The Battle of Valverde. New Mexico Territory, February 21st 1862.

 This article is my personal interpretation of events at this time. Any mistakes are my own.

On a cold morning in February of 1862 a watery sun shone through the clouded sky over Fort Bliss. Within, and around its environs 2,500 men went about the business of preparing for conflict: saddling up, checking weapons, storing rations, packing ammunition and receiving orders.

This was no mob of ragamuffins. This was a formation of professional soldiers committed to fighting for the Confederate cause led by experienced officers.

Unfortunately the General with the job with leading this force lacked the Martial Spirit for the task ahead. Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley had grandiose ideas of  bringing all of New Mexico under Confederate control. He said he had sold the idea to the Government in Richmond for this campaign. However there were those in the force who doubted that a General who was permanently drunk could sell anything !!    

An additional important problem, one that Sibley seems to have overlooked in his grand scheme, was that although New Mexico had some Southern sympathizers it was staunchly Union. Also, the Mexican locals were not enarmoured with their Texan neighbours. Nonetheless the Confederate Brigade set out on the 140 mile ride in rough weather to Fort Craig, the main Union post in the territory.  Sibley’s plan was to take the fort then move further North onto the main Union supply base at Albuquerque.

The Union Commander of Fort Craig was the complete opposite of  the Confederate General. Colonel Edward Canby was taciturn, energetic and a total professional. When he received intelligence that a Confederate force was heading toward his Headquarters he set about organising the defense.

All outlying forces were called in. Additional volunteer troops were sent for from Colorado. The forts defenseworks were strengthened. Eventually, the Confederate army arrived at Fort Craig forming up outside the walls. Sibley hoped to draw out the Garrison, but Canby kept his men firmly within the fort.

After an Officers briefing, having noted how strong the forts defenses were, the Confederates decided to march around the fort.  The grey-clad troops crossed the Rio Grande River from west to east, then marched north intending to recross the Rio Grande upriver from the fort cutting the forts supply line to Albuquerque..

However the Union General Canby, was not one for sitting still. Leaving a small force to guard fort Craig,  Canby mustered every man he could to march north and stop the Confederates from crossing the Rio Grande and realising their mission…

CONFEDERATE ARMY OF NEW MEXICO: 

2,550 Officers and men = 2.550 x 12 = 31pts.

Nominal Command : Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley. (  To quote a phrase from Mr Albert’s book:” the Officers were not sure if Sibley was ill because he was drunk, or drunk because he was ill”!) on a number of occasions he recused himself from Command when battle was imminent.

Actual Command: Colonel Tom Green  @ 1 point

2nd Command: Lieutenant William Read ( “ Dirty Shirt”) Scurry  @ 1pt.

1 Artillery Battalion = 4 Batteries each of 3 guns and 30 gunners = 360 gunners = 0.360 pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 4 stands of Light Horse Artillery  @ 1pt = 4pts.

The 2nd Texas ( Arizona Militia ) Mounted Regt = 250 Men = 0.250pts x 12 = 3pts = 3 stands of Cavalry @ 1 point = 3pts. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Pyron @ 1 point.

The 4th Texas Mounted Regt = 600 men = 0.600pts x 12 = 7pts r/d = 3 stands of Cavalry @ 2pts = 6 points. + Colonel James Riley @ 1 point.

The 5th Texas Mounted Regt =  600 men = 0.600pts x 12 = 7pts r/d = 3 stands of Cavalry @ 2pts = 6 points + Major Samual Lockridge @  1point.

Note: If you wish to represent the Company of Lancers within the 5th Regiment, the muster would read: 2 stands of Cavalry @ 2 points. Lockridge @ 1 point. 1 stand of Cavalry @ 1 point and one stand of Lancer Cavalry @ 1 point.

On the battle plan the Lancers are shown as a dotted square to the right of the 5th Regiment.

The 7th Texas Mounted Regt = 600 men =  0.600pts x 12 = 7pts r/d = 3 stands of Cavalry @ 2pts = 6pts + Colonel William Steel @ 1pt.

THE UNION ARMY OF NEW MEXICO:

3,800 Officers and men. = 3.8 pts x 12 = 46pts r/u.

C-in-C: Colonel Edward Canby  @ 1pt.

1st U.S Cavalry = 200 men = 0.200pts x 12 = 2pts r/d = 2 stands of  Cavalry @ 1point = 2 points..

3rd U.S. Cavalry = 200 men = 0.200pts x 12 = 2pts r/d = 2 stands of Cavalry @ 1 point = 2 points.

Major Thomas Duncan @  1point.

5th U.S. Infantry = 400 men = 0.400pts x 12 = 5pts = 4 stands of Infantry @ 1pt = 4pts + Captain Benjamin Wingate @ 1pt.

7th U.S. Infantry = 200 men = 0.200 pts x 12 = 2 pts r/d = 2 stands @ 1point = 2pts.

10th U.S. Infantry = 200 men = 0.200 pts x 12 = 2 pts r/d = 2 stands @ 1 point = 2pts.

Colonel Benjamin S. Robert’s @ 1 point.

1st New Mexico Infantry = 560 men = 0.560pts x 12 = 7pts r/u = 3 stands @ 2points + Colonel Kit Carson @ 1 point.

2nd New Mexico Infantry = 360 men = 0.360pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 2 stands @ 2pts.

3rd New Mexico Infantry = 360 men = 0.360pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 2 stands @ 2pts.

4th New Mexico Infantry =  0.360 men = 0.360pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 2 stands @ 2pts.

5th New Mexico Infantry = 0.360 men = 0.360pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 2 stands @ 2pts.

2nd ColoradoVolunteer Infantry = 300 men = 0.300pts x 12 x 4pts r/u = 2 stands @ 2pts.

Graydon’s Independant Cavalry Company = 100 men =  0.100pts =1 stand @ 1point.

Mc Rae’s Artillery Battery = 6 guns each with 30 gunners = 180 gunners = 0.180 x 12 = 2pts r/d =  2 stands of Light Horse Artillery @ 1point.

BATTLE NOTES:

* Dismounted Cavalry are 1pt less than their mounted selves. If the mounted Cavalry are 1 point then just throw a basic die roll for the dismounted stand.

* Dismounted Cavalry stands can move in any direction.

* All the Infantry in this battle are treated as Line Infantry. Therefore they can only move through the face of a square, not a diagonal.

* The Confederates retain the Initiative Point for the entire battle.

*  The Confederates win any tied results.

MORALE

1)  Add up the points of each army to arrive at a total.

2). That total is then halved to get a final number.

3)  Those numbers are then SWAPPED OVER. In this case ,the Union Army is 31points, The Confederate army is 46 points.

Note: This is because one of the Union Volunteer Regiments panicked which caused other Regiments to waver.

As Stands are removed, the points are deducted from the total of the respective Army.

* The battle will be played for 8 Game Turns and/or until one side’s Morale Total is reduced to Zero.

The Union Player also wins if they stop the Confederate stands from reaching the Rio Grande. ( the Confederates were short of water)

The Confederates also win if they control the crossings at the river and remove all the Union stands from the east side of the river

* This is a regimental sized battle, therefore, stands of a regiment must always remain in squares adjacent to each other even on a diagonal. This rule also applies to each of the regimental commanders present.

* If for any reason the stands of a Union Regiment become separated, each stand of that regiment will deduct 2 points from its Firing and Close Combat die rolls.

* FIRING:

The Confederate troops were armed with shotguns, pistols and smoothbore carbines therefore the range for all Confederate ( and Union Cavalry ) carbines is 2 squares. 

The range for Union Infantry muskets is 3 squares as the Federal troops were better armed.

The Confederates were also hampered with their artillery. They were outranged by the Union guns therefore: Confederate artillery has a range of 4 squares. The Union Artillery is 6 squares.

I’ve put small squares of card with the Regimental number on each stands.

*TREES: 

The trees cannot be moved. They block line-of-sight for shooting and hamper movement.

* THE RIO GRANDE:

The river can only be crossed at the Fords. Any stand being forced into any other part of the river will be lost.

THE OLD RIVER BED:

*The silt from this had gradually built up into an embankment, the river having changed its course by natural means. Therefore, Union troops firing at any stand behind the Embankment must deduct 2 points from all Firing die rolls.

* The Embankment is classed as “Trench” during Close Combat.

* McRae’s Battery: These Union Guns became the focus of some intense fighting during the battle and a morale booster for the Confederates. If either of the Union Artillery stands suffers a “ move-back”as a result of Close Combat, that stand is removed by the Confederate Player.

If the Confederate Player manages to capture both Artillery stands, 10 points are added to the Confederate Player’s Morale total.

THE HISTORY.

New Mexico is an unforgiving environment for man and beast. Even the local population were at subsistence level. Therefore everything required for a campaign had to be carried either by the men, or in waggons.

The name for this battle comes from the Spanish for “ Green Valley” so this area must have been one of the few places that was habitable.

There were native tribes in the area raiding both Union and Confederate supply trains if the opportunity arose. The weather also played its part in bringing yet more problems for the soldiers of both sides to cope with.

When the war started there was a change of personnel. Officers resigned their commissions and soldiers left their posts in order to sign up to the Confederacy. Therefore some forts became vacant. Others like fort Craig were strengthened by the remaining Union Command.

Although on the western fringe of the main theatres of conflict, New Mexico could not be neglected by either side. Both sides could use the state to make incursions into each others territories.

This is the first of four battles in what became known as the Glorieta Campaign.

THE LANCERS:

Company B of the 5th Virginia Mounted Rifles carried a lance. During the battle they charged the Colorado Volunteers thinking it was a Green Regiment that would break. That was a deadly mistake. As the Confederates thundered toward them, the Commander of the Union troops coolly ordered a firing line. As the Confederates came up. The Union troops unleashed a massive volley which ripped through men and horses alike.

The survivors of the charge turned and galloped back to their line, where they promptly threw away their useless lances and took up their pistols and carbines. Therefore:

* If the lancers are used they do not get the three points for Close Combat against Infantry on flat open ground.

* Cavalry do not get the three points for attacking Infantry in the open. ( This is because the cavalry don’t have swords and the Infantry are armed with bayonets)

* The Lancer stand cannot fire until it has been in Close Combat at least once. Having done so, the stand must move back and spend one Game-Turn with the Regiment after which it may move and fire.

CAVALRY AND FIREARMS:

These are my personal perceptions of the tactics used. Those with a deeper knowledge of events will have a better understanding.

During this era, American Cavalry fought as Dragoons, very often dismounting to fight. This is because Infantry Muskets were now rifled giving a much greater range and accuracy. Charging formed Infantry or Infantry behind cover could be deadly as proven by the actions of the Lancers..

The weapons of choice being a knife, smoothbore pistols and carbines. ( a smaller version of the musket that the infantry carried.) Swords were carried by Officers and in some Regular Union Cavalry Regiments but not very much by the Confederates.

They were more a badge of rank and very rarely used. The troopers preferred to use their pistols rather than swords.

Now. I don’t know the exact course of events during this battle. Whether the Confederates advanced on foot or used their horses, or a mix of both. There was a thin screen of trees between each of the protagonists which made it difficult for each side to see what was happening. Therefore it could be a mixture of both, so Players have leeway as to how they fight the battle

To cover both events I use mounted figures with dismounted figures and horses:

* figures can ride then dismount within the same movement phase, or vice-versa.The cannot perform this action with enemy stands in adjacent squares. Stands can mount up and ride within the same movement phase but not with enemy stands in adjacent squares.

* Stands may fire within the same Game-Turn that they dismounted.

* Stands may not claim cover from the Embankment when mounted.

* When mounted, all Firing is at PISTOL RANGE. ( one square)

* When dismounted all Firing is at CARBINE RANGE ( two squares).

CREDITS:

The figures are all 15mm and are a mix of Miniature Figurines. Peter Pig and Essex figures. The waggons and mules are from Peter Pig. Nearly all the Command Figures are Peter Pig. The flags are from Peter Pig.

The trees are from various manufacturers. The hills are made of self adhesive cork tiles cover with Fine Turf from the Woodlands Scenics company. The square outline is  ( I think?) Jarvis Scenics Sand.  The river sections are thin card. The hedging strips are from Pendragon Miniatures.

The dry river sections are from a Wargame Show bring-and-buy. The Embankment is made from Panscrubbers and BlueTack. The cloth covering is from Deep Cut Studios. It’s the “ Iberian Plain” with a Custom 2” square overlay.

As always. The table is 3 feet ( 90 cm) x 2 feet ( 60cm ). The stands are 40mm x 40mm and cut from picture framing card. The 40mm round stands are from Sarissa Precision.

The Battle of Adwalton Moor: England: 30th June 1643.

This article is my personal interpretation of this battle. Any mistakes are my own.

 During 1643 and beyond, King Charles issued numerous Commissions for the raising of regiments of horse and foot. On paper the Royalists could raise some 60,000 men.

 In reality, the Royalists would be lucky to gather a third of that number,  the rest being scattered in garrisons all over the country. Regiments were no more than either company or troop strength.

However, at this time the Royalists were in the ascendancy. Parliamentary Generals could not work as a unified Command, with each County Association jealously guarding against amalgamation. The “ New Model Army” was still in the future.

Taking advantage of the confusion within the enemies ranks, Queen Henrietta, having recently returned from the Continent, left York with a large convoy of weapons and material destined for Oxford.

This convoy, also had 3,000 foot, 30 companies of horse and dragoons along with 6 cannon and two mortars. The whole being escorted by the Duke of Newcastle.

After arriving at Newark and making sure the Queen and the supplies were secure, the Earl set out with his force to find the local Parliamentary army and destroy it thereby securing the North of England for the King.

To that end, Newcastle set out toward Bradford. He didn’t know that the Parliamentary forces under Fairfax were heading toward his army also intent on battle.

At Adwalton Moor, the advance guards of both armies accidentally ran into each other and had their first clash on Wisket Hill, with the Royalists giving way. During this skirmish, the main Royalist army drew up to the South-east at Hunger Hill. As the Royalist skirmishers took up their positions with the main army, the Parliamentary forces advanced into the enclosed area to the North-west of the Royalist position. As the Royalist cannon belched out their welcome, battle was joined………

THE PARLIAMENTARY ARMY: 3,500 Infantry and 500 Cavalry.

4,000 = 4pts x 10 = 40pts.

C-in-C Ferdinando Fairfax Senior @1pt.

Thomas Fairfax  @ 1pt

John Gifford @ 1pt.

2 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1pt equals 2pts.

9 stands of  Muskets @ 2pts = 18pts.

3 stands of  Pikemen @ 3pts = 9ps.

3 stands of Clubmen @ 1pt =3 points.

2 stands of Cavalry @ 2pts = 4pts.

1 stand of Dragoons. @ 1pt.

Note: the Clubmen do not carry firearms relying instead on a wooden club or quarter-staff. I repainted some pikemen and glued a shortened cocktail stick to the illustrations.

THE ROYALIST ARMY: 10,000 = 10pts x 10 = 100 pts.

C-in-C William Cavendish, Earl of Newcastle @ 1pt.

Sir Henry Slingsby @ 1pt.

Colonel Kirton  @ 1pt.

5,000 Cavalry = 5pts x 10 = 50pts.

5.000 Infantry = 5pts x 10 = 50pts.

8 stands of Pikemen @ 3pts = 24pts.

10 stands of Muskets @ 2pts = 20pts

16 stands of Cavalry @ 3pts = 48pts.

2 stands of Dragoons @ 1pt equals 2points.

3 stands of Light Artillery @ 1pt equals 3pts.

SPECIAL RULES.

* Both sides throw dice to determine who has the Initiative Point as per the basic rules.

* Royalist Musketeers deduct 1pt from all firing die rolls.

* All musketeers on both sides deduct 1pt from each die roll when firing on a target behind a hedge.

* When a stand moves into the trench it must stop moving. It can be moved at the start of the next Game-Turn.

* Cavalry cannot jump over hedgerow.

* The Cavalry and Pikemen can only move through the face of a square not a diagonal.

* The Musketeers, Mounted and Dismounted Dragoons can move in any direction.

* Infantry can push through Hedgerow but, can only be moved one square when doing so.

* Both sides cannot move any stands over, or through the squares containing the coal pits.

* There is no mention of cannon being moved during the battle so the cannon of both sides are static.

* If Cavalry attack any enemy Infantry stands positioned in the Trench, the Cavalry do not get the three points for attacking Infantry in the open.

* Any opposed Infantry in Close Combat across the hedge: use the rules regarding”Trench”.

VICTORY CONDITIONS:

* The Game is played for eight Game-Turns.

* The Royalists win if they can push all the Parliamentary stands from the enclosures toward Wisket Hill either before/ or by, the end of Game-Turn 8.

* The Parliamentary Army wins if it can hold its position in the enclosures for the Eight Game-Turns.

THE HISTORY:

When the Parliamentary troops initially encountered the Royalist advance guard on Wisket Hill, they managed to push them back across the Moor. It was said that the Royalist musket fire was “ a bit light”

I’m assuming that either the Royalists didn’t have enough powder, not trained enough with their weapons, or had a mixture of weapons. Possibly all three. The great Royal Arsenal of Hull fell to Parliamentary forces quite early in the war.

At this time Parliamentry infantry had better access to weapons so they could maintain two Muskets to every pikemen. The Royalists struggled to maintain their armies therefore the ratio was roughly 50/50

When Fairfax Senior saw the preponderance of Royalist Cavalry, this may have been the reason he ordered a rapid advance into the enclosures.

In modern times the battlefield is being slowly encroached upon by housing estates. The commentator at the time talked of a ditch that extended across the battlefield although there is no trace of it now.

The Royalist Cavalry had a real problem trying to break into, and move around the Parliamentarian position. The fighting was very intense

The actual history of the battle is very sparse and apparently has not received much attention. The historians are not sure even if this is the actual site of the battle. However in recent times, the battle and its effects on the War are being reappraised.

CREDITS:

Once again, the figures used were the Paper Soldiers of Peter Dennis ( Trademark Peter Dennis.) sold by Helion and Co.

The village of Adwalton is foamboard with illustrations stuck on. The hedgerow is pieces of panscrubber stuck on card.

The hills were made from foamboard with thin card overlay.

The flags were homemade from cocktail sticks and labels. The cannon were also scratchbuilt using card, plastic tubing from paint brushes and buttons.

The Battle of Downham Station; Norfolk; England February 5th 1871. [ Fictional ].

 This article is a work of historical fiction and is my personal interpretation of this era. Any mistakes are my own.

In the early hours of February 5th 1871,  a thick fog had formed covering the coastal waters of the east coast of middle England.  Steaming slowly through this gloom, on patrol, was the Armoured Corvette " PALLAS".

As the  Corvette steamed slowly through the calm waters, a Duty Lookout on the bridge spotted lights in the gloom. The Captain ordered a course change to intercept  those lights that were not expected. As the Pallas drew near, French Tricolours were spotted.

On being hailed a French voice replied in broken English that "echapper ....impoundment"!! .. The Captain and his Officers decided that the ships must have escaped impoundment by the Prussians. The Fleet sailed on. A signal was sent to the Coastguard station at Great Yarmouth.

The Harbourmaster at Kings Lynn watched the ships drop anchor as the sun rose and the fog lifted. Dockworkers and civilians watched in puzzlement as boats were launched into the water and troops were seen scaling down the sides of the ships.

As the boats came to the docks people thought they were French. The troops formed up on the dockside and gutteral voices issued commands. As people turned away, shots rang out  and these same soldiers held civilians. This broke the spell, people started shouting, screaming and running from the docks.

.

The Harbourmaster immediately ran for the Telegraph Office, hundreds of civilians were streaming away from Kings Lynn.

Meanwhile, senior Prussian officers were sending engineers and men to the railway yards to commandeer a train. Companies were sent forward to find horses. At the same time, troops of the Seebattalione were being sent toward the royal estate of Sandringham.

Within the hour,  Units of the Prussian 10th Armeekorp were on the train steaming toward Cambridge. Meanwhile there was shock and consternation at London and Windsor. At first, there was disbelief.! An Invasion! By Prussians!. As realization set in orders were swiftly transmitted. All available Militia and Military personnel were to head toward Kings Lynn by any means possible and engage the enemy.!!

Soon, the troops of the Windsor Garrison were packed into trains and Goods Waggons heading North. Meanwhile, The County Militia of Norfolk were scrambling in the same direction.

Eventually word spread along the Telegraph that the enemy were heading south toward Cambridge. It was decided that the enemy should be met at Downham Station…

BRITISH HOME DIVISION [ A scratch force ].

Acting C-in-C ; General Henry Abadie  @ 1 point.

General Evelyn Barker  @ 1 point.

General Edmond Wavery  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Grenadier Guards @ 4 points.

3 stands of Regular Line Infantry @ 3 points = 9 points.

1 stand of Regular Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

1 stand of Cavalry [ 6th Dragoons ] @ 2 points.

2 stands of Militia Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

8 stands of Militia Infantry  @ 2 points  = 16 points.

[ personal weapons include the Beaumont-Adams revolver and the Snyder-Enfield Rifle.]

PRUSSIAN 10TH ARMEEKORPS.

Commanding: General Der Infantrie, Konstantin Bernhardt Von Voights-Rhetz @ 2 points.

19th INFANTRY  DIVISION;

Generaleutnant Emil Von Schwatzkoppen. @ 1 point.

4 stands of Line Infantry  @ 3 points = 12 points.

1 stand of Dragoon Cavalry @ 2 points.

1 stand of Light Foot Artillery  @1 point.

20th INFANTRY DIVISION:

Generalmajor Alexander Von Kraatz-Koschau @ 1 point.

4 stands of Line Infantry  @ 3 points  = 12 points.

1 stand of Hanovarian Jaegers  @ 2 points.

1 stand of Dragoon Cavalry  @  2 points.

1 stand of Light Foot Artillery.  @  1 point.

CORPS ARTILLERY; Oberst Moritz Van Der Goltz.@ 1 point.

1 stand of infantry Artillery Guard  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Heavy Foot Artillery  @ 2 points.

1 stand of Horse Artillery  @ 1 point.

[ Catchment area for the 9th and 10th Armeekorps;  Province of Hanover, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, and Dutchy of Brunswick.]

SCENARIO RULES:

* The Prussians move first on the first Game-Turn and have the Initiative Point.

* From Game-Turns 2 to 8, each side throws a 12 sided die to see who Moves first and has the Initiative Point.

* Both sides are using Rifled Muskets and Artillery.

* The game is played for 8 Game-Turns, the Winner being the player who looses the lower number of stands.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE GAME:

In 2023 The Wargames Association of Reading ran their annual “ Warfare”event at Farnborough. Their theme was the 110th Anniversary of H.G. Wells. They requested games with a Victorian theme ( like “ The battle of Dorking”)

I worked out a Participation game with the Prussians and British, along with a  basic back story. I did some historical checking, to bind into the scenario.

However, at the last minute, my buddy got a call from the hospital for some long overdue surgery. Forward to 2024 and I received an invitation from The Newbury and Reading Wargames Association to put on Participation game at “ Colours”, their event at Newbury Racecourse.

This we did and it was a brilliant day, with lots of interest and people playing. We also managed to stage the same game at Warfare 2024, thanks to the club finding us a space.

I must admit, I really enjoyed setting up this scenario. In Medieval times The Hanseatic League had traded goods at Kings Lynn therefore I assumed the Prussian High Command would have information on the harbour area. Similarly the 10th Armeekorp had their Cantonment around Bremerhaven. That’s how I chose Kings Lynn for The Prussian raid-in-force.

THE TRAIN;

This was for the most part scratchbuilt, the “ Dajeeling ” engine body came from MPRO on Etsy, a Narrow Guage engine. I filled in the gaps in the body with plastic straws and cardboard.

I then filled in the bottom with picture framing cardboard. I then glued on a set of wheels from Peter Pig. The company does sets of wheels either Half round ( for armoured trains ) or full round for railway carriages.

 

I put some American Civil War railway figures ( Peter Pig 15mm) in the Engine before I put the roof on. 

The carriages were scratch built. I used the Peter Pig Flatcar and built the body using plasticard.

The railway line was purchased from Ironclad Miniatures. The station was a 15mm model kit from Kestrel and purchased online from Amazon.

Most of the buildings that make up Downham were from Total Battles Miniatures 15mm Black Powder range. Most were purchased as painted but two were painted by myself. Three of the larger houses were purchased from a Bring and Buy and repainted. The barn next to the station is from Peter Pig.

The scenery sections including the roads were made from picture-framing cardboard and Bluetack.  The hedgerow came from Pendraken Miniatures. The fences were scratchbuilt from matchsticks. The tents are scratchbuilt from cardboard.

All the figures came from Irregular Miniatures. The flags are from Pendraken Miniatures.

THE HISTORY;

During the 19th century, authors wrote novels by way of a warning to the Government of the day. Their concern centred around the paucity of Regular Troops within Great Britain. There were only 7,000 Regulars available. The vast majority of the troops were serving in British Dominions overseas. The Government relied on the Home Fleet to protect Britain.

Because of this situation every County was issued a License to raise Militia Battalions. There appears to be some standardization of uniform, the majority being either gray with red turnbacks, cuffs and trouser seams, or, Rifle green with red or black turnbacks cuffs and seams. They carried the standard rifle.

The Yoeman cavalry came from more well off Landowners and they paid for their own horses and equipment. Obviously there were very few of this group.

The Militia Artillery were well trained. Their uniform was based on the Royal Artillery uniform with County variations.

The Regular troops which were available wore the standard British Infantry uniform with shako. However the Home Service uniform was gradually being introduced. This was still a red jacket with grey trousers, however the Prussian helmet came in, dark blue with a brass spike and trousers tucked into boots.

The Grenadier Guards still wore the bearskin.

At that time, just after the Franco-Prussian War, the Kaiser was asked by a British journalist if he would invade Britain. The Kaiser replied he would not. However British Diplomacy depended on maintaining the Balance of Power in Europe. Supporting side A against B, then supporting side B when A got too strong.

 Prior to the Franco- Prussian War, Germany had been a patchwork quilt of small states which had been manipulated by either France or Britain according to political necessity. 

Under the Kaiser and, after a brief Civil War, Germany had become a unified  country in the heart of Europe. The Prussians had previously defeated Austria in seven weeks settling the issue as to who would be the dominant force within the old Holy Roman Empire. Germany had arrived on the world stage.

This situation turned the previous Political order, which had lasted some two hundred years, upside down. With the shock defeat of France, Britain now had a new powerful political adversary to deal with…..

( note: the picture above shows the 9th and 10th Armeekorp. The 9th has quite a few Essex Miniatures figures in it. I originally did the 10th then decided to add another” corps”….as you do!..).

Table Top Battles 2nd Edition; The Addendum. 2025.

When I wrote Table Top Battles, I was quite happy with the result. As I,ve been writing the blogs, I,ve been adding extra rules either for general use or specific to a particular battle.

 I also made a couple of mistakes in that the TURN RECORD SHEET and the ROSTER SHEET could not be downloaded. The Map of ITALY had a number of inaccuracies that happened during my first attempt.

 This ADDENDUM is a round up of all the extra instructions that have appeared in the blogs, plus a rectification of those glitches. This is a free download and print out.

I,d like to stress that this IS NOT THE COMPLETE RULEBOOK.

To get the print-out, go to the HOME PAGE. On the right hand side of the screen go to the box entitled" ABOUT ME". At the bottom of that column is the prompt for the print out.

Just click on that to get the file. Obviously, the quality of the print-out depends on the printer being used ( mine is not brilliant). However all the information will be in one place.

The Battle of Kesseldorf, Saxony, 15th December 1745.

 This article is my personal interpretation of the battle. Any mistakes are my own.

The War of the Austrian Succession was not a straightforward affair. France and Spain were linked via their respective Monarchies. However, they did not always work together. France had been an enemy of the Hapsburg Monarchy for Decades. When Frederick of Prussia declared war on Austria, the French government saw a chance to humble their constant enemy by yoking themselves to the Prussian war wagon. However, Frederick was not adverse to dumping his Allies if it suited his plans.

Austria was allied to the Italian Kingdom of Piedmont in order to protect its possessions in Northern Italy. Having lost the battle of Bassignana, the Piedmontese army became besieged within its Cities by the French. There was no force capable of stopping the Spanish army from entering Milan, thereby taking Lombardy for their own. The Austrian  General Lichtenstein promptly left the Piedmontese to their fate and made some hard marching eastward to Mantua before they were cut off from the homeland.

The Austrians were annoyed with Britain. This nation was not directly involved but King George was not only King of Great Britain, he was also Elector ( ruler ) of the Kingdom of Hanover. He disliked the Prussian King intensely. The British Government wanted to stop the French from gaining total control of the political situation in Europe. ( French was the diplomatic language of Europe. Even Frederick spoke better French than his native German).Therefore Britain was bankrolling Austria.

To combat French influence, Britain signed a secret alliance with Prussia. Part of this deal was to recognise Prussia’s conquest of Silesia. To that end, Britain was now putting pressure on the Empress of Austria to accept!  Needless to say this went down like a lead balloon with the Austrian Monarchy. France was in the same situation, equally angry with the Prussian Kings duplicity!..

At this point of the war both France and Austria realising that their political situations were similar,  started sending Envoys to each other’s Court. Having been major enemies for some five hundred years, they were now Allies!..

This was a huge upset to the established  political order of the western Monarchies  and became known as the “ Diplomatic Revolution”..

The two countries recruited Saxony to the cause. They then contacted the slumbering giant to the east…. Russia.  The idea was that Austria and Russia distract the Prussian forces while Saxony invade Prussia.  King Frederick was watching events with growing alarm.He desperately wanted his conquest of Silesia to be recognised by all of Europe. He was also uneasy about the possibility of Russian troops on Prussian soil.

As Frederick set his troops in motion, the Russians reneged on an agreement to support Saxony. ( At the Russian Court, the British Ambassador had managed to cast the French ambassador in a bad light and got him expelled thereby stalling any effort from that direction). Frederick moved his forces into Saxony and started taxing the populace!..

Austria was not prepared to countenance the loss of another ally. The Empress ordered Prince Charles to move the army into Saxony. The ruler, ( another Frederick ) was not the stamp of his father so, to strengthen his resolve, 46,000 Austrian troops lumbered into the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Prussian General Prince Leopold leading 35,000 troops and King Frederick with another 25,000 were moving toward Dresden, the Saxon capital.

General Grunne,s advance guard of  10,000 Austrians managed to link up with the Saxon General Rutowski and his 28,000 men in order to defend the Saxon capital.

As these armies manoeuvred around in the bad weather trying to find each other, Prince Leopold’s Prussian troops blundered into the left flank of the Saxon army anchored on the village of Kesseldorf. After a number of attacks in difficult terrain the Prussian troops were repulsed. To get to the grips with the Saxons, the “ Old Dessaur “ ( the old warhorse) marched his army around to the front of the Saxon army positioned on the opposite ridge. Once the army was in position and only pausing to offer up a prayer, the Prince signalled the attack and the formations slipped and slithered down to the Zschoner Bach…..

THE SAXON ARMY = 28,000 = 28 pts:

13,600 Infantry = 13.6 or 14 pts r/u = 7 stands of Line Infantry @ 2pts.

4,896 Grenadier Infantry = 4.896 or 5 pts r/u = 2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 2 pts + General Rutowski @ 1pt.

1,600 Heavy Cavalry = 1.6 or 2 pts = 1 stand of Heavy Cavalry @ 2 pts.

1,200 Dragoons = 1.2 or 1 pt = 1 stand of Dragoons @ 1 point.

1,600 Chevau-Leger = 1.6 or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Chevau-Leger Cavalry @ 1 point.

( Chevau-Leger were a cheap form of Light Cavalry on ponies).

1 Regiment of 24 heavy guns each with 50 gunners along with 500 engineers/ miners:

24 x 50 gunners = 1,200 + 500 = 1,700 = 1.7 or 2 pts r/u = 1 stand of Heavy Artillery @ 2 pts.

33 Battalion Guns = 33 x 50 gunners = 1,650 = 1.650 pts or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

AUSTRIAN ARMY 10,000 = 10 points:

4,000 Line Infantry = 4 points = 3 stands of Line Infantry @ 1 pt + 1 General ( Grunne ) @ 1 point.

864 Infantry Grenadiers = 0.864 pts = 1 point = 1 stand of Grenadier Infantry @ 1 point.

1,600 Grenz  Infantry = 1,6 or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Light Infantry @ 1point.

1,600 Cavalry = 1.6 or 2 points = 2 stands of Dragoons @ 1 point.

12 Battalion Guns x 50 gunners = 600 = 0.600 pts = 1 pt r/u = 1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

PRUSSIAN ARMY: 35,000 = 35 pts.

21,000 Line Infantry = 20 points = 7 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points + 2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 3 points + 1 General ( Prince Leopold of Anhalt Dessau ).

9,000 Cavalry = 9pts = 4 stands of Cavalry @ 2 pts ( 2 stands of Dragoons + 2 stands of Heavy Cavalry ) + 1 General @ 1 point. ( General Lewaldt ).

33 Field Guns x 50 gunners =  1,650 = 1.650 pts or 2 pts r/u = 1 stand of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points.

66 Battalion Guns x 50 gunners = 3,300 = 3.3 pts or 3pts r/d = 3 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1point.

Fighting The Battle :

* The Prussian Army moves first on the 1st Game-Turn. All other Game-Turns are diced for as usual.

* The Prussian Army retains the Initiative Point for the entire battle.

* The Prussian Army wins any tied results.

* All Cavalry move at 2 squares only.

* Artillery move at one square only.

* Kesseldorf is regarded as a FORTRESS WALL: Therefore the Attacker will deduct 3 points from all Die rolls on top of any other deductions.( example: 2 points for attacking uphill + a further 2 points. )

* The Zschoner Bach does not impede movement but stands cannot fire while positioned in the stream.

* The Elbe cannot be crossed by any stands.

HISTORICAL ACTIONS,

* During the battle, the Saxon Grenadiers were more than holding their own within Kesseldorf. However, when the Prussians attacking the village retreated, the Genadiers left their positions to pursue them. This proved to be their undoing. Therefore:

* If any Prussian Stands are forced to “ move-back” as part of a close combat result on attacking Kesseldorf, the Saxon Grenadiers WILL BE MOVED TOWARD THEM. This action take place prior to the commencement of the next Game-Turn.

THE AUSTRIANS:

For some reason, the Austrians never moved from their position to aid the Saxons. However, players may wish to include them in the game. Therefore:

* At the start of Game- Turn 3 onward,  If the Saxon player rolls a “1”  during the roll to see who moves first he/ she may start moving the Austrians.

* The Saxon player may move EITHER the Saxons or the Austrians at the start of the Game-Turn. He/ she may not move both although ALL stands can fire and engage in Close Combat if able to do so. ( This is because there doesn’t seem to have been any cooperation between the two groups. )

MORALE.

I found that it is best to use the Morale system during this battle. The Saxon and Austrian Morale totals are kept separate.

WINNNG THE BATTLE:

* The battle will last until either:

A) one sides morale total collapses to Zero. The Austrians are Not included in this. Only the Saxons and the Prussians

B) At the end of 8 Game-Turns the side losing the most number of stands, looses the battle. ( In this situation the Saxons and Austrians Are added together.)

CREDITS:

The figures are a mix of Miniature Figurines and Peter Pig.

The trees are from various manufacturers. The represented villages are scratchbuilt. The hills are partly homemade and commercially by Brian of Essex Miniatures.

The snowfield is all cardboard as is the river. The snow effect rocks are Christmas decor from Wilkinson ( before they went bust!)

FOOTNOTE:

As stated at the start of this blog the above is my personal interpretation of this battle. However should you wish to explore this battle further there is a book available( at the time of writing). The title is:

Kesseldorf 1745 Decision In The Fight For Silesia by Alexander Querengasser available from Helion and Co.

Those Buildings.

This article is of my personal observation of the hobby.

Buildings in Wargaming can be both a blessing and a bind. Currently there are companies making some beautiful buildings in Resin, MDF and 3D printing.

The main photo shows four different styles which I use with mainly 15mm figures.

Three are scratchbuilt, the fourth is from Total Battle Miniatures.

 Some players like the buildings on the edge of a table for decoration. Those that have the space, include them directly into the battle, especially for skirmish gaming. However for larger battles and, in order to accommodate the larger footprint of the building, the table has to be correspondently larger.

Of course, this is fine if  you have the space for a large table. If you haven’t and you do need to include buildings there could be a problem.

The late veteran Wargamer Paddy Griffith said something along the lines that, the worst part of wargaming was the figures that we use because they distort distances.

Buildings cause a similar problem. Years ago in a magazine article the author wrote that it was better to have buildings a scale smaller than the figure to give a better perspective. Facing the same problem, I took an idea I used in the scenarios with the paper solders to telescope the buildings down.

Here are the rules for such items in the system I use

Example 1:   The building blocks line of sight between these opposing stands.

Example 2 : The British stand cannot fire on the French stand because the building covers the front of the British stand.

However, the French stand can fire on the British stand because the British stand is within the French arc of fire.

In this next photo, both sides can exchange fire.

In this next example neither the French or British can fire on each other.

Now the British and French can exchange fire.

In this example both sides can exchange fire. The French can claim cover because they are already in position.

If both sides survive the Firing phrase, this situation is covered by the “trench” rule in that both sides can engage in close combat over the wall.

This next illustration shows another dwelling type that I have started using. Both opposing stands can fire at each other and both can claim cover.

The following illustration shows both opposing stands within the village. Both sides can fire, and both sides can, once again claim cover from fire. If both sides stay in position without retreating,  Close Combat will take place as normal.

The next illustration shows an attack on one end of a village. The French can only fire on the British stand to its front. The British stands can fire, but must deduct points for firing at an enemy stand in cover. If both sides stay in place, Close Combat will take place with the wall counting as “trench”.

In the next picture, the  British stand  ( marked with a yellow token ) can only fire on the French stand to its front. The French stand ( marked with a red marker) can fire on the British stand. The “ building” in the middle of the village stops the British stand ( marked in yellow) returning fire.  In Combat, the French stands can claim “ support” from each other.

The rule system I use does not allow artillery pieces within a village. However, should you wish to, or the scenario calls for it, then this is the rule I would use:

The gun within the village must remain static in that it cannot be realigned to fire on a different fire arc, or be removed from the village. If the gun suffers a “ move-back” it will not move but will deduct 2 points from its Firing die when returning fire. It will be destroyed by any less-than-half score from enemy artillery or, from Infantry fire or Close Combat with Infantry.

I hope the above will be of use in your wargaming activities. The figures are from Miniature Figurines. The cannon is from Peter Pig.