Well, I finally finished the Fox Gap scenario that covers the morning fight. I did it for Regimental Fire and Fury and you can find it at the above link.
Looks great. Who created the map? Was that something you did, or the Fire and Fury team? Maps are my great downfall as I do not have the software to make ones that nice.
I did the map ... believe it or not, I did it in PowerPoint. I need to upgrade to a better graphics software package ... doing it in PP took way more time than I like.
PowerPoint? Really? I might have to take a closer look at that program. And even though you spent a lot of time on it, the effort was worth it, it looks good!
Mark, How did you decide on the unit ratings? When we played the scenario we found that the Confederate units-- most Crack with a few Veterans-- really manhandled the Trained/Green Union troops.
Hey Ken, I used a lot of sources for these ratings, but two that were very helpful were (for the Confederates) Joseph L. Harsh's book called "Sounding the Shallows." It is a companion volume to "Confederate Tide Rising" and "Taken at the Flood." It identifies areas of research and in-depth source material for studies for the Maryland Campaign. In particular, there is a great combat experience table on page 102 of this book. I also used Ezra A. Carman's great book "The Maryland Campaign of September 1862" Vol.1: South Mountain. It contains much primary source material that helps 'rate' units. That said, maybe I need to adjust a few of the Union ratings. Mark
Mark, we've played the scenario three times now and I feel pretty confident in saying that as written the Union really has very little chance to win. They start outnumbered (on the Union left Hayes' regiment is facing a 10 stand veteran Rebel regiment, a 6 stand crack unit of cavalry and 1-3 guns, depending on where Bondurant's battery goes) and are facing vastly superior quality troops. The only way for the Union to be competitive is to wait for the reinforcements to come on at turn 4-5 before attacking, but that requires the Confederate player to cooperate by waiting for that to happen. I'm not challenging your historical interpretation, but from a game play stand point it might make sense to start the scenario later after the Union reinforcements have already come onto the field. Anyway, just some thoughts. Thanks very much for doing the scenario.
I agree with you ... our plays have also made it clear that it is very difficult for the Union. Now I need to determine where to make changes; Union experience levels, CSA experience levels, arrival times for Union reinforcements, or some combination of these.
Looks great. Who created the map? Was that something you did, or the Fire and Fury team? Maps are my great downfall as I do not have the software to make ones that nice.
ReplyDeleteI did the map ... believe it or not, I did it in PowerPoint. I need to upgrade to a better graphics software package ... doing it in PP took way more time than I like.
ReplyDeleteMark
PowerPoint? Really? I might have to take a closer look at that program. And even though you spent a lot of time on it, the effort was worth it, it looks good!
ReplyDeleteMark, How did you decide on the unit ratings? When we played the scenario we found that the Confederate units-- most Crack with a few Veterans-- really manhandled the Trained/Green Union troops.
ReplyDeleteHey Ken, I used a lot of sources for these ratings, but two that were very helpful were (for the Confederates) Joseph L. Harsh's book called "Sounding the Shallows." It is a companion volume to "Confederate Tide Rising" and "Taken at the Flood." It identifies areas of research and in-depth source material for studies for the Maryland Campaign. In particular, there is a great combat experience table on page 102 of this book. I also used Ezra A. Carman's great book "The Maryland Campaign of September 1862" Vol.1: South Mountain. It contains much primary source material that helps 'rate' units. That said, maybe I need to adjust a few of the Union ratings. Mark
ReplyDeleteMark, we've played the scenario three times now and I feel pretty confident in saying that as written the Union really has very little chance to win. They start outnumbered (on the Union left Hayes' regiment is facing a 10 stand veteran Rebel regiment, a 6 stand crack unit of cavalry and 1-3 guns, depending on where Bondurant's battery goes) and are facing vastly superior quality troops. The only way for the Union to be competitive is to wait for the reinforcements to come on at turn 4-5 before attacking, but that requires the Confederate player to cooperate by waiting for that to happen. I'm not challenging your historical interpretation, but from a game play stand point it might make sense to start the scenario later after the Union reinforcements have already come onto the field. Anyway, just some thoughts. Thanks very much for doing the scenario.
ReplyDeleteOh, I should add that I'm looking forward to the scenario for the afternoon engagement!
ReplyDeleteHey Ken,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you ... our plays have also made it clear that it is very difficult for the Union. Now I need to determine where to make changes; Union experience levels, CSA experience levels, arrival times for Union reinforcements, or some combination of these.
Thanks for the inputs.
Mark