Vicksburg Playtest

Last week five players in our club sat down to play-test a new campaign system for Altar of Freedom. This game covered three weeks in May 1863, with Grant, Pemberton, and Johnston maneuvering between Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi. We put an additional twist on the game by making it a full double-blind. This meant the players would be maneuvering through the Mississippi woods blindly, relying on a GM for scouting reports. Communication between players was also restricted to written notes, delayed by a turn. I think the outcome of the campaign reminded us of one simple truth--fog of war rocks. 

Theater Map Movement

The Battle of Big Black River

On the second to last turn of the campaign, both Pemberton and Grant elected to give battle. The choice was an easy one for both armies--the Confederates needed to make a stand to save Vicksburg and the Federals knew time was expiring for them to complete their most important objective. 

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Campaign Outcome

The Battle of the Big Black River ended in defeat for Grant. His army, divided by the river, was forced to retreat in opposite directions. Pemberton's use of a central position, anchored by the Big Black as a natural obstacle, won the day. May 1863 would end with Vicksburg not under siege and Grant's expedition in uncertain peril with additional rebel reinforcements en route to Johnston. 

I think all the players had a fun experience, especially at the theater map level. Restricted communication and the hidden movement with fog of war always seem to create a tense, unpredictable experience. I suspect the Confederates would have had a much tougher time without hidden movement, as the Federal army included more divisions and would have probably pressed for a faster engagement. We will run this campaign again soon and see how it plays out the second time!