Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

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RMD
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Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by RMD »

As mentioned here at the time, a couple of years ago I did a show demo game of the Battle of Murfreesboro or Stones River. I've since dug the terrain-boards for that battle out for some smaller 'what-if' scenarios, including this one.

In the actual battle, the original Union plan to attack the Confederate right flank on the morning of 31st December 1862 was swiftly cancelled when the Confederates got their own attack on the opposite flank in first. So here, we decided to see what would happen if Crittenden's Union Left Wing Corps instead continued with the original plan and pressed home an attack on Breckenridge's Confederate Division on Wayne's Hill.

Of course, in reality this would have spelled disaster for the Union, as Crittenden's troops were brought back over the Stones River and were instrumental in finally halting the Confederate assault, but it's a fun little scenario, so what the heck. We actually played it on a triangular corner of the original terrain, but I've 'squared off' the map for the purposes of the scenario.

The scenario is designed for Fire & Fury 2nd Edition and the models are 10mm figures by Pendraken.

Here's the scenario: http://www.jemimafawr.co.uk/2024/05/31/ ... d-edition/

And here's the AAR: http://www.jemimafawr.co.uk/2024/05/06/ ... ern-flank/

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ochoin
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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by ochoin »

No doubt a lovely looking game, set up with your usual panache.

At the risk of hijacking, I must say I don't particularly like the ACW. Uniforms are, for me, uninspiring.
Show me the possessor of a Union army who doesn't have way too many zouaves.
And they are essentially infantry slogs with a bit of artillery. I like cavalry. They add tone.

So, not trying to dictate to anyone, nor to gainsay Mark's Marvellous Masterpieces in the genre, but not my favourite period.

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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by BaronVonWreckedoften »

ochoin wrote: Sat Jun 08, 2024 1:13 am I like cavalry. They add tone.
Not to mention heaps of horse-shit, faasands of flies and clouds of dust.

(My period of choice is the equally cavalry-lite AWI....)
Kein Plan überlebt den ersten Kontakt mit den Würfeln. (No plan survives the first contact with the dice.)
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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by ochoin »

I did, while in my late teens, have a job rounding up cattle from horseback. Shows how old I am.
Whilst they're not overly intelligent beasts, it's not hard to form some attachment to them.

They're certainly more endearing than cows. And probably are no smellier or fly-infested than your average infantryman.

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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by RMD »

Thanks Donald!

No, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it would be bloody dull if we all liked the same stuff. :)

I've always been quite interested in the period, having had two previous abortive attempts to start it in 15mm and 28mm. However, one of the prime motivators for me, at my time of life, is that as dull as it is, it's very easy to build very large armies, very quickly and aside from one brief moment in 1861, the uniforms basically remain unchanged for the entire war. There's also a truly bewildering array of scenario possibilities and the history doesn't have to be read 'in the original German' (stand fast the Union XI Corps).

One other pull for me is that Fire & Fury is a bloody outstanding set of rules and a very, very enjoyable game; doubly so with the 2nd Edition.
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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by valleyboy »

Looking forward to having a good look at this when I have time later today. I'm with you Mark, easy to build 2 armies quite quickly which I did a few years ago in 15mm and could easily be tempted to add 28mm. I tried Fire and Fury but just couldn't get to grips with them (but then again I'm pretty hopeless making the transition from - "I now have armies to I've now had a gam" in any period) Have had a few games of Pickett's charge though and enjoyed those

This is a great set up and like me I'm sure many gamers are jealous and in awe of your ability to not only put on such great looking games but the more basic ability of seeing a project through to an end stage like this and your skill in taking an historical event and transforming it to a tabletop experience. Well done, particularly as you seem able to do this in multiple periods! I am so envious!
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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by Spanner »

Excellent work, Mark. Stones River/Murfreesboro is an interesting brawl/battle. The terrain in particular is well done.
ochoin wrote: Sat Jun 08, 2024 12:28 pm And probably are no smellier or fly-infested than your average infantryman.
Oi! I resent that. Boof (my late horse, who I lost last year) never smelled as bad as I did after a few weeks out bush. Bloody equinophobics.

:EB:
If "The System" is the answer, who asked such a bloody stupid question?
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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by ochoin »

I'm on your side, Dal. I like horses. And I'm so sorry about Boof. That's sad.

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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by Essex Boy »

That is a lovely looking game.
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Re: Murfreesboro/Stones River: The Northern Flank (Scenario & AAR)

Post by Spanner »

Thanks, Donald. He was special and I miss the old bugger. Had him since '98.
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If "The System" is the answer, who asked such a bloody stupid question?
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