La Patrie en Danger 1814: The Campaign in France, Part I
La Patrie en Danger 1814: The Campaign in France, Part I Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 Sequence of Play
- 3.0 Stacking
- 4.0 Zones of Control
- 5.0 Leaders
- 6.0 Command
- 7.0 Movement
- 8.0 Hidden Forces
- 9.0 Repulse
- 10.0 Combat
- 11.0 Combat Modifiers
- 12.0 Combat Results
- 13.0 Bombardment
- 14.0 Cavalry Charges
- 15.0 Fortified Places
- 16.0 Vedettes
- 17.0 Supply
- 18.0 Baggage and Pontoon Trains
- 19.0 Reinforcements
- 20.0 March Orders
- 21.0 Demoralization
- 22.0 Recovery and Reorganization
- 23.0 Weather
- Glossary and Index
- Study Folder
- 25.0 Scenarios
- 26.0 Victory Conditions
- 27.0 The Battle of Brienne
- 28.0 The Battle of La Rothière
- 29.0 The Battle of Champaubert
- 30.0 The Battle of Montmirail
- 31.0 The Battle of Vauchamps
- 32.0 Brienne - La Rothière Mini-Campaign
- 33.0 Champaubert-Montmirail-Vauchamps Mini-Campaign
- 34.0 The Grand Campaign Game
- Historical Notes
- Designer's Notes
1.0 Introduction
This game is a two-player simulation of Napoleonic battles at the Grand Tactical level. You can play each game as an individual set-piece, or undertake a "Campaign" consisting of several battles played in sequential order.
1.1 Inventory
See the Study Folder for a complete list of components. (One six sided die is needed for play—not included). If any parts are missing, or with any rules questions, please write:
Operational Studies Group PO Box 569 • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152 • USA e-mail: [email protected]
1.2 The Rulebooks
This rule book contains the basic rules that apply to all games in this series. The Study Folder contains Special Rules, Scenario Information, Historical Commentary, and Design Notes. All rules about the play of cards are in the optional booklet of Card Instructions (24.0).
1.3 The Map
The maps provide the playing surfaces, depicting the area where the battles occurred. A hexagonal grid overlaying the maps divides the playing surface into hexes. Each hex is 480 meters across (525 yards, 50 acres). Each hex has a four-digit code printed on it. Slope hexsides represent a rise of 50 to 100 feet or more. Crests are 20-50 feet. A hex is Woods or Marsh if one-third or more of the hex contains the terrain symbol.
1.4 The Playing Pieces
(1.41) The playing pieces are of five types: Combat Units, Vedettes (16.0), Leaders (5.0), Trains (18.0), and Markers. All combat units have a Full Strength side; most have a Reduced Strength reverse. Leaders, Vedettes and combat units with a Strength of "one" have a Flag reverse.
(1.42) How to Read the Units: The numbers and symbols printed on combat units include:
- Unit I.D.
- Command Designation (Glossary)
- Combat Strength: one SP = ± 1 battalion, 1 cavalry regt., or 1 battery
- Initiative Rating (5.22)
- Movement Allowance (7.2)
- Size: XX Division, X Brigade, III Regiment, II Battery, [X] Ad Hoc Task Force
- Unit Type
- Number of Vedettes they can deploy (16.11)
(1.43) Markers: Markers are placed on the map to indicate status of units or hexes.
Counter reference — Leaders: a Commander shows Name, Command Points and Movement Allowance; an Officer shows Name, Command Designation, Initiative Rating and Movement Allowance. Combat Units show Unit I.D., Command Designation, Combat Strength, Initiative Rating, Number of Vedettes, Unit Type, Size and Movement Allowance. Unit-type symbols: Infantry, Heavy Cavalry, Vedettes (16.0), Artillery (13.0), Horse Artillery. Marker types: Failed Repulse, Out of Supply, Control, Demoralized, Out of Command, In Command, Pontoon Train, Baggage Train, Burnt Bridge, Turn.
1.5 Initial Set up
Carefully punch out the units and sort them by Command Designation. Then select a scenario (see Scenario Information in the Study Folder for details). The units are placed on the map according to the Initial Set up. The First Player (stated in the Scenario Information) always sets up before the Second Player. All units start hidden (8.0).
Units designated ® are set up with their reduced side facing up. Each side may place one force under March Orders if it has a Commander on the map (20.1).
2.0 Sequence of Play
The Game is played in a series of Game-Turns, representing one hour of daylight, or 3-6 hours of night.
2.1 Day Game-Turns
Each Day Game-Turn is divided into two Player Turns subdivided into four Phases. The First Player resolves all four Phases of his Player Turn, and then the Second Player does the same. Each of the Phases must be resolved in the exact order given. After the Second Player Turn, the Game-Turn is complete and a new Game-Turn begins.
First Player Turn
A. Start Phase:
- Weather Segment: The First player rolls on the Weather table on the first turn of each day, and at other times as determined by the Weather Duration Die Roll (23.12).
- Card Segment: OPTIONAL (24.0) See separate 4-page folder.
B. Command Phase:
- Supply Segment: On turns when weather is checked, or as indicated on the TRC, the Phasing Player checks supply for his forces (17.1). If not using the cards, the Phasing Player may declare a General Retreat (20.5).
- Recovery Segment: On turns when Weather is checked, or as indicated on the TRC, the Phasing Player may attempt to Recover Units (22.1).
- Reorganization Segment: The Phasing Player may use eligible Leaders to bring eliminated units back into play at reduced strength (22.2).
- Command Segment:
- a. The Phasing Player removes all "Out of Command" markers from his forces.
- b. The Phasing Player allocates his Command Points (6.1), placing Officers and Combat Units (within Command Range) "in Command."
- c. The Phasing Player may attempt to place formations that did not receive a Command Point 'in Command' by rolling against the Officer's Initiative Rating (6.31).
- d. "Out of Command" markers are placed on all forces not in Command (6.1)
- e. Pontoon Bridges may be reconfigured (18.34).
C. Movement Phase:
- The Command Movement Segment: The Phasing Player may move all of his forces that are in Command (or under a March Order [20.1]). Reinforcements enter at this time. Units may attempt to Repulse enemy units out of the way (9.0).
- Initiative Movement Segment: The Phasing Player can now attempt to move Combat units that are marked "Out of Command." For each Out of Command unit he wishes to move he rolls against its Initiative Rating, then moves it if it passes (roll-move, roll-move). A die-roll equal to or less than this rating permits the unit to move up to its full Movement Allowance; however, the unit is still considered Out of Command and keeps its Out of Command marker. If the die roll is greater than its Initiative Rating, the unit may not move.
NOTE: Individual units within Command Range of their Officers, whose officer already on this turn failed his Initiative check, may not themselves roll for initiative.
D. Combat Phase
Combat is resolved in a series of Steps as outlined below:
-
- LOS Step: Both players simultaneously reveal all their Units and Leaders that are within LOS (8.3) of the enemy.
-
- Cavalry Retreat Step: Defending cavalry, horse artillery, and Vedettes may Retreat Before Combat (10.2). After defending units have retreated, attacking cavalry may also Retreat Before Combat.
- 2A. Artillery Reaction Fire Step. The non-phasing Player executes bombardment (13.0). Bombardment Strength may be reduced by Counter-Battery Fire (CBF, 13.5).
- 2B. Attack Declaration Step: The attacker must declare which friendly units are attacking which enemy units (10.3).
-
- Bombardment Step: The Phasing Player executes artillery bombardment (13.0). CBF applies (13.5). Artillery that was Suppressed or Retreated in Step 2A may not bombard now.
-
- Cavalry Charge Step: The Phasing Player executes cavalry charges (14.0).
-
- Combat Step: The Phasing Player conducts attacks (10.0). Exclude the strength of defending Arty that fired in Step 2A.
-
- 2nd LOS Step: If opposing forces remain engaged (adjacent) after combat, they remain revealed. Forces no longer in Enemy LOS are again hidden (8.5).
Second Player Turn
Command, Movement and Combat Phases are resolved as described for the First Player. (If using the cards, begin with the optional Card Segment.)
A. Command Phase B. Movement Phase C. Combat Phase D. Game-Turn Marker Phase
The Game-Turn Marker is moved into the next space on the Turn Record Track, and a new Game-Turn begins.
2.2 Night Game-Turns
The first and last Game-Turn(s) of each 24-hour period are Night Turn(s). Night PM comes before Night AM. The differences between Night and Day are summarized below:
- The player turns in a Night Turn are reversed (the Second Player Turn is resolved before the First Player Turn).
- There is no Weather Segment—Weather for the night depends on the last daylight turn's weather.
- The Start Phase is different (2.2A).
- Only units under March Orders may move (20.4).
- There is a Disengagement Phase (2.2A1).
- There is no Night Combat Phase.
Second Player Night Turn
A. Start Phase
- Disengagement & LOS Segment (Night PM turns)
The Phasing Player removes his units from any EZOCs one or two hexes, not entering another EZOC. If no hex is available, the units remain engaged. Units in a town, I.P., or chateau (15.0) are not required to Disengage. Check LOS (23.14).
- Recovery Segment: All Friendly units still remaining in the Awaiting Recovery box are shifted to the Recovered Section.
- Card Segment (Night AM turns): OPTIONAL
- Count VP's for cards played, and for leaders in Towns.
- Remove used Mode Cards from play.
- Discard all cards from hand.
- Adjust decks if directed to by the scenario instructions.
- Reshuffle both decks.
B. March Order Dispatch Phase
(Night AM turns) Unless a General Retreat is declared, any one friendly Force may be sent a March Order (20.42). This March Order takes effect in the upcoming day. EXCEPTION: If a General Retreat is declared, this becomes effective immediately.
C. Night March Phase
Units with a current March Order (20.4) in effect. Movement Allowance at night is 2/3 MPs (inf/cav).
First Player Night Turn
1st Player Night Turn comprises phases A-C above, and D.
D. Game-Turn Marker Phase
The Game-Turn Marker is moved into the next space on the Turn Record Track indicating the beginning of the next turn. Check the scenario for any turn-by-turn Victory Point awards.
3.0 Stacking
3.1 General Rule
It costs one Movement Point to stack one combat unit with another. You can move through a friendly unit's hex at no extra cost. EXCEPTION: Road March (3.3). Apply stacking limits only at the end of a phase.
3.2 Stacking Limits
(3.21) Basic Stacking Rule: Any two combat units, regardless of their size, type, or formation, may stack in a hex.
(3.22) Divisional Integrity: All units belonging to the same division may stack three to the hex without a leader present. EXCEPTION: Division-level formations with their own officer counter use 3.23 instead.
(3.23) Leader Stacking Bonus: A Leader's hex may contain up to 5 units, up to 2 of which may be infantry. If the stack has Divisional Integrity, 3 of the 5 units may be infantry. If the Leader leaves the hex then the overstacked units must leave too, per rules for Retreat (12.3) and Displacement (12.36).
(3.24) Free Stacking Units: Leaders, Deployed Pontoon Bridges, and Markers do not count against the stacking limit. Up to 3 vedettes (16.0) may join any stack over and above the stacking limits noted above. EXCEPTION (16.12).
3.3 Stacking Restrictions
Units in Road March: can unstack but may not stack. Units may not move through friendly units in Road March. Units in Road March may move through friendly units not in Road March.
Pontoon and baggage trains: may not stack with any type of unit (including other train units) and if displaced, they are destroyed (18.16).
Chateaux: A chateau loses its combat effect if the hex contains more than two defending infantry units, plus any leaders and vedettes (15.21).
4.0 Zones of Control
4.1 General Rule
The six hexes immediately surrounding a Combat Unit comprise its Zone of Control (ZOC). All Combat Units and vedettes exert a ZOC at all times, even into a hex occupied by an enemy unit. Leaders, Pontoon and Baggage Trains do not have ZOCs. If a Friendly Combat Unit is in an Enemy ZOC (EZOC), the opposing units are equally and mutually affected by the other's ZOC.
4.2 ZOCs and Terrain
ZOCs extend into all terrain types except across unfrozen Rivers or into Improved Positions and Chateaux. If an unfrozen River hexside intervenes (whether the hexside is bridged, unbridged, or contains a ford), the hex is not in a unit's ZOC.
Combat Units' and Vedettes' ZOCs extend into all adjacent hexes except across River hexsides. A Vedette ZOC is identical to a regular ZOC, except it does not block enemy retreats.
4.3 ZOCs and Movement
(4.31) Stops Movement: Combat Units and vedettes may freely enter EZOCs but then may not move again until they:
- Retreat Before or After Combat,
- the enemy retreats or is eliminated,
- they Disengage during a Night Turn (2.2A1), or
- after a successful Repulse (9.21).
The term "Engage" means entering an EZOC (Glossary).
(4.32) Prevents Movement: Leaders may not enter EZOCs voluntarily unless a Friendly Combat Unit occupies the hex. A Train cannot move into an EZOC at all.
4.4 ZOCs and Combat
During the Combat Phase every Phasing Combat Unit in an EZOC must attack (10.31 for exceptions). Every enemy Combat Unit that is in a Phasing Combat Unit's ZOC must be attacked. See Retreat Before Combat (10.2) for exceptions.
4.5 Other Effects of ZOCs
- Night Disengagement (2.2A1)
- Leaders (5.3)
- Retreats (12.31)
- Lines of Supply (no effect—17.44)
- Vedettes (16.25)
- General Retreat (disengagement—20.51)
5.0 Leaders
5.1 Purpose
Leaders perform four important functions:
- They place Combat Units in Command (6.0) so that they may be moved as a formation, not individually.
- They Reorganize eliminated units (22.2).
- They facilitate the Advance After Combat of more than one Combat Unit (12.4-B).
- They facilitate Stacking (3.23).
5.2 Types of Leaders
There are three types of leader counters: Commander, Officer, and Commander-Officer.
(5.21) Commanders: Commanders have a Command Range of 4 hexes and a Movement Allowance of 10. Standing at the top of the "chain of command," they may place friendly Officers and Combat Units in Command. Each Commander has a Command Rating in brackets that is the number of Command Points he may execute in a given Command Phase. With each Command Point he can place in command one Officer plus one Combat Unit. An integrated division (3.22) counts as "one unit."
EXAMPLE: A Commander with a Command Rating of [1] may place one Officer and one Combat Unit in Command.
(5.22) Officers: Officers are the middle link in the chain of command. They are in charge of specific Formations (Corps or Divisions). An Officer commands all Combat Units that share his Command Designation. Each Officer has an Initiative Rating in parentheses that is used to determine if he will move (if not already placed in Command by a Commander.) A die roll equal to or less than his Initiative Rating puts him in Command. Officers have a Command Range of 3 hexes and a Movement Allowance of 6.
EXAMPLE: Bernadotte commanded the I Corps in 1806. All French Combat Units that bear the I Corps designation and a dark green stripe are part of Bernadotte's Formation, and may be placed in Command only by him or by a Commander.
(5.23) Commander-Officers: Commander-Officers are Commanders with a [1] or [2] rating, assigned to a specific formation. Their Command Range is 4. A Commander-Officer always has to spend his first command point to put his own formation in command.
EXAMPLE: A Commander-Officer with [2] Command Points may place his own formation in command with the first, then place another Officer plus a Combat Unit, or 2 more units of any friendly formation, with the second.
5.4 Leaders and Combat
(5.41) Advance After Combat: Leaders and all (undemoralized) infantry and cavalry units of their stack may advance one hex into a hex vacated by the enemy as a result of combat.
(5.42) Retreat and Capture: Leaders stacked with friendly combat units can always retreat with their stack. Every Leader in a retreating stack is subject to a separate die-roll:
| Die | Leader |
|---|---|
| 1-5 | retreats 1-4 hexes, per combat result. * |
| 6 | is captured (immediately removed from play). |
* If the stack is eliminated, use the table below (5.51)
5.5 Leader Capture or Displacement
(5.51) A Leader alone is subject to capture whenever adjacent to enemy combat units that exert a ZOC into the Leader's hex; or whenever he is the target of a bombardment that produces a result. As soon as this occurs, roll a die:
| Die | Leader |
|---|---|
| 1-5 | is displaced to nearest friendly-occupied hex (a path of retreat is not needed for one man) |
| 6 | is captured (immediately removed from play). |
(5.52) Replacement Officer: If a Corps officer is captured, place his counter on the Turn Track two turns in the future (if he is captured on GT 4, place him on the track for GT 6). That turn bring the leader in at the start of the Command Phase, within one hex of the friendly unit nearest to his last hex. Henceforth the officer will have one point less than the original Initiative (a "1" stays a "1"). A Commander-Officer's replacement (5.23) is an officer with an Initiative of 4. (When Commanders are captured they not replaced.)
6.0 Command
6.1 The Command Segment
During the Friendly Command Segment, the Phasing Player uses the following procedure to determine which of his Officers (and Forces) are in Command:
STEP 1: Each commander may use his Command Rating (5.21) to place in Command friendly units within his Command Range (4 hexes). With each Command Point he can place in command one Officer plus either any one Combat Unit or one stack of an Integrated Division. If an Officer is in Command, then all his units within his Command Range (3 hexes) are automatically in Command. If in Road March the entire Road March column is in command.
STEP 2: Conduct Initiative Checks (6.31) for any/or all Officers not placed in Command by a Commander.
STEP 3: After all Command Points have been allocated, the Phasing Player places Out of Command (OOC) markers on top of each Officer, unit or stack not in Command. If an entire corps is out of command, place the OOC marker on the corps officer who has failed his Initiative roll. If individual units of a corps are in command, while the rest of the corps is OOC, place in Command Markers on the units in command, and place the OOC marker on the corps officer.
6.2 Effects of Command
IN COMMAND: An Officer or Combat Unit placed in Command in this Command Segment is in Command until the next Friendly Command Segment. Units in Command may move and Advance After Combat. Trains, Commanders, and units under March Orders are always in Command.
OUT OF COMMAND: If an Officer or Combat Unit is Out of Command at the end of a Friendly Command Segment, it remains so until the next Friendly Command Segment. Out of Command Combat units suffer the following penalties:
- They may not damage or repair Spans (7.6).
- May expend their full Movement Allowance during the Initiative Movement Segment only if they pass an individual Initiative check (6.32). An officer may roll just to move himself if he didn't roll in the Command Segment.
- May NOT Advance After Combat or Bombardment
Combat Units do not have to be in Command in order to attack (10.0), Bombard (13.0), or Charge (14.0).
6.3 Initiative Checks
(6.31) Officer Initiative Checks: To conduct an Initiative check for Officers not receiving direct Command, roll the die. If the result is equal to or less than his Initiative, the Officer is in Command and all units in his Formation within Command Range (6.4) are also in Command. If the die roll was greater than the Initiative Rating, place an Out of Command marker on the Officer. An officer Out of Command because he reorganized units this turn cannot perform an Initiative check.
(6.32) Combat Unit Initiative Checks: During the Initiative Movement Segment, Out of Command units may check for Initiative. You can bypass your Corps Officers and rely upon the initiative of individual units if you wish to do so. However if you roll first for an officer's initiative, then any of his units that are in command range may not roll for initiative. If the OOC Unit passes this check it may move, but its Out of Command marker is not removed as a reminder that it may not advance after combat.
NOTE: Officers who successfully roll for Initiative are in Command—individual units that successfully roll for Initiative remain Out of Command.
EXAMPLE: Two combat units are in range of their Officer who failed his Initiative die roll. These combat units may not roll for Initiative. If the Player did not roll for the Officer, he could roll for the units in the Initiative Movement Segment.
(6.33) Demoralized: The Initiative of a Demoralized unit is always 1 less than printed (21.2).
(6.34) Divisional Initiative: The Player may choose to roll once for each integrated division (3.22), using the best initiative in the division as the whole stack's initiative.
6.4 Command Range
Commanders have a Command Range of 4, Officers a Command Range of 3 hexes. All hexes count as "one" regardless of terrain. Units belonging to the same formation in a Road March column are in Command if they are within two hexes of any other unit of their formation in Road March, on a connected road or trail, that is itself already in command. Command Range may not be traced:
- into an EZOC which is unoccupied by Friendly Combat Units;
- into an enemy-occupied hex; or
- across an unbridged and unfrozen River or Lake Hexside
EXAMPLE: Officer A belongs to I Corps. Officer B belongs to VI Corps. Ney, the Commander, is within 4 hexes of Officer A so he can use his Command Point to put that Officer in Command (note that the command range may only cross River hexsides at Bridges). Officer A then transmits Command to his four units of his corps (within 3 hexes). Ney also puts one Combat Unit of VI Corps in Command. Command Range cannot enter EZOCs. Officer B will have to roll for Initiative. If successful, his remaining 3 units are in command.
7.0 Movement
7.1 The Basics
During the Movement Phase, the Phasing Player may move all, some, or none of his units up to their full Movement Allowance (MA) in any direction, subject to terrain restrictions and the presence of Enemy units and EZOCs. A unit must be in Command, under a March Order, or must pass an Initiative check to be able to move. The Phasing Player may move units individually or as a stack. Whether moving individually or by stack, each move must be completed prior to moving the next individual unit or stack.
7.2 Movement Points (MPs)
(7.21) Each hex costs a number of MPs. The amount varies depending on the terrain in the hex and on the hexside crossed (the Terrain Effects chart). The MP costs are deducted from the Movement Allowance of the unit as it moves from hex to hex. All MP costs are cumulative. Unused MPs may not be saved up from turn to turn or loaned by one unit to another. When a unit ceases movement, all unused MPs are forfeit. EXCEPTION: If a hex has both Woods and a Chateau, ignore the Chateau cost.
(7.22) Cavalry Costs: Horse Artillery, Trains, Leaders, Cavalry and Vedettes pay cavalry costs for all terrain types.
EXAMPLES: Unit A is a Cavalry unit so must pay 4 MPs to enter a Woods hex. Unit B is infantry and only pays 2 MPs for Woods. Note that crossing a Crest hexside does not cost MPs. Unit C is not in Road March so must pay 1 MP for each road hex and +1 MP to cross a stream hexside. Unit D is already in Road March so pays only ½ MP for each road hex and ignores the +1 MP cost to cross bridges and move up Slope. Note that a unit in Road March may leave the road at any time. Unit E pays +1 MP to cross the Bridge and +1 MP to move up the Slope. Unit F is a cavalry type unit and must pay 4 MPs to enter a Marsh hex. Moving down slope costs 0.
7.3 Minimum Movement
A unit may never expend more MPs than its MA in a single Movement Phase; however, if the cost of the first hex and hexside exceeds the printed Movement Allowance of the unit, it may move into the hex and end its move for that turn.
7.4 Movement Restrictions
Once the Phasing Player has removed his hand from the unit he is moving he may not return to moving that piece again without the consent of his opponent.
A Unit cannot enter a hex occupied by an opposing unit. EXCEPTION: Cavalry Charge (14.0).
7.5 Road March
In order to benefit fully from the road, a formation would have to make a long narrow column: trains in the middle, infantry marching off to either side.
(7.51) Road March Procedure: All units (including Trains and Demoralized units) may use Road March. The player may declare Road March at any point in the unit's movement. As the Phasing Player begins to move a unit on the road, he declares that it will use the road MP cost and the unit is marked with a "Road March" marker. A unit in Road March need not remain on road hexes, but is in Road March until declared otherwise (7.56).
NOTE: There is no cost to declare Road March, and no cost to rotate the directional arrow on the Marker.
(7.52) The Road March Rate: When in Road March, a unit moving from Road to contiguous Road hex pays ½ MP and ignores other terrain costs including Spans. When not in Road March a unit moving from trail/road to connected trail/road hexes pays 1 MP per hex (ignoring all other terrain costs except Spans).
(7.53) Road March Restrictions: The restrictions below apply to combat units and trains (not Leaders and Vedettes). Units in Road March may move through and end the Movement Phase adjacent to Friendly units that are not in Road March. However, units in Road March may not:
- stack or move as part of a stack.
- move through a hex containing other units in Road March, nor may other units move through units in Road March.
- enter a hex connected by road or trail to an adjacent Friendly unit in Road March.
(7.54) Road March and Enemy Units: Units in Road March may not make a regular attack, bombard, or charge during the Combat Phase. If attacked they are not penalized but immediately remove the Road March marker. A Unit in Road March must attempt Repulse (9.0) if it enters an EZOC.
(7.55) Road March and Command: A unit in Road March is in Command if within two hexes of another unit of its formation in Command (6.4).
(7.56) Ending Road March: It costs 1 MP to remove a Road March marker voluntarily during the Movement Phase.
(7.57) Vedettes and Leaders: Vedettes and Leaders alone do not need Road March Markers. They always pay road movement rates. Vedettes and Leaders may ignore Road March restrictions and are ignored by units in Road March.
(7.58) Road Movement in Square: Units in Square (14.23) may benefit from Road Movement if moving on Roads or Trails (see Charge Combat Table, Key)
7.6 Bridges and Trestles
Bridges cross Rivers. Trestles cross Stream hexsides. The term "Span" includes both Bridges and Trestles.
(7.61) Crossing a Span: Units may only cross an unfrozen River hexside by moving over a Bridge or Pontoon (18.33). Combat Units not in Road March pay the following MPs to cross a span:
- +1 MP to cross a Bridge or Trestle
- +2 MPs to cross a Damaged Bridge (even if in Road March).
- Units in Road March, Leaders, and Vedettes never pay extra MPs to cross undamaged spans. Leaders and Vedettes do not have to be in Road March.
(7.62) Damaging Trestles: Any Combat Unit that is not in an EZOC and in Command may damage a Trestle by expending 1 MP in either hex adjoining the spanned hexside. Place a "Burnt Bridge" marker on the damaged Trestle. Damaged Trestles are treated as if they do not exist for purposes of movement, combat, or tracing supply.
(7.63) Damaging Bridges: To damage a Bridge use 7.62 and:
- Only Infantry units may damage Bridges.
- It costs 2 MPs to damage a Bridge.
- Artillery, trains, and supply lines may not cross.
When attacked across any bridge, defenders are doubled. In addition, when attacking across a damaged bridge:
- Use the CRT shifting two-columns left.
- Ar*/Dr* does not convert to Shock. Do not use Shock Table.
- Instead of "Sk" result each side reduces 1 unit; no retreat.
- Dr, Dr2, Dr3, Dr4 requires an Initiative die roll. If the lead unit passes its Initiative check, it may advance across the bridge and defender retreats 1-4 hexes. If lead attack unit fails its Initiative, reduce it and both sides remain in place.
- For retreats across a bridge (damaged or undamaged–12.33).
(7.64) Bridge Repair: Follow the procedure for damaging a Bridge (paying 2 MP) or Trestle (1 MP). Multiple repair attempts in a turn are allowed. For each attempt, roll one die:
| Die | Bridge | Trestle |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | is repaired | is repaired |
| 4-5 | • | is repaired |
| 6 | • | • |
(• = no effect)
Notes: If either end of the span is:
- in an EZOC—apply modifier of +1 to repair die roll.
- occupied by an enemy Combat Unit—repair not permitted.
(7.65) Using a Repaired Span: A Bridge or Trestle may be crossed by any units the moment it is repaired. It may be used for tracing Supply starting on the turn following its repair.
7.7 Other Movement Rules
Night Movement (2.2B); Night Disengagement (2.2A1); Cavalry Charge (14.0); Movement of Trains (18.11)
8.0 Hidden Forces
8.1 General Rule
All forces start the game hidden and remain hidden until revealed. Reinforcements are hidden upon entry.
8.2 Hiding Units
From each stack of units, select one of the following to cover the stack: a Leader, a Vedette, a unit with strength of "one" (those counters have a flag on their reverse sides). If none of the above are present, use a Road March Marker, a Demoralized Marker, an Out of Supply Marker, if any of the above apply; or a Hidden Force Marker. Place the selected counter on top of the stack with the flag or status marker showing.
8.3 Revealing Units—Reconnaissance
A Hidden Force is revealed:
- During the Movement Phase if in a Repulse—only units involved are revealed at the time of Repulse (9.0).
- During the Movement Phase upon entering an EZOC—consult the "Reconnaissance Table." If no Repulse is attempted, each player will reveal all Friendly LC and/or vedette units present in the hex, then cross-reference to determine whether other units will be revealed or whether the vedette(s) are eliminated.
- In the LOS Step at the beginning of any Combat Phase if in an EZOC or within LOS—both sides are revealed. All hidden units within the LOS must be revealed.
- When a unit retreats or advances after combat into an EZOC; only the adjacent units on both sides are revealed.
8.4 Determining Line of Sight (LOS)
(8.41) General Rule: The LOS is a straight line of 3 hexes from center to center. The LOS is obstructed by Blocking Hexes and Blocking Hexsides, or a hex occupied by units of either side. If any hex or hexside between the sighting unit and the target is blocking terrain, the Line of Sight is blocked. EXCEPTION: Adjacent units are always in LOS of each other. See also 23.0 for Weather effects on LOS.
(8.42) Blocking Hexes: Woods, Chateaux, Hilltops, and Town hexes are Blocking Hexes. A Slope hex blocks the Line of Sight unless the viewing unit is: 1) looking downslope through the Slope hexside; 2) on a Slope hex viewing another slope hex with no other blocking hexes intervening; or 3) on a Hilltop hex viewing a Hilltop that is not at a higher elevation.
(8.43) Blocking Hexsides: Crest and Slope Hexsides are Blocking Hexsides. The LOS is blocked if it passes through the juncture of two or more blocked hexsides or the juncture of a blocking terrain hexside and a blocking terrain hex. EXCEPTIONS: LOS for the sighting unit (only) is not blocked by:
- Crest hexsides adjacent to the sighting unit, including the vertices on both ends of the hexside, or
- Slope hexsides adjacent to a sighting unit on a hilltop hex. A unit on a hilltop can see enemy units below, but the units on lower ground can't reveal the unit on the hilltop.
- In these cases LOS is not reciprocal (also 13.34).
EXAMPLE: Artillery cannot fire over friendly units, even when on a hilltop. Blocking Terrain includes Towns, Woods, units, Slope and Crest hexes/hexsides. Hexes beyond range have no LOS.
8.5 Obscuring Hidden Forces
A Unit remains revealed as long as it stays in an EZOC, and/or sighted by an enemy LOS. At the end of the Combat Phase, all units not in LOS are re-hidden.
9.0 Repulse
9.1 Repulse Procedure
(9.11) During the Movement Phase (only) the Phasing Player may attempt to Repulse enemy units in the path of his units; if successful the enemy will retreat immediately. The Combat Units attempting Repulse must first expend the MP cost of the adjacent enemy-occupied hex (or if more than one, the one with the greatest MP cost).
(9.12) Resolving a Repulse Attempt: Both players reveal their units involved. All units that project a ZOC into the repulsing unit's hex must be repulsed as one combined strength. In order for a Repulse to succeed the Repulsing units must have 5:1 odds or greater. Repulsed units retreat in the same fashion as retreats after combat (12.3).
(9.13) Terrain Effects on Repulse: Combat Strengths on both sides may be modified by Terrain (11.1); other Combat modifiers do not apply in a Repulse.
(9.14) Repulse of Vedettes: Vedettes may not attempt Repulse and Repulses against Vedettes always succeed.
9.2 Repulse Effects
(9.21) Effects of a Successful Repulse: If the Repulse succeeds then the Repulsed enemy units immediately retreat two hexes. The Repulsing stack must enter the vacated hex (it has already paid the MP cost). If there is more than one vacated hex, the Repulsing Player chooses one. After a successful Repulse the units may continue moving to the limit of their Movement Allowance, and may attempt a subsequent Repulse. A unit may be Repulsed twice in a single turn.
(9.22) Effects of a Failed Repulse: If the Repulse is unsuccessful, both sides immediately remove any Road March markers. The Repulsing stack immediately ceases movement and must attack the same unit(s) it attempted to Repulse in the following Combat Phase, unless terrain allows units not to attack. Other Friendly units may join this attack. This attack is conducted at two odds columns less than the actual odds. No other column shifts apply.
EXAMPLE: 14 Strength Points attacking 3 would normally resolve at (4:1); after a two-column shift, the combat is resolved at (2:1).
10.0 Combat
10.1 The Combat Phase
All Combat between opposing units occurs during the Combat Phase (2.1D for the sequence). Only adjacent Combat Units may be attacked (EXCEPTION: Bombardment—13.0). A defending stack may be attacked only once per Combat Phase (EXCEPTION: a hex can be Bombarded and then attacked).
(10.11) LOS Step 2.1/D1: At the beginning of the Combat Phase both players reveal all their units and leaders that are within the enemy Line of Sight (8.4), even if there will be no Combat.
10.2 Retreat Before Combat (RBC)
(10.21) Cavalry RBC: Defending and then Attacking stacks composed only of Cavalry (plus any Leaders, Vedettes and Horse Artillery stacked with Cavalry) may elect to retreat one or two hexes out of an EZOC prior to combat. Vedettes by themselves must Retreat Before Combat (16.26). During this RBC units may not enter an EZOC—except Vedette ZOCs (16.25). A unit can take only one retreat before combat per turn. If a lone Vedette can't retreat, place it in the appropriate box as in retreat after combat (12.34). NOTE: RBC allows Cavalry to reveal the enemy force during the Combat Phase.
(10.22) Horse Artillery RBC: Horse Artillery that begins a Combat Phase alone (or with an all-cavalry stack) in an EZOC may conduct a 1-hex RBC. Horse Artillery units that do a RBC may still bombard that turn. A lone Horse Artillery unit in an EZOC of any enemy Cavalry unit may not RBC.
(10.23) Restrictions: Units in the EZOC of a cavalry unit with an equal or greater Movement Allowance may not Retreat Before Combat. Cavalry and Horse Artillery may not retreat before combat if surrounded, if stacked with infantry or artillery (other than Horse Artillery), or in a combat resulting from an unsuccessful Repulse.
(10.24) Supply and Morale: Supply and Demoralization do not affect a unit's ability to Retreat Before Combat.
(10.25) Leaders: Leaders that Retreat Before Combat do not roll for capture (5.5).
(10.26) Advance After an RBC: Enemy units may not advance into the vacated hex caused by an RBC, except at a Bridge. Cavalry defending a bridge that retreats before combat may be followed-up by enemy attackers across the bridge. (Because of its importance they would likely seize the bridge if left undefended even for less than a whole turn.)
10.3 Defining Combat
(10.31) All Engaged Units Must Attack: The Phasing Player must define all his combats before resolving them. The attacker may define his attacks freely—provided all enemy units in his ZOCs are attacked or bombarded, and all of his engaged Combat Units attack. Cavalry that retreats before combat does not count as attacking.
EXCEPTIONS:
- Units in Towns, Improved Positions, or Chateaux do not have to attack; if they attack, 15.12 applies.
- An artillery unit in an EZOC does not have to attack if other units in its hex do so (13.41).
- An artillery unit that bombarded this turn cannot join in an attack.
- A unit in Road March cannot join in an attack.
- A cavalry unit that charged this turn cannot join an attack.
- If an artillery unit bombards a hex, it frees friendly units adjacent to that hex from having to attack it (13.6)—unless other enemy units are adjacent.
(10.32) Rivers and Combat: Adjacent units that are on the opposite side of an unbridged, unfrozen River may not be attacked but may be bombarded. Adjacent units on the opposite side of a bridged, unfrozen River may attack but need not do so.
(10.33) Multi-Hex Combat
- A defending stack may be attacked by up to six enemy stacks (one in each adjacent hex).
- All of the defending Combat Units in a stack must be attacked as a single combined strength—they may not be attacked separately.
- Two or more defending hexes may be attacked as a single force if the Attacker is adjacent to all defenders.
- All attacking Combat Units in a single stack must attack as one combined strength.
- If an attacking stack is located in the ZOC of several enemy stacks, and no other Friendly stack is adjacent to the enemy stacks, it must attack all of the stacks as one attack (and the defender may choose the one applicable terrain modifier that is most beneficial to him).
10.4 Combat Procedure
The Phasing Player conducts attacks in the order he desires. Attacks are resolved one at a time, and their results fully applied before proceeding with the next attack. Follow these steps for each combat:
STEP 1: Compare the combined attack strength of the participating attacking units against the total defense strength (modified by terrain) of the defending units. This is expressed as an odds ratio (attacker to defender). Round off this odds ratio downward to conform to the next lower odds ratio on the CRT. (Retain all fractions until the odds are computed.)
EXAMPLE: 16 SPs attacking 6 SPs reduces to 2:1. 15 SPs attacking 10 would be resolved at 1.5:1 odds.
STEP 2: The attacking player locates the calculated combat odds column on the Combat Results Table and rolls the die. Cross-referencing the die result with the odds column gives the Combat Result, which is applied immediately.
STEP 3: Adjust Casualty Level Markers to reflect combat strength lost (21.1).
11.0 Combat Modifiers
11.1 Terrain Effects on Combat
The terrain in the defending hex—or on the hexside separating the defending force from the attacker—may affect Combat Strengths. Retain all fractions until the odds have been calculated. Terrain Effects on Bombardment are different (13.36). If a unit's strength is reduced to zero, its attack doesn't take place (it remains engaged).
A. Towns: If all defenders are in towns, change Ar*/Dr* results to "Shock" (12.1). Defending Infantry Units have their total Combat Strength increased by 50%. EXCEPTION: Units with an Initiative of "1" (untrained) obtain no defensive benefit from Towns. Cavalry cannot charge into towns.
B. Slopes, Streams & Trestles: If all attacking stacks are attacking across Streams or Trestles, and/or uphill across Slope hexsides, the total strength of the defending force is increased by 50%. The Defender gets the slope benefit only if defending in a hilltop and attacked from the slope hex. Cavalry units cannot Charge uphill or across a Stream or Trestle.
C. Woods hexes: The total strength of all Cavalry and Artillery attacking into or defending in a Woods hex is halved. For all units defending in Woods, change Ar*/Dr* results to "Shock" (12.1). Cavalry units cannot Charge into Woods.
D. Bridges: Units are never required to attack across a Bridge. If all Combat Units are attacking across a Bridge or pontoon over a River (frozen or unfrozen), the Combat Strength of the defending unit is doubled. If the bridge is damaged see (7.63).
E. Crests: Change Ar*/Dr* results to "Shock" (12.1).
F. Chateau: Up to 2 defending Infantry are doubled. Change any Dr result (up to Dr4) to Shock unless the defender is demoralized. Cavalry units cannot Charge into a Chateau hex. Chateau effects on combat are negated in some situations (15.21).
G. Marsh: The total of all Cavalry and Artillery strengths are halved when attacking into or defending in a Marsh. Change "Ar*" result to Shock.
H. Rivers and Lakes: Combat Units may attack across unfrozen Rivers only at Bridges or pontoons (18.3). Frozen Rivers and Lakes are treated as Streams.
NOTE: Terrain modifiers for one side are not cumulative. Always use the one best modifier available to the defender.
11.2 Combined Arms
The attacker (only) may gain a +1 column shift in Combat if he has Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry participating in the same attack. The Combined Arms benefit is not cancelled by a defending stack of all arms. Vedettes and artillery units that bombarded this phase are disregarded. The Combined Arms bonus does not apply if any of the defenders involved are in Town, Woods, Orchards, I.P.s or Marsh; across a Bridge (across Streams OK); or in Chateaux (unless demoralized). An overrunning Cavalry unit may be considered for Combined Arms even if it is eliminated in the Charge.
11.3 Staking Guard Units
This rule applies to all Guard ("OG," "Gd.," "Gde.," but not "GC" or "YG") units on both sides.
- Once per game, a player may "stake" his Guard units in any one combat. That player receives a one-column favorable shift on the CRT for that combat. A player is never required to stake the Guard. A Guard unit can be in combat without being "staked."
- If any infantry unit of the Guard is involved in an attack (at any time) and the result is "Ae," "Ar," or "Ex," the Demoralization Levels of all Friendly Formations a) whose officers are within 10 hexes or b) that currently have no officer but have any units within 10 hexes are immediately and permanently reduced by 4. EXCEPTION: Regardless of the combat result, if the attack by the Guard demoralizes the opposing formation, then the owning player's Demoralization Levels are not reduced.
- No formation can have its morale reduced more than once per game. French cavalry corps and formations with 4 units or fewer do not have their Demoralization Level reduced.
11.4 Napoleon
If Napoleon is stacked with an engaged force, the odds for combat shift one column in his favor at the French Player's discretion. (Does not apply to Bombardments or Charges.)
EXAMPLE: Napoleon is part of a one-to-one attack, the odds shift to 1.5:1. If Napoleon is defending and the odds are three to one, reduce to two-to-one.
11.5 Other Combat Modifiers
- Failed Repulse (9.22)
- Improved Positions (15.2)
- Snowstorms, Thunderstorms, Artillery in Mud (23.0)
12.0 Combat Results
12.1 Explanation of Combat Results
- Ae: All attacking Combat Units are eliminated.
- Ar (Ar2 or 3): All attacking Combat Units must retreat 1 (2, or 3) hexes.
- Ar*/Dr*: During any Storm; across a Crest hexside; or into a Marsh, Woods, Orchard, or Town hex, treat as Shock Result. These sudden encounters occur more frequently in confined passages.
- Dr (Dr 2, 3, 4): All Defending Units must retreat 1 (2, 3, or 4) hexes. EXCEPTION: Chateaux (15.1) and attacking across damaged bridges (7.63).
- De: All defending Combat Units are eliminated.
- Ex (Exchange): All Combat units on the weaker side are eliminated; the stronger side eliminates units which total at least 50% of the (face) Combat Strength of the weaker side. See Exchange Notes below.
12.2 The Shock Table
The Shock Table itself is a printed chart cross-referencing modified Initiative against a die roll; its grid of result codes is a graphic in the original rulebook and is not reproduced in this transcription. The procedure and notes that govern it follow in full.
Sk (Shock): If you obtain a Shock Result, each player rolls one d6. On a 1, 2 add 0; 3, 4 add +1; 5, 6 add +2; to the Initiative of your best unit (the "Lead" unit) and consult the Shock Table (12.2). Victorious cavalry, that is not Demoralized, Out of Supply or Out of Command (whether attacking or defending) must advance into the vacated hex, up to the stacking limit.
Shock Notes
A. The Initiative of a Demoralized unit is 1 less than printed. B. When Artillery is alone in the hex, disregard its Initiative rating and use "1" for its Shock Combat value. C. Any overrunning Cavalry must be the lead unit (14.24). D. Shock Modifier: Increase an Attacker's Modified Initiative by 1 if the combat was resolved at 3:1 or greater on the CRT. E. 1R = Reduce one attacking and one defending unit. The owner must reduce either the strongest or the best initiative of his units involved.
Exchange Notes
A. Artillery units that did not participate in the combat, which are stacked with units that did, may be used to satisfy an "Ex" result. B. Any overrunning Cavalry unit must be the first to be eliminated (14.24). C. Compare (unmodified) face-value SPs of all units.
EXAMPLE: The weaker side has 5 SPs and the other side has four units, with 2, 4, 8, and 10 SPs. Half of 5 is 2.5 and he must lose more, so he removes the '4.'
EXAMPLES OF COMBAT: Units A-1 and A-2 attack unit T at 11 to 4 odds, which rounds down to 2-1. Units B-1 and B-2 attack unit U in the Woods. The Woods halve the cavalry unit's combat strength and converts any Ar*/Dr* results to Shock (Sk). The odds are 3.5 to 4 which rounds down to 1-1.5. Unit C attacks unit V across a Crest hexside—the odds are 9 to 4 which rounds down to 2-1. The Crest hexside will convert an Ar*/Dr* result to a Shock Result (which is in unit C's favor). Unit D attacks unit W across a Stream hexside into a Town hex. Since terrain modifiers are not cumulative, the defender must choose which benefit to use; and in this case he picks the Stream since he does not want any Ar* results converted to Sk (he would lose a Shock battle). Unit W is increased by 50% yielding odds of 6 to 6.
The two units at E attack unit X up a Slope. The defender's combat strength is increased 50% to 6. The odds are 10 to 6 (which is 1.5 to 1). The three attacking units at F would have earned the Combined Arms Shift, but it is not allowed against defenders in Town hexes. The Town increases unit Y's Combat Strength 50% to 4.5. The odds are 12 to 4.5 (2-1) and Ar*/Dr* results convert to Sk. Unit G (cavalry) attacks artillery unit Z in a marsh hex. Both of those unit types are halved attacking and defending in Marsh, so the odds are 2 to 2. Marsh converts any Ar*/Dr* results to Sk which would be in the cavalry's favor.
12.3 Retreats
(12.31) Basic Rule: On a Result of "Retreat," the owning Player must move his unit (or stack retreating together) one or more hexes (as specified by the result). A retreating Combat Unit may not cross a prohibited hexside; enter an EZOC or a hex occupied by enemy Combat Units (EXCEPTION: Vedettes–16.25); or exceed stacking limits. Friendly units do not negate EZOCs for purposes of a combat unit's retreat. A leader may retreat through an EZOC if occupied by a friendly unit. A retreating friendly unit may enter a hex occupied by a friendly unit but that unit immediately comes out of Road March.
(12.32) Vedettes and Retreat: Combat Units may retreat into the ZOCs of an enemy Vedette, or even into a hex currently occupied solely by an enemy Vedette if no other path of retreat is available (the enemy Vedette is displaced; 12.36).
(12.33) Retreat Across Bridges: Units that retreat across a Bridge or Pontoon over an unfrozen River (not a Trestle or a pontoon bridge crossing a stream) risk elimination and must roll the die: the first unit to cross the Bridge is permanently eliminated on a 6; thereafter add +1 to the die for every retreating unit that follows (i.e. a second unit is permanently eliminated on a 5 or 6). If a pontoon deployed across an unfrozen River hexside with no existing bridge or another deployed pontoon, the first retreating unit is eliminated on a roll of 4, 5, or 6, with one still added for each successive unit. The owning player chooses the order of retreat. Retreats across damaged bridges are not allowed, and any retreating units are automatically eliminated (PEU) if there is no alternate hex.
(12.34) Units Unable to Retreat Fully: If a unit cannot retreat fully it is eliminated. If any part of its retreat path is blocked only by EZOCs or the map edge, the unit is placed in the Units Awaiting Recovery (UAR) Box. If it could not retreat fully because of a prohibited hexside and/or enemy units (only), roll one die to determine which box to place it in:
| Die roll | Place unit in: |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | UAR Box |
| 4-6 | PEU Box |
Always place a reduced unit that can't retreat fully for whatever reason into the PEU.
(12.35) Path of Retreat: The unit (or stack) must end its retreat the specified distance from the starting hex — enter each hex only once. The retreat should shorten the distance to the formation's baggage train or to a friendly supply source (or both). If two or more paths are open to the retreating unit, it must move in better terrain (preferring roads and trails to a roadless Marsh, for instance).
(12.36) Displacement: If the only path available to a retreating force would cause it to exceed the stacking limits (3.2) for a hex, then one or more combat units in the hex must be displaced to make room for it. Displaced units retreat one hex, observing all restrictions governing retreat after combat. However, if the units to be Displaced cannot retreat:
- the originally retreated force is eliminated instead and will enter the UAR; and
- if the retreating force contains cavalry the displacing unit must make an Initiative check: if it fails it is eliminated; place in the UAR Box. Trains never displace (18.16).
A displaced force may displace other Combat Units if no other path of retreat is available. Displaced units may not enter EZOCs.
EXAMPLES OF RETREAT: EZOCs are indicated with diagonal lines except those of the Vedettes which have no effect against enemy retreats. The only terrain that effects retreats are unbridged Rivers—which prevent it. Zig-zag retreats are not allowed. A unit must end its move that number of hexes distant from its starting hex. It may retreat across the bridge and Displace the enemy Vedettes. At B, the unit must retreat across a bridge hexside and run the chance of elimination—the first unit across is eliminated on a die roll of 6, the other unit on a die roll of 5 or 6. Assuming both survive, they can retreat in the path indicated.
12.4 Advance After Combat
Whenever an enemy stack is eliminated or forced to retreat, the owning player may advance friendly leaders and one or more friendly units that participated in the combat—whether as attacker or defender—and occupy the vacated hex and not beyond it.
A. One Infantry Unit plus all cavalry in a given attack may advance if no leader is present (or Leader doesn't advance).
B. LEADER BONUS: If a leader is in the stack and advances, all undemoralized infantry and cavalry units may advance with him.
C. Artillery may never advance after combat. If the defenders vacate the hex as a result of bombardment, any phasing infantry and/or cavalry adjacent to that hex (with any leaders) may advance into the vacated hex—after all bombardments are concluded. A unit cannot advance if it has an unresolved combat to perform, or is Out of Command.
EXAMPLE: A stack of artillery units bombard a unit, forcing its retreat. An adjacent unit with an unresolved combat may not advance—it must attack the other enemy unit first.
D. If the enemy force occupied two or more hexes, attacking cavalry (only) may advance into the other vacated hex.
E. Combat Units and Leaders may choose not to advance. The option to advance must be exercised immediately. A unit may not be attacked, or attack again, after advancing (even if it advances next to units that have not yet resolved Combat).
F. Demoralized and Out of Command units may not advance after combat.
G. Victorious Combat Units may advance into the vacated enemy hex even if they advance from one EZOC to another.
H. Units may not violate stacking limits after an advance. A victorious overrunning cavalry unit that remains in the hex counts against stacking.
EXAMPLES OF ADVANCE: At A no leader is present so only one Infantry and all Cavalry units can advance into the defender's vacated hex. At B the leader allows all undemoralized, non-Artillery units in his stack to advance, along with all engaged Cavalry units.
12.5 UAR and PEU Boxes
(12.51) UAR: Any time a full-strength Combat Unit is eliminated due to an Ae, De, or Ex, the owning Player must determine if it could have retreated 1 hex without encountering prohibited terrain or enemy-occupied hexes. If a retreat route is open or is only blocked by EZOCs it is placed in the Awaiting Recovery box. Otherwise, the unit must be placed in the Permanently Eliminated Units (PEU) box.
(12.52) PEU: The following Combat Units are also ineligible for Reorganization, and are placed in the Permanently Eliminated Units box when lost in combat:
- Baggage and Pontoon Trains
- Already Reduced: A unit already at its Reduced Strength when it was eliminated.
- No Reduced Strength: A Combat unit with a strength of [1] has no reduced strength.
- Retreat Across Bridges: Units retreating across a bridge risk permanent elimination (12.33).
- Ae on the Charge Table
- Unable to Retreat fully—risks permanent elimination (12.34)
13.0 Bombardment
13.1 Artillery Units
In addition to their regular attack ability against adjacent units, artillery may make bombardment attacks. Bombardments are permitted by the Phasing Player during the Bombardment Step and by the non-phasing Player during the Artillery Reaction Fire Step (13.5). Artillery may Bombard or participate in regular combat in a given Combat Phase—it may not do both.
13.2 Range
Bombarding Arty must be either 2 or 3 hexes from its target, unless Bombarding over an unbridged, unfrozen River.
13.3 Bombardment Procedure
(13.31) Sequence: For each bombardment, follow these steps:
- Designate the Bombarding Units (13.32).
- Designate the Target Hex (13.33).
- Determine the Line of Sight—if blocked, the bombardment is prohibited (13.34).
- Determine the Bombardment Strength (13.35).
- Calculate the Effects of Terrain (13.36).
- Resolve on the Bombardment Table (13.37).
- Execute the Combat Results (13.38).
(13.32) Designate the Bombarding Units: Any number of artillery units may bombard a single hex as long as all the units are eligible to fire at the target hex. Artillery units stacked together may bombard different hexes. An Artillery unit may not bombard more than one enemy occupied hex, nor may it split its strength. Artillery units may not Bombard when:
- in a woods or orchard hex; they may participate in an adjacent regular combat.
- alone in an EZOC; they must attack an adjacent unit (however, see 13.5).
- the weather is Snowstorm, Thunderstorm, Duststorm, Snow, Rain, or Fog (23.0).
- in Road March.
(13.33) Designate the Target Hex: All enemy units in a hex under bombardment are bombarded as one target. A hex may not be bombarded more than once in a Combat Phase, however, a hex may be the target of a bombardment and then a regular attack during the same Combat Phase. The target must be a combat unit or leader…
- in range and in the LOS of all Bombarding units.
- not in woods, orchards, or Chateaux.
- not adjacent (EXCEPTION: enemy on the opposite side of an unbridged, unfrozen river).
- not in a Town hex at range 3.
(13.34) Artillery Line of Sight
A. Hilltop Hexes and Slope Hexsides: A Slope hex intervening between a bombarding artillery unit and its target blocks the Line of Sight unless the artillery unit is on the hilltop and is either:
- firing downslope through the Slope hexside; or
- firing on another slope hex (no blocking hexes intervening).
The target units in either case have no reciprocal LOS (8.43).
B. Crest Hexsides: Crest terrain is drawn on both sides of a given crest hexside. LOS is not blocked by a crest adjacent to the bombarding unit. A non-adjacent Crest blocks LOS.
(13.35) Determine the Bombardment Strength: The strength of all Artillery units bombarding a given target is totaled (this may include bombarding units in different hexes). The strength of any artillery units bombarding at 3-hex range is reduced by 50% (if <1 use the <1 column; otherwise round fractions down).
(13.36) Calculate the Effects of Terrain: The effects of terrain on bombardment are as follows:
- Towns: Artillery bombarding into towns are reduced by 1/3. You may not bombard into a town at 3-hex range.
- Woods and Chateau hexes: May not bombard into Woods or Chateaux or out of Woods.
- Marsh: Bombarding SPs are reduced by ½.
(13.37) Resolve on the Bombardment Table: All bombardments must be resolved and results applied during the Bombardment or Arty Reaction Fire step. Cross-reference the Bombardment Strength with the die roll and apply modifiers. During mud turns (23.0), modify the die roll by –2.
(13.38) Execute the Bombardment Results: A Bombardment affects all units in the target hex (only). A Bombardment may result in: "Dr" (12.1) or "1R" (Reduce one unit). A "1R" result means one unit in the hex is flipped to its reduced side, or an already-reduced unit is eliminated. The Bombarding Player decides which unit to reduce. The owning player may decide to remain in the hex or voluntary retreat one hex with the remaining units in the target hex. "S" (Suppressed) and "2R" (Reduce two units/steps) are other possible bombardment results. All Suppression Markers on the map are removed at the end of the next Combat Step (Step 5).
(13.39) Hold Your Ground: A Dr result on the Bombardment Table can be converted to a 1R at owning player's option. Select your "lead" unit and roll for Initiative. If successful, the lead unit suffers step loss and there is no retreat.
13.4 Artillery Units in an EZOC
(13.41) If an artillery unit is in an EZOC and stacked with a friendly infantry or cavalry, it may bombard a hex different from the one the other units attack. Artillery need not attack the adjacent enemy units as long as some other friendly unit does so. However, an artillery unit suffers all combat results incurred by the units it is stacked with.
(13.42) Regular Attacks: When alone in an EZOC, an artillery unit must attack an adjacent unit and may not bombard. It uses the regular Combat Results Table, and may combine its strength with attacking infantry and cavalry in other hexes. During Mud, Artillery units attack and defend at one-half their normal strength (rounding fractions down). Artillery units in regular combat suffer all Combat Results in the same manner as other units. If the units in their stack suffer an "Ex" result they may be used to satisfy the required losses. Artillery units may never add their strength to a regular attack via a ranged attack—they must be adjacent. The Initiative Rating of a lone Artillery unit for shock is 1 (12.2).
13.5 Counter-Battery Fire (CBF)
The effective bombardment strength is reduced by one-half the strength of any artillery in the target hex (rounding fractions down). Apply any CBF reduction before modifying the bombardment strength for weather, range, or terrain. If the target has no LOS on the bombarding unit, or is alone in an EZOC (13.42), there is no CBF reduction. EXAMPLE: an ARF by 4 SPs would be reduced to 3 if the target includes 3 SPs of artillery with a LOS. Bombardment has no effect if one-half the target artillery strength is still at least equal to the Bombarding strength.
13.6 Soak-Offs
A unit bombarded in a given turn is considered attacked.
14.0 Cavalry Charges
A cavalry charge in this game is a faster charge, where the cavalry gradually build-up speeds near 300 meters per minute. In a successful cavalry charge, the cavalry unit(s) move through an EZOC directly into the enemy-occupied hex, thereby cutting the retreat route of the overrun unit in the following Combat Step.
14.1 Which Units May Charge
All cavalry (except LC and demoralized cavalry) that have not moved during the previous Movement Phase may make a charge. A hex being charged must also be subjected to a regular attack by at least one friendly infantry or artillery during the same Combat Phase. A cavalry unit may not make a charge and conventional attack during the same Player-Turn.
14.2 Procedure
(14.21) A Cavalry Charge is resolved on the Charge Combat Table during the Charge Step. Charging cavalry may expend the full Movement Allowance during the charge step. It costs one extra MP to enter the Enemy unit's hex. This MP cost reflects the shorter range of charging cavalry. Determine the odds as in combat and roll on the Charge Combat Table.
(14.22) Restrictions: Only one charge may be made by a single stack against a given hex in one Combat Phase. Cavalry units from multiple hexes cannot charge the same hex. A Cavalry Charge may not be conducted:
- into a woods, town, chateau, or improved position
- uphill through Slope
- across a Ford, Stream, or Span hexside
- during a Mud or Night turn (14.3)
- if the Cavalry unit is in Road March
- through an EZOC (except the ZOC of its target)
- through friendly units
- by LC or demoralized cavalry.
Cavalry Charge movement is subject to all Movement Rules (7.0), with the exceptions listed above.
(14.23) Charge Results: The possible results of a Charge are Ae, Pr or Overrun:
- On an Ae result, the charging units are eliminated (PEU).
- On a Pr result, all Phasing (charging) cavalry retreat to their starting hex and reduce 1 or 2 units. The target has off-road Movement costs doubled in the following Movement Phase. Place a Square Marker on the infantry units charged. Remove the Marker at the end of their next Movement Phase.
- On an Overrun result, the cavalry unit(s) move into the enemy-occupied hex. The charging unit's ZOC extends out into all surrounding hexes. In the upcoming regular attack (Combat Step), the retreat route of the overrun unit is cut off.
(14.24) Subsequent Combat Result: The cavalry units making the charge may not add their Attack Strength to the subsequent combat. The subsequent attack is credited with cavalry for purposes of Combined Arms (11.2) even if the cavalry unit is eliminated in the Charge.
A. If the subsequent Combat Result on the Combat Results Table is Dr or De, all defending units are eliminated (UAR), if the charging cavalry unit(s) remain in the hex, and one of the attacking units may advance into the hex as usual.
B. If the subsequent Combat Result on the Combat Results Table is Ae or Ar, the cavalry unit(s) are eliminated (UAR). Opposing units may never end any Phase stacked together.
C. If the subsequent Combat Result is an Ex, the charging cavalry units are the first to be counted toward the Exchange.
D. If the subsequent Combat Result is Sk, the charging Cavalry unit is the lead unit.
E. If the Ex or Sk does not clear the hex of enemy units, the charging cavalry units are eliminated (UAR).
14.3 Charges and Weather
Charges are not permitted during Mud and Night Turns. During Snow, Snowstorm, Thunderstorm, Duststorm or Heat, add +1 to the Charge CRT die roll (23.1).
CAVALRY CHARGE EXAMPLES: Hexes marked X may not be a target of Cavalry Charge even if they contained enemy units under attack. Charges may not be conducted across Streams or Rivers, up Slopes or into Woods or Town hexes. At B the Cavalry Charge is made across two Crest hexsides which have no effect. The Cavalry unit pays +1 MP to enter the defender's hex. The odds would be 1-2 (only 50% chance of success). At C the Cavalry unit attacks at 1-1. If the Cavalry survives the charge they will remain on top of the enemy unit and will cut off their retreat. Note that in combat C, the phasing player will earn the Combined Arms shift even if the cavalry unit doesn't survive the charge.
BOMBARDMENT EXAMPLE: Artillery unit A has no eligible targets—all are blocked by friendly units or are prohibited. Bombardments cannot be made uphill against a Hilltop hex, into Woods, or across a Crest that is not adjacent to the artillery.
15.0 Fortified Places
Fortified Places are of two types. Chateaux are protected by strong walls impervious to field artillery. A simple Improved Position (I.P.) made of timber and stout beams could be thrown together in a few hours. A more elaborate dug-in redoubt could take most of a day.
15.1 General Rule
(15.11) ZOCs: ZOCs extend out of but not into Fortified Places—adjacent units must attack enemy units in Fortified Places. A unit that enters a Fortified Place adjacent to an enemy combat unit must stop moving.
(15.12) Attacking: Units in Fortified Places are not required to attack, but if they elect to attack, all adjacent enemy units must be attacked by some friendly unit.
(15.13) Advance and Retreat: Units may advance after combat into Fortified Places. Retreat into occupied Fortified Places is allowed (15.21).
(15.14) Cavalry Charges against Fortified Places are prohibited.
(15.15) Combined Arms bonus: When attacking Fortified Places the attacker receives no Combined Arms bonus.
15.2 Chateaux
(15.21) Stacking: A chateau loses its combat effects if the hex contains more than two defending infantry units; or contains any artillery, cavalry or train units. All chateau effects on combat are negated as long as they remain in the hex (4.2, 11.1F, 11.2, 13.33, 14.22). Town effects if any still apply.
(15.22) Defending: If any defending units in a combat occupy a Chateau, "Dr," "Dr2," "Dr3" and "Dr4" results from the CRT are treated as "Shock." This does not apply if the units defending in the Chateau are demoralized, or if a retreat result is obtained on the Shock Table.
(15.23) Bombardment: Artillery units may never bombard into Chateaux. They may make regular adjacent attacks.
15.3 Improved Positions
(15.31) Defending: The strengths of all infantry units defending in a completed I.P. are doubled. If an I.P. is built in a town, all combat effects of I.P. and towns apply.
(15.32) Construction Procedure: The construction hex must contain at least two infantry units that did not move during that Movement Phase. If a town hex only 2 SPs of infantry are needed. Construction is not permitted during Frost, Snow, Snowstorm, or Night March Phase, or in Chateaux or Marsh hexes. Roll on the table below at the end of the Movement Phase. If the infantry leave an I.P. under construction, remove the I.P. marker. After completion the Improved Position marker is never removed (even if unoccupied) and may be used by either side.
(15.33) Construction Table: Roll one d6.
| Die roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | construction complete (invert marker) |
| 2-6 | Under Construction—roll again next turn. An I.P. under construction has no effect. |
16.0 Vedettes
Each Vedette is a regiment of around 500 men, broken-up into 50-man patrols that fan-out to cover a wide area. These fast-moving patrols were used to screen an army against enemy reconnaissance, to perform their own reconnaissance, and to protect the flanks of combat units.
16.1 Vedette Breakdown and Reassembly
A Light Cavalry unit may generate a number of Vedette (scout) units equal to its vedette number (1.42).
(16.11) Creating Vedettes: During the Reorganization Segment (only), any full-strength Light Cavalry (LC) unit may bring its corresponding Vedette units onto the map. Each full-strength LC parent unit has a number (in a circle), to indicate the number of Vedettes provided for that unit. The Phasing Player removes the LC unit from the map and replaces it with the Vedettes. The LC unit is then placed in the Full Strength Holding Box. Vedettes may move in the turn they are created. Reduced-strength units may not create Vedettes.
EXAMPLE: Marulaz's cavalry brigade has a "4" in a circle. It contains four Vedettes with a corresponding designation.
(16.12) Reassembling Light Cavalry Units: To recombine Vedettes into an LC unit, just pay the regular +1 MP cost to stack. Remove the stacked Vedettes immediately if the stack is not in an EZOC and replace them with the parent unit. The parent unit may continue moving, expending the Vedettes' remaining MPs, in command if any of its Vedettes were in command. The Vedettes of any LC unit that contains 4 or more Vedettes may stack for immediate reassembly.
NOTE: Vedette unit I.D. may be ignored. The proper number of Vedettes may combine freely to reassemble any available LC unit.
(16.13) Creating Vedettes from Mixed Type Units: Full strength Infantry units with a Vedette number may also create Vedettes during the Reorganization Segment. Flip the counter to its reduced strength side, then deploy the Vedette(s) to the same hex. Such Mixed Type units may flip back to full strength by stacking with the same number of friendly Vedettes (not in an EZOC) and removing the Vedettes from the map during the Movement Phase.
(16.14) Corps Affiliation of Vedettes [Optional Rule]: A Vedette may not be used to reassemble a unit from a different formation; only units from its assigned formation.
16.2 Properties of Vedettes
(16.21) Movement: Vedettes move like Cavalry and must be in Command or pass their Initiative die roll to move. Vedettes always pay road costs when on roads but ignore Road March restrictions and are ignored by friendly units in Road March.
(16.22) Stacking: No more than 3 Vedettes may occupy the same hex. EXCEPTION (16.12)
(16.23) Repulse: Vedettes may not attempt Repulse. Repulses against Vedettes always succeed.
(16.24) Combat: Vedettes are non-combat units—they may not attack or defend. Vedettes do not count for Combined Arms. Vedettes stacked with friendly combat units are subject to the combat result against the stack. Eliminated Vedettes may return to play through Reorganization (22.25).
(16.25) ZOCs and Retreat: Vedettes have ZOCs, but they do not block enemy retreats—units may retreat into the ZOC of an Enemy Vedette. Retreating enemy units can, if necessary, displace friendly Vedettes.
(16.26) Retreat Before Combat: Any engaged Vedette of either side that is not stacked with a friendly combat unit must Retreat during the Cavalry Retreat Step (10.2) one or two hexes. If it cannot retreat, it is eliminated (12.34). Vedettes cannot prevent enemy Forces from using Retreat Before Combat.
17.0 Supply
17.1 The Supply Segment
The Phasing Player must determine the supply status of each Friendly Combat Unit during the Supply Segment of each Weather/Recovery Turn (23.12, 2.1/B-1). Out of Supply units are marked "Out of Supply" and remain Out of Supply until the next Weather/Recovery Turn.
17.2 Out of Supply Effects
Out of Supply units suffer the effects of Demoralization (21.2), but the effects are not cumulative.
17.3 Automatic Supply
All reinforcements from their turn of entry, and all units on-map at the start of any scenario are automatically in supply until the next Weather/Recovery Turn.
17.4 Supply Lines
(17.41) Tracing a Supply Line: A Combat Unit is in supply if it can trace a Forward Supply Line (17.42), no more than 14 hexes long (not counting the unit's hex), to one of the below:
- Directly to a Friendly Supply Source (17.5); or
- To its own Formation's Baggage Train located on a road or trail hex that has a "Trunk" Line (17.43); or
- If its own Formation's Baggage Train is not in play, or if there is no dedicated baggage train (none provided in the counter mix), it can trace to the nearest Friendly Baggage Train located on a road or trail hex that has a Trunk Line.
NOTE: Supply is tracked by unit, not by stack.
(17.42) Forward Line: The Forward Supply Line (only) may traverse any type of terrain except Lake or River hexsides (unless the hexside is frozen or is crossed by an undamaged bridge or pontoon). Each counts as one hex, maximum 14 hexes.
(17.43) Trunk Lines: A Trunk Line may comprise any number of connected road and/or trail hexes leading to a Friendly Supply Source.
(17.44) Blocking Supply Lines: Forward and Trunk Lines are blocked by the physical presence of enemy combat units and Vedettes. EZOCs do not block Supply Lines.
17.5 Supply Source Hexes
Each side has Supply Source hexes that are indicated on the map by a supply symbol with an encircled code letter.
C = Coalition, A = Austrian, P = Prussian, R = Russian F = French
18.0 Baggage and Pontoon Trains
There are two types of Train units: Pontoon Trains and Baggage Trains. Baggage Trains are important for Supply; Pontoon Trains place temporary bridges. Pontoon Trains have a train side and a deployed bridge symbol on the reverse.
18.1 Properties Common to Both Trains
(18.11) Movement: Trains move automatically—they are always in Command. Trains have a Movement Allowance of 4 MPs, paying cavalry costs for movement. They may use Road March (7.5). During Mud, Thunderstorm and Snowstorm turns, Train units Movement Costs are doubled for all types of terrain.
(18.12) Movement Restrictions: Trains have the following movement restrictions:
- may not enter Slope hexes except by Road or Trail.
- may not stack.
- may not enter an EZOC.
- Baggage Trains may not cross rivers (even if frozen) or streams except via Spans and Pontoon bridges.
- Baggage Trains (and Supply Lines) may not cross damaged bridges (but may cross pontoon bridges).
(18.13) Trains and Combat: Trains do not have a Combat Strength and cannot defend or attack. They may not Retreat Before Combat.
(18.14) Trains and ZOCs: Trains have no ZOC. If a Train or deployed pontoon finds itself adjacent to an enemy combat unit it is immediately captured or destroyed. Roll one die:
| Die | Pontoon Train is | Baggage Train is |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | captured intact (18.35) * | captured (18.23) |
| 4-6 | destroyed | destroyed |
* If one end of a deployed pontoon is occupied by a unit friendly to the pontoon, a roll of 1 to 3 is considered no effect.
(18.15) Destroyed Trains: Destroyed Trains are removed from play (PEU). They may not be reorganized.
(18.16) Trains and Displacement: Trains may not be displaced. If the train unit's hex is the only one available for the retreating friendly unit, the train is destroyed (PEU), and the retreating unit/stack is eliminated (UAR).
(18.17) Trains and Formations: Baggage Trains may belong to specific formations printed on their counter. Pontoon Trains do not belong to any formation.
18.2 Baggage Trains
Each baggage train represents approximately 100 wagons. A Baggage Train serves to extend a unit's supply line.
(18.21) Supply: Most Baggage Trains belong to specific formations as shown by their Command Designation. Some baggage trains are generic for a given side. Each Corps baggage train can provide supply to all units in its formation within range plus one stack of units from a different formation. However, any formation or individual unit without a dedicated baggage counter (none provided in the counter mix) may trace supply to any friendly baggage train, each stack to a different baggage train.
(18.22) Lost Baggage: If a formation's baggage train is destroyed or off map, only one stack of that formation may trace supply to another friendly baggage train.
(18.23) Captured Baggage Trains: A captured baggage train is destroyed (PEU). Two VPs are awarded to the side that captures a baggage train. If an out of supply unit(s) captures an enemy baggage train, all units of the capturing side adjacent to the train remove their OOS Markers.
18.3 Pontoon Bridges
Pontoon Bridges may be deployed across Stream or River hexsides.
(18.31) Deploying Pontoon Bridges: During the Friendly Movement Phase, the Phasing Player may deploy a Pontoon Bridge by flipping the counter over onto an adjacent hexside so that it is half-way on either hex. It costs no MPs to deploy. No Friendly or Enemy units may cross a Pontoon Bridge until the Friendly Player Turn after it is deployed.
(18.32) Deployment Restrictions: A Pontoon Bridge may not be deployed:
- to extend into an enemy-occupied hex, but may be deployed into an EZOC.
- if either end of the bridge is in a slope hex—unless there is a road or trail in the hex (18.12).
- in a Snowstorm, or during Frost or Snow.
- if the Pontoon Train is marked in Road March (7.51).
(18.33) Crossing Cost: Combat Units not in Road March pay the following MPs to cross a Pontoon:
- +1 MP to cross a stream
- +2 MPs to cross a river
- +0 MPs to cross if the Pontoon Bridge is deployed at an existing Span or site of another deployed Pontoon.
Units in Road March, Leaders, and Vedettes never pay extra MPs to cross Pontoon Bridges. Trains must pay the additional +2 over river and +1 over stream.
(18.34) Reconfiguring a Pontoon Train: A Pontoon Bridge may be reconfigured back into a Pontoon Train during the Friendly Command Segment simply by flipping the unit over to its Pontoon Train side in either of the two hexes adjacent (you may reform a pontoon train at one end if the other end is in an EZOC). Pontoon Trains must be reconfigured at Step "e" of the Command Segment. Nothing may cross a Pontoon Bridge in the turn it is reconfigured into a Pontoon Train. A Pontoon Train may move in the same turn that it is reconfigured but may not re-deploy until the next turn.
(18.35) Captured Pontoon Trains and Pontoon Bridges: Leaders, Vedettes and Combat Units may freely Move, Advance After Combat, and Retreat across intact enemy Pontoon Bridges. A captured Pontoon Bridge may be reconfigured into a Pontoon Train and used again by the player who captured it.
19.0 Reinforcements
19.1 General Rule
Reinforcements enter play on the turn and hex specified in the Scenario Information and/or the TRC. Reinforcements enter during the Friendly Command Movement Segment and may move and engage freely on their turn of entry. Reinforcements may be placed under "March Order" on the turn of entry at the Player's discretion (20.3). Reinforcements enter Hidden (8.0). Reinforcements are In Command for the turn of entry and in supply until the next supply check. A light cavalry unit may enter as a combat unit or broken down into Vedettes.
19.2 Stacking and Road March
(19.21) Stacking: When more than one Combat Unit is scheduled to arrive at the same entry hex in the same turn, they may arrive stacked observing the stacking limit. If there are more arriving units than can legally stack in the hex, each subsequent stack enters on the same hex and turn, paying MPs equal to the cost of the hex for itself and for each stack that entered before it.
(19.22) Road March: Reinforcements may instead enter the map using Road March (unstacked) with an empty hex between each arriving unit. In this case the first unit to arrive pays the road MP cost of the first entry hex. Each subsequent unit or stack to enter on the same hex and turn pays one additional MP. In addition, unless otherwise indicated by the scenario, a formation's leader enters with the first stack of his formation, and the formation's baggage train enters at the end after the last arriving unit of the formation.
EXAMPLE: The second stack to enter will pay one extra MP; the third, two additional MPs (19.23).
(19.23) Excess Stacks: Stacks without enough Movement Points to enter must wait off-map until the following turn. The excess stacks of a formation still enter in Command when they arrive.
19.3 Changing Reinforcement Entry
(19.31) Blocked Entry Hexes: If the entry hex is occupied by an enemy or friendly combat unit or an enemy combat unit's ZOC the Reinforcement may instead enter in the hex nearest to the entry hex clear of combat units and EZOCs.
(19.32) Voluntary Delay: Players may voluntarily delay the entry of Reinforcements. However, no other scheduled Reinforcement may enter at this entry hex until the delayed Reinforcements have been brought onto the map (the follow-on reinforcements may enter in the same or subsequent turns). A portion of a Reinforcement force may not be delayed. Either all the units scheduled to arrive at that hex are brought onto the map, or none.
19.4 First Day Reinforcements
Approach to Battle reinforcements enter on the First Day of the game. These units are usually on-map in the Day of Battle Set up.
19.5 Alternate Reinforcements
Alternate Reinforcements are forces that could have intervened. Their arrival depends upon card play. Alternate Reinforcements appear in order of priority listed in the Scenario Information.
20.0 March Orders
Orders were carried by orderlies mounted on fast horses, usually overnight, to Officers beyond Command Range.
20.1 General Rule
A March Order allows a Force (defined in the Glossary) to move during each Friendly Command Movement Segment that the order is in effect (including during Night March Phases) regardless of Command Range. All the units under a March Order are considered in command. A Force may receive a March Order if it is:
- a Reinforcement (20.3);
- the one force selected at night (20.4); or
- the one force selected for March Order at the start of play, (once per game) if that side has a Commander on the map.
20.2 March Order Procedure
(20.21) Specify Objective Hex: The Player must secretly specify the Objective Hex on an Orders Slip when the March Order is issued. This objective must be revealed to the Enemy Player at the moment an infantry unit of that Force reaches its objective. The objective may be any town or Bridge hexside on the map. For each Force under a March Order, the Player must write down the name of the Officer or the designation of the individual unit(s) in question. A force may be assigned only one objective at a time. In a multi-hex town any hex in the town can be the objective.
(20.22) March Order Movement Restrictions: The force must move each turn at the speed of the slowest unit in the force, until it reaches its objective or the March Order is removed (20.23). The units under a March Order must take the shortest possible route (in terms of MPs) toward their Objective Hex. A Force given the March Order is not required to use road march. On the turn a Force reaches its objective, it can continue moving to the limit of its Movement Allowance; then the March Order is removed and no longer in effect.
(20.23) Forces Removed from March Orders: A unit is removed from the March Order at the moment:
- it reaches its objective hex (or as near as possible).
- at the owning player's option, if it is placed in the ZOC of an Enemy unit or vedette.
- at the Player's option, if the force is placed in Command by a Leader during any friendly Command Phase. An officer who makes his initiative may opt out of a March Order.
NOTE: If a Commander places an individual unit in command, it does not remove the March Order for the rest of the Formation.
The M.O. endures until the last unit reaches the destination or is removed. When a unit comes out of a March Order it is Demoralized for the rest of the Player Turn.
Units that reach a March Order destination are removed from the M.O. Other units under the March Order can either continue to use the M.O. or they can be removed. The units removed from a March Order can freely use their remaining MA that turn, without being constrained by the former M.O.
(20.24) Pre-Programmed March Orders (Card Play only): A force under a pre-programmed March Order at the start of the game that is subject to a Late Start Mode card cannot be removed from the March Order until its Leader awakes. Until then the Leader moves with the units of his formation.
20.3 March Orders to Reinforcements
A Reinforcement Force may be placed under a March Order (or several different March Orders) on the turn of its map entry, even if its arrival is delayed indefinitely by the Player. The number of reinforcement forces that may be placed under a March Order on a turn is limited only by the number of reinforcement forces arriving on that turn.
20.4 March Orders at Night
(20.41) Moving Units under March Orders at Night: The Movement Allowance of a Force under March Order at night is 2/3 MPs (inf/cav). Forces under a March Order are the only forces which can move during the Night March Phases.
(20.42) Changing March Orders at Night: One on-map stack or formation may be given a March Order during the Night March Order Dispatch Phase, regardless of command range restrictions. Units need not be in command for a night March Order. This March Order takes effect with the first daylight turn of the next day (2.2B). Alternatively, a player may change the objective hex in a March Order of any one of his forces, but this counts as the "one" March Order allowed.
20.5 General Retreat March Order
(20.51) The General Retreat March order differs from a regular March Order in the following ways:
- All friendly leaders and units are considered to have the order—including out of command forces;
- The Objective Hex for a given unit is the closest friendly Supply Source under friendly control, tracing the line as allowed by the rules of supply (17.41), or may be a hex specified in the Scenario Instructions;
- The order may be issued during the friendly Command Segment of any day Turn, or at the beginning of the March Order Dispatch Phase (Night AM turns) and takes effect immediately.
- The order may be cancelled at the owning player's option, after being in effect for one turn, for any undemoralized force(s) in Command and these may maneuver freely.
- Add one (+1) to the die roll for Reorganization of Demoralized forces on the turn the General Retreat is ordered.
- Reinforcements enter normally.
- The order may be issued only once per game, unless using the cards; a new General Retreat may be issued for each card.
- Units must remain in General Retreat March Order for at least 1 turn, unless they move adjacent to the enemy.
- All units move at the speed of the slowest unit in their force (20.22). EXCEPTION: Undemoralized units passing an Initiative check may opt-out of the General Retreat March Order and freely maneuver (having already passed Initiative) in the following Initiative Movement Segment.
- The text of the General Retreat Card (No. 9) is a part of the General Retreat rule; units may disengage on the turn played.
(20.52) Exiting the Map: When your units under a General Retreat March Order actually reach the mapedge hexes that are the objective(s) of the order, you can exit all, some or none. For units that have reached the objective that will remain on the map, the order is cancelled.
21.0 Demoralization
Units may become demoralized (1) if their formation reaches its Demoralization Level due to losses, (2) if the unit is Out of Supply (17.2), or (3) if it leaves March Orders (20.23).
21.1 Demoralization Levels
Each player has a Casualty Record Track to record Friendly losses. When the first Friendly Combat Unit of a Formation is eliminated, this unit becomes the "Casualty Level Marker" for its Formation (21.3). As further units are eliminated, the Owning Player adjusts this marker to reflect strength points lost by moving it a number of spaces on the track equal to each eliminated unit's full Combat Strength. A Formation becomes Demoralized at the instant its Casualty Level marker reaches or exceeds its Demoralization Level (the space printed with its Command Designation on the Casualty Track). Place a "Demoralized" marker on the formation's Officer.
NOTE: Formations with fewer than three units present at the battle can only be Demoralized by lack of Supply.
21.2 Demoralization Effects
Demoralization has the following effects:
Initiative: One is subtracted from the Initiative rating of Demoralized Officers and Combat Units any time that their Initiative Rating is referenced (Exception: Recovery, 22.12).
Movement: Demoralization has no effect on Movement—Leaders and Combat Units may use Road March and may be given March Orders.
Combat: Demoralized Units may not Advance after Combat. Demoralized cavalry may not charge. Demoralized units in Chateau hexes do not receive the benefits listed in 15.22. Remove any Demoralization from a unit when it is eliminated.
Bombardment: Demoralized Units may retreat one hex upon receiving 1R results (13.38).
Reorganization: The Phasing Player must roll for each Combat Unit in a demoralized formation (22.23-3). For a Demoralized Formation, if this die-roll is a "5" or "6" the unit is permanently eliminated (PEU). Add 1 to the die if a General Retreat will be issued in the next Movement Phase.
NOTE: As long as a unit survives at Reduced Strength, the difference between its full and reduced Strength does not count for Demoralization purposes or Victory Points.
21.3 Rallying from Demoralization
When an eliminated Combat Unit is Reorganized (22.2), that Formation's Casualty Level marker is reduced by an amount equal to the unit's full (not reduced) Combat Strength. If the unit is eliminated again later then the Casualty Level Marker should be increased by that same amount (the unit's Full Combat Strength). The moment the Casualty Marker for that Formation moves below its Demoralization Level, the Formation is recovered from Demoralization and the Demoralized Marker is removed from play. Once all other units in a Formation have recovered, the unit that was used as the Casualty Level Marker (21.1) is eligible to be reorganized.
21.4 Demoralization and Supply
Combat Units that are Out of Supply suffer Demoralization Effects. The out-of-supply Combat Units receive an Out of Supply Marker, and rally from Demoralization on the turn in which their Supply Line is reestablished. There is no additional effect upon out-of-supply units that become demoralized due to combat losses.
21.5 Demoralization and March Orders
At the end of a friendly Player-Turn, without the need of a die roll, remove Demoralized Markers from all units that were demoralized when they left March Orders that Player-Turn.
22.0 Recovery and Reorganization
Eliminated units may be reorganized at reduced strength.
22.1 Recovery
(22.11) General Rule: Recovery refers to the transfer of a Combat Unit from the Awaiting Recovery box (UAR) to the Recovered section.
(22.12) The Recovery Segment: Each turn the Weather is checked, both Player Turns will include a Recovery Segment (2.1/B2). During the Recovery Segment, the Phasing Player may make an Initiative Check for each unit in the Awaiting Recovery box. The Initiative die roll is successful if less than or equal to the Initiative Rating printed on the unit counter.
- IF SUCCESSFUL: The unit counter is flipped over to its reduced side and moved into the Recovered Section.
- IF UNSUCCESSFUL: The unit remains in the Awaiting Recovery box. Roll again in the next Recovery Segment.
(22.13) Automatic Night Recovery: At the beginning of the Friendly Recovery Segment of the Night AM Turn, the Phasing Player transfers ALL Combat Units still Awaiting Recovery to the Recovered Section at their reduced strength.
22.2 Reorganization
(22.21) General Rule: Reorganization refers to the return of Combat Units (at reduced strength) from the Recovered section of the UAR to the map.
(22.22) Procedure: Reorganization occurs in the Friendly Reorganization Segment. All units in the Recovered Section of the UAR may be placed on the map provided the necessary Leaders are available to bring them all on. Each eligible Leader may bring on two combat units (plus up to 3 vedettes) in the recovered section. The units are placed in the hex containing the Leader. If placing reorganized Combat Units in the Leader's hex would violate the Stacking Limit, the units already there may be Displaced.
(22.23) Restrictions and Penalties: Reorganization can take place in any terrain under the following restrictions:
- Leaders in an EZOC may not be used for Reorganization.
- Officers can only Reorganize units of their Formation. A Commander may Reorganize units of any Friendly Formation whose Officer is within the Commander's Command Radius.
- Units that are part of a Demoralized Formation risk elimination when they are Reorganized (21.2).
(22.24) Officers and Reorganization: An Officer does not have to be in Command in order to Reorganize. Each Officer that attempts Reorganization is marked with an Out of Command marker until the friendly Command Segment of the next Game-Turn. EXCEPTION: Reorganizing Vedettes does not require an Out of Command Marker. Officers so marked may not be part of the Chain of Command for the remainder of that turn, even if Reorganization failed. Commanders and Commander-Officers are not OOC when Reorganizing.
(22.25) Vedettes and Reorganization: If a Vedette is eliminated in combat (16.24), place it in the Unrecovered Section ("Awaiting Recovery") of the UAR. If a Vedette is eliminated during Reconnaissance it goes immediately to the section of the UAR specified on the Reconnaissance Table. Reduced-strength LC units don't have a vedette number. They cannot deploy a vedette once reduced.
23.0 Weather
23.1 Procedure
(23.11) Weather Condition Die Roll: The first player starts each day with a die roll on the Weather Table (tailored to the battle being played), to determine the initial Weather. The resulting Weather takes effect immediately.
(23.12) Weather Duration Die Roll: Roll again on "Change in the Weather" and add the result to the original Weather Die Roll to determine the number of turns that weather condition will remain in effect. Repeat these two die rolls each time the weather changes. (In some games duration is specified.)
(23.13) Effects of Weather: As indicated on the table below, the possible effects of weather are as follows:
- LOS Reduced: Line of Sight reduced to 1 hex. Units may see into adjacent hexes only.
- Bombardment: Prohibited. -2 DRM = Apply a –2 DRM to all artillery bombardment die rolls during Mud.
- Deploy Pontoons: No = may not be deployed
- Construct I.P.: Improved Positions may not be constructed.
- Charge Rolls: +1 DRM to all Cavalry Charge rolls.
- Rivers, Lakes: frozen and treated as Stream hexsides.
- Strength Reduced (rounding down): when attacking and defending. Artillery strengths are reduced for adjacent combat (only).
- Movement Cost: MPs doubled for Train and Artillery units.
- Ar*/Dr* Combat Results: Treat as Sk (Shock) results.
(23.14) Weather and LOS at Night: If the Last daylight Game-Turn was Thunderstorm or Mud, the night weather is Mud; otherwise Fair weather applies. At Night the LOS is reduced to one hex.
(23.15) Fire: Units can Move, Retreat, Repulse, and Road March through a Fire hex, without stopping. Command Range may extend through a Fire hex. The occurrence of Rain and Thunderstorms causes Fire to cease immediately.
(23.16) Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms only last for the first hour after the die roll. The next two turns are Rain plus Mud.
Weather Effects Chart
| WX Condition | Action LOS | Bombardment | Deploy Pontoons | Construct I.P. | Charge Rolls | Rivers, Lakes | Strength Reduced | Movement Cost | Ar*/Dr* Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow | Adjacent | Prohibited | No | No | +1 DRM | Frozen | — | — | — |
| Snowstorm | Adjacent | Prohibited | No | No | +1 DRM | Frozen | Inf x 0.75 | Train, Art x2 | Shock |
| Frost | — | — | No | No | — | Frozen | — | — | — |
| Rain | Adjacent | Prohibited | — | — | — | — | Art x 0.75 | — | — |
| Thunderstorm | Adjacent | Prohibited | — | — | +1 DRM | — | Art x 0.75, Inf x 0.5 | Train, Art x2 | — |
| Mud | — | -2 DRM | — | — | Prohibited | — | Art x 0.5 adjacent | Train, Art x2 | — |
| Fog | Adjacent | Prohibited | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Night | Adjacent | Prohibited | — | — | Prohibited | — | — | — | — |
| Heat | — | -1 DRM | — | — | +1 DRM | — | Art x 0.75 | — | — |
| Dust Storm | Adjacent | Prohibited | — | — | +1 DRM | — | — | — | Shock |
| Fire Hex | Blocks | Prohibited | No | No | Prohibited | — | — | +1 MP | Shock |
Weather Conditions (WX) vary from game to game, and are not cumulative with Terrain Effects; use the worst that applies. DRM: Die Roll Modifier
Glossary and Index
These definitions are a part of the body of the rules. The main paragraph for a term is the case number in bold. The original booklet follows each entry with a list of every rule-number cross-reference to that term; those page-index number lists are omitted below as navigational aids rather than rules text, but every definition sentence is reproduced in full.
Artillery 13.0 Artillery pays Infantry Movement costs while Horse Artillery pays Cavalry costs. Artillery and Horse Artillery pay doubled Movement costs during Mud, Thunderstorms and Snowstorm turns for all types of terrain.
Bombardment 13.0 Artillery units may Bombard in the Bombardment Phase, using the Bombardment Table at 2-3 hex range.
Bridge 7.6 A span crossing a river.
Cavalry: Mounted combat units including Regular, Heavy Cavalry (HC), and Light Cavalry (LC).
Cavalry Charge 14.0 Any cavalry except LC may make a cavalry charge resolved on the Charge Combat Table.
Column: Includes all units that arrive on the same or consecutive turns at the same area. They arrive in a chain of units or stacks. Unless otherwise specified all corps assets (non-divisional artillery units followed by the baggage train) arrive at the end of the column.
Combat Strength: The total manpower of a Combat Unit quantified in Strength Points (SPs). One SP equals between 400 and 800 men.
Combat Units: All playing pieces except Leaders, Vedettes, Trains, and Markers. Only Combat Units may attack enemy Combat Units.
Combined Arms 11.2 An attacking force with infantry, cavalry and artillery gains a combat odds shift of one column to the right.
Commanders 5.21 & 5.23 Leaders at the highest level may place their subordinates (Officers and Combat Units) "in Command" so that they may move.
Command Designation 1.4 An Officer commands all Combat Units that share his Command Designation. The designation has two parts (usually): a Formation's Roman numeral, followed by a divisional designation. EXAMPLE: III/1 indicates III Corps/1st Division.
Command Range 6.4 The "radius of command," or distance beyond which a Leader cannot place forces "in Command." Commander's Range (4 hexes) and Officer's Range (3 hexes) can be traced through EZOCs if occupied by a friendly unit.
Command Rating 5.21 The number of Formations and individual Combat Units that a Commander may place "in Command" at one time.
Counter-Battery Fire 13.5 A reduction in the strength of a bombarding artillery unit by half the strength of artillery in the target hex.
Die Rolls: Use one six-sided die (d6) for all die rolls.
Division: Three units belonging to the same division may stack 3 units to the hex. Division I.D. is used in the Initial Set Up, and to specify regular and alternate reinforcements.
DRM (Die Roll Modifier): Number to be added to or subtracted from the die roll in specific situations.
Engage 4.3 The act of entering an Enemy Zone of Control—this requires an attack upon the adjacent Enemy units. Artillery when bombarding are not "Engaged."
EZOC: Zone of Control (see p. 24) of an Enemy unit.
Force: (a) a single stack, or (b) a Formation, excluding any out of command units. Any part of a formation in command now—or in the next Command Phase—can qualify as a force.
Formation: A group of Combat Units with an Officer that shares the same Command Designation, linked by color. French formations are of corps size; Russian and British formations are divisions.
Friendly: Friendly units are all those under the control of one player; enemy units are controlled by his opponent. Coalition Forces may include Prussian, Russian, Austrian, Swedish, British and other units. Forces Friendly to the French player include French and Polish; and until 1813, the Minor Allies—Dutch, Saxons, Württembergers, Bavarians, Westphalians, Badeners, Hessians, Italians, Swiss, Portuguese, Croats etc.
In Command 6.0 A unit or Officer within the Command Range of a Commander, or a unit within Command Range of an Officer who is in Command. The capabilities of units and Officers that are In Command are greater than those of units and Officers that are Out of Command.
Initiative Rating 6.0, 12.2, & 22.12 Used to determine whether Officers and units may move when they are not in Command and for Recovery. It is also used in Shock results.
Integrated Division: See Division.
Leaders 5.0 Commanders and Officers, necessary to Command your forces.
Line of Sight (LOS) 8.4 & 13.34 To observe enemy units. The LOS to units in clear terrain is 3 hexes. The LOS is reduced to 1 hex at Night, during Rain, Fog, Snow, or any type of Storm.
March Order 20.0 Allows a Force to move during the Friendly Command Movement Segment.
Movement Allowance 7.2 The amount of Movement Points (MPs) a unit may expend during each friendly Movement Phase. Each clear terrain hex costs one Movement Point to enter.
Officers 6.0 Leaders of a 'Formation' (Corps/division) are in charge of all units that share their Command Designation. They are the second link in the chain of command between Commanders and Combat Units.
Permanently Eliminated Units (PEU) Box 12.52 A holding area for combat units and trains that have been permanently eliminated and can no longer return to play.
Phasing Player: The Player whose Player-Turn is in progress.
Reconnaissance 8.3 When Hidden Force Markers are removed, revealing the units in a stack.
Recovery Turn 22.1 Each time weather is checked, a player may attempt to move eliminated Combat Units in the Reduced Units Box from the Awaiting Recovery Section to the Recovered section.
Reorganization 22.2 To return "recovered" units previously eliminated into play. Commanders may Reorganize any Unit in the Recovered Section while Officers may only Reorganize Recovered Units from their Formation.
Repulse 9.0 Moving forces attempt to displace enemy units out of their path. The moving force must have [5:1] odds.
Retreat Before Combat (RBC) 10.2 Cavalry may retreat prior to combat resolution as either attackers or defenders.
Road March 7.5 In order to benefit from road MP costs a unit must be in "Road March." Units in Road March may not stack and have other movement limitations.
Span 7.6 A term that includes both bridges (which cross rivers) and Trestles (which cross streams).
Square 14.23 A possible result of a cavalry charge, which forces a unit into Square until the end of its next Movement Phase, limiting its movement.
Storm: A Thunderstorm, Snowstorm, or Duststorm.
Supply Line 17.4 A Line of up to fourteen [14] connected hexes from a Combat Unit to: 1) a Supply Source, or 2) a Baggage Train on a road or trail, thence along road or trail hexes to a Supply Source. The first [14] hexes of the Supply Line are termed the "Forward" Line and the remainder, from the Baggage Train to the Supply Source, is termed the "Trunk" Line. The Trunk Line may continue for any distance to a Friendly Supply Source.
Surrounded: A unit is surrounded and may not retreat if all adjacent hexes contain enemy units, EZOCs, and/or prohibited terrain.
Train Units 18.0 Pontoon Trains and Baggage Trains have no ZOCs and cannot stack. Trains pay cavalry costs and double the normal terrain movement costs during Mud, Thunderstorm and Snowstorm. Train Units do not require Command or Initiative to move.
Trestle 7.6 A span crossing over a stream.
Unit: A Combat unit, train, or vedette.
Unit I.D. 1.4.2 The name of the unit's commanding general or designation.
Unit Type: The combat arm—infantry, cavalry, artillery, or horse artillery. Cavalry have separate terrain costs for Movement.
Units Awaiting Recovery Box 12.51 & 22.1 A holding area for combat units that have been eliminated in combat, not yet recovered or ready for reorganization.
Vedettes 16.0 Light Cavalry (LC) units can be broken-down into a number of Vedettes indicated on the unit's counter. Vedettes are non-combat units. They move like cavalry but they don't fight.
Zone of Control (ZOC) 4.0 All six hexes adjacent to a Combat Unit. A River hexside blocks ZOCs—units exert no ZOC across River hexsides (whether bridged or not).
Study Folder
The Study Folder is the second official booklet in the box (Version 1.33), transcribed in full below. Its numbering continues from the Series Rules above — section 24.0, the optional Card Instructions booklet, is a separate physical publication not included in this document.
Game Components:
- 3 Map Sheets: 22" x 34" x2 and 17" x 22" x1
- 2 Counter Sheets: 560 die-cut playing pieces
- 2 Booklets: System Rules, Study Folder
- 13 Player Aid Cards: TRC x5, Set-up x3 (French x1, Coalition x2), Casualty x2, Reorganization, Weather, Combat Results
- Deck of 100 Cards
- Booklet of Card Instructions, 11" x 17"
- Combat Tables Folder, 11" x 17"
- Orders Slip Sheet/Sequence of Play
- Victory Worksheet
- List: Remove Cards from Deck
- Game Box
25.0 Scenarios
In early January 1814, as the weak cordon of French troops fell back from the Rhine, over a quarter of a million Coalition troops began pouring onto French soil. With his marshals unable to stem the tide, Napoleon departed from Paris on 25 January en route to Châlons where he took command of a small force. Reinvigorated by his presence, the troops moved out, advancing to meet the Silesian Army under Blücher. After their first meeting Blücher believed that Napoleon's days were numbered and he was determined to bring the war to an immediate close with an advance on Paris. His forces, strung out on the little Paris road, were intercepted by Napoleon and 30,000 men.
25.1 The Scenario Information
La Patrie en Danger includes five scenarios and three Campaign Games. Players select a scenario to play, and then refer to the Scenario Information and the Initial Set-up Cards (25.2) to set up the game. There is a major section of scenario detail for each battle:
- 27.0 Brienne, 29-30 January
- 28.0 La Rothière, 31 January-1 February
- 29.0 Champaubert, 10 February
- 30.0 Montmirail, 11-12 February
- 31.0 Vauchamps, 13-14 February
- 32.0 Brienne Mini-Campaign, 29 Jan.–1 Feb.
- 33.0 Montmirail Mini-Campaign, 10–14 Feb.
- 34.0 Grand Campaign Game, 29 Jan.–14 Feb.
25.11 Game-Turn Record: For each of the five battles a one-page TRC is provided. Except for Champaubert each TRC covers a two-day period. The Game-Turn marker is placed on the turn designated as the Scenario Start (DoB or AtB).
25.12 One-Day and Longer Scenarios: Players may play either the Day of Battle (DoB) or Approach to Battle (AtB) Scenarios in those cases where one is provided. You are encouraged to begin by playing any of the Day of Battle Scenarios. The Approach to Battle allows you to position your forces for the battle to come.
25.13 The Campaign Game: You can choose to play the Brienne Mini-Campaign (4 days), the Montmirail Mini-Campaign (5 days), or the Grand Campaign Game that links all five battles.
25.14 Combat Units: The units of various nations are color-coded as follows.
COALITION PLAYER FORCES:
- Austrians (white)
- Russians (brown)
- Prussians (light blue)
- Bavarians (green)
- Württemberg (dark blue with red stripe)
FRENCH PLAYER FORCES:
- French regular (sky blue)
- Guard (dark blue)
- Polish (crimson)
- Gardes d'Honneur (green-gray)
25.15 French Army Nationalities
Other than French troops, the French Player controls only one Polish vedette unit (25.16).
25.16 Cavalry units with disparate vedettes
Krasinski's Guard LC brigade has two vedettes, the 1st Polish Lancers and the Guard Chasseurs. Picquet's Independent LC brigade has two vedettes, the 1st Gardes d'Honneur and the 10th Hussars.
25.17 Coalition Nationalities
The Coalition Player controls all Russian, Prussian, Austrian, Bavarian and Württemberg forces. Russian Commander Sacken may not place non-Russian Officers or units in command nor give them a March Order. Blücher and Barclay can command any friendly forces.
25.18 Russian Infantry Corps
A Russian Infantry Corps is equivalent to a division for Stacking purposes (3.22). Units all belonging to the same Russian Infantry Corps may stack three to the hex without a leader present.
25.2 Setting Up the Scenarios
All units set-up as Hidden Forces.
25.21 Initial Set-up: The Units to set-up are listed on the Initial Set-up Cards. The French Player sets up first. The Initial Set-up specifies the location for each unit. This may be modified by Mode Cards (24.5). The units to set-up at reduced strength are listed with an ® on the Initial Set-up. They are treated as having been eliminated and already reorganized. PEU Units: Such are marked "elim" on the Set up Card. If marked "elim" or "exited," or if there is no information shown on the Initial Set-up card, they are not placed in the PEU box, but are out of play; if it says ALT see 25.51.
25.22 Hex Numbers: The hex numbers show where units were historically located at the start of the scenario. Place all combat units and leaders directly on the map in the hexes specified. The set-up may include overstacked hexes; before play begins displace the excess units to adjacent hexes at the owning player's choice (not in an EZOC). The Champaubert map (E) overlaps the Montmirail map (33.25).
OPTION: If both players agree, players may adjust the specified Set-ups for their own forces by one hex in any direction.
25.23 Reinforcements (25.5): Reinforcement arrival is listed on the TRC as modified by the play of Arrival Cards (24.7). If playing without the cards (25.51).
25.24 Pontoon Trains and Baggage Trains: Availability of pontoon trains is specified in the scenario information. Available Pontoon Trains must be set-up within [7] hexes of any friendly Commander unless otherwise specified. There is no French Pontoon Train.
All Baggage Trains set-up within [7] hexes of any unit in their respective formation or enter as reinforcements behind the main body of their corps, at the back of the column, unless otherwise specified. French and Coalition corps generally have their own dedicated baggage trains (below).
- If a train is mentioned in the reinforcement schedule it enters as specified.
- If the formation arrives as a reinforcement the baggage and pontoon trains arrive last (during the same turn as the non-divisional artillery, if any).
- The Russian AG Corps, French VII Corps, and French Independent ("Ind") units have no baggage trains. These units can trace supply to any Friendly baggage train or Supply Source within reach (18.21).
25.27 Leaders: Leaders set-up in the hex specified, or, at owning player's choice, as follows: Commanders may set-up with any Friendly force; Officers in any hex containing units of their Formation. Leaders ignore Mode Cards. EXCEPTION: Card 2, Late Start. Leader cards may be played as "inapplicable" (24.35) prior to the named leader's arrival.
25.28 Vedettes: Vedettes may be deployed at the beginning of a scenario at the owning player's option, anywhere within five hexes of their parent unit (not in an EZOC). The second player deploys any/all of his available vedettes first, then the first player deploys his. The cavalry parent unit(s) for deployed vedettes are placed in the Holding Box.
25.3 Counter Sheet
25.31 Units and Leaders: Sheet #1 includes Combat units, Leaders and some markers. The units and leaders needed for all five battles are provided on Sheet #1.
25.32 Utility Markers: Sheet #2 is the Utility Marker Sheet, intended for use with all games in the Library of Napoleonic Battles. New types of Utility Markers included on Sheet #2 are Demoralization Level Markers, Replacement Officers, Sleeping Commanders, Garde Recule, and Reinforcements Delayed. The use of these new markers is explained below.
- Casualty Level Markers: Each Corps or division has a marker with its Corps i.d. and a circle color-coded to the Corps stripe. These markers are placed on the Demoralization Track to record Casualty Levels instead of using the first eliminated combat unit of each corps (21.1). For Corps that have a letter abbreviation instead of a number, choose from among the gray Alphabetical Markers A–Z.
- Replacement Officers: Several Replacement Officers are provided (marked "Repl") with different Initiative Ratings. Pick an officer with a rating one less than the officer he is chosen to succeed. They enter into the game according to 5.52.
- Sleeping Commanders: Use the marker on the map to mark all unawakened Commanders (Card No. 2, Late Start). The reverse side denotes Commanders and officers who are unable to provide command while Re-organizing.
- Garde Recule: When Guard units suffer the results of "Ae," "Ar," or "Ex" (11.3) place the marker underneath the demoralization level marker of every corps that was affected by the guard retreating (indicating that their morale levels are permanently reduced by 4).
- Reinforcements Delayed: applies to forces that are subject to Card No. 27, Delay—March Confusion, etc.
- Other Markers: Hidden Force Markers, Control Markers, Bridge and I.P. Markers, Weather and Turn Markers. Their use is explained in the Series Rules Folder.
25.4 Scenario Information Detail
The following information is provided in 27.0—34.0.
25.41 Duration: The game ends with the completion of the last turn specified under "Duration," or may end immediately upon: Napoleon's capture (26.18); or, when all the formations of one side are demoralized and/or have exited. The Level of Victory still has to be determined (26.2).
25.42 Mode Cards at Start: specifies the number of cards to draw on the first turn only.
25.43 Remove Cards From Deck—remove specified cards from card decks (24.2). See separate one-page list.
25.44 Bonus Cards: On the second turn of each scenario (and at the beginning of each day thereafter for multi-day scenarios) each player draws a number of Bonus Cards: either the number specified for that battle, or determined by (26.5) if playing one of the campaign scenarios.
25.45 Special Rules: Rules that apply only to this battle. 1814-Specific Rules apply to all the battles (25.7).
25.46 Victory Conditions: Victory Points (26.1) are awarded for control of places on the map. Certain VP locations that do not count in this scenario are listed.
25.5 Reinforcements
All regular reinforcement units are listed on the Turn Record Tracks. Reinforcements enter at the mapedge hex specified on the Turn Record Card. All units of the formation enter on the same turn unless listed separately, subject to card play, or depending on size of formation (25.53). All reinforcement units are in command for the turn of entry and in supply until the next supply check (19.1).
25.51 Alternate Reinforcements: ALT Reinforcements are listed in the Scenario Information by group number. One numbered group of friendly Alternate Reinforcements appears for each Alternate Reinforcements Card (No. 29) played. ALT groups must appear in order of priority starting with #1. Each time a group of ALT Reinforcements enters, the enabling card is removed from play after being scored. EXCEPTION: Mini-campaigns (32.13, 33.13, 34.13).
If not using the cards—roll two d6 during the Command Movement Segment of every Recovery Turn: on a result of 2 or 3, you may enter the next group of Alternate Reinforcements listed; if you roll a 4–12, there is no result. If you roll a 2 or 3, your opponent can roll 2d6 to delay the alternate reinforcements; the attempt is successful if he also rolls a 2 or 3 (see Card No. 27).
25.52 Hidden Reinforcements: All Reinforcements enter the map as Hidden Forces. Vedettes may enter instead of their parent LC units, or may be deployed from their parent Mixed Type units.
25.53 Deploying Off-Map Reinforcements: For multi-hex forces, prior to entry, all additional stacks after the first are deployed off-map in a column, beginning with the leader at the front of the column, and ending with the baggage (19.23). Reinforcements can enter in road march at the owning player's option.
25.6 March Orders
One March Order per player may be issued prior to the start of any scenario, to any friendly force in play on the map, if a friendly Commander is on-map at the start of the scenario (20.1). Scenario instructions may increase this to two or three.
25.61 Pre-Programmed March Orders: The Special Rules may specify mandatory March Orders (also 26.32). These orders represent historical conditions limiting the leaders' freedom of action. They can be removed according to 20.23. One March Order can be changed at night (20.4). Special activities take place during the Night AM Turn (2.2A).
25.62 Late Start Mode Card: If you want to change one of those pre-programmed March Orders and you drew a Late Start Mode Card, you'll need to wake up first. A "sleeping" leader moves with his units. NOTE: "Sleep" is shorthand for "an inconceivable oversight." Usually the officer's intel is faulty, he misinterprets orders, or he or one of his subordinates goes off on his own recognizance.
25.7 1814-Specific Rules
25.71 Night Combat: Night combat took place at Brienne, La Rothière, and Vauchamps. At Brienne the burning town was still contested, and both sides wished to shelter within; at Vauchamps, Marmont's surprise of the foraging enemy was so complete that his men took no casualties. Darkness creates certain exceptions to the rules of Movement and Combat. The "Night PM" turn doesn't use the Night Sequence, rather the Day SOP with the following modifications:
- There is No Command Movement Segment: All Movement during Night PM is by Initiative. EXCEPTIONS: Units with a current March Order in effect (20.4); and Commanders. Commanders can move freely (individually).
- There is NO LOS during Night. You must define attacks before revealing enemy units.
- All "Ar*" results become "Shock."
- Arty. and HArt. may not bombard or contribute their strength to an adjacent attack; they may defend against enemy attacks as they would during daylight hours.
- Cards are not drawn or played at Night.
- The Night PM Movement Allowance is 2/3 (inf/cav).
25.72 Weather Tables: Before starting play, players can opt to use the historical weather instead of the die roll. Roll for Weather on the first turn of each day. Roll again at Noon and at 3 PM. Weather stays the same between times. Each Weather check turn is also a Recovery Turn. If two weather conditions apply at the same time, the effects of both conditions apply. If these contradict each other, the worst condition applies. EXAMPLE: If the weather is Rain, Mud, bombardments are not allowed.
25.73 Blackout Dates: If you opt to use the historical weather you won't reference January 27 or 28, February 8 and 9. These lines were included to create a full spectrum of results for the die-roll column.
25.74 Cloudy Weather: Cloudy Weather only has an effect on the turns of 8AM, 9AM, 4PM, 5PM, and 6PM. Cloudy Weather at those times is the same effect as Night Combat (25.71). There is no Command Movement Segment, etc. Cloudy Weather has no effect at 3 PM, 10 AM or 11AM (ignore at those times).
25.75 Double-Team units in Mud and Snow: Guns were often doubled-teamed because of mud. The extra teams were taken from guns left behind. Either player may voluntarily flip over any of his (unreduced) artillery units to show their reduced side. This negates the doubling of MP costs during Mud and Snow for that unit. Double-team units are now permanently on their reduced side and must bear the consequences of their new status. They cannot be lifted back up to full-strength. This movement benefit applies to all reduced-strength artillery, even if reduced because of combat loss/reorganization. (There is no double-teaming for train units.)
25.8 Team Play
In a three-player game, one assumes the role of Napoleon; Coalition Players represent Blücher and Sacken. The Commanders control their historically-associated formations. The Blücher player will control Yorck's I Corps. Sacken cannot place Yorck in command (25.17).
25.81 Communication Among Players: Players may not freely discuss their plans, tactics or strategy unless the Commanders they represent are within four hexes of each other.
25.82 Aides-de-Camp: Written notes may be passed among team players. One message may be dispatched per team member every friendly Command Phase. No other game-related comments are permitted besides what is written on the note.
25.83 Objective Hexes: Only place names, not hex numbers, may be specified as objective hexes.
25.84 Arrival Time: Written notes are dispatched during the Friendly Command Phase and are received during a later Friendly Command Phase. Travel time between leaders:
- on the same map section—three complete Turns
- from one map to the other—14 complete Turns
25.85 Victory: After the winning side is determined, each of the Players compares the total VPs that he obtained (or hexes his units were first to occupy for his side). The player with the highest score gains the Commander-in-Chief's role on next playing.
25.86 Commander-in-Chief: The C-in-C (Blücher) can send written orders to his teammate. Disobedience has to be justified in a verbal defense at the game's end. If you fail to achieve your assigned objectives, your explanation must persuade a neutral arbiter. Failure to persuade means you forfeit the Commander-in-Chief's role on the next playing.
26.0 Victory Conditions
Victory is awarded to the player or team with the most Victory Points at the end of the game; or, in the Campaign Game, according to the ratio of each player or team's Victory Point total (26.23 and 32.4.)
26.1 Victory Point Awards
Victory Points are awarded at the end of the game, depending upon Enemy Combat Strength Points eliminated, Enemy Corps Demoralized, etc. If playing a campaign scenario, calculate victory point awards at the end of each individual battle.
26.11 Determine VP Totals: VPs are awarded for…
a) Enemy Combat SPs Eliminated (26.12) b) Enemy Corps Demoralized (26.13). c) Captured Enemy Baggage Trains (26.14). d) Controlled Hexes (26.15) e) Total VPs of cards you have played (26.16) f) Leaders in towns through the Night (26.17) g) Captured Commanders (26.18) h) Units that have exited the map (26.3)
26.12 Total Combat SPs Eliminated
At the end of play, total the losses in SPs by both sides, including the total SPs in the PEU, Unrecovered and Recovered boxes. Don't count SPs in the Full Strength Holding Box. Subtract the smaller from the larger total. The side losing the least SPs receives VPs as follows:
| Difference | VP Award | Difference | VPs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 0 VPs | 20-24 | 4 VPs |
| 5-9 | 1 VP | 25-29 | 5 VPs |
| 10-14 | 2 VPs | 30-34 | 6 VPs |
| 15-19 | 3 VPs | 35-39 | 7 VPs, etc. |
When calculating Total Combat Strength count the units Full Strength. EXCEPTION: For units starting the scenario at Reduced Strength, use reduced strength.
26.13 Enemy Corps Demoralized: Each Player receives [4] VPs for each enemy Corps Demoralized at the end of play.
26.14 Captured Baggage Trains: The Player receives [2] VPs for each Enemy Baggage Train captured.
26.15 Control: Each Player receives [4] VPs for each Enemy Supply Source he controls at the end of the scenario (25.54). Each Player also receives the number of Victory Points printed on the map for each VP Hex. EXCEPTIONS:
- The Scenario Victory Conditions may specify certain VP hexes that do not apply in that scenario.
- If a player begins the game in occupation of an enemy Supply Source, no VPs are scored for it.
- VPs are not scored for occupying enemy supply hexes by Reinforcements that enter there.
To be considered in control of a hex, a friendly Combat Unit in Supply must physically occupy the hex, or be the last Combat Unit to have occupied or moved through it. An occupying unit that is Out of Supply at the moment it enters or moves through a hex does not control that hex. To indicate the control of a hex, place a control marker of the proper side in the hex.
26.16 Cards: Add or subtract the VP Value of each card you have played during the game, if that card's event was actually used, as specified on the card. VPs on the cards are tallied at the end of each daylight period before the cards are reshuffled (24.23).
26.17 Leader in a town throughout the Night: Each player receives 1 VP for every friendly Leader who remains in a town from 6PM to 6AM the next morning inclusive.
26.18 Capture of Commanders:
A player receives a number of VPs for each Captured Commander equal to that Commander's Command Rating. EXCEPTION: The game ends immediately in a Coalition Victory the moment Napoleon is captured.
26.2 Levels of Victory
At the end of the battle the total of Victory Points achieved by the two players is compared as a ratio (French: Coalition), which determines the level of victory—Marginal, Tactical, or Strategic. Divide the French by the Coalition VP total.
26.21 Find VP Ratio:
| Ratio | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 or less | Coalition Strategic |
| 1 to 1.5 / 1 to 1.99 | Coalition Tactical |
| 1 to 1 / 1 to 1.49 | Coalition Marginal |
| 1.01 to 1 / 1.5 to 1 | French Marginal |
| 1.51 to 1 / 2 to 1 | French Tactical |
| More than 2 to 1 | French Strategic |
26.22 When Total of VPs is Zero: Convert scores of "0" to "1" in order to calculate VP ratio.
26.23 Levels of Victory in the Campaign Game:
In the Campaign Game the winner**,** Level of Victory and total VPs for each side, achieved in each individual battle, must be recorded. A given level of Victory will allow the winner to draw "Bonus Cards" from the Card Decks in the upcoming battles in the campaign (26.5).
26.3 Exiting the Map
Either Player may choose to exit his units by playing the "General Retreat" card.
If not using the cards, the Phasing Player may declare a General Retreat (20.5); or may exit at any exit hexes specified in the Scenario Information (28.42, 29.42, 30.42).
Either Player's forces may exit at any Friendly Supply Source hex, at any Friendly exit arrow, and may also exit where Enemy units have previously exited. The exiting unit pays the Movement Point cost of the hex it is leaving once again. Exited leaders may not reorganize units. Units that voluntarily exit the map cannot be returned to play and are not considered eliminated for Victory Point (VP) purposes. Units forced to retreat off the map are eliminated (12.34).
26.31 VP Award: If he makes a "General Retreat" the Exiting Player receives [4 VP] for exiting each friendly baggage train, and [1 VP] for every five combat units exited. EXCEPTION: You may not receive more VPs for Exiting the Map than you receive for Enemy Combat units eliminated (26.12).
26.32 Exit by March Order: A force may be assigned a March Order to exit the map. If a General retreat has been declared, these forces garner [1 VP] for every five combat units exited (exception above applies).
26.33 No Award: Even if you do not declare "General Retreat" nor play the "General Retreat" card, you may choose at any time to exit individual units to prevent their destruction, either at the Friendly Supply Sources or Friendly exit arrows, but you receive no VPs, and they cannot be returned to play.
26.4 Minimum Loss
The Player receives [2] VPs if the total of eliminated SPs in the Friendly PEU + Unrecovered + Recovered boxes at the end of the game is zero.
26.5 Victory in the Campaign Game
Score the Level of Victory at the end of the individual battles. Each victory in prior games will allow the winning player to draw "Bonus Cards" from his card deck at the battles that follow.
- Each Strategic Victory: 3 Bonus Cards per battle
- Each Tactical Victory: 2 Bonus Cards per battle
- Each Marginal Victory: 1 Bonus Card per battle
- Minimum: 2 Bonus Cards per player.
EXAMPLE: The French Player wins a Tactical Victory at Brienne, and a Marginal Victory at La Rothière. He would draw three "Bonus Cards" (plus the regular cards) on turn two of Champaubert. NOTE: The French Player receives no Bonus Cards for a victory at Champaubert.
26.6 First Player
The French Player is the First Player. EXCEPTION: La Rothière DoB (28.15). The first player sets-up first.
27.0 The Battle of Brienne
Unskilled Fury, 29-30 January 1814
27.1 Introduction
Napoleon sought to prevent the advancing Armies of Silesia and Bohemia from uniting. He had failed to intercept Blücher's Army of Silesia at St. Dizier, catching only his rearguard, as Blücher reached Bar-sur-Aube. The Emperor then sent orders to concentrate several French divisions toward Brienne—including Mortier's Old Guard. Blücher, who had advanced to Brienne himself by that time, intercepted the Imperial dispatches, alerting him to the danger. He promptly withdrew the exposed VI Corps from near Lesmont. Napoleon began his assault on Brienne just as the VI Corps was arriving. Blücher's orders were to withdraw his army toward Trannes to unite with the Bohemian Army. He was, however, forced to accept battle, as Sacken's baggage trains were delayed on the muddy roads between Brienne and Dienville.
27.11 Duration: 29 Jan., 3 PM—Midnight (6 turns).
27.12 Mode Cards at Start: 1 French, 2 Coalition
27.13 Bonus Cards, Turn 2: For the individual battle, the Coalition receives 2; French 3.
27.14 Pontoon Trains: Coalition 1; French 0.
27.2 Alternate Reinforcements:
FRENCH
- #1. IC Thiery and Laville, (3002)
- #2. Colbert and Hamelinaye (0107)
- #3. MORTIER, OG (0121)
COALITION
- #1. VASSILCHIKOV, C Ushakov and Umanez (0107); Karpow-a and -b, Krepow and 18th HArt (0107)
- #2. LIEVEN, XI Corps (9 units). This Corps sets-up on the map but is prohibited from movement unless released. One way to release the Corps is by playing the Alternate Reinforcement Card No. 29 (27.36).
27.3 Special Rules
27.31 Reinforcements in Road March: The Coalition units of VI Corps must set-up or enter in Road March.
27.32 Damaged Bridges at Start: none
27.33 March Orders at Start: The entire Coalition VI Corps has a mandatory pre-programmed march order for Trannes (1832).
27.34 Map Area in Play: Set-up all units on the Brienne map in accordance with the DoB-29th column on the Initial Set-up cards.
27.35 Russian VI Corps Column Order: The Coalition VI Corps artillery and baggage must enter at the end of the column (see Glossary). Historical Note: The Park of the Artillery actually entered at 0118 and proceeded down the left bank of the Aube, but this Park didn't include all the artillery and baggage.
27.36 Russian XI Corps: The Coalition units of XI Corps may not move unless: (a) They enter the game as an Alternate Reinforcement; (b) any French unit moves south of La Rothière (1323); or (c) after 30 January (campaign). Unlike a regular Alternate Reinforcement they start on the map. Once released the entire XI Corps or any part may move freely according to the rules of Initiative and Command.
27.4 Victory Conditions
The VPs are earned as per 26.1.
27.41 VP Hexes that Do not count: Dienville (0922).
27.42 Russian XI Corps: For every three units of the XI Corps that end the game north of La Rothière (1323), the Coalition Player loses 1 VP.
27.5 Approach to Battle Scenario
The Approach to Battle Scenario reveals the situation earlier on the 29th of January. Use the set-up positions for on-map forces listed under AtB-29 January.
27.51 Duration: 29 Jan., 9 AM—Midnight
27.52 Mode Cards at Start: French 0, Coalition 2
27.53 Alternate Reinforcements: (same as 27.2).
27.54 All other Scenario Info: (same as 27.1–27.4)
28.0 The Battle of La Rothière
A Defeat on French Soil, 1 February 1814
28.1 Introduction
After the Battle of Brienne, Napoleon expected Blücher to attempt a march on Paris and so maintained his position astride the enemy line of march. Instead the two Coalition armies had linked-up near Trannes. After holding the battlefield for a day to round-up enemy prisoners and the wounded of both sides, Napoleon decided to withdraw from the area, ordering a General Retreat. Ney had already set out through Brienne to Lesmont when the Emperor realized that Blücher's attack was imminent. He recalled Ney, intending to hold the villages on his extended front with infantry, filling the gaps with cavalry, until he could slip away under cover of night.
28.11 Duration: 1 Feb., 1 PM—Night PM (7 turns).
28.12 Mode Cards at Start: 1 French, 2 Coalition.
28.13 Bonus Cards, Turn 2: For the individual battle, the Coalition receives 2; French 3.
28.14 Pontoon Trains: Coalition, 1 with Blücher, 1 with Barclay.
28.15 First Player: In the DoB (only), the Coalition Player is the First Player (26.6).
28.2 Alternate Reinforcements:
FRENCH
- #1. Hamelinaye (0301).
- #2. MORTIER, OG Corps (0301)
COALITION
- #1. Russian V Corps—Richter II only (1934)
- #2. BARCLAY, Russian III Corps, one pontoon (1934)
- #3. Russian V Corps (remainder), GC Corps (1934)
- #4. Pahlen, AG Corps (3018)
28.3 Special Rules
28.31 Improved Positions at Start:
Place completed I.P. in La Rothière (1323), Dienville, (0922), two others in French-occupied hexes of French choice.
28.32 Damaged Bridges at Start: 0816
28.33 March Orders at Start: Marshal Ney and his Young Guard Corps have a March order to exit at 0107. If the March Order is not cancelled before this formation reaches the map edge, it is automatically cancelled when the first unit of the corps reaches the exit hex. (Unless the French Player takes the option to exit.)
28.34 Map Area in Play: Set up all units in accordance with the 1st February column of the Initial Set-up. This scenario uses the Brienne-La Rothière map.
28.4 Victory Conditions
VPs are earned as per 26.1
28.41 Control: VP Hexes that Do NOT count: 0713, 0913.
28.42 Exit: French forces exit at 0107 if a French "General Retreat" is declared.
28.5 Approach to Battle Scenario
The Approach to Battle Scenario uses the set-up positions for on-map forces given under 1 Feb. EXCEPTION: Gyulai and the Austrian III Corps, Colbert (GC) and the whole French IC Corps enter as shown on the TRC.
28.51 Duration: 31 Jan., 9 AM—1 Feb., Night PM
28.52 Mode Cards at Start: French 2, Coalition 2
28.53 Alternate Reinforcements: (same as 27.2; i.e., the Briene ALT. Reinforcements). Remove Card No. 29 (x2) from Coalition Deck.
28.54 All other Scenario Info: (same as 28.1–28.4)
29.0 The Battle of Champaubert
Six Feet Deep in Mud, 10 February 1814
29.1 Introduction
Napoleon moved against the Prussian army, stretched out along the little Paris road. On 10 February, he caught General Olsufiev's 3690 Russians just south of Champaubert. The 30,000 advancing Frenchmen, including many raw conscripts, were supported by 120 cannons. Olsufiev decided to fight rather than retreat. After five hours of fighting, the Russians were surrounded by French cavalry, suffering over two thousand killed, wounded, and captured. NOTE: As this is a low unit-density battle, it is a good introductory scenario. The teaching player should take the Coalition.
29.11 Duration: 10 Feb., Night AM—Night PM inclusive (13 turns).
29.12 Mode Cards at Start: 1 French, 1 Coalition
29.13 Bonus Cards, Turn 2: For the individual battle, the Coalition receives 2, the French 3.
29.14 Pontoon Trains: none
29.2 Alternate Reinforcements:
FRENCH
- #1. YG Baste, Clozeau, 0120E
- #2. GC Colbert, 0120E
- #3. GC NANSOUTY, Dautancourt, Krasinski, HArt., 0120E
Groups #2 and #3 arrive as regular reinforcements at 1 PM, 10 Feb. if they do not arrive earlier as ALT.
COALITION
- #1. BLÜCHER, KLEIST, II/August, Pirch I, Ziethen, 3653E.
- #2. II/Braun, 7,8 HArt, pontoon, 3653E
- #3. KAPTSEVICH, X Russian Corps (all units), 3653E.
29.3 Special Rules
29.31 Improved Positions at Start: 2522E
29.32 Damaged Bridges at Start: none.
29.33 Mode Cards at Start: The Early Arrival Card No. 5 overrides the Night March rules (2.2-B). The Player of the card has all his At Start forces in Command for the First Turn. The Movement Allowance at night remains 2/3 MPs (inf/cav).
29.34 March Orders at Start: The French Player may issue March Orders to one on-map Friendly Force. The Coalition Player has one (1) March order at start (20.1).
29.35 Map Area in Play: Set up all units in accordance with the 10th February column of the Initial Set-up. This scenario uses the Champaubert (E) map only. NOTE: Units starting on the West map and Reinforcement entries specified for the West map apply only to the Campaign game.
29.36 Controlled entry of Coalition Forces: (only if NOT using the cards). Starting with the Coalition Command Movement Segment of 8 AM, the Coalition Player rolls the dice, to attempt to enter Blücher with bridge train, Kleist and Kapzevitch. Roll 2 d6: on a result of "2" these forces are deployed on the map at hex 3653E. If the first attempt fails, roll again at the start of every following Coalition Command Movement Segment until arrival.
29.37 Coalition Free Set-up #1: If both players agree, the Coalition Player may set-up his forces within 3 hexes of their locations specified on the Initial Set-up.
29.38 Coalition Free Set-up #2: If both players agree, the Coalition Player may set-up his at-start forces anywhere north of the Petit Morin River. (Not recommended for use in the Mini-campaign.)
29.4 Victory Conditions
VPs are earned as per 26.1.
29.41 Levels of Victory: Without a resounding success at Champaubert, the set-up of Montmirail and Vauchamps would fail. Therefore, in this scenario (only) the French player must achieve a 3:1 ratio in VPs in order to win a tactical victory. NOTE: In the Campaign Games the French Player receives no Bonus Cards for Champaubert. Historically, Olsufief was captured, dining that evening with the Emperor.
29.42 Draw: If the differential in combat strength lost (26.12) is within 7 SPs the game is a draw. If the differential is zero, it is a Coalition tactical victory.
30.0 The Battle of Montmirail
A Monument to Glory, 11 February 1814
30.1 Day of Battle Scenario
Blücher had ordered Sacken to return from the direction of Meaux and reunite with him near Champaubert. Sacken set out on the evening of the 10th from La Ferté (10 miles off-map). In order to break through the French position around Montmirail, Sacken aimed his assault south of the high road at Marchais, to follow the banks of the Petit Morin, while Yorck attacked Montmirail from his left. Scherbatov's corps encountered obstinate resistance from Ricard's division in Marchais, finally capturing the village around 11 AM. Marshal Ney with the Young Guard attacked along the high road around 2 PM. As Vassilchikov's cavalry made contact with Yorck in Fontenelle, Sacken began shifting troops to the north. As darkness fell the Prussians still held Fontenelle but Marchais was wrested from Russian hands and the troops south of the high road were made prisoners.
30.11 Duration: 11 February, 9 AM—6 PM (10 turns)
30.12 Mode Cards at Start: 1 French, 2 Coalition
30.13 Bonus Cards, Turn 2: For the individual battle, the Coalition receives 2, the French 3.
30.14 Pontoon Trains: Coalition 1, French 0. Coalition pontoon may not be deployed at start; place it at the end of Sacken's column.
30.2 Alternate Reinforcements:
FRENCH
- #1. Charrière, Marguet, 0131W
COALITION
- #1. I / Warburg, Horn, 3913W
- #2. I / Wilhelm, Schmidt Arty, 3913W.
30.3 Special Rules
30.31 March Orders at Start: The French Player may assign March Orders to any two Friendly Forces. The Coalition Player likewise has 2.
30.32 Destroyed Bridges at Start: none
30.33 Map Area in Play: Set up all units in accordance with the 11th February column of the Initial Set-up. This scenario uses the Montmirail (W) map only. The French entry and Supply Source in hex 1954 are for use in this Battle Scenario only. NOTE: Units starting on the East map and Reinforcement entries specified for the East map apply only to the Campaign game.
30.4 Victory Conditions
The VPs are earned as per 26.1.
30.41 Control: All VP hexes count.
30.42 Exit: If the Coalition Player has the most victory points at the end of the game, his units only need a valid supply line to 3913W to count as exited. (They may theoretically exit at hex 1954 as well, according to Blücher's original orders.) No on-map units may be counted as exited if the Coalition Player doesn't already have a plurality of VPs at the end of play.
30.5 Two-Day Scenario
There is no Approach to Battle scenario (the Champaubert scenario occurs on the 10th; you can play the mini-campaign to connect the two days). Play may continue for a second day, 12 Feb., if both players agree.
30.51 Duration: 11 Feb., 9 AM—12 Feb., 6 PM (30.43)
30.52 Mode Cards at Start: (same as 30.12).
30.53 Alternate Reinforcements: (same as 30.2).
30.54 All other Scenario Information: (same as 30.1–30.4)
31.0 The Battle of Vauchamps
A Drubbing for Blücher, 14 February 1814
31.1 Day of Battle Scenario
With the return of Kapsevitch and Kleist from their parade militaire, Blücher was now in a position to intervene in events. He interpreted the stillness of Marmont's forces before him to mean that Napoleon was heading south against the Army of Bohemia. Napoleon heard of the Prussian advance at 3 AM on the 14th and ordered Ney, the II Cavalry Corps, Friant and Leval's fresh division to march east out of Montmirail. Marmont with Ricard's and Lagrange's divisions held west of Vauchamps, where he was attacked by Zieten at 10 AM. Blücher with Kapzevich and Pirch were still approaching from Champaubert.
31.11 Duration: 14 Feb Noon—Night PM (8 turns)
31.12 Mode Cards at Start: No Mode Cards. Start with 4/6 movement on the first turn and do bonus cards on the second turn as usual.
31.13 Bonus Cards, Turn 2: For the individual battle, the Coalition receives 2, the French 3.
31.14 Pontoon Trains: Coalition 1, French 0. Coalition pontoon may not be deployed at start.
31.2 Alternate Reinforcements:
FRENCH
- #1. Charrière, Marguet, 0140E
COALITION
- #1. II/Klüx, 3653E
31.3 Special Rules
31.31 Exited Units: Units marked on the Set-up as "exited" at start do not afford VPs to either player.
31.32 Destroyed Bridges at Start: none
31.33 March Orders at Start: The French Player may assign two pre-programmed March Orders to any Friendly Forces. The Coalition Player may assign pre-programmed March Orders to up to 3 friendly forces.
31.34 Map Area in Play: Set up all units in accordance with the 14th February column of the Initial Set-up. This scenario uses the entire combined Champaubert (E) and Montmirail (W) map area.
31.35 Demoralized Corps at Start: IX Corps. The French Player scores no VPs for demoralizing the IX.
31.36 Guard Commitment: The French Guard starts with already-committed status (11.3).
31.4 Victory Conditions
The VPs are earned as per 26.1.
31.41 Control: Do NOT score any VP Hexes on the west map section. Ignore all Victory Points printed on the west map. EXCEPTION: Vauchamps (1751) - 5VP
31.42 Exit: If the Coalition Player plays the General Retreat Card (likely) the retreat will be toward 3653E.
32.0 Brienne - La Rothière Mini-Campaign
29 January-1 February, 1814
32.1 Introduction
The Brienne Mini-Campaign consists of the Brienne and La Rothière Battles, played successively in order, with each day's fighting influencing the number of bonus cards you get in the next day.
32.11 Duration: 9AM, January 29th to Feb. 1st—6 PM.
32.12 Mode Cards at Start: same as 27.12.
32.13 Card Deck: During the Night AM turn of 1 February, when you reshuffle the full Main Deck (24.23) return Alt. Reinforcement cards to the deck (25.51).
32.14 Bonus Cards: See 25.13, 32.33
32.2 Initial Set-up
32.21 French Set-up: All French units enter as Reinforcements as shown on the TRC.
32.22 Coalition Set-up: Set up all Coalition units in accordance with the AtB- 29th January column of the Initial Set-up.
32.23 Alternate Reinforcements: For the 29th and 30th use ALT listed at 27.2; for the 31st and 1st use 28.2.
32.24 Map Area in Play: This scenario uses the Brienne/La Rothière map only.
32.25 Reinforcements: Use the Brienne TRC for January 29 and 30, and use the La Rothière TRC for January 31 and February 1.
32.3 Undeclared Truce Days
During the 30th and 31st of January there was no combat as the armies recovered from the fighting, bringing up supplies, ammunition and reinforcements.
32.31 For a more historical and quicker campaign you can simply skip the 30th (draw 2 bonus cards) and 31st of January entirely and move to the next scenario start. Instead of using the historical set-up positions for 1st February, just leave the troops where they were at the end of the Night PM turn and implement the other scenario information as provided in 28.0.
32.32 Reduced Strength Units
Unit listings of ® or eliminated on the Initial Set-up for the 1st of February should be ignored. Your forces available will depend on the outcome of the actual battles that you fought on the 29th and 30th. You will carry your losses forward from the 30th to the 1st.
32.33 If you decide to play-out the 31st, draw two bonus cards on January 31st.
32.4 Campaign Victory Conditions
The running total of Victory Points in both battles is tallied per side, and compared as a ratio. See the "Campaign Ratio" Section of the Victory Worksheet to determine the overall level of victory for the mini-campaign.
32.5 Special Rules
All Special Rules from 27.3 apply.
32.51 Alternate Reinforcements: The Alternate Reinforcements (28.2) are not possible prior to 1 February.
32.52 Destroyed Bridges at Start: none
32.53 Limits on Russian Guard Units (V, GC): May not voluntarily move north of La Rothière (1323).
32.54 March Orders at Start: The French Player may issue March Orders to up to 2 on-map Friendly Forces, and the Coalition Player may issue 2, including mandatory order (27.33).
32.55 Pahlen: The Coalition units of Pahlen's AG Corps become frozen at Night AM of 1 February. The AG Corps may not move unless: (a) They re-enter play as an Alternate Reinforcement; (b) any French unit moves south of La Rothière (1323); or (c) any AG unit is attacked. Unlike a regular Alternate Reinforcement they start on the map. Once released the entire AG Corps or any part may move freely according to the rules of Initiative and Command.
33.0 Champaubert-Montmirail-Vauchamps Mini-Campaign
10-14 February, 1813
33.1 Introduction
The Montmirail Mini-Campaign Game consists of Champaubert, Montmirail and Vauchamps, played successively in order with each day's fighting influencing the number of bonus cards you get in the next day.
33.11 Duration: Night AM, February 10th ending on Feb. 14th—6 PM.
33.12 Mode Cards at Start: same as 29.12.
33.13 Card Deck: same as 29.13; deduct one less Coalition Alt. Reinf. Card No. 29. NOTE: During the Night AM turn of Feb. 11th and again during Night AM of Feb. 13th, when you reshuffle the full Main Deck (24.23) return Alt. Reinforcement cards to the deck (25.51).
33.14 Bonus Cards: See 25.13, 33.33
33.2 Initial Set-up
33.21 French Set-up
Set up all French units in accordance with the 10th February column of the Initial Set-up.
33.22 Coalition Set-up
Set up all Coalition units in accordance with the 10th February column of the Initial Set-up (29.37).
33.23 Reduced Strength Units
The units to set-up at reduced strength are listed with an ® on the Initial Set-up.
33.24 Alternate Reinforcements:
For February 10th use ALT listed at 29.2. For February 11th and 12th use 30.2. For February 13th and 14th use 31.2.
33.25 Map Area in Play: This scenario uses the entire combined Champaubert (E) and Montmirail (W) map area. Hex 0154 on the West map is the same as hex 0101 on the East map. The Supply Source at 1954W should be ignored.
33.26 Reinforcements:
Use the Champaubert TRC for February 10, the Montmirail TRC for February 11 and 12, and the Vauchamps TRC for February 13 and 14.
33.3 Undeclared Truce Days
During the 12th of February there was no combat as the French were delayed reconstructing the bridge at Château Thierry.
33.31 For a more historical and quicker campaign you can simply skip the 12th and 13th of February entirely and move to the next scenario start for the 14th. Instead of using the historical set-up positions for the 14th, just leave the troops where they were at the end of the 6 PM turn and implement the other scenario information as provided in 31.0.
33.32 Reduced Strength Units
Units listed ® or eliminated on the Initial Set-up for the 14th should be ignored. The strength will depend on the outcome of the actual battles that you fought on the 10th and 11th. You will carry your losses forward from the 11th to the 14th.
33.33 Bonus Cards: If you decide to play-out the 12th and 13th, draw two bonus cards on the 12th and two on the 13th.
33.4 Mini-Campaign Victory Conditions
The running total of Victory Points in all battles is tallied per side, and compared as a ratio. See the "Campaign Ratio" Section of the Victory Worksheet to determine the level of victory for the mini-campaign (29.41, 29.42).
33.5 Special Rules
Use Special Rules from 29.3—use both maps (33.23).
33.51 General Retreat: Coalition Forces that declare a General Retreat (26.3) may exit at 3913W and/or 3653E. French General Retreats are via French Supply Sources (20.51). A General Retreat only applies to friendly units on one map section, and either player may declare one per map section.
33.52 Pursuit off Map: If Coalition units exit from 3913W, and a path free of Coalition units and their ZOCs will allow it, a number of French units must also exit from the same hex. Exit at least the same amount of units as the Coalition exits, but not more than the number of units shown as "exited" at start on 14-Feb. (You don't have to belabor the French units to the exit; just remove them from their current position at the end of the day.)
33.53 March Orders at Start: The French Player may issue March Orders to up to 1 on-map Friendly Force, and the Coalition Player has one pre-programmed order (not 2) for Sacken's entire column to march to Haute Epine (1125W).
33.54 Controlled entry of Coalition Forces: (only if NOT using the cards). Starting with the Coalition Command Phase of the February 10th, 8 AM Turn, the Coalition Player rolls the dice, to attempt to enter Blücher with bridge train, Kleist and Kapzevitch. Roll 2 d6: on a result of "2" (or less) these forces are deployed on the map at 3653E. If necessary roll again every Coalition Command movement Segment until arrival. On following days these dice rolls are modified by subtracting from the total as follows: February 13, -1; February 14, -2.
34.0 The Grand Campaign Game
29 January–14 February, 1814
34.1 Introduction
The Campaign Game is the "Link Game," consisting of the Brienne Mini-Campaign and Montmirail Mini-Campaign, played successively in order.
34.11 Duration: Noon, Jan. 29th ending on Feb. 14—6PM.
34.12 Mode Cards at Start: same as 27.12 and 29.12. Mode Cards will be drawn on the first turn of 29 January and again on 10 February.
34.13 Card Deck: During the Night AM turn of Feb. 1st, Feb. 11th and Feb. 13th, when you reshuffle the full Main Deck (24.23) return Alt. Reinforcement cards to the deck (25.51).
34.14 Bonus Cards: Same as 29.13 (34.3)
34.2 Initial Set-up
To start the Grand Campaign, use the AtB January 29th set-up on the Brienne map (32.2). At the conclusion of the Night PM turn of 1 February, the action moves to the Montmirail-Champaubert maps. The following steps are needed to prepare for the next series of battles starting on February 10th.
34.21 Force Structure: Assemble your forces that remain on the La Rothière map. The following forces do not play a part in the battles of 10-14 February. Remove all units and leaders of the • Army of Bohemia, • French II Corps, • French Reserve Corps, and • French V Cavalry Corps. ALT: The two Young Guard brigades of the French 2 Tir—Charrière and Marguet—may arrive as Alternate Reinforcements. Transfer all other surviving forces of both sides onto the E map or the Turn Record Track for the coming battles, according to their position on the Initial set-up for 10 February (33.2).
34.22 Reduced Strength Units: Listings of ® or "eliminated" on the Initial Set-up for February 10th should be ignored. The actual units to be reduced or PEU will be those that are reduced or PEU at the end of play on 1 February (34.23).
34.23 Replacements: During the Start Phase for February 10th, all units remaining in the UAR box are automatically reorganized (at their reduced strength). Both players then invert any reduced-strength units of their choice, up to a total increase in strength of 6 SPs of infantry and 4 SPs of cavalry (in addition to any replacements received from Card No. 4). Replacements are not subject to the rules of Reorganization (22.2). Any baggage trains and vedettes that have been eliminated up to that point will also return to play. Any leaders that have been captured remain out of play. Formations without officers get a replacement leader.
34.24 Alternate Reinforcements: For the 29th and 30th use ALT listed at 27.2; for the 31st and 1st use 28.2; for the 10th use 29.2; for the 11th and 12th, 30.2; and for the 13th and 14th, use 31.2.
34.3 Undeclared Truce Days
(Same as 32.3 and 33.3)
34.4 Campaign Victory Conditions
The running total of Victory Points in all battles played is tallied per side, and compared as a ratio. See the "Campaign Ratio" Section of the Victory Worksheet to determine the overall level of victory for the campaign.
34.5 Special Rules
Use Special Rules from 32.5 and 33.5 and use both maps (33.23). The Special Rules only apply during the appropriate mini-campaign by which they are listed.
Historical Notes
Louis Bélanger and Kevin Zucker
Reorganization
Between the Battle of Hanau—the last clash of the campaign in Germany—and the Battle of Brienne, his first battle on French soil, the Emperor had just 90 days to prepare the defenses of France. Before this daunting task was in any way fulfilled, he was forced to leave Paris and join the troops.
25 January, Tuesday, 3 A.M.
After having burned all his private papers, and embraced his wife and his son for the last time, Napoleon left the Tuileries to join the army. [1]
Napoleon arrived the same evening at Chalons-sur-Marne. [2] He found there Berthier [the chief of staff], Kellermann, still charged with the administration of the depôts, and Marshals Marmont and Ney.
French Forces, 25 January 1814 [3]
| Formation | Strength |
|---|---|
| Victor, II Corps, Milhaud's V Cavalry Corps | 14,747 men between Vitry and St. Dizier |
| Marmont, VI Corps, Doumerc's I Cavalry Corps | 12,051 including Lagrange's infantry at Vitry le Brulé; and Ricard's division marching from St. Menehould to Vitry |
| Ney, Young Guard | 14,505 men; Meunier, Decouz, and Rottembourg's divisions and Lefebvre-Desnoettes's cavalry, at Châlons and Vitry |
Mortier with 12,000 men of the Guard was at Troyes. Dufour's division of the Paris Reserve was at Arcis-sur-Aube on his way to join the Emperor. Further west, along the Yonne, Allix had 2,800 men between Sens and Auxerre.
At Paris two divisions of the Young Guard were being formed, and some new infantry battalions; several divisions of the army of Spain were advancing by the Bordeaux road; and Macdonald was coming at last, through the Ardennes, with 12,000 men. [4]
On the morning of the 26th, Napoleon advanced towards Vitry. Lefebvre-Desnoettes had joined him with 1700 light cavalry of the guard, [5] with some thousand infantry, either of the young guard or battalions drawn from the depôts. [6]
27 January, Thursday
"The weather was frosty, his army was full of enthusiasm, his artillery well-mounted, and by this road through the forest he could be at Brienne in two marches." [7] The Emperor resolved upon "a bold attempt to prevent the juncture of Blücher and Schwarzenberg and to defeat them separately." Officers were summoned to carry the orders necessary to put this plan into effect. On the evening of the 27th, the Emperor sent from Saint-Dizier officers toward Arcis-sur-Aube and Troyes carrying orders directing Mortier to approach him so as to form, from the 29th, the right of the army. These dispatches, entrusted to Colonel Bénard were being sent directly into the path of Blücher's oncoming cossack partisans.
28 January, 6 AM, Blücher's HQ
From Bar-sur-Aube, Blücher advanced on Brienne, Lesmont, and Arcis, intending to cut down the bridges of the Aube. [8] From his headquarters at Brienne he ordered his numerous cavalry to scout ahead.
Blücher thought the French move on Vitry was no more than a reconnaissance in force, to determine the direction of march of the Army of Silesia—whether it moved on Paris or Châlons. Then news arrived that "the enemy had driven Lanskoy from Saint-Dizier and had continued through Eurville-Bienville." At this, Blücher cautiously recalled the cavalry he had detached, awaiting further developments before revising his plans.
Boulancourt, 8 AM
The light cavalry of General Piré met, beyond Boulancourt, a polk of 300 Cossacks who, after trying to hold the entrance of the defile, were charged by the 3rd Hussars and thrown back with loss into the defile.
Arcis-sur-Aube, 10 AM
The partisans of Major General Scherbatov captured Lieutenant-Colonel Bénard on his way into town. His scouts then handed Blücher a detailed and valuable document: the dispatch from Berthier to Bordesoulle, which forced Blücher to see the actual situation, resources, and intentions of Napoleon. [9]
Movements of the IVth Corps on Bar-sur-Aube
Schwarzenberg ordered the Crown Prince of Württemberg to bring his cavalry on Maisons and Fresnay the 29th, to cover the right of the Army of Silesia and the road from Doulevant to Bar-sur-Aube, and come with the bulk of his corps between Ailleville and Trannes.
The IIIrd Corps (Gyulai) had made room in Bar-sur-Aube, by passing onto the left bank of the river, allowing the Crown Prince to move on the morning of the 28th from Bar.
29 January, Saturday—Montierender
Napoleon left Montierender for Brienne. "Napoleon settled on this course, to prevent the junction of the Prussians with the Austrian army, save Troyes, and bring down his first blows on his bitterest enemy." [10] By choosing the shortest route from Saint-Dizier to Troyes, through the forest of Der, a difficult crossroad, he could be at Brienne in two marches, and join together with Mortier for a decisive skirmish with his Prussian opponent.
The soldiers found now, as on the evening before, much difficulty in marching on roads broken up by the rains. The Emperor's move on Brienne was partly psychological. He wished to encourage his marshals with a short offensive, to impart a fresh sense of resolve after their long demoralizing retreat.
March of the French Army on Brienne
Blücher waited in the positions of Brienne and Lesmont for a certain attack. Schwarzenberg's staff were fixated on the possibility of a move by Napoleon from Saint-Dizier on Joinville and Chaumont, and diverted forces from the actual battlefield against the possibility of a move against their lines of communication.
The Emperor, believing the bridge of Lesmont destroyed, still expected Mortier to join his right that evening with Bordesoulle and Colbert, unaware of the fact that his dispatches had been captured.
3 PM, Bois d'Ajoux
Grouchy, commanding the cavalry of the army, and Lefebvre-Desnoettes that of the guard, having debouched by the wood of Anjou, discovered in a slightly undulated plain the cavalry of Count Pahlen, supported by some light battalions of Scherbatow. [11]
No sooner did Lefebvre-Desnoettes recognise the squadrons of Count Pahlen than he rushed upon them with his light cavalry, and forced them to fall back on the battalions of Scherbatow, that were formed in squares. The Russian cavalry had taken shelter behind these battalions, and placed themselves on the right of the enemy's line, consequently facing our left. During this time Olsufief had deployed his forces in front of the town, and the Sacken corps, arrested in its retrograde movement, had taken up a position beside Olsufief, in order to protect Brienne, which it was most important to occupy, that the Prussian park of artillery might defile in safety.
The French infantry being still entangled in the wood, Napoleon was obliged to cannonade the Russian line with his 120 guns, and during more than two hours hostilities were limited to an exchange of bullets, which could not be other than destructive. At length Ney (with 2 divisions of Young Guard) and Victor (less Duhesme–with the VI Corps) began to debouch, and Napoleon ordered an instant attack. Victor had left the Duhesme division with Marmont, and Ney had only two weak divisions of the guards; we had on our side at the utmost from 10,000 to 11,000 infantry, and 6000 cavalry. Blücher had at least 30,000 men. Still, Napoleon did not hesitate, for it was no longer a question of numbers, but of time. He sent Ney straight forward on Brienne with two columns. [12]
We had very few of the old troops; the young guard consisted of conscripts, scarcely clothed, and who had never fired a musket. But they were drafted into the skeletons of the old regiments, and led on by Marshal Ney.
The feeble column of Victor that Napoleon had sent forward on the road to Bar, in order to threaten Blücher's line of retreat, was confronted by the entire Russian cavalry, which had been brought up on this side, whilst ours was on the opposite. Suddenly attacked by several thousand cavalry, Victor's infantry were taken by surprise and forced to fall back. [13]
Footnotes: [1] "The History of Napoleon Bonaparte" by John S.C. Abbott (pp. 359-60). [2] A distance of 100 miles on good roads—the journey took about 24 hours. Petre says he arrived "early on the 26th," one may suppose, at a few hours after midnight, after stopping briefly in Chateau Thierry. [3] Petre, p. 17 [4] Thiers, p. 385, with Sebastiani, V and XI Corps, marching from Mézières to St. Menehould with 10,000 or 11,000 men. [5] Thiers writes 3000 Guard Cavalry. [6] Thiers, p. 385. [7] Weil [8] It appears that Lieven's Corps remained behind, near Trannes. See Grouchy's report dated 28 January at Dienville. [9] Shcherbatov, Nicholay Grigorjevich. In 1814 he commanded four weak cossack regiments that were operating as partisans against enemy communications. Although his brigade was briefly engaged by French cavalry on 28 January, no combat unit has been included in the game. Shcherbatov was wounded and succeeded in command of the four regiments by Seslavin in early February. [10] FAIN, Manuscript of 1814. [11] Thiers, pp. 390-91. [12] Thiers, p. 391. [13] Thiers, p. 391.
But at this very moment Victor's brigade that had been despatched towards the right, succeeded in turning Brienne, forced their way through the château park, attacked and carried the castle itself. Blücher and his staff narrowly escaped being made prisoners, but the son of Chancellor Hardenberg was captured.
The enemy had left in our hands about 4000 men, either killed or wounded. On our side about 3000 were put hors de combat. But as we remained masters of the battlefield, our wounded could not be reckoned as lost. [14] This outcome gave a boost to the morale of the French troops.
30 January, Sunday
Prince Schwarzenberg put all his corps in motion on both banks of the Aube. Blücher had retired a little behind Rothière, on the woody heights of Trannes.
He placed his right, composed of Bavarians, at Eclance, a little beyond Trannes, and sent orders to Wittgenstein, who had already reached St. Dizier, to advance as quickly as possible to Soulaines. The Yorck Corps, that had been left before Metz, also received orders to repair to St. Dizier. [15] Lastly, in the center, where the Prince of Wurttemberg and General Gyulai had already come to the support of Blücher, he placed, as a last reinforcement, the Russian and Prussian guards.
The whole comprised, consequently, 170,000 men, of whom 100,000 were concentrated round Rothière. Opposed to these troops was Napoleon, with one wing on the Aube, the other on the woody heights of Anjou. [16]
31 January, Monday
Calculating on the temerity of Napoleon, on his headlong impulses, the allies thought it possible that he might take the initiative, and they were willing to allow him to do so, for they were placed on the wooded plains of Trannes and Eclance, and it would be to their advantage to await him there. The entire 31st of January was passed in this expectation. [17]
1 February, Tuesday
Marshal Blücher, to prevent delay, doubled the number of horses to each piece of artillery; but this precaution obliged him to leave half his artillery behind. He employed the morning in passing from Trannes to Rothière. The plan of operation agreed on was as follows: Marshal Blücher was, with Sacken, Olsufief, Scherbatow, and Pahlen, to attack and take Rothière—which appeared to him easy, for there was no obstacle but a village, situated in the midst of a wide plain. During this time General Gyulai was to advance on Dienville, to carry the bridge of the Aube, that supported Napoleon's right wing, whilst the Prince of Wurttemberg, acting on the opposite side through the woods of Eclance, was to carry Giberie and Chaumeuil, small villages connected with the wood of Anjou, where Napoleon had placed his left wing. Lastly, Marshal Wrede was to attack his left wing, formed by Marmont's corps. Behind the 70,000 men who were to be engaged in this manner, the Russian and Prussian guards were to march as a reserve, which would increase the number of combatants to 100,000. [18]
About the middle of the day Napoleon learned from some fugitives and from the manifest dispositions of the enemy, that he was about to be attacked in front, at Rothière. Once convinced of this fact, it would not have been consistent with his temperament, nor would it have been good tactics, to retire. He resolved to make head against the storm, and warmly receive the expected attack, and to retire afterwards, when he should have shown that he was neither discouraged nor conquered.
Napoleon had placed his right wing at Dienville on the Aube, where the Dufour division was posted under General Gerard, and the Ricard division, detached from Marmont's corps. His centre, formed of Victor's troops, was posted at Rothière, intersecting the highroad, and extending as far as Giberie; his left was drawn up in front of the wood of Anjou, protected by the stream and village of Morvilliers. This last, composed of Marmont's corps, which at this moment was reduced to the Lagrange division, did not number more than 4000 men.
General Gyulai, received at first, like Blücher, by a strong cannonade, was not more successful, and endeavored in vain to enter the town himself. He lost a great number of soldiers. He transported the Fresnel brigade to the left bank of the Aube by the Unienville bridge situated a little higher up. This brigade, after having crossed the Aube and arrived before Dienville, found the bridge barricaded, and themselves exposed to a brisk musketry fire from a multitude of sharpshooters that lay ambushed along the bank of the river. [19]
The Hardegg Division, which had completed its deployment, was able to bypass Petit-Morvilliers, while the Bavarian division of General La Motte and the cavalry brigade of Colonel von Diez were forming on his left and at the same level. The division of Rechberg covered by the cavalry of Diez and that of Vieregg, headed to the farm of Beauvoir, and removed after a most fierce fight, the brigade of Joubert and forced it to fall back on the farm of Bouillenrupt. [20] Despite the efforts of the Bavarian cavalry, which took three cannons, the brigade managed to take a stand and cover the edge of Chaumesnil.
While the division Rechberg took the farm of Beauvoir, Hardegg had advanced on Morvilliers that the taking of Beauvoir made even more untenable.
The Emperor Alexander sent a brigade of his guards to second the attack on Giberie. The conflict then became terrible. The Sacken columns entered Rothière and were driven back; they again forced their way in, having only to contend with the Duhesme division, which did not at the most amount to more than 5000 men. This division, led on by Marshal Victor in person, did not abandon the post until half their number was cut to pieces. During this time, in order to occupy the space between Rothière and Giberie, the cavalry of the guard, followed by their artillery threw themselves on the cavalry of Pahlen and Wassiltchikow. But arrested by the Russian infantry, and charged in flank by a corps of dragoons, they lost in this affair some of their cannon that they had not time to bring away. The Prince of Wurttemberg, supported by the Russian guards, entered Giberie; and the Bavarians, on their side, ashamed of seeing their progress arrested by Marmont's few soldiers, at length crossed the stream that stood in their way, carried the village of Morvilliers, and debouched into the plain.
Napoleon ordered the two divisions of the young guards, his last resource, to advance rapidly on the enemy's two principal points. He ordered the Rottenburg division, under Marshal Oudinot, to advance on Rothière, and overturn every obstacle in the way, whilst he himself took the command of the Meunier division, and advanced to the left, between Marmont, who had fallen back on the village of Chaumeuil, and Victor, who had lost Giberie. [21]
Night was already far advanced; the men fought desperately hand to hand in the village, and it was ten at night, when the enemy could no longer molest our retreat, that the heroic Oudinot fell back from Rothière on Brienne. Our retrograde movement was executed in good order, covered by the divisions of the young guard and Milhaud's dragoons. The quantity of artillery was too great in proportion to the infantry to be protected, and therefore after using the cannon we abandoned them, but saved the gunners and horses. [22]
We lost about 5000 men killed or wounded and put hors de combat 8000 or 9000 of the enemy, thanks to the advantage of our position and the extensive use of our artillery. We sacrificed fifty pieces of artillery, but saved our artillerymen and horses.
Château de Brienne, 11 P.M.
Reluctantly, Napoleon ordered a retreat to Troyes by the bridge at Lesmont. Orders were issued late that evening; the delicate operation would start during the dark of night. Each corps was to cross the Aube River and deploy en bataille on the left bank, Maréchal Victor on the right. Though disaster had been avoided, the withdrawal was difficult, though in relatively good order, due to the weather. The gloom, suffering and privations, lead to many desertions.
2 February, Wednesday – 8 A.M.
The Allied pursuit was not pressed vigorously. The Allies timidly started going forward at the late winter dawn. After receiving reports from the avant-postes confirming that the French were retreating, general Wrede and the prince of Württemberg set their respective corps in motion. On the French right, near Lesmont, two young Guards division (Meunier and Decouz) were to take a defensive position to allow the cavalry to regroup and cross the bridge.
Château de Brienne, 9 A.M.
On the morrow of the battle of Rothière, the allies held at Brienne a grand council, to consider what advantage they could draw from Napoleon's position, which seemed to them desperate. It was not to a force of 30,000 men they had supposed him reduced after the battle of Rothière, but from 40,000 to 50,000, amounting—with those of Mortier—to perhaps 70,000, and with these numbers, so far above the reality, they thought him lost, provided as they said, they did not commit any gross faults. After many discussions, the following plan of operations was resolved on.
The Corps of Yorck had been left before Metz, the Langeron before Mayence, that of Kleist before Erfurt. These corps, replaced by others, and ready to advance to the Marne, comprised that of Yorck, which numbered 18,000 men; that of Langeron, 8000 (only the half of this corps was disposable); that of Kleist, 10,000—that is to say, about 36,000 men, without reckoning St. Priest's corps, and diverse detachments of Bernadotte's, which were all at this moment falling back towards Belgium. It was agreed that Blücher should add these with more than 20,000 men still under his command, which would raise to about 60,000 the ancient army of Silesia, and give it an independent position.
The Tsar, the Prussian King, Schwarzenberg, Blücher, Barclay de Tolly and all their chiefs of staff agreed to divide the armies into two columns, to advance in parallel – independently – on Paris. The Army of Silesia, under Blücher, was to progress in the valley of the Marne while the Army of Bohemia, under Schwarzenberg's direct command, would proceed along the Seine. The Russian corps of Wittgenstein would move in the centre and cover the 80 km gap between the two main armies, to keep communications open between them. The old hussar, Blücher, will soon hurry forward with his army while the more cautious Schwarzenberg will proceed gradually and hesitantly.
Napoleon anticipated these temperamental differences between his two opponents: "I will be tomorrow at Troyes. It would be possible that the army of Blücher will be directed between the Marne and the Aube Rivers, in the area of Vitry and Chalons. From Troyes, depending on the circumstances, I could operate to delay the movement of the column that is leading toward Paris from Sens, or I could return to manoeuvre on Blücher and delay his advance." [23]
3 February, Thursday—Lesmont
During the night we crossed the bridge of Lesmont. We left Marmont's corps, which was only composed of the Lagrange division, on the right of the Aube and on the heights of Perthes, so as to make Blücher believe that the entire French army was there ready to renew the combat. This corps did not run any serious risk, for it was protected by the narrow but deep Voire [a branch of this stream is visible on the game map edge, near Lassicourt], and held all the bridges, behind which the men were sure to find refuge. [24]
Footnotes: [14] Thiers, p. 393. [15] Yorck had been relieved in the blockade of Metz by Borosdin, detached from the blockade of Mayence. Petre, p. 18n. [16] Thiers, p. 403. [17] Thiers, p. 403. [18] Thiers, p. 404. [19] Thiers, p. 406. [20] Bouillenrupt farm (2220), Beauvoir farm (2218). [21] Thiers, p. 407. [22] Thiers, p. 408. [23] Napoléon au général Clarke, Duc de Feltre, Piney, 2 février 1814, Corr. 21169. [24] Thiers, p. 408.
The Six Days Campaign
9 February, Wednesday
Marching at equal distance from the Marne and the Aube, Blücher had sent Sacken forward through Fère Champenoise and Montmirail, and followed with Olsufief, Kleist, and Kapsevitch.
Macdonald had retired to Meaux, followed by General Yorck with 18,000 men at Chateau-Thierry on the Marne; Sacken with 20,000 Russians on the Montmirail road; Olsufief at Etoges; Blücher with 10,000 men of Kleist and 8,000 of Kapsevitch—these latter constituting the larger part of Langeron's corps. Here were at least 60,000 men dispersed between Chatillon and Ferte-sous-Jourarre, a part on the Marne, and part on the road that separates the Aube from the Marne, known as the "Little Paris Road." [25]
Sézanne, evening
The roads leading to Sezanne were awful. Napoléon wrote to Joseph: "I'm upset by the roads; they are affreux, there is six feet of mud." [26] The artillery is struggling to keep up. Nonetheless, Napoleon ordered the concentration of his troops at Sézanne. Arrived very late in that city, the Emperor found a letter announcing that Marmont, without instructions to do so, had withdrawn on Chapton, south of the Petit-Morin.
10 February, Thursday – Saint-Prix, dawn
Somewhat apprehensively, Marmont set out to cross the Petit Morin; his avant-guard galloped over the bridge at Saint-Prix at dawn. [27] To his surprise, the opposing heights were not occupied by Russians. Napoleon's aide-de-camp de Segur observed, "It would only have taken two battalions and a battery to stop any enemy." [28] (Some accounts have Napoleon present in person to supervise the advance.) After crossing the bridge, the cavalry of general Doumerc turned left towards Bannay, and encountered some Russian outposts. Marmont's two infantry divisions, under Ricard and Lagrange, quickly followed. But their guns and wagons were still coming up through the mud.
The local authorities, when called on, promised to assemble all the horses of the country. The peasants, animated by the best sentiments, and above all, exasperated by the presence of the enemy, thronged in crowds, and at ten in the morning were ready between Sézanne and the Petit-Morin to aid with their hands and horses. [29]
The bivouacs of the Russian IX Corps clustered around the villages of Champaubert and Baye. Further west, Bannay had not been occupied in force. Realizing the mistake, general Olsufiev ordered general Udom II to retake the bridge of Saint-Prix. Four regiments of Jägers (10th, 38th, 12th and 22nd) and 6 cannons moved south.
Immediately the brigade of general Pelleport deployed on the small plateau to the west of the road leading to Baye, above Saint-Prix. Brigade Joubert was left in support, while Division Ricard occupied the road leading to Champaubert.
General Udom II brought approximately 1400 Jägers to face the whole of Marmont's corps. At three against one, without cavalry, there was no question of repelling the French, much less retaking the bridge. The Russian detachment fell back on Baye, skirmishing and occupying the neighbouring wood.
Russian IX Corps, Champaubert
| Unit | Strength |
|---|---|
| Udom II | 6 battalions |
| Kornilov | 6 battalions |
| Artillery | 24 guns |
| Total | 4500 men |
12:00 P.M. Noon
Ney arrived on the battlefield with divisions Meunier (YG) and Friant (OG). Napoleon orders Ney to deploy on the left—the only field of manoeuvre—behind division Lagrange. The artillery is directed toward Bannay. Facing the village it unlimbered into battery.
With a strong reserve now available, Marmont attacked Baye. He had already deployed the 113e de ligne in tirailleurs, securing the wood on the left side of the road. Ricard led the attack on the village, while Lagrange supported his left, moving on Bannay. Toward 1:30 P.M., Baye was securely in French hands.
Montpertuis, 2:00 P.M.
General Udom II rallied his troops to take a new position; forming a line extending from the wood of Baye on his right, passing by the farm of Hannoterie and the hamlet of Montpertuis in the center, as far as the wood of Malet and the farm of Andecy on his extreme left. Udom II had only four regiments of jägers and the Riajski and Yakutski regiments – 6 battalions in total. Given his limited strength, this line of approximately 2.5 km was too long.
To cover a retreat, the brigade of Poltoratskiy—comprising the Apcheronski and Nachebourski regiments and nine pieces of artillery—occupied Champaubert with an order to hold fast to the last cartridge. The remainder of the artillery started out en route to Étoges.
Bannay, 3:00 P.M.
Lagrange launched several attacks on Bannay. Eventually supported by the two divisions of Ney and plenty of guns, [30] he manages to drive out the enemy.
After a five hours journey from Sézanne, the guard cavalry arrive in front of the village of Baye and continue en route to Champaubert without being engaged.
Champaubert, 4:00 P.M.
Outflanked on both sides, general Udom II and Kornilov retreat in the direction of Champaubert, where the Poltoratskiy brigade is entrenched. Olsufiev realizes that it will be impossible to hold the position and decides to retreat in the direction of Étoges. However, Ricard's infantry has followed closely the movement of Udom II toward Champaubert, and it is not possible to break contact. Even worse, Maurin's cavalry, charging aggressively, has cut the road linking Champaubert with Étoges.
Losses at Champaubert, 10 February
| Loss | Amount |
|---|---|
| Russian killed, prisoners | 3000 |
| Russian guns | 9 |
| French losses | 400 |
There was never any doubt about the outcome. For once during the campaign, Napoléon enjoyed the advantage of numbers. In addition, he had a large cavalry force facing an opponent without any horsemen. It was not even necessary to commit the troops brought on the field by Marshal Ney. At most, Olsufiev could have saved more of his army by making an early retreat; Sacken was not very far from Montmirail, the French would not have pursued vigorously.
The battle of Champaubert was no sooner finished, then, when major general Berthier ordered general Nansouty, commander of the Guard cavalry, to go to Montmirail: "The Emperor orders you, with the 1st and 2nd cavalry division of the Guard and an infantry brigade of the VI Corps, to bivouac this night at Montmirail. You may surprise the garrison with the assistance of the local populace, and push parties in the direction of Vieux-Maisons. You will give the order to the 2nd cavalry division of the Old-Guard to depart at three o'clock in the morning with the whole headquarters, in order to arrive at eight o'clock in the morning at Montmirail." [31]
The division Ricard will follow during the night: "from tomorrow at 3 o'clock in the morning the division Ricard, with its cavalry [sic], will go to Montmirail..."
Vertus, evening (HQ Blücher)
Blücher had received orders from Schwarzenberg at the same moment that he learned of the arrival of Napoleon at Sézanne, and he did not know what to do. General Gneisenau was of one opinion, General Muffling of another. They had tried to induce Sacken to come back, passing through the French columns. An order that offered no special means of safety was to fall back on Montmirail, or to take refuge behind the Marne with General Yorck, should the danger be so great as was said. If on the contrary, they had been alarmed without cause, Sacken was authorised to set out in pursuit of Macdonald, passing through Ferté-sous-Jouarre, towards Paris. On receiving intelligence of the sudden appearance of Napoleon, Sacken, instead of retiring behind the Marne, retraced his steps, in order to have the honour of fighting the Emperor of the French, and had invited General Yorck to cross the Marne at Chateau-Thierry, and advance along the Montmirail route to witness or assist at his triumph [32] to "be in a condition to carve out the path to Vertus in the case where the enemy would be established between the two army corps and the field-marshal." [33]
11 February, Friday, Montmirail, Midnight
The Guard cavalry of Nansouty dispersed the Cossacks in Montmirail. Without stopping, they grabbed the junction of roads from Meaux and Chateau Thierry. Reconnaissances were sent in all directions. The roads were in a pitiful state; the soil was completely soaked. The cavalrymen have covered nearly 65 km since the morning in particularly difficult conditions (3.5 km/hr. for 18 hours).
Following the cavalry closely, general de brigade Fournier's infantrymen deployed outposts on a line starting from the bois de Courmont, passing through les Greneaux to Plénois.
Russian Forces at Montmirail
| Corps | Divisions | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| VIth Corps | 7th & 18th Divisions | 12 battalions |
| XIth Corps | 10th, 16th (det.) & 27th Divisions | 14 battalions |
| Cavalry Corps* | 2nd Hussars & 3rd Dragoon Divisions | 3000 sabres |
| Artillery | 8 batteries | |
| Total | 17000 men |
*Not including about 2000 Cossacks who did not show up on the battlefield.
General Sacken's intention was simple: overthrow the French and join Blücher. To do so, he deployed the 7th and 18th Infantry divisions to the south of the chaussée on the heights of L'Épine-aux-Bois with the objective of seizing the village of Marchais. On the north of the chaussée, general Lieven III's 10th and 27th divisions must seize the farms around la Chaise.
Footnotes: [25] Thiers, p. 434-35. [26] Napoléon à Joseph, Corr. 21228. [27] February, the sun rises after 7:00 A.M and it is completely dark at around 5:00 P.M. [28] Segur, p. 66. [29] Thiers, p. 436. [30] Pelleport, Memoires (p. 103): "the infantry of the VI Corps was perfectly supported by the cavalry and artillery of the prince of the Moskowa." By contrast, Marmont said "No troops other than mine were engaged." [31] Registre de Berthier, in Colin, p.335. [32] Thiers, p. 439. [33] Weil, II, p.187.
Marchais, 11:00 A.M.
A vanguard of about 2000 men, constituting the Pskov, Vladimir, Tambov and Kostroma regiments plus two companies of the 11th Jagers and a battery of artillery, moved to Marchais. Given the state of the soil, the artillery couldn't follow off-road, and remained behind. The village was not defended in force by the French and fell easily.
Haute-Épine, 11:00 A.M.
The XIth Russian corps changed front, remaining close to the road, passing through Vieils-Maisons and then Haute-Épine. Its vanguard grabbed the farms of Les Chouteaux, Les Greneaux and La Chaise. Here too, the French outposts gained time without offering serious resistance. The first line of the XIth corps remained on that position without continuing forward, awaiting the troops that had not yet joined.
A second Russian line is formed on each side of the chaussée, the bulk of the 10th division of general Sass to the south, and the 27th division of general Stavitzki to the north. A battery was deployed on the extreme left of the infantry line. The rest of the artillery remains in reserve. To the left of the XIth corps, 3000 cavalrymen of general Vasiltchikov take position.
La Dorgeaterie, 11:00 A.M.
Napoleon arrives on the battlefield and immediately dispatches Guyot's division to strengthen Nansouty. Three guard cavalry divisions are now in front of the Russian cavalry of general Vasiltchikow. The opposing horsemen are watching each other.
Le Tremblay, noon
Reinforced by his second brigade, General Ricard's 8e division now has approximately 1800 men, but unlike the Russians, it has the benefit of an artillery battery. Ricard launches an initial counter-attack on the village.
The VIth Russian corps will attack this position in several waves. Approximately 5000 men will successively be added to the 2000 men of the vanguard but in such a manner that they never fully benefit from their numerical superiority.
Viffort, noon
General Yorck with the 1. Infantry-Brigade of von Pirch II and the 7. Infantry-Brigade of von Horn moves in the direction of Fontenelle. The cavalry of Jürgass precedes the infantry.
Le Tremblay, 2:00 P.M.
General Ricard's division, severely reduced, regroups at Le Tremblay to prepare the defense of that village.
The situation of the French becomes critical. Reports from the north of the battlefield indicate the presence of Prussians at Fontenelle. In the center and south, the Russian infantry threaten to overwhelm their weak opponent. Napoleon may have about 5000 infantry facing three times that number. Through sheer weight of numbers, the allies threaten to destroy the small French army. However, for obscure reasons, the allies are dogged by slowness.
La Dorgeaterie, 3:00 P.M.
The head of Maréchal Mortier's column arrives, quickly followed by Michel's 2e division d'infanterie de la Garde and the Gardes d'honneur cavalry division of general Defrance. The Emperor draws two battalions to support general Ricard in front of Marchais.
In the meantime, general Guyot has received the order to report to the Emperor, with the brigade of general d'Autancourt. This cavalry will support the attack of maréchal Ney. As soon as the latter reaches les Greneaux, d'Autancourt charges with the Old Guard Dragoons. The Grenadiers are held in reserve with Guyot.
Fontenelle, 3:30 P.M.
To the north, the vanguard of the Prussian corps has started to arrive. His center shaken, Sacken decides to retire toward Château-Thierry. He orders his two Russian corps to withdraw to La Haute-Épine and then to join the Prussians. This manoeuvre proves a difficult task: the Russians must skirmish to keep the French Garde away, but they have to constantly deploy in square to withstand the cavalry charges while not leaving any artillery stuck in the wet ground.
La Motte, 3:30 A.M
Wishing to take full advantage of the disorder now prevailing in the Russian line, the Emperor released the Gardes d'honneur for a charge between the wood of Courmont and the chaussée. The Russians formed squares, while continuing to retire. Several squares were broken by the combined action of infantry and cavalry.
Marchais, 4:00 P.M.
To the south of the field of battle, a new order for retaking Marchais has been sent. The remnants of division Ricard reinforced by two Old Guard battalions, with maréchal Lefebvre and general Bertrand at their head, give the assault.
La Grange en Chart, 4:00 P.M.
Yorck orders the attack on the farms of La Grange-in-Chart and Les Greneaux. In the first line are the 1.Ostpreußischen Grenadier-Bataillon, the Westpreußischen Grenadier-Bataillon and three battalions of the 5. Schlesisches Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment. Five other battalions are kept in reserve. This manoeuvre may isolate general Friant's division in La Meulnière.
However, maréchal Mortier was now deploying a part of Michel's division in front of the advancing Prussians while a screen of tirailleurs took position at the edge of the bois Clot in the southwest of Plénois. Nansouty also provided a few squadrons of cavalry in support.
Losses at Montmirail, 11 February
| Loss | Amount |
|---|---|
| Russian killed, prisoners | 3000 |
| Russian guns | 20-26 |
| Prussian killed, prisoners | 1000 |
| French losses | 2000 |
Throughout the day on 11 February, Feldmarshall Blücher remained motionless at Bergeres. At the sound of gunfire, he thought to go ahead to relieve Sacken and Yorck, but seems to have been discouraged by Muffling and Gneisenau, who reminded him that the corps of Kleist and Kapsewitch, recalled the evening before from Fere-Champenoise, had just joined him in the morning, exhausted by a night march. Under the command of General Udom II, the reorganization of the debris Olsufiev's Corps also proved indispensable.
On February 13, Alte Vorwärts learns of the defeat of Sacken and Yorck and becomes convinced Marmont has been posted in Etoges merely to hide the return movement of the bulk of the French army towards the Seine. Believing the opportunity is ripe to fall on the rear of Napoleon, he decided to march to Champaubert. In the morning Blücher quitted Vertus, ascended the plateau on which Champaubert and Montmirail are situated, and sent forward to the side of Étoges and on the French left, his vanguard commanded by General von Ziethen. The son of the Feldmarshall, Colonel Blücher, marched in front with 1. Schlesisches Husaren Regiment and a battalion of riflemen. Marmont summarizes the day in his memoirs:
"Blücher began his movement and marched on Étoges. When all his columns were shown, he made his attack provisions and brought the guns against my left. I made my retreat in good order, and easily, because everything had been planned. Although the enemy vanguard marched a very small distance from my rear, there were only light troops commitments."
In the evening, the Russian and Prussian troops occupied Champaubert, pushing vedettes toward La Chappelle-sous-Orbais and towards Sézanne. Blücher and his staff spent the night Champaubert.
Marmont, pressed hard, retired successively on Champaubert and Fromentières, taking position between Fromentières and Janvilliers. He could then rely on reinforcement by the remnants of division Ricard, which arrived at Vauchamps during the day. From the latter place Marmont had, in the evening, written to Napoleon. [34]
14 February, Monday
Napoleon had passed thirty-six hours at Chateau-Thierry, when, on the night between the 13th and 14th, he received from Marmont the serious intelligence that Blücher, who, during the three days of the 10th, 11th, and 12th, had remained motionless, had at length resumed the offensive, and was marching on Montmirail, probably at the head of considerable forces. Napoleon immediately set out. He had left at Montmirail, Friant with the strongest of the old guard, Curial with a division of the young guard, and had ordered the Leval division that was coming from Spain to advance to the same point. A cavalry division, drawn from all the depots, combined at Versailes, had also arrived at Montmirail.
At the same time he despatched towards Soissons, Mortier with the second division of the guard, with Colbert's lancers, and the guards of honour of General Defrance, ordering him to pursue à outrance the conquered troops of Generals Yorck and Sacken. He then set off in full gallop in order to reach the destination before the troops that he was leading. He arrived about nine in the morning at Montmirail. [35]
Marshal Marmont, in abandoning Vauchamps, had taken up a position on a woody height, on whose summit he had placed his artillery. Blücher, marching with his accustomed confidence, sent the Prussian Ziethen division forward to Montmirail before him. This division had scarcely got outside Vauchamps when it was received with a terrible discharge of artillery, which caused great loss, and forced the division to return to the village. Immediately after, Marmont ordered the Ricard division to advance on Vauchamps, in order to carry this village, and under favour of the surrounding woods, try to turn the enemy, on the left by help of General Grouchy's cavalry, and on the right by Lagrange's infantry division. [36]
From eleven in the forenoon to three in the afternoon the French kept up the pursuit, pouring bullets and often grapeshot on the enemy. In this way they reached Janvillers, Fromentières, and Champaubert. The pursuers perceived that two of the enemy's battalions, posted in a wood, had remained behind. They were surrounded and obliged to surrender. [37]
The French had already taken, killed, or wounded about 7000 of Marshal Blücher's men. But Marmont ambitioned still more spoils. He suspected that the Prussian general would pass the night at Etoges, and set about to organize a surprise attack by night. Marmont took a detachment of division Leval and with one of his regiments of marines dashed into the wood at the moment when the enemy began to enjoy a few minutes repose...
Footnotes: [34] Thiers, p. 445-46. [35] Thiers, p. 445. [36] Thiers, p. 446. [37] Thiers, p. 447.
Designer's Notes
Kevin Zucker
Prior games on this campaign
OSG's first design on the 1814 campaign, Napoleon at Bay—the flagship of the Campaigns Series—goes back to 1979. When I first started doing research for Napoleon at Bay, I ran across page 952 of Chandler's Campaigns of Napoleon: "Strategic consumption, he felt sure, would have reduced Schwarzenberg and Blücher to a joint effective strength of barely 80,000 men long before they came within striking distance of the capital." Reading this I was thunderstruck. I began to realize that campaigning for months, as in 1814, was an entirely different proposition from the short few days of Ligny and Waterloo. Non-combat losses would assume massive proportions, and the organization of victory would take place on off-map displays at least as much as on the game map. We now know, for example, Yorck's Prussian I Corps lost 10,848 men to attrition throughout the campaign. Fortunately the magnitude of attrition is not so great over a period of a few days—about one-third of one-percent per day—hence it is not a decisive factor at this scale.
The map was based on a survey of France conducted by the dépôt general de la guerre in the 1830s, called Carte de la France, 1:40,000.
Research Each game is a new challenge and requires a different approach. In La Patrie there was a dearth of secondary sources on the Battle of Brienne. Sources didn't even agree on the troops present, so it was still more necessary to locate, not only the participants in the battle, but the entire combattant armies in France. There is no mention of what Lieven's XI Corps was doing during Brienne. Some sources state that Lieven himself was at the battle.
Lots of people assume that a designer's job is to write rules. The truth is the opposite. He "unwrites" rules. On my first game, Napoleon's Last Battles, I was constantly tempted to toss stuff in, just because it was interesting. These days, I try to minimize the rules however I can. In a way, each new rule added is a failure of design. In a perfect world, a new rule would springboard on an existing rule, so that the complexity of the game would be in its play, not in the extension of its rules. In other words, it is essential, when at all possible, to adjust an existing rule to cover another angle, rather than create a whole new rule.
The New Series Rules We have collected all the rules we need in the basic system to simulate all the battles of Napoleon, and not just the big balanced ones. To have one steady-state rules set that has the flexibility to cover everything from the low-intensity battles of 1796, to the meeting engagements of 1813, on up to set-piece battles, is an achievement because now we can focus on the battles themselves instead of reworking the rules. Players often question the emphasis on Supply, Trains, Vedettes, Officers, Cards and other non-combat mechanisms. These things are more necessary in an Approach to Battle situation, a retreat or withdrawal, such as those outlined in La Patrie en Danger.
Sources Our best source turned out to be Commandant Maurice Weil's Cavalry of the Allied Armies during the Campaign of 1814. We are grateful to Greg Gorsuch for publishing the online translation.
Other Print Sources:
- F.A. Thiers, History of the Consulate and the Empire
- Henry Houssaye, 1814, 1900
- F.L. Petre, Napoleon at Bay, 1814, 1913
- Vincent Esposito, A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars, 1964
- D.G. Chandler, The Campaigns of Napoleon, 1966
- F. G. Hourtoulle, 1814, La Campagne de France, 2005
- Michael Leggière, The Allied Invasion of France, 2007
- Andrew Uffindell, Napoleon 1814, 2009
- J.P. Mir, Hanau & Montmirail, 2009
- Ralph Ashby, Napoleon Against Great Odds, 2010
Online sources:
- Abbott, The History of Napoleon Bonaparte
- Lejeune, Memoirs of Baron Lejeune, aide-de-camp
- Savary, Memoirs of the Duke of Rovigo
- Geschichte der Kämpfe Osterreichs. Kriege
- Dodge, Napoleon: a History of the Art of War
- Cust, Annals of the wars of the nineteenth century
- Marmont, Mémoires du maréchal Marmont, duc de Raguse
- Constant, Recollections of the private life of Napoleon
- Napoléon, Correspondance de Napoléon Ier