The Napoleonic Wars, General de Brigade, 28mm

We couldn’t chance a big game this week, as my wargaming buddy Dougie’s partner was expecting a baby, and didn’t want to be away too long. Of course, technically he wasn’t the one giving birth, but you know what I mean – he was on stand-by because of the imminent arrival of reinforcements. We therefore settled on a small brigade-sized clash, set in the Peninsula. The French held a village, and the British wanted to drive them from it. Both infantry forces were supported by guns, backed up by a regiment of light cavalry. The French started on the table, while the British marched on during the first turn, with part of their force appearing on the middle of one of the short edges of our 8×6 foot table. Of course, that flanking force was also advancing straight into trouble…The French right flank was protected by their regiment of Chasseurs of Cheval. When two battalions of Portuguese foot and a regiment of British light dragoons appeared over the hill the chasseurs lined up and charged the British cavalry, who of course charged too. Rather cockily I hadn’t put my Portuguese into square, and kept advancing towards the village. Big mistake. After a vicious little melee the light dragoons were bested, and forced to retreat. The chasseurs rolled perfectly on the Pursuit Table, and promptly charged into the flank of the nearest battalion of Portuguese, who broke and ran, and were swept away. The only thing that saved the second battalion was the French rolling “retire to lines”, and the chasseurs pulled back to regroup. So far it wasn’t going too well…Over by the village the British advanced to within musketry range, after the skirmishers of both sides had fought their own private little battle. The French had four guns deployed beside the town, which should have caused havoc in the British lines, but low die rolling saved the day. Instead the British unlimbered their own battery, which – with the help of some riflemen – blew away one of the French battalions that was holding the line. The British guns then turned on their French counterparts, but we had to pack up before the battle played out to its conclusion.The French still held the village after two hours of gaming, but they were under pressure all along the line, apart of course on their right flank, where the chasseurs still ruled supreme. The plucky British light dragoons rallied and returned to support the Portuguese foot, but generally things were looking a little dodgy on that flank, after the French won that all-important cavalry battle. Before the battle, Dougie said he didn’t really like his small Rank & File chasseurs, and he might sell them Now he isn’t so sure!We used General de Brigade – the new “Deluxe Edition” version. While the original rules were very good, this new improved version is a little slicker, and above all the rules are much better laid out, making those little queries (firing from buildings, artillery firing through skirmishers etc.) much easier to answer quickly. All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable few hours of gaming. 

Tags: General de Brigade