GTC #2 Replay

May 12th-15th

Positions at the end of May 13th. Wilcox occupies Spotsylvania Court House.

Positions at the end of May 15th. Stuart's cavalry is just off-picture to the NE near Fredericksburg.

Very little activity occurs this cycle. On the 12th, AP Hill’s Corps (led by Early right now) withdraws towards Spotsylvania Court House via Todd’s Tavern. This maneuver leaves Rodes’ division hanging near Shady Grove Church and after three straight Union initiatives, Rodes is surrounded and routed by Burnsides +4 attack (+7 result). Soon after this action, a double-1 initiative roll ends the turn early. On the 13th, neither Army looks to start a fight near Spotsylvania Court House. The Federals pursue Hill's corps to Todd’s Tavern with the V and VI corps. Longstreet moves down the Orange Plank Road, turns south and occupies Spotsylvania Court House from the east.

It rains on the 14th and 15th hampering any further action. During the rain, the Federal II corps continues its flanking march south. Meanwhile, Longstreet’s corps followed by Ewell's and the Early’s corps withdraws through Spotsylvania Court House south of the Po River. Stuart’s cavalry ambush Davies' brigade and routs it (loss of 2 MP) avenging the drubbing taken by the Rebels a few days prior. Stuart then starts to move north to make any depot placement in Fredericksburg tenuous. The Guinea’s Station and Fredericksburg rail stations are damaged. Grant decides to continue south and recalls Ferrero’s division to Louisa County to guard a new depot to be built in the area.

Historically, the armies spent almost two weeks in the Spotsylvania Court House area in some of the most fierce fighting in the war. In this campaign, Hancock’s corps to the south threatens to flank any defense set-up by the Confederates so there is little incentive for Lee to stand and fight. For the Union, battle is better joined when the Confederates off-balance during a withdrawal maneuver and in more open territory.

Stuart's raid to the north forces Grants hand in regards to supply. Stuart's position prevents the Union from placing a depot at the landings in either Fredericksburg or Port Royal (Stuart is too close and could destroy them). In order to project supply further south into Caroline or Hanover Counties, the only viable option for the Union is Louisa Court House. However, doing so relies on a tenuous overland supply line.

May 15th Strategic Cycle

The Strategic Event is “Union Artillery Recalled.” Butler is active in the Bermuda Hundred but declines to attack Port Walthall Junction (PWJ) or Petersburg. Instead the XVIII corps gathers in Bermuda Hundred and the X corps is sent to City Point.

An attack would likely result in a major defeat lowering the chances that Butler could be active next cycle. When Butler is passive, there is less pressure on the Confederates to keep forces in the off-map boxes.

In the Valley, Sigel is passive and thus remains in New Market. Breckinridge leads a force of 5000 north from Staunton to New Market and is repulsed by Sigel’s bluecoats (1500 Confederate casualties to minimal [i.e., 0 in game terms] Union casualties). The Federals place a depot-build at Trevillian Station. The Confederates voluntarily dismantle the depot at Bumpass Turnout. It is no longer needed to project supply into Orange County and is a VP-liability.

I later realized I made a rule error here. A Union depot can be placed at a RR station only if the county is in Union control. A depot placed at a landing is under no such restriction.

At the end of the first 12 days of the campaign, the losses are relatively light: 30 MP for the Union, 17 for the Confederates. No other VP have been awarded so the VP total is -9.

At the end of the cycle, the off-map situation is as follows:

• WargameReplays
• GCACW
• EOTS
• About
• Contact