This scenario has been developed by Antonio Plasencia.
Background
Pea Ridge was the largest battle fought in the Trans-Mississippi Theatre. Missouri was a vital border state of great importance to both sides in the war. By the end of 1861, the Confederates had been driven out of Missouri and Curtis’ 11,000 man Union Army pressed south across into Arkansas. Opposing him was Van Dorn’s Confederate Army of 17,000 men. Van Dorn force marched his army for three days consuming all its rations, and caught up with the Union Army at Pea Ridge.
By the afternoon of the 8th, after nearly two days of fighting, Van Dorn began to retreat his hungry and weary army to the north and east. The Union had won a substantial victory. With the South’s defeat at Pea Ridge, the Confederacy was never again able to seriously threaten the Union’s dominant control of Missouri. There would be other battles, but Missouri would remain Union.
Order of Battle
Confederate Army of the West, Major General Earl Van Dorn (AC)
Missouri State Guard, Sterling Price (DC), Exhaustion 5
- Little's Brigade M4 [ ][ ][ ]
- Slack's Brigade M4 [ ][ ][ ]
- Missouri State Troops M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] PT.
- Divisional Artillery M4 [ ][ ] SB-H
- Divisional Artillery M4 [ ][ ] SB-F
- Divisional Artillery M4 [ ][ ] SB-F
- Divisional Artillery M4 [ ][ ] R-F
McCulloch's Division, McCulloch (DC), Exhaustion 8
- McIntosh's Brigade "A" M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
- McIntosh's Brigade "B" M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
- Herbert's Brigade M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
- Pike's Indians "A" M4 [s]
- Pike's Indians "B" M4 [s]
- Divisional Artillery M5 [ ][ ] SB-H
- Divisional Artillery M5 [ ][ ] R-F
Union Army of the Southwest, Brig. General Samuel Curtis (AC)
Army Troops - Independent Corps, Exhaustion 3
- 17th Missouri Regiment M5 [ ][ ]
- 24th Missouri Regiment M5 [ ]
- 3rd Iowa Cavalry Regiment M5 [s]
- Bowen Cavalry Regiment M5 [s]
- Independent Artillery M5 [ ] SB-F
Left Wing, General Curtis (CC)
1st Division, Osterhaus (DC), Exhaustion 5
- 1st Brigade - Greusel M6 [ ][ ][ ]
- 2nd Brigade - Coler M6 [ ][ ][ ]
- 3rd Brigade - Schaefer M5 [ ][ ]
- Divisional Artillery M5 [ ][ ] SB-H
- Divisional Artillery M5 [ ][ ] R-F
Right Wing, General Sigel (CC)
3rd Division, Davis (DC), Exhaustion 5
- 1st Brigade - Pattison M6 [ ][ ][ ]
- 2nd Brigade - White M5 [ ][ ]
- 3rd Brigade - Dodge M6 [ ][ ][ ]
- Divisional Artillery M6 [ ][ ][ ] R-F
- Divisional Artillery M6 [ ][ ] SB-F
Scenario Rules
The Confederates have the burden of attack and move first. The battle starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. The second day starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m.
- The Confederates enter deployed. Artillery is limbered.
- Union troops that enter at Point "D" also enter deployed.
- Union troops that enter at Point "C" (Telegraph Road) enter in road column.
- Pike’s Indians are represented by two skirmisher units.
- Union Cavalry Skirmishers may attack any unit but do not receive cavalry shock against disordered units.
- Union Regiments move as brigades but only get 2 dice for non-stationary fire and melee.
- The 24th Missouri Regiment is considered to be in command at game start. It may start the game stationary.
The Independent Corps Troops are in command on the turn they enter and are In Command on a roll of 3, 4, 5 or 6, in the Command Determination Phase, and/or until an Army or Corps Commander becomes available and is in command range.
- Pea Ridge and the small round hill are impassable to all troop types.
- Units may reform along roads and on wood edges.
- All streams are fordable along their entire lengths.
- Elk Horn Tavern and Leetown are villages.
All other terrain affects are as per the rules.
Victory Conditions
Victory is determined by control of the three objectives. They are:
- Elk Horn Tavern
- Union HQ
- Leetown
At the end of the 5 p.m. turn, determine if a side has won a Decisive Victory. The Confederates need to control any 2 objectives. The Union side wins decisively if it controls all 3. If neither side wins decisively, play continues to the second day. At the end of the second day, determine victory.
- Confederate control all three = Decisive
- Confederate control two = Substantial
- Union control two = Marginal
- Union control all three = Substantial
- Any other result is a draw.
Historically, the Union controlled the field and all objectives.
Setup
Confederate Setup, March 7th 1862:
9am Enter at Point "A"
- McCulloch’s Division
9am Enter at Point "B"
- Major General Earl Van Dorn
- Missouri State Guard
Union Setup, March 7th 1862
Deployed at Point "B" Ford:
- 24th Missouri Regiment - deployed
Deployed at Pratt’s Store:
- General Davis
- 1st Brigade - Dodge / 4th Division in road column 1/2 movement
Arrives at 9am Point D:
- 3rd Iowa Regimental Cavalry -Bussey
- General Osterhaus
- 1st Brigade -Greusel-/ 1st Division/Left Wing
Arrives 10 am Point "C" :
- 1st Brigade Artillery 3rd Division/Right Wing
- 2nd Brigade Artillery 3rd Division/Right Wing
Arrives 11am. Point "C" or "D":
- General Curtis
- General Sigel
- 3rd Division/Right Wing
Arrives 12pm Point "C" or "D":
- Bowen Cavalry
- Independent Artillery Battery
Arrives 2pm Point "C" or "D":
- 3rd Brigade-Schaefer /1st Division/Left Wing
- 1stBrigade Artillery Btn./1st Division/Left Wing
Arrives 3pm Point "C" or "D":
- 2nd Brigade -Coler-/1st Division/Left Wing
- 2nd Brigade Artillery Btn./1st Division/Left Wing
Union Setup, March 8th, 1862:
Arrives 8am Point "C"
- 17th Missouri Regiment -Poten/Independent Corps
Map
Legend:
- Black = objectives; Brown = contour; Dark brown = road; White = open woods; Green = dense woods; Yellow = clear/fields; Blue = streams; Hash Marks = fords.
- Streams are fordable along entire lengths.
- Squares = 12 inches. 1 inch = 100 yards. Map is 6.5 x 4.5 feet.
