Review: Issue #12 A beginner’s introduction

to
Brave Hearts Trembled
Antietam Scenarios ACW Gaming

The Electronic Magazine for

Gamers of the American Civil War
Summer 2016
 Summer 2016
Introduction 2 Kingston House,
a Chickamauga Scenario 16
Gaming News 4
Painting “Johnston at Shiloh” 24
A beginner’s introduction
to ACW Gaming 9 The end of “Kirby Smith’s
Confederacy” 29
Brave Hearts Trembled:
A scenario book for Antietam 12 Active Clubs 36

Cover photo: The Battle of Franklin game presented by “ACW” Bill Moreno at NashCon 2016 in Franklin,
Tennessee. This epic game was presented in 10mm.
Above: Confederates charge into Corinth during a game presented by the editor at NashCon 2016.
Photos by: David Raybin

ACW Gamer is a publication of Raven Banner Games.

Raven Banner Games is registered as a business operating in Pennsylvania, USA
ACW Gamer logo by Chris Ward
 Welcome to the ACW Gamer: the Ezine
The Electronic Magazine dedicated to wargaming the American Civil War on the tabletop.
Welcome to ACW Gamer! It’s summer in the United
States and it’s a season that can be a mixed bag for
wargamers. Summer can mean less games at your
local club as your fellow gamers go on vacation or
take advantage of the longer daylight hours for family
activities. Painting can take a back seat as hobbyists
focus on spending more times outdoors (although it’s
a great time to prime figures). However, summer also
means traveling to miniature gaming conventions and
touring battlefields - even better if you can combine
the two!
I was lucky enough to attend to two conventions
this summer that combined gaming and a local
battlefield. While attending NashCon, I received a
tour of Shy’s Hill on the site of the Nashville 1864
battlefield and of Fort Granger in Franklin, Tennessee .
My guide was Cory Ring of Cigar Box Battle (below).
Cory, who wrote an article on
touring the Franklin battlefield
in ACW Gamer Issue 11, lives
in the area and is a student
of Hood’s 1864 Tennessee
campaign. I had been looking
forward to this tour all year long
and it did not disappoint. Cory’s
insight and knowledge gave me a
better understanding of both Civil
War sites.
Most of the battlefield at
Nashville was lost to development over the 150
plus years since the battle was fought. Shy’s Hill, a
key defensive point of the Confederate lines on 16
December, is one of its few surviving landmarks.
Cory was able to point out the ‘dead zones’ in the
Confederates defenses that allowed the Union to
capture Shy’s Hill. Climbing to the top of the hill
also left me in awe of the men who actually stormed
those heights under fire, weighted down with their
weapons and accoutrements. The entire tour left me
with a new appreciation of the Battle of Nashville.
ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016
My next opportunity to visit a battlefield was
following Bayou Wars in June in St. Francisville,
Louisiana. Less than 20 minutes away from the
convention is the location of Port Hudson, the last
Confederate bastion on the Mississippi.
Port Hudson is a state historic site that actually
only covers the northern part of the battlefield
(the remainder of the battlefield is in private and
commercial hands, but still largely undeveloped). The
state park rangers were more than happy to answer
all my questions, and again, I was in awe of what the
soldiers suffered and faced in the siege. Just walking
to one of the key parts of the Confederate defenses
left me longing for my car’s air conditioning. Its was
hard to imagine being one of the Southern defenders
living in dugouts under Union bombardment. Or
visualizing how the Union soldiers clawed their way
through the abatis chocked ravines under musket and
artillery fire and the pounding from naval guns. It was
truly a trial of fire.
In this issue of ACW Gamer, we have a review of
Historic Imagination’s latest scenario book: Brave
Hearts Trembled - Regimental Wargame Scenarios
for the Battle of Antietam, sure to be a welcome
addition to gamers who have been waiting to game
that battle. Brave Hearts Trembled’s author, Brad
Butkovich, has also sent us a Chickamauga scenario
so you can experience one of his scenarios. European
editor, Arthur Van Der Ster has sent an article on
how he painted one of the ACW Gamer vignettes
and a newcomer to ACW gaming tells us about his
experiences upon entering the hobby.
We close out with an article on the end of “Kirby
Smith’s Confederacy” by Michael Mumaugh, the
Interpretive Ranger at Mansfield State Historic
Site in Louisiana. An interesting article about an
understudied theater of the war. Enjoy!
Stephen M. Huckaby
info@acwgamer.com
Page 2
 1st Corps
New 28mm Harpers Ferry

ACA10 John Brown, Oliver

Brown, Owen Brown,
Watson Brown (4)£5

ACA11 Armed Civilians (8)£10

Recent Releases suitable for Pre or Early War Militia and Volunteers
All the new packs have separate heads to allow for greater variety.
We will be adding more head variants in the coming months.

Frock Coat ,Epaulettes and Shako.
ACW43 Command, 4 figures £4
ACW44 Militia/Volunteers Advancing, 8 figures £8
ACW45 Militia/Volunteers Firing line, 8 figures £8
Frock coat and kepi/forage cap.
ACW48 Command, Standing, 4 figures £4
ACW49 Command, Advancing, 4 figures £4
ACW 50 Advancing, 8 figures £8
ACW 51 Firing line, 8 figures £8

For the full range of ACW figures and much more visit-
Www.1stcorps.co.uk

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 3

 Gaming News
Over Memorial Day weekend, the Historical Miniature Gaming Society’s Mid- South Chapter presented their annual
NashCon™event in Franklin, Tennessee. This growing convention has now united with JOHNNY CON, the Johnny Reb
gaming event providing even more ACW gaming opportunities!

Above and below:

Union forces charge some
REALLY big guns in this Johnny
Reb Vicksburg game.
This game was presented by
Cory Ring of Cigarboxbattle.com
Photos by David Raybin

Left: Iron clad action in this

game with great water effects by
Bob Moon.

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 4

 Hobby

Bob Moon (right) presented this great looking game

entitled “ The Great Cassville, Ga Scavenger Hunt.”

Bob presented this game in glorious 40mm

Photos by David Raybin

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 5

 Hobby

Left and below: “ACW Bill”

Moreno’s 10mm Franklin
game.
Photos by David Raybin

Rick the Flag Dude at NashCon.

Photo by David Raybin

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 6

 Hobby

Doug Kline of Battlefield Terrain

Creations with some of his wares.
Photo by David Raybin

54mm early war Confederates offered by

All the King’s Men.

Members of Johnny Con gather to toast the creator of

Johnny Reb and their friend, the late John Hill

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 7

 Hobby

Above: Picture of 2nd Kernstown presented by P.J. O’Neill at Historicon. P.J. used a scenario from a
Ryan & Towes (Potomac Publications) scenario book . Mr. O’Neill reports that so many people showed
up that he had to squeezed 11 players into an 8 player game but fun was had by all.

Below: Smiles and good times during a Regimental Fire and Fury game at Little Wars in Lombard,
Illinois in April.

If you would like to submit pictures of your clubs games, or pictures

from conventions, please contact the Ezine at Info@ACWGamer.com

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 8

 Hobby

A Beginner’s Introduction to ACW Gaming

The author, fifth from right in white shirt and ball cap, with NashCon and Johnny Con attendees.
Picture by David Raybin

By Tom Baldwin
Sometimes you just happen into something by accident.
Such was my introduction to American Civil War gaming.
Needing something to keep me occupied during the hot
summers in Houston,Texas (had someone told me that
Houston is approximately seven miles from the sun from
June to October, I might have moved somewhere else!),
and with my plastic modeling on hiatus, I remembered
back to my high school days when I used to visit Campaign
Headquarters in Norfolk, and painted 15mm MiniFigs
for school projects. Fast forward 30 years later, with my
modeling skills definitely improved, I began searching for
them again. A few minutes with Google and WOW! My,
how things have changed!
Figures in 15, 18, 25, 28, 40 mm sizes? And so many rules
- Regimental Fire and Fury, Johnny Reb II & III, Across a
Deadly Field, Brother against Brother - just to name a few.
How in the world do you get started? Fortunately, I came
across a web site, ACW Gamer : The Ezine and its editor, Mr.
Stephen Huckaby, and emailed him a short note: “how does
one get started in ACW gaming?”
I literally had no idea, it was an epiphany for me that
ACW gaming even existed. I really thought those figures
were actually for school projects, boy, was I in for an
education! So, how does a person completely new to the
hobby get started? A few email correspondences with
Stephen, and hour plus phone call got me on the way.
The first thing I would recommend for a new gamer is try
and locate a local gaming club, or gaming store and inquire
about the games hosted there. Go and watch a game being
played. You’ll find that most gamers are enthusiastic to have
you watch their game, or maybe even have you sit in on a
turn or two.
I searched for gaming clubs on the net and found the
local club, where I was fortunate to be contacted by Mr. Ross

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 9


Edwards, who invited me to a game of Regimental Fire and
Fury. Once I played for the first time, the rules, which can
be daunting and difficult to understand at first, began to
make sense, and the more games you get under your belt,
the more you begin to comprehend them.
After playing my first game, I WAS HOOKED! My focus
then shifted into high gear on assembling and readying my
armies for battle. Then the hard part came: which figures
to choose? What colors to paint them? Base sizes (you mean
there’s more than one?) Again, Stephen and ACW Gamer:
The Ezine were instrumental in directing me to several web
sites, including “The Miniatures Page”, which proved to be
extremely helpful in providing answers to these perplexing
questions. I finally settled on 15/18mm (I won’t EVEN go
into the mysteries of “scale creep”) Blue Moon figures, which
are just large enough for me to add decent painting to, and
seemed readily available from a supplier here in the states.
Again, keep in mind my primary hobby is plastic model
building. I’ve competed in and won in several contests, so
I always place a great emphasis on DETAIL. What I soon
learned in miniatures, is that regimental style games (which
I settled on as my game of choice), require a significant
number of figures, and when you start with ZERO, you’ve
got a ways to go. My first couple of stands took me a
month to complete, and I soon came to the realization that
I would have to change my approach to figure painting.
Since I primarily use an airbrush, I literally had to go back
and relearn the lost art of brush painting, and adopt a
“production line” method for finishing the max number
of figures in a short a time as possible (since I started in
December 2015, I now have 24 stands of Confederates, and
16 stands of Federals). I’m now able to finish about 4 stands
a week. I have a ways to go yet, but fortunately my playing
partner has a sizable number of figures.
As my playing partner was a “Regimental Fire and Fury”
player, my first games were played under the RFF rules set.
If you are introducing new players to Civil War gaming, it’s
important to get the basics of the game down first. The first
thing I would do would be to set up a game where all you’re
going to do is simulate an action, and walk them through
a “turn” or “order set,” depending on the game set you’re
playing. As I mentioned before, after I bought my first rule
set (RFF), about ZERO percent of it made any sense to me at
all! But once we completed a turn, the rules began to make
sense, and I was better able to comprehend them.
ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016
Hobby
Begin by showing your new player exactly what playing
the game consists of; movement, firing, charging, etc. Once
they understand this, then reading the charts will become
a little more familiar. My partner was also kind enough to
have “extras” that he kindly lent to me until I could get my
own. I then purchased my first rules set, and haven’t looked
back since!
My first few games were just this type, no scenarios, just
a “pick up” game so to say, with regiments small enough
to manage without getting overwhelmed. As I got a little
experience under my belt, we moved on to scenarios as
outlined in the RFF books. I discovered that I really liked
making the terrain for the scenarios (must be the modeler
in me), and went about researching various terrain making
articles. It worked out well, as my partner was contributing
the figures, I could contribute terrain. We’ve played several
scenarios, from Ball’s Bluff, Valverde, and my favorite (so
far), the Wheatfield at Gettysburg.
I attended my first convention last February at OWLCON
here in Houston. Stephen came up from Louisiana and
kindly hosted a game of Brother Against Brother, and I
greatly enjoyed the opportunity to learn another game.
The author, right in white shirt, at OWLCON in Houston,
discussing strategy during a Brother Against Brother Game.
It was at OWLCON that Stephen says to me, “Tom, you
ever hear of NashCon and JohnnyCon”? I reply that I had
not, and after getting a link to the website, I knew I wanted
to attend. Since I have relatives in Gallatin, I thought I’d
make the trip, and asked Stephen if he’d like to ride along.
I suggested that we stay at my Aunt and Uncles’ home (my
family is originally from southern West Virginia, and not
Page 10

letting your relative know you’re in town is a serious insult,
even if you have company, everyone’s welcome!)
After an overnight at Stephen’s place, the trip to
Tennessee was quite uneventful, save for the biblical
rainstorm we ran into outside Franklin. I have to admit, I
was a little apprehensive, as I’m a relative newcomer to the
game, and as I understood it, the JohnnyCon guys were a
pretty tight crowd. I will say unequivocally, that I HAD
THE BEST TIME EVER! I could not have asked for a better
introduction to Johnny Reb III, anywhere, anytime.
When we got to NashCon, I was eager to jump in and
get started. I was a little disappointed that RFF was not
“the” game being played, as even though I was certainly no
RFF expert, I thought I could get through a game without
looking foolish (the WebSite that the NashCon staff had
created was quite impressive, and after reading the various
articles about past games, I was a little nervous, especially
being a first timer).
My introduction to Johnny Reb came at the behest of
Norris and I readily accepted! I explained that I was a RFF
player, but Norris assured me I’d be ok in a JRIII setting.
Norris started us out with a couple of regiments each, it’s the
best way to get folks into the game, and get their feet wet (it
really helped that Norris was truly a great game master).
Norris uses an ingenious method of making up index
cards with regiment size, strength and weapons, which really
is fantastic if you’re not using a particular scenario, where
it’s called out for you. We ran a two-on-two player game,
with Norris officiating. I was sold! Norris did a fantastic
job of covering pretty much covering all the possibilities
and outcomes of the game. Moving your troops, firing
Raven Banner Games
2016 Show Calendar
Vending ACW Gamer, Forging a Nation and
Cigar Box Battle mats
8 - 9 October 2015 -Texas BROADSIDE!
LaPorte, Texas
11- 13 Nov 16 - MilleniumCon,
Round Rock, Texas
ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016
Hobby
procedures and charges.
We played a good two plus hour game, and I absolutely
loved it. I was ready to play another, and Norris was most
gracious in preparing one. I believe he ran about 10 games
Friday and Saturday, and I played in at least seven.
I took a break to watch Michael Weddings game, and
to watch the RFF game put on also. The RFF game had
without a doubt the FINEST terrain board I’ve ever seen, if I
could do HALF that one day, I’d consider myself proud!
I really like the JRIII gaming system, and plan on making
it my game of choice. I’ll still play RFF, but I’m rebasing my
limited figure bases on JRIII now (which is really my only
complaint about JRIII.) I was fortunate enough to find the
WARGAME VAULT, which I’ve already purchased a few
copies for the scenarios, but I do plan on using some of the
RFF scenarios for JRIII as well.
This past weekend, I introduced my playing buddy to
JRIII. I did it just as Norris did (not as good though) and
we both really liked it. He’s a much more experienced RFF
player, so I was anxious to hear his opinion after our game.
Overall, he liked the JRIII game, there were some things we
like better about RFF, but I think our future games will be
JRIII. I’m trying to talk him into attending NashCon next
year as well.
A few fellows I would like to personally thank are Norris
Darrell (a game master extraordinaire!) Michael Wedding
for being a gracious player and game leader, Dean West,
“English” Malcom, who proved to be as savvy a field general
as ‘ol TJ Jackson himself, and last but not least Stephen
Huckaby for the great trip up and back. I will DEFINITELY
be there next year, and am already looking forward to it.
Page 11
 Review

Historic Imagination releases a new scenario book

for gamers to recreate the Battle of Antietam

“[H]e, in his agony, knowing death must soon come, was
calling, Mother! Mother! MOTHER! Brave hearts trembled-
strong men wept-indescribable emotions swept over mind and
heart.”
-E. Livingston Allen, 13th New Jersey, quoted in Brave
Hearts Trembled - Regimental Wargame Scenarios for the
Battle of Antietam
Brad Butkovich of Historic Imagination has taken on
one of the most iconic battles of the Civil War in his latest
scenario book, Brave Hearts Trembled - The Battle of
Antietam.
Brad Butkovich is rapidly becoming “the scenario guy”
with his offerings being eagerly awaited by ACW gamers (see
the comments on the Miniatures Page). It not hard to see
why he has earned this reputation. His scenario books are
well laid out, the maps well illustrated, usable with just about
any regimental level rule set and they offer engagements of
varying sizes.
Brad’s bonafides includes a Bachelor of Arts in History
from Georgia Southern University and his membership in
the Northeast Georgia Civil War Round Table and the Civil
War Trust. He has published two full length battle studies,
one about the Battle of Pickett’s Mill and one about the Battle
of Allatoona Pass.
Brad’s previous scenario books include The River of

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 12


Death: Regimental Wargame Scenarios for The Battle of
Chickamauga, Musketry Like Thunder cover Musketry
Like Thunder: The Greatest Civil War Battles Never Fought
and Criminal Blunder: Wargame Scenarios for the Battle
of Pickett’s Mill. ACW Gamer previously looked at Brad’s
The Road to Atlanta in Issue 6 and Summer Storm, Brad’s
Gettysburg volume, in Issue 10.
I have not yet seen the hard copy of Brave Hearts
Trembled (BHT), however, the printed editions of his
scenario books, such as Summer Storm, have been very
professionally presented and I expect no less for BHT.
For this review, we look at the 134 page PDF version
which is well laid out and has an interactive table of contents
that allows readers to jump directly to the scenario that they
are interested in. The scenarios offered in this volume are:
• Skirmish in the East Woods
• Dawn in The Cornfield
• Sedgwick Ambushed!
• Bloody Lane
• Sixth Corps at Dunker Church
• The Boonesboro Pike
• Burnside’s Bridge
• Ninth Corps Attacks
Review
immovable object is what resulted in the single bloodiest day
of the American Civil War.
Following the introduction and background is the “How
to Use this Book” chapters. I believe these chapters are one of
the strengths of the Historic Imagination series of scenario
books. They clearly explain how to set up terrain, array your
forces and have suggestions for using your rules with the
scenarios and even provide a scoring system for determining
victory in your games.
BHT also discusses what the terrain around Sharpsburg
and Antietam Creek was like at the time of the battle and
how it impacts combat on your table top. These include the
density of woods, the nature of the fences and walls in the
area and the state of the crops in the area, to include the very
important, height of corn. Brad’s attention to these matters
will be much appreciated by wargamers who like to get the
details right when refighting historical battles.
The Order of Battle provided for each scenario list each
unit in the engagement, a rating for both the units and their
commanders and how the units are armed (i.e. rifle musket
versus smooth bore musket, type of artillery, etc.)

These scenarios vary in size from 3 foot X 3 foot up to 6

foot X 4 foot and 5 foot X 7 foot. The book covers the time
from the night of the 16th of September through the battle
on the 17th, concluding with the Union’s final push towards
Sharpsburg that evening.
As with all his books, Brad begins with an introduction
and an overview of the campaign from which he has drawn
his scenarios. Brad sets the background for the campaign
which, was an attempt by Lee to re-balance the strategic
situation in the Eastern theater following a string of
Confederate victories that were instrumental in protecting
Richmond from capture by the North. This is followed by
an overview of the battle and how it played out in order to
provide context for the scenarios he offers.
Of particular interest to me is that Brad suggests in his
introduction that part of Lee’s success at Antietam was
due to the oft noted straggling and desertions leaving the
general with “the best of the best” which allowed him to Brave Heart Trembled uses illustrations to explain how to
offset McClellan’s superior numbers. But Brad does not short read the charts provided in the scenarios.
change the determination and bravery of the Union soldiers
and notes that this meeting of an irresistible force against an Brad has also gone the extra mile by including figure

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 13

 Review
ratios for 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 historic men per figure/ BHT features the great maps that we have come to expect
stand. The makes is all that much easier for the player to use from Historic Imagination printed in color. The maps
the scenarios with their chosen ruleset. in BHT are depicted in 33 yards per inch with elevation
Also assisting players in using their favorite rules with this working out to 1 inch per 100 feet of elevation. The maps are
book it that game turns are provided for 10 minute based clearly drawn and the terrain features are well defined. Crop
games, 15 minute based games, and 20 minute based games.
Each scenario begins with the background which sets the
stage for the clash which you are about to play out on your
table top. Brad’s skills as a historical writer are showcased
here as he explains the situation, the commanders’ intentions
and how the battle actually played out. Although not
necessary for a good scenario book, Brad provides images or
illustrations of the principle leaders involved which is a nice
touch.

fields are marked and fence lines are laid out. By using these
maps, gamers should be able to do a fair job of portraying
the battlefield.
Brad provides each scenario map twice, one without the
deployed units and one with the deployed unit. Brad does
this so gamers can have an unobstructed map from which to
set up their game tables.
Another feature of Brad’s books are the inclusion of
historical and modern pictures with the point of view of
the photographs being marked ON the scenario maps. Brad

A legend is provided in the “How to Use this Book” chapter

to help the gamers interpret the scenario maps.

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 14


Butkovich is a ‘battlefield stomper’ and the inclusion of these
photos with the point of view markers are a product of that
activity.
Brad has previously stated that he believes that by walking
a battlefield, one gains the insight into the way terrain
tactically impacted the way the battle was fought. Luckily,
for those of us who can’t get to Sharpsburg, Maryland, Brad
has done this for us.
The scenarios themselves include the Order of Battle
(using the multi-figure scale charts referred to earlier),
deployment instructions, game length and victory
conditions.
The author also includes suggestions for special scenario
rules. For example, in “Sedgwick Ambushed,” he suggests
rules for Union units being ‘surprised’ by the Confederate
counter attack into the West Woods. In the “Bloody Lane”
scenario, he points out which units should not receive an
‘opening volley’ bonus. These suggestions should assist
players in capturing the spirit of the fighting at Antietam.
Most of the scenarios include some elements (such as
unit arrival or formations) that can be altered from their
historical outcomes to see how adjusting them could have
change history. In “Sixth Corps at Dunker Church,” the
author offers a complete ‘what if ’ scenario that gives the
players a chance to see how history could have been changed
if the Union command had been more aggressive.
Brave Hearts Trembled concludes with an complete Order
of Battle for the all the forces at the Battle Of Antietam. Brad
explains how he arrived at his strengths for the units at the
battle because as most students of the Civil War already
know, finding clear precise numbers is nigh impossible with
the different ways that soldiers were accounted for by units,
lost records and the passage of time. Gamers interested in
ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016
Review
writing their own scenarios will find this OOB a welcome
addition to their library.
In conclusion, I would like to say that with Brave Hearts
Trembled, Historic Imagination continues to score high
marks for well designed, thoroughly researched AND
interesting scenario books. The level of attention that Brad
gives to the subject is commendable and has resulted in a
scenario book that is not only wargaming resource, but a
historical one as well.
The number of scenarios, their varying size and objectives
make this book useful with your gaming group whether
it consists of two players or several players. If you are
anxious to refight one of the greatest battles in history at the
regimental level, then is sure to be the scenario book for you.
Brave Hearts Trembled is available for less than $24
USD on Amazon and the PDF is available from Wargame
Vault for $13.99 USD. You can also find it through or any
bookstores using the ISBN (978-0-9904122-4-3).
If you would like to try one of Brad’s scenarios, he has
kindly given us an EXCLUSIVE scenario just for ACW
Gamer, which begins on the following page.
Page 15
 Scenario
A Historic Imagination Scenario

Kingston House, Chickamauga

September 19th, 1863
Background

As the great Battle of Chickamauga raged on September 19th, 1863 both armies had to look to their
flanks to guarantee their security. Earlier that morning, the fighting had started near Jay’s Mill and Reed’s
Bridge. This set the northern flank of each army in that proximity for the remainder of the day. The next
road and bridge to the north was Red House Bridge along the Federal Road to Rossville. This avenue
provided both a danger and an opportunity for each side, and both armies took steps to secure the
crossing.
For the Federals, the Reserve Corps was stationed nearby at McAfee Church. While two of the three
brigades of the corps were sent south to Jay’s Mill on the evening of the 18th, Brigadier General Walter C.
Whitaker’s 2,600 man brigade remained behind to watch over the bridge. Colonel John Scott’s
Confederate cavalry brigade likewise guarded the bridge that day. However, that night, Scott committed a
blunder. He removed his men from the bridge and marched them south to camp with his division for the
night. His corps commander, Brigadier General Nathan B. Forrest, sent him back to cover the bridge first
thing in the morning. In fact, some of the men in the brigade got as little as two hours rest between all of
the marching back and forth.
Scott’s troopers returned to the bridge, and continued advancing to the west. Shortly they encountered
a Union patrol sent by Whitaker to scout the crossing. A firefight ensued, and both sides sent
reinforcements. After a lull, the two lines had drawn up for battle near the Kingston house. The
Confederates, fighting dismounted, were unaware they had encountered two Union regiments. The 84th
Indiana, the first on the scene, had been strengthened by the arrival of the 40th Ohio and a section of 3”
Rifles from the 18th Ohio Battery. The Confederates advanced, but their attempt to flank the position was
thwarted by the 40th Ohio. A reckless head-long charge across the open field toward the battery only
added casualties to the day’s fighting. With the two sides stalemated, the northern flank remained secure
for the remainder of the day.

Game Overview

This small skirmish is an excellent introductory game. It can be used to test new rules, or to introduce
new players to miniature gaming. It has and uses all three branches used by Civil War armies: infantry,
cavalry, and artillery. The Confederate force allows for several variations. The brigade can be deployed
with several smaller regiments as normal cavalry, allowing for both mounted and dismounted operations.
The regiments can be consolidated into larger units for easier game play, and the units can be both
consolidated, and restricted to purely dismounted operations as they were historically.
The scenario is designed for 15mm regimental game play. It can easily be converted to 25mm by
enlarging the map. Three maps are provided, with scales of 25 yards per inch (3’ x 4’), 33 yards per inch
(3’ x 3’), and 50 yards per inch (2’ x 2’). The game begins at 2 PM, and ends when one side or the other
can no longer advance according to the fatigue rules of the game being played.

Terrain

The map is flat, with the open Kingston farmstead surrounded by open woods. The woods are open
and should only subtract an inch from movement. They are light woods for visibility. The mail Federal
Road bisects the map going east to west. Several smaller trails branch out into the nearby forest. A small
stream flows near the western edge of the map. While fordable, it and the surrounding swampy ground
should be rough terrain for movement.

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 Scenario

The small orchard acts as light woods for visibility. Movement is the same as light woods for infantry
and cavalry regiments in line of battle, disorder, or field columns. They are open movement for units in
column and skirmish formation. They have no effect on the movement of artillery batteries.

Deployment

Begin the game with the regiments and batteries deployed where shown on the map. If the
Confederates play with the regiments consolidated, the 1st Louisiana and 5th Tennessee Cavalry are still
to the south of the road, and the 2nd Tennessee and Morgan’s detachment to the north. The two Union
regiments did not have an overall commander. Each may act independently. Colonel Scott was an
ineffective commanding officer. Several of his men accused him of being drunk, a common complaint
amongst the men against an incompetent officer regardless of the truth. He can issue orders, but may not
provide any morale benefit to his men.

Victory Conditions

After the game is concluded, add up Victory Points to see who the winner is. Each unit is worth a
number of Victory Points. If they are removed from the game, either by casualties or running away for
morale reasons, the points are awarded to the opposite side. The point values are as follows:

Infantry- 2 Victory Points

Cavalry- 3 Victory Points
Artillery – 1 Victory Point per 2-gun section
Colonel Scott does not provide any Victory Points to the Union if the figure is eliminated from the game.

Order of Battle

The units involved in the battle are listed below. Their historical Effective Strength (ES) is listed, as
well as basing for games with 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 men per figure/stand. Morale/Status values of 2 are
green or inexperienced men. Values of 3 are Veteran troops. For Armament, C are muzzle loading
Carbines, and R are rifles.
The section of the 18th Ohio Battery is armed with two 3 inch Rifles. The Confederates have a section
of two mountain howitzers and two 2 1/4” inch mountain rifles. The mountain rifles should use the same
statistics as the howitzers, but with any rifle benefits for accuracy and damage. There is also evidence
that the mountain rifles were actually 3 inch Rifles. The player’s may substitute them as such if they
wish.

Union

Army of the Cumberland

Reserve Corps
1st Division
1st Brigade ES 20 30 40 50 100 Status Arm.
911 46 30 22 18 9
84th Indiana 374 19 12 9 7 4 2 R
40th Ohio 537 27 18 13 11 5 2 R

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Artillery ES Status Armament

18th Ohio Battery 3 2x 3" R

Confederate

Army of Tennessee
Forrest's Cavalry Corps
Pegram's Division
Scott's Brigade (consolidated,
ES 20 30 40 50 100 Status Arm.
dismounted)

Colonel John S. Scott [+0] 788 19 13 10 8 4

1st Louisiana, 5th Tennessee Cavalry 383 19 13 10 8 4 3 C
2nd Tennessee, Morgan Cavalry 405 20 14 10 8 4 2 R

Artillery ES Status Armament

Robinson's Louisiana Battery 3 2x 12 lb. Mt H., 2x 2.25" Rifles

Scott's Brigade (consolidated,

ES 20 30 40 50 100 Status Arm.
mounted)
Colonel John S. Scott [+0] 1,050 26 17 13 10 5
1st Louisiana, 5th Tennessee Cavalry 510 26 17 13 10 5 3 C
2nd Tennessee, Morgan Cavalry 540 27 18 14 11 5 2 R

Scott's Brigade (individual, mounted) ES 20 30 40 50 100 Status Arm.

Colonel John S. Scott [+0] 1,050 23 15 11 9 4
Morgan's Detachment 240 12 8 6 5 2 2 C
1st Louisiana Cavalry 210 11 7 5 4 2 3 R
2nd Tennessee Cavalry 300 15 10 8 6 3 3 C
5th Tennessee Cavalry 300 15 10 8 6 3 3 R

Optional Rules

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 Scenario

If testing new rules, one option is to assign a Union Colonel to command both regiments, with or
without a benefit. This will allow officers and officer casualty rules to be used and tested. Likewise,
Colonel Scott can be given a benefit as well. If so, both are worth 3 Victory Points if eliminated.

Author’s Notes

This is a great small battle. It can be fought by long-time gamers who just want a short encounter,
used to introduce new players to miniature gaming, or for experienced players to try a new set of rules.
As part of the larger Chickamauga campaign, it also has an interesting historical significance. It should
be fun to play with its multiple variations on the Confederate deployment.

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ACW Gamer Miniatures:
Albert Sidney Johnston Vignette
By Arthur van der Ster
Introduction:
I was first introduced to the historical person Albert
Sidney Johnston when I watched the legendary 11-hour
Ken Burns documentary The Civil War, many years ago.
Johnston commanded the western department of the
Confederacy and was mortally wounded during the battle
of Shiloh at the beginning of April, 1862. A bullet from
his own men hit the back of his right knee and severed his
femoral artery. Johnston had just sent his physician away
to help some Union prisoners and he consequently bled to
death because no one was able to apply a tourniquet. It’s an
immensely tragic story.
I got excited when I found out about the ACW Gamer
miniatures line (28mm), - which includes Albert Sidney
ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016
Workbench
Johnston and Patrick Cleburne - especially since it focuses
on the Western Theater. There is a painting by Don Troiani,
entitled “Men of Arkansas” which depicts Johnston during
the battle of Shiloh sitting on his horse, holding aloft the tin
cup he claimed as his “spoils of the day.” He is surrounded
by his men, cheering him on. It’s a great piece to recreate
for the tabletop. Coincidentally, the Johnston set by ACW
Gamer the E-zine miniatures gives us exactly that picture.
Here is how I went about it.
Cleaning the Figures
Before painting the miniatures the obvious thing to do
is to remove any flash and mold lines. Luckily the casts are
very clean so there is little work in that department. Next
up, I pinned Johnston to his horse. This makes the model
Page 24
 Workbench
far less likely to come off compared to just gluing him to his Browns:
horse. I then glued the models to a temporary base with a - Green
small drop of superglue. This makes it easier to handle and Brown
rotate them whilst painting. - Golden
Early on I decided I wanted to add a flag bearer and a Brown
drummer. They don’t come in the pack but I did have a - Flat Earth
couple of spare Perry Miniatures figures lying about so I (Panzer Series)
used those. One of the ideas behind the ACW Gamer line is - Tan Earth
that you can mix and match them with other brands. They (Panzer Series)
work very well with Perry Miniatures, having the same kind - US Field
of proportions. Drab
Beiges:
Undercoat - Medium grey
As with all my - Dark Sand
Confederates, I - Green Ochre
prime them in a - German C. Beige
light grey by - Khaki
using a cheap - Khaki (Game Color)
spray can they - Khaki Grey
sell here in the
Netherlands. Blues:
I can imagine - Kantor Blue (Games Workshop)
most countries - Pastel Blue
have some sort
of “One Dollar
store” where they
sell something
similar.
But you could always use white from Games Workshop
or The Army Painter for example.

Base Colors
Many times I get asked what colors I use for my rebels. As
you know, they can be painted in quite a few shades of grey
(uhm, that reminds me of a title of something, what was it
again?), butternut and brown. So I made a list of the colors
I often use. All colors are Vallejo Model Color unless stated
otherwise:

Greys:
- Neutral Grey I always begin with the skin. It’s easier to paint from the
- Light Grey inside out because you can cover up mistakes better than the
- Sombre Grey (Game Color) other way around. Paint the skin with Vallejo Model Color
- German Grey Dark Flesh and give it a wash of Game Color Dwarf Skin.
Next up, paint the hair. Use whatever you fancy. Basically

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 Workbench
you have black, brown, blond and sometimes grey, so pick Belts, boots cartridge boxes were either painted brown or
the colors you think come closest to the real thing. For black.
blond, I use Model Color Dark Sand for example. Game I gave the muskets a coat of Charred Brown. This worked
Color Charred Brown is used for a dark brown and Game perfectly as a dark layer for the metal parts which were
Color Beasty Brown for a lighter more reddish shade. Black, painted silver (Runefang Steel by GW).
well, is black. All other parts that needed either a coat of silver or gold
The next step is the uniforms. Since I’ve based my like the buttons,
vignette on the Troiani painting, I went for a varied sword sheaths
appearance. I painted the jacket of one of the cheering etc. were given
privates Green Ochre. a coat of black
first. Metal
colors don’t
show well on
top of a light
basecoat.
The recipe I
use for gold
is a basecoat
of Model
Color Brass,
highlighted by
Model Color
The others I simply painted Medium Grey (more of a Old Gold.
Khaki than grey despite its name) and neutral grey. When When everything is painted I give my figures a drybrush
painting over a light undercoat I thin my paints more than of Model Color Golden Brown. Don’t overdo it though,
I would normally do. This allows for the undercoat to shine just pick out the boots, knees, elbows, shoulders, headgear.
through at the raised areas. You get instant highlighting!. Everything that sticks out and can get dusty during a long
march. It works
perfectly as a final
highlight and you
get some instant
weathering at the
same time.

Dip
When that is
done, I dip my
figures with Army
Painter Quick
Shade -Dark
tone (the canned
version) Well
actually I brush it
on as it gives you
far more control.

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Leave your figures alone for a minute or so. This will allow
the dip to run into the details, instantly shading your figures.
You have to be a bit careful though because the dip has the
tendency to pool, clogging up the detail which is what you
don’t want. So that’s why you need to put them down for
a minute. Check them afterwards and remove any excess
Quick Shade. Now you’ll need to let them dry for 24 hours.
Workbench
Don’t immediately bend the flag into shape because that will
crease up the paper, just leave it for a bit, I’d say half an hour
or so. Finish the flag by painting the edges in a matching
color.
Basing
I glued all the figures on a round mdf base with an
80mm diameter. Johnston was put in the center with the
rest surrounding and facing him. Next up, cover the entire
bases with PVA glue and fine sand. When that is dry, I gave
the sand a heavy coat of Charred Brown mixed with a little
black. Wait for it to dry and then give the sand a drybrush
with Dark Sand. The fun part is gluing on some flock and
tufts. Use whatever you’d like. It’s usually a good idea to vary
between green and light brown tufts of grass to give your
base a realistic look. I also always glue on some flowers and
clump foliage. It’s a bit of work but it the end result is worth
it.

Varnish

When fully dry, the Quick shade will leave a glossy finish
so the figures will need a coat of mat varnish. Nowadays I
use Testors Dull Coat spray can. Make sure to spray in a well
ventilated room and don’t do it when there is a lot of moist
in the air because this will probably frost up your figures. I’m
very happy with the mat finish you get.

Flag
Now it’s time to attach the banner to its staff. I got mine
from the excellent Flags of War company. Run by Iain
McDonald who is based in Scotland, he does some excellent
ACW flags (as well as other ranges). Cut out the flag and use
some watered down PVA glue to glue both halves together.

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 Workbench
About the Author

Arthur van der Ster,

lives with his wife in the
lovely town of Houten in
the province of Utrecht in
the Netherlands.
A long time fan of
history, Arthur got into
Warhammer in 1995.
In 2008, he began first
historical wargames army
That’s it! I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tutorial. If you
when Perry Miniatures
want to know more please feel free to contact me at:
released their plastic
a.vanderster@hotmail.com
American Civil War figures.
The American Civil War has become one of his biggest
Arthur
passions and the reason he studied American Studies at the
University of Groningen in 2005. Since then, he has earned
a Master’s degree in North American Studies from Leiden
University.
Arthur is freelance translator Dutch – English, and the
miniature wargames editor of a Dutch games magazine.

The ACW Gamer line of 28mm Miniatures

www.ACWGamer.com
ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 28
 History
1865:
THE END OF KIRBY SMITH’S CONFEDERACY

Colton’s Map of the Southern States from circa 1862. The left side of the map shows the area known as
the“Trans-Mississippi Theater” or “Kirby Smith’s Confederacy,” consisting of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, the
Indian Territory (modern day Oklahoma), and Louisiana west of the Mississippi River.
Map from the Library of Congress

By Michael Mumaugh
Introduction:
Michael Mumaugh, American Civil War historian and
Interpretive Park Ranger at the Mansfield, Louisiana State
Historic Site (site of Louisiana’s largest Civil War battle)
recounts the final days of a theater not often studied by
ACW gamers - The Trans-Mississippi.
Mumaugh’s account suggests a number of possible
gaming options from putting down a mutiny to “what if
Texas had fought on” scenarios in this theater.
With the repulse of the Union’s Red River Campaign in
the spring of 1864 and the shift of focus toward Mobile,
Alabama, Kirby Smith’s Confederacy was able to expand
to its former territory. Though posts were reoccupied
in Monroe, down Red River, and along the Teche River
the country side was in poor condition. Campaigning in
the Red River valley in 1864 left many fields barren and
populations forced to refugee, over all there was a deep
sense that the war could not last too much longer.
The year 1865 broke crisp and clear for the Confederate
troops in their winter quarters in Louisiana but there was
growing discontent among the ranks and citizenry. With
the Department’s treasury broke, soldiers were going
without pay for over a year and impressment of goods were

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occurring without payment being rendered. This stress
caused a demoralized state to set in among the citizenry
and alarming number of desertions. To add to the general
demoralization to the troops in the Department, the
decision was made to dismount about 6,000 of the 17,000
cavalry troops due to the inability to supply fodder. This
led to many dismounted troopers deserting their companies
rather than be forced to serve as infantry.1
By March the entire Department was defended by
only 36,000 men under arms, with another 4,000 men on
furlough, 10,000 on detail and 10,000 mostly unarmed, old
men and boys in the Reserve Corps. It was at this time that
Kirby Smith’s focus turned to the defense of the Texas Coast
in the wake of information that General Canby was about to
shift 40,000 troops from New Orleans to Galveston.
History
This left only the remains of Mouton’s old brigade, and a
few cavalry, heavy artillery, and reserve regiments in the
District of West Louisiana. The shifting of troops also came
with changes in command, the unpopular and questioned
Forney was sacked and his troops turned over to Magruder,
Buckner replaced William Boggs as Chief of Staff, and the
convalescing Harry T. Hays who had been sent west to
round up deserters was given command of the District of
West Louisiana.

Period map of the Texas area of operations.

Picture from Library of Congress
In hindsight we know that this invasion never occurred
as Federal attention was focused on the reduction of
Petersburg and Mobile, but the fear of it led to the sending Period map of the Louisiana area of operations.
of Forney’s Infantry and Wharton’s Cavalry Corps to Texas. Picture from Library of Congress

1
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1 - Volume
48 (Part I). 1381-1383. By February, 1865 the Trans-Mississippi Department was in debt for a sum of $50 million, which
made it unable to pay the troops or goods impressed. Kerby, Robert, Kirby Smith’s Confederacy, The Trans-Mississippi South,
(N.Y.: Columbia University Press, 1972). 399-406.
2
Smith’s Confederacy. 406-407. Forney was removed from command due to Smith believing he could not command the
Kirby District of Texas, thus he was sent to Shreveport to await another command, which never came. General Hays had been
sent to Louisiana to recuperate after his wounds received at Spotsylvania. He was tasked with the “light duty” of rounding up
deserters from commands in the Cis-Mississippi which were hiding in the Trans-Mississippi.
3
O.R. Ser.1, Vol.48, P.2, pg. 92-93. The report submitted by Maj. Jackson of the Tenth U.S. Colored Artillery (April 14, 1865)
details the troops and disposition of the Department of West Louisiana.; Mansfield State Historic Site, Merrel’s Battalion
Morning Book, February to March entries. Outlines the daily duties of Merrel’s Battalion, Wharton’s Division. They had been
transferred from the Ruston area to work on the entrenchments at Grand Ecore, until transferred to Texas in March of 1865.

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 History
By April the Department of West Louisiana was a near the triumph of the
empty shell. South of Alexandria only a scattering of cavalry enemy and secure
picket posts held the lower Red River and Teche River, and the final success
these posts became fewer and less reliable as April dragged of “our” cause!
on. Alexandria itself was defended by the 17th Louisiana This was either a
Infantry, 3rd and 5th Louisiana Cavalry, a battalion of bold statement or
heavy artillery at Forts Randolph and Buhlow, 300 unarmed utter denial of the
Vicksburg parolees, and the unfinished C.S.S. Missouri. situation on the
Further north at Natchitoches the 18th and 28th Louisiana, ground. Reports
the Consolidated Crescent Regiment, held the Grand Ecore from General Brent
works abandoned by Wharton’s dismounted troopers note the utter
earlier in February. The Tensas region east of Shreveport, demoralization of
was awash with unionists and was defended only by small the garrison around
pockets of Confederate and State Reserve cavalry, many of Alexandria stating
which were unreliable.3 that men were
Rumors of collapse of the Confederate government deserting in droves
started trickling into the Department by April 15th, but it from the forts and
was not until the 21st that things came to an apex. On this even the cavalry General Edmund Kirby Smith
day General Kirby Smith issued the following proclamation posted to patrol Picture from Library of Congress
to the people and troops of the Trans-Mississippi: the area did not prevent such actions. General Brent even
claimed that the situation was beyond the actions of his
“The crisis of our revolution is at hand… The officers to better the situation. Even government wagons
Army of Northern Virginia and our Commander-in- and mules were being absconded with by deserters and
Chief are prisoners of war. With you rests the hopes civilians around Alexandria, all was becoming chaos.5
of our nation… Stand by your colors, maintain your By May of 1865, General Smith and his Department
discipline. The great resources of this department, knew that they were about to gain the entire focus of
its vast extent, the numbers, the discipline, and the the Union Army. By May 12th news arrived that all
efficiency of the army, will secure to our country Confederate troops in the east had surrendered and that
terms that a proud people can with honor accept4” President Davis was under arrest. In the wake of this Smith
readied his Department for the worst, he made overtures
Smith’s statements of continuing the fight while the to Emperor Maximillian of Mexico for support and began
Confederate government no longer existed caused many in centralizing his troops near Shreveport and East Texas.
the ranks to question the reasons. The final sentence in his Smith also began to entertain terms for surrender, but his
proclamation all but sapped the resolve of those on the fence demands for disbanding his army instead of suffering the
and did little to sustain the fire-brands. Smith proclaimed humiliation of surrendering was a non-starter for Colonel
that the resources of the Trans-Mississippi could check Sprague, the Union representative. Thus, orders went out

4
O.R. Ser.1, Vol.48, P.2, pg. 1284. Kirby Smith’s Proclamation to the Soldiers of the Trans-Mississippi, April 21, 1865.

5
O.R. Ser.1, Vol.48, P.2, 1294-95, 1314-15. Gen. Brent to Lieut. L.L. Conrad, May 5, 1865. A.A.G. Boyd to Col. L.A. Bringier,
May 20, 1865.

6
Kirby Smith’s Confederacy. 415-420.; O.R. Ser. 1, Vol. 48, P.2, pg. 1301 General Brent to Col. Vincent, May 13, 1865.

7
O.R. Ser. 1, Vol. 48, P.2, pg. 1299. General Brent to Col. Capers, May 11, 1865.

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 History
to Hays’ Division and other units to withdraw from Central of the day.” With many in the army having the temperament
Louisiana and move northwest toward Texas. This move to desert and forcefully, Boyd also suggested that the officers
would leave only a thin line of Cavalry outposts to “defend” “use every mild and conciliatory means” to keep their
all the territory from the Teche River to Alexandria. By May organizations together for “any violent measures to restrain
13th the demoralized commands around Alexandria began desertions now is believed… to be conducive of no good
their march towards Mansfield by the direct Fort Jesup results, and would only tend to exasperate the soldiery” to
and Pleasant Hill road 6. As these commands started to commit crimes against citizens and endanger the lives of the
move General Brent made note of the situation in a letter to officers uselessly.8
Colonel Capers of the 5th Louisiana Cavalry: Though the situation looked bleak in May of 1865
there was fear in the Union administration that there were
“You will express my commendation to the men Confederate or at least Texas efforts to extend the war.
of your regiment who have remained true to their Information passed to General Canby in Mobile from the
colors… I have no desire to force men against their informant A.H. Cañedo made note of the concentration
wishes to struggle for their own freedom, and under no of Confederate troops in Texas as well as negotiations with
circumstances would I wish to lead into battle anybody Maximillian’s Mexican government by a group of “Lone Star
of men who desire to abandon the cause… How sad delegates” sanction by General Kirby Smith and possibly
would be the spectacle of Louisianans turning upon Jefferson Davis as well.9 Though there was collaboration
each other.7” between the Confederates and the Maximillian government
during the war and well into the last days of it, Union
The fear of looming troubles was felt by the men and General E.B. Brown stationed at Brownsville, Texas noted
officers alike. Hays still recovering from his wounds in that what Cañedo reported was truthful, and Confederates
Shreveport placed Colonel Richardson of the 17th Louisiana were offering their services to the Imperialist forces, but it
charge of the remains of his command consisting of the was well known that the Mexican government would not
17th, 18th, 28th Louisiana Infantry, Consolidated Crescent interfere with the affairs of Texas.10 Though most fears were
Regiment, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th Louisiana Cavalry (all mostly quitted about possible Mexican annexation of Texas there
dismounted), 2nd Louisiana Heavy Artillery (without their were still fears of large numbers of armed Confederates
guns), as well as a contingent of conscripts and recently fleeing into Mexico to possibly stage a renewed campaign
captured deserters. During the march to Mansfield the in the future. Thus, there would be demands for the return
command was racked with desertions. Assistant Adjutant of Confederate arms taken to Mexico by General Grant,
General Boyd’s letter to Colonel Bringer of the 7th Louisiana and thousands of Union troops were stationed on the Rio
notes the extent to the situation by suggesting “discretion in Grande, but there would not be any operations conducted
granting leaves of absence to your men… the whole country against the Maximilian forces by the Union Army nor a
[is] filled with deserters with arms in their hands… and “Lone Star Project” by the Texas and former Confederate
plundering government property of every kind is the order authorities. 11 Though Federal troops would occupy the Rio

8
O.R. Ser. 1, Vol. 48, P.2, pg. 1310. D.F. Boyd to Col. Bringer, May 17, 1865.
9
O.R. Ser. 1, Vol. 48, P.2, pgs. 307-308, 771. A.H. Cañedo to General Canby, May 4, 1865. A.H. Cañedo to General
Osterhaus, June 4, 1865.

O.R. Ser. 1, Vol. 48, P.2, pg. 771. General E.B. Brown’s indorsement to Cañedo’s June 4, 1865 report. Though the Union
10

would send troops to the Rio Grande, there would be no operations against the Mexican Government as laid out in General
Grant’s order to General Sheridan on June 18, 1865.

11
O.R. Ser. 1, Vol. 48, P.2, pgs. 776, 889, 902, 927-28, 930. In June of 1865 the bulk of the 19th, 13th, 25th, and 4th U.S. Army
Corps were stationed or on transfer to the new Department of the Southwest. Eventually the troops in the department would
number of 30,000; many being sent to set up a blockade along the Rio Grande by June 19, 1865 to prevent former Confederates
as well as their arms and ammunition from entering into Mexico.

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Grande Valley as soon as possible the actions occurring in
the Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department would lessen
these threats as anarchy burgeoned.
On May 17th, General Hays’ Confederate Division
moved into their camps north of Mansfield and during
this time, a daunting amount of rumors and incomplete
truths set the stage for riot. For on the same day as the men
made camp, General Smith without much word decided
to change his headquarters from Shreveport to Houston,
Texas. Knowing that all was lost east of the Mississippi, that
surrender negotiations had been terminated, and that Smith
had been in communication with Maximillian in Mexico
rumors of betrayal became rampant. By May 18th, Colonel
Richardson’s troops became a stir with rumors that General
Smith was heading to Mexico with the treasury and the
General officers were making off with government property
with army wagons while the army was being ordered to
cover their escape. Such rumors mixed with already broken
morale led to a general mutiny among the ranks in the
Mansfield camp. Nearly a third of the nearly 2,000 troops
began seizing public property and supplies, burning wagons,
and pillaging the town of Mansfield while many more
Above: Re-enactors recreate the mutiny of 1865
Pictures by author.
looked on neither taking part nor impeding the mutineers.
This terrible situation could have been worse had it not been Hays. Finally in Houston, General Smith was outraged by
for the stalwart men of the 17th Louisiana Infantry what
History
stood fast and protected the ammunition wagons which held
nearly twenty-two thousand rounds.
The mutineers were eventually dispersed without a
reported death, but in the wake of the riot there was no
Above: Re-enactors portray the 17th Louisiana
facing down the mutineers
Pictures by author.
longer enough subsistence to supply the remaining men on
the Division. Thus with many of his men deserted to their
homes, many of the wagons and animals, along with most of
the quartermaster and commissary stores take or destroyed,
Colonel Richardson only had one choice. 12 Late on the
afternoon of the 18th the remains of Hays’ Division was
disbanded, and the troops given orders to proceed to their
homes and “there to await order from their commanding
officers.”13
This mutiny noted the beginning of the end. On
May 20th Generals Buckner (placed in command of
Louisiana while Smith moved to Houston) and Hays
sent a commission down the Red River to New Orleans
to negotiate terms for surrender. General Smith’s trip to
Houston was interrupted on the 22nd and 23rd by roving
bands of disbanded and deserted troops making off with all
types of public property. By May 26th terms based on those
given the General Lee were agreed upon by Buckner and
the news that nearly all of his command was in the process

12
Colonel Richardson’s Report to A.A.G. Capt. Flowers, May 22, 1865. ; O.R. Ser. 1, Vol. 48, P.2, pg. 747. General Orders No.
13 Camp near Mansfield, May 19, 1865.

13
O.R. Ser. 1, Vol. 48, P.2, pg. 747. General Orders No. 13 Camp near Mansfield, May 19, 1865.

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 History
of surrendering, broken up, or un-willing to fight. Thus on About the Author
June 2, 1865 General Kirby Smith was forced to surrender
Michael Mumaugh is the
a Department and an Army that no longer existed. With
Interpretive Ranger at
that war over and with the Department now officially
Mansfield State Historic
surrendered the last organized units came in to surrender.
Site. He is a native of
This included Parson’s Missouri Brigade furled their colors
North Alabama and has
before the 8th Illinois Infantry on June 2nd, after they
a background in History
helped defend the public stores in Shreveport from looters.
as well as Secondary
Also, a few of the units from Hays’ disbanded Division now
Education. In 2010, he
formerly surrendered, including the 18th Louisiana which
received his Bachelor’s
marched into Natchitoches on June 9th to stack their arms
degree in History and
for the last time.14
Education from Athens
Almost two
State University but instead of becoming a High School
months after the
teacher he decided to go back to school. Thus in 2013,
surrender of Lee’s
he received a Master’s degree in Public History from the
Army of Northern
University of North Alabama with the completion of his thesis
Virginia the last
on Confederate Conscription in the State of Alabama. Prior
major Confederate
to his arrival in Louisiana he put his skill and love of history
Department was
to great service while working as a Park Ranger for National
no more. Though
Park Service at Vicksburg National Military Park and as a
it would be a few
Museum Curator at General Joseph Wheeler’s home at Pond
more weeks till
Springs, Alabama.
General Stand
The last three years he has researched and developed
Watie surrendered
multiple papers and presentations of the Trans-Mississippi
the last organized
Confederacy. This includes papers on the Red River
Confederate troops
Campaign and an examination of the final days the war in
in the Trans-
Louisiana and Texas entitled, Louisiana 1865: The End of the
Mississippi the war
Cherokee born Trans-Mississippi Confederacy (2016).
was now over. Now
General Stand Watie
that the destruction
was over, and reconstruction was to begin, the question
became for many in the Trans-Mississippi, flee to Mexico or
stay.

14
Kirby Smith’s Confederacy, 424-426. ; O.R. Ser.1, Vol48, P.2, pg. 747-748, Gen. F. J. Herron to Gen. N. P. Banks, June 3,
1865.

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 34

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 35
 Active Clubs
“This is great and all...but where can I actually play ACW games??”

California
Sacramento Historical Wargaming Group (SHWG)
Contact: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/S_H_W_G/info

ACW Games: The club is building 10mm armies now!

Other Periods played: Various periods.

Florida
South Florida Miniatures Gamers (SMG) - Miami, Palm Beach & Ft. Lauderdale areas
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SOFLMiniaturesGamers/conversations/messages
Contact: jbaumal@yahoo.com

ACW Games: 10mm: Fire & Fury, 28mm: Saber & Musket (home grown rules), ACW 1/600 Naval - Age of Iron
Other periods played: AWI 28mm: Saber & Musket, MAW28mm: Saber & Musket, Crimean War 28mm: Saber & Musket,
WWI 28mm: Warhammer Historical Great War, WW1 Naval: Micronauts, WWII - Air Land and Sea (6mm, 1/2400),
CDIV, Spearhead, Blue Skys, Micronauts

Michigan
Shores Gaming Group - greater Detroit area
Contact Robert Sweeney: Limbolance@yahoo.com
ACW Games: Johnny Reb 3
Other periods played: WW1 Air, WW2 Western Front, and Star Fleet Battles

Also board games such as Zombies!!!, Settlers of Catan, Civilization, B17, and more.

Pennsylvania
Misery Bay Gamers - Erie, PA
Contact: MiseryBayGamers@yahoogroups.com
ACW Games: Brother Against Brother, Fire and Fury, Civil War Naval
Other periods played: Roman Seas ( Naval Warfare Under Oars ), American War of Independence, Age of Sail (various
rules), WW1 Air, WW2 Air, WW2 Skirmish, WWI & WWII Naval, (GQIII & Fleet action Imminent), Lord of the Rings:
War of the Ring

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 36

 UK
Liverpool Wargames Association (LWA)
Contact: Andy Fuller at andyfuller@fsmail.net

ACW Games: Currently focusing on Fire and Fury, Regimental Fire and Fury, Longstreet, Bloody Big Battles and Civil
War Battles in 15mm. Also play Altar of Freedom in 6mm and some 28mm games are being played.

Netherlands
Blades of Destruction (B.O.D.)
Utrecht, Kennedylaan 9
Contact: gercoblok@hotmail.com

ACW Games: Black Powder and Fire and Fury

Other periods played: 40k, Flames of War, Hail Caesar, Pike and shot, Bolt Action, Saga, X-Wing, Star Wars Imperial As-
sault and many more.

ACW Gamer Issue 12 Summer 2016 Page 37

 Next Issue
Issue 13 of ACW Gamer
will be published October 2016

Authors or advertisers who wish to contribute to future

issues can contact the Ezine at Info@ACWGamer.com.

Custer’s destiny awaited him, not in Virginia,

but on the Plains
King Philip’s War * The War of Jenkin’s Ear * The
French and Indian War * Pontiac’s Rebellion *
The American War for Independence *
The Quasi-War * Shay’s Rebellion
* The Whiskey Rebellion
* Frie’s Rebellion *
Barbary Wars * Tecumseh
War * The War of
1812 * The Seminole
Wars * The Creek
War * The Sumatran
Expedition * The
Arikara War * The
Winnebago War * The
Black Hawk War
* The Texas Revolution
* The Patriot War * The
Mexican- American War
* The Cayuse War * The Puget
Sound War * The Rogue River Wars
* The Yakima War * The Mormon War *
The Paraguay Expedition * The Navajo Wars *

Forging A Nation
an Ezine about America’s other black powder wars.