A Napoleonic Extravaganza

Yesterday we played a large Napoleonic game. A Russo-Prussian force of 32 battalions, four cavalry regiments and eight batteries was charged with securing control of a crossroads at the centre of the table. Opposing us was a stronger Franco-Bavarian force of at least 35 battalions (10 of which were guard) 13 cavalry regiments and nine batteries.

The terrain was very constrictive, with a river crossable at only two fords and a bridge cutting off about a quarter of the table. A village and a wood at the opposite end  closed out that flank but a large walled farm the centre effectively divided the table in two and seriously constricted the area in which large bodies could be manoeuvred. 

The battlefield before the armies arrived

The Russians took the right flank and the Prussians the left. Opposite us the Bavarians held the left, opposite the Russians, the Guard held the centre and a combined Franco-Wurtemberg force held their right.

 

The initial deployments from the Russian end of the table.

The reverse view with the armies in motion

The Guard brigades deploy opposite the walled farm

The  Bavarians on the move: in the foreground they are preparing to cross the river, and further away are facing the Russians 

The Prussian Jägers moved quickly to secure the walled farm while the artillery of both sides sought to soften up the infantry.

Then the Russian grenadiers began their advance.

Then the line brigades stepped off.

The Prussians were quickly into the thick of it.

The Russian Grenadiers attacked the Guard light infantry

The Emperor seemed indifferent

But his generals were nervous under his eye.

And with good reason, for here come the Russian Cuirassiers

They slammed into the flank of the Guard lights who had driven off a battalion of Russian grenadiers

The Bavarians put up a wall of bayonets, but struggled to make headway,

The Guard lancers and Russian Cuirassiers were quickly embroiled in an extended melee.

 Meanwhile the Guard infantry found themselves in an awkward position, their front divided by the walled farm

Their commander desperately tried to maintain order 

Despite huge pressure the Prussian lines held

The fighting raged along the length of the table.

In the end the sun set with a slight advantage to the Russo-Prussians.

Photo credits: me and John L.