0

Issue 22 The Official Newsletter of the Johnny Reb Gaming Society $5.00

First Kernstown
Battle of Pea Ridge
Stand Watie’s Indian cavalry
Terre Noir Creek
And much more!

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 1

Welcome to “CHARGE!” From the Editor’s Desk

This is the official newsletter of the Johnny Reb
Gaming Society, an international association of
miniature wargamers who use regimental-level
rules such as the Johnny Reb gaming rules
developed by John Hill. The newsletter will
provide a quarterly forum for exchanging
information regarding the rules, original
wargaming scenarios written with JR in mind,
and historical articles of general interest to the
regimental ACW gamer.
US membership in the society is $20 per year,
which will partially cover the cost of assembling,
printing, and mailing the newsletter. Dues are
payable via money order or personal check,
which must be made out to Deborah Mingus
(society treasurer and secretary). Our mailing
address and e-mail address are as follows: A photo of a 15mm miniature wargame I hosted
The Johnny Reb Gaming Society for my kids over the holiday season. This
1383 Sterling Drive Christmas, we have been so blessed. As I write,
York PA 17404 this, we are anxiously awaiting the birth of our
jrgsnl@comcast.net second grandson, another future battlefield
tramping buddy for me!
We welcome your submissions of articles,
scenarios, advertising, and related information, This edition of Charge is the 22nd that Debi and
as well as letters to the editor. The copyrighted I have produced, and we remain so very pleased
name Johnny Reb is used by written permission and thankful at the response from the gaming
of John Hill.
community! So many of you have stepped up to
contribute articles, scenarios, photographs, and
Table of Contents advice, and we sincerely appreciate it!

First Kernstown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 We have quite of few neat scenarios in this issue

Native Americans in Confederate Service . . . .6
Battle of Pea Ridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Pennsylvania Bucktails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Namozine Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Terre Noir Creek, Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
to entertain you over the winter months. Why not
gather some friends or family and try out one or
more of these interesting games. This month, we
have original scenarios from Andy Turlington,
Jerry Stefek, Scot Gore, and Scott Mingus.
They represent a wide diversity of gaming
challenges from the Eastern Theater and the
Trans-Mississippi Theater. Give them a try!

Coming attractions in CHARGE! #23
Mass production of low cost trees by John
Mayer; Hidden movement in JR3 by Larrty
Reber; scenarios for Averasborough,
Piedmont, Honey Springs and more!
Product reviews and more!
As usual, Debi and I welcome your submissions
of painting guides, scenarios, unit histories,
terrain and scenery construction, or other items
of interest to the Johnny Reb / regimental-level
ACW miniature wargamer.
Scott L. Mingus, Sr.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 2
First Kernstown
March 23, 1862
By Andy Turlington
Historical Situation
The first Battle of Kernstown was the first real
battle in Stonewall Jackson’s campaign to
protect the Shenandoah Valley and slow the
advance of George B. McClellan’s troops
marching on Richmond in the Peninsula. It was
a defeat for the Confederate general, his only
defeat in the campaign, which likely led to much
of the mystique that surrounds the man.
On 23 March, Jackson deployed his troops
outside Kernstown, just south of Winchester. He
had received faulty intelligence from his cavalry
commander, Turner Ashby, and thought that he
was attacking a Federal force of about 1,000 to
1,500 men. In reality; Jackson’s 3,800 men were
facing 8,500 Union troops around, and south of,
Winchester.
In the historical battle, his inexperienced
generals misunderstood Jackson’s orders, and,
therefore, his plans were not properly executed.
His intention was to move his troops over Sandy
Ridge and press the Federal right flank. What
actually happened was that his men took Sandy
Ridge and then tried to hold it, rather than
continuing their flank maneuver and attacking.
Without this restriction in terms of game play,
the Confederates will still find this an incredibly
difficult fight, but it should be fun all the same,
especially for the player who likes a challenge
and doesn’t necessarily have to win to enjoy
himself. In our playtests, we have found that the
Confederates can win fairly regularly, if well
handled.
Scenario Notes
This scenario is presented in a generic format, to
easily be used with any set of regimental rules
you may prefer to play, such as Johnny Reb, Fire
& Fury Regimental, Long Road North, or any
other set. Time is presented with the assumption
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
that a turn of game play is 30 minutes. If your
rules use a different scale, you may need to make
some slight adjustments.
Troop strengths have been estimated based on
total number of troops present. Records of
casualties during the war were very detailed, but
records of regimental strengths entering battle
were seldom reported, so some estimation is in
order. The numbers are presented in number of
men, so that you can easily transfer them into
your set of rules, as the men-to-figure ratio varies
with each set of rules.
The game will begin at 2:00 p.m., and will
continue through the end of the 7:30 p.m. turn.
Troop qualities are broken out into four
categories, which you may need to translate into
your favorite set of rules: Elite, Veteran, Green,
and Militia.
Officers have a number rating listed. This is the
bonus that you would apply for any roll he were
making when playing Johnny Reb III. If you
play another set of rules, again, you may have to
do some minor tweaking, but the idea is there.
The higher the number, the better the officer’s
skill is.
The map is as close to accurate as I could make
it, as are the OOBs. The starting positions of the
troops, however, are not. This battle progressed
slowly throughout the morning, and troops were
moving all over the place. Many regiments had
companies at three different sections of the field
simultaneously. I have placed troops close to
where they should be, but have taken some
liberties in order to keep this playable on the
tabletop, and in order to allow players to run
proper commands.
Terrain
All of the streams and creeks are extremely
shallow, and therefore, fordable at any point.
Deduct one inch of movement for any infantry or
artillery moving across them, with no penalty for
mounted cavalry doing the same. Charging
 3
across these features will throw infantry into
disorder, with no effect on charging cavalry.
Woods are light to medium. If your rules
recognize a difference between the two, just
come to a consensus before starting the game as
to which are light, and which are medium. There
are no heavy woods on the table, nor any broken
ground.
When moving up elevation levels, add a 1- inch
penalty to any unit moving up the terrain feature
when it crosses the crest between elevations.
There is no penalty when moving down such
inclines.
Moving through the town will disorder troops,
unless in march-column and following the road.
There was a good amount of rain and sleet prior
to the battle. The roads are muddy, and troops
derive no march-column bonus when traveling
on them, except for the Valley Turnpike, which
was macadamized with crushed limestone, and
didn’t suffer from issues with mud.
Deployment
Troops are deployed per the map. Individual
regiments are not identified on the map, this can
be decided by the GM, or can be left up to the
players.
Victory Conditions
If the Yankee player holds Pritchard’s Hill
undisputed at the end of the day, he wins. If the
Rebel player is threatening Pritchard’s Hill, by
having un-routed forces on it, regardless of the
number of Federal troops present, then it is a
Rebel victory. Should Jackson be killed or
captured at any point in the game, the Union
wins immediately.
Confederate Order of Battle
Valley District, Department of Northern
Virginia
Major General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson +3
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
Stone wall Brigade
Brigadier General Richard S. Garnett +2
2nd Virginia 300 men Elite SB
4th Virginia 250 men Elite RM
5th Virginia 350 men Elite RM
27th Virginia 300 men Elite RM
33rd Virginia 275 men Elite RM
Rockbridge (VA) Artillery Elite 3 sections
of 6# SB
West Augusta (VA) Artillery Elite 2
sections of 12# Napoleons
Carpenter’s Virginia Battery Vet 1 section of
6# Tredegar Smoothbores
Burk’s Brigade
Colonel Jesse S. Burk +1
21st Virginia 275 men Vet RM
42nd Virginia 275 men Vet RM
48th Virginia 345 men Vet RM
1st Virginia (Irish) Battalion 200 men Elite
RM
Pleasant’s Virginia Battery Vet 2 sections of
12# Napoleons
Fulkerson’s Brigade
Colonel Samuel V. Fulkerson +1
23rd Virginia 250 men Vet RM
37th Virginia 250 men Vet RM
Danville Virginia Artillery Vet 2 sections of
12# Napoleons
Cavalry
Colonel Turner Ashby +1
7th Virginia Cav. 290 men Elite Pistols &
Sabers
Chew’s Virginia Battery (Horse Artillery)
Elite 1 section of 10# Parrot Rifles; 1 12#
Blakely
Union Order of Battle
1st Division, V Corps, Army of the Potomac
Brigadier General James Shields broke his arm
on 22 March; Colonel Nathan Kimball therefore
led the army on 23 March.
 4
1st Brigade
Colonel Nathan Kimball maintained direct
command of the brigade throughout the
engagement. +0

14th Indiana 450 men Vet RM

8th Ohio 700 men VET RM
67th Ohio 475 men Elite RM GETTYSBURGMINATURES.COM
84th Pennsylvania 255 men Green SB

2nd Brigade
Colonel Jeremiah C. Sullivan +1
JR3 Rules Questions?
5th Ohio 500 men Green RM
39th Illinois 500 men Green RM Gamers, if you have
13th Indiana 500 men Vet RM questions involving rules interpretation, send them to
62nd Ohio 500 men Vet RM Scott Mingus, Sr. at jrgsnl@comcast.net.
Questions will be collected
3rd Brigade and forwarded to John Hill
Colonel Erastus B. Tyler +1 for the
“Ask John Hill” column.
1st West Virginia 525 men Green RM
7th Indiana 575 men Green RM
7th Ohio 400 men Vet RM
29th Ohio 500 men Green RM
110th Pennsylvania 300 men Militia RM

Cavalry
Colonel Thornton F. Brodhead +1

1st Michigan (1 Battalion) 250 men Green

MLC
1st West Virginia (1 Battalion) 250 men Vet
MLC

Artille ry
Lieutenant Colonel Philip Daum +1

Battery L, 1st Ohio Artillery Vet 1 section of

6# SB, 1 section of 6# Rifles, 1 section of 12#
Howitzers
Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery Vet 3 sections
of 10# Parrot Rifles
Battery A, West Virginia Artillery Vet 2
sections of 10# Parrots
Battery B, West Virginia Artillery Vet 1
section of 10# Parrots
Scenarios
and Articles Needed!
Please feel free send us your regimental-level Ci vil War
gami ng scenarios. Send all submissions to the Johnny
Reb Gaming Society at jrgsnl@comcast.net. Articles
will be used based upon s pace and avail ability per
issue, and may be edited by the staff. Keep ‘em coming,
soldier!

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 5

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 6
surprisingly, they acted in a way that was natural
NATIVE AMERICANS for Indians…great at raiding and attacking, lousy
in defensive action. For the most part, they were
IN CONFEDERATE masters at mounted combat, and did not
understand the white man’s tactic of standing in
SERVICE a straight line, letting someone shoot at you.
When they came under artillery fire, it was time
By Larry Reber to leave. Indians did not recognize any valor in
taking that kind of punishment.
Native American regiments fought in
numerous Western Theater engagements, such
as Cabin Creek, Oak Hills, raids into Kansas
and Arkansas, and for control of Missouri. At the
Battle of Pea Ridge (aka Elkhorn Tavern) there
are accounts of the Indian regiments wearing
their warpaint.

The Cherokee Mounted Rifles shown in the

photos are 15mm AB conversion figures.

Native American Indians can be included

among the unique regiments that served in the
Civil War. Most of these fought for the South.
Stand Watie
The Confederate Army, desperate for men,
actively recruited Indian volunteer regiments,
whereas the U.S. Army was reluctant to arm The best known Native American
Indians, even civilized ones. commander was General and Cherokee Chief
The Native American tribes were Stand Watie, who led the Cherokee Mounted
motivated by the perceived opportunity to win Rifles. General Watie was the last Confederate
back their native lands if Southern general to lay down his arms, surrendering in
independence was successful. The eastern July, 1865.
tribes of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, For further reading, Osprey Warrior
Creek and Seminole all mustered formal series #105 Native American Mounted Riflemen
regiments. Indians from other tribes, such as the 1861-65 is an excellent source regarding the
Comanche and Kiowa, fought when they felt like Native American ACW participants.
it. None of the Indian regiments received much
training. On the wargame table,
we add a few special
rules for our Native
American units: They fight
as MOUNTED only (it
would be difficult to
convince an untrained
Indian to give up his
horse to fight on foot).
They get an extra bonus
for CHARGING, but, if
The common belief among whites was they come under artillery fire, will disperse in a
that the natives were natural born warriors and ROUT.
needed little military instruction. So not

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 7
Battl e of Pea Ri dge
March 7, 1862
A Johnny Reb III Scenario by Scot Gore
Historical Background:
Union forces in Missouri during the latter
part of 1861 and early 1862 had effectively
pushed Confederate forces out of the state. By
the spring of 1862, Union Brigadier General
Samuel R. Curtis determined to pursue the
Confederates back into Arkansas with his Army
of the Southwest.
Curtis moved his approximately 10,500
Union soldiers and 50 artillery pieces into
Benton County, Arkansas, along a small stream
called Sugar Creek. Union forces consisted
primarily of soldiers from Iowa, Indiana, Illinois,
Missouri, and Ohio. Over half of the Federal
soldiers were German immigrants.
Curtis found an excellent defensive
position on the north side of the creek and
proceeded to fortify it and place artillery for an
expected Confederate assault from the south.
Confederate Major General Earl Van
Dorn had been appointed overall commander of
the Trans-Mississippi District to quell a
simmering conflict between competing generals
Sterling Price of Missouri and Benjamin
McCulloch of Texas. Van Dorn’s Army of the
West totaled approximately 16,000 men,
including 800 Cherokee Indian troops,
contingents from the Missouri State Guard,
Confederate cavalry, infantry and artillery from
Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri.
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
Van Dorn was aware of the Union
movements into Arkansas and was intent on
destroying Curtis’s Army of the Southwest and
reopening the gateway into Missouri.
Prelude to Battle:
General Van Dorn did not wish to attack
Curtis's entrenched position head on. On March
4, 1862, he split his army into two divisions
under Price and McCulloch and ordered them to
march north along the Bentonville Detour with
the hopes of getting behind Curtis and cutting off
his lines of communication. Van Dorn left his
supply trains behind in order to make better
speed, a decision that later proved to be a crucial
one.
The Confederates made an arduous three
day forced march down the road leading from
Fayetteville through Elm Springs and Osage
Spring to Bentonville in the midst of a freezing
storm. Many of the Confederate soldiers were ill-
equipped and barefoot, and it was said that one
could find the army by following the bloody
footprints in the snow. The Confederates arrived
at their destination strung out along the road,
hungry and tired.
Compounding the Confederate problems
was the late arrival of McCulloch, which led Van
Dorn to split his forces in two. Van Dorn ordered
McCulloch to circle around the western end of
Pea Ridge, turn east along the south face and
meet Price's division at Elkhorn Tavern. Van
Dorn and Price would travel east along the north
face of the ridge, secure Elkhorn Tavern, and
wait for McCulloch.
These delays allowed Curtis to begin
repositioning his army to meet the unexpected
attack from his rear and get his forces between
the two wings of Van Dorn’s forces.
It is at this juncture that the Battle of Pea
Ridge occurs and the scenario begins.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pea_Ridge

Set Up:
The scenario is designed for a 5x12 foot table top
surface area. Terrain should be arranged
according to the map below.
A full page illustration of the terrain will be presented further on
Entry:
The scenario begins at 8:20 a.m. and ends
at 5:00 p.m. That is a 29-turn game; however,
don’t despair yet. The scenario is designed to
give the players wide discretion regarding the
deployment of their respective forces. All forces
begin off the table and march onto the table at
the time shown on the Order of Battle.
The first Confederate forces do not enter
the table until 10:00 a.m.; therefore the earliest
Union forces have five turns of movement before
they have an enemy to deal with. Those turns
should go quickly.
Forces enter at their activation time and
entry point displayed in the order of battle.
Example:
Unit
Name Grade Weapon No.
2nd Mo.
Infantry average SB 600
Regiments may enter in any formation with any
order.
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
8
Confederate Victory Conditions:
Van Dorn’s goal is sweep behind the
Union army and cut it off from retreat and
resupply. The farther that the Union army is
pushed back toward its original position at Sugar
Creek, the more successful the Confederate
attack.
To represent this victory points are
determined by the location of units at the end of
the scenario. The farther “forward” the
Confederates are able to push their troops, the
more successful the assault.
Union Victory Conditions:
Curtis has discovered that the
Confederates are on the move and attempting to
cut off his forces supply lines and trap and
destroy his army in Arkansas. The game begins
with the Union forces repositioning to meet the
emerging threat. Curtis’s goal is to prevent the
Confederates from forming a consistent battle
front to his north.
To disrupt the plan, the Union forces
must disrupt the Confederates’ movements and
engage the Rebels before they have the
opportunity to consolidate their line of battle.
The farther north the Union army can engage
Confederates and keep them from forming at the
place of their choice, the more successful the
Union attacks.
Determining Victory:
To represent these desired outcomes at
the end of the scenario, measure the board every
foot horizontally and beginning with a line
drawn from the northwest to four feet in from the
southwest corner and then every two feet
thereafter.
See the illustration on the next page with
Stand Activation Entry the dashed lines:
Size Time Point
5 10:00 a.m. "B"
 9

Each Brigade in the order of battle is marked with Horizontal, Diagonal, or Both in the order of battle.

At the conclusion of the scenario:

For each regiment with at least 3 stands still in good morale:

For regiments belonging to brigades marked diagonal, award points to the brigade based on the point
values illustrated above next to the diagonal lines at the battle conclusion.
For regiments belonging to brigades marked horizontal, award points to the brigade based on the point
values illustrated above on the far left at the battles conclusions.
For regiments marked Best of Both, take the highest score in either the horizontal or diagonal zones.

The brigade with the most points is the individual winner; the side with the most combined points is the overall
victor in the Battle of Pea Ridge.

10mm Maryland troops skillfully painted by Andy MacDonald-Rice

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 10

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 11

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 12

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 13

Note: 12# Howitzers performs as 6# Smoothbores with a +1 DRM.

The 6# James Rifle performs as a 6 # Smoothbore but does not suffer the -1 DRM modification.
Shotguns as Infantry firearms have a range category of 1”/2”/3” with a +1DRM at short range .
Stand size is the number of figures on a single stand. Scenario assumes only equal stand size units.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 14

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 15
PENNSYLVANIA
BUCKTAILS
Uniform and Painting Guide
Larry Reber
of
www.gettysburgsoldiers.com
One fascinating aspect of our hobby is
the study of research sources in our search for
the historically correct appearance of ACW
troops. We seek this information to provide
guidelines for selecting and painting figures.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I like
to examine original period photographs that
have survived, as a reliable source for historical
accuracy.
One excellent example of photographic
documentation is this image of the Pennsylvania
Bucktails.
Specifically, this photo is identified as Co. D,
149th Pennsylvania Infantry.
(Image courtesy of the U.S. Army Military
History Institute; reproduced in Atlas Editions
Civil War Cards).
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
The Pennsylvania Bucktails are one of
the most colorful and distinguished units to
serve throughout the Civil War. Originally
designated as the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves,
the men were recruited from the mountains of
Northern Pennsylvania. The regiment consisted
primarily of rough, hardy lumbermen with
reputations of being loud, boisterous, and
superior marksmen. To demonstrate their
proficiency with firearms, the regiment
established a rite of passage custom of having
each man wear on his hat the tail of a deer he
had shot, hence the nickname, “Bucktails”.
During the first year of the war, the
regiment gained a reputation as excellent
skirmishers, foragers, and sharpshooters, so
Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton endorsed
the enlistment of additional companies of
recruits and re-organized them into the 149th
and 150th PA Infantry Regiments.
The Bucktails fought in most of the major
campaigns in the East. During the afternoon of
Gettysburg’s first day, the 149th and 150th PA
refused flank and defended the ground between
Chambersburg Pike and the McPherson Farm on
two fronts.
A study of this photograph of Company D
reveals some interesting details about the
uniforms and accoutrements.
The regimental company is comprised of
35 members in this photo.
28 men are wearing broad-brimmed
slouch hats.
7 are wearing forage caps or kepis. This
dispels the commonly mistaken notion
among miniatures that all Rebs wore
slouch hats and all Yanks wore kepis.
At least 4 soldiers can be seen with
Bucktails adorning their headwear.
Most of the men are wearing frock coats,
but a few 5-button sack coats are also
visible.
The officers are wearing dark blue
trousers. The enlisted men all appear to
be in various faded shades of the light
blue kersey.
 16
The men are standing in front of their
stacked arms, so we cannot see their
type of rifle-musket. The regimental
colors are also not displayed in this
image.
The personal grooming habits of the men
are varying… 17 men have beards, 13 are
clean shaven, and 5 with moustache
only.
Using this original photograph as a guide, I
created my customized miniature Bucktails unit
with 15mm AB figures.
Many of these figures are simple conversions,
such as attaching Confederate Slouch Hat heads
to Union Frock and Sack Coat bodies. A few
“bucktails”, cut from tiny slivers of yarn and
glued to hats before painting, add a unique bit
of detail.
The background in Larry’s photos of his
miniatures is taken from a postcard of the
Gettysburg Cyclorama, showing his creative
usage of a common item stuck behind the
figures to create an interesting image.
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
Editor’s Note:
As Larry mentioned, the 149th and 150th were not
the first Pennsylvania infantry regiments to use the
bucktail moniker or to adorn their hats with deer tails.
In fact, their use of the term was quite controversial
at the time.
The “original” Pennsylvania Bucktails were
Kane’s Pennsylvania Rifles, also known as the 13th
Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry (a.k.a. the 42nd
Pennsylvania). Colonel Hugh McNeil sent a letter to
the governor of Pennsylvania lauding the services of
a battalion of his Bucktails. He suggested to
Governor Andrew Curtain than an entire brigade
should be created, explaining “A Bucktail Brigade of
light infantry would reflect additional honor on the
old Commonwealth.” Colonel McNeil never saw his
dream come to fruition. He was killed a few weeks
later during the Battle of Antietam.
Many of the veterans of the 13th deeply
resented that the newcomers to the army from the
149th and 150th Pennsylvania “stole” the bucktails
designation, and often referred to them as the “bogus
bucktails” or “new bucktails.”
Despite the 149 and 150th excellent
performance on McPherson’s Ridge during the Battle
of Gettysburg, many of the original 13th
Pennsylvania Bucktails carried their resentment to
their graves. They too fought at Gettysburg, on the
second day as part of Samuel Crawford’s division of
Pennsylvania Reserves.
 17
Namozine Church
Monday, April 3, 1865
Amelia County, Virginia
Scott Mingus
"Tom in the most gallant manner led the charge
of the Second Brigade... [He] is always in the
advance."
– Maj. Gen. George Armstrong Custer, USA,
about his younger brother Tom
Photo of Namozine Church by Bill Coughlin
BACKGROUND
When Gen. Robert E. Lee evacuated the
Army of Northern Virginia from Petersburg and
Richmond on April 2-3, 1865, he ordered the army’s
wings to unite at Amelia Court House, where trains
would meet them with food and other supplies. The
army would then march south to North Carolina and
join forces with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s command.
Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, on the other hand,
pursued Lee on two routes: directly in his wake and
on parallel roads to the south, to prevent his escape
into North Carolina.
Confederate rear guard dismounted cavalry
units often paused to block the roads from pursuing
Union cavalry. At a ford on Namozine Creek west of
Petersburg, Union Brig. Gen. George Armstrong
Custer threatened the rear of Lee’s column. Custer
was able to capture several Confederates and clear
the road in the early morning. However, the Rebel
cavalry had bought enough time for Bushrod
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
Johnso’s infantry division to pass nearby Namozine
Church around 8:00 a.m. Unfortunately, Johnson
took a wrong turn at a fork in the road and had to halt
when his command reached a bridge over Deep
Creek that was underwater from recent flooding.
Confederate Brig. Gen. Rufus Barringer’s
brigade of North Carolina cavalry from W.H.F.
“Rooney” Lee’s division tried to secure the
Namozine Church road intersection until Johnson
could return and take the correct fork. However,
about 9:00 a.m., one of Custer’s brigades under Col.
William Wells attacked the still deploying
Confederate cavalry.
The 1st Vermont deployed south of
Namozine Road, with the 8th NY to the right of the
road and the 15th NY in close support in the rear on
the road itself. The 1st Vermont attacked the 5th NC,
while the 8th NY began a wide flanking movement
that forced the 1st NC to retire.
Barringer ordered the 2nd NC to
countercharge, but they were easily repulsed by the
Vermonters, exposing the dismounted men of the 5th
NC. Their horses driven off, the 5th and what was
left of the 2nd valiantly tried to stem the growing
tide. Finally, the 5th withdrew on foot, never again to
rejoin the Army of Northern Virginia. Barringer lost
several prisoners in the ill-fated attempt to drive off
the Federals, who now had flanked his position.
Custer’s younger brother, Thomas, spurred
his horse over a hastily thrown up barricade and
captured 3 Confederate officers and 11 enlisted men,
as well as the battleflag of the played out 2nd NC.
For his actions, the younger Custer would eventually
be awarded a Medal of Honor, one of two he would
earn within a week.
In the ensuing withdrawal, scores of Rebels
were seized during a 20-mile chase down Cousins’
and Green’s roads. General Barringer was captured,
as was Lee’s adjutant general, Maj. J. D. Ferguson.
Bushrod Johnson swung south with his division and
connected with Lee’s remnants. He finally forced
Custer to retire, opening the way for the Confederate
infantry to march to Amelia Court House, 20 miles
away, where they expected to receive much needed
supplies and rations.
Colonel Wells lost 95 Federal cavalrymen
killed and wounded in the engagement. Rooney Lee’s
cavalry losses are not certain, but at least 350
troopers were captured. Johnson reported 15
infantrymen wounded from his division.
After the battle, Namozine Presbyterian
Church, erected in 1847, served as a field hospital
and later as temporary headquarters for cavalry
general Phillip Sheridan. The wartime structure still
stands.
 18
THE WARGAME
This two-player scenario begins at 8:40 p.m.
and ends at 12:40 p.m. The table is 3’x5’ for Johnny
Reb 3; adjust as needed for other rules or scales.
Capehart’s Union brigade and division commander
Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer were in the
vicinity and may be added to the scenario if the
gamemaster so chooses (see deployment section).
DEPLOYMENT
CSA – Three cavalry regiments are on the
table as shown on the terrain map. The 1st and 2nd
NC are mounted; the 5th is dismounted. At the start
of the movement phase, roll 1D6 per regiment for the
number of inches of hasty works that the 5th NC can
erect. It will take one full turn to throw up these hasty
barricades. General Barringer begins the game with
the 5th NC. The Confederates may advance 1 stand
of the 5th NC as dismounted skirmishers into the
woods east of Mill Quarter Road. They may not be
deployed east of Puckett’s Branch.
OPTIONAL: The Rebel player secretly rolls
1D6; the 3rd NC (mounted) arrives at Point A on the
game turn that corresponds with the dice roll. In
reality, the regiment was not present; it was guarding
the wagon trains of R. H. Anderson’s division.
Johnson’s Division arrives at 11:00 a.m. at
Point A (unknown to the Federal player). They must
try to exit from Point B, using the roads. If the
intersection is blocked, they may have to chase off
the Yankee cavalry to complete their mission. [In the
actual battle, Johnson’s men did not return to
Namozine Church, but instead took a shortcut from
Green’s Road down to Cousin’s Road, where they
joined FitzHugh Lee’s cavalry and Anderson’s
Division on the march toward Amelia Court House.]
USA – Wells’ three cavalry regiments arrive at Point
C on Game Turn 1, mounted in column, with the 8th
NY, 1st VT, and 15th NY in that order.
OPTIONAL: Capehart’s Brigade may try to
enter the table at Point C on Game Turn 8. Roll 1D6;
on a roll of 1-4, the brigade comes on. It may try
again each successive turn until it comes into play or
the scenario time limit expires.
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
TERRAIN
The terrain is mostly open and gently rolling.
However, because of heavy rains, off-road movement
is taken at the BROKEN rate. Woods are medium
density. Namozine Church is tiny, and no troops may
enter it.
GOALS
CSA – Delay the Yankees long enough for the
majority of Johnson’s Division to pass by the church
and head west on Greene’s Road by the end of the
scenario. There’s still hope if the army can be
resupplied and make it to Lynchburg.
USA – Secure the road intersection by the church and
drive off or capture the CSA cavalry. Time is running
out on the Army of Northern Virginia and the
Confederacy. You can sense the end; it’s only a
matter of days.
ORDER OF BATTLE
Union
Elements of Custer’s 3rd Cavalry Division – Maj.
Gen. George Armstrong Custer +2 (only used in the
optional deployment of Capehart’s brigade)
2nd Brigade – Brig. Gen. William Wells +1
1st VT– 360 men, 12 figures, BLC, veteran
8th NY – 360 men, 12 figures, BLC, veteran
15th NY – 480 men, 16 figures, BLC, veteran
3rd Brigade – Col. Henry Capehart +1
1st NY (Lincoln) – 360 men, 12 figures, BLC,
veteran
1st WV – 360 men, 12 figures, BLC, veteran
2nd WV – 240 men, 8 figures, BLC, veteran
3rd WV – 360 men, 12 figures, BLC, veteran
Confederate
Elements of W.H.F. Lee’s Cavalry Division – Maj.
Gen. William Henry Fitzhugh Lee (not present)
Barringer’s Cavalry Brigade – Brig. Gen. Rufus
Barringer +1
1st NC – 200 men, 7 figures, BLC, elite
2nd NC – 200 men, 7 figures, BLC, elite
3rd NC – 200 men, 7 figures, BLC, elite
5th NC – 200 men, 7 figures, BLC, elite
 19

McGregor’s Battery – 1 section 3” Rifles, Veteran

(Only 1 single gun was actually present)
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATIONS
Elements of Johnson’s Infantry Division – Brig.
Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson +1
CUSTER, THOMAS W.
Moody’s Brigade – Brig. Gen. Young M. Moody +1
41st AL / 43rd AL – 360 men, 13 figures, RM, V
60th AL / 23rd AL Btln – 360 men, 12 figures,
RM, Vet

Wallace’s Brigade – Brig. Gen. William Henry

Wallace +1
17th / 18th / 22nd SC – 360 men, 12 figures, RM,
Vet
23rd /26th SC / Holcombe’s Legion – 360 men,
12 figures, RM, Vet

Wise’s Brigade – Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise +1 Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, Company
26th / 34th VA – 360 men, 12 figures, RM, Vet B, 6th Michigan Cavalry.
46th / 59th VA – 360 men, 8 figures, RM, Vet Entered service at: Monroe, Mich.
Birth: New Rumley, Ohio.
Key:
V = Veteran BLC = breechloading carbines RM = FIRST AWARD
Rifled muskets
Place and date: At Namozine Church, Va., 3 April
Regimental strengths are estimated from the Official 1863.
Records and regimental histories. Date of issue: 3 May 1865.
Citation: In action at the Namozine Church in
REFERENCES Willicomack, Virginia on April 3, 1865, Lieutenant
Thomas Ward Custer of the 6th Mission Cavalry was
Harrell, Roger, The 2nd North Carolina cited for capturing the Confederate Flag.
Cavalry.
Marvel, William, “Retreat to Appomattox,” SECOND AWARD
Blue & Gray, Vol. XVIII, issue 4, 2001.
Place and date: At Sailor Creek, Va., April 1865.
Date of issue: 26 May 1865.
NEW CIVIL WAR BOOK FOR SALE!
Citation: 2d Lt. Custer leaped his horse over the
enemy's works and captured 2 stands of colors,
Flames Beyond having his horse shot from under him and receiving a
severe wound.
Gettysburg: The Gordon
Expedition, June 1862 by
Scott Mingus is now
available from the
Johnny Reb Gaming
Society or from leading
book retailers such as
amazon.com. The first
detailed account of the
two weeks before
Gettysburg and John Gordon’s expedition
through Adams and York counties.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 20

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 21
TERRE N OIR C REEK,
AR K AN SAS
April 2, 1864
A JRIII Scenario by Jerry Stefek
Background
In the spring of 1864, Union Maj. Gen.
Nathaniel P. Banks, commander of the Department of
the Gulf, devised an ambitious plan to capture Rebel-
held Shreveport, Louisiana, and open up Texas to
invasion. Shreveport was also the headquarters of the
Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department, making it
an attractive target. Banks’ strategy included a two-
pronged attack. Banks and his army of 35,000 troops
and a 23-ship naval flotilla would drive northwest up
the Red River from New Orleans to Shreveport.
Meanwhile, a second smaller Union army of 8,500
men under Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele would drive
southwest from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Shreveport.
Shreveport was protected by the forces of the
Confederate West Louisiana Department,
commanded by Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor, son of
former President Zachary Taylor. Taylor chose to
concentrate his army of about 18,500 men against
Banks. He sent Brig. Gen. John Sappington
Marmaduke’s division of 3,200 cavalry to harass and
slow down Steele’s advance from Little Rock. The
veteran division was composed of three br igades,
including the famed “Iron Brigade” of Brig. Gen.
Joseph Orville Shelby. Shelby’s orders were to swing
around behind Steele’s army and harass or seize his
supply trains. Because Southwest Arkansas was
sparsely populated and offered little forage, without
supplies Steele would not be able to advance.
On April 2, 1864, Jo Shelby maneuvered his
brigade behind Steele’s column and into position to
attack his supply wagons, which were guarded by the
1st Brigade, 3rd Division under Brig. Gen. Samuel
Rice.
The Scenario
Terre Noir Creek is an attempt to simulate
the action of April 2. It struck me as an interesting
scenario because it is an action between an all-
cavalry Confederate brigade versus an all-infantry
Union brigade. The goal of the scenario is not to take
ground or destroy your opponent’s forces. Instead,
the priority for both sides is the supply train. I was
looking to create a fun cavalry raid. I felt this
Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)
scenario would simulate a raid and give each side a
good challenge. The scenario reminds me a little of a
World War II North Atlantic game where a German
wolf pack attacks on an allied convoy. The wagons
are the merchant ships. The Union infantry are the
escorts and the Confederate cavalry are the U-Boats.
The Actual Battle
The Confederate cavalry appeared at the rear
of the column around 11 AM just after the Union
column passed the muddy Terre Noir Creek. From
11:00 until sundown, there was a running skirmish
between Rice’s rear guard and Shelby’s cavalry. The
battle followed the road up and down several hills,
and the Union rearguard repeatedly kept the
Confederates at bay while the main regiments
performed a fighting withdrawal. They would make a
short stand and then pull back to the next position
while covering the retreat of the wagons. Despite
persistent efforts, Shelby’s men could not get around
or fight their way through the Union rearguard to
overtake the wagons. The Confederates tried several
charges and only gave up pursuit after nightfall.
Due to recent rains, off-road movement was
limited. The terrain was hilly and thickly covered
with trees. Hence, Shelby did not have a lot of
opportunities to bypass the Union rearguard and
attack the main Union column, which was strung
along the road over a great distance. A second
Confederate regiment was harassing the front of the
column, so it was pretty much a lone fight between
Shelby’s and Rice’s brigades. Neither side could
depend on reinforcements.
While this particular action was a
Confederate failure, Richard Taylor did stop the
incompetent Nathaniel Banks. Taylor then turned his
attention on Steele, eventually bleeding his army dry
of supplies and forcing the Yankees to retreat to
Little Rock. Shreveport was saved, but General
Taylor failed to decisively destroy either of the
retreating Union armies.
Union casualties at Terre Noir Creek were 8
killed, 32 wounded and 23 missing. Confederate
casualties were not recorded. A historical marker 2.3
miles south of the junction of highways 53 and 26
west recounts the skirmish.
The Table Layout
I don’t have any historical maps of the area.
Most of what I am going by are descriptive accounts
of the terrain. There is a northeast to southwest road
(the Old Military Road) that runs the length of the
table. All units start on the north end and gradually
 22
work their way off the table at the south end. Near
the south end, there is a fork that splits between
Camden and Jenkins Ferry. The Union wagons will
exit the via Jenkin’s Ferry road. The roads should go
up and down several hills. I would put in at least
three.
Off-road movement should be treated as
woods. Shelby’s men made several head-long
charges along the road at the Union rearguard. This
leads me to believe that off-road movement would
have been restrictive and slow; otherwise I would
have expected Shelby to simply ride around the
rearguard.
I would lay this scenario out on two tables set
short end to short end, instead of side by side. The
battle is going to roll down the long road.

Forces Engaged
Unit Name Size S tands Morale Weapons
The size of the Union force was recorded
Union
in the Official Records. I don’t know the size of the 1st Brigade - Brigadier Leader
50th Indiana at the time of the engagement. The General S amuel Rice +1
other Union regiments were recorded. Shelby’s 50th Indiana Infantry
Brigade was estimated to be about 1,200. Steel’s Regiment --- Lieutenant 4-4-4- Rifled
train was about 200 wagons. In thirty- to-one JR III Colonel S amuel T. Wells 480 4 Veteran M usket
29th Iowa Infantry
scaling, that would be seven wagons. To balance Regiment --- Colonel 5-5-4- Rifled
the greater Union numbers, the 9th Wisconsin Thomas H. Benton Jr. 540 4 Veteran M usket
starts at the opposite end of the board guarding the 33rd Iowa Infantry
crossroads. That is fairly historical but also puts Regiment --- Colonel Cyrus 5-5-5- Rifled
H. Mackey 600 5 Veteran M usket
them out of position to help right away. 9th Wisconsin Infantry
Shelby and his brigade were considered by Regiment --- Colonel 4-4-4- Rifled
many to be the best Confederate brigade in the Charles E. S olomon 450 3 Veteran M usket
Trans-Mississippi Theater. Hence, they get an elite Rifled
200 Wagons 7 Veteran M usket
status, and Shelby is a +2 leader. That should give
Vaughn's Illinois Battery -
the Confederate player a little more of an even 2 sections 60 2 Veteran 12 LB
chance. 2130
The Confederate player is after the Unit Name Size S tands Moral Weapons
wagons. He does not want to grind up his troops Confederate
fighting Union infantry if he can avoid it. Shelby's Brigade -
Brigadier General Joseph Leader
Union Deployment O. S helby +2
1st Missouri Cavalry
Battalion --- Major 2-2-2- SB
With the exception of the 9th Wisconsin, Rice’s Benjamin Elliott 240 2 Elite Carbine
brigade and the seven supply wagons enter from 5th Missouri Cavalry
the north end of the board along the Camden road. Regiment --- Colonel B. F. 2-2-2- SB
Gordon 240 2 Elite Carbine
The Confederates will enter at the very same spot 11th Missouri Cavalry
on Turn 3. On the first two turns, the Union troops Regiment --- Colonel M. 2-2-2- SB
must march down the road in column formation at W. S mith 240 2 Elite Carbine
full movement. Not until Turn 3 can they react to 12th Missouri Cavalry
Regiment --- Colonel David 2-2-2- SB
Confederate cavalry appearing behind them.
Shanks 240 2 Elite Carbine
The 29th IA is the rearguard setup behind Hunters Cavalry Regiment 2-2-2- SB
the wagons. --- Colonel D. C. Hunter 240 2 Elite Carbine
Vaughn’s IL battery is limbered at the rear Missouri Battery 2 Sections
--- Captain R. A. Collins 60 2 Elite 12 LB
of the train with the 29th.
1260
The 50th IN is in front of the wagon train.
The 33rd IA is in the middle of the wagon train.
The 9th WI is guarding the Camden and Elkins’ Ferry crossroad.

Confederate Deployment Shelby’s Brigade enters on Turn 3 from the north end
of the board along the same road.

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)

 23

Victory Conditions

The Union player must exit at least 4 of his 7 wagons

off of the south end of the table at the Jenkin’s Ferry
cut-off. Alternatively, he must have 4 of 7 wagons
surviving by nightfall on Turn 24.

Game Turns

The action begins at 11 AM. Night falls at 6 PM on

turn 21.

N. P. Banks

References

Official Records of the War of the Rebellion

http://books.google.com/books?id=N-
gUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA696&lpg=PA696&dq=battl
e+Terre+Noire+Creek+ARKANSAS&source=web&
ots=CW4kwr-uJv&sig=HyPV2ddsnNYL3zJvrih-
VxK3iXc&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1
0&ct=result

The Camden Expedition of 1864: A Historic

Context Written and Researched by William D.
Baker, pages 5 and 6.
http://www.arkansaspreservation.org/pdf/publications 10mm buildings in the collection of Scott
/Red_River_Campaign.pdf Mingus; many were painted by Doug Kline of
Battlefield Terrain Concepts
Camden Expedition Summary
http://www.civilwar.org/historyclassroom/hc_camde
nexpeditionhist.htm

Jo Shelby's Iron Brigade by Deryl P. Sellmeyer.

Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing, 2007.

www.battlefieldterrain.com

Steven Hofner (Order #35311104)