Hysterical Wargamer Report

27 July, 3 August 2006 – Antietam:  Afternoon Phase, Battle for Burnside Bridge.

            The Gettysburg Wargamers every so often run games that stretch over two Thursdays, our regular meeting night.  The Battle for Burnside’s Bridge was one of them.  Back in July, at a picnic, we had held a terrain-making party, where I made hills for the game based on actual topographic map contours.

            The game was fought on the brigade level, with the Yankee’s occupying the high ground east of the creek, and the Confederates on the high ground along the Harper’s Ferry Road with advanced units covering the bridge and the road from the brides to town.  The ultimate victory for the Confederates was to keep Yankees east of the Creek or, minimally, inflict better than 66% casualties on the Yankees.  The Yankee ultimate victory call for them to gain and hold the Harpers Ferry Road, minimally, to reach the road with less than 66% casualties.

            The Yankees started off not only by attacking the bridge and heading for Snaverly’s Ford, but they also waded across the creek down stream from the bridge.  It took them forever to get across and up the steep bank, but after about six turns, they were poised to attack the depleted Southern ranks.  Toomb’s Confederate Brigade held the bridge until they skedaddled, but Southern reinforcements moved in.  Though, they, too, were shot up, they delayed the Yankees for nearly six turns.  On the Confederate side, South Carolina sharpshooters held off the Kanawha Division at Snaverly’s Ford for at least four turns before the Palmetto boys were destroyed.  When the game ended after turn eight, the struggle was still in question, though the Confederates definitely had a numerical advantage.  Scheduled to come on the field in Turn 6, a lucky die roll brought up A. P. Hill’s Light Division early (no pun intended).