Being a record of the Campaign waged from May 1639 to April 1640
Based on rules presented in LW 125 and 126
The hunting disaster which deprived the Queen of her husband and the Land of its King, occurred in early April. The dynamics of the family already racked with internal strife, the poisoning of the Foreign Minister was the final straw. Prince John's withdrawal to a northern province and rapid mobilization of forces to his banners spurred the Queen and her allies to react with equal aggression. It was little surprise then, that a roll of 2d6, resulted in a May commencement of open hostilities.
The following journal entries are an account of the events comprising the Civil War between the Queen and Prince John. In addition to monthly status reports kept for logistics and force readiness, these entries, completed at the end of each monthly turn, are a summary of that action completed within the confines of the campaign notebook as well as of that action concluded on the field of honor.
It is the hope of this author and solo-wargamer that the following journal notes provide an entertaining read, and help to explain aspects of the rules that were not sufficiently detailed in their original format. Without further ado, For God, Queen, and Country ... the campaign.
TURN RECORD REPORT: MAY 1639
Weather was mostly clear throughout the land, with rain in the region controlled by Prince John, and in one of the Scottish provinces. Both sides deferred calling for reinforcements. It is a bit late in the year to do so anyway. Politically, the Rebels have a small advantaged over the Royalists, with respect to swaying the Scottish to their cause. All forces were in supply and reported in "good" condition for offensive or defensive action.
Note: Must revise revenue per district, as the numbers for supply are significantly greater than the cost of maintaining any force.
Both sides rolled for an aggressive open to the campaign; the Scottish forces waiting for invasion or resolution of political conferences. The Rebels rolled for an expanded offensive, the armies of Gen. Janiszewski and Maj. Gen. Koeppel advancing into enemy territory.
General Janiszewski was "bounced" from an incursion into the region controlled by Lt. Gen. Joyce for the Royalist cause. Maj. Gen. Koeppel succeeded in taking one district from the region commanded by Lord Otto, but had to withdraw his army to home territory in order to face a strategic turning movement by Queen Polivka and her massive force.
The Queen was able to march across the river in this district without incident, but did run into a "brick wall" when meeting Maj. Gen. Koeppel in the field. The Rebels, rather outnumbered by the large force fielded by the Queen, deployed in a strong defensive position. In a sharp engagement, the Queen pressed forward, but lost steadily to a well-rested and tough Rebel line. Three regiments of foot were ultimately lost to the withering fire of the Rebel infantry and artillery, ensconced on a gentle hill.
In this main assault, Sir Anthony was also lost for the Royalist cause. The cavalry melees on the flanks were sharp, but the dice were with the Rebels here, too. The Royalist left wing could not handle the veteran horse of Maj. Gen. Koeppel, and collapsed as the infantry attack faltered.
The Queen withdrew, in a rather disorganized manner. The remaining cavalry - from the right flank - covered the retreat. However, several key units were lost. The Rebels faired much better, having retained possession of the field. First blood, then, to the Rebels.
TURN RECORD REPORT: JUNE 1639
Weather excellent throughout the land. But military activity did not follow. Pressed by the high council, the Queen withdrew monies from the treasury for reinforcements and refitting her force. Somewhat startled by the intensity of the first engagement, both sides made plans to spend the summer months seeking alliance with the Scots. All through June, July, and even August, the Rebels faired better than the Royalists, due to their first field victory - against forces of the Queen no less.
Less a factor, but also contributing to the Scots favor, was the fact that forces of Major General Koeppel were able to hold a district in the territory of Lord Otto, for the entire summer. Indeed, with the change of seasons, an attempt by Lord Otto to retake this district was soundly rebuffed.
Queen Polivka did receive her reinforcements, however. Her Majesty spent the entire month introducing the new regiments to drill and command. This entry suffices for the summer season; entries for July and August are unnecessary.
TURN RECORD REPORT: SEPTEMBER 1639
With the first month of Autumn, the weather around the provinces was mixed. There was rain in three regions, and cold weather in a fourth. The remaining lands were grateful for continued clear skies. Politically, whether due to the arrival of reinforcements or because of some faux pas committed by the Rebels, the advantage with the Scot leaders was reduced.
For activity, again, perhaps due to the reinforcements gained by the Queen, the Royalists chose to attack, while the Rebels selected defense. (Perhaps they are biding their time until the Scots come in on their side in the conflict, and then they can be assured of a multi-front war and, outnumbering the enemy.)
Queen Polivka advanced in the rain in the Lowlands. Major General Koeppel withdrew in the face of this threat, and the district was subjugated, though the castle held against efforts by the Queen. As mentioned previously, Lord Otto attempted to retake the district in his lands that had been subjugated by Koeppel's forces in the first month of hostilities, but was not successful.
Lt. General Joyce attacked lands to the north, and took a district belonging to the Prince, but here too a castle held against Royalist efforts. Prince John made no moves to redress this situation. In the army of the Southern Association, the rain fall demoralized the troops and an outbreak of dysentery reduced overall numbers by 1 BP. The Royalists were finally able to move into the plus column with respect to total number of victory points, though they still lagged behind the Rebels
TURN RECORD REPORT: OCTOBER 1639
Weather lousy around the continent, with rain in six of eight provinces. Where battle was expected - in the Lowlands - it was raining for the second straight month. All armies were in supply however, and given the rain, they were in generally good spirit., This includes that of General Janiszewski. In ten of engagements, Lord Otto made another attempt retake his district and succeeded in reducing the Rebel garrison. Lt. Gen. Joyce continued to advance on the Prince's territory, subjugating a second district and a like number of castles. The Prince reacted to this success, and has marched with his full compliment, to the neighboring district.
Rain continued in the Lowlands, and the Queen continued her advance, seeking battle (and redemption?) against Major General Koeppel. It being his home district, Koeppel accepted, but on more, had the advantage of terrain. In some respects too, the weather helped lessen the numb( of the Queen.
After a slow start, the cavalry regiments of the Queen succeeded in breaking the Rebel left routing two units of horse and a unit of foot (taking two standards in the process) - and pressuring the Rebel right. Due to weather and terrain, the main infantry bodies of each army were not able to come to "push of pike". It was a sharp defeat for the Rebels, however, as none of the units lost would return to the roster.
The Queen's mounted arm was bloodied severely, but horse is of little use in a siege, and can be expensive to hold in the winter months. Major General Koeppel withdrew to the south, leaving his capital town under siege, and tl Royalists enjoying a significant advantage with respect to victory point totals.
TURN RECORD REPORT: NOVEMBER 1639
Weather again, miserable throughout the land, with rain, cold, and snow. The concentration of activity was on politics, the Rebels seeking to cement their alliance with the Scots, in hope of launching a campaign next Spring. They edged very close to securing the pact, but did not complete the effort.
The season being winter and the aim being politics did much to harm the efforts of the Prince in his territory. Lt. General Joyce of the Royalist forces has taken two of the Prince's five districts. Supplies are short for the Prince and his army is feeling the effect. There was no battle between these two commanders, though they sit on opposite sides of a district border.
The forces under Major General Koeppel are in poor condition. The Queen succeeded in her siege of the region's major town, and now the Major General is cut- off from his main source of supply. Indeed, his small army is "cornered" in the south most district of his territory. (And it's snowing.)
In sum, though the Rebels hold a significant advantage with respect to the probability of an alliance with the Scots, the Royalists have stacked their side of the table with victory points. The armies of the Royalists are in fine condition; two of three of the Rebel side are in poor shape.
TURN RECORD REPORT: DECEMBER 1639
Weather all over the map this month, with clear in the region of the Western Alliance, rain in the Lowlands, snow following the Queen, and extreme cold in Scotland. The weather then, may explain the "freeze" in political progress by the Rebels. They remain, literally, just pen strokes away from an agreement and the promise of trouble for Royalist efforts in the North. There were no battles this month; Prince John sat idly while the lack of supplies continued to ruin his troops (especially his mounted regiments). Morale is consequently low.
Umpire's Note: It was reasoned that there should be special consideration given to the situation in the North with the Prince. A die roll was made, but alas, it was not in the favor of the Prince, nor in the favor of the Rebel cause. Lack of supply continues to make inroads on the numbers that will be available for battle in the Spring.
In that respect, both sides are drawing up requests for reinforcements. As the main capital is under threat, reinforcements for the Rebels will have to come by way of the Southern Association. Queen Polivka is planning for even numbers of horse and foot to compliment her already significant force. Lord McMullin, it is rumored, is calling more men to his standards, in preparation for an eventual attack against Royalist armies. Royalists still hold the advantage in victory points: 137 to (minus) 8.
TURN RECORD REPORT: JANUARY 1640.
As of this writing, turn record for this campaign month is under review.
TURN RECORD REPORT: FEBRUARY 1640
Weather conditions extremely cold or cold in seven of eight regions; and in the eighth region, there is rain. A truly miserable February. Politically, the Rebels have scored a success with bringing the Scots into the contest on their side (finally). However, it may be too little too late. The army under Prince John has succumbed to a winter of inactivity and lack of supplies, due to the political process and occupation of some territory by Lt. General Joyce's army. The Prince has retreated with a veteran unit and what he could keep of his horse, to his capital district. The rest of the army is either frozen, starved, or scattered.
Major General Koeppel advanced in order to contest the station of the Queen. This would have been the 3rd conflict between these armies in less than a year. Morale and weather were not on his side, and so there was no battle. The Queen remains in possession of some territory here, too.
Despite the weather, General Janiszewski and his Army (of the Southern Association) launched an offensive to relieve pressure on the already dispersed forces of the Prince. Help was to arrive in the form of the first Scottish Army under Lord McMullin. Nothing went right for the Rebels.
In battle, the cavalry wings of the Royalists destroyed their Rebel counterparts and then proceeded to break the Rebel foot reserve. The main line of the Rebel army had been committed, and so there was an offer for terms made. The proud but beaten Rebels refused, and were chased back across the border. They left their artillery, 2 complete foot regiments, and nearly 75% of their cavalry on the field. In addition, Brigadier Tschannen was killed in the action. The Royalist force, in contrast, was barely touched. A standard was lost however, in the swirling cavalry fight.
The total of victory points remains hugely in favor of the Royalist cause. There is some serious discussion of whether or not the Rebels can maintain this campaign.
TURN RECORD REPORT: MARCH 1640
Events not recorded as of this time.
TURN RECORD REPORT: APRIL 1640
In the 11th month of the campaign, the Royalists have won victory over Prince John and his Rebel supporters, with the defeat of General Janiszewski's army by forces under command of Lord Otto.
Weather for this campaign month was ideal; there was rain in Prince John's territory only, all other provinces were enjoying clear Spring skies and temperatures. The reduction of Major General Koeppel's territory was completed by forces under the Queen's command. (The Rebels having been cornered last month, and having no recourse, surrender to one of the Queen's sub-generals.)
Prince John is rumored to have sailed from his capital (in disguise and under cover of darkness). Additional rumors place him making for Scotland, or even the continent, in a desperate attempt to gain foreign aid for his claim. The Scottish armies, under command of Lord McMullin and General Crispin respectively, remained just across the border of Prince John's now occupied districts, never really threatening Royalist operations.
SUMMARY
In an overview then, this was a comparatively short but decisive campaign. The mechanics worked fairly well, although it was interesting to note that when map engagements were transferred to the table, cavalry was the decisive arm. Infantry played a very secondary role on the field, though it was the crucial arm with respect to occupying territory and securing castles or fortified towns. In this respect, it seems that history did repeat itself.
Politically, the Rebels held the advantage throughout the campaign - for all the good this did for the cause. Initially, they too, held the advantage in the field. However, the balance quickly change and the momentum remained for the rest of the 3 and into the next with the Queen and her general.
On a final note, some readers may question the action or more properly, inaction, of the Prince. After a promising start to the campaign, his side floundered, and it is perhaps due directly to his 1ack of direction. This is, I believe, one of the attractive frustrations of solo-wargaming. "If only I had control", was often muttered as I tossed the dice see which side would adopt an offensive posture remain on the defense. Then again, the purpose the design was to remove absolute control from my hands, and let the dice fall as they may. The forces of the Queen could just as easily have been held captive by the dice. Either way, at least I'm assured of a foundation for a second campaign.
The premise? Two years have passed and the Queen has effectively resumed control of her country. There still remains smoldering resentment on behalf of the Rebels, but without any effective charismatic leadership, they are hapless.
However, the French have been victorious in their campaign against the Eastern potentate, and are eager to carry this elan over the channel to avenge the defeat inflicted by King Harold II. The reader may or may not be surprised to find that the banner of The Prince in the army under Duke Bertrand as they prepare to embark. The reader also may or may not be surprised to discover that agents of the French are hard at work wining, dining, and promising the Scots a share in the spoils of a defeated England.
More God, Queen, Country
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