of the campaign, those of us who were the overall commanders for the game were to write up a report of the game/battle. I was the Mexican commander, so I was tasked with the report to write. Below is the report I wrote:

The Battle of Laguna Morales

After recieving the message that the American's had landed at Laguna de Morales, General Alvarado assembled a quick force to replulse the invading Gringo's! Along with the message, a special directive had been delivered from his Excellency to be read to the troops, but the wise general would read it at the start of the attack!

Before the men made their assault, General Alvarado read the speech from his Excellency. The speech had caused such an enormous sense of pride among the units, they launched themselves into the attack with tears in their eyes and the words echoing in their ears! A true sense of patriotism could clearly be seen as the men stood tall and marched smart! With a loud roar, the men took up their positions and readied for the great battle!

General Alvarado used his advantage of the Gulf to secure his right flank. The Cavalry units moved directly from Laguna de Morales straight into the teeth of the Gringo stronghold!

Emotions were high as the men moved at a rapid pace catching the Americans by surprise as the infantry units had struck the weak spot of the Gringo's! The day would be theirs!

The Zapadores took a small mesa as the 6th Regs secured their left flank. They faced a small unit of Americans, and another that had been protecting a Gringo cannon. The San Patricios and the 10th kept pace to the left of the 6th. With an eruption of muskets, the battle was engaged.

The Zapadores and the 6th made quick work of the small unit of Americans, routing them from the field. Minor casualties were recieved, but this seemed to only spur the men on to avenge the deaths of their friends and familiy!

The 10th and San Patricios manuevered further to the left to support the Cavalry.

The cavalry came up in column, but quickly changed to line as they faced a cannon and a larger Gringo unit. They marched in unison until reaching the pivotal point to launch their charge! The Gringo's seemed to be taken by surprise as the cav came in.

The cavalry Presidial, with morale high, came in and struck the Gringo cannon! With the men launching their horses over the embankments of the protected gun, the Gringo's fled at such a glorious sight of precision horsemanship!

The Gringo infantry supporting the gun, seemed to be leaderless as they tried to make a fight of it. With the Presidial's moving against them and being overwhelmed by our infantry, they decided to form square for they had no place to go. With a combination of muskets and the cav charge, the Gringo unit was routed away, never to return.

With their honor running high and the routing of 2 Gringo infantry units and a cannon, our infantry continued onwards. Seeing that the Gringo's were flanked, the lines of infantry opened up on a second Gringo gun. The cannon managed a couple shots, again causing minor casualties, before it was in turn destroyed!

With Genaral Alvarado urging his men forward, the men continued the attack, victory within their grasp! Gringo Marines soon turned their guns upon our glorious units! With the flags of Mexico and the regiments fluttering in the wind, the words of his Excellency ringing in his ears, General Alvarado ordered the men into the breech one more time!

From his perch upon his great steed, he watched the units of the San Patricio, 6th Regs and the Zapadores hurl themselves in. General Alvarado repeated the words of His excellency to urge the men onwards! However, as fate would have it, only the San Patricio's made the initial assault.

The Marines of the US Navy had held their ground as our units were repulsed. General Alvarado decided it was too much and ordered a general retreat. The Gringo's had offered to let him leave, but must sacrifice the cannon. Alvarado scoffed at such a request and decided to let the Gringo's try and take them by force.

Though General Alvarado was proud of the way his men had fought, he felt a sense of dishonor for failing His Excellency. As the Gringo's tried to take the guns, General Alvarado kept command of what was left of the 6th. While fighting this delaying action to save the cannon, he too was sacrificed in the great battle of Laguna de Morales! Taking a bullet to the stomach facing the enemy, directing fire till the end, he was brought back by his heroic troops so as not to fall into the hands of the Gringo's. The cannon had slipped away!

Before he died, General Alvarado was heard saying; "I have watched my men shed blood for me, now I must shed blood for them!" With the words of Attack, Attack, Attack, Attack echoing in his ears, General Alvarado had slipped away from his earthly confinement.

Some pictures were taken of the game, but I wasn't one of them. The other guy's camera was giving him trouble so I am unable to attach any. The Mexicans in this particular game proved themselves rather well! Of course the die rolling plays a major part, but the rolls went our way till the end.

Till Next Time!

Chariot Lords Part 2

This past Saturday night, our little group got together and finished the Chariot Lords game we started. One of the guys was unable to attend, fortunately, another guy showed up and was able to take his place.

We had written down all the placements before we finished up our previous game. After a brief rules review for the new guy, we placed our games pieces down and commenced to gaming. As the Assyrian player, odds were in my favor that I was to prevail. However, the gods had other plans. Again, I can't remember all the groups of people that arrived over the game span, but it basically came down to me and the gentleman who was playing the Egyptians and their ilk.

It was touch and go for awhile, and the game went on until it reached almost midnight. When the smoke cleared, I was in 2nd place and the Egyptian player had won outright with the points tallied. Basically, he beat me by grabbing up more land. I had the opportunity to grab more myself, but failed to do so on several occasions. Also, I had made a mistake when totalling up my points for the lands I had occupied. Instead of counting 2pt's for some hilly terrain, for some reason, I only counted them as 1pt each. This had gone on since the first time we played. No excuse though. The rules were clearly explained and written down. I just failed in my adding and I am of the belief, I would have won if I had tallied correctly. We can't go back and change things, so I accept my defeat and look forward to another game of Chariot Lords.

We did come across one problem and resolved it as best we could. During the game, a group of people arrive from off the board and go against the Egyptian peoples. The stacking rules are pretty clear, which seemed confusing. The arriving people had more counters than the rules allowed as written for stacking purposes. They could only arrive on one particular space. We had them come in all at once and battle the Egyptians. However, the arriving group failed to defeat the Egyptians in battle and were forced to leave after 2 rounds of combat. They sat off on the board edge until it was their turn again. The rules did not specify what to do if defeated, so we house ruled the situation and let them try again. They arrived and again were defeated soundly hence ending their short lived regime. The gamer of said peoples was going to e-mail the game designer for clarification.

There is no game this upcoming Saturday, but I still plan to blog down the road.

Until then, Good Gaming and may the dice be with you!