Battle – September ‘78
C. S. Grant provides an account of last month's "Teaser 4"—
Hold-up in the Badlands.
This teaser was fought, as
recommended, in the American
Civil War period. The Federal
force took Red's part
commanded by Ray McGarry,
assisted by Peter Sheppard and
Chris Spickett. Their garrison
comprised :-
1. 8th Illinois Cavalry
2. 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry
3. 12th Connecticut Infantry
4. 5th Vermont Infantry
5. 1 battery of guns
The commander's orders read :
— "You command a garrison
force protecting the extreme left
flank of the army. To the south
are the "Badlands", a swampy
area which would take the
Confederates beyond, about
three days difficult march to
cross. To the north and east of
your position lies friendly territory
but with no other troops. Your
task is to guard the flank of the
army and prevent any enemy
incursions".
Meanwhile, Andrew Green, a
Confederate of some years'
standing, was in command of the
Rebel force, assisted by Ian
Osborn and Rob Waldren. Their
orders were:— "Your force's aim
is to secure the exit from the
"Badlands" (through which you
have just taken an exhausting
three days to march) in "Badlands". They were followed
preparation for a major attack by by the 6th Alabama Infantry and
the main army. There is no a battery of guns. The somewhat
possibility of returning safely surprised Federal garrison
through the "Badlands" as your responded by hastily mounting
supplies are exhausted and your the 6th Pennsylvanian Cavalry
troops weary. Thus, you must who moved south down the road
seize the farm or, failing this, you towards the southern bridge
will have to break out to the while gunners scrambled to bring
north or east which is open and their battery into action south of
undefended country". the farm. As more of the
This force was made up as Confederate forces appeared
follows:— (The period is shown they came under fire from these
in one column and the letter guns. The 6th Pennsylvanian
referring to the maps in the Cavalry passed the south bridge
other) to meet and charge the 2nd
Period Letter Unit Virginia Cavalry who had hoped
1 A 2nd Virginia to reach the bridge first (map 1,
Cavalry period 5).
2 B 6th Alabama The Confederate guns suffered
Infantry casualties from the fire of the
3 C 1 battery of Union battery as they came into
guns action on the road between the
4 D 4th Georgia wood and the lake. In the 7th
Cavalry period a lucky round smashed
5 E 7th Louisiana through one of the Rebel guns
Infantry destroying it. At this point the
6 F 3rd Arkansas cavalry melee broke off with the
Infantry 2nd Virginia Cavalry retiring
7 G 5th Texas somewhat the worse for wear
Infantry and the 6th Pennsylvania
The game commenced with the Cavalry falling back to take up a
arrival of the 2nd Virginia dismounted position near the
Cavalry leading a tired and artillery. However, during the
weary Rebel army out of the melee, the Federal General had
supposedly impassable wisely brought the 5th Vermont
 Battle – September ‘78

down to the south bridge and Arkansas, 4th Georgia and 7th Connecticut infantry disengaged
onto the east bank where they Louisiana regiments advancing and withdrew.
now stood prepared to withstand on a broad front. The latter unit By the 16th period (map 3) the
any assault on this likely moved in open order across the Union forces were retiring on all
Confederate goal. A fire fight marshy ground and suffered fronts and the Rebel yell
now ensued between this unit some casualties from the Union resounded through the farm
and the 6th Alabama. guns firing canister. While this buildings. The Confederates had
Meanwhile, the Confederates proceeded, the appearance of secured
continued to advance north on the 5th Texas infantry proved too their objective, the exit from the
their left and the Federal forces much for the 5th Vermont who "Badlands" was ready for their
decided to fall back without wavered, then fell back losing main force and they had
contesting the western bridge. casualties as they went. This achieved a well-deserved victory.
By period 10 (map 2) the withdrawal enabled the Texas It seems appropriate to sum up
Confederate army was pushing infantry to turn north to support with a few observations on the
forward on the left and had the attack on the farm which was game. The first, and one which is
crossed the river, while on the now developing from the west. most satisfying, is that the game
right the action was still centered This situation was not entirely to proved to be well balanced,
on the southern bridge. The the liking of the 6th Pennsylvania realistic and, most important of
Federal artillery had, however, Cavalry who wavered, failed to all, enjoyable. All this self praise
been fortunate and had return fire on the Texans, then apart, the forces and instructions
succeeded in destroying the quickly mounted and retired enabled this game to take place
second Rebel gun. The 8th north-east. in Dover, almost 500 miles away
Illinois Cavalry had dismounted The 7th Louisiana now charged from myself with no questions on
and occupied the wood north- the 12th Connecticut infantry how it should be done or any
west of the farm while the 12th inflicting heavy casualties on queries of a more specific
Connecticut filled the gap them. This attack was supported nature. From this point of view,
between the wood and the by the 3rd Arkansas and 4th the Teaser seems to contain the
stream. While this flank Georgia. Against such makings of a good game which
appeared sound, things were opposition, and seeing the 8th can quite quickly be set up and
going less well for the Union Illinois cavalry retiring, the brave
forces on the
south bridge.
The 6th
Alabama
attempted to
take the bridge
but had to fall
back and
withdraw after
suffering heavy
losses,
however the
5th Vermont
were also
much depleted
and did not
look able to
withstand an
assault from
the 5th Texas
Infantry who
were now
advancing
purposefully
towards them.
A concerted
attack was
now made on
the left flank by
the 3rd

played with little preparation or
further instruction.
This game was the first
American Civil War battle to rage
over the Grant table top for many
a year (modesty precludes me
from giving an exact date but the
centenary of the end of that war
springs readily to mind). A
number of those playing were
quite unfamiliar with the battles
and tactics of the Blue and Grey
and were likewise somewhat
unaccustomed to doing battle in
such unsuitable country.
The mention of tactics brings me
to my second point on the game
which was the lack of digging, in
particular by the Federal forces
who could well have
strengthened their position by a
few rapidly dug trenches. One
must remember in particular the
latter years of the Civil War and
the trench warfare tfiat heralded,
could one but see it, the
deadlock of the first World War.
However, the rapid trench
digging of the Civil War period
was not one with which many of
the players were familiar and
thus the subject was never
muted, perhaps to the detriment
of the north.
Another tactical observation was
the slight loathing by certain
commanders to use their infantry
Battle – September ‘78
in open order and their cavalry
as mounted infantry. This no
doubt stems from the strict
disipline of Roman Cohorts and
Napoleonic columns with which
the players were more
accustomed . ..
While it is a cause of some
disappointment that I am unable
to report any "Spickett's charge"
(ouch!), I feel that the success of
the "Badland's" battle will ensure
that it will not be long before the
Dover wargamers find
themselves dressed again in
Blue and Grey.
NEXT MONTH:
Dawn attack in the Horse and
Musket period