[Devil's Advocacy] Before Manassas - the road to Baltimore (19 April to 31 May 1861)

Story

1st Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Location
SE PA
Have early war or militia or gangs of New York figures and want to recycle them?

Think in terms of those northern Regiments rushing to DC being very actively opposed by Richmond's agents provocateur, Maryland militia and Baltimore street gangs. On the Yankee side, there's precious few cartridges and untrained troops who'll have to rely on cold steel vs. rebels of varying strength and armaments.

Have fun.

On April 19, 1861, only five days after the surrender of Fort Sumter, the situation in Baltimore exploded into violence. The 6th Massachusetts Infantry arrived at the President Street Station and began the process of changing trains. The cars were disconnected and pulled by horses down Pratt Street to Camden Station. As the process continued, a crowd gathered and with each moment it became more and more unruly. All but two of the cars had been transferred when the crowd blocked the tracks with timbers and anchors.

The two cars returned to the President Street Station and the soldiers disembarked to the howls and jeers of the mob. The troops then marched back down Pratt Street, led by a man carrying a rebel flag, and followed by the mob. At Gay Street some of the mob began tearing up paving stones and throwing them at the soldiers. Other men were seen brandishing pistols and muskets. Someone fired a shot.

Maryland officials demanded that no more federal troops be sent through the state, and secessionists destroyed rail bridges and telegraph lines to Washington to hinder the federal war effort. In May, Union troops occupied Baltimore, and martial law was declared. The federal occupation of Baltimore, and of other strategic points in Maryland, continued throughout the war.

How about mounted Maryland bushwackers vs a machine gun?

See also https://journals.psu.edu/phj/article/viewFile/22560/22329

For your terrain map, see https://civilwartalk.com/threads/map-of-the-philadelphia-baltimore-rail-road-1853.180195/

What's that? You want a period map for street fighting?
Fine.
regiment-1.jpg
 
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Have early war or militia or gangs of New York figures and want to recycle them?

Think in terms of those northern Regiments rushing to DC being very actively opposed by Richmond's agents provocateur, Maryland militia and Baltimore street gangs. On the Yankee side, there's precious few cartridges and untrained troops who'll have to rely on cold steel vs. rebels of varying strength and armaments.

Have fun.





How about mounted Maryland bushwackers vs a machine gun?

See also https://journals.psu.edu/phj/article/viewFile/22560/22329

For your terrain map, see https://civilwartalk.com/threads/map-of-the-philadelphia-baltimore-rail-road-1853.180195/

What's that? You want a period map for street fighting?
Fine.
View attachment 383544
No offence, but why is your post made here in the games and miniature forum?
I don't see the connection. I'm not sure what you're trying to convey to us.
 
No offence, but why is your post made here in the games and miniature forum?
I don't see the connection. I'm not sure what you're trying to convey to us.

You don't see a potential gaming scenario there?
 
Thank you, Story, for making your intent clearer in post #3.

There probably is a good skirmish-level miniature or Squad Leader type board game in there somewhere... a point system for (Confederate) delaying / preventing passage or (Union) getting units through. What do you think would be the best representation?
 
Thank you, Story, for making your intent clearer in post #3.

There probably is a good skirmish-level miniature or Squad Leader type board game in there somewhere... a point system for (Confederate) delaying / preventing passage or (Union) getting units through. What do you think would be the best representation?

Not sure, I'm merely putting forth the notion for the sort of folks who hold demonstrations at places like COLD WARS.

There's plenty of options - a campaign game lasting six weeks, using the B&O map in the other thread, combined with a series of tactical skirmishes.

What if the 53rd Maryland Militia had not disbanded after being called out on April 19th, and instead fought alongside the Baltimore rioters?
 
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