This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas, my next game.

May 6, 1863

            Historical Event:  The Yankee Nightmare.   On this day Confederate States Navy Commander James D. Bullock is sent to Europe with two million pounds sterling; his mission:  find a shipyard that will build a squadron of ocean-going ironclads that will steam across the Atlantic to break the Union blockade.  One ship will be built – but not in time to see action.  She is the CSS Stonewall, named for the gallant general who fell earlier in May after gaining his epic victory at Chancellorsville.

            Game Connection:  The CSS Stonewall is one of those “what if” events that might occur in a game of Rebel Raiders.  She is represented by Card 74 (see below) and a matching counter.   She can act as a raider – but is much easier to catch than her older sisters – yet is harder to sink, as she fights as an ironclad.