Resaca - an inverted Gettysburg

Started by Chris Pringle, 14 April 2026, 09:34:22 PM

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Chris Pringle

Resaca is a big ACW battle that doesn't seem to get much attention from wargamers. Why is that?

- Not quite bloody enough? It can't just be that – smaller battles with smaller casualty lists get plenty of play.

- Perceived as just a dull frontal assault against earthworks? Seems unfair. After all, the Confederate defenders conducted attacks of their own with Hood's corps on both days.

- Changed nothing? That's probably it. But could it have?

I explored it by writing a scenario for it that we fought this week. It was only after the event that I realised it is very much like an inverted Gettysburg, with the Confederates playing the part of the defender. For Cemetery Hill, read the Four-Gun Battery; for the Round Tops, read the hills just west of Resaca; for East Field, read Lay's Ferry; etc, etc.

It produced a surprisingly good game in which all four players got to manoeuvre and conduct assaults. And it wasn't too far off the history, either. And Dave T and Dave W got their Pendraken ACW armies on the table for the first time in a while! If you're interested in seeing a photo-AAR, look here:
https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2026/04/resaca-inverted-gettysburg.html

Duke Speedy of Leighton

You may refer to me as: Your Grace, Duke Speedy of Leighton.
2016 Pendraken Painting Competion Participation Prize  (Lucky Dip Catagory) Winner

Techno 3

I'll do this later