9.20am 12 Sept 1862 – turn 5

Pleasonton’s cavalry division have now ridden almost the whole length of the turnpike to Funkstown without seeing any further signs of the enemy. When he gets to Funkstown Pleasonton is ordered to turn west and head towards Williamsport.

 The full campaign map at the end of turn 5. The red units are the enemy forces that I have spotted so far.

Meanwhile my infantry columns are making good progress with both Mansfield and Sumner having reached positions within 2 miles of Sharpsburg. Stuart’s Confederate troopers have moved out to the south and east of Sharpsburg trying to gain intelligence on our positions and I expect a clash with them shortly.

Confederate infantry have finally been spotted moving along the Shepherdstown-Boonsborough Pike towards Sharpsburg.

8.40am 12 Sept 1862 – turn 3

My cavalry pickets have spotted a strong column of Rebel cavalry entering Sharpsburg from the north. There are at least 3,500 enemy troopers present which must be the bulk of Stuart’s force. This reinforces my belief that the main Confederate line of advance will be along the Shepherdstown-Boonsborough Pike directly towards Sharpsburg.

JEB Stuart's men entering Sharpsburg.

However, there are also reports of enemy cavalry scouts further north shadowing Pleasonton’s force as it nears Funkstown so at this stage nothing is confirmed. All army corps continue to march northwest on their allotted routes across South Mountain.

8.00am 12 Sept 1862 – turn 1

The only information I have at this stage is that “Confederate troops are marching north through Martinsburg”. If the report is true then I can expect them to cross the Potomac at either Falling Waters or Williamsport. However, it seems much more likely to me that Dave would choose to come directly along the Pike from Shepherdstown towards Sharpsburg giving him the shortest possible route into Maryland.

Pleasonton leads the cavalry up the Hagerstown-Boonsborough Pike.

As a precaution I have ordered Pleasonton to take the cavalry up the Hagerstown-Boonsborough Pike to be in a position to scout the more northerly crossings of the river. Hooker’s 1st corps will follow the cavalry whilst Sumners 2nd corps and Porters 5th corps move parallel to him and cross South Mountain via Fox Gap. Mansfield (12th corps), Franklin (6th corps) and Burnside (9th corps) are to head directly towards Sharpsburg.

The Rebs are out there somewhere and I need to find them fast!

Invasion Maryland - HPS Campaign

Dave and I are embarking on a game based on the invasion of Maryland in 1862 using a modified version of “Campaign Antietam” by HPS. Dave uses the game editor to create his own scenario and OOB which we then fight as a play-by-email affair. These games can take up to six months to play as the maps and forces involved are vast and I will be recording highlights here as we go along.

September 12th, 1862 – Lee has brought the Army of Northern Virginia up the Shenandoah Valley to cross the Potomac and invade Maryland. McClellan’s Union Army is approaching the passes at South Mountain but as the campaign begins, he has no knowledge of Lee’s precise whereabouts. His most recent intelligence is a garbled and unreliable telegraph report of Confederate troops marching north through Martinsburg. Lincoln is worried by Lee’s bold move and has ordered McClellan to allow the Rebels no freedom to manoeuvre on Northern soil, and to crush them decisively while the world is watching ….

There are several sites on the Maryland road network that will provide modest VPs to the Confederates – the most valuable is Hagerstown for 60 VPs.

Randolph’s Ferry – end of day 2

The last two or three hours of daylight saw some ferocious combat on West Ridge and Black Elk Mountain. By 6.00pm, as darkness fell, Thomas had managed to secure our foothold on West Ridge with the brigades of Spears and Walker pushing back the Rebels. The plan for day 3 is to continue to push hard at the centre of Bragg’s line in the hope of a break through.

Orders are as follows:

Crittenden – continue to hold your present position to prevent the enemy from shifting troops from his right. Push forward a strong skirmish line.

Thomas – secure West Ridge and HOLD, then bring up your artillery and bombard the enemy to your front in preparation for an attack.

McCook – continue to ENGAGE the enemy on Black Elk Mountain.

It is possible that Bragg may organise a counter-attack at first light, if so I expect him to assault our right flank with Cleburne’s veterans near Leggett’s Mill.

Randolph’s Ferry – Turn 35

Against the odds my troops have managed to gain a foothold in the Rebel works on West Ridge. It remains to be seen whether this advantage can be exploited further.

Current orders are as follows:

Crittenden – HOLD a line from the Conrad House to Laurel Heights. Palmer’s division is to entrench.

McCook – move to your right and ENGAGE the enemy on Black Elk Mountain.

Thomas – move directly towards West Ridge and ASSAULT the centre of the enemy line.

Randolph's Ferry - Turn 14

Rosecran's Battle Plan Update - My original battle plan needs to be amended slightly due to the fact that the enemy has constructed entrenchments stretching from the Ranes Farm to Black Elk Mountain. It is still my intention to make our main attack on Franklin via Black Elk Mountain but if an opportunity arises to breach the enemy line elsewhere we will seize upon it!

McCook - Deploy in brigade column on a two-division front and ASSAULT the enemy line at Mt. Zion Church. Move your third division up behind the main attack columns and ASSAULT.

Crittenden - Form a line between the Conrad House and Laurel Heights and HOLD. One division is to assist the cavalry in driving off Wheeler's troopers - ENGAGE.

Barnett (Artillery Reserve) - Follow Crittenden's first division and deploy on Laurel Heights. Support McCook in his assault on Mt. Zion Church.

HQ & Wagon Park - Will now be established south of Hendrick's Farm.