UN01 Sharp´s Cornfield (Wilson´s Creek) - August 10, 1861

  • alecrespi
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10 years 1 month ago - 9 years 11 months ago #97 by alecrespi
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Last edit: 9 years 11 months ago by Bayernkini.

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10 years 1 month ago #98 by seanapdaniel
I assume this is a depiction of the fighting on Sigel's Front later in the battle. This was the position he mistakenly waited for Lyon to link up with him. Because he did not advance, the confederates were able to move their best troops to confront Sigel, then were able to move them back into battle against Lyon. Driving the Union piecemeal from the field due to their numbers. This is a Trans-Mississippi Battle. As for cards, Sigel stalled out allowing McCullock to seize the day. I would give the Union 3 card the Confederates 4.

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9 years 8 months ago #335 by Mark-McG
this should be Trans-Mississippi theatre

"The war is over — the rebels are our countrymen again."

(U.S. Grant after stopping his men from cheering Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.)

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3 years 6 months ago - 1 year 7 months ago #735 by Garcia
From the printed file I have, from Yahoo Group:

Sharp's Cornfield (portion of Battle of Wilson's Creek)

Situation:

The out-numbered Union army under Gen. Nathaniel Lyons has pulled off a surprise attack, catching the secesh at breakfast. The attack overruns some Southern camps then smacks into the bulk of the hastily forming Confederates on what would become known as Bloody Hill.
Meanwhile, Col. Franz Sigel and his brigade have looped around to the rear of the Confederates undetected and are moving up Wilson's Creek, placing the southerners in a vise. He advances as far as the Sharp Farm, from where he can see the battle raging on Bloody Hill and a mass of confederates streaming in his direction.

Sigel assumes these are troops retreating from Lyons. He quickly positions his troops in a defensive line stretching across the Sharp cornfields to the banks of the creek. His plan is to stop the retreating rebels cold and pin them down as Lyons grinds forward with the main Union force.

However, Sigel was mistaken. The confederate camps were in chaos, but the soldiers headed his way were not a routed mob. It was an impromptu counterattack assembled on the fly by Gen. Ben McCulloch. About half the force was commanded by Col. Rosser of the Missouri State Guard. Bledsoe's battery and the Ft. Smith battery were hurried to high ground to support the assault and enfilade any thrust by Sigel's troops.

If Sigel held, the secesh army could be annihilated. Sigel's force consisted of 1,125 men plus a battery. McCulloch was coming at him with 1,340 men and two batteries.

Scale:

This scenario is on a battalion level scale with each infantry and cavalry unit representing about 150 men. Here's the breakdown:

US Forces
3rd Mo. Infantry 500 men 3 infantry units
5th Mo. Infantry 500 men 3 infantry units
2 companies U.S. Cavalry 125 men 1 cavalry unit
Backoff's Mo. Battery 1 artillery unit
Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel 1 commander

CS Forces
Rosser's Mo. Infantry 500 men 3 infantry units
Battalion, 3rd La. 300 men 2 infantry units
McCrae's Ark. Battalion 220 men 1 infantry unit
Brown's Mo. Cavalry 320 men 2 cavalry units
Bledsoe's Mo. Battery 1 artillery unit
Ft. Smith Ark. Battery 1 artillery unit
Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch 1 commander
Col. Thomas Rosser 1 commander

One infantry unit was added to each side to make a 6 banner victory level scenario.
Last edit: 1 year 7 months ago by Garcia. Reason: Remembered where I got the original file

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