In the late spring of 1862, the Confederation’s situation was very difficult. Under General McClellan, the Union army reached the gates of Richmond and launched a siege. On the Western Theater, the Confederates lost the forts of Henry and Donelson, and lost the Battle of Shiloh. The largest city of the Confederation and its main port – New Orleans, were also seized by the Union. In this situation, the collapse of the Confederate capital could mean a quick end to the war. The stakes were very high.
Unable to allow themselves to wait idly, the Confederates decided to attack. General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding their army, decided to take advantage of the division of Union forces across the Chickahominy River. McClellan expected a large corps of General McDowell to come from the north to bolster his forces at Richmond. For this reason, he redirected most of his forces north of the river. Johnston decided to launch a concentric attack on Union forces south of the river and defeat them using his local numerical advantage. This is the story of the Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks.
We decided to check if the battle will end the same as in history. Will the Union be able to hold on before reinforcements arrive? Will the Confederates be better able to coordinate attacks?
I invite you to read the battle report.
We played the battle according to the rules: Gods of War: Robert E. Lee. The Union forces were commanded by Duderson, the Confederation forces Wasil and Wojtek K.
At the beginning, the Confederates had divisions of D.H. Hill, Anderson and Huger, but only Hill’s division was capable of a quick attack, the other two remained at a certain distance. In total, however, it was about 10 infantry brigades. The Union could oppose them 3 brigades from Silas Casey’s division and another 3 at some distance (Couch’s division).
Click on the image to enlarge it.
View of the battlefield from the east (Union side). Union balloon was observing the area. 
At the beginning of the battle, only D.H. Hills division was able to attack the Confederates. The Union tried to delay their attack with artillery fire. 
The Confederates decided to hold back the attack until they had a slightly larger force. The Union seized the opportunity to quickly bring the Couch Division to the Seven Pines area. 
Kearny’s division of three brigades remained as patrol markers around Savage Station. According to the rules of the scenario, they could not start their movement until the 2nd turn. 
General view of the battlefield. You can see the separation of the Confederate forces. 
The Union assembled four brigades at the redoubt near Twin Houses, the other two remained in reserve on the right flank. 
One of the Hill’s brigades suffered minor losses from Union artillery fire. 
The Anderson and Huger divisions lagged behind. 
Union reinforcements had a long way to go to the battlefield. Will they make it before the Confederates destroy two Union divisions? 
The Confederates decided to accelerate their actions. Hill (thanks to the “foot cavalry” card played) smoothly moved his division to the left flank. Anderson attacked in the center, and Huger headed for the redoubt. 
Fierce fighting continued along the entire line. Gradually, the Confederates gained the advantage of being outnumbered 
The redoubt was attacked from the front and from the flank. 
The Union found it increasingly difficult to maintain an organized line of defense. 
The reinforcements were still far away. 
The Union was also very much counting on two divisions from the Sumner Corps, which marched from across the river, but could not move until 3 p.m. 
The Confederates, too, had been expecting the Whiting Division, which marched along the Nine Mile Road but could not appear on the battlefield until 4 p.m. 
The arrival of Kearny’s division delayed the Confederate attack. They won the redoubt but did not gain the Twin Houses area. The arrival of the six brigades from the Sumner Corps repelled the Confederate attack on the left flanks of Johnston’s army altogether. 
The Union was outnumbered and seemed to be going to counterattack. 
Casey’s and Couch’s brigades were severely disorganized by several hours of combat. 
The Confederate brigades were also quite disorganized. Although they won the redoubt, a further attack on the Twin Houses seemed impossible. 
The generals are concentrating on moving their brigades. 
At the same time, the game’s livestream was running. 
More reinforcements for the Union were coming (in the foreground). Two brigades from Hooker’s division. 
Then Whiting’s Division appeared on the battlefield. 5 infantry brigades equalized the ratio of forces, in addition, the Confederates skillfully placed them on the Union wing and began to collapse the flank of the federal army. 
Union brigades near Twin Houses, however their positios were exposed to attack from the side, and thus it was untenable. 
The Union suffered further losses, its brigades left the Twin Houses area and took another defensive position, behind abatis. 
But the Confederates were waging a very clever attack, constantly trying to get around the Union’s right, unprotected flank in order to strike at it from two sides. The position behind abatis was also unsustainable. 
Unfortunately for the Union, General Hooker moved slowly with his division. He only arrived at the end of the day. 
The right wing of the Union has suffered the greatest defeat. 
Troop positions at the end of the day.
The Union’s right flank was forced beyond the abatis line by the Whiting Division, which kept attacking its flank. Due to the large losses of the Union, the Confederates also had an increasing numerical advantage. As a result of these losses, the morale of the Union army was on the verge of collapse.
Union forces holded area on the edge of the Twin Houses. Elsewhere, they have been pushed far away.
The battle ended with a victory for the Confederacy (20: 9, or 11 points difference).
In a real battle, the Confederate forces were unable to break through any further after their initial success. The battle continued the next day. In our case, the Confederates were also detained after initial successes, but after the arrival of Whiting’s Division, they continued their advance. They also inflicted large losses on the Union, which ultimately determined their victory. As you can see, the history turned out a bit differently
Congratulations to all players and thank you Bolter Cafe in Wrocław for a great place to play.
If you want to learn more about the Gods of War: Lee rules, watch the demo game.