The Wilderness Campaign (wargame)

The Wilderness Campaign is a board wargame simulating the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War, fought between Union General Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate General Robert E. Lee in May and June 1864. Typically, the game covers the major battles and strategic maneuvering that occurred during the campaign, including the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, and the Battle of Cold Harbor.

The game typically uses a hex-based map representing the terrain of northern Virginia, including forests, rivers, and roads, which all impact movement and combat. Units usually represent brigades or divisions of infantry and cavalry, and are rated for strength, movement, and combat effectiveness.

Gameplay generally involves players taking turns moving their units across the map, engaging in combat, and managing supply lines. Combat is often resolved using dice rolls modified by unit strengths, terrain, and leadership abilities of the generals. The objective for the Union player is usually to capture Richmond, the Confederate capital, or inflict significant casualties on the Confederate army. The Confederate player typically aims to defend Richmond and inflict unacceptable losses on the Union forces, forcing them to abandon the campaign.

Different editions of the game exist, published by various wargame companies. These editions may vary in rules complexity, unit scale, and overall historical accuracy. Some versions emphasize tactical details of individual battles, while others focus on the larger strategic picture of the campaign. Some games include optional rules to simulate factors such as reinforcements, morale, and political pressure. The game is popular among wargamers interested in the American Civil War due to its focus on a crucial and bloody campaign of the war.