Stonewall Jackson's Way 2.

Final FTF game with Lawrence (sniff...) on October 20th.  Hopefully we can get in a couple more FTF games in the future but the monthly FTF game is done, and no more taking time off for a two or three day game o palooza...

Since we only had one day and since the Stonewall Jackson's Way series (GCACW) is a favorite of both of us I setup a scenario from SJW2.  Once again Jackson is riding round the US forces to burn railroads.

The Map at game start.  CSA forces (bottom right, top right) can move on turn 1.  USA forces can't move till turn 2 and one group not till turn 3.  Each turn is a day.

End of first day.

Jackson's troops have moved around to burn the RR stations (red circles).  The pink ones are worth points for each CSA division in or adjacent.  The Orange ones are worh points if damaged.  The CSA cavalry setup a screen in front of the USA forces to slow them down.

End of Second day.

The CSA destroyed the 3 RR statsions and now must move to the Defensive position.  I can't make an initiative dr to save my life (literally) and the USA forces get the jump on Jackson and AP Hill gets stuck outside of the Defensive Zone with USA forces in the way.

End of the game.  I just had to make ONE initiative roll (where the CSA had a bonus) but failed about 4 in a row allowing the USA to attack Jackson and push him back and to attack AP Hill and wear him down so he could not move due to fatigue.  I was going to call it a game right there but kept going.  Failed a couple more Initiative rolls but the USA could not win a battle to save their lives (and win the game).  AP Hill was kicked from near the VP spaces all the way back to where he is now.  The second time he was attacked (near top of map where the star is) he managed to sneak out without extra losses and the USA needed to inflict those to get a win.  Since that plan did not work out the USA attacked Jackson, if he had not been encircled it would almost certainly have been a disaster.  First attack did no good, the USA had ONE last unit left that could attack and the rolls end up with a retreat!  Jackson is forced to move away from the VP hexes and the game is won on the last roll of the dice. 

A nail biter of a game for our last regular FTF match, and I graciously let Lawrence win (and I have a bridge to sell you for a dollar...).  The maps for this game series are works of art, the counters less so.  They look great when just looking at them but trying to play a game with them is a pain in the butt.  The color scheme makes it hard to determine needed information - MMP says they are going back to a style more like the older games in the series and that is good news.

Once Lawrence is setup after his move I'm hoping to play this game series via vassal, and perhaps try one of the campaign games.  I've not played Battle Among the Clouds yet and am looking forward to trying it out.