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Disclaimer
This is a fictitious battle. All information about the location, forces, and immediate background for the scenario, except where specifically noted, are completely concocted.
Time
It is late July, 1862. The battle starts at 11:00 AM. Assume nightfall is at 8:00 PM.
Place
The upper navigable reaches of the Tennessee River in northern Alabama, about thirty five miles west northwest of Decatur, Alabama.
General Background (Real)
Union General Don Carlos Buell is advancing along the Memphis & Charleston Railroad to the south of the Tennessee River. His Army of the Ohio is attempting to sever Tennessee and Kentucky from the rest of the Confederacy.
To continue his advance, he must receive supplies either from forces along the Mississippi River via the railroad, or from Union bases in Western Kentucky, down the Tennessee River. The river is the preferred method for supply, since it is controlled by the U.S. Navy.
Meanwhile, Confederate General Braxton Bragg has shifted his army from northern Mississippi to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Bragg's general objective is to harass Buell and slow his advance as much as possible, while gaining strength to eventually defeat the Union force.
Immediate Background
General Bragg attempted a holding action at the town of Larpersburg on the north side of the Tennessee River. His objective was to block the river, so that Buell would not receive supplies as he enters the eastern part of northern Alabama. A Union victory at Larpersburg allowed Buell's forces to continue to advance along the river.
The local Confederate Army commander immediately began to prepare another position to close the Tennessee River. A position in the middle of the Arpeegee Swamp seemed to offer a good location for a modest battery of guns.
A trail has been cut to the location of the battery, and the foundations laid for the gun positions. As soon as the enclosing walls can be constructed, the battery will be ready. Before this can be accomplished, the Union advances against the position.
Some of the troops from the Battle of Larpers Bluff have been sent to the area. The Confederates, as usual, are somewhat outnumbered, but have the edge in overall quality and morale.
Terrain
Swamp. This is swamp and marsh with light woods. Treat it as Rough terrain. Mounted cavalry, artillery, and supply columns may only enter on a road or trail.
Stream. Treat as Rough except at a ford, which will be Broken. Each stream is one inch wide. As all the ground is relatively low, stream banks offer no extra protection.
River Bank. The river is approximately 1/2 level below the surrounding countryside. The bank affords a low area wide enough for a column of infantry or cavalry to pass down it. Troops fighting from behind the bank are under cover. To enter or leave the bank, treat the edge as 1" of Broken terrain. There is no river bank where the marshes touch the river.
Open Water. Troops may not enter Open Water areas.
Incomplete Battery. The battery is not complete enough to provide any benefit in battle.
Objectives
The Confederates want to keep the Union forces away from their incomplete battery.
The Union wants to take the position and destroy it.
Setup
The first division (Union 1st Division, Confederate Steele's Division) of each side has already arrived in the area and may be placed on the battlefield. Each side should roll 1D6 and add ten (10). This will be the maximum distance in from their respective edges of the battlefield at which they may set up. Troops may be in any formation desired.
No troops may initially be placed in the swamp, regardless of the allowed distance in from the edge of the board.
Each side must designate whether the Corps Commander is with the first or second division of the corps. If with the first division, the Corps Command is placed on the battlefield during setup.
Additional Force Arrivals
The second division of each force will arrive sometime after one hour (four turns) has passed. Before the start of the battle, each side must designate the order in which the second division will arrive (i.e., in what order the brigades will be marching).
Starting in Turn 5, each side will roll 1D6. On a result of 4-6, one brigade of the following division (2nd Division for the Union, Franklin's Division for the Confederates) will appear in column with the head of the column coming onto the battlefield within 10 inches of the road. Roll for supply units as if they were a brigade.
If the Corps Commander is with this division, designate which brigade he is with. The arrival roll for this brigade and any unit scheduled to arrive before it will be 3-6.
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