-ed note: The following article is presented by Jeff Kayati, from the PKMailer. Jeff describes a Napoleonics contest he played out using Piquet: Les Grognards. In this report, a number of viewpoints are explored and best represent how Piquet is interpreted during play.
Russian Viewpoint
In accordance with your wishes, I have compiled the following dispatch to convey to you the performance of the troops under my command in the vicinity of the Village of Turovn.
Upon the word of our Cossack scouts of the advancing French columns, I deployed the army for battle just east of the Village of Turovn. At the outset of this affair, I was well pleased with the terrain to the front of my troops as it offered several excellent defensive positions.
Our right flank was dominated by a large hill upon which sat a large granary surrounded by high stone walls. The center of our lines was broken by the village itself. Just outside the village, and to it's left was an excellent elevated position for one of our twelve pound batteries. This elevation was in turn protected on the left by a large wooded area.
I must say here, that I believe our Cossack scouts are in need of additional training if they are to accurately provide us with information. For, as we were soon to discover, the French columns had advanced much closer than we expected. It was only by the slimmest of margins that this army was able to deploy in the before mentioned areas.
In fact, the cavalry on our left flank was forced to beat back the enemy's horse before we could finish our deployment. Once deployed, I must say that our men fought with intensity and valor befitting Mother Russia. The following units should be noted for the performance.
The light battalion of the 13th Regiment was engaged my some heavy cavalry, and with little loss routed them from the field. The officer in charge of the horse battery deployed on our left acted with great vigor to provide flanking fire on the advance French horse and columns. Lastly, the Brigade under Sutov should be commended for it's selfless counterattack that helped preserve the granary position our grenadiers units were holding.
Because of the lack of time to deploy, our actions were limited to reacting to the enemy. With no time to soften up the enemy, our left flank was eventually turned. It was at this time, with 7000 of our brave 20000 men either out of action or having fled, that I ordered the rest of the army to retire
My only solace is that many a dead Frenchman lie in front of the granary and the village itself. We shall do better another time.
De Tolly
French Viewpoint
In accordance with the Emperor's wishes I forward the following dispatch covering our advance upon the Village of Tuvorn.
Upon being ordered by Marshall Ney to occupy the crossroads this small village contained, I deployed my troops for battle. The majority of the ground we were to advance upon was open. The lone exception being a large hill covering the right centre of our approach.
It seems that the Russian Cossacks we had chased away the day before had not informed the Russian commander of our advance, for his entire command was still east of the village. As we advanced upon the enemy, all of our commanders where apprehensive that the Russians would seize the moment to situate themselves on the dominating terrain in and around the village.
To mitigate this, I ordered the general advance of our cavalry on our right flank. This seemed to have the intended affect as the entire Russian command sat confused while our troops advanced all along the field.
Soon our cavalry on the right was hotly engaged with the enemy. Noteworthy was the performance of the 23rd Dragoons who stood up to repeated engagements to the Russian cuirassiers. Our infantry columns advanced as the cavalry engagement raged on, coming within musket range just as the Russians shook off their cadaverous state.
I believe the Russians came to life due to the unexplained routing of one of our Guard cuirassier units. In any case, the Russian were soon in defensive positions. As we had advanced to close to call off the attack, I called for a general attack all along the battlefield.
With intensity, our right wing of infantry engaged some enemy infantry and a large battery of twelve pound guns with success. Our other attacks at the village and a large granary on our left met with less success. Due to the severe casualties sustained, in particular in and around the granary itself, I feared that I must recall the troops.
It was at this time that Marchal Ney appeared on the field with reinforcements for our center. His timely arrival called for one more push, and after chasing away a troublesome horse battery, we turned the Russian left flank.
The Russians soon retired.
I must say that the Russian troops, though poorly led and seemly without an initiative to act, fought with determination. Though we occupied the village as ordered, I begin to wonder what will be left of my command when we reach Moscow.
Vive L'Empereur
Auvergne
Piquet Viewpoint
This battle was between four players, each commanding a force of twenty units. We used one deck for each person, so we played using a total of four sequence decks. In addition, each deck rolled and used initiative separately. Both sides received Army Effect Cards, but only two were notable. The French right wing received a brilliant leader card, and the French left wing received reinforcements to the center.
I must say that this was the most difficult game of Piquet I've played to date. But then again, I was the Russian left wing commander. Initiative after initiative went to the French. I was unable to advance to the choice defensive positions just two moves away from me, before five French cavalry units were within one move of my command. The Russian right wing fared a bit better, but not to an extent that he could counterattack.
When I finally did get some impetus to move, I was forced to do nothing but react to the French onslaught. A sure way to lose if there ever was one. Just as I got my lines stabilized, the fatal move occurred.
I held the elevated heights on the left side of the field with a group of line infantry and a large battery of twelve pound guns. Just behind this hill, I had three battalions of grenadiers. To the left of the hill, next to a large wooded area and on the flank of the French right, I had a horse battery of six pounders.
Feeling the horse battery would be soon overwhelmed by the combo of cavalry, infantry and artillery closing in I took my one chance to move it out of harms way. I played a heroic moment card, with an artillery move card. Limbered and moved behind the hill near the grenadiers, I was soon on a new turn and praying for another artillery move card.
I got the card, but never the impetus to use it. After having survived dozens of lost die rolls for impetus at the beginning, the tide turned against me again. First phase of the new turn I lost by seventeen. Before I could do anything, my left flank was turned.
Counting up the victory points we playtested, the French came out with a minor victory. This was mostly due to the high casualties inflicted upon the French in and around the granary on our right.
After having played through a game of Piquet so one-sided in impetus, I can honestly say it's not the end of the world. It's just very, very frustrating.
To end this long series of posts, and I hope they aren't too long for you, I wanted to cover some rules and cards we added.
Because each deck rolled for impetus, we ignored the first tie for impetus roll to end a turn. I think this is a must for multi-deck games.
We added a horse artillery move and reload card to each deck. All involved in the game thought this a grand idea. The extra move card helps you to be more adventurous with your horse artillery. The extra reload card may not be necessary.
We added a Cavalry Reform card to each deck. This card allowed any disordered cav unit to "rally" if it is both in command and in the command radius of it's commander. Cost was on morale chip and one impetus for each unit. Mixed thoughts on this card resulted. No one saw it as unbalancing, but I didn't see much benefit from it either. May not be necessary.
We allowed stored impetus to be used as an 'opportunity charge". Interestingly enough, this never came into play.
Lastly, I like to encourage others to relate their experiences with any Piquet supplement they play. Whether it's reports on your battles or discussion on rules, I'd love to hear about what's going on out there with what I believe is the best wargaming system on the market yet.
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