Inspired by Andy Callan`s "Loose Files and American Scramble" TURN SEQUENCE Compulsory retreats / routs from previous move Morale provoked retreats etc. Allocate command points (CP`s) for movement / redressing ranks Firing Combat COMMAND Each commander rolls one D6 per turn, to determine the number of command points (CP`s) available for that turn. A single command point may move a single formation, or remove a single D. Point. A commander may expend one `free` CP on any unit to which he is attached. D. POINTS and CASUALTIES D. Points (DP`s) represent temporary disorganisation, demoralisation and desertion. Unlike casualties, DP`s are temporary and may be removed by the expenditure of CP`s. A unit may have a maximum of 5 DP`s. Further DP`s inflicted by fire, combat or morale only are taken as casualties (i.e. a base is removed); DP`s resulting from manoeuvre are ignored. Removal of DP`s 1st Class troops may remove DP`s if not in combat 2nd Class troops may remove DP`s if not in combat and do not move that turn 3rd Class troops may remove DP`s if not in combat, are not under fire and do not move that turn. MOVEMENT A unit may move 4" for the expenditure of a single CP. Normally, units may only receive one movement CP per turn, but a unit in Column may receive any number of CP`s per turn, provided it does not move within 10" of an enemy unit. Artilley may be man-handled 1" or move limbered 6", but may not fire and move in the same turn. MANOEUVRE Wheeling: Pivot one end of a line; 3" move measured by distance moved by outer figure Change formation: Takes one turn; unit suffers 1 DP or 2 DP`s if under fire Limber / un-limber: Takes two turns; unit suffers 1 DP or 2 DP`s if under fire Cross into Ditch: 1 DP Mount Breach: -1" & 1 DP Collision / Interpenetration:: Each unit suffers an additional DP. Retreating or routing units will retreat round any better formed units (i.e. with fewer DP`s) but will collide with units which are equally or worse formed. MORALE Lower grade unit routs within 6" of unit -1 DP Equal/Higher grade unit retreats within 6" of unit -2 DPs Equal grade unit routs within 6" -2 DPs & 1 Casualty Higher grade unit routs within 6" -3 DPs & 1 Casualty FIRING - ARTILLERY Heavy Guns: Long Range - 42"; Short Range - 10" Field Guns: Long Range - 36"; Short range - 10" Roll 1 D6 per Gun, and modify accordingly; +1: Heavy Gun -1: Target in fieldwork, fort or building +1: Target in Column, limbered, or in enfilade -1: Firing at new target +1: Firing at same target, at same range -1: Each DP on firing gun -2: Target in skirmish order At Long Range, inflict 1 DP for a score of 4+. At Short Range, inflict 1 DP for a score of 2 or 3; 2 DP`s for a score of 4 or 5; 1 DP & 1 Casualty for a total of 6 or more. FIRING - INFANTRY Ranges: Musket 0-8" ; Rifle 0-10". Roll one D6 for each Base in the unit less the number of D.Points. Half the number of bases if firing against skirmishers or artillery, and half again if target is in fieldworks or buildings. Halves round up. For each 6 rolled inflict 1 DP. Skirmishers roll again on a roll of 5, with 4,5,6 inflicting 1 DP. COMBAT Occurs when a unit advances to within 4" of the enemy. Each side rolls one Average Dice, modified by the following factors: For two units attacking one, total factors for both units and divide by two. Treat the training grade as that of the highest unit. +3 Each training grade higher than opponent +3 Defending fort or stone building +2 Defending fieldwork or wooden building +2 British regulars making bayonet attack +1 Terrain advantage +2 Commander attached to unit -3 In Skirmish Order -3 Attacked in flank and rear -2 Each casualty suffered -2 Each DP on the unit -1 Outnumbered -2 Outnumbered 2 : 1 -3 Outnumbered 3 : 1 RESULT Calculate the difference in the two scores and apply to each side: +4 or more: EASY VICTORY - take 1 DP +2/3: SUCCESSFUL ACTION - take 1 DP and 1 casualty (if facing infantry who did not make a bayonet attack and not in a fort, building or fieldwork) +1/0/-1: STAND OFF - take 1 DP and 1 casualty (unless infantry facing cavalry, or facing a bayonet attack, or in a fort, building or fieldwork) -2/-3/-4: DRIVEN BACK - take 2 DP`s and 1 casualty. Retreat one move (no CP`s required) -5/-6/-7/-8: DEFEATED - take 2 DP`s and 2 casualties. Retreat each move until behind friendly troops, or next terrain obstacle (no CP`s required) -9 or more: ROUTED - move at 6" per turn until out of enemy artillery range or next terrain obstacle, whichever is further. Take 4 DP`s and 2 casualties. LOSSES TO COMMANDERS A commander attached to a unit which suffers a DP from combat or fire, or a casualty from any means, rolls a D6. On a roll of 1, roll again: 4-6 Light Wounded - minus 2 CP`s per turn. 2-3 Serious wound - Retire from field, lose all CP`s. 1 - Killed. -ed note: In the next Gauntlet there will be a short historical treatise pertaining to the above rules set. I just ran out of space this issue. Back to The Gauntlet No. 12 Table of Contents Back to The Gauntlet List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1998 by Craig Martelle Publications This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com