Stonewall’s Sword: The Battle of Cedar Mountain

About this board game

Stonewall’s Sword: The Battle of Cedar Mountain is a wargame for 1–2 players, with an approximately 180-minute playing time, recreating the Battle of Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862. One player commands Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s Confederate troops, while the other controls Nathaniel Banks’ Union forces.

Victory comes through controlling key areas of the map and earning victory points by eliminating enemy units. The game includes two scenarios, each offering its own victory conditions, length, and focus on a different aspect of the battle.

At the heart of the experience is the Blind Swords chit-pull system. It emphasizes the three “FOW’s” of military conflict: fog-of-war, friction-of-war, and fortunes-of-war. With every chit pull, players must assess the current situation and make difficult decisions based on incomplete and changing information.

Unlike traditional chit-pull mechanisms, Blind Swords ensures that no combat units can be counted on—or counted out. This creates an atmosphere of tense action and constant surprises, challenging each player throughout the battle.

• Command Jackson’s Confederate troops or Banks’ Union troops.
• Compete for key areas and victory points from eliminated enemy units.
• Choose between two scenarios with distinct conditions, lengths, and areas of focus.
• Experience uncertainty through the Blind Swords chit-pull system.

Released in 2015, Stonewall’s Sword presents Cedar Mountain through a focused contest of command, positioning, and battlefield uncertainty. Charles Kibler created the counter artwork, while Rick Barber created the map artwork.