Tuesday, June 10, 2025

A first run from Bull Run

Today I essayed a first, tentative, alpha test of my Steel Lard scenario Running from Bull Run

It's an exploration of the Union retreat after the first battle of Bull Run in 1861. The emphasis is on the Union players attempting to impose some kind of order on the fleeing troops. An officer who can march back to Washington at the head of a formed body of troops, rather than as just one man among a fleeing multitude, may be destined for greater things in the battles to come!

I didn't lay out the full terrain this time - just enough to get the basic mechanisms tested.


This is quite different to just designing a Sharp Practice scenario. Because I'm dealing with troops who are effectively already routing, I'm pretty much designing a new game. The first contact between what I thought was a pretty good plan and the wargames table has already led to a load of changes!

I wanted to capture the impression of a road crowded with fleeing men and vehicles. I think this worked reasonably well....



At one point a few Confederate pursuers made an appearance. Led by Lt Jessop West, they let fly a volley needing 5s and 6s to hit. Rolling ten dice they could surely expect some success...

...or perhaps not.

The Black Horse Cavalry kicked up some dust. More on them as play-testing proceeds.


I'm reasonably pleased with how this is going. If it proves to be a functional scenario it may also see the light of day at Posh Lard in November. The drive down to Peterborough in the morning is a chore, being directly into the rising sun, but it's always a good laugh and great to catch up with Mike Whitaker and the Posh Crew.  In the meantime I'm hoping to get in a first test with actual players this weekend.




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