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Issue 34 The Official Newsletter of the Johnny Reb Gaming Society $5.00

10mm figures from the collection of wargamer Dan Fraser of New Brunswick, Canada

New 10 to 15mm Gettysburg Buildings

Oldtown Creek After-Action Report
Bald Hill (Atlanta Campaign)
And much more!

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

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Welcome to CHARGE!
This is the official newsletter of the Johnny Reb
Gaming Society, an international association of
miniature wargamers who use regimental-level
rules such as the Johnny Reb gaming rules
developed by John Hill. The newsletter will
provide a quarterly forum for exchanging
information regarding the rules, original
wargaming scenarios written with JR in mind,
and historical articles of general interest to the
regimental ACW gamer.
U.S. membership in the society is $20 per year,
which will partially cover the cost of assembling,
printing, and mailing the newsletter. Dues are
payable via money order or personal check,
which must be made out to Debi Mingus (society
treasurer and secretary). Our mailing address
and e-mail address are as follows:
The Johnny Reb Gaming Society
1383 Sterling Drive
York PA 17404
jrgsnl@comcast.net
We welcome your submissions of articles,
scenarios, advertising, and related information,
as well as letters to the editor. The copyrighted
name Johnny Reb and images of the rules are
used by written permission of John Hill.
Table of Contents
Buildings in Turmoil …………………….… 2
Dave’s Baggage Train………………………3
Oldtown Creek AAR …………………….…4
The Coming Thunder ……………………… 8
An Easy Way to Make Model Streams ……. 9
Historical Commentary – Bald Hill ………10
Scenario for Bald Hill …………………….18
B&O Railroad Museum’s ACW Trains…...30
Join the JRGS group on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/59212167693/
Coming attractions in CHARGE! #35
Scratch-building model fencing. Deserted House
scenario. Creating Personalized Leader Cards for
JR3 commanders. Scenario for Fort Bisland, La.
Scenarios! Product reviews and more!
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
From the editor’s desk
Many thanks for your prayers, thoughts,
cards, Facebook messages, and kind words of
encouragement as I underwent radiation for
prostate cancer. Much appreciated! I feel good.
As Debi and I begin another new year of
publishing the Charge! newsletter as a courtesy
for the Johnny Reb Gaming Society
membership, we want to take the time to thank
each of our past contributors without whose
originality and hard work this quarterly “fanzine”
would not be possible. We have published more
than 100 scenarios over the years, with a strong
focus on Johnny Reb 3.
In the months and years to come, we are
expanding the mission and coverage of Charge!
to include many other regimental-level ACW
wargaming rules. This will broaden our base of
readership, and hopefully encourage even more
scenario writers and gamemasters to add their
contributions to the hobby.
As usual, we appreciate any submissions
of value to the gaming community, such as
reviews of new products, scenarios, painting
guides, terrain tips, unit histories, brief
biographies, battle and tactic descriptions,
wargaming rules and book reviews, convention
after-action reports, and similar material of
general interest.
This year marks the second year of the
ongoing 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, with
dozens of major battle reenactments, living
history encampments, etc. throughout the
country. Several times last year I noted
wargames being displayed or run during these
events, so I would encourage you to do the
same (if possible) at ACW events in your region.
I am hoping to run some games at Antietam, for
example, and am working with the National Park
Service on this possibility.
LOOK ON THE LABEL!
If you are wondering when your membership to
JRGS needs renewal, check out the mailing label
on the envelope your CHARGE came in.
The number above your
name is the last issue of
CHARGE that you have 34
paid for. Ulysses S. Grant
Army of the Potomac
Petersburg VA 1864
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Buildings in Turmoil
By John Mayer
The McLean barn, north of Gettysburg off of Mummasburg Rd
“Buildings in Turmoil” is a new business starting up
that focuses on miniature resin buildings and terrain
accessories for the 10mm to 15mm range of
wargamers. Created by John and Jeff Mayer, the
business derived from John’s original business under
the name Round Top Miniatures, which focused on
Gettysburg buildings.
Due to personal obligations and time, the business
had to take a back seat to more important things.
“But now with the help of my son and partner, Jeff,
we are off and running to complete what I originally
set out to do!” Powered by new modeling techniques
and a teamwork of ideas to get more models out in a
timely manner, we are attacking our goals with a new
vigor!
The McPherson barn,
off of Chambersburg Pike west of Gettysburg
As before, the focus is on Gettysburg buildings,
because of our own desires to create buildings that
have yet to be done before. But they will also
duplicate others, because of their popularity and
demand. There will be new buildings that have
unknown names to many gamers, because they were
never mentioned in history or disappeared long ago
from the battlefield. And yet they stood right in the
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
path of advances or charges. And there will be
buildings from the center of town and outward that
dot the countryside of Gettysburg. We will be doing
some larger buildings over a long period of time,
such as the Lutheran Seminary and Pennsylvania
College. All of the buildings are researched as much
as possible to be historically accurate!
The McLean farmhouse, immediately east of Oak Hill
We are just starting out, so we have yet to get
everything in order, but we will be taking orders
through our email address, bnturmoil@yahoo.com.
Eventually, we will have a website, and you will be
able to see pictures of our models and the prices of
each piece, painted and unpainted.
Clapboard house
Here is a current list of our products that are now
available:
 McLean House - 1st day’s battle below Oak Ridge
 McLean Barn - 1st day’s battle below Oak Ridge
 McPherson House - 1st day’s battle on McPherson’s
Ridge
 McPherson Barn - 1st day’s battle on McPherson’s
Ridge
 McPherson Carriage House - 1st day's battle on
McPherson’s Ridge
 Culp House - East of Cemetery Hill
 Culp Barn - East of Cemetery Hill
 Culp Outbuilding - East of Cemetery Hill
 Clapboard House - Generic single-level house from
the Civil War era
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 Farm Accessories - includes 1 wood shed, 1 tool Dave’s Baggage Train Offering
shed, 2 outhouses, and a well
10% Discount to CHARGE! readers

Farm accessories pack

Phil and Robin Spera have assumed ownership

of Dave's Baggage Train following Dave's
passing away. They are offering all Johnny Reb
Gaming Society members and CHARGE! blog
readers a special 10% discount for all orders
placed between now and Cold Wars 2012!
McPherson tenant house
(John T. Slentz at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg)
Simply mention the code word "scott mingus
discount" when you place your order to receive
this special pricing. Visit their website at
http://davesbaggagetrain.com/ and then decide
what you want to order. Talk with either Phil or
Robin, and receive your discount when you
order. Or, you can always e-mail Phil at
phil@davesbaggagetrain.com.

I have used this system for several HMGS-East

conventions, and have added to my collection of
trays and cases. Here are some of my 15mm
Carriage house ACW miniature wargaming items as stored in
the trays that I purchased for use with the
carrying cases I bought from Dave at Cold Wars.
Scenarios and
Articles Needed!
Please feel free send us your regimental-
level Civil War gaming scenarios. Send all
submissions to the Johnny Reb Gaming
Society at jrgsnl@comcast.net. Articles will
be used based upon space and availability
per issue, and may be edited by the staff.

Our scenario books and back issues

are available as printable digital downloads at
http://www.wargamevault.com/index.php?&manu
facturers_id=3404
Best wishes Phil & Robin for success!

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

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OLDTOWN CREEK:
A JOHNNY REB III
AFTER-ACTION REPORT
“The country was covered with tangled
southern forests”
By Jerry Merrell
Inspired by the photos of Roger Mark’s
Oldtown Creek game and his beautifully crafted
terrain boards, which appeared in issue #33 of
Charge! I decided to run the same for our gaming
group.
The scenario is part of John Hill’s Bermuda
Hundred series, consisting of four interconnected
scenarios taking place during Maj. Gen. Benjamin
F. “Beast” Butler’s ineffective South-side Virginia
campaign to threaten Richmond or Petersburg in
May 1864. The battle depicted in the game never
occurred; Butler having decided to move his force
north away from Petersburg. However this fictional
affair could have easily taken place had the Union
general continued to advance south from the
Bermuda Hundred area and is quite plausible
within the surrounding historical setting.
The game involves five Union infantry
brigades and four batteries advancing from the
northern and western table edges toward a ridge
along the southern side of the table, which is held
by three Confederate brigades of infantry and three
batteries. Oldtown Creek runs generally west to
east and dissects the playing area, and is
exceedingly difficult to cross because of its steep
banks. The majority of the table’s surface is
covered by dense woods and tangled thickets,
which occasionally give way to fenced fields, farm
lots and orchards (see game map). Thus the title of
this article is taken from a letter penned by an
unidentified Union soldier.
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
Victory is awarded to the side with the
most units on the high ground running along the
southern table edge, and the game length is twelve
turns. Given the distances they must advance, and
the difficult terrain they must traverse, the Union
players have little time to waste and must be
aggressive, while avoiding rashness.
Their situation is further exacerbated by the
fact that the Rebels start hidden. The location of
the Confederate units is recorded on the game map,
and if deployed in woods, thickets or behind hasty
works, they are not revealed until Yankee stands
came within 4 inches. For me, this was a most
attractive feature. The Federals had to advance
without precise knowledge of the enemy’s location
or strength. This resulted is a heavy reliance by the
Union players on, and a more historical use of,
skirmishers. The Secessionists also have
significant challenges. Heavily outnumbered, with
much to defend and little reserves, they must tread
a fine line between effectively delaying the Yankee
hoards without being overwhelmed. A significant
gap anywhere along their line may prove fatal.
In our game there were five Federal players
and three Confederate, each commanding a
brigade. A few scenario and basic rule tweaks were
employed. The Union brigades were each given an
additional regiment, as it was felt this would
produce a more balanced game and P.J. O’Neill’s
Alternate Charge Procedure was used. The Rebs
choose to deploy their brigades forward, defending
the line of the creek; thus making it very difficult
for the Union to cross. The idea was to delay the
Yanks for as long as possible at the stream, and
then slowly withdraw to the high ground of a last
stand, leaving the boys in blue with little time to
launch a coordinated assault on the ridge.
 5
The Union players’ plan involved a two-brigade
assault on both Rebel flanks, with the center
brigade and the bulk of the artillery pinning as
many Rebs as possible. On the Union right,
Wistar’s and White’s brigades advanced east from
the west table edge. Each brigade shook out a
regiment of skirmishers and immediately
encountered elements of Hagood’s Rebel brigade
hidden in the woods and thickets just east of the
creek. Although the Yanks outnumbered the
Secessionists there almost three to one, they didn’t
know that, and it took them several turns, and a
few casualties, to discover their numerical
advantage. The Union troops eventually forced
their way across the creek and began advancing
through the foliage toward the objective ridge.
Early on the Confederate defense was working
according to plan.
This was also the case in the center. There
Bushrod Johnson’s brigade was tasked with
delaying the Yankee crossing of the creek. His
depleted regiments were deployed behind the
stream on either side of the bridge. (The Rebs
choose to place practically no troops in the large
woods between Hagood’s and Johnson’s brigades,
reasoning that the Federals wouldn’t choose to
advance through the difficult terrain in that area.
That assumption proved to be correct and their
gamble paid off). The commander of Heckman’s
blue-clad brigade decided to place all his regiments
in skirmish order for scouting purposes. This led to
several charges by Johnson’s butternut scarecrows,
resulting in a couple of Union routs. The down
side, for the Confederates, is that the Union
batteries took a significant toll. But at mid-game
the Union center has still not forced the creek.
On the Union left the brigades of Burnham
and Marston advanced south along the railroad and
through the brush toward the creek and the railroad
bridge. Defending this area was Lewis’s brigade,
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
with his regiments deployed south of the creek on
the west side of the tracks. Smith’s troops attacked
them head-on, incurring significant casualties, but
driving Lewis south and west away from the creek.
To Smith’s right, Marston’s men conducted
an oblique movement across the thickets and
arrived at the stream, where it was defended by
Lewis’ left-hand regiment, the 54th North
Carolina, situated in the woods between the creek
and north-south road in the center. The 54th was
easily driven back, and Marston’s boys were soon
traversing through the woods toward the high
ground, threatening not only the objective area, but
the rear of Johnson’s brigade still defending the
center creek. To meet this threat, the Rebels had
little except two batteries located on the ridge.
Couriers were quickly dispatched to General
Johnson and Colonel Lewis to withdraw
immediately to the ridge.
On the Confederate left the Yankees were
now streaming through the woods and brush and
approaching the high ground. White’s brigade
began debouching from the woods in the southwest
corner of the table, with the intent of overrunning a
line on hasty works that had been constructed be
the Rebels just to east of north-south fence there.
Meanwhile, Wistar’s brigade had marched to
through the thickets to a point just north of the
ridge.
Defending this area were the remnants of
Hagood’s brigade, which had conducted a skillful
withdrawal from the creek, and was deployed
mainly behind the aforementioned hasty works,
facing west. Opposing Wistar’s mostly intact
brigade was a single Confederate battery on the
ridge. Fortunately, for the Rebs, Wistar’s regiments
were deployed in column as they advanced through
the brush, and exposing themselves to flanking fire
from the lonely gray-clad gun crews, who exacted
a heavy toll, and routing an enemy regiment. This,
and Wistar’s need to get his regiments in line
formation, bought just enough time for Hagood to
send a single depleted regiment to support the
battery.
Thus was the situation at the start of the
end game. White’s and Wistar’s brigades were set
to assault the Confederate left. The Union center
brigade was finally advancing up from the stream.
The brigade of Marston was poised to strike west
from the edge of the woods lining the east side of
the center road. Finally, a couple of Burnham’s
regiments had worked their way south to the east-
west road in the southeast table area were
 6
advancing west toward the high ground and into
the Rebel rear. However, the Confederates had
formed a defensive line on the ridge, consisting of
the reduced disengaging regiments from Johnson’s
and Lewis’ brigades. Johnson’s men faced south
and those of Lewis were facing east. A battery of
Napoleons was at the junction of those brigades.
The majority of the Reb line was secured behind
some hasty works they were allow to place at
game’s start.
There now took place a series of Yankee
charges from every quarter. White’s brigade
charged out of the woods and contested the Rebel
possession of the works on the Confederate left.
Wistar charged the threadbare Reb center, and
succeeded in getting two of his regiments on the
ridge, behind the defending Confederates. Had the
game lasted a couple of turns longer, this would
have been a major problem for the men in gray.
General Heckman brought up his artillery
unlimbering it within normal range of the butternut
boys behind the works on the ridge and delivered a
low odds fire, which nonetheless promptly caused
one healthy Reb regiment to rout, nearly unhinging
their line.
On the Confederate right, a number of
vicious charges and melees occurred, and a back-
and-forth struggle for the works there left the
outcome in doubt. The Southerners’ battery there
was captured, but not before it devastated a
regiment of New Yorkers. Marston’s troops
managed to gain a precarious foothold on the ridge
at the northern apex of the triangle formed by the
roads, but couldn’t exploit it by the narrowest of
margins.
Also on the last turn, Burnham’s brigade
charged west from the wooded area on the east side
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
of the ridge. Three separate charges went in against
a single gray regiment hunkered down behind
hasty works, and all three charges were repulsed.
Had any of those succeeded, as they very nearly
did, it would probably been sufficient to swing the
balance of the victory points in favor or the Union.
Even so, the Yanks did manage to get a few units
on the eastern ridge. Fortunately for the Rebels,
most of these were Shaken and thus didn’t count
toward the satisfying the victory conditions.
The game ultimately turned on morale
checks triggered by officer casualties at the end of
the final turn. Since only units located on the high
ground had to be in good morale to count toward
the victory point total, these checks became of
utmost importance. As you might imagine,
practically all the officers on both sides were either
within close proximity of the enemy or involved in
assisting melees. No fewer than three Confederate
generals and two Union leaders were hit, causing a
lot of tension on the final morale die rolls for
officer casualties. One Confederate regiment went
Shaken, but it was not enough to overcome the
narrow Rebel preponderance of units on the ridge.
Players on both sides made mistakes as
well as sterling moves. All in all a well fought
game. In my opinion, Oldtown Creek is an
outstanding scenario. Our game was tense
throughout, presenting significant challenges for
both sides with the outcome very much in doubt
right down to the final roll of the dice. It doesn’t
get any better than that.
Moving?
Don’t forget to send us your new information.
Send changes and updates to:
jrgsnl@comcast.net
or
Debi Mingus, 1383 Sterling Drive
York PA 17404
 7

Oldtown Creek terrain map scanned by Jerry Merrell; used with permission of John Hill and Doug Kline

Hidden Confederate regiments and batteries marked in red. Hasty works highlighted in yellow.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

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The Coming Thunder
New ACW Skirmish Scenarios
From Chris Stoesen
Veteran wargamer Chris Stoesen recently has
written a scenario booklet for some skirmish actions set
in 1861. With modifications it could be used for other
rules sets as well. Chris writes, “I have finished the
supplement for the TooFatLardies rules: Terrible Sharp
Sword. There are 17 scenarios plus a campaign
background to use with the campaign generator that
comes with the rules. The scenarios are all from the
first year of the war as is the campaign generator.”
The campaign generator is focused on the
“Battle of the Peach Orchard” in the fall of 1861. The
“battle” was a series of linked skirmishes that occurred
across numerous orchards of peaches in Northern
Virginia. It is an entertaining piece of history as the
skirmishes had basically come to a stop once the troops
had picked the peach trees clean of fruit.
The scenarios cover the following skirmishes:
1) Fairfax Courthouse - June 1, 1861
2) Ball’s Crossroads - August 27, 1861
3) Bailey’s Corners - August 28 - 30, 1861
4) Munson’s Hill - August 31, 1861
5) Lewinsville Part 1 - September 10, 1861
6) Lewinsville Part 2 - September 10, 1861
7) Lewinsville - September 11, 1861
8) Lewinsville - September 25, 1861
9) Munson’s Hill - September 28, 1861
10) Springfield Station - October 3, 1861
11) Little River Turnpike - October 15, 1861
12) Doolan’s Farm - November 16, 1861
13) A Running Skirmish - November 18, 1861 (on
the Fairfax Courthouse road)
14) Hunter’s Mill - November 26, 1861
15) Dranesville - November 26, 1861
16) Falls Church - November 27, 1861
17) Annandale - December 2, 1861
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
All of these occur in a relatively small area of
northern Virginia involving many of the same units. I
am selling this for $10.00 US. Just send the money via
PayPal to my cstoesen@corecard.com address and I
will send you the PDF. The PDF is just over 3MB in
size. I can split the file if needed.
Just a reminder, I have Rich’s permission to use the
Terrible Sharp Sword name and though The Coming
Thunder is published by me, it has his approval. Terrible
Sharp Sword is a child product of the Sharp Practice
Napoleonic skirmish rules. They are designed for
skirmish-sized games featuring infantry, cavalry and the
odd artillery piece or two. They are intended to
represent one man per figure but can be played at a
ratio of men to figures to depict larger actions.
The rules feature a card driven activation system
that builds friction into the sequence. The presence of a
Sarsparilla card ends the turn when it is drawn. Any
units not activated before this is drawn are limited to
either firing at short range or spotting hidden
movement. Cards are present for the end of turn, each
of the big men, Seize the Moment cards and any blinds
that are present. They allow a Big man to have
additional actions or increased ability to affect his
troops and thereby the game. The rules feature hidden
movement through the use of blinds. A blind
represents either a dummy or a hidden unit. Until
spotted, units are assumed to be operating at full
efficiency. Once spotted, they are deployed on the table
and will move at a reduced rate. For example, an
infantry unit on blinds may move 3d6" on its
activation. But when spotted, they may only move at a
maximum of 2d6" when activated.
Combat is achieved through die rolls based on the
number of men firing and the quality of the troops
involved. As units are engaged they accumulate shock
which reduced their efficiency as a fighting force. It is
here where the central figures of the game take the
stage. The Big Men on the battlefield are represented
with their own cards for activation. They are the
officers and NCOs whose presence influences the men
around them to action. They direct the actions of their
men and reduce the shock that they have
accumulated. The Big Men are best represented by
those characters we read about in historical accounts
that drive the action that occurs. Not all officers or
NCOs are necessarily Big Men. I am sure we all can
imagine instances where in a fighting unit, there are
officers or NCOs who are less useful than others in
combat situations. These less useful folks are not
represented in the game.
The driving motto of the TooFatLardies is “play
the Period not the Rules”. As a result, the rules are
crafted to fit the period that they represent. Random
events, tactical formations and equipment are
represented within the rules to provide the
 9
environment of the game that allows the player to do
just that—Play the Period. Utilizing historical tactics,
the player is able to gain an understanding of how these
small actions were fought. Sections are included that
cover the organization of troops, drill and a campaign
generator. The rules lend themselves to nearly a RPG
feel as players identify with their Big Men.
More information can be found on my blog:
http://cstoesen.blogspot.com/2011/11/coming-
thunder-scenarios-for-terrible.html or by contacting me
via e-mail at cstoesen@corecard.com
www.battlefieldterrain.com
ORDER BACK ISSUES OF
CHARGE!
ORDERING INFORMATION:
Send $6.00 per copy within the USA and
$7.00 per copy outside the USA to:
JRGS - 1383 Sterling Drive - York, PA -
17404
Make checks payable to Debi Mingus
Or use your PayPal account!
Johnny Reb Gaming Society
JR3 Rules Questions?
If you have questions involving rules interpretation,
send them to Scott L. Mingus, Sr. at
jrgsnl@comcast.net.
Questions will be collected and forwarded to
John Hill for the “Ask John Hill” column.
Did you know?
Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Ramseur was only 26 years old
when he led a brigade of North Carolina infantry at
Gettysburg. Before the war, he studied mathematics at
Davidson College before attending West Point. He
graduated in 1860 and became a lieutenant in the U.S.
Army. He resigned within a year and joined the
Confederate army. By contrast the oldest CSA general
at Gettysburg, William “Extra Billy” Smith was 65!
Ramseur died at 27 at the 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek.
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
An Easy Way to Make Model Streams
1. Create a sturdy base for your miniature
watercourse. I have repurposed old thin rulers,
strips of stiff plastic card (for example, the
sheet protectors that often are found in old
notebooks), cardstock, etc., as well as using
sculpted foam terrain bases or plywood.
2. Draw the course of the stream onto the bases,
making sure the ends will line up if using
individual sections. Keep the scale in mind.
3. I use cheap water-based acrylic paints from
Wal-Mart or A. C. Moore’s to paint the bed of
the stream or river. I start with dark brown,
and while being it dries I blend in darker
shades such as dark green, indigo, and black,
keeping the center of the stream darker and
the edges lighter (to simulate depth).
4. I often add very tiny pebbles or stones to
simulate small rocks within the streambed.
5. When the paint is completely dry, I brush on a
generous layer of Renaissance Inks™ Extra
Fine Flocking Gel and allow it to dry. Paint
whitecaps or ruffles if appropriate for rapid
moving or mountain streams. I sometimes will
then a second layer of the easy-to-use Flocking
Gel medium for more depth and gloss.
6. Add embankments and place small rocks or
pebbles, Woodland Scenics™ foliage clumps,
small twigs to resemble downed tree trunks,
field grass / flocking, fords, reeds, etc.
Here’s a typical example of the completed model
stream, all ready for the mini troops to use their -1”
movement penalty to wade across to the other side!
Terrain and article by ACW author / lecturer Scott L. Mingus, Sr.
www.scottmingus.com
 10

Historical Commentary
The Battle for Bald Hill, Atlanta, GA,
Thursday, 21 July 1864
Reb: “Hello, Yank, who is your Commanding General?”
Yank: “Sherman. Who is yours?
Reb: “Well, I believe Sherman is ours too. Whenever he moves, we move too.”
Union Strategic Objectives
The banter between opposing pickets in early July of 1864 on the Chattahoochee River, six
miles northwest of Atlanta, GA, was about to become reality. Union MG William T. Sherman
and the three armies he commanded were preparing to cross the river and achieve four
strategic objectives; (1) destroy Atlanta as a transportation hub by occupying or wrecking the
four railroads that converged on the city (2) remove Atlanta as a military supply depot (3)
eliminate Atlanta as a manufacturing center and (4) ensure the re-election of President
Abraham Lincoln. If Atlanta was captured in a timely manner, Lincoln’s chances for re-election
on 8 November 1864 would predictably soar and the war would continue to be fully prosecuted
until victory was achieved.
Union Operational Objectives
Operational movements against the
City of Atlanta were initiated Friday,
8 July, when MG John M.
Schofield’s Army of the Ohio, with its
3 divisions, approached Atlanta from
the north-east, moving in support of
Thomas’ left. On Saturday, 9 July,
MG George H. Thomas’ Army of the
Cumberland, with its 9 divisions,
moved to protect Sherman’s line of
communication (LOC)—the Western
& Atlantic Railroad —confronting
Atlanta from the north. On Friday, 16
July, both Thomas and Schofield
crossed the Chattahoochee River.
MG James B. McPherson’s Army of
the Tennessee was composed of the
15th, 16th and 17th Corps, fielding
30,000 men in 7 divisions with 96
guns. They started their operational
movement on 6 July and crossed the
Chattahoochee River 21 miles north-
east of Atlanta at Roswell, GA on
Sunday, 17 July, marching nearly 20
miles that day. They spent all day
Monday, 18 July, tearing up the
Georgia Railroad between Stone
Mountain, GA and Decatur, GA.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 11
The Army of the Tennessee was known as the “Whip-Snapper” because it was the most mobile of
Sherman’s three armies and during the Atlanta Campaign had continually conducted sweeping
flank marches while the other two armies fixed the Confederate Army of Tennessee in place.
Once again, McPherson’s Army was unleashed on a wide flanking march, this time to the Union
left, approaching Atlanta from the east with four operational objectives; (1) capture Decatur (2)
block potential reinforcements arriving from the east (3) destroy the Georgia Railroad (second of
four railroads needed to be broken or occupied to completely isolate Atlanta) and (4) flank the
Confederates out of their fortified positions around Atlanta and capture the city.

Confederate Change of Command—Hood Immediately Attacks

On Sunday, 17 July, Confederate GEN Joseph E. Johnston, commander of the three corps Army
of Tennessee, was notified in the evening that he was relieved of command and was being
replaced by a (backstabbing) corps commander; LTG John Bell Hood. Hood was promoted to
GEN dating from 17 July and took command of the Army of Tennessee on Monday, 18 July. His
aggressive tendencies, along with a dramatic increase in casualties suffered, quickly became
apparent.

Meanwhile, on the night of Tuesday, 19 July, McPherson and his “Whip-Snappers” captured
Decatur and had already wrecked the Georgia Railroad and blocked possible reinforcements from
the east. He was poised just six miles to the east of Atlanta and had gained the perfect position
to achieve the final operational objective -- turn the lightly defended Confederate right flank and
capture Atlanta.

The next afternoon, Wednesday, 20 July, Hood attempted to engage Thomas’ Army of the
Cumberland about four miles north of Atlanta while it was vulnerable crossing to the south side of
Peachtree Creek. Stewart’s and Hardee’s Corps attacked Thomas while Cheatham’s Corps
(formerly Hood’s) faced off against Schofield’s smaller Army of the Ohio on the Confederate right.
Hood’s Army of Tennessee was fully committed to Atlanta’s northern front. The Battle of
Peachtree Creek began at 1600, three hours later than Hood had planned and after Thomas had
crossed the creek. The fighting ended at 1815 with 1,500 Union casualties compared to the
Confederate’s 2,500. Thomas maintained his strong position on the south side of Peachtree
Creek and continued to threaten Atlanta from the north while Hood had gained nothing of value in
a costly tactical defeat.
MG James B. McPherson’s First Opportunity of a Lifetime
McPherson graduated an impressive first in his class from West Point in
1853. His fellow Cadets included Philip H. Sheridan, John M. Schofield,
and John Bell Hood (small world). Nevertheless McPherson was less
impressive as a corps or army commander. His first battle experience
as a commander was on 12 May 1863 during the Vicksburg Campaign
at The Battle of Raymond, MS. He commanded the 17th Corps in MG
Ulysses S. Grant’s Army of the Tennessee. The 17th Corps had two
divisions (14,000 men and 22 guns) attacking Confederate BG John
Gregg’s Brigade (4,000 men and 3 guns). McPherson, using
uncoordinated attacks, displaying caution and sustaining 442 casualties,
took six hours to defeat the Confederate brigade. Gregg escaped and
retreated towards Jackson, MS after suffering 544 casualties (190
“missing”).
A year later, McPherson executed a wide flanking maneuver to Snake
Creek Gap, GA, on 9 May 1864. He now commanded the Army of the Tennessee (the 15th and

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16th Corps with 25,000 men) and emerged from Snake Creek Gap to threaten Resaca, GA and
the adjacent Western & Atlantic Railroad, GEN Johnston’s Army of Tennessee LOC. Resaca and
the railroad were defended by BG James Cantey’s Brigade (4,000 men). Cautious once again,
McPherson played it safe and eventually withdrew from Resaca back to Snake Creek Gap and
entrenched. Three days later, Sherman rebuked McPherson in person by saying, “Well Mac, you
have missed the opportunity of a lifetime.”
McPherson had certainly missed THE opportunity of his military career. He could have cut the
Confederate LOC about twenty miles south of Johnston’s position at Rocky Face Ridge, GA,
and trapped the Army of Tennessee between his Army of the Tennessee and Sherman’s other
two armies that were “fixing” Johnston at Rocky Face Ridge. When McPherson failed to act,
Johnston withdrew from the trap using the Western & Atlantic Railroad and fought a bloody
three day battle, 13-15 May 1864, at Resaca and then crossed over the Oostanaula River and
escaped Sherman’s grasp. Johnston’s escape allowed the Army of Tennessee to live on and
oppose Sherman’s Armies again and again on the road to Atlanta and beyond.
MG James B. McPherson’s Second Opportunity of a Lifetime
This brings us to the situation on a humid and sweltering Wednesday, 20 July 1864. Hood had
committed his three corps army to the Atlanta northern front and attacked Thomas’ Army of the
Cumberland, the strongest of Sherman’s three armies that was commanded by his best tactical
defensive commander, MG George H. Thomas—“The Rock of Chickamauga”. Meanwhile, to
the east, McPherson’s three corps Army of the Tennessee started out from Decatur and headed
west for Atlanta.
McPherson was now a 14-month veteran of eight battles and twice as many skirmishes as a
corps or army commander and the disappointment of Snake Creek Gap/Resaca was 72 days in
the past. His order of march placed the 15th Corps (3 divisions) on the Decatur Road/Georgia
Railroad avenue of approach, the 17th Corps (2 divisions) advanced on a tortuous farm road on
the left (south) flank of 15th Corps and the 16th Corps (2 divisions) advanced as the army
reserve behind the 15th Corps, also on the Decatur Road/Georgia Railroad. McPherson’s 1,000
wagon supply train remained in Decatur.
Contact was made in the early afternoon about two miles east of a north-south ridge line
dominated by the treeless Bald Hill. About 2,500 dismounted Confederate cavalrymen and a
single four-gun battery under the command of MG Joseph Wheeler halted the 17th Corps
advance and forced a 45 minute counter-battery duel with two Union four-gun batteries, the 15th
OH and 1st MN. The Confederate battery was eventually silenced and forced from the field.
Concurrently, MG Francis P. Blair, 17th Corps Commander, deployed his infantry and drove the
Confederate cavalrymen from their positions. Wheeler fell back to Bald Hill and the ridge line to
the north to form a new defensive line in front of Atlanta, only two miles to his rear (west).
With Hood’s Army totally engaged or occupied on the northern front, the only reinforcements
sent to Wheeler were more cavalry, about 1,000, bringing his total to around 3,500 cavalrymen
and one battery. To oppose Wheeler, McPherson had two to one odds with just the readily
available infantry and six batteries in the 17th Corps. If the infantry and artillery of the
unopposed 15th Corps on Blair’s right flank were engaged, the odds would increase to five to
one with thirteen batteries in support and this does not include the 4,500 men and two batteries
in the 16th Corps that formed the Army of the Tennessee’s reserve.
The situation was Snake Creek Gap/Resaca all over again. McPherson had 30,000 men in
three corps under his command, was opposed by less than 4,000 cavalrymen fighting
dismounted and had artillery supremacy. If he attacked swiftly, vigorously and overwhelmingly,

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he would surely overcome Wheeler’s defense, capture the eastern portion of Atlanta’s inner
entrenchments and totally unhinge Hood’s position north of Atlanta, capturing Atlanta in late July
instead of 2 September 1864.
McPherson and Blair were on the field but initially only BG Walter Q. Gresham’s 4,200
infantrymen of the 4th Division (2 brigades) were directed to remove Wheeler from the Bald Hill
position. While conducting a personal reconnaissance of the enemy’s position, Gresham was
wounded. He would eventually lose his left leg and be permanently knocked out of the war. The
3rd Brigade Commander, COL William Hall, temporarily replaced Gresham for the remainder of
the day but BG Giles A. Smith, from the 15th Corps, would replace Gresham as the 4th Division
Commander the next day, 21 July.
Blair ordered the other division of his corps, the 3rd Division commanded by BG Mortimer D.
Leggett (3 brigades), to support Hall’s 4th Division in the attempt to capture Bald Hill. Leggett
ordered Force’s brigade to move in support of Hall’s left flank as McPherson arrived on the
scene. McPherson urged Blair to attack Bald Hill and Blair in turn ordered Leggett to assault
Bald Hill with his division.
As Leggett returned to his 3rd Division to organize the assault, a reconnaissance of Bald Hill
was ordered. When the scout returned he revealed that the south ridge (right flank) of the
Confederate position on was unoccupied, an opportunistic Confederate oversight as Leggett’s
3rd Division took position on the undefended Confederate flank.
When the assaulting forces were ready, an aide from Leggett’s 3rd Division rode to Blair and
McPherson reporting “General Blair, General Leggett wishes to know if he shall attack the
enemy in his front.”
MG James B. McPherson Hesitates, Again!
MG James B. McPherson, noting that the assault required much more time than the two hours
of daylight that remained before darkness fell, cancelled Leggett’s assault and postponed it until
the following morning.
In his after action report (AAR) to Sherman that evening, McPherson listed three reasons for not
turning the Confederate right (1) the wounding of BG Walter Q. Gresham, commander of the 4th
Division (2) difficult terrain in front of the Confederate position and (3) an enemy (dismounted
cavalry) armed with Enfield carbines and a single four-gun battery. He also mentioned the light
Union casualties that day. Only the 17th Corps was engaged and most of the combat fell on
Gresham’s 4th Division which suffered a total of 50 casualties. McPherson had skirmished on a
day that demanded a coordinated and overwhelming assault.
Sherman was not fooled by the AAR and wrote back, “Well Mac, you missed the opportunity of
a lifetime!” AGAIN! (author’s comment). “I was in hopes you could have made a closer
approach to Atlanta.” Then Sherman ordered McPherson to press the Confederates to his
front, gain ground (Bald Hill and the ridge line) and deploy his artillery within range of the inner
entrenchments ringing Atlanta.
Bald Hill
Bald Hill was a key position for both opponents. It was the tallest terrain feature between
Decatur and Atlanta and the treeless summit was an excellent artillery platform. If the
Confederates controlled the hill they would dominated the Sugar Creek valley to the east and
could punish with artillery any Union assault on the hill or the ridge line to the north or south. If
the Union captured the hill they would break Atlanta’s outer defensive line along the north to
south ridge line that ran through Bald Hill. This would force the Confederates into the ring of

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Atlanta’s inner entrenchments. Union artillery on Bald Hill would also dominate all of the ground
to the west to include Atlanta’s inner entrenchments and the city itself. Think of Bald Hill as the
“Little Round Top” of Atlanta, only this time with the Union as the attacker, and this “Little Round
Top” could more easily accommodate the deployment of artillery.
The Battle for Bald Hill, Thursday, 21 July 1864
In response to Wheeler’s pleas for reinforcements, Hood sent his best infantry division
commanded by his most trusted division commander—MG Patrick R. Cleburne. His division
was pulled out of the reserve position it held behind Hardee’s Corps during the Battle of
Peachtree Creek and sent to Wheeler’s aid.
Cleburne arrived at Bald Hill at 0230 on 21 July
and took charge of the defense. His division
had been recently reduced from four brigades to
three and had suffered 100 casualties while in
reserve the day before so he fielded about
4,700 men. Cleburne’s infantry took up a
position before dawn that ran north to south
from the Georgia Railroad on the left to Bald Hill
on the right. Wheeler’s cavalry was positioned
in front of Cleburne’s right flank and on the ridge
line in front of Bald Hill, centered to the left and
right. The dismounted cavalry began to
construct hasty works and the infantry started to
improve the works they inherited from the
cavalry for the Union attack they knew was
coming.
The “Ball” was opened at 0700 by the 1st IA Battery, 15th Corps, with four 10-lb Parrott rifles, LT
William H. Gay commanding. Gay targeted Bald Hill from 1,000 yards and in 5 minutes of
deadly accurate fire, killed 40 and wounded over 100 men of BG James A. Smith’s Infantry
Brigade. The continuous artillery fire halted the construction and improvement of
entrenchments and softened up the position for the Union infantry assault.
BG Mortimer D. Leggett’s 3rd Division of Blair’s 17th Corps had remained in place from the
previous day’s cancelled attack on Bald Hill. His division fielded 4,000 men in three brigades
(ten regiments and a battalion with an absent regiment guarding the LOC along the Western &
Atlantic Railroad) and 14 guns in three batteries. Blair delayed the
planned attack from dawn (0545) to 0800 in order to give the new
commander of his 4th Division, BG Giles A. Smith, an opportunity to
familiarize himself with the division formerly commanded by BG Walter
Q. Gresham. Smith took command at 0200 on the day of battle. His
division fielded 4,100 men in two brigades (eight regiments and a
battalion) and 14 guns in three batteries. The small Second Brigade
was absent guarding the LOC along the Western & Atlantic Railroad.

Blair Orders Leggett’s 3rd Division to Attack

Leggett attacked first at around 0800, Force’s 1st Brigade was on the
right and Scott’s 2nd Brigade was on the left. They were quickly
engaged by the Hotchkiss Artillery Battalion of two four-gun 12-lb
Napoleon batteries and small arms fire from Wheeler’s cavalry and
Cleburne’s infantry. The attackers continued to advance despite heavy

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casualties and closed with the dismounted cavalry on the Confederate right. The cavalrymen
fired once and then fled. Ferguson’s cavalry brigade broke first and was quickly followed by the
other two cavalry brigades, leaving the right flank of Cleburne’s Division (J. A. Smith’s Brigade),
exposed. Encouraged by the sight of the fleeing cavalry, the Union attackers closed with the
Cleburne’s infantry.

Tactical Map: The Battle for Bald Hill

Yellow areas are cultivated areas with wooden fences
Gary Ecelbarger, The Day Dixie Died

The southern side of Bald Hill was in Union control but J. A. Smith’s infantry refused their right
flank and continued to fight the attackers hand to hand. A witness wrote of the melee,
“Bayonets and musket butts, sabers and revolvers, even fists and feet were used in that
dreadful struggle.” The 16th WI suffered over 130 casualties in 15 minutes, the 12th WI
suffered 150 casualties, and the 20th, 30th and 31st IL regiments in the supporting line suffered
50 casualties.

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Blair Commits Giles A. Smith’s 4th Division
Blair committed Giles A. Smith’s 4th Division on Leggett’s right at 0815 to engage the
Confederate artillery and infantry that were enfilading Leggett’s attackers struggling to gain
control of Bald Hill.

As a result of G. A. Smith’s attack, the Confederate artillery limbered up and retreated and the
Confederate infantry on the north side of Bald Hill were forced to shift fire to the new threat of G.
A. Smith’s two advancing brigades. Potts’ 1st Brigade was on the right and Shane’s 3rd Brigade
on the left. On the preceding day, COL William Hall temporally took command of the 4th
Division when Gresham was wounded. Hall turned over command of his 2nd Brigade to COL
John Shane, who retained command until the fighting was over.
G. A. Smith’s 4th Division absorbed the deadly small arms fire from
some of J. A. Smith’s and Govan’s regiments. Shifting their fire
away from Leggett on Bald Hill, the Confederates halted and
eventually repulsed G. A. Smith’s assault from 0845 to 0900 but not
before relieving the pressure on Leggett and helping him gain control
of Bald Hill.
Two artillery batteries, H Battery, 1st MI and D Battery, 1st IL of
Leggett’s 3rd Division were engaged. The six 3" Ordnance Rifles of
CPT Marcus D. Elliot’s H Battery, 1st MI were unlimbered on Bald
Hill by 0900 and successfully defended the captured position from
counter-attacks. The four 24-lb Howitzers of CPT Edgar H. Cooper’s
Battery D, 1st IL (AKA McAllister’s Howitzers), was ordered up by
Leggett at Force’s request to shell the woods on Force’s right flank
where Confederate infantry were enfilading the 20th IL. The small
arms fire was quickly silenced by Cooper’s heavy howitzers.
Bald Hill is Renamed
Shortly after G. A. Smith attacked at 0815 and Leggett had gained the southern portion of Bald
Hill, Union guns from Leggett’s Division began to arrive on the hill. First to arrive was H
Battery, 1st MI. Cleburne attempted several counter-attacks against Leggett’s position but once
the artillery was positioned and began firing, Leggett controlled Bald Hill. He held the hill for the
rest of the day and all through The Battle of Atlanta on the following day. As a result, Bald Hill
came to be forever known as Leggett’s Hill.
A Battery, 14th GA, commanded by LT James R. Duncan, probably fired on Bald Hill from
Atlanta’s inner entrenchments with his four 3” Ordnance Rifles. Duncan’s guns probably fired in
support of Cleburne’s counter-attacks as he attempted to recapture Bald Hill.
Leggett’s 2nd Brigade, commanded by COL Robert K. Scott, consisted of 3 regiments, 2 were
committed to the attack and 1 was held as the divisional reserve. Scott attacked with Force’s 1st
Brigade at 0800. Scott did not encounter any opposition as he struck beyond the right flank of
Wheeler’s cavalry. The 3rd Brigade, commanded by COL Adam G. Malloy, consisted of 1
regiment and 1 battalion and was positioned to guard the division’s left flank, facing south.
Malloy was not engaged.
The Main Battle Ends
By 1100 the main battle was over but incessant skirmishing and artillery fire continued
throughout the remainder of the humid and sweltering day, causing many on both sides to suffer
sunstroke and heat exhaustion. Cleburne correctly declined to order further assaults on Bald
Hill in the face of the Union artillery deployment. The three hour battle had produced over 1,000

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casualties, 728 Union (about evenly divided between G. A. Smith’s and Leggett’s Divisions) and
an estimated 300 Confederate casualties (mostly Cleburne’s Division). Reflect for a moment
what the Union cost might have been if McPherson had attacked Wheeler’s cavalrymen on the
previous day when Cleburne’s infantry and artillery were not present.

Cleburne feared that McPherson’s Army might continue the assault later in the day and attempt
to gain the eastern inner entrenchments of Atlanta. He relayed his concerns to Hood and
asked for reinforcements. Hood complied and ordered BG George Maney’s Infantry Division to
move into position on Cleburne’s right, where Wheeler once stood. Maney’s Division arrived
between 1200 and 1400 but was not engaged.
Extend to the Left
Blair was prevented from extending the 17th Corps to the right by Cleburne’s troops so he spent
the rest of the day extending the 17th Corps to the left (south), taking up a strong position along
the Flat Shoals Road. G. A. Smith’s 4th Division was redeployed from the right of the 17th
Corps to the left flank in the afternoon and spent the remainder of the day entrenching his
infantry and artillery down the Flat Shoals Road for half a mile.
Cleburne continued to hold his position on the ridge line north of Bald Hill until evening when he
withdrew. Cleburne concluded that the fight for Bald Hill was “the bitterest” of his life. I wonder
how this assessment would compare to the Battle of Franklin, TN—if he had survived.
The Battle of Atlanta
The next day, Friday, 22 July 1864, was the day-long Battle of Atlanta. Hood would launch an
ambitious flanking counter-attack to destroy McPherson’s Army of the Tennessee and roll up
Sherman’s left flank to relieve his grip on Atlanta and protect his LOC—the Macon and Western
Railroad. Leggett and his Hill would play a prominent role in the coming battle but that is for
another scenario.

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The Battle for Bald Hill, Atlanta, GA

Thursday, 21 July 1864
A Regimental Fire & Fury Scenario by Lowell D. Hamilton

Terrain
Map Scale. The map is scaled for 15mm miniatures at 12” (300 yards) per grid-square making
the scenario map about 0.85 X 1.0 mile or a 5’ X 6’ table. I game with 6mm miniatures and it’s
easy to convert the map scale from 15mm to 6mm. Using the 6mm map legend, draw a 440-
yard grid over the map. In 6mm scale, each 440-yard (1/4 mile) grid-square represents 12” or a
3.5’ X 4’ table.
Game Scale. Infantry and dismounted cavalry stands = 40 men; gun stands = 2 guns (a
section) with 40 crewmen; 1” = 25 yards (36.6 yards at 6mm); 1 turn = 15 minutes.
Roads. All the roads are rated Good. Units moving along the road in march column or
limbered move at the Road rate if they began and end the whole turn on the road. Line of sight
is determined by the terrain around the road.
Terrain Levels. There are three terrain levels, from lowest to highest: (1) ground level (2) 1st
contour level and (3) the 2nd contour level of Bald Hill and the nameless hill to the east. All of
the rules for artillery Plunging Fire apply in this scenario (RFF pages 50-51 and see Figures 33,
34 & 35). Units defending in charge combat on higher ground will add one for Favorable
Ground if the attacker charged from lower ground. Line of sight is based upon the terrain
around the contour levels but contours can block line of sight if higher ground is positioned
between units.
Sugar Creek and Branches. Sugar Creek and branches are rated Broken Ground. All units
may cross the creek or branches at any location. Units defending in charge combat against an
attacker that crossed Sugar Creek or branch to charge, add one for Favorable Ground. Line of
sight is based on the surrounding terrain.
Cultivated Fields. Cultivated fields are considered Open Ground and do not provide cover
from fire nor are they considered Favorable Ground for charge combat. Line of sight is not
blocked by cultivated fields.
Wood Fences. All fences are wood and rated Broken Ground. Units aligned behind a fence
line add one on the Maneuver Table for Linear Cover. Only units in extended line deployed
behind fences are considered in Full Cover and subtract two when targeted. Other formed
units and artillery behind fences receive no cover benefit when targeted. Units defending
behind a fence in charge combat receive no defensive benefit. Line of sight is based on the
surrounding terrain.
Slough. A Slough is rated Rough Ground and is impassable to artillery. Units in extended line
are considered in Full Cover and subtract two when targeted. Other formed units are
considered in Partial Cover and subtract one when targeted. Units defending in charge combat
against an attacker that crossed a Slough to charge, add one for Favorable Ground. Line of
sight is limited to 4” (3” at 6mm) when passing through a Slough.
Dense Woods. All woods are Dense Woods and rated Rough Ground. Units in extended line
are considered in Full Cover and subtract two when targeted. Other formed units and artillery
are considered in Partial Cover and subtract one when targeted. If artillery is using Plunging
Fire into Dense Woods, subtract two even if combined with a greater number of troop or other
artillery fire points that would normally only subtract one. Units defending in Dense Woods add

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one for Favorable Ground in charge combat. Line of sight is limited to 4” (3” at 6mm) when
passing through Dense Woods.
Hasty Works. Hasty Works, the dashed line of entrenchments on the scenario map, are rated
as Broken Ground. Units aligned behind Hasty Works add one on the Maneuver Table for
Linear Cover. Units deployed in extended line behind Hasty Works are considered in Full Cover
and subtract two when targeted. Other formed units in line and artillery unlimbered behind
Hasty Works subtract one for Partial Cover when targeted. Units defending behind Hasty
Works in charge combat add one for Favorable Ground. Line of sight is based on the
surrounding terrain.
Light Fieldworks. Light Fieldworks, the solid line of entrenchments, are rated as Broken
Ground. Units aligned behind Light Fieldworks add one on the Maneuver Table for Linear
Order of Battle
The following stands are required to play The Battle for Bald Hill:

Stand Type Union Confederate

Infantry or Dismounted Cavalry 152 73
Infantry Command 16 13
Artillery (Gun with Limber) 7 4
Artillery (Gun without Limber) 0 2
Cavalry Dismounted 0 47
Cavalry Command 0 0
Dismounted Cavalry 0 0
Dismounted Cavalry Command 0 0
Horse Holder 0 0
Brave Colonel 0 0
Brigade or Artillery Leader 4 7
Division Leader 2 2
Corps Leader 1 1
Army Leader 0 0
Dismounted Leader 7 10
Ammunition Wagon 0 0
Total Stands 189 159
Total Combat Arm Stands 175 139
Heavy Casualties (25% USA / 35% and 25% CSA) 44 32 Inf XX /12 Cav XX
Cover. All units deployed in line, extended line or unlimbered artillery behind Light Fieldworks
are considered in Full Cover and subtract two when targeted. Units defending behind Light
Fieldworks in charge combat only add one for Favorable Ground. Line of sight is based on
the surrounding terrain.

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Leaders. The Leader Command Radius is 8” (6” at 6mm) for mounted leaders with a clear line
of sight to a unit. Command Radius is reduced to 4” (3” at 6mm) for attached leaders,
dismounted leaders or through Dense Woods or a Slough. Note: Confederate infantry leaders
cannot attach or provide Provisional Command to dismounted cavalry units and vise versa.
The artillery leaders, Hotchkiss and Williams, cannot give Provisional Command to infantry or
dismounted cavalry units.
Friendly Map Edges. Broken Union units must retreat toward the eastern map edge and stop at
the edge. Broken Confederate units must retreat toward the western map edge and stop at the
edge. If a Broken unit that halted at the table edge fails to Reform in the next Maneuver Phase, its
remaining stands are removed from play and count towards Heavy Casualties and Greater Losses.
Union Forces. Total Combat Arm Stands represent a force of 7,000 men with 14 guns. All Union
infantry units and Gay’s battery start the scenario on the terrain board. On turn 1, Leggett’s 3rd
Division is released to freely move. On turn 2, Blair and G. A. Smith’s 4th Division are released to
freely move, and Williams, Elliott’s battery and Cooper’s battery enter the board at Road B limbered.
Confederate Forces. Total Combat Arm Stands represent a force of 5,560 men with 12 guns. On
turn 1, all on board Confederate units are released to freely move. On turn 3, the 3rd CSA (Govan’s
Brigade) enters at Road A in march column. On turn 4, the 5th MS (Lowrey’s Brigade) enters at
Road A in march column and may seek Provisional Command from any infantry leader; otherwise,
they are Out of Command for the Maneuver Table rolls.
Note: Martin’s Cavalry Division regiments are deployed in line (2 ranks) as combined regiments and
not in extended line as dismounted cavalry would normally be deployed. This was necessitated by
the actual frontage they occupied during the battle. Think of them as a heavy skirmish line behind
Hasty Works. They may change formation into extended line if players wish and all rules for
extended line are in effect (maneuver, fire and charge modifiers). Dismounted cavalry do not have
bayonets and cannot charge with Cold Steel.
There is no need to provide horse holders or mounted stands for Martin’s Cavalry Division; the
horse holders have already been removed from their numbers and they will fight dismounted until
they mount and retire from the board. Represent dismounted cavalry with infantry stands but
without the flag-command stand. If required to mount and retreat as a result of maneuver or charge
combat effect, they are instead removed from play and count towards the 12 stand (25%) Heavy
Casualties rule for Martin’s command listed below.
Disclaimer. Confederate brigade locations on the map are “best guess” accurate but most of the
regimental locations within the brigades are conjecture. The identity of Confederate reinforcements
is conjecture, as is the time and location of their appearance. Union brigade positions are also “best
guess” accurate while the regimental locations in relation to each other are accurate, except for the
tactical deployment of Pott’s 1st Brigade.

Victory Conditions
One side must achieve more victory conditions than their opponent to claim victory. There are a
total of four possible victory conditions in the scenario; inflicting Heavy Causalities (2), Greater
Losses (1) and controlling the Key Position (1). However, if the Confederates hold Bald Hill at
the end of the Confederate 0930 turn, they have bettered the historical result and can claim a
morale victory. See the Designer Notes below.
Heavy Casualties. The Union player achieves one victory condition if Confederates lose 32 infantry
(Cleburne’s Division) and/or gun stands (35%). Once Heavy Casualties are reached, Cleburne’s
units and guns subtract one in subsequent maneuver checks.

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The Confederate player achieves one victory condition if Union forces lose 44 infantry and/or gun
stands (25%). Once Heavy Casualties are reached, all Union units subtract one in subsequent
maneuver checks.
Martin’s Cavalry Division is a special case. When Martin’s command reaches 12 stand losses
(25%), the cavalry leaders and all of the remaining dismounted cavalry stands mount and retire
(skedaddle!). Just remove them from play. They do not count for Heavy Causalities or Greater
Losses.
Greater Losses. A second victory condition is achieved after a force reaches both its Heavy
Casualties threshold and is also suffering Greater Losses than the enemy. Subtract two from
the maneuver check for as long as both conditions are met. Remember, all Union stand losses
are counted but only stands from Cleburne’s Division and gun stand losses count for the
Confederates.
Key Position Lost. The Bald Hill Second Contour (Level 3) is THE Key Position. One side
achieves one victory condition if at the end of the game they were the last side to have friendly
units occupying Bald Hill. Confederates control this Key Position at the start of the scenario.
In addition, if Union troops occupy Bald Hill (Level 3) and there are no Confederate units
occupying Bald Hill (Level 3) then all Confederate units subtract one in subsequent maneuver
checks. If the Confederates reoccupy Bald Hill while removing all Union units in a later turn, the
modifier is reversed and all Union units subtract one in subsequent maneuver checks. The
subtract one modifier always applies to the last side to lose Bald Hill.

Special Scenario Rules

Ammunition supply. Units cannot replenish ammunition within the time frame of the scenario
after suffering a low on ammunition effect.
Gay’s Battery. At 0700, Gay’s 1st IA Battery has a pre-game bombardment of 4 X fire die rolls.
Any target in range and line of sight can be fired upon. The battery can pivot up to 45 degrees
and fire each roll. Targets can be shot at once or more than once. Targets disordered may not
roll to recover until the Confederate turn 1 Maneuver Phase.
Gay During the pre-game bombardment, both sections must fire at the
target and a +2 DRM (die roll modifier) is added to the die roll.
1 IA (+2) 1 IA (+2)
There are no cover modifiers for Hasty Works or Fieldworks
Section-1 Section-2
Crk LR Crk LR because the Confederate troops were still improving their positions.
3-3//3-3-2-1 The range from Gay’s battery to the crest line of the second contour
3-3//3-3-2-1
of Bald Hill will be under 48” (36” at 6mm) and the two sections
should have a total of 6 fire points at that range for a “0” die roll modifier. During the
bombardment phase only, a +2 DMR is added and the battery cannot go low on ammunition.
Starting on turn 1, the +2 DMR is removed and the section(s) may go low on ammo. The
battery remains in its starting position for the entire scenario and is always considered In
Command for the Maneuver Table rolls.
Duncan’s Battery. Duncan’s A Battery, 14th GA is off board within the Atlanta inner
entrenchments and can only target units on Bald Hill (Level 3). It may not fire if there are
Confederate units on Level 3 or if Confederate units are within 4” (3” at 6mm) of the target.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 22
Duncan Duncan’s Battery is 54” (40” at 6mm) away from Bald Hill so it will
A, 14 GA A, 14 GA
fire with 4 fire points. It may combine its fire with infantry when firing
Section-1 Section-2 at the same target. The battery remains in its starting position for
Vet LR Vet LR the entire scenario, is always considered In Command for the
3-3//3-3-2-1 3-3//3-3-2-1
Maneuver Table rolls and can not go low on ammunition.

Game Length
The game is played in 10-turns starting with the Union player turn at 0800 and ending with the
Confederate player turn at 1015. The weather was humid and sweltering. Sunstroke and heat
exhaustion was prevalent on both sides. Twilight was at 0530 and dawn was at 0545.

The Battle for Bald Hill, GA, Time & Reinforcement Chart

Union Phase Confederate Phase

Turn Time Move First Move Second
0 0700 Pre-scenario Union artillery bombardment, Gay’s 1st IA Battery
1 0800 Leggett’s 3rd Division released All on board units released
Blair & G.A. Smith’s 4th Division released
2 0815 Williams, H/1st MI & D/1st IL @ Road B
3 0830 3rd CSA @ Road A in march column
4 0845 5th MS @ Road A in march column
5 0900
6 0915
7 0930
8 0945 Confederate Moral Victory if Bald Hill is held at end of Confederate turn
9 1000
10 1015

Designer Notes
This scenario was a difficult one to play balance. The 1st edition had almost all of the Union
forces shown on the unit label sheet appear in the game and all of Cleburne’s Division starting
on the board or appearing as reinforcements. The Union infantry overwhelmed the Confederate
cavalry and infantry while the Union artillery (32 guns) slaughtered every target that showed
itself. I’m a “Union Guy” but even that was no fun! Well…it was a little fun.
The 2nd, and final, edition has the following changes to better balance the game;
1) The Union “loses” the 68th OH to Leggett’s divisional reserve and Malloy’s 3rd Brigade to
flank security. These are the light blue units on the map that are not engaged in this
scenario. Roger’s 2nd Brigade and the 45th IL were far away guarding the railroad line of
communication and were not engaged in the battle.
2) There were 3 Union batteries mentioned in the Official Records (OR) and The Atlanta
Papers as being engaged in the battle, 1st IA (15th Corps), H Battery, 1st MI and D
Battery, 1st IL. The other 4 batteries of the 17th Corps were probably present but were

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 23
not engaged, so instead of 32 guns, the Union has 14 guns to deploy in the 2nd edition.
The entire Union Order of Battle is provided to show what units were and were not
available to the Union commanders and to provide “What If” scenario possibilities to
gamers.
3) The original scenario had 13 turns but a decision is achieved on or before the 10th turn
so the scenario was shortened.
4) Duncan’s A Battery, 14th GA off board artillery was added when research indicated
Union forces on Bald Hill reported being fired upon from the Atlanta inner entrenchments
when Bald Hill was captured.
5) Martin’s Cavalry Division was originally deployed as individual 3 or 4 stand regiments.
For play balance, they were combined into larger regiments to give them more staying
power, ease of movement and a smaller command radius “footprint”. They also broke at
15% in the 1st edition instead of 25% in the final edition.
6) All of the Confederate cavalry leaders are rated Poor, not necessarily because they were
unskilled but because their men were exhausted from screening Hood’s right flank from
McPherson’s Army of the Tennessee and they were facing infantry with bayonets
supported by numerous guns. The cavalry weren’t prepared or equipped to engage
infantry in close combat and the leaders and cavalrymen knew that. Consequently, they
didn’t remain very long once the Union infantry advanced and engaged them.
7) Cleburne’s Heavy Casualties level was raised from 25% to 35% in the 2nd edition.
8) All of Cleburne’s Infantry Division originally appeared on board at the start of the scenario
or later as reinforcements in the first edition but this was highly unrealistic. Cleburne’s
Division was stretched from the Georgia Railroad south to the middle of Bald Hill, about
2,500 yards in a long, loose line. In front of him were two Union Corps. Blair’s 17th
Corps (2 divisions) was on Cleburne’s right flank and half of Logan’s 15th Corps (1&1/2
divisions) faced Cleburne’s center and left flank. There was little chance Cleburne could
have pulled Lowrey’s Brigade from Logan’s front and not have invited an attack. The OR
revealed that 2 unidentified regiments were sent to reinforce J. A. Smith’s Brigade. The
3rd CSA from Govan’s Brigade and the 5th MS from Lowrey’s Brigade are sent to assist
J. A. Smith while Lowrey remains off board to command the remaining regiments in the
works in front of Logan’s 15th Corps. Cleburne’s entire order of battle is provided to
show what units were available to him and to provide “What If” scenario possibilities to
gamers.
9) Both editions have Unit Effectiveness ratings for all of Martin’s Cavalry as Unreliable, all
Union forces as Reliable and all of Cleburne’s Division as Spirited. The Unit Experience
ratings were upgraded to Crack for all of Cleburne’s Division (the dismounted TX cavalry
regiments were rated Veteran in the 1st edition) while all other units were rated Veteran
in both editions with the exception of Gay’s Crack 1st IA Battery.
Even with these changes to balance the scenario, the Union will most likely capture Bald Hill,
inflict Heavy Casualties and Greater Losses on the Confederates and win the scenario in a
landslide. The many solitaire and 2 convention play test games pushed the Union capture of
Bald Hill back several turns but the Union Juggernaut eventually took Bald Hill. Historically,
Bald Hill was captured around 0845 by Force’s 1st Brigade and then secured when H Battery,
1st MI unlimbered and deployed on Bald Hill by 0900. Together they fought off several fierce
counter-attacks by Cleburne’s men. Therefore, if the Confederates hold Bald Hill (Level 3)
at the end of the Confederate 0930 turn, they have bettered the historical result and can
claim a moral victory.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 24
Union Players. You have many competent commanders, nearly 2 full divisions of veteran
infantry and 14 guns so you will capture Bald Hill by the game’s end. The only question is “Can
you do so as swiftly as the historical commanders?”
Confederate Players. You will lose Bald Hill. However, your crack division and veteran artillery
historically inflicted 750 casualties to your 300 and contested control of Bald Hill until 0900 but
were ultimately unsuccessful in recapturing Bald Hill despite fierce counter-attacks. To hold Bald
Hill at the end of the 0930 turn, you must shift your forces as quickly as possible to your right
flank to defend the hill. This can include the cavalry with their 5 cavalry commanders. One of the
cavalry brigade commanders can have Wheeler attached and another one can have Martin
attached so both of those chosen cavalry brigades can have 2 x D10 maneuver rolls for an
attached superior commander. You might want to stay off of Bald Hill as the Union approaches
to avoid the Union artillery fire but sooner, not later, you will have to position your infantry on
Bald Hill to resist the Union infantry. It’s tempting to use your artillery battalion for counter-
battery fire but it is important to slow the leading Union infantry regiments as they advance,
inflict casualties and cause disorders that result in Tardy (1/2) moves. If you draw Union
counter-battery fire, realize they aren’t shooting at your ground holding infantry regiments and
that’s a good thing.

The reinforcements should be used to hold your left flank as the Texans of Smith’s Brigade sidle
to the right. You have 3 infantry commanders, Cleburne, J. A. Smith and Govan so you must
position them with care to get as much command and control as you can from their command
radii. NEVER attach them to a unit and ALWAYS try to keep your units out of the woods when
you are sidling to the right so they can move faster and enjoy the larger command radii of your
carefully positioned mounted commanders.

Game Master
If you Game Master this scenario, don’t tell the Union players about Martin’s 25% casualty level
and the instant retreat when it is reached but do tell the Confederate players. One of the
Confederate play testers thought I shouldn’t even tell the Confederate players! Also, don’t tell
anyone their opponent’s Heavy Casualties level.
Any chance you get to rule in favor of the Confederate players, without violating the rules, you
should do so (can’t believe I said that ;-). They will need all the help they can muster.

Thanks
Thanks to Michael Montemarano for reviewing the article for grammatical content and making
the text cleaner and clearer.
Thanks once again to Rich Hasenauer who produced the superb scenario map. We had many
detailed and conflicting discussions on the proper placement of the forces on the map and after
much research, the result is better for it.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 25
Union Order of Battle: The Battle for Bald Hill, GA, Thursday, 21 July 1864
Military Division of the Mississippi--(MG William T. Sherman)
Army of the Tennessee--(MG James B. McPherson)
17th Army Corps--MG Francis P. Blair (Able) (7,000 including Gay’s 1st IA Battery)
3rd Division--BG Mortimer D. Leggett (Gallant) (2,840)
1st Brigade--BG Manning F. Force (Able) (1,920)
20th IL--LTC Daniel Bradley 280 Vet RM
30th IL--COL Warren Shedd 280 Vet RM
31st IL--LTC Robert N. Pearson 280 Vet RM
45th IL--LTC Robert P. Sealy 360 Vet RM (Railroad Guard, not engaged)
12th WI--COL George E. Bryant 520 Vet RM
16th WI--COL Cassius Fairchild 560 Vet RM
2nd Brigade--COL Robert K. Scott (Able) (720)
20th OH--LTC John C. Fry 400 Vet RM
68th OH--LTC George E. Welles 480 Vet RM (Division reserve, not engaged)
78th OH--LTC Greenberry F. Wiles 320 Vet RM
3rd Brigade--COL Adam G. Malloy (Able) (Flank Guard, not engaged)
17th WI --LTC Thomas McMahon 400 Vet RM (Flank Guard, not engaged)
Worden's (WI & IL) Bn--MAJ Asa Worden 320 Vet RM (Flank Guard, not engaged)
3rd Division Artillery Brigade--CPT William S. Williams (Able) (200)
Battery D, 1st IL--CPT Edgar H. Cooper (4 X 24-lb Howitzers)
(AKA McAllister’s Howitzers) 80 Vet HH
Battery H, 1st MI--CPT Marcus D. Elliot (6 X 3" Ordnance Rifles) 120 Vet LR
3rd OH--LT John Sullivan (4 X 20-lb Parrott Rifles) 80 Vet HR (not engaged)
4th Division--BG Giles A. Smith (Gallant) (formerly BG Walter Q. Gresham) (4,160)
1st Brigade--COL Benjamin F. Potts (Able) (2,160)
53rd IL--LTC John W. McClanahan 480 Vet RM
23rd IN--LTC William P. Davis 480 Vet RM
53rd IN--LTC William Jones 480 Vet RM
32nd OH--CPT William M. Morris 480 Vet RM
3rd IA 1st Bn (3 companies)--CPT Pleasant T. Mathes 240 Vet RM
2nd Brigade--COL George C. Rogers (Railroad Guard, not engaged)
14th/15th IL--COL Cyrus Hall (Railroad Guard, not engaged)
41st IL--COL-- Isaac C. Pugh (Railroad Guard, not engaged)
3rd Brigade--COL John Shane (Able) (formerly COL William Hall) (1,920)
11th IA--MAJ William A. Walker 480 Vet RM
13th IA--COL John Shane 480 Vet RM
15th IA--COL William W. Belknap 480 Vet RM
16th IA--LTC Addison H. Sanders 480 Vet RM
4th Division Artillery Brigade--CPT Edward Spear (Able) (not engaged)
Battery F, 2nd IL--LT Walter H. Powell (6 X Napoleons) 120 Vet HS (not engaged)
1st MN--CPT William Z. Clayton (2 X 12-lb Howitzers; 2 X 12-lb Wiard Rifles) 80 Vet LH & LR (not
engaged)
15th OH--LT James Burdick (4 X Napoleons) 80 Vet HS (not engaged)
Battery C, 1st MO--CPT John L. Matthaei (Railroad Guard, not engaged)
10th OH--CPT Francis Seaman (Railroad Guard, not engaged)

15th Army Corps--(MG John A. Logan)

4th Division--(BG William Harrow)
1st IA--LT William H. Gay (4 X 10-lb Parrott Rifles) 80 Crk LR

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 26
Confederate Order of Battle: The Battle for Bald Hill, GA, Thursday, 21 July 1864
Army of Tennessee--(GEN John B. Hood)
Hardee’s Corps--(LTG William J. Hardee)

Cleburne's Division--MG Patrick R. Cleburne (Gallant) (3,680) (4,920 total force)

Smith’s (Granbury's) Brigade--BG James A. Smith (Able) (1,680) Right Flank
6th TX Cav / 15th TX Cav (Dismounted)--CPT Steven E. Rice 240 Crk RM
7th TX--CPT J. William Brown 200 Crk RM
10th TX--COL Roger Q. Mills 320 Crk RM
17th TX Cav / 18th TX Cav (Dismounted)--CPT George D. Manion 520 Crk RM
24th TX Cav / 25th TX Cav (Dismounted)—LTC William N. Neyland 280 Crk RM
5th CSA--MAJ Richard J. Person 120 Crk RM
Govan's Brigade--BG Daniel C. Govan (Gallant) (1,520) Center
1st AR / 15th AR--LTC William H. Martin 280 Crk RM
2nd AR / 24th AR--COL Elisha Warfield 280 Crk RM
5th AR / 13th AR--COL John E. Murray 240 Crk RM
6th AR / 7th AR--COL Samuel G. Smith 240 Crk RM
8th AR / 19th AR (Dawson's)--COL George F. Baucum 240 Crk RM
3rd CSA--CPT Mumford H. Dixon 240 Crk RM----Turn 3 @ Road A
Lowrey's Brigade--BG Mark P. Lowrey (Able) (240) Left Flank
5th MS--LTC John B. Herring 240 Crk RM--------------------------------Turn 4 @ Road A
8th MS--COL John C. Wilkinson / (Holding
3rd MS Bn--LTC John D. Williams 320 Crk RM battle line
16th AL--COL Frederick A. Ashford 240 Crk RM in front
33rd AL--LTC Robert F. Crittenden 240 Crk RM of the
45th AL--COL Harris D. Lampley 240 Crk RM Union
32nd MS--COL William H. H. Tison 240 Crk RM 15th Corps)
Hotchkiss' Artillery Battalion--MAJ Thomas R. Hotchkiss (Able) (160)
Helena (AR) Battery--CPT Thomas J. Key (4 X Napoleons) 80 Vet HS
Warren (MS) Battery--LT Harvey Shannon (4 X Napoleons) 80 Vet HS
Off Board Artillery (80)
A Battery, 14th GA--LT James R. Duncan (4 X 3” Ordnance Rifles)
(AKA Palmer’s Battery or Havis’ Battery) 80 Vet LR
Wheeler’s Cavalry Corps--MG Joseph Wheeler (Poor)
Martin's Cavalry Division--MG William T. Martin (Poor) (1,880 dismounted)
Allen's Cavalry Brigade--BG William W. Allen (Poor) (720) Center
1st AL Cav--LTC D. T. Blakely / 3rd AL Cav--COL James Hagan 240 Vet RC
4th AL Cav--COL Alfred A. Russel / 7th AL Cav--CPT George Mason 240 Vet RC
51st AL Cav--COL M. L. Kirkpatrick / 12th AL Cav Bn--CPT Warren S. Reese 240 Vet RC
Iverson's Cavalry Brigade--BG Alfred Iverson (Poor) (600) Left Flank
1st GA Cav--COL Samuel W. Davitte / 2nd GA Cav--COL Charles C. Crews 240 Vet RC
3rd GA Cav--COL Robert Thompson / 4th GA Cav--COL Isaac W. Avery 240 Vet RC
6th GA Cav--COL John R. Hart 120 Vet RC
Ferguson's Cavalry Brigade--BG Samuel W. Ferguson (Poor) (560) Right Flank
2nd AL Cav--LTC John N. Carpenter / 56th AL Cav--COL Williams Boyles 240 Vet RC
9th MS Cav--COL Horace H. Miller / 11th MS Cav--COL Robert O. Perrin /
12th MS Cav Bn--COL William M. Inge 320 Vet RC

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 27
Bibliography of The Battle of Atlanta Scenarios
Anderson, George, Hood at Atlanta: The Battle of Atlanta, Charge! Magazine, Issue #4, Johnny Reb I
or II regimental scenario. The scenario covers the southern end of the Battle of Atlanta from
Bald (Leggett’s) Hill south to include the left flank of the Union Army of the Tennessee.
Highly recommended.

Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. 4, Part 1, Weider History Group, 2006 (reprint of 1884-
1887 edition), pp. 260-344.

Bailey, Ronald H. editor, The Civil War: Battles for Atlanta; Sherman Moves East, Time-Life Books,
Alexandria, VA, 1985.

Bilby, Joseph G. A Revolution in Arms: A History of the First Repeating Rifles, Westholme Publishing,
Yardley, PA, 2006. Lists unit, date and numbers of repeaters issued to Union infantry and
cavalry forces.

Blue & Gray Magazine’s History and Tour Guide of the Atlanta Campaign, Columbus, OH, 1996.

Bonds, Russell S., War Like the Thunderbolt: The Battle and Burning of Atlanta, Westholme
Publishing, Yardley, PA, 2009.

Castel, Albert, Decision in the West: The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, University of Kansas Press,
Lawrence KS, 1992. Best single volume on The Atlanta Campaign.

Connelly, Thomas Lawrence, Autumn of Glory: The Army of Tennessee, 1862-1865, Louisiana State
University Press, Baton Rouge, 1971. THE book on the hard luck Confederate Army of
Tennessee. This is the second volume. The first volume covers 1861 through part of 1862.

Cox, Jacob, Atlanta, Campaigns of the Civil War Volume 9, Weider History Group (reprint of
original edition 1881-1883), 2009. Eyewitness account of the Atlanta Campaign.

Daniel, Larry J., Cannoneers in Gray: The Field Artillery of the Army of Tennessee, Revised Edition,
University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa, 2005. Good description of the sad state of affairs in
the artillery arm of the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

Davis, Stephen, Atlanta campaign: Hood Fights Desperately-The Battles for Atlanta, Events from
July to September 2, 1864, Blue and Gray Magazine, Vol. 6, #6, August 1989, Special Issue.

Ecelbarger, Gary, The Day Dixie Died: The Battle of Atlanta, Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin’s
Press, NY, 2010. An excellent book on the Battle for Bald (Leggett’s) Hill and the Battle of
Atlanta. Many maps and Order of Battle information on which to build wargame
scenarios. A must have book if the Atlanta Campaign is your passion.

Kennedy, Frances H., The Civil War Battlefield Guide, 2nd Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, NY,
NY, 1998. A MUST have reference book for ACW battles.

Kerksis, Sydney C., The Atlanta Papers, Morningside Press, Dayton, OH, 1980. A Compilation of
papers, articles and speeches given by eyewitness participants in the Atlanta Campaign. A
great source for this scenario with terrain and order of battle information not found
elsewhere. Another must have reference book for the Atlanta Campaign enthusiast.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 28
McMurry, Richard M., Atlanta 1864: Last Chance for the Confederacy, University of Nebraska Press,
Lincoln, NE, 2000. Fabulous strategic and operational analysis of the Atlanta Campaign.

Miles, Jim, Fields of Glory: A History and Tour Guide of the War in the West. The Atlanta Campaign,
2nd Edition, The Civil War Explorer Series, Cumberland House, Nashville, TN, 2002.

Newton, Steven H., “Formidable Only In Flight”, Casualties, Attrition, and Morale in Georgia,
North & South Magazine, Vol. 3, #4, April 2000.

Scaife, William R., Civil War Atlas and Order of Battle, Civil War Publications, Cartersville, GA, 1997.

Scaife, William R., The Campaign for Atlanta, Published by William R. Scaife, 1985.

Strayer, Larry M. & Baumgartner, Richard A., Echoes of Battle: The Atlanta Campaign, Blue Acorn
Press, Huntington, WV, 2004. The text is composed of letters, diaries, after action reports,
newspaper accounts and post-war writings of participants in the Atlanta Campaign who
reveal many tactical, operational and daily living details. Highest recommendation.

Symonds, Craig L., A Battlefield Atlas of the Civil War, Baltimore, MD, Nautical and Aviation
Publishing Co. of America, 1983.

United States War Department, Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and
Confederate Armies, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1891-1895,
republished by Arno Press, NY, 1978. Many maps listed in the index under Atlanta, GA and
Atlanta, GA Campaign, May 1-Sept 8, 1864.

United States War Department, War of the Rebellion; A Compilation of the Official Records of the
Union and Confederate Armies, 128 volumes, Washington D. C., Government Printing Office,
Series I - Volume XXXVIII
Chapter L - The Atlanta, Ga., Campaign. May 1-September 8, 1864.
Part I – Reports,
Part II – Reports,
Part III – Reports, After Action Reports, a gold mine of information.
Part IV – Union and Confederate Correspondence, etc.
Part V – Union and Confederate Correspondence, etc.

Welcher, Frank J., The Union Army, 1861 – 1865: Organizations and Operations, Indiana University
Press, 1993. Volume II, The Western Theater, pp. 414 -- 513. This book includes an order of
battle for the Union and a concise and detailed narrative of the Atlanta Campaign and
battles.

Woodhead, Henry, Editor, Echoes of Glory: Illustrated Atlas of the Civil War, Time-Life Books,
Alexandria, VA, 1991.

Woodhead, Henry, Series Editor, Voices of the Civil War: Atlanta, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, VA,
1996. Great eyewitness accounts of the Atlanta Campaign.

Woodward, Steven E., Nothing but Victory: The Army of the Tennessee 1861-1865, Alfred A. Knopf,
New York, NY, 2005. THE book on the amazing Union Army of the Tennessee.

Wray, A. G., Battle of Bald (or Leggett’s) Hill, Atlanta, July 27 (21), 1864, Janesville (WI) Daily
Gazette, April 6, 1912. Wray was a veteran in the 16th WI who fought in the battle. His
article is packed with information that greatly enhanced this scenario.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 29
Note: Printable unit I.D. labels for this
RFF scenario can be found on-line on the
Johnny Reb Gaming Society’s
CHARGE! blog.
http://scottmingus.wordpress.com/2012/0
1/07/units-labels-for-battle-of-bald-hill-
scenario-from-charge-issue-34-feb-2012/
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
Did you know?
Born in County Cork, Ireland, Patrick Ronayne Cleburne
served in the 41st Regiment of Foot of the British Army
after failing to gain entrance into Trinity College of
Medicine in 1846. He emigrated to the U.S. three years
later. During the Civil War, Cleburne progressed from
being a private soldier in the local militia to a division
commander. He participated in many successful military
campaigns, especially Stones River and Ringgold Gap. His
strategic ability gained him the nickname “Stonewall of
the West.” He was killed in 1864 at Franklin, Tennessee.
 30
The Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad Museum’s Special
Civil War Trains Exhibit

Dr. Thomas M. Mingus, my younger son, is a college

professor, like his brother Scott Jr. This past year for
my birthday Tom took me to the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, to view the
special exhibit, “The War Came by Train.” The
temporary exhibit provides a fascinating glimpse into
military and civilian railroading during the era. It is the
largest collection of ACW rolling stock and
locomotives in a single location for more than 100
years. For direction & info, see http://www.borail.org/ The exhibit has a very nice selection of steam
locomotives, rolling stock, freight wagons, and other
Civil War-related displays. Informative wayside markers
tell the story of the vital role played by the railroads of
both the North and South during the war years.

Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army heavily damaged the

Cumberland Valley Railroad during the June 1863
Gettysburg Campaign, particularly in Franklin and
Cumberland counties in south-central Pennsylvania.
Here is a rare surviving pre-war CVRR locomotive.
For several more photographs of “The War Came by
Train,” please visit Scott Mingus’s Cannonball blog:
http://www.yorkblog.com/cannonball/?s=baltimore+%26
+Ohio+railroad+museum

I am working with the museum’s staff to locate photographs

and artifacts from the Northern Central RR during 1862-65.
Supplies and food were frequent cargo on the B&O for This was another major Union supply line. If you have
the Union field armies and the Harper’s Ferry garrison. anything, contact scottmingus@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)