I love your battlefield visits. They add so much to the tabletop experience for those of us who haven’t been to these places. Keep up the awesome work!
Well done! Nothing like walking the actual battlefield to get a more realistic view of the obstacles faced there. The actual topography of a battlefield on most 2d maps is rarely depicted accurately. It is one of the main reasons "good" commanders take great pains to scout, probe, and reconnoiter terrain they expect to give battle on. Even then, surprises can exist, as rolling terrain often can hide other features not visible from the battlefield edge, providing a formidable opposing force a shock factor vs a larger force (the sunken road aka Bloody Lane, and AP Hill's attack on the Union left).
The first time I visited that battlefield, I was simply amazed how different the terrain was from how I had imagined it when reading about it. It answered so many questions.
This was excellent and I love this kind of video. Plus everyone had a good performance and presented well. I think the traditional wargame inaccurately gifts players accurate real-time intelligence across a wide battlefield. The uncertainty of knowing "what is on the other side of the hill" had a profound impact on the minds of the troops. I suspect that after several heavy defeats pessimism was widespread in the Army of the Potomac. So I don't find it at all surprising that Burnside's troops was forced back by a small force when all they really knew was that they were being hit in the flank by some determined troops - just like Second Manassas - and reacted with, "here we go again!" and fell back. So I look forward to watching how you gamed this one!
Mark, you have discovered the truth. There is nothing flat around Sharpsburg! Waterloo is a putting green by comparison. By far the most difficult ground is the area where Burnside attacked through. I am looking forward to ,part two!
Sure highlights the problem with most maps. The terrain is flat as a pancake. "Why didn't he just go this way?" Cuz there were hills, boulders, forrests, etc. in the way, but you can't tell from the provided map. I had no idea Antietam was so hilly. You've opened my eyes. Thanks again. Looking forward to the battle.
What a great video guys! I've been to Antietam Battlefield multiple times and have stood at the spot shown at 10:48. When you look over the valley between the hillcrests, it becomes quite evident why the Federals attack lost steam. It's difficult to see just how deep that ravine is in the video, but if you ever have the pleasure of seeing the terrain for yourself. You'll marvel how the Federals were able to press their attack forward at all.
Wish I knew you guys were filming this. My wife is a ranger at the park, and my little armies are in Boonsboro, about 6 miles away
These battlefield videos are such a fun idea. They really put things into perspective. Charlie stole the show.
I love your battlefield visits. They add so much to the tabletop experience for those of us who haven’t been to these places. Keep up the awesome work!
Well done! Nothing like walking the actual battlefield to get a more realistic view of the obstacles faced there.
The actual topography of a battlefield on most 2d maps is rarely depicted accurately. It is one of the main reasons "good" commanders take great pains to scout, probe, and reconnoiter terrain they expect to give battle on.
Even then, surprises can exist, as rolling terrain often can hide other features not visible from the battlefield edge, providing a formidable opposing force a shock factor vs a larger force (the sunken road aka Bloody Lane, and AP Hill's attack on the Union left).
The first time I visited that battlefield, I was simply amazed how different the terrain was from how I had imagined it when reading about it. It answered so many questions.
This was excellent and I love this kind of video. Plus everyone had a good performance and presented well.
I think the traditional wargame inaccurately gifts players accurate real-time intelligence across a wide battlefield. The uncertainty of knowing "what is on the other side of the hill" had a profound impact on the minds of the troops. I suspect that after several heavy defeats pessimism was widespread in the Army of the Potomac. So I don't find it at all surprising that Burnside's troops was forced back by a small force when all they really knew was that they were being hit in the flank by some determined troops - just like Second Manassas - and reacted with, "here we go again!" and fell back. So I look forward to watching how you gamed this one!
Mark, you have discovered the truth. There is nothing flat around Sharpsburg! Waterloo is a putting green by comparison. By far the most difficult ground is the area where Burnside attacked through. I am looking forward to ,part two!
The videos of this type are excellent, and I look forward to more in the future.
When are we getting the 30 Years War game?
Matt is actually painting some Swedes as we speak! Lutzen? Breitenfeld? Who knows!
Great example of how boots on the ground provide a very different perspective than a wargamer’s bird’s-eye view of a map or tabletop
Really enjoying your approach to walking battlefields from Gettysburg to Waterloo
Sure highlights the problem with most maps. The terrain is flat as a pancake. "Why didn't he just go this way?" Cuz there were hills, boulders, forrests, etc. in the way, but you can't tell from the provided map. I had no idea Antietam was so hilly. You've opened my eyes. Thanks again. Looking forward to the battle.
What a great video guys! I've been to Antietam Battlefield multiple times and have stood at the spot shown at 10:48. When you look over the valley between the hillcrests, it becomes quite evident why the Federals attack lost steam. It's difficult to see just how deep that ravine is in the video, but if you ever have the pleasure of seeing the terrain for yourself. You'll marvel how the Federals were able to press their attack forward at all.
Hill probably had a little over 1900 men engaged at Antietam.
Great video! Keep them coming!
LONG LIVE NERDS.
Great fun video. I really enjoyed it. Thanks. Walt
looking forward to how this plays out 🙂
Very nice
Great job gang!
Austin dress for success!
Maybe A.P. Hill crushed Burnside in battle, but no one bests Burnside's beard!
Did Charlie lose his stick AGAIN!!! A stick per battlefield?
I believe Antietam was a Union victory.
✌
Cos they didn't fight the entire Federal Corps and what they did have lacked inspired leadership, attacking over poor ground.
Great video,. please keep your day job, the singing really isn’t entertaining.