ACW, Ball's Bluff October 21, 1861

When it comes to Bernard Cornwell novels I have some favourites.   Copperhead the second installment of the Starbuck Chronicles is one of these, and it begins with the Battle of Ball's Bluff.   The novel follows the fictional "Faulconer Legion" which is placed at the left flank of the Confederate position.  Captain Starbuck's K Company is therefore in place to begin the rout of the Federals.

My Civil War campaign follows a fictional 11th Massachusetts Regiment, and so far I`ve lost every Officer in the Regiment.  The current Commanding Officer is Major Jebadiah Springfield Quilp.  Colonel Floyd Farthingdale, Abolitionist Preacher and Parson of the Northern Baptist Convention has been wounded and is expected to return to duty before winter.  In the meantime Quilp has seen his chance and is looking to make a name for himself as the Union army camp faces the Confederate army camp across the Potomac River.

The Military situation

The Union sent skirmish level forces across the Potomac at Ball's Bluff, only to discover that the Confederates of Evan's Division had left their camp at Leesburg behind the Bluffs.  

Senator (and Colonel) Edward Baker arriving on the scene ordered a stronger crossing, ignoring the fact that there were insufficient boats to make an effective landing.  Moving inland the Union Forces advanced into the arriving division of Evans who had marched back to the Leesburg position.  

Major Quilp meanwhile saw a chance for the 11th Massachusetts to strike a blow for the Union.  He had gathered several small boats and began crossing his Regiment south of Baker's landing.  Whilst the main Union Brigade skirted the Bluff to the north, Quilp advanced up a gully to the south, opposite his landing point.  

Baker's Federals attacked piecemeal  and were routed, Baker having the dubious honour of being the only US Senator ever to die in battle.  Quilp meanwhile formed up the 11th and moved inland, only to encounter the 7th Virgina Infantry of former Regular Army Officer, Colonel Quincy Ewing Whitemoore.

 The 7th Virginia are lucky in their Officers... far luckier than the 11th Massachusetts who are limited to  only three due to the Regiment`s status as raw troops.

Officers of the 7th Virginia

Officers of the 11th Massachusetts (Three selected at Random for Ball's Bluff) The 11th have Six groups of Regulars, One Group of Skirmishers.

The Battle

Ball's Bluff is an encounter battle.  The Deployment Points for both sides are set by the historical terrain.  I've also added in a third Deployment point which may see the arrival of Union Troops withdrawing from the main battle to the North West, or Confederate Forces coming to the assistance of the 7th Virginia.  

Both sides have 4 points of support.  There are no civilians present.

The ridge line above the river is clearly shown on the map, as are several woods.  The road is fence lined.

The game began with the question mark chip turning up first.

Ball's Bluff

Young Milhouse van Troomp arrives with his Zouave Skirmishers and occupies the heights.

  

Milhouse is the son of Senator Dimwit van Troomp of South Carolina. 
Like his Daddy he is an absolute rotter, but his men seem to like him...

Colonel Whitemoore's Virginians arrive, skirmishers dashing forward to occupy the trees.

The 11th Massachusetts form up and advance to the bluffs

Sergeant Butt leads a formation along the path to the heights.

Major Quilp begins to take casualties in the main body.  

Sergeant Horace Butt and his formation caught in a skirmisher crossfire.

Colonel Whitemoore forms a line on the top of the bluffs. 

The terrain is very much against the Union.  The woods funnel the
Confederate fire down onto Quilp's formation.

Sergeant Butt assaults the heights, throwing back the Zouaves, but losing half of his men.

With his casualties mounting and no way to break
out Major Quilp decides to withdraw to safety.

That was pretty much game over.  The Union withdraw back across the river, whilst the Confederates look on from the bluffs.  Sergeant Butt is marked as a future leader within the regiment.
Has Major Quilp done enough to retain command?  We will find out in "The 11th Massachusetts in General Mclellan's 1862 Peninsula Campaign."