1st Bull Run, Morning Phase, Ball's Ford

Morning July 21 1861  06:00

On the morning of July 21, 1861, General McDowell commanding the Union Forces confronting the Rebel advance on Washington sent  Tyler's inexperienced division of about 8000 men down the Warrenton Turnpike toward the Stone Bridge crossing of the Bull Run.  

This was McDowell's feint, as the main army attempted a flanking manoeuvre.  Tyler's men reached the Stone Bridge around 6 a.m.

All that stood in the path of Tyler's Division was a single reduced brigade of 1,100 men under Col. Nathan "Shanks" Evans.  Evans had already moved some of his men to intercept the direct threat from Tyler at the bridge, but believing he had been outflanked he hastily led men from their positions to a new location on the slopes of Matthews Hill, a low rise to the north-west.
As Evans moved Cocke's brigade moved nearer to Ball's Ford below the bridge itself.

Historically the Confederate delaying action on Matthews Hill included a spoiling attack launched by the famous Zouaves of Major Roberdeau Wheat's 1st Louisiana Special Battalion, "Wheat's Tigers," whilst Cocke's Brigade blocked Ball's Ford.

Ball's Ford is to the left as the river hooks around Matthews Hill.
The Union advances from the bottom edge of this illustration.

The Game
Rather than go with Sharp Practice 2's use of Companies for the game it seems to me that the Civil War was based on regiments (more correctly battalions but...)  My forces are therefore at a somewhat vague regimental level, but the Officers pretty much represent the Company level.  The Parson for instance commands the 11th Massachusetts, but is supported by a single Lieutenant and the Sergeant Major.  These are allocated for the size and experience of the unit as well as having a random element.

In the game Tyler has detached the 11thMassachusetts to Ball's Ford, protecting his flanks for the attack on the stone bridge. 

On the other side of the Bull Run the aggressive 3rd Texas Infantry occupy good positions in the woods, commanded by the Parson's arch-rival Major Quincy Whitemoore of Cocke's brigade.  Supporting Whitemoore are the Zouaves of Lt Col N.G Catchmole’s so called “Legion of South Carolina."

The scenario is defence in depth, with the Confederates defending the line of the Bull Run and the woods behind them.

INTRODUCTION 
This game is a Battle.  One side is attacking a position, which is held in depth.         
DEPLOYMENT POINTS The Confederates have two Deployment Points for this game.  The Primary Deployment Point may be placed anywhere in the red shaded Zone 1, a secondary Fixed Deployment Point in Zone 2.    
The Union (Blue) may place a Primary and Secondary Deployment Point within 6” of points 1 and 2.    Both sides may add other Fixed or Moveable Deployment Point if available.    
FORCE SUPPORT For support roll 1D6.  On a roll of 1 or 2, both sides may select 8 points of support.  On a roll of 3 or 4, they may select 12 points and on a roll of 5 or 6, 16 points.  Red may select entrenchments or any static defences if they wish.                           
OBJECTIVE   
To win a victory the Union (Blue) must capture the Rebel (Red’s) Primary Deployment Point.  If that is achieved, the game will end immediately.      
TERRAIN & MINOR CHARACTERS 
Zone 1 contains two woods.  Zone 2 the line of the Bull run, with the ford centrally.  Before the game begins, roll a D6 to see if any Minor Characters are present.  On a 1 to 3 none are present, on a 4 to 6 two civilian Minor Characters are present.  They have no objective but are simply conducting their everyday business.    

The 3rd Texas Infantry

Forces of the Union

Parson Floyd Farthingdale’s 11th Massachusetts 6 groups of 8, plus 6 Skirmishers ordinary raw regulars.

Colonel Judas Zebediah (JZ) Parker III’s Federal Zouaves, 2 groups of 10, plus 6 Skirmishers. Raw Militia

Forces of the Confederacy

Major Quincy Ewing Whitmore’s 3rd Texas Infantry 6 groups of 8, 1 x 6 Skirmishers. (aggressive elite)

Lt Colonel N.G (Napoleon Ghengis) Catchmole’s “The Legion of South Carolina" Zouaves (Militia) 2 x 10 plus 6 Skirmishers.

Supporting forces

List Five, Engineer Group with cart.  Sherman Lincoln Quilp, Captain of Engineers.  Commands a group of Negro engineers nicknamed the Sherman-ettes, who sing barbershop, solve complex mathematical equations and give advice musically.

List One, Doc Cocke, Army Surgeon