A Newbie's AAR Introduction to HPS ACW Campaign series

[mntineer]

The Waltz.
(Turns 4-6)

Back to the dance!

Turn 4 is looking rather good for the Union player. The rebs are pulling back, and I'm able to keep them pushed in front of me. I've realized this is a rearguard action that is covering the main Confederate force making haste to Sharpsburg to the west.

I organize my cavalry just east of Porterstown and form a line just in case the Rebs counter attack, and to provide a screen my infantry coming down the Boonsboro-Shepardstown Pike. I send a couple engaged cavalry units that were low on ammo back to the supply wagons in the rear. To the north of Porterstown, I set up a couple sections of horse artillery in an orchard south of Pry's Ford and assign a regiment of the 8th NY Cavalry to guard the position.

To the south, the Confederates are clearing the gap and are preparing to make a stand against the cavalry that is coming out in pursuit. In the meantime, Robinson's Division is entering the board behind Devin's cavalry. To the north, Davis' brigade is making its northward sweep to scout out the Confederate forces to the north.

The Confederates, though moving west are determined to stall my approach to Sharpsburg. Bluto has quickly set up a battery to the south of Porterstown that gives him great coverage of town and the surrounding countryside. The good news is that I can keep out of his sights for the most part, with some creative manuvering. The bad news is that he still has the ability to lob some Rebel toll tokens my way, and delay my approach into and past Porterstown.



To the south, the Rebs are setting up a rearguard just east of Sharman's Branch and waiting for Devin's cavalry to come busting through.



To the north, Bluto is reading a possible attack to his immediate rear, and is setting up a brigade to block Davis' cavalry near Neikirk's Ford.



On Turn 5, it's apparent that Bluto's stalling is beginning to work. This scenario is 27 turns, and time isn't on the Union side. I've got to secure a crossing at Antietam Creek in the two or three turns to have time to make a run on Sharpsburg.


At this time I let my infantry take the lead into Porterstown and mount up the cavalry and take them northwest to illuminate any Rebs who happen to be nearby. I further divide those forces, and sent Starr's cavalry a little further north to spot the extent of the Rebel hold on Niekirk's Ford. My artillery near Pry's Ford is doing a great job of scoring some casualities on those forces too. Hopefully I can force a withdawal there and clear the ford for the use of Mr Lincoln's forces. I assign Meredith's brigade to the task to clear out the Rebel artillery on the ridge south of Porterstown. The Rebel infantry that Routed in Turn 3 have rallied and can provide some protection of those cannons, promising some sharp action in order to move or destroy those units.

To the south, paranoia finally gets the best of me. I send Robinson's Division to the south toward Hawk's Hill. I suspect that Bluto has some units situated to the south to follow the infantry into the gap and cause casualities and delay:



Devin's cavalry clears the gap, and the Confederates get some opportunity fire in. The Rebs there have a couple regiments of infantry and a couple sections of cannon. I'm able to dismount and form up the bulk of the Devin's cavalry brigade to push the Rebs back from Sharman's Branch.

To the north, Davis' cavalry brigade opts to turn away from the Rebs at Niekirk's Ford, and heads north to cross at a smaller stream and away from slow moving infantry. Even with infantry, Bluto keeps a shadow on Davis' scouting force.

The Rebs get some decent opportunity shots at the infantry coming into Porterstown with the artillery sections on the ridge to the south. This is becoming a thorn in the Union's side, and I make it a priority to clear the ridge of Secesh influence. Bluto also sets up some artillery west of Antietam Creek, covering the Boonsboro-Shepardstown Pike bridge. Contrary to my hopes, the Rebs hang on to Niekirk's Ford.

To the south, the Confederates pack up their positions near Sharman's Branch and head northwest after a sharp skirimish with Devin's cavalry.

Turn 6 offers some small surprises. The Rebs are still east of Antietam Creek!

I combine my infantry divisions at Porterstown, but the cavalry I sent close to the northwest of there has discovered some Reb infantry lurking between Boonsboro-Shepardstown Pike bridge and the town itself. With my infantry's remaining movement points, I form battle lines just east of town. My plan is to simply drive the Confederates before me and prompt a total retreat over Antietam Creek. At this time, Bluto's artillery on the heights west of Boonsboro-Shepardstown Pike bridge is taking some opportunity fire shots at my forces as they press westward. Meredith's brigade on the ridge south of Porterstown is making slow progress. The elements of Starr's Reserve brigade is coming under fire from the Reb forces at Niekirk's Ford.

To the south, Robinson's Division presses southward, coming up empty-handed. No Rebs lurking around. I play it safe with Devin's cavalry and advance cautiously to Sharman's Branch, but don't run into any Confederates. It appears they have withdrawn from the immediate vicinity.

To the north, it appears that the forces at Niekirk's Ford and the detached units shadowing Davis' cavalry scout are the only forces north of Sharpsburg. The scout begins a southwesterly track towards the Hagerstown-Sharpsburg Pike.

The Confederates close to the west of Porterstown trade some shots, but are mostly ineffective, except for the artillery on both heights, which are becoming a major concern.

The beginning of Turn 7 looks like this: