Battle of Oak Grove

I apologize if there are errors in the text. I used a translator

This battle took place on June 25, 1862 and became its prehistory for the Seven Day Battle. Confederate General McClellan began pushing forward his forward units to secure a site in the Old Tavern area, convenient for the deployment of siege weapons to threaten Richmond. Two divisions of III Corps began to advance through the White Oak Svemp swamps, but were repulsed by General Huger’s division. The result of this small battle was that the federal army advanced 550 meters.

In theory, we should have played three on three. But the people didn’t get together and decided to play two on two. As a result, they played one on two. I got two CSA brigades, which were part of General Benjamin Huger’s division. Dmitry and Dmitry divided between themselves two brigades of General Joseph Hooker.

Of course, we were set for a more or less historical confrontation, but we used victory points to determine the winner. They were awarded for defeated enemy units and for controlling points on the map. These points were the bridges, the city of Seven Pines, the Fire Oak train station and the Old Tavern area.

The CSA army could not occupy the left bank of the Chickahominy River, so three marching columns of Brigadier General Mahone had to reach the firing lines, turn into a line and, under the cover of two artillery batteries located on the hill, hold the railway station. The 16th Virginia Regiment was to hold the Old Tavern area. The 41st Virginia was sent to the reserve and was supposed to appear on the field a little later. Wright’s brigade had to prevent the breakthrough of their positions and prevent the enemy from capturing all three bridges across the river. With favorable developments, the third bridge was to be captured, which at the beginning of the battle was controlled by the forces of the northerners.

The US Army was stationed in the city of Seven Pines, lining up in battle formations, intending to hold the city. At the center of the table were the marching columns aimed at the Old Tavern.

By the end of the first move, the situation on the table was … strange. The 49th Virginia, not understanding the orders, rushed in a column right on the road to the city. Thus, he came under the terrible fire of all the US regiments in the city. After that, he completely lost control and began to retreat, suffering constant losses. At the same time, this served as a good opportunity for the rest of the regiments to turn in line and, while the enemy, retreating from such blatant arrogance, to strengthen their positions. Almost until the end of the game, this regiment was the closest target to the enemy and he was forced to fire at him. Two US regiments attempting to break through to the Old Tavern came under artillery fire. One column remained incapacitated until the end of the game.

By the end of the second move, the situation on the field remained practically unchanged. Mahone’s regiments occupied the railway station and fought a languid firefight with the dismounted enemy cavalry. Wright’s shelves were doing something weird. For some reason they all the time tried to line up in squares on their side of the hill. It turned out badly and well for them that the enemy was not within sight.

The third move resulted in the suppression of one of the artillery batteries of Mahone’s brigade. The 41st Virginia Regiment and General Huger himself appeared on the field.

Later, US forces decided to move from their positions at Seven Pines. This, subsequently, played a decisive role in the entire battle. All US artillery concentrated its fire on the hill with the batteries of Captains Grims and Moorman. Also, US forces drove the regiment out of the railway station.

41st Virginia with its fire see to stop two US regiments, but it did not help. The artillery was forced to retreat from their positions. Lining up in a column, he tried to reach the firing line, but did not have time.

The battle ended with the defeat of the CSA on points. 10 – 9. Seven Pines, the railway station and one of the bridges over Chickahominy remained with the United States. However, they did not succeed in taking a position in the Old Tavern. CSA forces held two bridges across the river. We can safely say that from a historical point of view, everything has remained true.

As for the opinion about the game. We played by the “Black Powder 2ed” rules. In total, we played only three or four battles according to these rules, so a lot was done wrong. Something that was left out or forgotten. This is normal. Knowledge of the rules comes only with experience. I really enjoyed the process. And, of course, delving into the book of rules, I’m waiting for new battles.