EPISODE 5: HE HATH LOOSED THE FATEFUL LIGHTNINGS OF HIS TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD
https://youtu.be/IJJm5amVw3w
To see if the Confederate army has successfully built their defenses, every Confederate soldier make both a Strength and a Stamina spin.
If you spin a number equal to or lower than your Strength number or your Stamina number, the spin is successful.
For every successful spin, you can ignore one injury in the upcoming battle (up to two injuries, if both spins are successful).
If on both attempts you spin a number higher than your Strength or Stamina number, the defense you're hiding behind is not strong enough to protect you. You are just as vulnerable as if you were standing out in the open.
The Battle of Oak Grove, June 25, 1862
Union Army:
The Battle of Oak Grove begins with a massive artillery barrage by the Union army. General George McClellan, commander of the Union army, has ordered his cannons to blast the newly built Southern defenses. With their greater range, the Union cannons start blasting away from their side of the woods in the early afternoon. In the meantime, the Union soldiers are massed in the woods at the edge of the woods, waiting for the signal to advance across the open meadow. You look around at the nervous, sweaty faces of the other soldiers and check your weapon and ammunition for the hundredth time. The booming of the cannons behind you startles you. You see huge spouts of dirt shoot into the air where the Confederates have built their defenses. The order to advance should be coming soon.
Confederate Army:
The Battle of Oak Grove begins with the sight of cannon smoke puffing from the woods across the meadow. A few seconds later the shrill scream of an incoming cannonball has everyone diving into the trenches for cover. The earth shakes as the cannonballs crash and explode. The barrage of cannon fire increases in intensity as the Union artillery finds the exact range to the Confederate defense. Dirt flies into the air and shattered palisades spin in every direction. Splintered logs turn into deadly shrapnel, shredding everything around them. All Confederate soldiers must make a Common Sense spin as they try to take cover from flying shrapnel. If a soldier spins his Common Sense number or lower, he has avoided injury.
If you spin a number higher than your Common Sense number, you have been hit by flying shrapnel. (Remember, a soldier who has made a successful Strength and/or Stamina spin in the first scenario can ignore up to two injuries.) You must make another spin to see how severe the injury is.
If you spin a number from 1 to 4, the injury is minor. You make a spin on the Minor Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences.
If you spin a 5 or 6, the injury is major. You make a spin on the Major Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences. All Confederate soldiers now need to make a Morale spin. If a soldier spins her Morale number or lower, her Morale stays the same.
If you spin a number higher than your Morale number, you must make a spin on the Morale Table. After what seems like an eternity, the cannon fire slows. You peak over the embankment and see the Union army’s blue-uniformed infantry beginning to march out of the woods and cross the grassy meadow.
If you spin a number equal to or lower than your Strength number or your Stamina number, the spin is successful.
For every successful spin, you can ignore one injury in the upcoming battle (up to two injuries, if both spins are successful).
If on both attempts you spin a number higher than your Strength or Stamina number, the defense you're hiding behind is not strong enough to protect you. You are just as vulnerable as if you were standing out in the open.
The Battle of Oak Grove, June 25, 1862
Union Army:
The Battle of Oak Grove begins with a massive artillery barrage by the Union army. General George McClellan, commander of the Union army, has ordered his cannons to blast the newly built Southern defenses. With their greater range, the Union cannons start blasting away from their side of the woods in the early afternoon. In the meantime, the Union soldiers are massed in the woods at the edge of the woods, waiting for the signal to advance across the open meadow. You look around at the nervous, sweaty faces of the other soldiers and check your weapon and ammunition for the hundredth time. The booming of the cannons behind you startles you. You see huge spouts of dirt shoot into the air where the Confederates have built their defenses. The order to advance should be coming soon.
Confederate Army:
The Battle of Oak Grove begins with the sight of cannon smoke puffing from the woods across the meadow. A few seconds later the shrill scream of an incoming cannonball has everyone diving into the trenches for cover. The earth shakes as the cannonballs crash and explode. The barrage of cannon fire increases in intensity as the Union artillery finds the exact range to the Confederate defense. Dirt flies into the air and shattered palisades spin in every direction. Splintered logs turn into deadly shrapnel, shredding everything around them. All Confederate soldiers must make a Common Sense spin as they try to take cover from flying shrapnel. If a soldier spins his Common Sense number or lower, he has avoided injury.
If you spin a number higher than your Common Sense number, you have been hit by flying shrapnel. (Remember, a soldier who has made a successful Strength and/or Stamina spin in the first scenario can ignore up to two injuries.) You must make another spin to see how severe the injury is.
If you spin a number from 1 to 4, the injury is minor. You make a spin on the Minor Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences.
If you spin a 5 or 6, the injury is major. You make a spin on the Major Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences. All Confederate soldiers now need to make a Morale spin. If a soldier spins her Morale number or lower, her Morale stays the same.
If you spin a number higher than your Morale number, you must make a spin on the Morale Table. After what seems like an eternity, the cannon fire slows. You peak over the embankment and see the Union army’s blue-uniformed infantry beginning to march out of the woods and cross the grassy meadow.
Union Army:
“Advance!” the Union major yells, pointing his sword toward the Confederate embankments. The long rows of soldiers begin to march across the meadow. A couple of overanxious rebels fire at your lines, but you are still out of range. Advancing in neat rows, your regiment approaches the swift running creek that cuts across the meadow. The major orders, “Double time!” and your regiment breaks into a trot. Suddenly you see big, bright flashes and clouds of smoke as the Confederate artillery opens fire on the rows of blue-jacketed Union soldiers. Cannonballs thunder into the earth around you, and deadly pieces of hot metal explode into the air along with dirt and bodies of blasted soldiers. All Union soldiers must make an Agility spin to try to avoid getting wounded by the cannon fire.
If a you spin your Agility number or lower, you have avoided injury.
If you spin a number higher than your Agility number, you have been wounded by cannon fire. You must make another spin to see how severe the injury is.
If you spin a number from 1 to 4, the injury is minor. You make a spin on the Minor Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences.
If you spin a 5 or 6, the injury is major. You make a spin on the Major Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences. As you look around for the major, all you find is what’s left of the feathered hat he was wearing. A captain is now waving his sword and screaming, “Charge!” even though your regiment is still several hundred yards from the enemy’s embankments. You leap over the creek and scramble up the other side. You stop, drop to your knee, and fire. All Union soldiers must make a Marksmanship spin to see if they hit their target. If a soldier spins his Marksmanship number or less, he has shot down his target. He can disregard the next wound he receives because he has hit the soldier who would have shot him.
If you spin a number higher than your Marksmanship number, you have missed your target.
“Advance!” the Union major yells, pointing his sword toward the Confederate embankments. The long rows of soldiers begin to march across the meadow. A couple of overanxious rebels fire at your lines, but you are still out of range. Advancing in neat rows, your regiment approaches the swift running creek that cuts across the meadow. The major orders, “Double time!” and your regiment breaks into a trot. Suddenly you see big, bright flashes and clouds of smoke as the Confederate artillery opens fire on the rows of blue-jacketed Union soldiers. Cannonballs thunder into the earth around you, and deadly pieces of hot metal explode into the air along with dirt and bodies of blasted soldiers. All Union soldiers must make an Agility spin to try to avoid getting wounded by the cannon fire.
If a you spin your Agility number or lower, you have avoided injury.
If you spin a number higher than your Agility number, you have been wounded by cannon fire. You must make another spin to see how severe the injury is.
If you spin a number from 1 to 4, the injury is minor. You make a spin on the Minor Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences.
If you spin a 5 or 6, the injury is major. You make a spin on the Major Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences. As you look around for the major, all you find is what’s left of the feathered hat he was wearing. A captain is now waving his sword and screaming, “Charge!” even though your regiment is still several hundred yards from the enemy’s embankments. You leap over the creek and scramble up the other side. You stop, drop to your knee, and fire. All Union soldiers must make a Marksmanship spin to see if they hit their target. If a soldier spins his Marksmanship number or less, he has shot down his target. He can disregard the next wound he receives because he has hit the soldier who would have shot him.
If you spin a number higher than your Marksmanship number, you have missed your target.
Confederate Army:
You watch as the straight lines of Union soldiers advance in perfect formation across the field, the brass buttons on their handsome blue uniforms glinting in the afternoon sun. These perfect lines soon falter as your regiment’s cannons blast the Northerners with cannonballs and canister rounds. The canister rounds are like giant shotgun shells that spray hundreds of metal pieces or even bits of chain and glass. Even as holes form in the Union lines, more soldiers come up to fill in the gaps. Soon the Billy Yanks are trotting toward you and beginning to fire randomly at your defenses. You hear your regiment’s colonel yell, “Steady men, let them come on. Steady. Steady. All right, let ’em have it! Fire!” All Confederate soldiers must make a Marksmanship spin to see if they hit their target.
If you spin your Marksmanship number or less, you have shot down your target. You can disregard the next wound you receives because you have hit the soldier who would have shot you.
If you spin a number higher than your Marksmanship number, you have missed your target.
Union Army:
As Union soldiers run toward the enemy, the entire front of the Confederate embankments is suddenly shrouded in smoke. The gunfire from the Confederate troops is deadly, and Union soldiers are mowed down like wheat. All Union soldiers must make an Agility spin to try to avoid getting wounded. If a soldier spins his Agility number or lower, he has avoided injury.
If a soldier spins a number higher than his Agility number, he has been wounded. The wounded soldier must make another spin to determine the extent of his injury.
If you spins a number from 1 to 4, the injury is minor. You make a spin on the Minor Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences.
If you spin a 5 or 6, the injury is major. You make a spin on the Major Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences. All Union soldiers now need to make a Morale spin.
If you spin your Morale number or lower, your Morale stays the same.
If you spin a number higher than your Morale number, you must make a spin on the Morale Table.
Confederate Army:
The Confederate commanders want to try to break the back of the Union charge with a charge of their own. You hear the order being repeated up and down the line: “Fix bayonets!” You quickly attach a long blade to the end of your musket and prepare to leap over the embankment. and meet the enemy hand-to-hand. The colonel stands above the embankment, ignoring the bullets that whiz past him, and gives the order, “Charge!” You come charging over the embankment and run toward the enemy, holding your musket low at your hip and ready to thrust with the bayonet. As you approach the enemy, you and your fellow soldiers let out the famous “rebel yell.”
You watch as the straight lines of Union soldiers advance in perfect formation across the field, the brass buttons on their handsome blue uniforms glinting in the afternoon sun. These perfect lines soon falter as your regiment’s cannons blast the Northerners with cannonballs and canister rounds. The canister rounds are like giant shotgun shells that spray hundreds of metal pieces or even bits of chain and glass. Even as holes form in the Union lines, more soldiers come up to fill in the gaps. Soon the Billy Yanks are trotting toward you and beginning to fire randomly at your defenses. You hear your regiment’s colonel yell, “Steady men, let them come on. Steady. Steady. All right, let ’em have it! Fire!” All Confederate soldiers must make a Marksmanship spin to see if they hit their target.
If you spin your Marksmanship number or less, you have shot down your target. You can disregard the next wound you receives because you have hit the soldier who would have shot you.
If you spin a number higher than your Marksmanship number, you have missed your target.
Union Army:
As Union soldiers run toward the enemy, the entire front of the Confederate embankments is suddenly shrouded in smoke. The gunfire from the Confederate troops is deadly, and Union soldiers are mowed down like wheat. All Union soldiers must make an Agility spin to try to avoid getting wounded. If a soldier spins his Agility number or lower, he has avoided injury.
If a soldier spins a number higher than his Agility number, he has been wounded. The wounded soldier must make another spin to determine the extent of his injury.
If you spins a number from 1 to 4, the injury is minor. You make a spin on the Minor Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences.
If you spin a 5 or 6, the injury is major. You make a spin on the Major Injury Table to see what kind of wound you sustained and its consequences. All Union soldiers now need to make a Morale spin.
If you spin your Morale number or lower, your Morale stays the same.
If you spin a number higher than your Morale number, you must make a spin on the Morale Table.
Confederate Army:
The Confederate commanders want to try to break the back of the Union charge with a charge of their own. You hear the order being repeated up and down the line: “Fix bayonets!” You quickly attach a long blade to the end of your musket and prepare to leap over the embankment. and meet the enemy hand-to-hand. The colonel stands above the embankment, ignoring the bullets that whiz past him, and gives the order, “Charge!” You come charging over the embankment and run toward the enemy, holding your musket low at your hip and ready to thrust with the bayonet. As you approach the enemy, you and your fellow soldiers let out the famous “rebel yell.”
Union Army:
You see the gray-uniformed Southerners burst out of the embankments with their bayoneted muskets held in front of them. As they charge toward you, they begin screaming and hollering like demons! All Union soldiers must make a Morale spin.
If you spin your Morale number or lower, your Morale stays the same.
If you spin a number higher than your Morale number, you must make a spin on the Morale Table.
The captain yells “Retreat!” and you begin backing away from the charging enemy and seek the cover of the creek embankment behind you.
Confederate Army:
The Union army is in full retreat as you charge toward them, but they quit running when they reach the cover offered by the creek embankment. The bugle sounds the retreat for your own troops and you scramble back to the safety of your defenses.
As the afternoon wears on, the battle winds down until both sides find themselves pretty much where they started the day. The sight of dead bodies, the moans of the wounded, and the smell of gunpowder fill your senses. As the sun begins to set, the wounded are carried back to the two camps. The business of war has ended for the day.
Journal Prompt
Write in your journals about the events in this episode. What did it feel like to be in an actual battle? How does it compare to how you felt when you first signed up for the army? Remember to write in character, even if your character has died.
You see the gray-uniformed Southerners burst out of the embankments with their bayoneted muskets held in front of them. As they charge toward you, they begin screaming and hollering like demons! All Union soldiers must make a Morale spin.
If you spin your Morale number or lower, your Morale stays the same.
If you spin a number higher than your Morale number, you must make a spin on the Morale Table.
The captain yells “Retreat!” and you begin backing away from the charging enemy and seek the cover of the creek embankment behind you.
Confederate Army:
The Union army is in full retreat as you charge toward them, but they quit running when they reach the cover offered by the creek embankment. The bugle sounds the retreat for your own troops and you scramble back to the safety of your defenses.
As the afternoon wears on, the battle winds down until both sides find themselves pretty much where they started the day. The sight of dead bodies, the moans of the wounded, and the smell of gunpowder fill your senses. As the sun begins to set, the wounded are carried back to the two camps. The business of war has ended for the day.
Journal Prompt
Write in your journals about the events in this episode. What did it feel like to be in an actual battle? How does it compare to how you felt when you first signed up for the army? Remember to write in character, even if your character has died.