"Epic" ACW rules test game.

On Sunday,Malcolm,Brian and I had a great ACW game testing some very(very,very!) simple rules to suit our "Epic" figures.Because of the numbers that will eventually be involved I thought that the simpler the better(KISS!) and they worked a treat,giving a fast and paperless game which worked out as historically correct as a wargame can be.

I had deliberately set the game out to test movement,firing and morale in all manner of situations. Here you can see my Union troops firing artillery at the "Rebs" who are naturally firing back.

Caption for this photo should be "Guess who's just thrown some poor dice?"-Once the troops got to within musket range,the dice were being thrown thick and fast,and the casualties(marked by small red pom-poms) were appearing on nearly every brigade/division-thrilling stuff being enjoyed by us all.

It's testament to a good game that I get so engrossed,and I forget to take photo's-this was such a game!! At the end of the game(in which I was "hammered" by Malcolm and Brian!) we all agreed that there was real  potential in the rules,and that we would try them using all of the "epics"  ie putting 60 regiments per side on the table,plus artillery and cavalry,and see how we handle the extra numbers-we will,of course, manage it superbly well!

A very welcome visitor came to my house on Monday................................

The one and only Charlie Wesencraft!!-he wanted to see my "epics" and to see how my rules work-we talked and talked and talked-discussing everything from world politics to prices,even Monkeypox!! and of course wargaming in general.One hilarious thing must be mentioned-he had the biggest bird shit I've ever seen in the middle of his windscreen-when I asked if he was going to wipe it off,he said no,it's been there for a week now,so I'll just wait until it rains to get rid of it!!!!!

I hope I've got half his stamina and enthusiasm when I reach 94!

Game preview for Sunday 22nd May.

Graham is still on holiday,Paul and Dave are going to Partizan show,so Brian and I are going to have "a go" using Brian's newly based ACW epic figures(hopefully Malcolm will turn up too!)

When we first got the "epics" we thought it would be a good idea to use one strip as a regiment,thus giving us 60 regiments per side-EACH!!!-in theory this was great,and massive battles were envisaged-however it became apparent very early on that 120 regiments "floating" around the board,per side, was not manageable,so we decided to "double-up" the regiments,vastly reducing the numbers(in fact halving them-education is great isn't it?) so having re-based Brian's figures this week,we thought a try-out game would be in order.

This is the table,Union troops on the left,Confederates on the right-I have set the game up to also "test" my simplified solo "red pom-pom" rules,to give a fast and exciting game(??)

The rules work on 3 regiments to a brigade,and 3 brigades to a division,2 divisions to a corps! so what you can see are divisions,which will work together,and give a sense of what it must have been like to command such large bodies of troops-sending divisions to do a job sounds much grander than sending regiments!!!

You will have noticed that each division has its own artillery,supporting as it did!

These represent a battery,two batteries per division-keep it simple stupid!!-I'm looking foward to "rolling out" this game and the new rules.

 Napoleonic game at the "tute"

The day had arrived at last. We had eagerly been waiting to play an 1815 game on a huge table in order to field mine and Dave's 100 days campaign figures.

At a reasonable cost, I was able to get the main hall in a beautifully decorated building local to the village.

A sharp start at 9 o'clock, we had the cars unloaded and tables set up. Chris drove from Yorkshire and Michael headed south to join John, Brian and myself. 

Thanks to Janet (my better half), Dave and John for the drinks and more than enough food for all.

French and Allied troops were placed into their positions for a good old ding dong!

The table prior to play, Michael Dave and Chris were French and Brian, John and myself Allied.

The Allied right flank with de Plat's 1st KGL & Adam's 3rd Brit Inf Brigade and the Neth Cav Div.

Allied centre - 3rd Hanovarian Militia Brigade bolstered by 5th British Inf Brigade

and supported by Somerset's Household Brigade.

Brian commanded the left and had 1st Dutch Belgian Inf Bgd supported by Hussars & Lt Drag cav.

French infantry brigades supported closely by Cuirassier and dragoon brigades. Oh and Grande 12 lb artillery batteries of course.

The battle opened with a heavy bombardment and huge attacks on the farms on either side of the centre.

Both Chris and John threw their cavalry forward where they tussled back and forth all game. 

                                         

The British stood firm on this flank but had to form square for most of the game

Meanwhile the French launch another huge attack on the left farm and central position.

Guns pound the Allied artillery and pave the way for the columns attack

The French launch a twin cavalry attack to support the infantry. A counter attack by Sumerset stalls the French forcing the infantry to form square .... but for how long?

French numbers overpower both of the farms to increase the pressure.

Confident ?

Action across the entire table

Counter attacks to regain the left farm to no avail

French attack the Dutch battery and are then charged by British cavalry.

Meanwhile in the centre

The French are stalled for now!

Oh great look who's coming to the party!

After a fantastic day of action we started to box everything up. 9 until 6 is tiring, 

Exhausting.

Well done everyone a thoroughly enjoyable day and well done Dave for the hard work!