Wilderness May 5-6, 1864

Wilderness: May 5-6, 1864 is a historical board wargame covering the Battle of the Wilderness, the opening major engagement of Grant’s 1864 Overland Campaign against Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War.

Published by Worthington Publishing / Old School Wargames, the game delivers an operational simulation focused on the intense fighting of May 5–6, 1864 in the dense Virginia wilderness, where poor visibility, forest fires and battlefield confusion severely impacted command and maneuver.

Designed for historical wargamers, Wilderness: May 5-6, 1864 emphasizes command decisions, operational pressure and control of communication lines in a hostile battlefield environment.

General Information

Highlights

• Historical simulation of the Battle of the Wilderness.
• Strong emphasis on terrain and command limitations.
• Constant tension between offensive initiative and battlefield disorder.
• System designed to reflect the coordination difficulties caused by dense forest combat.
• Suitable for experienced wargamers and American Civil War enthusiasts.

Historical Background

The Battle of the Wilderness marked the opening phase of Grant’s campaign against Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The battle took place in heavily wooded terrain that reduced visibility and largely neutralized the Union army’s numerical superiority.

The fighting on May 5–6, 1864 featured chaotic attacks, disorganized formations and brutal close-range engagements. Despite severe casualties on both sides, Grant continued advancing south, signaling a major strategic shift in the war.

Contents

• Large sturdy game box 
• Two Hard mounted 34" x 22" game boards (combined to make 34" x 44" battlefield)
• Two Series Rule books version 1.5 (1 for each player)
• Two Wilderness 1864 scenario books (1 for each player)
• Four sheets of large 3/4" counters with rounded corners
• Two full color double sided player aids with large readable font
• Two ten sided dice
• Counter Tray

Overall Impression

Wilderness: May 5-6, 1864 is aimed at historical wargamers looking for a tense and asymmetrical operational experience shaped by terrain limitations and command friction. The subject matter, rarely explored at this level of operational immersion, should appeal strongly to enthusiasts of Grant’s Overland Campaign.