Framlingham, 3rd-6th November 2022.

[Tim Hall]

Gentlemen:-

Just to update you on the costs for your weekend's gaming For the three days use of the room, it will cost the grand sum of £35.00 each, which I thought was very reasonable. There are tea and coffee making facilities in the room and I will lay in supplies nearer the time.

[Count Belisarius]

That sounds fine. Looking forward to it.

[goat major]

all good !

[Peeler]

That's ok with me, well done Tim.

[Tim Hall]

I suppose it would be timely to provide some game info.

This is to be an American Civil War clash circa late August 1862, in the Plattville Valley of Virginia. Confederate General, Stonewall Jackson has been rampaging up and down the Shenandoah Valley, and has now moved his operations to the lesser Plattville Valley. These operations have tied down many Union troops that US Commander in Chief, General George McClellan is desperate for, to join his campaign in the Peninsula and the siege of Richmond. Convinced he is facing hundreds of thousands of Rebels there, he has ground to halt and will not press his attack until he receives substantial reinforcements. However his inertia has been the result of the flawed intelligence he has been getting from his Chief Agent Allan Pinkerton, and the Confederate's skill in making their vastly inferior numbers appear much greater. McClellan has fallen for their ploy hook line and sinker.

Commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E Lee is now ready to make his opening moves in finally pushing the Yankees out of Virginia, and together with General Jackson has conceived a plan to accomplish this. Jackson has occupied the strategic town of Citadel Heights which controls the route to the Peninsula from the Plattville Valley and thus pinned in place the Union army of General Nathaniel Banks. But this is a mere deception, Citadel Heights is held by General Jerusalem Bright and his Tennessee Bright's Legion together with local Militia. These troops are currently masquerading as Jackson's main army, which in a daring night march has moved around the flanks and rear of the Union forces. Using guides from the civil population and Jeb Stuart's cavalry to screen this move and scout ahead of the main Confederate body. Jackson' divisions, now joined by General Lee, are poised to strike at Plattville Junction, the Union main supply hub in the valley. If Jackson can secure the town and Rail head he can resupply his army, cut the Yankees off from their line of supply, and then advance on to the rear of the main Yankee army in the area and then on to Richmond. The Yankees have only an infantry brigade holding the area and a signal station close by.

Unknown to Jackson, a Union scout has detected his movement and reported back to the Plattville Junction garrison commander. Messengers were speedily despatched to General Banks' HQ with this intelligence. One of the messengers was met by Union general Winfield Hancock, Banks' most able subordinate. Acting on his own initiative, Hancock ordered his fastest formation, General Buford's cavalry division, to make haste to Plattville Junction and hold it until infantry could be put on the march, a distance of some 25 miles. Buford's lead elements arrive at 05.30, the Confederates are forming up to make their initial assault, it is now a race against time.

Union:- Major General Winfield Hancock aka Iain Burt (EB)
Union divisiional commanders:- Pembs, Count B, Buff, Goat Major. (Divisional posts to be allocated by EB.)

Confederate:- General Robert E Lee and Major General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson aka Me.
Confederate divisonal commanders; Major General George Pickett aka Jamie, Major General John Bell Hood aka Martin Waller, Major General Jubal Early aka Peeler, and Major General Jerusalem Bright aka Paul B.

Jeb Stuart's cavalry division and Major General Robert Rodes division will fall under the command of General Lee.

You might have noticed an unfamiliar name in the line up, Martin Waller. He is a keen wargamer I met locally this year, and I took the liberty of inviting him. He is a good guy and like us he enjoys a good game and good company. I am sure you will make him welcome.

I look forward to seeing you all on Friday, and I am hoping we have a cracking game.

[Buff Redux]

Hang on, EB sent a cavalry division the right way? See you on Thursday.

[goat major]

Permission to be outrageously excited sir ?

Union divisiional commanders:- Pembs, Count B, Buff, Goat Major. (Divisional posts to be allocated by EB.)

Iain when allocating posts under no circumstances put Andy in charge of selecting uniform colours

[Essex Boy]

Hang on, EB sent a cavalry division the right way? See you on Thursday.

Getting them to the right place has never been an issue, it's what happens to them when they get there that's the problem.

[Essex Boy]

Permission to be outrageously excited sir ?

Union divisiional commanders:- Pembs, Count B, Buff, Goat Major. (Divisional posts to be allocated by EB.)

Iain when allocating posts under no circumstances put Andy in charge of selecting uniform colours

I thought I'd put Andy in charge of stalling. Seeing as he's arriving a day late, I'd say that he's off to a good start.

[Tim Hall]

Permission to be outrageously excited sir ?

Union divisiional commanders:- Pembs, Count B, Buff, Goat Major. (Divisional posts to be allocated by EB.)

Iain when allocating posts under no circumstances put Andy in charge of selecting uniform colours

By all means be excited you young whippersnapper. And don't forget to shout "Huzzah" very loudly. Your mention of blue and Andy, now has me concerned that my blues will not match up to his exacting standards in that department. But as they say down South, "fuck it, y'all".