ACW: 1862 Battle of Preston

ACW: Battle of Preston (2nd October 1862)(Fictional encounter)

Pre-Battle background.


McClellan and Lee fought at the Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862, the bloodiest single day in United States military history. Lee's army, checked at last, returned to Virginia before McClellan could destroy it.

Trailing along at the rear of the Confederate Army was McLaws Division of Longstreet’s Corps. McLaws has had his scouts out and they had assured him that the Union army was not pursuing and with this in mind he allowed his troops to amble along at a gentle pace and had instructed the regimental bands to strike up an assortment of merry tunes. Meanwhile Major General Howard, commanding Union XI Corps had decided,after he had news from his scouts, to interpret his orders from McClellan in a rather aggresive manner. He saw the posibility of trapping the Confederate rearguard before they were able to cross the river Avon.

Early in the morning of Sunday 2nd, Howard received news that the rest of Longstreet’s Corps was at Gainsville. He had planned on deploying on the south side of the Avon and to force McLaws into a bloody assault on the bridge and ford at Preston. Howard now decided that the risk of himself being trapped prevented this deployment and he ordered a deployment to the north of the river. He plans to attack.

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Union Corps of three divisions of infantry, 3 batteries and an attached cavalry brigade, totalling 10,560 men.
Confederate Division of four brigades of infantry, 3 batteries and an attached cavalry brigade, totalling 7,440 men.

The Union must deploy their infantry and artillery on the two arrows but in any order of arrival they wish, except that artillery may not lead at the front of an arrow. The cavalry positioning will be a secret.

The Confederates must deploy their infantry and artillery on the two arrows but in any order of arrival they wish, except that artillery may not lead at the front of an arrow. The cavalry option remains a secret.

We plan a run through of the battle, to familiarize ourselves with the rules (Carnage and Glory II) on 12th May and the full battle will be played out on 29/30th May. A full report, with pictures, will follow.