The Federal high command under General Meade has given the
honor of capturing the Shenandoah Valley to General Sykes’s Corps. To that end Sykes sends the 1st
Division from Winchester on a march South by way of the Valley Turnpike to
Kernstown (see map 1).
General Longstreet, intent to block the Yankee’s quickly and
slow their advance sends McLaw’s division north from Newtown to Kernstown
It is 5:30 pm, both forces have been marching since the morning and are entering the fight "tired". Daylight ends by 8 pm.
It is 5:30 pm, both forces have been marching since the morning and are entering the fight "tired". Daylight ends by 8 pm.
Map
The map shows the first division of both armies at Kernstown and the 2nd Federal division vs the 3rd Confederate Division at Middletown (next post).
There are two movements per week in a campaign.
There are two movements per week in a campaign.
Confederate OOB:
Division Lafayette McClaws
[ 102] Major General Lafayette
McClaws - Active B+ [950 paces]
[ 149] 1st NC, Co
A 0/ 131 [ 5] B-
[ 150] Troups GA Art 0/ 90 [ 4] B- Total
Cannon: 16
[ 151] Pulaski GA
Art 0/ 63 [ 3] B-
[ 152] Richmond How,
1st Co 0/ 90 [ 4] B-
Brigade Joseph B. Kershaw
[ 106] Brigadier General Joseph
B. Kershaw - Active B [450 paces]
[ 101] 2nd S.C. 0/ 412 B
[ 102] 3rd S.C. 0/ 407 B
[ 103] 7th S.C. 0/ 408 B
[ 104] 8th S.C. 0/ 300 B
[ 105] 15th
S.C. 0/ 449 B
Brigade Paul J. Semmes
[ 107] Brigadier General Paul
J. Semmes - Active B [450 paces]
[ 106] 10th GA. 0/ 303 B
[ 107] 50th GA. 0/ 303 B
[ 108] 51st GA. 0/ 303 B
[ 109] 53rd GA. 0/ 422 B
Brigade William Barksdale
[ 108] Brigadier General
William Barksdale - Active B+ [500 paces]
[ 110] 13th MS 0/ 481 B
[ 111] 17th MS 0/ 468 B
[ 112] 18th MS 0/ 242 B
Strengths:
losses/active
0/
5518 Bayonets
0/
374 Artillerists
0/
16 Cannon
0/
5892 Total of all arms
Federal OOB
Corps George Sykes
[ 502] Major General George Sykes - Active B [1300 paces]
Division James Barnes
[ 503] Brigadier General James
Barnes - Active B [875 paces]
Brigade William S. Tilton
[ 507] Colonel William S.
Tilton - Active B [450 paces]
[ 501] 18th MA 0/ 139 C+
[ 502] 22nd MA 0/ 137 C+ Brigade
Strength: 664
[ 503] 1st MI 0/ 145 C+
[ 504] 118th PA 0/ 233 C+
Brigade Jacob B Sweitzer
[ 508] Colonel Jacob B Sweitzer
- Active B [450 paces]
[ 505] 32nd MA 0/ 242
C+
[ 506] 4th MI 0/ 342 C+ Brigade
Strength: 1010
[ 507] 62nd PA 0/ 426 C+
Brigade Strong Vincent
[ 509] Colonel Strong Vincent -
Active B [450 paces]
[ 508] 20th ME 0/ 386 C+
[ 509] 16th MI 0/ 263 C+
[ 510] 44th NY 0/ 391 C+ Brigade
Strength: 1335
[ 511] 83rd PA 0/ 295 C+
Brigade Augustus P. Martin
[ 506] Captain Augustus P.
Martin - Active B- [450 paces]
[ 535] 3rd MA
Batty 0/ 115 [ 5] B-
[ 536] 1st OH
Batty 0/ 113 [ 5] B- Total Cannon: 13
[ 537] 5th US, Batty
D 0/
68 [ 3] B-
Strengths:
losses/active
0/
2999 Bayonets
0/367 Artillery
(13 cannon)
0/
3366 Total of all arms
This campaign began with the Federal and Confederate 1st
divisions meeting at Kernstown. The
commanders of both forces were for the most part novices to wargaming and to
using Carnage and Glory II. Each turn in the rules is 15 minutes.
Both sides started by arriving on the battlefield at the same time and were located roughly a mile apart.
The battle began very tentatively. It took four game turns for both sides to deploy sufficiently despite being
less than a mile apart from each other.
Above and below: The Federals started the battle by deploying their entire
division and loading up their right flank with the intention of out maneuvering
the Confederates. Due to the slow
progress of the Federal commander the Confederates were able to advance unopposed and seize the high
ground.
Below: This enabled them to form a sufficient battle line to face the Federal left which began by establishing themselves on a opposite ridge. The Confederates quickly deployed one of their artillery batteries on the ridge line and supported it on the flanks with their infantry deployed into line. The remaining Confederate artillery was unlimbered well behind the Confederate line, beyond the creek and couldn't serve much purpose. Meanwhile, the Federals slowly moved into a battle line on their left wing and waited until their other brigades could begin a turning movement.
Below: Despite having a relatively well conceived Federal battle
plan, this fell apart as the center brigade of the Federal line refused to move
for 15 minutes (1 turn) due to conflicting orders. To further complicate matters the advance
against the Confederate left was poorly managed which further delayed the
Federal attack plan. By the time the
Federals had their giant right wheel attack plan in effect the Confederate
commander had seen the danger and refused his line in order to meet it.
Below: An hour and a half into the battle the Federals launched
their left wing to act in concert with their now unfolding right wing wheel
movement, their center being stalled and now acting as a reserve. Confederate artillery fire took a fearful
toll on the advancing Federal battle lines of the first brigade (the smallest
of the three federal brigades). Federal
artillery fire was poorly managed when their own Federal infantry kept blocking
their line of sight.
Two hours into the battle the Federal left was committed to their advance and inching ahead slowly. At this point the Confederates unleashed their
surprise flank march (option granted to them within the campaign) which arrived
on the Federal left flank. This in
itself should not have been that big of a deal, but it seriously scared the
Federal commander to the point that his entire battle plan unraveled.
Below: Chaos ensued in the Federal high command (see center Federal brigade) as they tried to react to this new threat. Instead of just counter marching down the road they decided to march into the woods (road movement 900 yards, woods 225) with two regiments and send the other two regiments in column towards the waiting Confederates. The right wing of the Federal line deployed into line.
Below: The Confederate right continues to advance towards the Federal line on the left. Confederate artillery moves up to the ridge line. Federal artillery slow to unlimber but does begin to take down some Confederates as their batteries open up upon their relentless enemies.
The Federal right and center attempt to coordinate their efforts of advancing but get stalled when the Confederates advance towards them slightly.
The Confederate flank attack is slow in developing but has caused enough chaos in the Federal ranks.
Below: The Confederate right continues to attack, charging the shaken Federal regiments and routs two (18th and 22nd MA) of the four Federal regiments of the 1st brigade, including charging into two artillery batteries, of which it captured one cannon. To make things worse for the Federals the commander of the Federal 1st Brigade was struck down as he attempted to rally the fleeing Federal regiments (Colonel William S. Tilton)
Federal center and right wings stall and remain on the defensive. The troops marching to the relief of the left wing of the Federal line emerge from the woods after realizing the futility of this movement, but only go into line and await the outcome of the fighting to their front.
The Confederate left is content to wait while their center smashes the Yankee left. The flank force slowly advances.
As night was fast approaching (8 pm) and visibility was becoming
more limited both sides agreed to conclude their fighting.
By the conclusion of the fighting the Federal 1st
Brigade had been thoroughly whipped. All of the Federal 1st Brigade routed except the gallant 118th PA who was forced to surrender. The
Confederate forces, having taken almost no casualties, were in perfect order to
continue the fight.
Deeming it a
significant Federal disadvantage to attempt to renew the fight the following
day its commander called for a withdraw under cover of darkness. Thus, sending the Federal 1st
Division back north to Winchester.
The computer recorded this as a minor Confederate Victory. The casualties (which continue via the campaign compliments of C&G II) are listed below. Many thanks to Nick and Dakota (two of my students who played this on the last day of school) for their participation. Once again Dakota thumps Nick.
The casualties were originally higher at the conclusion of the battle. However, C&G II then reassesses the walking wounded, routed units, etc. and compiles a more accurate casualty list. I will also have to import a new commander to lead Tilton's brigade. I will do it by creating a new officer (find out who lead the 18th MA and use him) and then upload him into the computers OOB. Then reassign Tilton's former brigades to him.
Official Losses for the Battle of Kernstown
The
Confederate Army has suffered losses of:
[ 0%]
34 men of all arms
[ 0%]
34 bayonets
[ 0%]
0 artillerists
Honors: [
110] 13th MS
The Federal Army has suffered losses of:
[ 2%] 476 men of all arms
incl.[ 0%] 269 prisoners of all arms
[ 1%]
193 bayonets
[ 3%]
14 artillerists
1 cannon[s] lost
Honors: [ 537] 5th US, Batty D
Losses include 1 General[s]:
[ 507] William S. Tilton - Mortally wounded
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