GB2-16_July2-Wilcox & Lang, Attack Defend (C-Div)
Situation: Sickle's salient is before you. General Barksdale's brigade has already begun it's assault of the vulnerable Federal flank to your right. The stage is set for the collapse of the Union forward line. And then, Cemetery Ridge awaits.
Mission: Lead your Alabama and Florida men to the Federal line at your front, then engage the Union line vigorously as Barksdale's Mississippians roll up Humphrey’s line. Upon initial displacement of the western Union line, continue moving east to Plum Run, where you will receive your final orders.
Forces Available:
Lt General Ambrose P. Hill - Corps Commander
Major General Richard H. Anderson - Division Commander
Brig General Cadmus M. Wilcox - 1st Brigade
8th Alabama - Lt. Colonel Hilary Herbert
9th Alabama - Colonel Joseph Horace King
10th Alabama - Colonel William Forney
11th Alabama - Colonel John Sanders
14th Alabama - Colonel Lucius Pinckard
Colonel David Lang - 2nd Brigade
2nd Florida - Major Walter Moore
5th Florida - Captain Richmond Gardner
8th Florida - Lt. Colonel William Baya
Major John Lane - Anderson's Division Artillery
Capt Hugh M Ross - Company A / Sumter GA Artillery
#3 Gun / Center Section / 10lb Parrott
#4 Gun / Center Section / 10lb Parrott
#2 Gun / Left Section / 12lb Napoleon
#5 Gun / Right Section / 10lb Parrott
#1 Gun / Left Section / 12lb Howitzer
#6 Gun / Right Section / 10lb Parrott
Capt George M Patterson - Company B / Sumter GA Artillery
#3 Gun / Center Section / 12lb Napoleon
#4 Gun / Center Section / 12lb Napoleon
#2 Gun / Left Section / 12lb Howitzer
#5 Gun / Right Section / 12lb Howitzer
#1 Gun / Left Section / 12lb Howitzer
#6 Gun / Right Section / 12lb Howitzer
Capt John T Wingfield - Company C / Sumter GA Artillery
#3 Gun / Center Section / 10lb Parrott
#4 Gun / Center Section / 10lb Parrott
#2 Gun / Left Section / 10lb Parrott
#5 Gun / Right Section / 10lb Parrott
#1 Gun / Left Section / 10lb Parrott
Division (2 brigades) strength: 2740 troops and officers, 17 guns
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This scenario is a remake of the similarly named B&F scenario: GB-July2-Wilcox & Lang, 2nd Day (C-Brigs)
Like the 'Barksdale Longest Charge' scenario, the mission is changed to reflect a more historical outcome, thus the name change adding 'Attack Defend'. So, no suicidal charge up the ridge in pursuit of a MV is necessary now. Falling back to historical positions to defend against counter-attacking superior odds is now the endgame, much more manageable, but still a challenge.
First phase of the battle completed, score reaches 500 points, which triggers the first withdrawal sequence. At 20 minutes in we're in good shape for the tasks before us. This screenshot gives strong clues as to my initial approach strategy.

- Wilcox1.jpg (361.66 KiB) Viewed 1688 times
One second left, a look at the extended defensive line that proved highly successful. Historically this might resemble the final minutes of this part of the battle, as the Rebels held their line and the Federals were forced to finally retire back to Cemetery Ridge.

- Wilcox2.jpg (417.43 KiB) Viewed 1688 times
This final score was a fluke. It was way higher than any of my other test play scores. I played another game after this one just to check whether I had edited something late that somehow skewed the score, but my replay scored a 5300+, reinforcing the "fluke" message.

- Wilcox3.jpg (374.66 KiB) Viewed 1688 times
That "fluke" score got me thinking. Since by my testing the scoring can be all over the place with this scenario, how about a Grognard version. Won't take long to add the scripting, just a while to test it out. My goal will be to make it possible to win, but impossible to score big.