Across a Deadly Field... AAR...

  So finally I have gotten the opportunity to try out the new John Hill rules of the American Civil war. I have always liked John Hills ACW rules systems. He has done a great deal for the hobby and the ACW period as well. He will be greatly missed!!

  However, he has given gamers of the world a new jem to play and ponder over. That tomb being "Across a Deadly Field" .ADF is a lot like JRIII, and totally different from JRII and JRII. Though, ADF has taken JRIII to new heights, and have really added some very nice touches...

ADF is indeed a very fun rules system!! At first many Johnny Reb fans will disdain these new rules... There are some new mechanics and the mounting and scale are difficult to ingest at first. I liked the idea of a grander scale and scope of the battle field. But the two stand regiments, and how they looked just did not grab me!!!!

No problem though, the ADF boys came up with a nice viable option!!!! just keep using JRIII scales and measurements for the most part. And continue using your 4 stand units etc... Done!!!! The ADF runs perfectly with the JRIII scales.... As an added bonus, you get to use all the cool game mechanics of ADF with your old favorite regiments... : D

I am not going to go into all the nuances and rules concepts etc of ADF now. That is for you guys to enjoy and find out. All I can say is that using JRIII scales and ADF mechanics make for a very interesting and fun ACW game!! Try them you will like them!!! Trust me.. you will...

Now on to the Battle of Crown Royal Cross roads... Stemware in the land of Dixie there is a great battle taking place. The main armies are facing off and fully engaged. Though, it is a tough fight so both North and South commands are looking for a good flank to exploit or defend!

Thus, are little battle unfolds.  CSA Brigadier General John Aarfwood is moving his brigade to Crown Royal Crossroads to stop a Yankee force on its way there. The Union has sent Brigadier Gen. Charles Zuila Smith and his brigade to take the crossroads and wait for further reinforcements. Since the crossroads are so important to both sides. The divisional commanders of both the US and CSA have come along with their respective commands. To aide and assist their brigadiers if necessary and bolster the troops morale!

Action.... The Rebs came on board along the Hollis Rd and advanced and deployed facing the Yankees coming at them from the north. The  Union brigade of 4 regts and a battery of 12pd Napoleons split off at Mooks Farm intersection. Two regiments took the road southwest. The 12pd's and the other two Yankee regiments formed up a line behind a rock and rail fence south of the Mooks Farm. The 12pd's unlimbered at long range and started taking shots at the Rebs facing them. The Rebs also had 4 regts. and some Napoleons too. The Reb 12pd"s answered the Yankee cannade.

For several turns there was artillery fire from both sides causing a few hits and some moral checks. The Yanks were moving two regts to the flank of the Rebs.... The Rebs faced about a regt. to face this threat. The Yank guns actually momentarily routed a Reb regiment!!! Though, it soon rallied and pulled back into line. The other two Reb Regiments facing the Yanks at Mooks Farm advanced to within effective rifle range! There was several exchanges of fire and eventually one Union regiment routed and next round the two Reb regiments routed after a rough handling!! The Yankee flanking regiments also got off some very good musketry rounds and drove back, and routed the two Reb regiments facing them!!! The Reb battery fired away and left the field in good order.

Well it was a rough day for the Rebs.. The Yanks gained the Royal Crown cross roads and caused a vital crisis in the Rebel battle plan!!!

The game lasted about 10 or 12 turns and it was both Chuck and myself first time playing the rules! We looked in the book a few times for clarifications etc... and used the excellent charts downloaded from the "Cigar box" web sight. The  JRIII, 15mm conversion set....

I have not played ACW in a long time.... Now I think I am going to be playing Yankees and Rebs a lot more often thanks to my new set of favorite ACW rules...

Thanks John Hill and friends...

The Rebs Brigade takes the cross roads.

The Union brigade splits off and deploys.

Those damn Yankees!!!

Those damn Reb's...

The face-off and musketry duals...

Opps.. Confederate regiment routed after some hard hits of artillery...





Some hot action...

Victorious Union troops and a routed Yankee regiment...

Another look at the Union line at battles end... Note Brigadier General Chuck Zuila Smith relishing his victory... Damn Yankees....

Note; Figures are 15mm Old Glory ACW range. Most of the terrain was made by myself or Chuck... AKA... " Chuka Zulu Terrain". Note the three fields pictured in most of the game. we partook our gaming experience at "Randy"s House Of Games" Sacramento. Great place Great Guy.... Lots of stuff and a huge gaming area!!!! Come on down...