Game 45 Major River Crossing

Scenario 45  15 Nov - Dec 16  A Major River Crossing PBEM Mini-Campaign Joe (Oberhilse) vs Les (Farway) with me as GM and playing out the tabletop encounters solo. Table top rules "With MacDuff To The Frontier" (version3)

The campaign began with Oberhilse's General Shandy ordering feints on the left and in the center, complete with pioneers and fake pontoon wagons. Gen Howie was interested but declined to make any rash moves, unless you included the dispatch of a commando like raid by volunteers from the Victoria Rifles who crossed  the river in 2 small commandeered rowboats to attempt to burn the work in progress, alas a throw or 2 of the dice led to them being spotted and ambushed by a patrol of Frontier Light Horse. Eventually the real bridge began on the right, behind an island. There was some difficulty preparing a road across the island which turned out to have a steep rocky west bank (dice again) and the bridge was delayed just long enough for 2 brigades of Faraway troops to arrive unseen and take up positions behind some high ground astride the enemy's path  inland. Oberhilse mustered 6 regiments of infantry, 2 batteries of artillery, 2 regiments of dragoons and 2 regiments of light cavalry plus a battalion of pioneers who were busy with the bridge, their orders were to cross over and push on towards the town of Thriegy (3G). Faraway mustered 3 regiments of infantry, 2 of light infantry, 2 batteries of artillery, 2 cavalry regiments and 1/2 unit of light cavalry. Their orders were to ambush the enemy if possible.

A screen of Yellow Hussars pushed out first to scout out the high ground ahead. The Royal Hussars easily drove them back but not before they had spotted enemy infantry where only cavalry had been seen until now. The Blue infantry deployed and an attack was launched up the right while the cavalry was massed on the left and sent to out flank the enemy. As the attack neared the hill, driving back some skirmishers, the hill was suddenly crowned with red coated infantry. Blue halted and opened a desultory long range fire while they waited for the results of the cavalry attack and for the artillery to come forward. A first charge drove back the Queen's cavalry all along the line but they rallied behind an infantry square. Stalemate until Blue's artillery rolled some spectacular counter battery dice and swept the hill clean.

Something had to be done so the Red infantry swept down the hill, won the initiative toss and unleashed a 1st volley at 25 paces and went in with the bayonet sending Blue's infantry reeling. Luckily for them the reserve held, helped by a shower of grape (cannister really). Stalemate again. As Blue's 2nd brigade and artillery moved forward to seize the center hill, Brigadier Kearney got impatient and launched his dragoons and light cavalry at the enemy, now outnumbered 2:1 these troops came through, routing the dragoons and driving back the light cavalry but destroying themselves in the process.

A fine army shattered and even bringing up unenaged units there were not enough Faraway troops for a counter attack. The bridgehead is established, to what end, another mini-campaign would be needed.