Semi Regular Retirees Game 09/19/24 Dawn of Iron

Greg Dieckhaus hosted a Dawn of Iron ACW Ironclads game at our Thursday meetup which was both a bit educational and had some moments of hilarity.

The scenario was from the designer’s ruleset and took us back to the February 1862 on the Tennessee River with the Union attack on Fort Henry. The premise being that the Union Navy is trying to beat General Grant to the punch capturing the fort before he arrives and thus able to claim the glory for the Naval Service. This was an evaluation/critique session for a 2025 event planned for the Heritage Museum.

Mark W took command of the Rebel forcers in the fort while Steve L, Steve T, Kevin F & Pat L each commanded a ship in the assault force.

The Union started in a line abreast formation and generally remained so using their forward guns on the fort as they approached. The left wing with Steve T & Steve L moved up steadily exchanging fire with the fort and drawing most of its return fire.

It was slow going against the current.

Progress is made but those are torpedoes ahead and the far left ship in our attack was immobilized by accurate fire from the fort. Steve T wasn’t having any luck at all repairing the damage sustained and eventually became derelict driving downstream. Pat L and Steve L made steady progress towards the objective getting some good hits on the beleaguered defenders.

In one of his less than wise choices Kevin F decided to run the torpedoes (mines) and paid for that with a colorful explosion converting the once proud Tin-clad USS Cincinnati to a hazard to navigation at the place of the gray marker. Close aboard to the right is Pat L exchanging fire with the fort while Steve L heads straight in.

The USS Cincinnati’s stat card.

It was turn 8 and the white flag was raised by the defenders of the fort just as General Grant was approaching. It was also turn eight when Steve L and his timber-clad pulled out ahead only to be rammed in the rear by Kevin F’s timber-clad that had been pouring on the coal to catch up to the battle. We understand that a court of inquiry will be convened for that Captain as the collision dice rolls inflicted 3 damage cards on Steve’s vessel causing it to go derelict.

Thanks to Greg and all the players for a fun afternoon of gaming and we think we have shaken all the 1’s out of those D6s for awhile.

Thanks to the staff at Miniature Market for their continued support.