<![CDATA[Grand Tactical Battles in the American Civil War - News]]>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:10:52 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[New Publisher & New Scenarios?]]>Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:33:49 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/new-publisher-new-scenarios
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It's been a long time--years, in fact--since we've had an "official" update on Altar of Freedom. For unofficial updates and community activity, be sure to visit the AoF Facebook Group page for discussion. But today's news is an official announcement that Altar of Freedom is now available through our new publisher, Battle Box Studios. Effective this week, the BBS webstore is now where you can purchase print and PDF copies of the game and scenario books. 

Speaking of scenarios...there are some long-gestating developments on that front, as well. A new set of exciting scenarios are in early development, and while it's too soon to reveal details, there's definitely something percolating. The next news update will not be years away!
]]><![CDATA[Free Spring Hill (1864) Scenario]]>Wed, 01 Dec 2021 17:17:49 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/free-spring-hill-1864-scenario
As part of the Little Wars TV Christmas giveaway, a brand-new Altar of Freedom scenario is now available! You can download a FREE copy of this PDF on our "Free Downloads" section under the Scenarios. 

The scenario explores one of the great "what if" moments of the American Civil War. Historically, Schofield's Federal army is retreating north to unite with Thomas at Nashville. But the speed of Hood's advance across the Duck River into Tennessee catches Schofield on the back foot. Skillful cavalry actions by Nathan B Forrest drive off the Federal cavalry, isolating Schofield and his massive wagon train of supplies. 

At the small village of Spring Hill, Hood's army has an opportunity to swing around in front of the Yankees and cut them off from Nashville. But darkness, bad luck, and poorly written orders conspire to deny Hood his best chance at striking a decisive blow. 

What Might Have Been?

Today's new scenario allows you to explore an alternate outcome. What if Hood's troops had properly cut the turnpike in the waning daylight hours of November 29th? What if instead of allowing the Federals to escape that night, the road to Nashville had been barred? Could Schofield's strung-out and divided column have battled their way to Nashville, or could Hood land the knock-out blow he so desperately wanted? Now you get to find out! 

If you enjoy this free scenario, don't forget that Little Wars TV is giving away tons of other free scenarios the entire month of December, spanning multiple eras of history and various rule sets! 
]]><![CDATA[Make your own Figures!]]>Thu, 18 Feb 2021 19:43:32 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/make-your-own-figuresA couple months ago, a viewer of Little Wars TV and fan of Altar of Freedom reached out to share photos of some 6mm scale miniatures he was making himself. When I saw these photos I was blown away. You'd never guess it from studying the finished, painted figures...but these are all made from twisted wire! I asked this viewer if he would be willing to put together some kind of tutorial to share his magic with others, and sure enough, he did! 

Anthony Mears has assembled one of the most comprehensive hobby tutorials I've seen. Every step in his process is photographed and explained so that you can make your own armies at home. His are based for Altar of Freedom, but you could apply his techniques for any game you prefer. The tutorial now appears in the Free Downloads section of this website, and again, a HUGE "thank you" to Anthony for sharing this impressive work!
]]><![CDATA[Print Distribution is Back!]]>Tue, 11 Aug 2020 13:17:13 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/print-distribution-is-back
The original print run for Altar of Freedom was done in full color, distributed by Iron Ivan Games back when the rules were released in 2013. We quickly sold out of the first run and not long after, the company Iron Ivan Games was itself sold. I switched over to black and white copies fulfilled via Lulu print on demand ever since that time. 

Since March 2020, Lulu has experienced many ordering and website issues. I decided to go back to a brick-and-mortar distributor who can fulfill orders around the world AND return Altar of Freedom back to its original full color printing. I'm very happy to announce that On Military Matters now carries the rules! They are a well established publisher, and this move will ensure Altar of Freedom can be purchased by customers around the world, without any fulfillment delays. 
]]><![CDATA[Third Winchester AAR]]>Tue, 19 Nov 2019 19:27:27 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/third-winchester-aar
This week our club fought the Third Battle of Winchester, sometimes called Opequon Creek. It's an 8-turn engagement that offers some tactical challenges to each side. The Federals enjoy a clear advantage in numbers and quality, but they are mostly funneled down a single road to approach a strong rebel position. Can Jubal Early survive until nightfall? Find out here!
]]><![CDATA[Speed Play Rules]]>Thu, 11 Jul 2019 12:02:18 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/speed-play-rulesThe Little Wars TV crew recently played the entire 3-day Gettysburg scenario in a single afternoon, and playing that size engagement with seven players can be daunting. They required a faster version of the game and I set out to design one for this purpose. My design priorities were twofold: (1) Cut the time required to play a large, multi-day battle in half; (2) Keep the core game mechanics intact. 

Both priorities are satisfied in the new speed play rules available now. I made a short video explaining how the variant works and what the changes are, but you can download a free copy of this one-page supplement right here on the website. It's under the Free Downloads section, and the PDF link also appears below.  
speed_play_variant.pdf
File Size: 161 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
]]><![CDATA[Little Wars TV Does Gettysburg!]]>Tue, 02 Jul 2019 12:18:16 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/little-wars-tv-does-gettysburgIn the season two premiere of Little Wars TV, Gettysburg gets the full treatment using Altar of Freedom! The format and production quality of this video stand out as a top-notch effort. Not to be missed!
]]><![CDATA[Interactive Gettysburg Wargame]]>Wed, 24 Apr 2019 15:32:12 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/interactive-gettysburg-wargame
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Little Wars TV is ramping up for a massive Gettysburg wargame, which would normally be exciting news in its own right. But better still, this game actually allows YOU to take a role in the battle. A modified, faster version of Altar of Freedom will be used to refight all three days of Gettysburg in a single afternoon! The players at the tabletop will be following orders issued by fans voting on a series of strategic command decisions for each army. Should Ewell have pressed harder on July 1st to seize Culp's Hill? Should Reynolds have ordered Howard'sa XI Corps to attack the exposed end of AP Hill's line on Seminary Ridge? Those decisions are now yours to make and they will be played out on the tabletop!.

Get involved today while the voting remains open! It's being hosted by the American Battlefield Trust, and if you haven't heard of this non-profit organization before, you really should read about their important work saving battlefields across the country from development.
GO VOTE NOW!
]]><![CDATA[Podcast Review]]>Fri, 15 Mar 2019 15:45:41 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/podcast-reviewWargaming Recon, a long-running historical wargaming podcast, discussed Altar of Freedom in their latest episode. It's a good perspective from players painting up 6mm Baccus armies to jump into the rules for the first time. There's also a fairly in-depth discussion about the merits of wargaming in smaller scales like 6mm and 10mm. There aren't all that many historical wargaming podcasts out there, so if you want some fun listening while you're in the car or painting miniatures you should give Wargaming Recon a try. They have a long back-catalog of previous episodes worth checking out.  

​http://wargamingforums.com/2019/03/11/small-scale-wargaming-wargaming-recon-224/
]]><![CDATA[Learn to Make Maps]]>Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:16:41 GMThttps://www.6mmacw.com/news/learn-to-make-maps
Would you like to build your own battlefield or theater campaign maps? The maps for our Vicksburg and Gettysburg campaign supplements were both done using the super advanced, super high-tech software Microsoft Paint. That's right. Lowly, free MS Paint! Little Wars TV has a full video tutorial that will teach you exactly how to replicate this process to make your own Civil War maps. You could use this method for just about anything ranging from historical to fantasy maps.
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