0840 hours
The AI Strikes! - Buzzard RoostIn preparation for attacking the Rebels at Buzzard Roost, the Army of Ohio’s 2nd Division, 23rd Corps under Cox deploys its two brigades in front of Rebel position. Manson’s 2nd Bde on the left and Reilly’s 1st Bde on the right. As the Union troops move up, they see that the Rebels have at least 3600 troops in the area.
But the AI is not passive and strikes first. Robo-Johnny Reb moves quickly across Crow Creek with an infantry attack and nearly smashes Manson, causing the Union 65th Illinois regiment to flee in terror. The Rebels are crack troops from the Mississippi Brigade under Tucker (A and B quality troops). The Union troops are mostly poor, made up of C, D and E quality troops. The Union 2nd Division did not have time to deploy its artillery.
The Rebel Mississippi Brigade is somewhat spent from its attack, becoming disrupted. It is not clear how much more the men from Mississippi can push. For the Union, Manson manages to reestablish his line, but is shaky. Reilly on the right is mostly disrupted but holds. The Union 23rd Corps, 1st Division under Hovey is moving up to support Manson and Reilly. So this may not be all that big of a disaster for the boys in blue. It all depends on how many troops the rebels have that I can't see.
As a player, it is nice to see the AI be aggressive.
General Schofield, the Corps / Army Commander is close to the action, observing.

The big picture has Schofield’s 23rd Corps being blunted by the rebel attack at Buzzard Roost. In the East, the IV Corps races to Dalton, mostly unopposed.
