The Austrians, under General Wurmser, having been defeated by the French under Bonaparte himself at Castiglione, are withdrawing north in a general retreat towards the Tyrol. Their main body has to cross the Mincio river on a pontoon bridge and require time to do so. A rearguard under General Davidovitch have to hold up the French for a complete day (16 moves) to enable the main army to escape. An Austrian force is positioned in the Mincio Valley awaiting the French Advance Guard under General Nassena.
Austrian Force: 3 Bns Line Infantry; I Company Jagers; 3 Squadrons Light Cavalry; 2 Horse Guns; 2 Field Guns.
French Force: 1 Bn Imperial Guard, 2 Bns Tirailleurs; 2 Squadrons Light Cavalry; 3 Horse Guns.
Further French reinforcements will arrive during the battle, coming in on the French baseline. The Austrians may set up anywhere on the table and must delay the French for 16 moves.
Rules
Movement
| Type | French | Austrians |
|---|---|---|
| Infantry in line | 6" | 4" |
| Infantry in column | 8" | 6" |
| Infantry charge (move in column) | 10" | 8" |
| Light Infantry | 9" | 8" |
| Cavalry | 9" | 12" |
| Cavalry charge | 15" | 18" |
| Heavy gun | 15" | 15" |
| Infantry cost | 2" | 3" to form square, line into column, or col into line |
| Cavalry cost | 3" | 2" to go from column into line or line into column |
The reasons for the different distances above are:
- 1. French infantry move faster and take up formations quicker
2. French cavalry are on poor horses and are not as good.
3. French morale, after a succession of victories, is higher.
French Imperial Guard add one to all morale dice throws.
Firing
| Type | Firing | Firing Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskets | 10" | Short range 5" | Distracted or disordered -1 |
| Rifles | 12" | Short range 6" | Artillery +1 |
| Field guns | 24" | Short range (Grape) 12" | 1 st Class Morale +1 |
| Horse guns | 18" | Short range (Grape) 12" | Firing behind hard cover +1 Target behind hard cover -2 Short Range +1 |
| Field guns = 15 men; Horse guns = 10 men | |||
| Casualties on gun crews: 3/4's usual at all times, 1/2 if behind hard cover | |||
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© Copyright 1997 Hal Thinglum
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