15mm BRIGADE FIRE & FURY v2 : Chantilly (Ox Hill)

This game was my take on the Battle of Ox Hill or Chantilly, following the Second Battle of Bull Run or Manassas.

Map of the Battle of Chantilly (also know as Battle of Ox Hill) on September 1st, 1862, depicting events from 5 to 10 PM - U.S. Library of Congress.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chantilly

After the Second battle of Manassas, Union commander, Major General John Pope fell back. General Lee then started his advance pushing Jackson forward. Unusually, Jackson napped, and so his advance was delayed. Because of this the Union troops managed to put up defences. Pope then pushed divisions forward to intercept Jackson. This scenario depicts the union attack on Jackson's forces just as a driving rainstorm hits the area.

The forces arrayed were around 4,500 Union to 6,500 Confederate but the Union did have eight guns whereas Jackson kept his in reserve “JUST IN CASE”.

The game was, 'capture the flag', each side had one and a requirement to inflict as many casualties as possible. This had to be done in ten moves. As an extra problem rain comes in on turn 4. On a D6, 1 – 2 meant no fire. The forces were set up on the table as per the scenario and then I told the commanders to let rip.

The rebels pushed forward through the woods on their left in HUGE attack columns. I want everyone to know that they were HUGE as this important later. At the same time, half a dozen SMALL units advanced to meet them.

On the rebel right they pushed forward into the cornfield to support their skirmishers (I made up some rules to cover this). The Union forces moved forward in strength to cover this. Their guns were arrayed to cover the open ground to the right of the cornfield and their target flag.

With the Rebels moving forward in force the Union plan of advancing and taking the Rebel flanks went to ‘ratpoop’. The Rebel attack columns on their left came up on the Union forces and charged in.

Initially they made good progress managing to push the Union forces back but one of the Rebel columns was repulsed.

On the Rebel right their skirmishers were attacked by a Union brigade and wiped from the field and then there ensued a series of actions which resulted in the Rebels being pushed from the cornfield back into the woods. Matt, the Union commander on the left, managed to do this with of a series of D10 throws of ten. Although this put them into low on ammo it was enough. The Rebels then moved their forces to the left being chased by the Union's troops.

With the refocus of forces the Rebel commander on the left, Nathan, tried to charge again, but he met me. For the second game in a row, we fought tooth and nail. He managed to push me back exposing himself to enfiladed fire from my guns. The charges kept coming but with my, I have to say lucky, and Nathan’s, not so lucky, dice throws he was unable to take my position. Then Rebel reinforcements arrived from their right changing the whole situation.

However, time was running out and despite a lot of charging the Rebels just could not out dice those superior Union commanders. This is, of course, in my completely unbiased opinion. The games ended with a big push from the Rebels, but it just wasn’t quite enough and the games ended in an honourable draw.

So many firing units failed to fire because of the rain and this added a whole new dimension to the game. I liked it.

My thanks to Matt, Mike and Nathan for their company and the comradely banter. It was a fun game to play and umpire.

Table was 6 ft x 4 ft.

Cloth by Tiny wargames

15mm figures a combination of Blue Moon and AB.