ACG: Battle of Shiloh

[Khryses]

For all, though for very many different things

Army of the Mississippi (CSA)

BriteLite - Johnston (WIA), Ruggles (WIA) - Foe-magnet

From the first BriteLite distinguished himself with an overarching battle plan that could well have handed the Union a convincing defeat if followed accordingly - but as is well known no plan survives contact with the enemy and the wheels started to come off this one in the deployment phase. Undeterred, BriteLite took direct command of II Corps out on the Confederate left flank and over the course of the day handed solid defeats to divided Union concentrations, eventually drawing over half the Army of the Tennessee in after him. Odds of 11 brigades to 6 (3 of them fresh) ultimately shattered his Corps, but not before he drew most of the Federal Army a long way away from their lines of communication and reinforcement.

RichardS - Hardee - Leader of Men

More than any other commander on the field, RichardS kept his Corps fighting fit and never threw away his men's lives. From the 5 am opening where his Corps was the only one to successfully complete it's initial orders (routing two Union formations on contact in the early morning surprise assault) to late in the day where he refused to send his men in unnecessarily against the rock-hard regiments of Lauman's Brigade and Stalwart Hurlbut. This and his practice of resting the men between assaults kept his casualties down even in this horrifically bloody battle and gave the lightly wounded a chance to rejoin their brothers in arms in ranks. As of the end of day RichardS would be beloved by III Corps, who would follow him into the very fires of hell if he asked them to.

(Turnbull and SoccerDJ pending, followed by the Army of the Tennessee)

[Nick the Noodle]

Originally Posted by Khryses

For all, though for very many different things

Army of the Mississippi (CSA)

BriteLite - Johnston (WIA), Ruggles (WIA) - Foe-magnet

From the first BriteLite distinguished himself with an overarching battle plan that could well have handed the Union a convincing defeat if followed accordingly - but as is well known no plan survives contact with the enemy and the wheels started to come off this one in the deployment phase. Undeterred, BriteLite took direct command of II Corps out on the Confederate left flank and over the course of the day handed solid defeats to divided Union concentrations, eventually drawing over half the Army of the Tennessee in after him. Odds of 11 brigades to 6 (3 of them fresh) ultimately shattered his Corps, but not before he drew most of the Federal Army a long way away from their lines of communication and reinforcement.

RichardS - Hardee - Leader of Men

More than any other commander on the field, RichardS kept his Corps fighting fit and never threw away his men's lives. From the 5 am opening where his Corps was the only one to successfully complete it's initial orders (routing two Union formations on contact in the early morning surprise assault) to late in the day where he refused to send his men in unnecessarily against the rock-hard regiments of Lauman's Brigade and Stalwart Hurlbut. This and his practice of resting the men between assaults kept his casualties down even in this horrifically bloody battle and gave the lightly wounded a chance to rejoin their brothers in arms in ranks. As of the end of day RichardS would be beloved by III Corps, who would follow him into the very fires of hell if he asked them to.

(Turnbull and SoccerDJ pending, followed by the Army of the Tennessee)

For Outrageous Luck? Me! for turning up in the right place at the right time (for the Union that is ).

[Khryses]

Actually I think you've got the sledgehammer award - for hitting a succession of targets with an entire division and (largely) shattering them

[Khryses]

It was still dark and the Union High Command - what there was of it - sat outside their command tent, sheltering from the morning drizzle under an extended flap. It had taken hours to get their respective commands bedded down for the night in the darkness, and as scattered soldiers trickled back to their commands - gently encouraged by the provost's men - the five Federal commanders (Gen'ls McClernand and Prentiss, and Brevet-Gen'ls Whittlesey, Williams and McDowell) made their way here to discuss plans for the morn.

There had been no word from McArthur at the Landing, testimony itself to how completely the Confederates must have surrounded them. But despite no word from Buell, the battered Army of the Tennessee had defeated II Corps and was at last ready to move against the rest of the Army of the Mississippi. Sitting back in his camp-chair Prentiss sighed wearily, "We've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" McClernand replied, "Yes, lick 'em tomorrow, though."

After far too few hours sleep, officers were sent out to rally the exhausted men for a second day's combat as their commanders roused themselves in the predawn gloom. There had been no contact with the Rebels through the night, but pickets (extremely alert after the horrifying shock of the previous morn) reported hearing large scale troop movements in the dark. Determined not to be surprised again, the Federal units were formed up by 4 am, resting in ranks as they waited for what the day would bring.

As the first rays of the sun touched the land, there was a long hush... then a runner from the forward pickets bursting into McClernand's headquarters. "Sir, sir! The Rebels - they've gone!"

Segue out...

The exhausted men of McArthur's Brigade, having worked in shifts through the night to render their enclave as close to impregnable as could be. They haven't yet realized their enemy's retreat, but each moment without a Southern assault is a blessing to them. Tyler still patrols the waters offshore, while the blazing hulks of Lexington and General Bragg have long since drifted down the Tennessee.

Segue out...

Scarcely a mile east of McArthur across the Tennessee, Nelson's Fourth Division of the Army of the Ohio is rousing itself for the march to join the Federal Army.

Segue out...

McCook's, Crittenden's and Wood's Divisions already marching to join the Army of the Tennessee - still miles away but closing at a steady pace.

Segue out...

The grey-coated Army of the Mississippi, having retired from the field under cover of darkness and already six miles away down the road to Corinth.

The Battle of Shiloh is over.

[Khryses]

The Battle of Shiloh is particularly interesting victory-wise in that the primary strategic importance of the battlefield was that it happened to be where the Army of the Tennessee was concentrated - as such, the primary victory conditions will be 'destroying' the opposing army. Only after that would possession of the field determine the victor.

I'm calculating the losses at the moment - if they're even vaguely even, the laurels will probably go the Union as victors on the field.

So far though:

Army of the Tennessee
Strength as of morning of the 6th: 46 863 men under arms
Strength as of morning of the 7th: 21 180 men under arms
Casualties: 54.8%
Prisoners taken: 724 men (13th La, 17th La)

Army of the Mississippi
Strength as of morning of the 6th: 44 040 men under arms
Strength as of morning of the 7th: 29 298 men under arms
Casualties: 33.5%
Prisoners taken: 5 701 men (Co. A 2nd Il, Co. C 2nd US, Co. I 4th US, 14th Il, 15th Il, 31st In, 44th In, 17th Ky, 25th Ky, Mi Lt. 2nd Batt., Ms Lt. Mann's Batt., Oh Lt. 13th Batt, 55th Il, 54th Oh, 71st Oh, 53rd Oh, 57th Oh, 77th Oh, 4th Il (1st and 2nd Bns), 1st Il. Lt. Batt. E, 15th Io, 23rd Io, 15th Mi, 14th Wi)

Victory Resolution

Confederate Minor Victory!

Having launched a fierce attack upon the Army of the Tennessee in encampment at Shiloh, the Army of the Mississippi left the battlefield overnight, before the Federals could bring the lead divisions of the Army of the Ohio to bear against them.

While they failed to completely destroy the Army of the Tennessee, they killed or captured a large proportion of her senior officers and dealt her sufficient casualties that even after linking up with the Army of the Ohio (with Buell most likely assuming command over the combined operation and McClernand being the subordinate commander of the Army of the Tennessee) they don't have sufficient numbers to take the fortifications at Corinth with the Army of the Mississippi defending them.

That said, the Armies of the Union still outnumber the Army of the Mississippi, and only if they are drawn off-balance would they become vulnerable to a field battle against the southern Army.

Overall the Confederate position is better than it was historically, and given Buell's command a length stalemate is expected, followed by the Federal armies wintering in Savannah or its environs.

Well done to all generals taking part - a vigorously fought battle, and one that I look forward to going over in the After Action Report.

With Admiral's permission, I hope to be able to offer the Shiloh commanders the following campaign ribbons (differing by Army, naturally ):

[Torien]

Great work, Khryses. And to all commanders, thanks for a great game!

[SoccerDJ]

Yes great work indeed. That was an extremely enjoyable game. Thanks to K for all the hard work and the rest of you guys for a fun game!

[RichardS]

Great work by all involved! Special kudos to Khryses for doing all theHARD work.

[Legatus Augusti]

Can't agree more. Everyone did a great job keeping it fun, and I can't thank Khryses enough! I really look forward to seeing all of you in the Stones River Campaign!

[Nick the Noodle]

Originally Posted by Khryses

The Battle of Shiloh is particularly interesting victory-wise in that the primary strategic importance of the battlefield was that it happened to be where the Army of the Tennessee was concentrated - as such, the primary victory conditions will be 'destroying' the opposing army. Only after that would possession of the field determine the victor.

I'm calculating the losses at the moment - if they're even vaguely even, the laurels will probably go the Union as victors on the field.

So far though:

Army of the Tennessee
Strength as of morning of the 6th: 46 863 men under arms
Strength as of morning of the 7th: 21 180 men under arms
Casualties: 54.8%
Prisoners taken: 724 men (13th La, 17th La)

Army of the Mississippi
Strength as of morning of the 6th: 44 040 men under arms
Strength as of morning of the 7th: 29 298 men under arms
Casualties: 33.5%
Prisoners taken: 5 701 men (Co. A 2nd Il, Co. C 2nd US, Co. I 4th US, 14th Il, 15th Il, 31st In, 44th In, 17th Ky, 25th Ky, Mi Lt. 2nd Batt., Ms Lt. Mann's Batt., Oh Lt. 13th Batt, 55th Il, 54th Oh, 71st Oh, 53rd Oh, 57th Oh, 77th Oh, 4th Il (1st and 2nd Bns), 1st Il. Lt. Batt. E, 15th Io, 23rd Io, 15th Mi, 14th Wi)

Victory Resolution

Confederate Minor Victory!

Having launched a fierce attack upon the Army of the Tennessee in encampment at Shiloh, the Army of the Mississippi left the battlefield overnight, before the Federals could bring the lead divisions of the Army of the Ohio to bear against them.

While they failed to completely destroy the Army of the Tennessee, they killed or captured a large proportion of her senior officers and dealt her sufficient casualties that even after linking up with the Army of the Ohio (with Buell most likely assuming command over the combined operation and McClernand being the subordinate commander of the Army of the Tennessee) they don't have sufficient numbers to take the fortifications at Corinth with the Army of the Mississippi defending them.

That said, the Armies of the Union still outnumber the Army of the Mississippi, and only if they are drawn off-balance would they become vulnerable to a field battle against the southern Army.

Overall the Confederate position is better than it was historically, and given Buell's command a length stalemate is expected, followed by the Federal armies wintering in Savannah or its environs.

Well done to all generals taking part - a vigorously fought battle, and one that I look forward to going over in the After Action Report.

With Admiral's permission, I hope to be able to offer the Shiloh commanders the following campaign ribbons (differing by Army, naturally ):

Confederate Minor Victory!

What rubbish is this .


Actually its been a great game

Many thanks to all, especially Special K

[Khryses]

You very nearly dealt enough damage to II Corps to even the honours, but I hadn't taken into account the wounded/shirkers that returned to the ranks overnight. In hindsight had you detached a brigade or two to the east a couple of hours before dusk Hurlbut's position would likely have been saved with potentially gamewinning consequences.

Certainly had the Rebels stayed on a second day they would have lost punishingly unless they could somehow dislodge McArthur before Nelson arrived at the Landing in the 0600-0700 update

[TacCovert4]

I think that these results prove the general war-wisdom of launching a vicious and and driven attack, then following up by breaking contact and building a circumspect defense while waiting for another opportunity to strike.

Strategically, the Federal Army can recover its losses and overcome in the long run, but Operationally and Tactically this is a considerable delay.

My biggest Kudos go to the Confederate Overall Commander and Wings that were able to break contact without losing a disproportionate number of men.

Overall a very well fought battle on all sides, I can't wait to pitch into the breach at Stone's River.

[Legatus Augusti]

Originally Posted by Khryses

Certainly had the Rebels stayed on a second day they would have lost punishingly unless they could somehow dislodge McArthur before Nelson arrived at the Landing in the 0600-0700 update

Not Likely!

[Baztanz]

This was a very enjoyable game and full of surprises, exceptional job moderating Mr K sir.