Winter 1812

In order to bring some of the fresher 1/72 Napoleonics out for a game, I set up a small scenario, using a very simplified version of Victorious Eagle Warfare. The eagles in question were the French and Russian ones, some time after the great retreat had begun.

The French cavalry quickly deployed on the right and fired a volley at the approaching Russian line.

The Guards battalion did not take the pummeling of multiple French columns well, and the gap had to be filled with Opolcheniye.

Close quarters combat dragged on the French left, as the Cossacks failed to turn the Italians out of cover, and the Russian line battalion stood its ground against the enemy infantry.

A combined charge brought the Russian infantry on their extreme left to their heels.

The militia fled from the enemy, obscuring the artillery's view.

The reserve on the Russian left formed square and repulsed the cavalry.

At this point it very much looked like a failure for the Russians, so a general retreat was ordered. The French fought bravely and probably saved the rest of the army.

I used an alternative activation sequence: Generals rolled 1d6 for each of their command points, and could spend them at a result of 3+, so a marginal chance of failure, yet exciting enough to bring some friction to the game. Close combat resolution also followed the much simpler 'Easy Tricorne' variant, eg. one die for each combat score. 

The French cavalry charge against the square was very brave, but the free volley the square is allowed to deliver can be devastating. For the Russians, this game was without any great risk - not as much for the French, so they had to do their best - some of the Russian reserve was never even committed.