That Bonnie Blue Flag

[John 3rd]

Thanks again for the thoughts. I think I will move out and slam into the Union left flank with 3 divisions and cause as much chaos as I can. We'll drive on the Round Tops and see how far we get.

I will be wary of MY right flank where reinforcements will be entering the field.

[John 3rd]

Here it is. Comments, questions, prayers???

[veji1]

knowing how the BG games can be extreme when it comes to ZOCs, don't you fear that whatever the results of this attack you would be forced to retire before or during day 2 to prevent encircling and destroying of your right flank ?

[John 3rd]

That is a great question veji1!  My real plans are to withdraw Early's Division back to Oak Hill when twilight starts.  I am not going to wrap around the tradiitonal Union position.  My thrust will be as describied earlier and we'll see how far I can get.
 
If all goes well tonight I will have the 3rd Corps at or near the Round Tops, 2nd Corps backstopping them, and Longsteet's 1st Corps available for attack anywhere on the map.
 
I do intend to slip that Cavalry Brigade I get in the late aftenoon through Union lines to be used tomorrow in hit-and-run raids...
 

[Ashantai]

A bold plan! I just hope that after all this movement you can win the fight! Good luck, sir!

[John 3rd]

Nemo and I didn't get much in yesterday and have only just gotten going for today.  I will post an update when I can do a screenshot and talk about action!
 

[John 3rd]

OK. Everything is set and we are on! Fionn and I didn't get much done today but I thought the most recent screenshot would help some:

[ichris_slith]

John 3rd, Do you have your "W" class cannon (Whitworth rifles - Hardaway's Battery, McIntosh's battilion, III Corps Reserve Artillery)) up on the high point of Oak Hill?  If not, you should, they have a range of 70. From Oak Hll they can see and hit targets all over the field.  I know it's only a 2 strength unit but flank shots are often available.  Limbered artillery is also vulnerable...  Good luck with your assault on Cemetary Ridge.  It should be interesting...

[John 3rd]

That is a GREAT idea!  What hex do you specifically refer to?  I will move those guns there.  Even with only 2 guns those flank shots should at least raise the fatique level of his units.
 

[John 3rd]

Here we go my readers...

[Ashantai]

Good work, John! Let's just hope you can strike the decisive blow!

[John 3rd]

The Confederate Advance hits full stride. Am taking some enfilade fire to my left but am now past most of it. I show the planned Confederate moves for next turn.

I KNOW there are Union soldiers to the right of the Confederate attack. Move General Archer's Brigade to seal off that flank to provide some warning of attack.

[John 3rd]

As Robert E. Lee looks upon the land that has become a battlefield, he cannot help but notice the potential strength of the Union position.  Fortunately it doesn't appear to held by too many troops as of yet.  His soldiers report that his 5 Confederate Divisions face 2 full Union Corps (1st and 11th).  It is known that another Corps is approaching the area.

Heth's division is moving out in fine shape to his right and has taken no casulaties to this point of the attack.  Pender--directly in front of Lee--has elected to divide his command leaving two Brigades in the trees ready to attack the front of the Union position as his other three brigades take it from the flank and rear.  He is taking some serious artillery fire from 4 batteries stationed on that hill.  General Rodes partial Division of 3 Brigades plus nearly 40 cannon are working on deployment across from a little Copse of Trees. 

Lee has just been made aware that his Old Warhorse, General Longstreet, is on the field leading General Anderson's Division in along the Pike.  The remainder of Rodes Divsions as well as General Early's division are staging a fine diversion on the Union extreme right flank.  Longstreet will directly command both of these units.

With being to fully see this side of the battlefield Lee issues the immediate orders to initiate an En Eschelon Attack.  Heth will begin it with a deep penetration and Pender will be shallower and hook directly behind the Union troops.  Once they are fully engaged, General Rodes will launch his attack driving straight across the field heading for the Copse of Trees.  Finally--General Anderson will deploy from March Formation to direct Line-of-Battle and attack the Cemetary on top of the hill. 

With some anxiety, Lee looks at the sun knowing that he only has about 2 hours for darkness arrives...

[John 3rd]

Here are two screenshots of the battlefield at 1620 hours:

[John 3rd]

The Confederate Left begins its advance...

[John 3rd]

The attack is now fully developed. There are apair of wrinkles to irritate my opponent with...

[Ashantai]

Good stuff! Just like Chancellorsville - 2 hours of light left!

[Valkyrie]

Due to the large size of the screen shots, I'm having to wait for all of the older shots to load before I can see the latest one (I have a very slow DSL connection).

Would it be possible to start a new thread (part 2, part 3 etc)? instead of letting it roll over to additional pages on the original thread?

I don't know much about forums and conventions, but it would be helpful [:)]

Fantastic AAR BTW!

[John 3rd]

Ashantai and Valkyrie:  There is someone looking to start a new game in the Opponents Wanted area of this Form.  He said he was enjoying Nemo and I's AAR.  Would either of you be interested in starting a battle with him and running an AAR?
 
Valkyrie--I am not sure about how to handle your question.  I'll ask a Moderator and see what could be done to help with your loading issues.
 
Ashantai--You are dead right about it being like Chancellorsville!  Got to keep that sun UP for a while!
 
Thanks again for the comments and thoughts.
 

[John 3rd]

Nemo has fallen off the face of the planet so we hane't gotten anything played yesterday or today so far.