Wilson's Creek AAR, Union player vs Conf AI

[gwgardner]

10:00

Things are heating up as six regiments of Reb infantry are moving against my hilltop position. I had withdrawn Blair's Brigade but now it looks like an opportunity to flank the northern end of the Reb attack.

[gwgardner]

Sigel's Brigade is approaching a cavalry screen guarding the southern approach to the Reb position. They will have to be driven off before Sigel can attempt a crossing of the creek.

[gwgardner]

The flank attack I'm contemplating seems right to me. See the screenshot, where the limit of 3rd (Blair's) Brigade line of sight shows that neither side is aware of the other in terms of visibility.

[This is of course a situation where a table-top general can do what no real general could. I already ordered 3rd Brigade to withdraw. It did so partially. Is it too far-fetched to think that General Lyon, in overall command, seeing the development of the Rebel assault, would countermand his previous order, and push Blair forward? Well, I'm going to do what I sometimes do in games, cast the dice. Even, the order goes out to advance. Odd, Lyon was not able to get the countermand through in time. Bummer, odds it is. So no surprise flank attack.]

[gwgardner]

10:20

Sigels Brigade is deploying against some Reb infantry (just arrived to guard the creek crossing) and the cavalry that has been watching Sigel's approach for the last hour.

[gwgardner]

On and around what is now called 'Bloody Hill,' the fierce fighting continues.

[gwgardner]

11:00 AM

[gwgardner]

The southern flank:

[gwgardner]

11:20

[gwgardner]

12:00

Zooming all the way out we can now see the entire battlefield as of noon.

Ominously, one of my supply wagon trains is empty now of ammunition and ordinance. The other is down by more than half. When both are empty, it is going to come down to ammo on hand for each unit.

[gwgardner]

12:40

On the northern and western flank of the Reb force, Union forces are in occupation critical ground commanding the area (the 'victory hexes' designated in this scenario). With supplies running low, and the troops having been on the march and advancing since dawn, Gen Lyon has ordered a defensive stance.

If the Rebs can mount a major push, the Union force may even be unable to sustain a defense.

Blair's brigade was to have come forward to throw new weight into the line, and one regiment and a battery have done so, but another has to hold back to guard against marauding Reb cavalry.

[gwgardner]

On the southern flank, Sigel's Brigade has driven off most of the Reb cavalry blocking the path northward, but one regiment of infantry is dangerously wavering in morale. Sigel has to weigh carefully whether he can cross the creek to the north with only one regiment of infantry, under covering fire of his artillery.

Or more likely, pause and rally the troops.

North and south, the battle situation requires a breather for the Union forces. Whether the Rebs will cooperate is to be seen.

[gwgardner]

Sigel is working hard to rally his 3rd Missouri, and has put his whole brigade into rally mode.

[gwgardner]

1:00 PM

The entire army is on the defensive or in rally mode for the time being. The lone remaining supply wagons in the north are down to 1/6 of their starting ammo and ordnance.

[gwgardner]

1:20 PM

On the north flank:

[gwgardner]

In Sigel's Brigade:

[gwgardner]

2:40 PM

The Rebs have continued their assault against the Union line, but have not attempted a charge. After more than an hour they have finally fallen back, with heavy losses.

Gen. Lyon now has to consider: should he order a renewal of his own push, in order to attempt to destroy the core of the Rebel army? Or is that mere wishful thinking given that he has no more supplies to back him up?

[gwgardner]

3:00 PM

Gen Lyon was able to get messengers back and forth to Gen Sigel. The situation on the south flank is stable, with good supply.

On the north and west flank, there is enough supply still available at the regimental level that Lyon has decided to throw everything he has against the remaining Rebs west of Wilson's Creek.

Linking up with Sigel would signal a decisive victory over the Rebs.

[the screenshot shows the 'unit status' overlay, including current supply. There is no more supply in the wagon trains, but a good amount with the regiments.]

Lyon orders both 1st and 4th Brigades into 'advance' brigade order again, and waits for the sound of both of Sigel's batteries barking to trigger the push forward.

[gwgardner]

3:40

The renewed attack is not going as well as hoped. Two Union units have routed back from heavy fire.

[gwgardner]

Reb General Sterling Price has been killed. What effect that will have on morale is not known yet.

[gwgardner]

4:00 PM

The routed section of Backof's Artillery has surrendered after dispersing in panic towards Rebel lines.

2nd Missouri has rallied, but now has to be reorganized and brought forward again.

Fighting is intense along the narrowing front lines.