Up before dawn, home after midnight - Ted Poltorak, Matt, Ray Lopez, and Bob McBride made a day trip to Connecticut to play Valmy to Waterloo with William Keyser and Mike. In most respects the trip was great fun. After riding in the comfort of Ted'’ van (imagine a cross between the space shuttle and a really comfortable lounge chair) we arrived at Keyser’s house and were treated to Scones prepared by his wife. The hospitality was terrific, but the game was an unpleasant experience for the travellers.

Bob, Keyser, and Mike played the Austrians, while Ted, Matt, and Ray took the French. The scenario was Merengo. Initially only Ted had troops on the board. He was badly outnumbered and outgunned. After the first turn his small commabnd was surrounded and on the wrong side of a river. On turn two the charges began, and would continue throughout the game. He was never able to stabilize his position as the more numerous Austrians were easily able to outflank him with their cavalry.

The small cavalry force Ray brought onto the table was too little and too late. The French gave up the fight and tried to find a place to halt the rout, wait for reinforcements, and make a stand. Unfortunately the reinforcements didn’t arrive until it was time for us to leave, and they were insufficient to halt the Austrian onslaught in any event. In the end it was a crushing victory fo rth Austrians. It was disappointing that Matt, Bob, and Ray didn’t get to do much wargaming, and poor Ted spent most of the game getting beat on. Keyser has agreed to come South for a game and we hope to give him a warm reception when he does. Thanks go to Ted for driving all those miles!