GCACW Beginner’s Tutorial: Lesson 3 Replay, Race For Spotsylvania

Set-up Scenario 3 from Grant Takes Command. If you don't own GTC, Scenario 3 (Sedgwick to the Rescue) from Stonewall's Last Battle is a good alternative though it doesn't involve entrenchment. It is a good 2 turn scenario with lots of units.

1. Random Events Phase

None as per scenario special rules.

2. Leader Transfer Phase

Both sides pass.

3. Action Cycle

Initiative 1
Union

Warren actives his entire corps (march dr=5 +1[Union] = 6).

Crawford (F2; 3016) to 3317. Stuart declines to cavalry retreat.
Griffin (F2; 3217) marches. Stuart declines to retreat again accepting a possible +2 or +3 attack depending on the artillery roll. Not wanting to fatigue his strongest division, Warren sends Griffin to 3218. Because he moved from ZoC to ZoC without a road, Griffin disorganizes. This move sets up a flank attack on Stuart's hex and puts a Union ZoC on the road through Block House Bridge which is the most direct path for Anderson's corps to Spotsylvania CH. The disorganization actually helps the Union indirectly because with a manpower of 10 instead of 14, Griffin will still get a ratio modifier against either of Anderson's divisions on defense and will be in a lower column for casualty determination.
Robinson (F2; 3217) activates. Stuart is facing a +3 or +4 attack (depending on the artillery roll) and decides to retreat rather than risk a combat loss, (dr=6 +2[size])/2=4, Robinson to 2 movement points remaining. Lomax and Wickham to F2, retreats to 3720. Robinson to 3418 with Warren. VP to +6.
Cutler (F2; 3117) to 3520. VP to +20.

Initiative 2
Confederate (per scenario special rules)

Anderson activates his entire corps (march dr=1 +2[Confederate] = 3, ugh!).

Kershaw (F2; 2818) to 3020 with Anderson. Moving towards Block House Bridge at the 3019 cross roads is somewhat pointless because Griffin's ZoC will prevent Kershaw from moving more than one hex when he goes to F3.
Field (F2;2918) to 3019.

Initiative 3
Confederate

The Rebels would rather bring up Ewell to attack in force but can't wait for Cutler to entrench and Warren to solidify his position around Spotsylvania. Anderson activates his entire corps (march dr=5 +2 = 7).

Kershaw (F3; 3020, extended dr=3 ne) to 3419 with Anderson. VP to +18.
Field (F3; 3019, extended dr=2 ne) to 3320.

Initiative 4
Confederate

Anderson assaults Cutler with Kersaw(F4; 3419), assault dr=4 success: -1[ratio(8:10)] +0[arty(4:2)] +2[tac] +1[type] +2[flank(Stuart covers 3619 and 3620)] = +4/+4 1DR/fa. Cutler to 9MV/DR/F4, routs to 3223 via Snell's Bridge and taking control of Crutchfield. Kershaw advances into Spotsylvania CH. VP to +6.

What a difference an initiative makes for the Union! Had Cutler been able to entrench to an abatis, Stuart would have been unable to provide a flank modifier (15:3 CV) and an artillery modifier might have come into play.

Initiative 4: Anderson recaptures Spotsylvania CH.

Initiative 5
Union

Sedgwick actives his entire corps (march dr=3 +1 = 4). Sedgwick transfers to Neil.

Wright (F2; 3213) to 3216.
Ricketts (F2; 3113, force marches, dr=3 -1 = +2 MP) to 3615. Ricketts to 8MV/D/F2.
Neil (F2; 3013) to 3315 with Sedgwick.

Initiative 6
Confederate

Ewell actives his entire corps (march dr=4 +2 = 6).

Rodes (F1; 2413) to 2817 with Ewell.
Johnston (F1; 2412) to 2717.

Initiative 7
Confederate

Ewell actives his entire corps (march dr=1 +2 = 3).

Rodes (F2; 2817) to 2919 with Ewell.
Johnston (F2; 2717) to 2818.

Initiative 8
Union

Warren actives Griffin, Robinson and Crawford (march dr=4 +1 = 5).

Griffin (F3; 3218, extended march dr=5 +1[Union] = 6 to 13MV/D) to 3119 to again slow down Ewell.
Robinson (F3; 3418, extended march dr=6 +1[Union] = 7 D) to 3519 with Warren.VP to +8.
Crawford (F3; 3317, extended march dr=3 +1 = 4 ne) to 3319.

Initiative 9
Union

Sedgwick actives his entire corps (march dr=6 +1 = 7). Sedgwick transfers to Wright.

Ricketts (F3; 3615, extended march dr=4 +1 = 5 ne) to 3619. VP to +10.
Wright (F3; 3216, extended march dr=5 +1 = 6 D) to 3419 and makes normal attack on Kershaw (3520): +0[ratio(9:8)] -1arty[(3:4,roll=even)] -1[tac] +0[type] +2[flank] = +0/+4 1DR/fa. Kershaw to 7MV/DR/F4 routs to 3424 with Anderson. Wright to F4, advances to 3520 with Sedgwick. VP to +25.
Neil (F3; 3315, extended dr=2 ne) to 3419.

Initiative 9: The see-saw battle for Spotsylvania CH continues as Sedgwick routs Kershaw.

Initiative 10
Union

Warren activates Robinson and Crawford. Crawford digs and Robinson marches (dr=1 +1 = 2). Warren transfers to Crawford. Robinson (F4; 3418, extended march dr=4 +1[Union] +1[F4] = 6 = 1 (lose 1 manpower), to 8MV/D/F4) to 3520. Crawford (F4; 3319) entrenches to abatis with Warren attached. One way you can use entrenchment is to transfer leaders without having to roll for extended march.

Things look pretty hopeless for the Rebs at this point. Warren is in range of Griffin and Ewell doesn't have enough fatigues to get around Griffin in order to get to Spotsylvania CH. We'll call this one a Substantive Union Victory. Due to the initiative rolls, entrenchment did not come into play during this play out of the scenario but I hope you got a feel for the added dimension it brings. The loss of fatigues for the increase is defense is nicely balanced. I've found that if Griffin moves south as he did in this game before Anderson can get to Block House Bridge, then it is tough for the Rebs to win it.

The final positions with the Union firmly a hold of the cross roads at Spotsylvania CH.

That concludes the tutorial. I hope you found it helpful and if caught any rule errors or typos or if there was something that didn't make sense, please let me know. I want to make this tutorial as accessible as possible for new players.