A New Player Joins

One of my son's friends is joining the Slobobian Amy a a brigade commander: His initial briefing:


Per our conversation yesterday I thought I would bring you up to speed
in preparation for our online campaign.

First off the setting of this campaign takes place in 1868 between two
fictional states, Freedonia vs Upper Slobobia. These states are
generally in the area of the Ardennes,along the border of Germany,
Luxoumberg and Belgium.You are a member of the Upper Slobobian Army.

The Nature of European Combat in the late 1860s:
Much of the lessons learned during the American Civil War were
expressly ignored by the majority of European major military planners
and thinkers who could not look past the "Armed rabble" nature of the
war. For example cavalry still filled an essentially Napoleonic shock
charge battlefield role as cavalry leaders were against giving up the
romantic notion of the charge even though technology had already made
it somewhat feasible. The breach loading rifles known in Prussia as the
Needlegun and in France as the Chassepot have dramatically increased
the lethality of infantry and necessitate more open formations as
opposed to everyone banging away at each other in line. Likewise
Artillery is increasingly breachloading and rifled which increases
range and rate of fire.

Unfortunately Upper Slobobia represents the reactionary movement
against these new technological changes, being that they haven't
fought serious combat since the Napoleonic wars ended in 1815.
Politically they are  a duchal Monarchy and very much against the
upstart Freedonian's heretical attempts to move towards a French-style
democracy.

Anyway the Slobobian Army is still equipped with Rifled Muskets
similar to those used in the US Civil War. There is a strong belief in
the Slobobian Army that combat is resolved at the point of a bayonet.
The Freedonian Army is equipped with bolt action "needle guns".

 After he writes back to join...

Great,
I have attached your commander's original plan for the invasion of Freedonia and a map of your current overall situation. You are a General Geanakoplos, a brigade commander in Chekov's Corps of the Army of Upper Slobobia which is commanded by General Lorencz (that's Miles). You are part of the Northern Attack Group...Group A.

Your Brigade currently consists of:
1co 11th Artillery with 4 8lber rifled cannons (horse drawn) w 155 men.
3rd Royal Light infantry bn (battalion) with 755 men (they are light troops capable of skirmishing)
1bn IR(Infantry Regiment) 22 with 850 men
2bn IR22 with 908 men
1bn IR17 with 900 men
2bn IR17 with 889 men
1bn IR20 with 945 men (note: your best unit)
All your battalions have six equal sized companies.

It is 2300hours (11pm) on 3 June, 1868. The previous day a large battle was fought at Bretogne near the border. Your role in this fight was minimal given your position last in line towards the back of the column.  During the reorganizing that ensued on the 3rd, your Brigade now finds itself at the head of the column with Alfonso bloodied division now rested and reorganized, at the back. You are summoned by General Chekov who informs you that your brigade will be in the lead for tomorrow's march. He wants no surprises. Behind you in the order of march will be Solo's Brigade. The entire army follows. He expects you to be ready to move by 6am. You are to proceed at a normal marching pace.

Ahead of you will be a few squadrons of Slobobian cavalry scouting ahead. You know they are out there because you hear occasional shots as they skirmish with the ever present Freedonian cavalry pickets assigned to keep tabs on your army's progress.

You will need to decide the order of march for your brigade as they lead off in the morning. You can respond to me with a short narrative of the orders you give your subordinate commanders. Keep in mind that if you have to move out by 6am that it will take your brigade at least a half hour to form up into column not including eating breakfast and packing up.







Once you mull this over I will be looking for you to give me your suggested order of march since you are the lead element in the Army.  This mean bn (battalion X is in the lead followed by Bn Y etc, where is the artillery battery in this order and where are you. Also what will you tell the lead bn commander (cdr) to do if he makes contact. Your formation I expect will be in column so your brigade will be spread out along the road over a mile.

You are pretty much tasked with moving down a single road, several miles ahead of the other brigades. The only thing ahead of you will be cavalry..outside of your control but they will keep you informed of what they bump into. The Army commander has you out front and it will be your job to deal with small enemy detachments as pop up without involving the rest of the Army.

Good Luck!





His first orders...
"I would like to advance my troops at 5:00 am in a colomn with the 3rd Royal Light infrantry leading the way followed by the 2bn IR17, then the 1bn IR17, then the 1bn IR20, then my cannon and then in the rear hte 2bn IR22. The lead unit should engage in cmbat with any resistance met and should await further order as they fight the opposition"

4 June: Morning...The Battle of Amity

Initial deployments

Defensive preparations where barely underway when the Slobobians appeared along the main road in force. One unanticipated development was the concentration of all light forces into a  single ad hoc force which was dispatched to find away around the Freedonian right flank.  Wasserman's deployment included for the first time militia, which had been assembling at Amity over the past two days, and had been responsible for whatever defensive positions there were. As such they occupied the advance position and were first in actin when the Slobobians struck. Within a half hour the Militia battalions were routed. But hey had caused sufficient disorder within the Slobobian ranks that Pham passed through the next regiment to continue the attack.

View from behind the Freedonian position looking East

Townspeople alerted Wasserman as to the attempted flanking movement by the Slobobians. he saw with alarm that they would strike his artillery position and rushed the tired 7th Jaegers and his dragoons to bolster the right flank.

At this point the engagement became general with both sides artillery shelling portions of Amity as the fight developed back and forth. Soon much of the town was on fire.

The Successive blows against the Freedonian line each in turn sent them reeling rearwards. The many hedgerows and  built up terrain of the village did not work in the favor of the Freedonians, unable to make best use of their rapid fire needleguns against the swarms of Slobobian attackers. The superior numbers of the Slobobians insured that there was always a fresh battalion to throw into each attack, regardless of the casualties of its predecessor.

Desperate charge of the 2d Dragoons

Ultimately Wasserman was able to draw off his force, admittedly not in the best of order. A fresh Slobobian battalion set off in pursuit. A timely, if desperate, flank charge from the 2d Dragons, slammed into the lead attackers, and thus put an end to any immediate pursuit. However eth cost was high, nearly the entire regiment killed, wounded, captured.

In the end each side lost a further 25% of their force,(Freedonains 1400, Slobobians 2300)... losses the Freedonians could ill afford. However, Wassrman was now able to extract himself, with no enemy pursuit. The Slobobians were too disorganized to follow, and would wait at Amity the rest of the day, reorganizing and awaiting the rest of their column, on the way down form Bethany.

And thus came to a close the four days which would be known as the  Battle of the Frontiers...

4 June: 0400 Aftermath of Bethany

The enemy Brigade attempting to force the gully had pretty much wrecked themselves in the attempt. However with four brigades in this wing,General Mattieu sends Pham and Zervos's brigades to move by the route taken by IR13 and undertake immediate pursuit. Meanwhile the rest of the wing spent the evening getting across consolidating and reorganizing.

That night Brigade Wasserman moved 5 miles west to the small town of Amity. The commander expected that he would be able to make a clean getaway. Unfortunately the assembly of stragglers and the extraction of the wounded resulted in slow going.

It was with great surprise that by 0400 Gen Wasserman received a report from his reargard Dragoons of an enemy force of at least brigade strength being hot on his heels. The Slobobians had pursued through the night after them.

Wasserman realized that this wounded and supply columns would be overtaken unless he could deal a bloody nose to his pursuers. With little rest the Brigade turned and took up positions around Amity and by dawn were ready for another fight.

Rules to be used: Polemos: Commandant de Battaile

Per my Carnage & Glory campaign files these are the two combatant strenths and OBs before the battle starts:

Brigade Wasserman

    [ 412] General de Brigade Wasserman - Active C [450 paces]

[ 112] 7th Jaeger bn                     0/ 480      

[ 113] 1bn 4th Line                      0/ 500       

[ 114] 2bn 4th Line                      0/ 450       

[ 115] 1bn 9th Line                      0/ 810      

[ 116] 2bn 9th Line                      0/ 907       

[ 117] 1bn 22th Line                     0/ 706      

[ 120] 1-3 foot artillery                0/ 105 [ 4] 

[ 121] 2-3 foot artillery                0/  59 [ 3] 

[ 122] 1st Compagne Miilitia bn          0/ 550      

[ 123] LaSalle's Volunteer Grenzers      0/ 395       

Strengths:

losses/active

    0/  4798 Bayonets

    0/   164 Artillerists

    0/     7 Cannon

    0/  5002 Total of all arms

          15 Standards present

Brigade Hylton

    [ 416] General de Brigade Hylton - Active B [450 paces]

[ 118] 2 dragoons                        0/ 420      C+

[ 119] 11 Hussars                        0/ 495      C+

Strengths:

losses/active

    0/   915 Sabres

    0/   915 Total of all arms

           2 Standards present

    Brigade Pham

    [ 512] General de Brigade Pham - Active C [350 paces]

[ 516] 1bn IR21                          0/ 796      C-

[ 517] 2bn IR21                          0/ 810      C-

[ 518] 3bn IR21                          0/ 770      C-

[ 519] 1bn IR13                          0/ 825      C+

[ 520] 2bn IR13                          0/ 504      C+

[ 521] 3bn IR13                          0/ 761      C 

[ 522] 12th Light                        0/ 577      C 

[ 523] 13 Foot artillery                 0/ 181 [ 7] C+

    Brigade Zervos

    [ 514] General de Brigade Zervos - Active B [500 paces]

[ 526] 1bn IR19                          0/ 806      D+

[ 527] 2bn IR19                          0/ 776      C-

[ 528] 3bn IR19                          0/ 800      D+

[ 529] 1bn IR25                          0/ 795      D+

[ 530] 2bn IR25                          0/ 800      C-

[ 531] 3bn IR25                          0/ 766      C 

[ 532] 13th Light                        0/ 800      C 

Strengths:

losses/active

    0/ 10586 Bayonets

    0/   489 Sabres

    0/   524 Artillerists

    0/    21 Cannon

    0/ 11599 Total of all arms

          29 Standards present

Initial positions: Slobobian Briagedes Pursuing at top f fame. In Amity Freedonians deploying

3 June 1715: Crumbing Fortunes

D Company Pushes across the Swamp

2/IR 13 pushes across the swamp and surges along Atwater pushing 4th Company steadily backwards. Back at the Lourenco farm, Major Wiggins arrives to organize the final line f defense as the Slobobian Grenadiers also press ahead through the thick woods.

Dragoons arriving and dismounting  

In a bid to avert total defeat a squadron of dragoons launches a dismounted assault south into the woods to check the grenadiers advance.

Wiggins is wounded in the final fighting. The Slobobian assault finally peters out (for now) in the woods surrounding the farm, but the position is tenuous enough that, as word gets back to Brigade headquarters,  a general withdrawal is ordered. With dusk approaching, Wasserman abandons the Bethany position.

Final positions at the time Wasserman decides to withdraw the Brigade

3 June 1615: A few pics

Col von Tripp prepared C Company for the assault across the swamp. 

The Situation at 1615 as 2-IR13 presses the7th Jaegers on two fronts.

3 June 1600: Pushing up the Trail

View East: Terrain confronting IR13 as they move into the woods

Once The Grenadiers pursed the retreating Freedonians into the woods, Captain Xavier considered his own task complete. He returned control of the Jaegers back to their section leader and followed D company in its push south to roll up the Freedonian line. The Freedonians at the field were in retreat, streaming back up along the Atwater trail or into the woods. IR 13 pushed on heedless of danger in an attempt to rout the Freedonians but instead stumbled into a carefully laid trap. As they pushed their way into the woods they came across a broad swamp which could not be seen from outside the treeline. Across the swamp, atop a rocky ridge, the Freedonians had established a second line of troops, that now poured heavy fire onto the mired and surprised Slobobians. Xavier saw dozens shot down and realized there would be no pushing across this swamp. C company’s commander saw this too and pulled the troops back to whatever cover they could find and settled into another firefight while the rest of the battalion pushed up Atwater trail. If they were successful, this would force the Freedonians on the ridge above them to withdraw.

Ultimately the fighting between the grenadiers deep into the woods north of this position compelled the Freedonians into a  slow withdrawal up Atwater trail. IR13 had suffered many casualties but were driven on by the furious exhortations of Colonel von Tripp and a sense that the Freedonians were breaking. The enemy gave ground slowly withdrawing from tree to tree. The terrain served to entice every man to simply seek a good hiding place and wait out the battle. Officers and NCOs everywhere were shouting, kicking, beating men forward.

View Northeast from the trail at the swap 

Eventually they came to a chokepoint in the advance and the final piece of the Freedonian defense became clear. on both sides of the trail were swamps. To the right a broad swamp perhaps 80 meters wide, toe the left a deep pond and swamp. Both were serious impediments to the advance. on the other side the enemy was will ensconced beyond stone walls. the trail itself was strewn with dead and it was here that A and B Companies had reached the limit of their endurance. Von Tripp sensed he would get little else out of the two spent companies. Behind him along the trail C company, still relatively unscathed was formed up in column. they would have to  pass through and assume the attack.

3 June 1600: Tanglefoot

View East: Moreau's defensive position as seen from the advancing enemy

Wiggins struggled to establish control of the confusing fight around him. Visibility in the thick woods was less than 50 yards. The rattle of musketry, smoke filled woods, cries and shouts, all worked against him. Third Company’s survivors had to retreat past the first planned position along a ridge, down through a gully and back to the second fallback position to put enough distance between them and the oncoming Slobobians. This allowed them to get organized.

Wiggins thought the position sufficient for their stand. They were on a rocky hill which observed the swamp below them. He directed the men into position along a makeshift line. The last Freedonians to arrive were brought up by Moreau. The Lieutenant had his troops well in hand. Wiggins needed to get back to the main fight. He briefed Moreau on the position, where and when he would fall back, and oriented him as to the direction of the Lourenco Farm. He was confident Moreau understood and could handle the task. Firing picked up as the Slobobians tried to cross the swamp below him. Many were shot down and the enemy advance halted. Their line spread out and a general fireflight ensued.

View Southeast:The stone wall marks the final defensive position at Lourenco farm

This was a good time for Wiggins to make his way back to the battalion. He set off east through the woods. He surprised to see that the farm was less than 300 yards from Moreau. Arriving back at the farm he directed the reserve force into a strong position along a stonewall, then set off back down the Atwater trail to 4^th Company’s position. They were covering a choke point along the trail where it crossed a swamp. Beyond they could hear the firing drawing closer. A steady stream of wounded were making their way back down the trail. Wiggins questioned a few and ascertained that the Jaegers had been pushed from the field. The enemy was slowly fighting its way up the trail. Wiggins had suspected this would be their course of action. At least no surprises were in store. He pushed ahead to link up with 1^st and 2d Company.

3 June 1600: General Wasserman responds

GM Note: I have decided to send some of the NPC campaign decisions off to friends who have played in some of my other campaigns.

This email was sent to the now commander of Brigade Wasserman:

... perhaps you can review the following situation and make a decision. It will effect Dexter's management of the current battle refer to the following two attachments:

Btl2stratpic.jpg Orients to the bigger picture. Remember your task is to delay the enemy near the frontier and screen his ability to scout ahead.

Battle2 Big pic.jpg This orients you to the current battle of Bethany. Your brigade has found good defensive terrain astride the main road where the road crosses a defensible gorge. If you look at this map you have:

Four battalions in line (we''ll call them from North to South 1st bn through 4th bn) guarding the Hopp Brook gorge and it's crossing.
One battalion (5th) and one Dragoon regiment (1st) in  reserve
Just south of  4th battalion 2d Dragoon regiment is guarding the Russell/Bethmour intersection anchoring the line
Furthest South is the 7th Jaeger bn (light infantry) in the rough terrain guarding the Atwater trail that leads to your rear under the command of Major Wiggins (Dexter) currently located at the Lourenco farmstead. At 0800 3 June you had given him the following orders:

Mission: Your battalion is to protect the Brigade’s flank and rear. Be prepared on order to reinforce the brigade’s main line. In particular, you are to secure the Atwater trail  and prevent any enemy incursions to the Lourenco farmstead. North of your position the Dragoons will defend Bethmour and my immediate left  flank.


Keep me  informed as to the status of his rear security...


General Wassermann

The enemy commenced their attack against your line at 1000 hours. Your position is strong and their ability to get at you greatly hampered by the terrain. So far your troops have identified 8 separate battalions heavily supported by artillery in the attack against your position. You estimate that this represents about half theenemy force advancing down the southern route.

At 1500 you receive eth following message from 2d Dragoons:
Gen Wasserman,
235pm...
Enemy march column observed at 1415 hours is assembled at intersection of Atwater Trail and Bethmour. Force estimated at least one battalion, on artillery battery and at least one cavalry squadron. They are moving east down Atwater trail. Infantry in he lead. Enemy cavalry screening the Atwater/bethmour intersection and are making no move to head north against 2 Dragoon position, however they are screening our further scouting attempts vigorously.


Major Baldwin

At 1545 you receive the following message from Wiggins:

Gen Wasserman,
3pm...
The enemy is attempting to force the Atwater trail to get into the Brigade's rear. Am heavily engaged against an infantry force which I estimate at over one thousand men. We are currently holding along a hill  perhaps 1500 yards southwest of the Lourenco farmstead. Situation under control for now. WiIl keep you informed.


With Compliments...Major Wiggins

It's now 1645. You have heard nothing else from Wiggins. A second  message arrives from 2 Dragoons:

Gen Wasserman,
415pm...
Sound of heavy fighting including artillery in the woods South and east of our position. This fighting has gone on for nearly two hours now. We can see smoke rising from the intersection. I have dispatched mounted patrol to Lourenco farmstead and spoken to HQ but they are out of contact with Major Wiggins. Many casualties at the farm.  Otherwise from farm location itself there are no enemies. Have dispatched dismounted patrol through woods to find fighting but have not heard back. have assembled a troop to serve as a reaction force but otherwise can not weaken my own defensive position with enemy cavalry force still to south .


With Compliments...Major Baldwin

That's the current situation. Does any of this necessitate a change in your current dispositions? Any orders?

General Wasserman responds:

Send scouts south along Bethmour to see if there is an opportunity to cut off the troops attacking the 7th Jaegers by swinging in behind them along the Atwater Trail.  We now know that they are pressing forward and the 2/13 may be spread thin enough to exploit with a counterattack

Dispatch the reaction force from the 2d Dragoons to reinforce the 7th Jaegers including aid for the wounded.  They will need the help.

Inform the 4th battalion of what is happening.  
They should be prepared to either:
a. relocate to the high ground along Fairwood Road south of the swampy area to prevent the flank from being rolled up
OR 
b. to support a counterattack by the 2d Dragoons by moving south along Schaeffer Road.  Best case scenario, they can hold where they are.  

At the first sign of direct contact with the enemy, the 4th Battalion should inform both me and and 3rd Battalion CO.

3 June: Crumbling Fortunes

Wiggins was deeply worried about his position. The Jaeger’s line was still holding, but he was deeply aware of how much they were outnumbered and vulnerable here. He had pulled two sections out of the line to from a small local reserve. He did not want to draw men from his second line, as they would be needed to cover the first line’s withdrawal. There was very heavy firing coming form 3rd Company’s position.

To his left the gunners along the road were trying to pull their gun back as they were coming under effective musketry from the Slobobians. Wiggins jerked his head up and to the right. A new source of firing was coming from the extreme right.  That was troubling. Had the enemy worked around him?  His answer came a few minutes later when a runner from 3rd Company reported another enemy attack from the north. He could not say how many.

He called over Captain Tanner, 2d Company commander, over and held a quick meeting. "Captain I am taking the reserve and bringing them over to check the enemy attack on our right flank. Hold here. I will return in a few moments. If something happens to me fight the battle as we planned."  He turned his horse and trotted off, waving for the two sections to follow him at the run.

When he arrived on the right flank things were already in a bad way. He could see the smoke from the enemy fire beyond 3rd Company’s position. 3rd Company had at least one of their platoons faced about and advancing at the force to their rear.  Men were already running for the woods behind him, though most of the company was still holding off the attack to their front. Wiggins through the two sections into a counter attack against that enemy fire and sought out Capt Schlitz.

More men began backing away to the rear. He saw four Jaegers dragging a body in a blanket and rode over. It was Capt Schlitz. He looked dead or near dead.  “Who is in command?” He shouted. One man pointed back over his shoulder towards the rest of the company, too tired to look up. Now things were crumbling fast and the Slobobians were swarming out f the woods. His whole left flank was being enveloped. Wiggins spotted an officer, sword in hand directing men to the rear. He rode over, oblivious of the buzzing of balls about him. It was one of the new Lieutenants; Wiggins could not recall his name.

“Lieutenant, you have got to maintain order as you fall back or else all is lost. “ Wiggins turned to one of the staff who had followed him. “Let Captain Tanner know that the right is falling back, tell him to commence his withdrawal to the second position at once.”

The young Lieutenant looked at Wiggins and implored. “Sir you must fall back at once or I fear you will be shot from your horse."
“Never mind about me, just extract your men back to the woods as planned. I have put two sections into the attack behind you to hold the way open. Move with all haste, but maintain order.”

GM Note: At this point the Blue player was given an opportunity to risk a run back to his main body or remain with 3rd Company. He chose to remain with 3rd Company.

Wiggins moved over to the extreme right to see how his counterattack progressed. The enemy had been pushed back, but much of 3rd Company was in full flight to the woods. He galloped over to where they were entering in order to rally and organize them before they were lost to the woods. Here he remained, cursing shouting, using the fault of his sword, until the men were back in some order. By the time the Lieutenant (He remembered the boy's name now, Moreau), had arrived his way back to the rest of the battalion was cut off. Nor could he bring his horse through the thick brush. Cursing his fortune he dismounted. His orderly took the reigns, and that was the last he saw of either his horse or the orderly.

Wiggins swore at himself for losing control of the man battle. From this point he would assume command of the remnants of 3 Company and conduct a fighting withdrawal back through the thick woods. The Slobobian were hot on their heels and seemed to be surging. Control for either side in these woods would not be easy.  At least the enemy was pursuing the Third Company rather than turning and rolling up the rest of his line from the flank.

3 June: Opportunity Knocks

Struggling through the underbrush, Captain Xavier led the Grenadier Company up to the point where the Jaegers were skirmishing with the Freedonians. The field was in sight through the trees. Major Spelling directed the company forward into the attack. Xavier saw that this would take their attack head on into the enemy position. He approached Spelling.

“Sir, if you slide your company over to the left another two hundred meters you can outflank the entire Freedonian position.” Spelling, preoccupied with the mechanics of his attack at first did not respond. Shortly Xavier’s comments sunk in and he turned and looked at the Captain. Spelling had that arrogance about him typical of Grenadier officers. Spelling’s immaculate appearance had not been disturbed by the unit’s trudge through thick woods. Xavier’s uniform was torn and muddy, no doubt adding little to the impression he was making on Spelling.

“You’ve done your job Captain you are dismissed.”
Xavier could see how this was going to go but decided to press on anyway. After all he didn’t work for this man. “Sir if you give me a few sections I will take them wide around the left and put fire on the enemy from their rear.”

“Know you place Captain! Now be gone.” Spelling said sharply, and then was off to his company.
Ass, thought Xavier. He headed back towards the rear. In a small clearing he saw a section of Light troops mulling about. They had been protecting the Battalions flank. An idea came to him, as he approached the corporal in charge of the section. “Where is your officer?” He asked.
“Wounded Sir, A few men have carried him to the rear.”
“Sorry to hear that. Corporal I need your section to come with me.”
“But Sir, we are supposed to be guarding the battalions flank?”
“Well how much flank guarding do you suppose you are doing from back here in this opening? It’s not a request it is an order, now follow me!”
“Yes Sir!” He saluted.

Xavier gathered them up and headed off perpendicular to the enemy line, bulling through the underbrush. He angled forward until he could make out the field through the trees. He could hear the firing rise dramatically as the Grenadiers ran into the Freedonian position. They came across six more soldiers taking a knee, who looked surprise to see Xavier’s little group emerge from the bushes. “You men follow me.” They looked surprised, but got up and followed.

After fifteen minutes of hard work they were at the extreme end of the field. At their position the field was angling back down so Xavier made a decision to run along the edge of the field, banking on the assumption that the Freedonians would be fully engaged dealing with Spelling’s attack. When he was sure they were well behind the Freedonians, he cut right and headed south cautiously until they were far enough up the rise to observe the enemy position. This was as good a spot as any. They were exposed but could see that the Freedonians all appeared focused on the attack out of the woods.

He turned to his panting soldiers who gazed up at him with wide open eyes. “Now listen up men. We have outflanked the entire enemy position. We need to make as much a commotion as possible to convince the enemy they are being attacked from the rear. This will relieve the pressure on our battalion’s attack.  We will get into extended line from here and move forward until I say, then take them under fire. Shoot as rapidly as you can.” He singled out two men. “I want you two men to stay here face behind and spread out just to make sure we are not surprised from the rear. Any questions?” They were too scared to answer. “Fine, let’s go.”

Route of Captain Xavier's flanking movement

Here are some pictures of the actual battlefield taken in January. I walked both commanders through this area (at separate times to terrain walk and talk through the battle and ask their decisions based on what they saw of the actual ground. Refer to the map letters and direction of view arrows below.

Below: This is the view faced by the Slobobian  A Company as they came out of the trail and onto the field. The Freedonian line is along the ridge

View A: A-2-IR13  looking Northeast

Below: This is Major Wiggin's view from atop the ridge, of the mouth of Atwater trail. To the left and right of the camera's position are the lines of 1 & 2 Company 7th Jaegers (respectively)

View B: Top of ridge 7th Jaeger line looking Southwest

Below: This is 2nd Company's fallback position atop the small hill overloking the ridge. Note the swampy area blow which wouldn't be noticed by an attacker until it was too late. When it came time for 2d Company to fall back off the ridge, they came across prepared routes through this swamp, falling back through manned second line of defense.

View C: From 2d Company's fallback position looking West.

Below: This is the ridge line where 7th Jaegers 1 & 2 Company are deployed as viewed form the trail looking north.

View D: Top of ridge looking West

Below: This is the view from Number 1 gun astride the Atwater trail and firing West down the trail at the approach 2-IR13 march columns.

View E: Number One gun looking West down Atwater

Below: This is the position of the left flank of 3rd Company looking South back towards the main 7th Jaeger line which is beyond that stone wall. This position is guarding the Jaeger's right flank.

View F: 3rd Company's position looking South

3 June 1455: Mounting Pressure

The fight developed  atop a wheat covered field which rises up from the surrounding woods like a pregnant lady's belly. Along the ridge of this hill, 2d Company, with two platoons detached to  fall back position behind them, pours a deadly fire down upon the Slobobians spilling out of the trail 200 meters below. Despite their penchant for the bayonet, they are too embroiled in the firefight to organize into assault columns. Here the rapid fire of the needle gun trumps the rifled musket. The gun attached to 2d Company pours canister into the Slobobians and they retire 50 paces into the woods, to continue the firefight under better cover.

A runner  reports more troops coming from down the trail. For Major Wiggins, the trick here is timing the prologue of his guns. Some of his gunners have already been shot down. He gives the signal and the gun sighted atop the hill, with 2d Company, is directed to retire back up the trail to its fall back position where it can cover the retreat of his other gun astride the road. The crew pushes the gun back down under defilade and the caisson is brought forward to hitch it up safely behind the lee of the hill. Wiggins signals one of his messengers forward and scribbles a message for General Wassermann:


Gen Wasserman,
3pm...
The enemy is attempting to force the Atwater trail to get into the Brigade's rear. Am heavily engaged against an infantry force which I estimate at over one thousand men. We are currently holding along a hill  perhaps 1500 yards southwest of the Lourenco farmstead. Situation under control for now. WiIl keep you informed.


With Compliments...Major Wiggins

No sooner had the messenger galloped off when a runner from 3rd Company came up fatigued that he had to squat down and catch his breath. From the direction of third company on the right the popping of rifle fire could be heard. Smoke arose from the treeline in that direction and very rapidly it sounded as if his right flank was enveloped in a heavy firefight as well.

"Major Sir, a message from Captain Schlitz." The Corporal Saluted.
Wiggins returned it. "What is it?"
"Sir, our pickets detected movement in the woods to our front. An enemy force is approaching at least in company strength. They've driven our boys in from the woods." He turned his had to the sound of the fighting. "The Captain requests instructions."
"Dammit. Hold! Now go and see what's going on I need more information."

Wiggins was worrying now. How strong was this attack on the left? The enemy coming out of the trail had recoiled, at last for now, and a general firefight was underway along the line. However the supply of ammunition was not endless. The Slobobians could afford to slow down and draw fire, they had more men.
He turned to his staff, "Inform all companies to conserve their ammunition. Make every shot count."

Just then the crash of cannon fire erupted from down the Atwater trail. The enemy had put at least one of their guns into operation. Wiggins looked about. He thought of going over to see what was happening with the Third Company, but even here he could see some men hesitating, others too quick to help wounded comrades back of the line. He thought it best to walk the center and right of his line, showing an example and keeping the troops rallied.

A general engagement: in the back left the Grenadiers come into
 action against the Freedonian Left

3 June 1430: "Captain that path to the left..."

IR13 moved quickly down the road, still thick woods on either side. Any question of how long the enemy would wait before opening up was dispelled with a loud crack. Xavier watched in horror as he saw a single shell speeding down the lane, heading straight for him. Before he could react the shell was past, and he could actually feel the displacement of air. There was a loud crash behind him followed by screams and raining debris. One of his troopers had been thrown to the ground and his horse on the ground struggling to get up, minus one leg. Luckily the trooper appeared unhurt. Further back tow infantrymen from A Company were down, the whole column stopped and cowering.

Maj Shay of A company and his other officers were shouting for them to get up and press on. They arose unsteadily shouldered arms and stumbled forward amidst the shouts and blows of their officers. Another shell crashed in the trees off just off the road.

Xavier called for the dismounted trooper to fall back and spurred his horse forward. He noticed the trees beginning to thin out on both sides of the road and a small trail heading off to the left. Another shell exploded amongst the trees twenty meters ahead, more debris and splinters rained around them. Soon enough the Freedonians would find the range and they’d be for it.

“Corporal Agarn, take that trail to the left and see how far up it goes. Hurry!” Agarn looked at him with wild eyes, no doubt distressed at the notion of scouting out alone. The trail was fairly narrow and he quickly dismounted grabbed his carbine and tied up his horse in the lee of a thick tree. With a quick glance back at his captain he sped off down the trail.

Another shell passed over head and exploded down the trail behind him. More screams and shouts. Xavier felt his vulnerability keenly mounted atop his horse. He dismounted and left his horse with Private Deets, pressing forward on foot and keeping to the side. At this point he was the lead man in the entire attack. Next came the angry buzzing of rifle fire. Skirmishers up ahead somewhere. Still about 300 yard to go until they reached the opening of the field.

A company was moving at the quick step. Behind them was stacked up the rest of the battalion. The troops realized that they could not back up as they would be stuck in a mass with shells crashing into them. Moving forward as quickly as possible was the only way out of this mess. It occurred to Xavier that the trail off to the left might be away out of this mess. He held up as A company trotted by, Major Shay stopping for a moment to confer.

“Captain, that path to the left…”

“Sir, I’ve sent a man to check it out, I am going after him, it may be a way to flank this deadly lane.”

“Go on Man, Quickly”, said the Major. “We must press forward!” He ran off to catch up to the head of the column, cursing at his mean to press on. Xavier ran off along the narrow path. It ran perpendicular to Atwater, then opened into a small field. He turned right and parallel the lane, following where the tall grass had been beaten down by Agarn’s route. He sped ahead eventually catching up to the trooper. Off to his right here could hear rising musketry.

“Sir, look here”, Agarn pointed ahead. Through the trees, perhaps 150 yards ahead they could see sunlight, an opening, running forward they made out his was quite a large grassy hill.

“Corporal , I’m going back to tell the commander. Push forward a little more to the left to ensure there are no snags and see if we can get a company through here. The undergrowth does not look to bad. Then come back here, and be careful!”

“Aye, Sir.” Xavier patted him on the shoulder and then sped back the way he came.

He had just made it to the clearing when a fusillade of shots opened up and he threw himself to the ground. A head of him, a line of Jaegers were rapidly reloading. “For God’s sake cease fire! I’m on your side!” He had run into the flankers. Furious he called over the Sergeant. “Damn you Sergeant, can you not tell the difference between friend and foe?”

“Sorry Sir”, the Jaeger Sergeant said sheepishly, “We did not know there were friendlies ahead of us.”

Well I have another man ahead of us, so be careful. Now listen. There may be a way through here to flank the enemy. Push forward until you find my man, Agarn and hold with him, Leave a few men over here at the head of this path and I will bring forward reinforcement, the have your men guide them into position. Understand?”

“Yes Sir!”

Xavier sped back down the path t Atwater trail. The sound of heavy fire told him that A company had reached the clearing. The rest of the battalion was still moving forward along the road. With a look of relief Deets handed him his reign. “Deets remain here to mark the entrance of this path.”

He headed back down the Atwater trail looking for the battalion commander. He found the Colonel about one hundred years back down the road. Colonel von Tripp sat impassively on his horse as his men passed by, looking impassively at the column, a single finger running across his thin moustache.

“Sir, Captain Xavier reporting”. He Saluted. Von Tripp merely looked over to him, annoyed  as if he had been disturbed in deep thought.

“Captain aren’t your dragoons supposed to be back at the intersection?”

“They are. Sir. I took a few men to scout the column forward along this trail. Sir I have found a potential was to flank the enemy. There’s a path off to the left just up there,” he pointed, “where my man is. It’s a narrow path but opens up and eventually we can make our way to te field ahead and perhaps attack the enemy on a broader front, or even flank them.”  

GM NOTE:

At this point the Red commander is emailed this vignette:

A Company coming off the trail and onto the field

Your battalion is pushing up Atwater Trail from Bethmour, quickly moving forward in a compact march column. Eventually  the road beds and ahead is a thousand yard straight section which leads to the open field. A single enemy cannon begins firing down e trail and A company begins taking casualties. The officers spur the men forward since they cannot back up without causing a deadly road jam. Order begins to break down as everyone frantically wants to press forward while shells scream down the road, some impacting amongst the troops, others hitting the trees raining deadly splinters around them.  As confusion increases the pace slows, but eventually A company gains the opening and begins to deploy amongst heavy firing.

You are about three hundred meters from the opening, contemplating how to push  forward quicker, when Captain Xavier of the Dragoons gallops up from the front of the column. You are annoyed to note that he is carrying a carbine in one hand it looks quite wild with excitement. Neither of these things, you find particularly becoming of an officers.

"Sir, Captain Xavier reporting”. He salutes. You looked over to him, trying to figure out why he is approaching form the front of the column where the dragoons should still be back at the intersection..

“Captain aren’t your dragoons supposed to be back at the intersection?”

“They are. Sir. I took a few men to scout the column forward along this trail. Sir I have found a potential was to flank the enemy. There’s a path off to the left just up there,” he pointed, “where my man is. It’s a narrow path but opens up and eventually we can make our way to the field ahead and perhaps attack the enemy on a broader front, or even flank them.” 

GM Adds: Again, you are about three hundred yards from the opening of the field. A Company is already in general action in the field and B Company is coming up behind them followed by the Grenadiers. There is a delay in getting the battalion up the trail and into the field where it can deploy. So your companies are being fed in piecemeal. What do you tell the Captain?

The red commander emails me back: I send a message to the Grenadier commander.  You are to follow Captain Xavier up the side trail and flank and attack the enemy. This mission is high priority so do not waste any time. C company will be assigned to you as well and you may do with them what you see fit as long as they are used to help in the attack.
I call the C Company Commander over (Major Griffin) "You are under the command of the Major Spelling until further notice. Follow him and obey any order he gives you until I say otherwise.

Turning around the Grenadiers is no easy feat, but thy are well trained, Von Tripp assists in the traffic direction it takes five minutes to have both Companies running off onto the path. Von Tripp personally leads D company and the rest of the column up into the fight at the field.  Already the Atwater trail is strewn with the dead and dying of IR13...

Captain takes his Grenadiers to press the enemy flank

3 June: Wasserman's day-long fight to the South

3 June 1400

7^th Jaeger Message Log

Message arrived 1415

From Lt Mahoney, Dragoon troop

To: Major Wiggins

Enemy force observed at 1400 hours approaching from the west Vic of Clay road. Initially just cavalry patrol, now proceed by an infantry force estimated at least a battalion. Will not be able to screen this force with my troop. Will hold as long as possible then fallback along Atwater trail.

Message arrived 1445

From Lt Mahoney, 

To: Major Wiggins

Enemy march column observed at 1430 hours is assembly at intersection of Atwater Trail and Bethmour. Force estimated at 1000 troops, including on artillery battery and small cavalry force. They are moving down Atwater towards your position. Infantry in he lead. AM with drawing to friendly positions but keeping tabs on their disposition. Will hold as long as possible then fallback along Atwater trail.

3 June IR 13: Bulling Forward

At 0800 on 3 June, Colonel von Tripp, commander of the 2d battalion IR13, receives the following orders from his brigade commander:

My Dear von Tripp. 
Our Corps Commander wishes to find away around the strong Freedonian positions to 1st Brigade's front. I am attaching to you Captain Lucic who has some familiarity with this area.   Take you battalion along the route he shows and then make for the Atwater trail which will lead to the enemy's rear at the Lourenco farm. With your force astride his line of communication he will be compelled to withdraw or weaken his line, either of which will allow us across the gorge . You must proceed with all due haste. I assign you as squadron of dragoons and a section of guns. Your task is critical. Do not fail!


General Bourque


von Tripp scratches his head at the last sentence. After all if this task is so critical why is only his battalion being assigned?  His brigade is in support of 2d Brigade's attack and there are 5 battalions sitting idle! Nagging in the back of his mind is the knowledge that Bourque and Cronin, the 2d Brigade commander, are bitter rivals.

Regardless, von Tripp sets off at once. Lucic's knowledge of the area is imperfect and the next 5 hours are spent marching and counter marching. However eventually they arrive within view of the Atwater trail. The cavalry squadron drives in the enemy vedettes. there are woods on both sides of the trail. von Tripp's plan is to put the whole battalion down the trail and push through to the farm. The order of march:

A company (Major Shay)
B company (Major Simmons)
Grenadier Company (Major Spelling)
C company (Major Griffin)
D company (Major Zipp)
The artillery (Lt Ellerbe)
The cavalry squadron (Captain Xavier) is to remain at the head of the trail and secure the rear. One section to lad the column forward.
The light company (Captain Millazzo) is to provide flank security to the column. von Tripp will be with the Grenadiers.

Captain Xavier dismounted (Note: Actually the Red Commander)

Captain Xavier peered down the long narrow road, with thick woods encroaching to each side. The Atwater Trail. At this point it was more road than trail and ran straight for over 1000 yards. At the far end he made out the form of a single enemy horseman. He brought his field glasses up to study the figure. An enemy dragoon, halted defiantly across the road at the far end, a carbine resting on his thigh, almost daring the column to come forward.

Xavier’s horsemen had driven back the enemy dragoons ineffectual skirmish fire, peppering the air about them the whole way. Colonel von Tripp’s orders were to take this trail the whole way into the enemy’s rear. So far this route was lightly defended, though there was no telling as the terrain closed around the road and from here on out they would be subject to ambuscades.

Sgt Gill galloped up. “Sir, the Colonel says to move forward with haste, he does not want us to dawdle here.” Xavier had already been directed to leave the squadron here to secure the intersection, though he picked four horsemen to accompany him as the point of the entire column. Behind them, A Company, IR13 was drawn up in march column with a few skirmishers out front. Men from the light company were already moving up on either flank of the road. Others were inspecting the farmhouse at this intersection for signs of the enemy.

With his field glasses still focused on the enemy horseman, he waved his other hand and the column moved forward at a walk. He stowed the field glasses, drew his revolver and cantered ahead with his small party, perhaps fifty meters ahead of A company. The crunch and rattle of the thousand man column behind him made it hard to hear his surrounding, and they moved further ahead. To the north they could hear the booming of artillery where general battle had been joined.

They proceeded forward five hundred yards. Still the enemy horsemen remained unmoving in the center of the trail. Closer they came. When they approached 100 yards, the man turned and left, as if unhurried and unconcerned, around the bend. Two of Xavier’s troopers galloped forward to the bend and halted, when he arrived they reported the enemy horseman as disappeared. The road again a long straight section, perhaps another thousand yards, opening up in the distance to a field....

3 June Extreme left: The 7th Jaeger's plans

An adjutant from General Wasserman delivers the following tasking to Major Wiggins and the 7th Jaegers, currently assembled at the  the Lourenco farmstead


Mission: Your battalion is to protect the Brigade’s flank and rear. Be prepared on order to reinforce the brigade’s main line. In particular, you are to secure the Atwater trail  and prevent any enemy incursions to the Lourenco farmstead. North of your position the Dragoons will defend Bethmour and my immediate left  flank.


Keep me  informed as to the status of his rear security...


General Wassermann

6mm miniatures: 7th Jaegers.

Wiggins deployment on the sketch map

7th Jaeger commander: Major Wiggins adopts the following deployment:

1 Company: (Cpt Spaulding) AT the southern end of lin astride Atwater trail. One gun attached.
2 Company: (Cpt Tanner) 1 plt atop hill in the field, 2 plts back in position within the woods to cover the retirement. One gun attached.
3 Company: (Cpt Shlitz) on the right deployed in treeline covering south and blocks any flanking attempts.
4 Company: (Capt Lyons) Two plts in a defnsive position covering the trail where it crosses a swamp
1 Troop Dragoons: Screening out front
Bn HQ Section: Cpt Riccio with one plt of 4th company in reserve at Lourenco farm.

 4th Company off  the top left in a position covering the trail

Major Wiggins (normally the Blue commander in this campaign)