Hypothetical 1863 Valley Campaign

After some assessment it was decided that some modifications to the campaign were necessary. We viewed the first few turns as a test phase and after assessing the good and bad elements we refined a few things.  With that in mind we proceed by realigning troops and restarting the campaign to test these new adjustments.

We changed things by going off the principle that Longstreet was delayed coming north from North Carolina and will therefore enter the Northern (actually the southernmost portion of the valley).  Meanwhile, a division from AP Hill's corps will be stationed in the northern valley supported by Confederate cavalry who are Virginian's and/or native to that region.  The Federal forces will be comprised of the Federal 5th Corps with attached cavalry divisions.

The Federals begin the next phase of the campaign with 2 divisions (Ayers and Crawford) of the 5^th Corps being moved into location in the Valley supported by one brigade of Buford’s Division of Cavalry led by Colonel Devin.

Opposing them is one of AP Hill’s divisions, led by Anderson, which has been detached to cover the Valley and supported by the cavalry brigade of Grumble Jones while Longstreet’s corps moves north from North Carolina.

The Confederate cavalry is spread out to cover both the mountain passes through which the Federals can march from the east and along the roads to the north.  Anderson has spread his two brigades led by Wright and Lang across the majority of the major routes leading into the Valley near Woodston and Front Royal.

The Federal troops, led by Ayers’s brigade which is first to reach the valley, penetrates unmolested all the way to Winchester.  With rumors that Confederates are concentrated to his immediate South along all roads, Ayers sends one brigade with two regiments of cavalry as a reconnaissance into Middletown.  Still unopposed but hearing the rumors, the Federals must determine what to do in the opening phases of the campaign.

Turn 1:  Confederates:

Wright’s Brigade has been ordered forward on a Reconnaissance in Force with orders to destroy any infrastructure that might benefit the Federals.  The Cavalry regiment (5^th VA) was ordered to go with Wright’s Brigade (rolled a 2).

Lang’s Brigade has been issued orders to rest, but to destroy infrastructure if they are attacked which might benefit the enemy.

Turn 1: Federals:

Weed’s brigade orders are to advance 1 hex towards the enemy in force and leave a garrison in the current hex.  He will leave behind the 91^st PA (rolled a 3) who has an effective force of 222 men.  He will take with him 1 cavalry regiment (9^th NY) leaving 1 cavalry regiment (8^th NY) to support the 91^st PA.  The 91^st PA will remain in garrison until relieved or reactivated.

Day’s Brigade has been ordered to rest and destroy enemy property.

Burbanks’ Brigade has rolled two 6’s (players choice in both Orders and Special orders) so the player has decided to advance 1 hex towards the enemy but to make it a force march instead to link up with Weed’s Brigade as it moves down the Valley Pike.