Forlorn Hope: Regimental Wargame Scenarios for the Mississippi River Campaigns: 1861-1863

The campaigns and battles along the Mississippi River during the American Civil War were arguably the most important and decisive of the conflict. Even more so than the struggles in the east between the two nation's capitals. It took two years for the Union to finally free the Mississippi from Confederate's domination and blockade. However, once free to Union traffic, it irrevocably split the Confederacy in two, a major blow to both military and commercial operations.

This scenario book contains rules to play fifteen battles along the Mississippi River in the years long struggle to open the vital waterway for the Union. They range from assaulting heavy siege lines, to the bayou low country, to urban combat.

No specific set of rules is required to play the games in this book. Each scenario includes a detailed map for placing terrain and scenery on the game table. Unit starting locations are clearly marked, as well as where reinforcements may enter the board. Time is expressed in terms of 10 minute, 15 minute, and 20 minute increments; easily adaptable to most regimental level rules. The scenarios also provide a detailed Order of Battle showing each unit that fought in that battle, including figure ratios for 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 historic men per figure/stand. The Order of Battle also includes a rating for each unit, as well as the weapons they carried into battle. This book does not contain core rules for miniature war games.

Scenarios include:

The Battle of Belmont

The Battle of Baton Rouge

The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou

The Battle of Champion Hill: The Crossroads

The Battle of Champion Hill: The Coker House

The Battle of Big Black River Bridge

Vicksburg Assault: Sherman May 19th

Vicksburg Assault: Sherman May 22nd

Vicksburg Assault: McPherson May 22nd

Vicksburg Assault: McClernand May 22nd

Port Hudson Assault: Northern Flank

Port Hudson Assault: Eastern Flank

The Battle of Milliken's Bend

The Battle of Lake Providence

The Battle of Helena