While the Devil Rules: The Western Approach: Frankenthal, 1621

My initial positions withing my siege lines. My Spanish and German Catholics have tough nut to crack

My opponents position with in the fortress a formidable array 

The initial exchange of fire kills men on both sides.

So we advance.... on the demi-lune 

We have the Demi-Lune in a savage crossfire.... prepare the assault! Viva Espania! 

Unfortunately my opponent goes first and and my Sword and buckler men reuse to got 

The Spanish musketeers will charge... 

 but are unable to scale the wall

Artillery clears the Demi-Lune

Turn 3 imitative will be key  and I am lucky enough to get it... 

The Franconian Tercio takes the Demi-Lune... and is immediately charge Count Tilly and Borres engage a top the Demi-Lune. 

Then Cordoba lead the Spanish infantry forward... and they Scotts jump into the fight... 

The Demi-lancers over run the Sword and Buckler men. 

Entering Turn 4 the battle is balanced on a knife edged  Tilly isn't able to do enough... 

Cordoba charges with Spanish light cavalry to counter the demi-Lancers.  I manage to kill them and hold the Demi-lune

Forward for Spain! 

The Spanish Tercio Joins the fight!

We demoralize the Dutch battalion...  as the fight continues. 

The cavalry chare into the demi-lune and cause the loss of a base to my Franconian Tercio and they break. 

The battle end with both armies are exhausted and broken a win (just barely) for the defenders.  

Attack on the James River Squadron

 

USS Tyler move forward to fire on the fort

The return fire and light my ship ablaze! 

My consort USS Monadnock (Commodore Shepherd) lights the fort on fire and take out a gun on the CSS Atlanta

  

Monadnock hits Atlanta repeatedly causing more damage then moves in between Tyler and the Fort 

Union Forces advance the spar torpedo boats move ahead. 

CSS David rams the Monadnock causing serious damage 

Steam Launch 1 attempts to gain revenge but she bounces off.  

Seam Launch 2 is unable to break the chain to hit the CSS Albemarle 

The battle is fierce and at close range 

Launch 1 attempts to capture the Confidantes infernal machine.

The Confederate fort hits the magazine of the Monadnock  

USS Dragon hits Albemarle and takes out her forward gun 

Both sides are hurt with Tyle and Atlanta both trying to disengage 

The Dragon takes out the other gun of the Albemarle but is unable to breach the chain to board.  The David takes my launch as a prize. 

Tyler backs away and spits a last broadside of defiance at the fort taking out a gun and lighting it on fire!  

Cairo hits first the Baltic then first on the little David and misses... that's the game a score draw or perhaps a minor Confederate victory. 

 

The Battle of Draneville

 

The confederate position and supplies. 

My men come on and drive off Stuarts cavalry sending them off in pell-mell retreat 

Then Union troops pour on to the battle field 

as the Confederates scrabble to protect their supplies (as the Union wins the initiative...)  

The transport is captured, but the assaulting unit's troops begin to loot, causing disorder among their ranks. The assaulting player may choose to take command of the transport or destroy it, removing it immediately from play. 

The counter attack comes quickly from the Confederates on the hill but somehow my cavalry survive. 

A second Confederate formation attack with a general at its head and routs my cavalry. 

Second turn end with us in good defensive position. 

My artillery drove off a unit...and two of mine couldn't carry off the assult. 

The third turn see fire back and forth with little damage but a there is an opportunity

Which I take and there is a desperate hand to hand struggle resulting in damage to both sides. 

The Rebels rally back into good order (boo) and then they fall back under fire. (this mean I can't charge them but its a win) 

Turn 4 the Confederate forces are going back but in good order... 

At least until the the get hit. 

leaving the gun exposed to my infantry who take the guns. 

a general advance begins to develop... though the confederates are resilient and rally back to good order. 

CHARGE! we lose a base by drive Back the demoralized unit and then a general melee ensues. 

I loose two unit in hand to hand combat. I Snatch a draw from the jaws of victory.