ACW without IGOUGO

Tonight we experimented with a command system that has simultaneous movement rather than IGOUGO. It uses a set of command counters like our naval games with a new game turn sequence:
1. Command phase: Both sides put down command counters face down.
2. Movement: Both sides reveal their orders & move their units.
3. Firing: Both sides fire simultaneously.
4. HTH:  HTH combats are resolved.

The system means that the players have to make their plans for each turn without knowing exactly where the enemy are going to be, thus introducing another skill element.

In the main our M2M rules require few changes to match the system.  The main issue is tweaking the HTH system to compensate for the fact that there is only one round of combat compared with two with IGOUGO in the time taken for both sides to move.
 

The objectives are the railway station & the saloon.  Two Union divisions have come on from the far side of the table while two CSA divisions have come on the two roads on the near side of the table.  have come on.  In the early moves  the CSA cavalry have seized & occupied both buildings while their infantry are still coming up.   The US troops have deployed in preparation for an attack.

The right flank CSA infantry have deployed to support the cavalry in the buildings but have lost their artillery to sharp shooting as the US left attacks the railway station supporting the attack with their rifled artillery on the ridge.  while 1st division.
On the far flank the US have fallen back from a CSA attack. 

The initial US attack on the railway station has been beaten off, but the CSA right is suffering under the US fire.  On the far flank the US has retreated into the woods. 

The US has again charged the railway station as the CSA right crumbles.
The US right has taken up a strong defensive position in the woods. 

The US have taken the railway station & the CSA has pulled back their survivors on their right flank. They are now converging on the saloon. 

The US attack on the saloon from the far side has been repulsed & the CSA have held onto it until nightfall brought the battle to a close.
Both sides hold one of the two objectives at nightfall, but the CSA has lost 3 infantry units & a battery compared with just 2 infantry lost by the US.   

The alternative turn sequence & command system worked really well considering I only invented it yesterday.  We found some room for improvement, but are keen to try it again next week in an earlier period where HTH combat is more prevalent.  

 





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