This American Civil War encounter battle was played by the Mongeham Militia near Deal in Kent on Gordon Kitney’s large 18/15mm table. The scenario was loosely inspired by the Chancellorsville campaign of 1863, where opposing forces fought for control of strategic roads through the tangled, forested terrain of Virginia’s Wilderness.
The terrain was entirely Gordon’s — including dense tree cover, key buildings, a covered bridge, and an array of fences — while all buildings were 3D printed by Battle Honours 3D and hand-painted. The figures were from Gordon’s own 15/18mm metal collection.
Scenario Overview – Securing the Wilderness Roads
Historical Context
In spring 1863, Union General Hooker aimed to outmaneuver Lee by swinging his army westward through the Wilderness toward Fredericksburg. Confederate forces responded by splitting and converging along forest tracks and crossroad junctions. This game captures that style of engagement — fragmented, confusing, and brutal.
In-Game Setup
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Union forces: 9 brigades in 3 divisions (a full Corps), with 6 advancing from the north and 3 from the west
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Confederate forces: 8 brigades split across 2 divisions , 4 attacking from the south, 4 from the east
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The objective: secure two key crossroads to dominate local movement
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Rules: a modified home brew of On to Richmond, built from the framework of Brigade Fire and Fury
Early game saw both sides racing along roads through forest, attempting to join forces before the enemy did the same. The terrain dictated everything: it slowed movement, blocked visibility, and shaped every firefight.
Snake Fence and Stone Wall Variants – Terrain That Matters
Fences weren’t just visual — they played a core role in shaping both strategy and history. From hindering cavalry to offering cover for riflemen, each type had an impact.
Variant 1 – Traditional Zig-Zag Split Rail Fence
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All-timber, classic zig-zag shape
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Seen frequently along paths and fields in the game photos
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Required no nails or posts — widespread across farms and woodlands in the South
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Used at Gettysburg, Antietam, Chancellorsville
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Offers soft cover, shapes movement lanes, and breaks up charges
Variant 2 – Split Rail Fence with Stone Field Base
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Timber rails stacked on top of a low, uneven stone foundation
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Historically accurate where farmers cleared stone from fields
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Adds stability and elevation — slightly more robust than Variant 1
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Blended look matches farms around Virginia and Maryland
Variant 3 – Long Stone Wall with Fence Top
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Straight-run stone wall with timber fencing above
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Used along boundaries, roadsides, or large estates
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Excellent for harder linear defence, especially in structured battlefield areas
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Historically akin to The Sunken Road at Antietam
Variant 4 – High Stone Wall with Split Rail Fence
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A full-height stone base with wooden rails mounted on top
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Tallest and most defensive of the range
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Common near settlements or fortified lines
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Excellent for forming strongpoints or anchoring flanks, seen at Cold Harbor and Spotsylvania
Each fence is available in multiple scales, printed in FDM filament for 15mm and up, and 12K resin for smaller options.
Featured Buildings on the Table
Every structure seen in the battle photos is available for sale:
Seven Pines Townhouse Pair
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Two large clapboard homes
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Seen in the centre of the board near crossroads
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Comes with removable floors for interior fighting
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Based on civilian buildings near Seven Pines, 1862
Rural Farmhouses and Barns
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Single and two-storey structures dotting the roads and fields
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Typical architecture for the Shenandoah Valley and the Virginia Piedmont
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Offer line-of-sight blockers, defensive cover, or objectives
Covered Bridge
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Stone-footed timber bridge crossing a stream or road
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Seen clearly in image 2, forming a key choke point
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Used widely in eastern US infrastructure — protected wagons and troops from weather
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Makes for a natural objective or reinforcement route in your games
Why This Terrain Works – Both for Gameplay and History
Your game reflected what made Chancellorsville chaotic: dense terrain, disjointed movements, and desperate fighting for control of roads and buildings.
Terrain Impact in Play:
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Snake fences restricted cavalry, channeled infantry, and allowed flanking fire
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Stone walls provided anchor points for defense
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Buildings formed objectives and cover
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Covered bridge funneled troops and split the map, making its control critical
Historical Parallels:
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The Wilderness made visibility and communication difficult — just like your table setup
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Roads defined the outcome — both in history and in this battle
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Civilian terrain shaped how armies fought, often determining who held or lost key junctions
Get the Terrain You’ve Just Seen
All items featured are available at battlehonours3d.com
All products are made to order in your selected scale, using FDM or 12K resin depending on size. Figures pictured are 18/15mm scale metals from Gordon Kitney’s collection. Photos, layout, and painting all by Gordon, on behalf of the Mongeham Militia.
