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A Union attack on Henry Hill is
repulsed.
The First Battle of Bull Run
was the first battle of the American Civil War. Only
months before Fort Sumnter had been fired upon and hostilities
broke out between the United States of America and the
Confederate States of America.
In an effort to bring the war to a quick and speedy
end President Lincoln ordered the Union army to commence
an attack. General Scott, CiC of Union forces, ordered
General McDowell and his army to march on Richmond,
the capitol of the Confederate States, and force them
to surrender. On July 16th the troops moved out.
Meanwhile the Confederates became aware
of the Union's plans via spys in Washington. The two
armies under Generals Beuregard and Johnston concentrated
at Manassas and awaited battle.
McDowell, being slow to develop his attack,
moved to outflank the Confederate forces by moving troops
north over a ford of the Bull Run river at Sudley Springs.
The First Battle of Bull Run was joined by the
two opposing armies.
The attacks by the Union forces went in
uncoordinated and not well organized. General Jackson,
earning his famous nickname of "Stonewall"
stopped initial Union successes and turned the tide
for the Confederates. Although the South won this battle
they were too disorganized to mount a strong counterattack
on Washington.
As an interesting aside, this was the
one and only time when "picnicers", from Washsington,
went to watch the battle. The spectacle of Confederate
artillery fire falling amongst them was enough to stop
this kind of nonsense for the course of the war.
Because neither side won a decisive victory
the American Civil War would drag on for another four
years, with the turning point being the great Union
victory at Gettysburg.
TIPS
This is a battle that both sides can win.
And the winner is usually the first side to destroy
two or three brigades of the other side without loss.
The Union can do this by allowing its
first division to form up before commencing an attack.
Often the first place to go for is Buck Hill. Bring
up your artillery into canister range of the defenders.
Don't forget you have two brigades coming
across the ford. Although their commander is not on
the board for a while they will always get their orders
so long as they stay within six hexes of their entry
point. And if the rebs have blocked the ford with a
unit, remember you can get across in a one hex wide
formation. For example, Supported Line for a unit of
ten or less strength points.
As you develop your attack get your three
batteries from 2nd and 3rd Div set up on Dogan's Ridge.
Even from back there they can inflict nasty casualties
on any rebs sitting on Henry Hill.
The Confederate player must play a "chipping"
game. Often times it is not possible to win this battle
with one great charge. The reason for this is your units
on the board at the start don't have a commander. So
any attack you plan will probably go off uncoordinated.
It's often safest to try to withdraw and wait for your
commanders to come on.
On Henry Hill the best form of defence
is "reverse slope". That is, sit on the far
side of the hill so the Union artillery cannot hit you
(at least from long range). Whenever a Union brigade
comes up on top of the hill counter-attack vigourously.
And your most powerful weapon is Jackson's
brigade in Supported Line. Use it well.
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Battle of Bull Run. All rights reserved.
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