ON TO RICHMOND, like any set of rules, is based upon certain assumptions. Recently, while laying the groundwork for a Napoleonic, grand tactical rules set using OTR play mechanics, I had occasion to call one or two of those assumptions into question. At a game some time ago a young player asked me why I thought southern troops were innately superior to their northern counterparts. Somewhat shocked, I denied the charge flatly, that I believed no such thing. Rather, I did however believe, that by and large the Confederate troops enjoyed better leadership and their replacement methods tended to produce a higher percentage of high quality units. There was however, nothing in the air south of the ol' Mason-Dixon that made innately better soldiers, no matter what Forrest MacDonald says.

Why then, he replied, did I have two separate morale charts on ON TO RICHMOND? There being one for the Union and another slightly more gentle chart for the Rebs.

Well now that started me to thinking. His charges were true. Did I mean them to be? My own great, great granddaddy of the 140th New York would turn over in his grave at the thought. The net result being a new morale system for use with the rules. It is based on the assumption that morale is largely based on the quality of troops in a unit and the quality of its leadership. In other words a green unit blessed with an exceptional leader might perform very well, while even an old elite outfit could be led to ruin by a poor commander.

Bearing this in mind I have created 5 Morale charts. This seeming a bit of added complexity is not all that bad. Each chart reflects the "personality" and quality of the CO. As in the game they rank as Poltroon, Cautious, Aggressive, Firebrand, and Exceptional. When a unit takes a morale hit and either chooses or is forced to roll it off, it rolls on the chart of its Divisional Commander, unless the CinC is within 12" of the stricken unit when at the CinC's option they may roll on his level charge instead.

Simply, a Poltroon's Division rolls on the Poltroon chart unless he gets killed and a better man is named to his post. Also any division without a CO must roll on the Poltroon chart unless the CinC can get there himself.

Poltroon	Cautious	Aggressive	Firebrand	Exceptional	Result
00-09	00-04	00-04	00-04	00-01	Rout
10-19	5-14	5-9	5-9	2-7	WD 2
20-29	15-24	10-19	10-14	8-13	WD 1
30-39	25-44	20-34	15-19	14-19	Stand
40-44	45-59	35-39	25-24	20-24	Deploy
45-49	60-69	40-44	25-34	25-29	1/2 Speed
50-59	70-74	45-49	35-40	30-34	45 degrees Right
60-69	75-79	50-54	41-45	35-40	45 degrees Left
70-94	80-95	55-89	46-69	41-94	NE
95-97	96-97	90-94	70-85	92-97	Advance
98-99	98-99	95-99	86-99	98-99	Revenge

All modifiers to the dice are as in rules, as are the morale results.

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