Battle of Oak Grove - 1862

Johnny Reb III has long been a mainstay of our gaming group but for some reason hadn't played all year as I recall.  That doesn't mean we stopped painting so to give table time for some new minis we pulled out "Forward the Colors" by George Anderson and Ryan Toews to find a scenario.  With the personel and time available I settled on Oak Grove, historically fought on June 25, 1862.  Our game represented the effort by "Fightin' Joe" Hooker against Benjamin Huger.  Three brigades per side over a heavily wooded area.  The woods, any shade of green cloth besides the base cover were treated as broken ground for movement.  The fields were cosmetic because I like them 😊and the fences offered no cover but slowed movement.  Both sides had a smattering of green troops.

The multiple road intersection is the objective.  Brigade deployment
areas were predetermined by the scenario.

The Yankee right, Rebel left.

They come to grips quickly in the center but are slowed by woods
elsewhere.

Lines are finally shaken out but both sides in the near view are
reluctant to advance.

On the Rebel right the fighting is brutal.

Two Reb units were lost setting up this charge.

But at the end, both brigades were mauled.

In Johnny Reb you can no longer advance once you hit 40% losses and must retire at 60%.  Since we were basically fighting three actions we applied it to the brigades.  In this case once the routers were tallied both sides were unable to prosecute offensive action on this end of the table.

The Yankees flank the Reb on their right but with a green unit
do not do as much damage and are out of command so can't charge.

Some daring charges and good musketry slowly pushed the
Yankees back in the center.

The Rebs have stabilized their left and are now ready to advance.

The Rebs keep advancing in the center and also engage the
depleted Yankee brigade.

Looking favorable for the Confederacy.

The left-hand Yankees must fall back and so do the Yankees on
the right.  The center can still fight but will be flanked soon.

Yankees retiring on their works and, uh... supplies.

Historically the Yankees made progress before running out of steam and resolve.  That is pretty much what happened in our game.  While rusty with the rules it came back to us quickly and we were able to play at a brisk pace.  Thanks for playing guys.