Fredericksburg Solo - Scenario

Fredericksburg is probably not a great choice for a wargame for several reasons, firstly the size - it was the biggest ever battle on American soil (the only time the Confederates managed to field over 75,000 men) fought over a six-mile front. Secondly, the terrain, coupled with Burnside's unimaginative deployment of the Union army, means there is little room for manoeuvre. Thirdly, the battle had more in common with those of 1864 being a bloody one-sided affair.

That said, I have been wanting to try to game this fascinating battle for some time as I felt that although it might be a bit dull as a traditional game, it could possibly work well as a solo endeavour. Having read in detail about the campaign I realised that although the attack on Marye’s Heights was clearly folly, the Union had a real chance of success further to their left which the generals failed to exploit.

I don’t have enough figures to represent the forces unit for unit so have scaled the OOB down by omitting some Divisions from each side, even so there will be upward of 45 Brigades in play. I have also had to contract the battlefield slightly to allow everything to fit on my 6’ x 4’ table but all the significant terrain features have been represented.

The main sources I used to compile the scenario were Battles & Leaders of The Civil War Vol 3 and Time Life’s Rebels Resurgent.

The table looking west towards Fredericksburg.

Special Rules

1. The Union had a number of heavy artillery batteries posted across the Rappahannock and to accommodate these on the table I have had to increase the range of Union rifled batteries. Rule: Union rifled artillery has a range of 25”

2. The Union attacks on Marye’s Heights were made under tactical restraints imposed by the high command. Rule: Divisional attacks on Marye’s Heights must be made in column of Brigades with no units allowed to deploy to the flanks.

3. The canal in front of Fredericksburg caused problems for the advancing Union troops who became bunched as they crossed via narrow bridges. Rule:  It takes one turn to cross the canal and during this turn the Confederates +1 to all artillery die rolls.

4. Hazel Run was an obstacle that effectively divided the battlefield. Rule: Hazel Run is impassable terrain except via the bridge.

The view from the Union left flank.

Order of Battle

Army of the Potomac - Burnside

Left Grand Division – Franklin

1^st Corps – Reynolds

1^st Division – Doubleday

2^nd Division – Gibbon

3^rd Division – Meade

6^th Corps – Smith

1^st Division – Brooks

2^nd Division – Howe

Right Grand Division – Sumner

2^nd Corps – Couch

1^st Division - Hancock

2^nd Division – Howard

3^rd Division – French

2^nd Division (5^th Corps) – Sturgis

Army of Northern Virginia – Lee

Left Wing – Longstreet

Ransom’s Division

McLaws’ Division

Hood’s Division

Right Wing – Jackson

A P Hill’s Division

D H Hill’s Division

Stuart – Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry Brigade

The view from the Union central position.

Command Restrictions

1. No ASSAULT orders may be given to any Union Brigade.

2. The maximum number of active Union Divisions is limited to 5. To activate any other Division a currently active Division must be ordered to retire and issued with HOLD orders. All orders are subject to the usual command die rolls (Burnside is graded as D, all other Union commanders are C).

3. Doubleday’s Division was tasked with holding the extreme left of the Union line and his Division may not be activated unless enemy infantry come within 10”.

4. D H Hill’s Division is held in reserve and may not activate unless enemy infantry come within 6”.

The view from the Union right flank.

Initial Orders

Gibbon, Meade, French, Hancock & Howard – ENGAGE

All other Union Divisions and all Confederate Divisions - HOLD

Victory Conditions

Union DEM = 6

Confederate DEM = 5

The union side claims 1 VP for each unbroken brigade on Marye’s Heights or penetrating as far as the Military Road.