Yet another Antietam Battle

After recovering the old SPI American Civil War "Blue & Grey" Quad Game, crafting some wooden counters and framing a few A3-ish cardboard colour-printed maps, we decided to engage in the Battle of Antietam. My dad played for the bad guys and I, once again, fought for the lost cause.

Turn 1

A detachment of the Federal army moves southwards, with the intention of either crossing the creek at one of fords south-east of Sharpsburg, or reaching the bridge located further south. Few other units start moving westward towards the Potomac, arguably with the intention of encircling the outnumbered Confederate army.

The Southerners send a couple of detachments to the south to protect the crossings, and deploy a defence line along the roads stretching at the north of the town, from the south of Hagerstown Pike and eastward to the creek. Three Federal artillery units opened fire against rebel positions at the other side of the creek.

Note: red shards represent artillery activations; purple shards represent melee fighting.

Turns 2 and 3

Mostly uneventful turns. The rebels strengthened their positions at the south-west of Antietam Creek, near the place where it empties in the Potomac. On their side, the Federals continued moving west toward the Potomac, north of the road defended by the southerners. Minor skirmishes and some artillery fire took place during both turns, but the rebels managed to repeal the shy approach of the Federals.

Turn 4

During this turn, the small detachment of the Federal army finally made it to south end of the creek, and threatened to cross over the bridge in an attempt to approach Sharpsburg from the south. The Federal artillery hit badly the rebel units situated around Boonsboro road, with the intention to clear the way for their forces to attempt a cross through Middle Bridge. In the main while, the Confederate forces repelled simultaneous attacks along the northern roads.

Turn 5

A new detachment of the Federal forces starts advancing down Antietam Creek with the intention to reach Burnside Bridge and the ford nearby. However, Confederate forces are well situated across the river defending both crossings. Again, rebel forces repel Federal attacks in the north and secure Hagerstown Pike. 

Turn 6

Things do not look good for the Cause. The Federal detachment crosses the bridge at the south end of the Creek, while other rebel units are under pressure from units attempting to cross the creek from Middle and Burnside bridges. On a positive vein, the Confederate forces advance their lines further in the north, stopping the Federal advance toward Sharpsburg. Major General A.P. Hill's division arrives in Harper's Ferry.

Turn 7

Fierce fighting along the creek, with action at the Middle Bridge, Burnside Bridge and the nearby ford. At the bridges, the rebels manage to repel the Federal advance, but an infantry unit manages to cross the ford and heads toward Sharpsburg. Minor skirmishes at the north.

Turn 8

The fight continues along the creek. Several Federal units threaten Sharpsburg from Burnside Bridge, and manage to push rebel infantry units back to the town. Rebel units also suffer heavy casualties at the south end and are pushed back, with further Federal units crossing the bridge. The eastern end of the north line is also pushed back in direction Sharpsburg. Hill's division approaches Sharpsburg.

Turn 9

Combats continue at the south end of the creek, Middle Bridge, and the proximities of Sharpsburg. However, the arrival of Hill's unit enables the rebels to repel the Federal advance around the town. The Federals, however, break the Confederate defences at the south end of the creek. The Federals also manage to break the rebel lines near the north eastern fords.

Turn 10

Further attacks of the Federal forces north east of Sharpsburg fail to break the rebel lines. At the south, the Federals take the bridge and advance toward the town, facing the resistance of three infantry units which retire orderly. 

Result

A victory points ratio 1:1.31 gave the Confederate army a substantive victory. They managed to hold the town and to stop the advance of the Federal army from the north and south, while suffering a reduced number of casualties.

The outcome of the historical battle was not very different. McClellan's indecision denied the Federals from what could have been a significant victory (this is reflected in the game by the rule that prevents the Federal player to activate more than 10 units per turn). Lee had gathered a large proportion of his forces around Sharpsburg, building defensive works along Antietam Creek.  At dawn on the 17th of September 1962,  Maj. General Hooker's corps moved westward towards Hagerstown Pike (on the left -north- flank of Lee's army), where they fought Stonewall Jackson's men for the best part of the morning. Hooker's men did not manage to break Jackson's line. Further action happen on along the creek, where the Union's infantry managed to break the rebel lines and threatened Sharpsburg, until a counterattack by Maj. General Longstreet repelled them and sent them back to their original positions. The south of Lee's line was also under threat, where Federal units managed to cross the bridge and pushed on Sharpsburg. The timely arrival of Hill's division saved the day, helping to repel the advancing Federal units that where already in the outskirts of Sharpsburg. The day after, Lee's army retreated to Virginia. 

Source: Iain MacGregor (2022) U.S. Civil War Battle by Battle. Osprey.