Bludgeoned to a standstill.. an ACW Volley and Bayonet game

Murray and I hadn't played a Volley and Bayonet for a while.. Murray had a HotT itch that needed itching. However this week it was it... and I composed a fictional scenario with 16 Union brigades, and fourteen CSA (with two cavalry regiments).  The CSA cavalry came in on a random throw. It turned out to be turn 6, and as it happened they never appeared as we had to all the game before we got to that stage. The battle had two objectives, the two built up areas. The Union began the battle with an M4 division (new recruits) occupying the central town objective. All other troops entered the table as each commander deemed fit, but within 12" either side of the pike that exited their base edge. Obviously the CSA cavalry were the exception. The game was fought using my own 15mm armies

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The Reb M6 unit attacks the defenders of the central town block, with artillery in support. On the upper left there had been a single Union artillery battery which the Rebs also attacked.. it lost and was eliminated

The M6 Confederate brigade lost its melee and recoiled, leaving its supporting artillery stand alone

On the Confederate left a division deployed to threaten the Union right, facing off against a Union division moving in a column along a long two contour ridge

On their right, the Confederates attack the advancing Union, pushing a brigade back in disorder

The Union attacked the Confederate left, but were defeated in their attacks

The Confederate reserves move up to hold off the Union division that had advanced along the long ridge

The Rebs attack the central town sectors again. The defenders (M4), despite being behind some hasty works, failed their morale, and lost their combat

Meanwhile the CSA forces occupy the town sector objective on their right

The CSA brigade occupies the ground vacated by the original defenders in the central town sectors

Fire fight on the CSA left

The Union attacks on their left, the CSA right, and drive the CSA division back

Union attack in the centre

Firefight still going on on the left, casualties accruing for both sides

The CSA attack the Union right

The CSA right loses two brigades... and goes into exhaustion

Both the CSA left flank and it's opposing Union right flank divisions are both exhausted..

After only four turns, each side had three exhausted divisions, although none had suffered a morale collapse. The action had been frenetic and intense. With time limited we called the game at that stage, deeming neither side any longer in a fit condition to pursue the battle. Casualties were heavy. What a battle, what a game.