This was a refight of the 1st Battle of Polotsk 16-18 August, 1812 played using Black Powder Rules.
The Setup
The game was fought across a 14ft by 5ft table. This and the deployment allowed the game to be played easily by 8 players
The forces were not deployed historically at the start of game. The French army deployed with 3 infantry Brigades and a light cavalry brigade on the table with the heavy cavalry brigade and the 3 brigades of Bavarians in reserve of table. The Russians deployed with 5 infantry brigades and their light cavalry brigade on the table with the dragoon brigade and the grenadier brigade in reserve.
Troop Ratings and Rule Changes
To try to balance the game towards a historical result I gave the French infantry the Reliable in Attack Column useful rule and gave the Russian infantry the Steady useful rule.
In addition I reduced to 2 the shooting dice of the Russian line infantry and did not allow their skirmishers the +1 factor for skirmishers shooting.
All the units except for the 4 skirmishing detachments were BP standard sized units.
The commanders were all given a rating of 7.
I allowed formed troops to move thru the woods but with their movement reduced to 50%.
The game was played with the 66% version of the BP rules - reducing movement and firing by 66% but we retained the command radius and proximity distance at 12" given the size of the units.
Link to Flickr photoset of the game
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bill26048/sets/72157626491091197/
Historical Background
On the advance to Moscow Marshal Oudinot, Duc de Reggio, with the II corps was sent to guard the French Grande Armee's left flank and, if he could, bring General Ludwig Wittgenstein's 28,000 men to battle and threaten St Petersburg.
After the Battle of Klyastitsy on the road between Polotsk and Sebezh Oudinot's II Corps retreated to Polotsk. He requested reinforcement from the Grande Armee and Napoleon sent General Gouvion St Cyr with his Vi Corps of Bavarian troops to join Oudinot at Polotsk on the River Dvina.
In the early morning of 17 August the 1st Corps led by Wittgenstein attacked the French positions near the village of Spas, forcing the French to retreat. Oudinot transported additional units of II Corps to the sector of the attack and also counterattacked in the centre. By the night both the French and the Russians managed to keep their positions. Oudinot was wounded, yet again in his career, and had to hand over the administration of the combined force to the newly arrived Saint-Cyr.
This game represents the action of the 18th when most of the troops from both sides became generally engaged.
Here are the briefings the players received and their orders of battle.
French Briefing
General Gouvion Saint-Cyr
Your order of battle is attached below.
The forces of the II corps engaged the enemy yesterday and should all be deployed on the table except for one of the cavalry Brigades which can be held of table in reserve to the rear.
During the night you have successfully brought the VI Corps across to the north bank of the River Dvina, These forces can be deployed on the table or in reserve to the rear.
At the beginning of the action at least one brigade must be deployed in each quarter of the table.
The terrain is generally open with some high ground to the north flanking the St Petersburg road. The villages are lightly built and only provide cover from shooting. The one exception is the heavily built convent of Spas which is a built up area.
Russian Briefing
General Pyotr Khristianovich Wittgenstein
Your order of battle is attached below
The forces of the Advance Guard and the Main body of 1st corps engaged the enemy II Corps yesterday and should all be deployed on the table.
During the night you have successfully brought up the reserve command and these forces are deployed in reserve off-table to the rear of your line. The reserve artillery can be deployed on table as reinforcements to infantry brigades.
Prisoners have told you that Marshal Oudinot’s corps consists of 3 infantry brigades and 2 cavalry brigades. They also said that the VI Corps is advancing to join Oudinot. Your Cossacks report that this force was last night on the south bank of the River Dvina.
At the beginning of the action at least one brigade must be deployed in each quarter of the table.
The terrain is generally open with some high ground to the north flanking the St Petersburg road. The villages are lightly built and only provide cover from shooting. The one exception is the heavily built convent of Spas which is a built up area.
FRENCH OB
II CORPS Marshal Oudinot WOUNDED
6th Brig LEGRAND
4 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
8th Brig VERDIER
4 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
SK DET OF 12 FIGURES
9th Brig SWISS MERLE
4 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
SK DET OF 12 FIGURES
3rd Cuir Div DOUMERC
2 CUIRASSIER REGTS OF 12 FIGURES, HORSE GUN
LC Div CORBINEAU
2 CHASSEUR A CH REGTS OF 12 FIGURES, HORSE GUN
RESERVE
2 HEAVY FOOT GUNS
VI CORPS General Gouvion St Cyr acting CINC 7
19th Brig BAVARIAN DEROY
3 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
20th Brig BAVARIAN VON WREDE
3 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
21st Brig BAVAVRIAN
3 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
RUSSIAN OB
1st Detachment 1st Army of the West
CinC General Pyotr Khristianovich Wittgenstein 7
Main Body
1ST BRIGADE
4 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
JAEGER (SK) DET OF 12 FIGURES
2ND BRIGADE
4 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
3RD BRIGADE
4 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
4TH BRIGADE
4 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
RESERVE ARTILLERY
3 HEAVY FOOT GUNS
Adv Guard
5TH BRIGADE
4 LINE BTN OF 24 FIGURES, FOOT GUN
JAEGER (SK) DET OF 12 FIGURES
1ST CAV BRIGADE
HUSSAR REGT OF 12 FIGURES
COSSACK SOTNA OF 12 FIGURES
HORSE GUN
Reserve
6TH BRIG
4 GREN BTN, FOOT GUN
2ND CAV BRIGADE
2 DRAGOON REGTS OF 12 FIGURES
COSSACK SOTNA OF 12 FIGURES
HORSE GUN
