Shiloh Solo - Conclusion

By 2:30 pm W H Wallace had deployed his division to protect the approaches
to Pittsburg Landing. He was supported by the entire reserve artillery making
a formidable barrier to stop the Confederate advance.

Meanwhile McClernand's counter attack had forced Johnston to divert several
brigades to his left flank. Polk himself was wounded in an effort to prevent
Trabue's brigade from breaking. The Rebel flank held but it had cost precious
reserves the Confederates needed elsewhere.

This is the view from behind McClernand's division looking towards the river.
The brigade in the foreground has broken but the Union attack has done its
work by diverting the Rebel reserves (visible top right).

A Union gunboat arrives to help complete the destruction of the Confederates
attempting to break W H Wallace's line. They never really had a chance
but made several gallant attempts nonetheless.

At the end of Turn 19 (4:30 pm), with Lew Wallace about to arrive with
reinforcements I called a halt to proceedings, there was no way that the
Confederates could win now. The total SP losses were 112 to the Rebels and
71 to the Union, a convincing win for the boys in blue.

The game was surprisingly good fun considering it was played solo and it was good to get these 6mm figures back in play. There were a few things that I learnt that may be applicable to any future games -

1. The heavily wooded terrain made movement slow so it would be a good idea to allow increased moves in similar scenarios (e.g. Chickamauga or The Wilderness)
2. The woods also made artillery very difficult to use to any effect although this may have been realistic in this scenario, possible idea is to allow a battery to fire in woods on a roll of 4,5 or 6
3. The command rules just don’t work for a solo game as I very quickly lost track of who was who, this wasn’t helped by the Confederate deployment in this scenario which was successive lines of corps. I need to simplify this for any further games.
4. This particular scenario was stacked too much against the Confederates, if I played it again I would say that any broken Union brigades have to rout to Pittsburg Landing before they could start to rally. This would give the Rebels more of an advantage early on and also be historically more accurate.

Shiloh Solo Turns 10-13

Against the odds Gibson's brigade successfully assault the centre of the Union
position in the Sunken Lane. They go to reduced strength in the process but
retain good morale (technically they cannot advance when at reduced strength
but this seemed unrealistic given the circumstances). There is a real chance
now that the Confederates can break through to Pittsburg Landing..

On the opposite flank however Grant sees an opportunity to counter attack
against the weakened and exposed Rebel left. He orders McClernand's fresh
division forward towards Shiloh Church.

Further Rebel assaults clear the remnants of Hurlbut's division from the
Hornets Nest. There is very little now standing between the Confederates
and the Landing.

However, Grant is aware of the situation and has already ordered
W H Wallace forward to plug the gap. On the hill above the bluffs the reserve
artillery has been deployed and the Rebs are just coming into range.

The Confederate right continues to advance. Johnston is directing every
brigade he can find to this flank but the brigades have become totally
jumbled up and the chain of command has broken down making coordinated
action impossible.

It's 1:30 pm and McClernand's counter attack is driving in the Rebel left. Two
brigades have broken and things are looking bad for the Confederates. The
battle hangs in the balance!

Shiloh Solo Turns 6-9

Johnston is with Polk's men as they take the direct route to Pittsburg Landing
by pushing against the Union left.

However, Hurlbut now has his three brigades ensconced in the Sunken Lane
with artillery covering the road to the landing. 

The Rebels are continuing to advance in the centre having cleared away the
remnants of Prentiss's men.

The Confederates start their attack on the Peach Orchard and Sunken Lane.
Johnston knows that he must keep pressing forward even though his brigades
have become jumbled up and could really do with time to reorganise.

On the left the Confederate brigades are spent. Having failed to take the ground
around Shiloh Church they have pulled back behind the creek.

Opposite them Sherman's men have had to give ground slightly after the
relentless Rebel attack. They fall back onto McClernand's position. The
time is approaching 12.00 noon and the first phase of the battle is over. The
Union now have a solid line of defence and it is looking increasingly
unlikely that the Confederates will break them down.

Shiloh Solo Turns 4-5

Bragg and Polk push on around the flank of Prentiss, heading directly for
Pittsburg Landing. So far none of these troops have been engaged.

Things are not going so well in the centre where some of Hardee's men have
fallen back slowing Polk's advance over Shiloh Creek.

On the Confederate left the attempt to dislodge Sherman from Shiloh Church
has met with little success. Two Rebel brigades have broken but more troops
are coming up in support.

Meanwhile orders have finally arrived for Hurlbut to advance and occupy the
Sunken Lane.