Mansfield Crisis in the Pine Barrens 8 April 1864
Mansfield Crisis in the Pine Barrens 8 April 1864 Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 Components
- 3.0 Sequence of Play
- 4.0 Movement
- 5.0 Stacking
- 6.0 Zones of Control
- 7.0 Combat
- 8.0 Artillery
- 9.0 Cavalry
- 10.0 Leaders
- 11.0 Recovery
- 12.0 Introduction
- 13.0 Set Up
- 14.0 Victory Conditions
- 15.0 Additional RULEs
- 16.0 Notes
- Combat Results Table (CRT)
- Terrain Effects Chart (TEC)
1.0 Introduction
1.1 The QuickPlay System
The Musket & Saber system is a series of games, each depicting a battle from the musket era; these QuickPlay rules are a simplified version (for details see the M&S vs QP file in the E-Rules at www.decisiongames.com). In each game, players command opposing forces in the situation faced by their historical counterparts and try to win the battle by capturing key terrain, or destroying enemy units, or both.
1.2 Game Scale
Each hex on the map represents 352 yards from side to side, game turns represent 90 minutes of daylight or several hours at night, infantry and cavalry units represent 300 to 4,500 men, and artillery units represent up to 24 cannon.
2.0 Components
2.1 Inventory & Rules
Each game consists of a standard rules folder, a sheet of exclusive rules, an 11"x17" map covering the battlefield, and a die-cut sheet of 40 playing pieces (counters or units). Players must provide one six-sided die (more would be useful). These standard rules apply to all games; the exclusive rules modify or add to the rules as needed to portray a particular battle.
2.2 The Map & Terrain
The hexagonal grid superimposed on the terrain regulates the placement and movement of units; a unit is considered to be in a single hex at any given time. Each hex has a four-digit number to aid set up and play. Every hex contains one or more kinds of terrain which affect the movement of units and combat between opposing units. Other terrain features lie on the hexside between two hexes and affect movement and/or combat across those hexsides only; they have no effect on units in either adjacent hex. The effects of each kind of terrain are described on the Terrain Effects Chart (TEC) on Page 4.
2.3 The Counters
A few counters are used for game functions described elsewhere in the rules. Most of the counters represent combat units. The background colors, listed in the exclusive rules, indicate the army to which each unit belongs. Each unit (this is Gordon's Confederate brigade from the Salem Church game) has the following information.
Unit Type: in this case infantry.
ID: the unit's historical designation.
Formation: the unit's higher organization.
Combat Factor (CF): the unit's relative ability to engage in combat.
Morale Rating (MR): the unit's ability to withstand the shock of combat. When a unit is required to check morale, roll one die. If the die is greater than the morale rating, the unit fails the check. The MR can be changed by a number of factors; regardless, a unit always passes the check on a roll of "1" and always fails on a roll of "6."
Movement Allowance (MA): the unit's ability to move across the map, expressed as movement points (MP).
Infantry units with a red band are one-step units. Infantry units without the band are two-step units; after losses in battle, they are flipped to their one-step side. Artillery and cavalry are always one-step units, but are subject to ineffectiveness (see 8.0 & 9.0). All units are subject to disruption (see 11.1).
3.0 Sequence of Play
3.1 The Course of a Game
After the players choose which side each will command, sort the counters and set them up (3.2). The players then alternate moving and attacking with their units during the game turns (3.3) to reach the victory conditions (3.4). Victory is determined after the last game turn is completed.
3.2 Setting Up
The exclusive rules for each game specify which units start on the map and which enter later in the game. Units starting on the map (identified by ID and/or Formation) are listed with the hex number of their starting location. In some cases, the hex number has a "w/1" notation, indicating the unit may be placed within 1 hex (i.e. adjacent to) the specified hex. Units arriving as reinforcements (12.0) have turn number and hex of entry. For example, "T1 at 2114" means the units arrive on during the owning player's movement phase of Turn 1 at hex 2114.
3.3 The Game Turn
The number of turns in a game is specified in the exclusive rules. Turns are tracked by moving the turn marker along the turn record track (TRT) on the map. Each turn consists of five phases, described below. The exclusive rules identifies the first player for a game.
First Player Movement Phase: the First Player player moves his units according to the rules for movement (4.0), stacking (5.0), zones of control (6.0), and entering the map (4.6). Eligible units may recover (11.0).
First Player Combat Phase: the First Player player uses his units to attack enemy units within the constraints of the combat rules (7.0, as modified by 8.0, 9.0, & 10.0).
Second Player Movement Phase: same as above, with the players switching roles
Second Player Combat Phase: same as above, with the players switching roles
Turn Marker Phase: if the last turn has been completed, determine the winner (3.4). If more turns remain, advance the turn marker and play another turn.
3.4 Winning the Game
The specific victory conditions for each player are listed in the exclusive rules. Victory sometimes is determined by scoring victory points (VP). Unless specified otherwise in the exclusive rules, each player scores one VP for each enemy unit or leader eliminated, two VP for each enemy unit or leader captured.
4.0 Movement
4.1 Moving a Unit
Units are moved one at a time tracing a path of contiguous hexes (no skipping allowed), in any direction or combination of directions. If the owning player desires, a stack of units (5.0) may move together. The stack must start in the same hex and remain together for the entire move.
4.2 Movement Allowance (MA)
A unit's movement allowance is the number of movement points (MP) available during each movement phase. As a unit enters a hex it must pay one or more MP depending on the terrain. A unit may not exceed its MA during a single movement phase; a stack is limited to the speed of the slowest unit in the stack. Unused MP may not be accumulated or transferred to another unit.
4.3 March Movement
If a unit starts and remains at least two hexes away from any enemy unit during its move, it may double its MA; this is called march movement.
4.4 Terrain Effects on Movement
Entering a clear hex across a clear hexside costs one MP. Other terrain may require more MP to enter; those costs are listed on the TEC. Units crossing certain hexside terrain must pay additional MP, denoted by a "+1" on the TEC. Those MP are added to the normal cost to enter a particular type of terrain. A unit lacking the necessary MP may not enter a hex.
4.5 Road Movement
A unit traveling on a road always pays 1/2 MP per hex entered. To travel along a road, a unit must move from a hex containing the path across a hexside containing the same path into another hex containing the same path. Road and non-road movement may be combined in a single movement phase. A unit loses any left-over 1/2 MP whenever it leaves a road.
4.6 Entry of Reinforcements
Each reinforcement unit moves onto the map during the owning player's movement phase of the turn indicated in the set up. The identified entry hex is the first hex of movement for that unit; it moves normally thereafter. If a unit cannot enter that hex because it is occupied by an enemy unit, it may enter at the next hex along that map edge; entering that hex counts as two hexes for movement. If that hex is occupied, the unit can continue to slide down the map edge, paying one hex of movement for each, until it enters or expends its entire movement allowance. In that case, it must wait to enter the following turn.
5.0 Stacking
Generally, there is no limit to the number of friendly units entering, leaving, passing through, or stacking in a given hex at any time. However, if more than three units are stacked in a hex at the end of any movement or combat phase, all units in the hex are disrupted (11.1).
In combat, only one artillery unit plus any one other unit units can attack from or defend a single hex. Any additional units in that hex take no part in the combat, but must retreat if the participating units are forced to.
6.0 Zones of Control
6.1 Exerting Zones of Control
The six hexes adjacent to a combat unit constitute its zone of control (ZOC). There is no additional effect from having more than one unit, or opposing units, exert a ZOC on a single hex; all ZOCs exists independently of one another.
6.2 ZOC Effects
A unit must cease moving when it moves into an enemy unit's ZOC (EZOC). A unit already in an EZOC may move out of the hex, but may move only one hex that turn and may not move directly into another EZOC. Disrupted units may not enter EZOC during movement.
Defending units in EZOC at the beginning of a combat phase trigger attacks (see 7.2).
6.3 Negating ZOC
Some terrain types block ZOC into or out of hexes or across a hexside; see the TEC. During a retreat after combat, some EZOC may be negated by friendly units or ZOC (see 7.6).
7.0 Combat
7.1 The Combat Phase
During his combat phase, the active player's (attacker's) units may attack adjacent opposing (defending) units. The attacking player may conduct as many or as few attacks as he wishes and in any order (but see 7.4). For each combat:
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Identify the involved units (7.2 & 7.3). If more than one unit is involved for a side, the owning player must identify one unit as the primary unit.
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Calculate the differential (7.4) and locate the corresponding column on the CRT.
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Roll two differentiated dice, one identified as the combat die and the other as the morale die. Cross-index the combat die roll with the differential column to get the combat result (7.5). If necessary, use the morale die roll as a morale check for the primary unit of the affected side.
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Apply the results.
7.2 Who Must Be Attacked
In general, the attacker has complete discretion as to which of his units attack which enemy units. However, there is a penalty for failing to attack a defending unit exerting a ZOC onto an attacking unit at the beginning of the combat phase.
At the end of a combat phase, any such defending unit not attacked during the phase may attack any adjacent attacking unit, even one that attacked during that phase. If no attacking unit remains adjacent, the triggered defending unit may move one hex to make its attack. The counterattacking unit attacks any one erstwhile attacking unit or stack; it may ignore any other adjacent attackers. The combat factor of the counterattacking unit is doubled for the combat.
7.3 Who May Attack
An attacking unit may but is not required to attack into any adjacent hex into which it could move during normal movement. A unit may attack only once per combat phase. Stacked attackers must attack together.
A single unit or stack may target only one defending hex. If the attacking unit is adjacent to more than one defending unit, the attacking player may choose which to attack (but see 7.3).
A single defending hex may be attacked only once per combat phase. If attacked from more than one adjacent hex, all participating attackers must be combined into a single combat.
7.4 Calculating the Differential
Determine the combat factor of each attacking unit. The CF is halved if the unit is disrupted or attacking into or out of some terrain (see the TEC). If a unit is to be halved once, divide the combat factor by two, rounding up any remainder. If a unit is to be halved twice or more, treat it as having a combat factor of one, regardless of its original combat factor. Total the modified combat factors of all participating attacking units. Subtract the total combat strength of all involved defending units. The result is the combat differential. Find the appropriate column on the CRT.
7.5 Combat Results
Some combat results have a parenthesized (secondary) result; this applies only if the first result does not take effect (e.g., if a unit passes its morale check after a "c" result).
NE = No Effect. All units remain in place.
Ar or Dr = Attacker retreat or Defender retreat. All affected units retreat (7.6) or are disrupted (11.1). If the defender retreats, the attacker may advance (7.9).
Ac or Dc = Attacker check for retreat or Defender check for retreat. If the primary unit passes its morale check, apply the parenthesized result. If it fails, treat this as an Ar/Dr result.
Ax or Dx = Attacker loss or Defender loss. The affected unit loses a step (7.7); no advance or retreat is made.
Dm = Defender rout check. If the primary defender passes its morale check, apply the secondary result. If it fails, all defenders rout (7.8); the attacker may advance (7.9).
Ex = exchange. The primary unit on each side loses one step (7.7). No units retreat or advance, even if the defender's hex is emptied as a result of the step loss. Optional Rule. The defender has a choice of retreating or taking a step loss. If the defender retreats, treat the result as Dr (above). If the defender takes the loss, the attacker also takes a loss and no retreat or advance is made.
7.6 Retreats & the SLR
A retreating unit forced must move one, two, or three hexes (owning player's discretion) from its combat hex. No MP are expended, just count hexes. If a unit has no option but to retreat off the map, remove it from play; it is not count as captured but may not return to play. At the time of its retreat, a unit either has a safe line of retreat (SLR), an unsafe line of retreat, or no line of retreat, as defined below.
A Safe Line of Retreat (SLR) is a path of hexes with no prohibited terrain, enemy-occupied hexes, or enemy zones of control. For this purpose, an EZOC is negated by the presence of a friendly unit or the ZOC of a friendly unit. However, the final hex of the retreat may not have an EZOC, negated or otherwise. The retreat path may pass through and/or end in friendly-occupied hexes, even if overstacked. If the destination hex is bombarded later in the same combat phase, the retreated units do suffer any combat results inflicted.
An Unsafe Line of Retreat is identical to the SLR but passes through an unnegated EZOC and/or ends in an EZOC. The unit takes a loss (7.7), then routs (7.8) from the unsafe hex. A routing stack loses only one step, not one step per unit. A unit or stack may take a loss and rout any number of times until it is eliminated, has no line of retreat, or retreats off the map.
No Line of Retreat is a path through prohibited terrain or enemy-occupied hexes. The retreating unit is captured. Remove it from the map and hand it to the opposing player; it may count toward victory conditions.
7.7 Losses
Any step loss must come from the primary unit of the affected side. If the unit does not have a red band showing, flip it to its reverse side (and see 11.2). If the unit already has a red band showing, it is eliminated. If it has a line of retreat (safe or unsafe), remove the unit from the map and set it aside. If it has no line of retreat, it is captured; remove it from the map and hand it to the other player; it counts for victory conditions.
7.8 Rout
A routing unit acts just like a retreating unit except it must retreat the full three hexes and is disrupted at the end of the retreat. If the unit already was disrupted, there is no further effect. If a routing unit is routed again during its retreat, it suffers a step loss and starts a new retreat.
7.9 Advance
When a defender retreats, the attackers may, but are not required to, advance one hex. The decision must be made immediately. Defenders, disrupted units, artillery, and attackers in some terrain (see the TEC) may not advance. If multiple attacking hexes were involved, any or all of the participating units may advance; the decision may be made separately for each. An advancing unit may move into the vacated defender's hex, or into any vacant hex adjacent to it (as long as the advancing unit could move into the hex). Advancing units ignore EZOC. If the defending units rout for any reason, advancing attackers may advance two hexes instead of one.
8.0 Artillery
8.1 Artillery Units
Artillery operates in the same way as infantry except it
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has two combat factors, one for attack and one for defense.
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always has only one step. The reverse side represents the unit in an ineffective state. It becomes ineffective whenever forced to retreat. It may recover effectiveness (11.3)
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It may attack non-adjacent enemy units through bombardment (see 8.2).
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It may not advance after combat.
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It may not move or attack into some terrain types (see the TEC).
8.2 Bombardment
To bombard, an artillery unit must
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not be in an EZOC
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have an attack factor greater than zero
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be undisrupted (11.1)
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have a line of sight to the target (8.3)
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be within range of the target (8.4)
Supporting Fire. Bombarding artillery adds its attack factor to an attack by units adjacent to a defender. Resolve the combat normally.
Bombarding Alone. Artillery bombarding a hex not being attacked by units adjacent to the hex uses its combat factor as the differential; do not subtract the defender's combat factor. Multiple artillery units may combine their fire against the hex. If the target is cavalry, double the artillery's combat factor. If the defender's hex is stacked, resolve the bombardment separately against each defending unit.
Combat Results. Bombarding artillery is not affected by any combat result, but artillery in an EZOC is.
8.3 Line of Sight (LOS)
The LOS is a line from the center of the firing hex to the center of the target hex. It is blocked if any intervening hex or hexside has blocking terrain. If the LOS is congruent to a hexside, the LOS is blocked only if both hexes adjacent to that hexside are blocked. Units do not block LOS. Terrain in the firing and target hexes does not block the LOS, but bombardment is not permitted into certain terrain types.
8.4 Range
The chosen target is within range if the number of hexes from the artillery to the target is less than the artillery's range factor. Do not count the artillery unit's hex, do count the target hex.
9.0 Cavalry
9.1 Cavalry Units
A cavalry unit operates in the same way as infantry except
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it always has one step unit. The reverse side represents the unit in an ineffective state. It becomes ineffective whenever forced to retreat, but may recover effectiveness (11.3).
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its combat factor is doubled when attacking a disrupted defender.
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it may charge (9.2).
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it must retreat 3 hexes when retreating.
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it is affected differently by certain terrain types (see the TEC).
9.2 Cavalry Charges
A cavalry unit may charge in lieu of regular combat. Make the choice before starting the cavalry unit's move. The unit may start in a stack, but it may not be overstacked. Stacked cavalry units may charge separately. No attack other than a cavalry charge may be made against the same unit in a single combat phase. More than one cavalry unit may charge a single defender; the charges are resolved separately (this is an exception to 7.3). For each charge conduct these steps:
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the unit must move one or two hexes to its target. It may start in, enter, and cross clear terrain only (to include clear hill hexes). It may not enter a friendly-occupied hex (other than its start hex).
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Before resolving the combat, make a morale check for the charging cavalry. If it fails, it is disrupted. If it passes, make a morale check for the target unit unless it is an infantry unit in square (9.3). If it fails, it disrupts. If it is an infantry unit, it may form square.
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Use the cavalry's charge factor as its CF; it is doubled against a disrupted opponent.
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When resolving the charge, treat all Dr, Dc, and Dx results as Dm; if the defender routs, it also suffers a step loss. Treat any other result – no defender rout, Ex, NE, or any A result – as Am(Ar). Resolve the Am in the same way as a Dm result.
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If the defender routs and the cavalry is still effective, it may advance zero, one, or two hexes and conduct another charge. The new target may be a unit already attacked or still to be attacked that phase. Victorious cavalry may continue advancing and charging indefinitely, as long as the defenders rout and the cavalry remains effective.
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The charging cavalry is ineffective at the end of a charge unless already ineffective.
Design Note. Cavalry charges are unlikely to be successful against an undisrupted foe, and highly successful against a disrupted one. Note that the threat of a charge may force units into square, making them vulnerable to attacks by infantry or artillery.
9.3 Squares
Any hex with an infantry unit in it may form square at the beginning of its movement phase or during a cavalry charge. A disrupted unit may form square, but cavalry is doubled when attacking it. When the square is formed, place the square marker on it; treat all units in the hex as being in square. Units in square may move one hex per movement phase. Make a morale check if the square enters or crosses any terrain other than clear; failure means disruption (no effect if already disrupted). The square may be removed at the beginning of the unit's next movement phase. Only the infantry unit forming square may participate in combat; the units stacked with it may not participate, but are affected by combat results. A unit in square does not make a morale check when charged by cavalry. Add 2 to the unit's combat and morale factors when being attacked by cavalry (charging or not). Attacking units other than cavalry (including skirmishers and bombarding artillery) add two to their CF. If the unit in square attacks, subtract 2 from its combat factor.
10.0 Leaders
Leaders represent key generals who enhance unit abilities. They may move alone up to 12 hexes paying 1 MP for every hex regardless of terrain, but may not enter/cross prohibited terrain. They may not enter an EZOC unless the hex contains a friendly unit. They may leave EZOC freely (to include entering a hex with a friendly unit in it) and are not limited to one hex movement. Leaders do not count for stacking; any or all leaders may stack freely with any friendly unit. Leaders exert no ZOC.
The factors of one leader may be applied to a unit in his hex if the unit belongs to the same formation. A formation of "A" indicates all formations in that army. The leader effects are:
(1) the leader's movement factor may be added to all units in the hex, but the leader must move with those units. A disrupted unit may enter EZOC when accompanied by a leader.
(2) the leader's morale factor may be added to one unit, but that unit always fails on a morale die roll of "6."
(3) the leader's combat factor may be added to one unit, but not to bombarding artillery or skirmishing units. Accompanied disrupted units are not halved when attacking.
Leaders retreat with stacked units. They become ineffective (11.3) after a retreat. If the stacked units are eliminated, the leader must retreat to the nearest friendly unit. If unable to do so, he is captured. If a combat result includes the "Leader" notation, roll one die for each involved leader; on a roll of 5-6, the leader is killed and removed from the game.
11.0 Recovery
11.1 Disruption & Recovery
Mark a disrupted unit with a "D" marker. A disrupted units operates normally except it
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exerts no ZOC.
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may not enter an EZOC (but see 10.0).
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is halved when attacking (but see 10.0).
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may not advance after combat.
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subtracts two from its morale rating (but passes a morale check on a roll of "1").
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must retreat at least two hexes if forced to retreat.
A unit may recover from disruption at the end of any of its subsequent movement phases. The unit may move and recover in the same phase. If it was eligible for march movement during the entire phase (see 4.2) it recovers automatically (it may but need not actually march). If it moved but is not in an EZOC, make a morale check for it; if it passes, it recovers. If it ends its move in an EZOC, it may not recover.
11.2 Step Recovery
The exclusive rules state how many lost steps a player is able to recover. Step recovery is done during the owning player's movement phase. One replacement step enables a reduced two-step unit on the map may recover its lost step. The unit must be eligible for march movement, and may but need not march. It may recover from disruption and/or ineffectiveness simultaneously. Alternatively, one replacement step enables an eliminated (but not captured) unit to be returned the map. The unit enters the map that turn as a reinforcement (12.0) at a location specified in the exclusive rules.
11.3 Effectiveness Recovery
An ineffective artillery unit, cavalry unit, or leader operates and recovers in the same way as a disrupted unit. A unit may recover from disruption and/or a step loss simultaneously.
12.0 Introduction
12.1 Historical Background
Nathaniel Banks' Red River Campaign was nearing its utlimate objective, the Confederate Trans-Mississippi capital at Shreveport, Louisiana. The Confederate commander in Louisiana, Richard Taylor, finally had received promised reinforcements and turned on Banks near the town of Mansfield. A quick Confederate victory would wreck not only Banks' campaign, but the larger Union effort to crush the western Confederacy.
12.2 Scenario
One player controls the Confederates and attempts to drive back or destroy the Union forces. The other player controls the Union forces and attempts to prevent it.
12.3 Standard Rules
All standard rules apply, including the optional rule to convert an Ex to a Dr result. Rule 15.0 lists several additional rules applying to this scenario.
13.0 Set Up
13.1 Unit Colors
Union Forces: dark blue.
Confederate Forces: gray.
13.2 Game Length & First Player
The game consists of six turns. Place the Turn marker in the 1100 box of the Turn Record Track. The Union player is the first player.
13.3 Union Set Up
Ldr Lee, Formation C (5 counters) w/2 0717 (Fincher), on a hex numbered xx17 or higher; see below for movement restrictions. Units may be deployed dismounted.
Ldr Rnsm, Formation 13, 3rd Division (4 counters) arrives 1530, 4th Division (3 counters) arrives 1100
Ldr Frnkln, Formation 19 (5 counters) arrives 1700
Union Movement Restrictions. Units of Formation C may not move until the Confederate army has been committed. They move normally thereafter.
Union Arrival. All units enter at hex D (0801) during the Union movement phase of the turn indicated. Roll one die for each unit; the result is the unit's movement allowance for that turn. Arriving units may not use march movement.
13.4 Confederate Set Up
No Confederate units start play on the map; they all arrive as reinforcements. They must go through a two-stage process to enter the playing area. The arrival times listed below bring the units to the Confederate marshaling area, just off the map next to the entry hexes. The marshaling area is divided into three parts corresponding to the letter in each entry hex, A (hexes 0119 through 0522), B (0621 through 0821), and C (0922 through 1322). No Confederate unit may enter the map until the Confederate player commits the army (see A below). While in the marshaling area, units may be moved from one section to the other (see B below).
Ldr Green, Formation G, Vincent/I (7 counters) arrive 1100
Ldr Mouton, Formation M (4 counters) arrive 1230
Ldr Walker, Formation W (5 counters) arrive 1400
A) Confederate Commitment. The Confederate player may commit his army at the beginning of any Confederate movement phase. Once committed, each unit in the marshaling area may enter the map via any entry hex corresponding to its current section of the area.
B) Redeploying. All units arrive in sector B, but the Confederate player may choose to redeploy it from sector B to either sector A or C. The redeployment is done during the movement phase of the unit's turn of arrival. The unit may not enter the map the same turn it redeploys. Once redeployed, the unit's position may not be changed; it must enter the map through an entry hex associated with its sector. If a unit has not arrived prior to the army's commitment, the unit may enter at sector B on the turn of its arrival, or enter at either A or C the following turn.
C) Historical Entry: Green at A & C, Mouton at A, Walker at B & C.
D) Secret Deployment (Optional but Recommended): If players desire, the Confederate player may jot down the deployment area of each unit, indicating any shifts by turn. The actual deployment is revealed when comittment is announced.
14.0 Victory Conditions
14.1 Union Major Victory
The Union player wins a major victory at the end of the game if no Confederate unit is in, adjacent to, or has exited the map from any one or more of hexes 0501, 0601, 0701, 0801, or 0901.
14.2 Confederate Major Victory
The Confederate player wins a major victory at the end of the game if no Union unit is on or adjacent to any road hex.
14.3 Minor Victory & Draw
If neither player wins a major victory, or if both do, calculate the VP scored by each. The player with the larger total wins a minor victory. If the totals are equal the game is a draw.
When addiving victory points for eliminated units, each step counts one VP; reduced two-step units do not count toward VP.
15.0 Additional RULEs
15.1 Leaders
Leader bonuses may be applied only to units of the same formation.
15.2 Dismounted Cavalry
Cavalry units may operate dismounted, indicated with a "Dismounted" marker on the unit. Dismounted cavalry operates like infantry but still becomes ineffective when forced to retreat. Its printed combat strength and morale are each reduced by 1 (but see below) and its movement factor is limited to a maximum of 3.
Dismounting. To dismount, a mounted unit may not be in an EZOC at the beginning of its movement. Place the Dismounted maker on it. It operates normally (dismounted) for the rest of that turn.
Remounting. To remount, a dismounted unit may not be in an EZOC at the end of its movement. Remove the Dismounted marker.
Special Dismounted Ability. Units marked "D" are trained or experienced at dismounted operations and do not suffer the (-1) reduction of their combat or morale factors. They still are restricted to 3 MP.
16.0 Notes
16.1 Designer's Notes
The first main issue in this scenario was the scale of the battle, which essentially was a five-mile running fight. It necessitated an increase in the usual hex scale to fit the entire battlefield on the map.
The other major problem was accounting for superior Confederate information: they knew where the Union units were, while the Union commanders knew little of what they faced. The simplest solution was to give the Confederate player the ability to start the battle when desired, forcing a tradeoff between attacking early or awaiting the buildup of greater force. Historically, commitment took place at 1230.
16.2 Player Notes
Although the Confederate player controls the start of the battle, the middle course of the game will be dictated by the Union player. The latter has to choose between fighting forward and falling back. The temptation is to fall back immediately and set up a defensive line across the map, but that can be done only by surrendering a big chunk of real estate to the Rebels. If the line is not well and truly established, and backed up, before the Confederates arrive in strength, there is a big risk of a Confederate breakthrough to the exit hexes.
The timing of Confederate commitment is crucial; you cannot wait until the Federals have built a good line across the map. Once committed, drive forward with everything you have, even if you leave behind a Union unit or two (but make sure they can't get onto the road).
Combat Results Table (CRT)
The CRT is printed on the scenario sheet. Cross-index the die roll (combat die) with the combat differential column (see 7.4).
| Die Roll | -5 or less | -4 to -3 | -2 to -1 | 0 to +1 | +2 to +3 | +4 to +5 | +6 to +7 | +8 to +9 | +10 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ax | Ax | Ax | Ar | Ac(NE) | Dc(Ex) | Dr | Dr | Dx |
| 2 | Ax | Ax | Ar | Ar | Dc(Ex) | Dc(Ex) | Dr | Dx | Dm(Dr) |
| 3 |
The "Leader" row applies to die roll 4: a die roll of 4 also requires a Leader casualty check (see Results below).
CRT Results
Dm = Rout Check. If MC failed, unit routs. If MC passed, apply parenthesized result.
Ar/Dr = Retreat. All units either disrupt or retreat 1-3 hexes.
Ac/Dc = Retreat Check. If MC failed, treat as Ar/Dr. If MC passed, apply parenthesized result.
Ax/Dx = Retreat or Loss. If MC passed, unit may take a loss. If MC failed, or if passed and player chooses, all units disrupted and retreat 1-3 hexes.
Ex = Exchange. Each side loses step.
NE = No Effect.
Leader = Leader Casualty. Roll a die, leader killed on 5-6; check for each leader on both sides.
MC = morale check for primary unit.
If retreat only possible on unsafe path, unit routs. If no retreat possible, the unit is captured.
Whenever defender retreats, attack may advance.
Terrain Effects Chart (TEC)
| Terrain | Effect on Movement | Effect on Combat / Other |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Hex | 1 MP to enter. | No effect on combat. |
| Light Woods Hex | 1 MP to enter. Attacker halved attacking into if attacking across a clear hexside. | Blocks artillery line of sight unless artillery is on a hill hex. |
| Road Hex | 1/2 MP while moving along the path (see 4.3), ignore other terrain in hex and on hexside crossed. | No effect on combat (use other terrain in the hex). |
| Hill Hex | Same as Clear. | Blocks LOS unless both observer and observed also on a hill. Light woods on a hill block LOS between hills. |
| Stream | Infantry & cavalry +1 MP to enter, artillery must stop after entering. | All CF halved attacking into or out of. |
| Brook | Treat as a stream for movement purposes in fog turns. | No combat effect. |
| Places | No effect on movement or combat. |
Note on the TEC: the printed Road Hex entry refers to "(see 4.3)". Road movement is rule 4.5 in the standard rules; 4.3 is March Movement. The reference is transcribed as printed.