A SYNOPSIS
For the uninitiated, Napoleon's Battles (NBs) is a set of grand tactical miniatures Napoleonic rules designed specifically for the gaming of large battles. The scale is 1:120 infantry, 1:80 cavalry and 1" = 100 yards and 1 turn equals 1/2 hour. Divisional or medium artillery is built into the fire power of the infantry brigades. Only corps and reserve 121b and horse artillery units which would be commanded by army, corps or wing generals are represented on the table top.
The movement system is move, counter move with each side having the ability to place its cavalry brigades on a react move, deferring its move to a later phase, to exploit an opportunity or react to enemy movement during the designated phases of a turn.
NBs contains no fire, combat or morale tables. Fire and Combat is determined by a modified comparison 1Ox die roll. Each side rolls one die with the difference, with a maximum of 10 and a minimum of 1, determining the result. The eliminates the need to refer to charts or tables.
Fire is issued by ordered infantry and artillery units, disordered units may not fire and cavalry units may never fire. The firepower and range of infantry fire is the sum of supporting divisional artillery, the quality and quantity of skirmishers and long range (over 100 yards) volley fire. The maximum casualties which may be caused during any one fire die roll is 2.
Combat or Combat Contact occurs when two or more enemy units are touching and indicates close ordered vollies, supporting divisional artillery and melee or more likely the threat of melee. The maximum number of casualties which a unit may suffer in combat is its rout number. Combats are rolled off in rounds until a unit routs or is disordered and forced to withdraw.
All units have a dispersal number, depending on the quality, training and nationality of a unit, at which when equaled by the figures remaining they are determined to no longer be of combat value and are removed from play. All corps have a morale number which when equaled by the number of units routed and dispersed will prevent them from attacking. All armies have a morale number at which total when reached will end the battle.
The heart of NBs is Command Control. This is exercised on two or three levels, depending on the organization of the particular army. Division generals are the only officers which can command combat units using their command span, without being directly attached. They are the lower level managers without whom the army will not function. Brigades which are outside of the command span of their division general cannot move unless directly attached to a general higher on the chain of command. In regimental armies they may be called wing generals.
Corps or wing generals are middle managers. They extend the command range of the army general to their subordinate division generals. Army generals are upper management and are primarily concerned with maintaining command control of the units in the army.
In addition to maintaining command control generals can also be used to add their modifiers where applicable to a combat or to assist in the control of cavalry. To rally a routed unit there is no choice, a general must be attached. The down side is attached generals lose their command span often causing a break in the chain of command leaving generals and combat units out of command.
Battle of Villa Costa 1812 Napoleon's Battles Scenario
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