Skirmish Result - Romney Day 5 - Afternoon

The action at Romney on the afternoon was run as a skirmish (under AI), because the Confederate side was just under the threshold of 3,500 men needed for a battle (tactical simulation). Under the rules for a skirmish, it is concluded when one side reaches 5% casualties and is forced to withdraw. The rules also state that if the opposing side has over 4% casualties when the skirmish is ended, both sides will withdraw.  In the action at Romney, the Federals were the first side to reach 5% casualties, but the Confederates has already surpassed 4% losses. Given the importance of the objective, a decision was made to disengage, but keep both sides on the field at Romney.

Disengagement took place immediately after the Federals reached 5% losses. This was done by having the game on pause and the unpausing, ordering a unit to fall back, hitting pause again, moving to the next unit, and repeating until all units had disengaged. Casualties continued to mount during this process, which started from the 29th Ohio and 37th Virginia at the southwest corner of Romney and then proceeded clockwise until reach Ashby's cavalry at the northeast of town. When all infantry and cavalry had fallen back and disengaged, final casualties for the day were tabulated for player reports. (Casualties are not reported here - too much information for the players.)

Both sides will remain on the Romney map and may redeploy their lines in the areas indicated in the Day 5 evening map.

Players should note the following:

1. New Orders: Don't submit new orders until you receive your evening reports. (I have a lot of spreadsheets to fill out to complete the Day 6 order of battle and give you your reports.

2. Romney Contested: Romney will be considered contested on the night of Day 5. No points will be awarded.

3. Forced Marches: I will allow forced marches during the night leading up to Day 6, within reason (e.g. I won't let you order a forced march to Bloomery Gap, Cumberland, or an enemy controlled objective.) Units may be sent to Romney.

4. Night Arrival at Romney: Any units arriving at Romney at night in areas not under your control will remain at the entry area of the locality until the morning phase.  Confederates control the Northwest Turnpike between Romney and Frenchburg. Federals control the Northwest Turnpike between Romney and Mechanicsburg and the Moorefield and North Branch Turnpike between Romney and Hanging Rocks.

5. Evening Reports: Evening Reports should be out sometime this week. They will contain more details of the status of units that fought at Romney.