Greg Dieckhaus brought us a rehearsal game for our upcoming American Civil War event on Saturday 2/15 at the St. Charles Heritage Museum presenting his naval Attack on Fort Donelson scenario.
Using Dawn of Iron rules and some exquisitely done naval miniatures we saw the Union Navy head straight into the breech as they attempted to subdue the Confederate Fort and Water Battery. The Union commanders included Steve T, Steve L, Mark W, Pat L and Mark J. The Rebel forts were under Kevin F for this game.
The Rebel Water Battery shown above did some significant damage to the approaching Union flotilla sinking the USS St. Louis almost as soon as it came into range.
Range and arc of fire from the Union ships to the Rebel emplacements are checked in a group effort.
The toll of sunken Union ships that was paid is evident, but the fleet angered by their losses just kept coming.
Eventually with the range closed and accuracy improving the weight of fire began to have a detrimental effect on the Confederate positions as noted by the recorded hits on the dice seen at the water battery and the fort.
In the end the day went to the Union fleet with a victory, but one that they would likely not want to repeat very often having lost almost 50% of their squadron.
Thanks to Greg, the players for a great gaming afternoon and to Miniature Market Cave Springs for their continued support.
For information on the upcoming event at the St. Charles County Heritage Museum of which this game is a part see the flyer below and be sure to come out and join us on Saturday 02/15/25 between 10am and 4pm.
Historically, I read somewhere, the Union river ironclad guns outranged those in the water battery’s effective range against the irodclads. But Admiral Foote was impatient and closed to closer range which resulted in the damage that incapacitated some of them and injured Foote which was what prevented a second naval victory after his first against Fort Henry.