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THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR GAMING CLUB
Competition - honor - friendship
camaraderie - respect - challenge
Est.
1997
Vicksburg is a title without a real signature battle. But it does still contain some good scenarios and alternate battles. But on the whole the title is pretty average when compared to some of the other Civil War titles.
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CONTENT
18 Total Scenarios Recommended
2 Rated "Excellent"​
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NOTE: ALL NUMBERS HERE REFLECT THE ACTIVE STRENGTHS OF THE ARMIES. THESE NUMBERS DO NOT INCLUDE PERMANENTLY FIXED UNITS.
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16 Turns
01h_a. - 27th Chickasaw Bayou
My Rating: Good
15,121
13,712
509
900
36
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
12,748
10,620
428
1,700
68
Description - December 27,1862 - Sherman strikes inland. George Morgan advances toward Lake House, while Sherman, Blair and M.L. Smith's division advance on Morgan's right down a parallel road. Meanwhile, the rest of Steele's division is busy cutting a road for access to Blake's Levee (running along north shore of Thompson Lake). The forward elements of Steele's advance make contact near dusk. On the Confederate side, Stevenson's division arrives.
Analysis - This 16-turn skirmish is pretty straightforward. The issue is "can the Confederates hold back the advancing Union forces before they penetrate the defensive lines and cut the River Road." This means a head-on attack with little time or room to maneuver in sixteen turns.
33 Turns
01h_c. - 29th Chickasaw Bayou
My Rating: Good
20,561
18,641
670
1,250
50
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
12,653
10,525
428
1,700
68
Description - December 29, 1862 - Sherman's plan for the 29th is for a powerful frontal attack against the Confederate center. The attack failed with heavy casualties. A subsequent amphibious flanking move with Steele's division is botched and aborted. The Chickasaw Bayou campaign was over.
Analysis - This is a fun little straight-forward battle with a concentrated Union force moving directly on the Confederate works. Simple as that.
18 Turns
01whatif_a. - 27th Chickasaw Bayou
My Rating: Good
15,121
13,712
509
900
36
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
15,120
12,592
428
2,100
84
Description - December 27,1862 - With this variant of the historical Dec. 27 scenario, the Confederates get early reinforcements.
Analysis - Just an expanded version of the Chickasaw battle.
33 Turns
01whatif_c. - 29th Chickasaw Bayou
My Rating: Good
20,561
18,641
670
1,250
50
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
17,568
15,040
428
2,100
84
Description - December 29, 1862 - With this variant of the Dec. 29 historical scenario, the Confederates get early reinforcements.
Analysis - With the addition of 2,500 additional Confederates the battle almost feels a little off. But it does give the Rebels some leeway if they make a mistake early in the battle.
27 Turns
02h_b. - Ingraham Heights
My Rating: Good
25,776
22,519
607
2,650
106
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
13,237
12,087
0
1,150
46
Description - May 3, 1863 - (Historical) -- General W.W. Loring, who arrived on the field to take command from Bowen the day after Port Gibson, considered a counterattack under the mistaken assumption that he would be reinforced with two full brigades. Realizing that an attack on the Federals crossing Big Bayou Pierre at Grindstone Ford would now be a disaster with the forces at his disposal, Loring must now ensure his army does not get trapped between the bayou and Big Black River.
Analysis - This one is a straightforward scenario - can the Rebels hold on?
18 Turns
03whatif. - Raymond
My Rating: Good
10,452
9,744
208
500
20
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
5,499
5,007
92
400
16
Description - May 12th ,1863 - (What-if) (40% Rebel entry) -- This Battle of Raymond variant supposes that Gregg's brigade is reinforced. Instead of stopping at Jackson, Walker advances to General Gregg's relief at Raymond.
Analysis - Not a bad setup and is challenging for both sides. 2,000 of the Union's reinforcements arrive too late to be a factor in the fighting.
24 Turns
04h_a. - McClernand's Fix
My Rating: Good
33,975
30,175
1,050
2,750
110
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
26,874
24,047
602
2,225
89
Description - May 13, 1863 -- One of the great opportunities lost by the Confederates during the Vicksburg campaign occurred before noon on May 13th. With Grant's army moving east to attack Jackson, three divisions of McClernand's XIII Corps had to first escape from a precarious position north of Fourteen Mile Creek before it could march to Raymond. With a superior Confederate force less than a mile to the north, McClernand was in a potentially disastrous fix.
Analysis - Anything goes here. Attack if you want or defend. The playbook is open here. The Federals have 28,195 men that can actually get into the battle as their reinforcements arrive too late to participate. Just a fun little medium-sized battle.
30 Turns
05h. - Champion Hill
My Rating: Good
32,782
28,637
1,145
3,000
120
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
26,809
24,046
388
2,375
95
Description - May 16th ,1863 (Historical) -- After capturing Jackson and driving Johnston's army away to the north toward Canton, the Army of the Tennessee turns on Pemberton and Vicksburg. Hoping to sever the rail connections with the rest of the Confederacy, Grant drives on Edwards Station. Pemberton, who is hoping to link up with Johnston, is caught on the move and hurriedly assembles a patchwork defense along Jackson Creek. The previously washed out Raymond Road bridge over Jackson Creek is being repaired in case retreat is necessary.
Analysis - This battle is a grind. The Federals are coming along three different roads and will be looking to exploit any weaknesses they can find.
77 Turns
05h_a. - Champion Hill (large)
My Rating: Good
34,827
30,132
1,195
3,500
140
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
29,599
26,449
575
2,575
103
Description - May 16-17, 1863 (Historical) -- This scenario encompasses the historical period that resulted in two great victories for the Federal Army of the Tennessee, at Champion Hill on the 16th and Big Black Bridge the next day.
Analysis - This setup is wonderfully fun. To begin with you have a ton of room to maneuver and create a wholly different scenario than the historical one depending on what moves you and your opponent make.
30 Turns
05whatif_a. - Champion Hill
My Rating: Excellent
32,782
28,637
1,145
3,000
120
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
29,792
26,829
388
2,575
103
Description - May 16th ,1863 (What-if) -- This variant of the historical Champion Hill scenario assumes that General Pemberton is able to strip Vicksburg's defenses and call the balance of Martin L. Smith's division to the battlefield.
Analysis - A really great scenario! The addition of ML Smith's Division evens up things and allows the Confederates just a bit of security as they now have two additional brigades to bring up and reinforce their lines. That makes this scenario more even and enjoyable from the Reb perspective.
22 Turns
07h. - May 19 Assault
My Rating: Good
31,490
29,590
0
1,900
76
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
26,916
21,566
775
4,575
183
Description - May 19th, 1863 (Historical) - "We've Ketched our Rabbit" --- Having experienced an unbroken series of victories over the past four days, Grant believes that the Confederates will surrender if pressed with another assault. However, the Confederates are far from out of the fight. At 2:00 pm on May 19, a signal gun is fired. Grant hurls his army against the frowning guns of the Hill City. Unfortunately for Union fortunes, XIII Corps is out of position to attack at the signal, leaving XV Corps to bear the brunt of the assault. Meanwhile, elements of XVII Corps straggle in to assist.
Analysis - The Union attack on the trenches at Vicksburg was bloodily repulsed. History should repeat itself here. With strong entrenchments and abatis guarding the Rebel lines, they should repulse the Federals. But the Federals can mass easier than the Confederates and may be able to batter they way through.
10 Turns
07h_a. - Stockade Redan
My Rating: Good
11,789
11,389
0
400
16
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
4,335
3,960
0
375
15
Description - May 19, 1863 (Historical) -- The Union Assault on the Stockade Redan -- As part of Grant's planned May 19 general assault, Sherman's XV Corps launches itself down the Graveyard Road against the northeastern ramparts of Vicksburg. The "Stockade Redan" complex is an immensely strong defensive position and the Federal assaults are hurled back with heavy loss.
Analysis - Looking for a short and bloody little skirmish? Here you go! This is a nasty little brawl in the abatis and embankments around Vicksburg.
40 Turns
08h. - May 22 Assault
My Rating: Good
45,764
38,916
2,198
4,650
186
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
25,062
20,487
175
4,400
176
Description - May 22, 1863 (Historical) "Hell is empty for the devils are all here": The May 22 Assault -- After the dismal failure of the May 19 attacks, General Grant plans an even bigger assault on Vicksburg for the 22nd.
Analysis - How will this play out? The Federals have far more men and a ton of artillery pieces (a large part of the Rebel artillery is facing the river). The Rebel line is also stretched out very thin and they have few reserves to plug holes should they open up. But the Federals will have a hard time attacking across abatis and against fortified positions. Give it a play if you enjoy these sorts of matches.
45 Turns
cbp_c2u2 - Redbone Church
My Rating: Excellent
29,977
27,169
408
2,400
96
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
26,954
24,554
250
2,150
86
Description - May 2-3, 1863 -- After the Union victory at Port Gibson, Grant advances on Vicksburg from Hankinson's Ferry. The Confederates scramble to assemble a strong defensive line east of Warrenton and centered on Redbone Church.
Analysis - What a hidden gem! Play this for some fun. The two sides are roughly equal though the Federals have a slight advantage in men and guns. The Confederates are in a defensive position with a creek to their front. A ton of fun and one not to be missed!
46 Turns
cbp2_c1u1 - Willows and Ingraham Heights
My Rating: Good
30,177
27,069
708
2,400
96
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
20,864
18,889
250
1,725
69
Description - May 3, 1863 -- McPherson's XVII Corps is ordered to take the forefront and bridge Bayou Pierre. General Loring has decided to contest the crossing. In this scenario, the balance of Carter Stevenson's division is on the field to reinforce Loring.
Analysis - Another fun setup here positions both armies along a single road to battle it out for control of a number of objective hexes. A few strategic options here for the Federals but a more straightforward fight for the Rebels. Should build in intensity as the day progresses.
64 Turns
fmc_jax c2u1 - McClernand's Escape
My Rating: Good
47,850
42,174
1,576
4,100
164
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
40,133
36,731
602
2,800
112
Description - May 13, 1863 -- The Union army is deployed south of Fourteen Mile Creek, with its left anchored on Big Black River and the right on the town of Raymond. Pemberton has launched an attack on Grant's army (which is caught in motion towards Jackson) and the Confederate army is now nearing Fourteen Mile Creek. Walker's division may arrive as reinforcements from Jackson (but time of arrival, if they arrive at all, is highly uncertain).
Analysis - A chess match. Both sides are scattered across the board with numerous high value objective hexes to worry about and protect. With roughly even sides you can expect this to be a thinking-man's game from start to finish. Why not a "Excellent" rating? Maxey's Confederate Brigade arrives from Jackson on the eastern side of the map. It would be exceedingly easy for the Union player to ambush these men and bag them. A House Rule allowing them to enter in peace and move to a set location before engaging would be a good thing to talk over with your opponent. Otherwise this one is fun!
34 Turns
jf_c1u2 - Clinton and Jackson
My Rating: Good
43,317
37,991
1,526
3,800
152
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
37,556
34,056
500
3,000
120
Description - With Grant's army spending the day destroying everything of military value in Jackson, Pemberton decides to attack. The Confederate army advances on the Jackson Road through Bolton and by the morning of the 17th, is approaching Clinton. Taking Clinton is crucial to Pemberton, as the possibility exists to link up with Walker's division there.
Analysis - This chaotic battle is a winner. With two armies on a collision course at Clinton anything can happen. The objective flags make this one even more interesting as their value is high enough to dictate your decisions in many instances. Numerous options here to decide upon.
38 Turns
pgsb_c2u1 - Port Gibson Variant
My Rating: Good
21,054
19,354
100
1,600
64
TOTAL
Infantrymen
Cavalrymen
Artillerymen
Cannons
14,914
13,964
175
775
31
Description - Variant to historical Port Gibson fight. Carter Stevenson and three brigades are sent to reinforce Bowen's defense of Port Gibson.
Analysis - This smaller battle has some important creek crossings to watch and some strategic decisions to make early on. A good smaller game to play if you are looking for some fun.
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