I’ve had some Irregular Miniatures 2mm ACW figures just sitting around in cigar boxes for a long time now. They get taken out from time to time for a DBA style game, but I’ve found that the DBA ACW style rules always seem to leave me wanting more. So I think it’s about time to write my own, grand scale, 2mm ACW rules!

This is what a division looks like. Each base contains 3-5 regiments and represents a brigade.

My first thought is, “what kind of rules do I want to write and for what kind of battles”? Well, I think I’m leaning toward a game were one base of figures is equivalent to one brigade and a player is focused on commanding a corps and/or an army. I want the rules to be “quick play” like DBA, but to have the feel of an ACW battle. I’m also looking for something simple that I can play with my kids (who are often my wargaming opponents), or something that I can break out with the guys as an “in between & easy to learn game” at a convention.

Like many of you I have read a lot of historical, non-fiction books and reports on ACW battles and campaigns. In writing a set of rules I feel that is definitely the only place to begin the process. However, I have recently started to reread two excellent books in my library about the ACW that are targeted to wargamers. The first of these books is “Wargaming in History – The American Civil War” by Paul Stevenson. This book doesn’t offer any specific rules for playing ACW rules, but is a fertile field of ideas for organizations, tactics, weapons, combat, and campaigns. I would consider this book a must read for any one thinking about writing a set of ACW rules. The book contains some excellent information on infantry tactics, small arms effects on the battlefield, woodland fighting, cavalry vs infantry, etc. I highly recommend this book! Here is an handy link to check out this book on Amazon: LINK

A Confederate corps with battery support and general.

Another “must have” book for anyone thinking about writing a set of ACW rules is “Battle in the Civil War – Generalship and tactics in America 1861-65” by Paddy Griffith. This book has four chapters that break down in detail  each stage of a typical campaign and battle, such as: the army commanders problem, the army commanders battle, corps and division command, and the regiments battle. I also have to mention that this book is full of wonderful illustrations by Peter Dennis. Again, highly recommended and  here is a link to Amazon for this book: LINK

A closer shot of the rebs!

My thought is to play the 2mm battles on a normal sized table, and include some of the maneuvering into battle. I think it will be interesting to let the players do some pre-battle, campaign maneuvering, and include some scouting and reconnaissance rules combined with hidden movement. Once the enemy has been detected it will be great to watch the armies deploy into lines of battle  and start the action!  Again, once the battle starts, I would hope that the rules would be quick and easy enough for us to play the battle in 1-2 hours. What do you think? I’m definitely seeking input from the gaming community on this one! Please feel free to leave comments. If this project pans out, Chris and I have talked about making the rules a pdf available here on the website! Thanks – Cory