SHILOH 1862 (Van Dorn Variant 2) AAR

[Curtis Lemay]

One more location is taken from the larger pocket.

[Curtis Lemay]

The threat to their right flank has forced the Union to reposition. This, plus the fact that the gap is now two hexes, has probably ended any chance of rescue for the pocketed forces.

[Curtis Lemay]

Turn 26 (7:00am)

Attacks continue against the remaining pocket. Unfortunately, I didn’t save the first set up. So, one hex has already been gained against the pocket. An attack is already set up against another hex of it.

[Curtis Lemay]

Some reduction occurred. Another attack is set up.

[Curtis Lemay]

The last attack was successful. Only one hex of the pocket remains.

[Curtis Lemay]

The Union abandons any plans to attempt a rescue. Their forces fall back towards the landing. One unit couldn’t disengage.

[Curtis Lemay]

Turn 27 (8:00am)

The final hex is under attack.

[Curtis Lemay]

The last hex has almost been completely eliminated. Only Grant remains.

[Curtis Lemay]

Finally, all pockets are eliminated.

[Curtis Lemay]

The engaged unit escapes. The Union continues to fall back to the landing.

[Curtis Lemay]

Turn 28 (9:00am)

This is where I’m going to end it. While there is a real opportunity to annihilate the entire Union force due to the Confederate force edge, the Union forces are fresh, and this is already a huge victory. (But I may return to this game sometime later and check out that possibility).

[Curtis Lemay]

The result is a Confederate victory.

Of the On Map VPs, 250 were held by the Confederates and 250 were held by the Union (net 0).
The Loss Penalties were 50 Confederate and 150 Union (net 100).
The VP awards were 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 75 + 100 + 60 - 120 = 155 Confederate (Prentiss, Sherman, Hurlbut, Wallace, McClernand, Grant, The Bridge, Start).
Total Confederacy = 0 + 100 + 155 = 255 of 500. This is a Significant Victory.

[Curtis Lemay]

Here’s a movie of the battle from the Confederacy’s view point (Union units only partially visible):

[Curtis Lemay]

And here’s a movie of the battle from the Union’s view point (Confederate units only partially visible):

[Curtis Lemay]

And now, let’s look at some statistics. First up, is the Manpower Losses Chart. Clearly, the Union took a beating on Day One. But Day Two only had the two pocket reductions:

[Curtis Lemay]

Things look even worse for the Union in the Gun Losses Chart:

[Curtis Lemay]

And here’s the Loss Penalty Chart. Note that it reflects losses to the Pools as well as permanent losses. So, as losses to the Pools are returned to play, the chart sometimes decreases. Still pretty bad for the Union, though. The difference between the two plots is registered in the Victory Total – 100 VPs for the Confederacy at the end.

[Curtis Lemay]

Here is the Net Manpower Chart. The dashed blue plot is the Union total without the 3rd Division (in other words, just what was on the battle area). So, the Union falls far behind in manpower on the first day. It then closes the gap at the start of the second day. There are only about 20,000 Union facing over 37,000 Confederates. That’s why there may be a chance to finish the Union off.

[Curtis Lemay]

Here’s the Net Gun Chart. The Confederacy is superior in numbers (but not in quality) for the duration.

[Curtis Lemay]

This shows the Confederacy’s % loss by Corps.