American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

Club Rule 6.1.1.3 states:
"Players who withdraw any of their forces from the battlefield map, other than via a designated Exit Hex or as specified in the scenario as a victory condition, shall suffer a two-step reduction in the level of victory."
I understand that this Rule exists to prevent gamey and unfair play by a Member who withdraws his force, or part thereof, from the battlefield to prevent his opponent gaining sufficient Victory Points to claim a victory. I am fine with that intention.

However, there can be certain circumstances where the Rule creates unrealistic situations due to the falsity of map edges being the end of a flat world.
In a recent game my opponent had one of his Corps enter the battlefield in an area separated from the rest of army by an (mostly) uncrossable river. They had entered the battlefield on a land hex because, off-map, there is a ford behind them in the real world. Not long after they arrived they discovered that General Jackson was in front of them and behind them was the 'blackness of the end of the world'. They were trapped and General Jackson does not show quarter to Yankees.
Before too long the Union Corps was being massacred. They had nowhere to withdraw to and the rest of the army was too far away to be of any assistance to them. Being unaware of the Rule 6.1.1.3 my opponent began withdrawing routed units off the map. I had no issue with this. Indeed, I feel that realistically once that Union force discovered they were trapped they would have withdrawn before the situation deteriorated, especially as their only escape route (in the real world) was a solitary ford.
Historically, I can think of only two examples where a force with their backs to a river did not withdraw, Ball's Bluff (60% of Union force were casualties) and Big Black Bridge (over 80% of Confederate force were casualties). Hardly recommendations for standing your ground with your backs to a river.

Consequently, I feel that Rule 6.1.1.3 needs some amendment to permit the withdrawal of units in some circumstances in the interests of better simulation and historical reality. I do not think the Rule should be removed entirely as that would then create unfair games and ahistorical situations.
I've yet to think of a suitable rewording and would be pleased to hear the suggestions and comments of others on this matter.

_________________
Paul Swanson
Lieutenant-General
First Division
First Corps
Army of Northern Virginia

_________________
Gen. Blake Strickler
Confederate General-in-Chief
El Presidente 2010 - 2012

Fair enough.

It was a scenario I'd only played once before and hadn't played for a very long time.

The suggested 'pre-game scouting' sounds best. I did have a quick look for my side but didn't bother checking the Union situation other than a general idea of where they were coming in. Even though we didn't have any house rule for the situation I was happy to let it go as it seemed to be the logical and realistic thing to do.

_________________
Paul Swanson
Lieutenant-General
First Division
First Corps
Army of Northern Virginia