Battle Report for WRG 1685-1845

A 28mm Napoleonic Wargame

A short game to relearn the basics of these rules. The two armies were French and British,
and the deployments and the rosters are shown below:
British
Napoleonic
No. in Skirmishers Tot
unit Name Reg/Irreg Type Morale Weapon "N" Pts/fig Pts Notes*

1 CiC 100 100

0
Brig
1 Commander 50 50
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Vet Musket 4 5 84
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Vet Musket 4 5 84
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Trained Musket 4 4 68
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Trained Musket 4 4 68
0
Brig
1 Commander 50 50
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Trained Musket 4 4 68
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Trained Musket 4 4 68
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Trained Musket 4 4 68
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Trained Musket 4 4 68
0
Brig
1 Commander 50 50
Light
9 Light Dragoons Reg Cav Trained 10 90
Heavy
9 Dragoons Reg Cav Trained 10 90
0
Brig
1 Commander 50 50
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Vet Musket 4 5 84
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Vet Musket 4 5 84
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Trained Musket 4 4 68
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Trained Musket 4 4 68
0
Art Bty: 0
2 Medium Guns Reg Art 40 80
1 Medium How Reg Art 40 40
2 pairs
3 Limbers Reg Art Trained horses 5 15
12 Gunners Reg Art Trained 5 60 195
0

TOTAL 1555
 French Army of the North
Napoleonic
No. in Skirmishers
unit Name Reg/Irreg Type Morale Weapon "N" Pts/fig Tot Pts Notes*

1 CiC 100 100

0
1 Brig Commander 40 40
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Vet Musket 4 5 84
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Vet Musket 4 5 84
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Raw Musket 4 3 52
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Raw Musket 4 3 52
0
1 Brig Commander 40 40
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Raw Musket 4 3 52
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Raw Musket 4 3 52
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Raw Musket 4 3 52
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Raw Musket 4 3 52
0
1 Brig Commander 40 40
12 Lancers Reg Light Cav Trained 10 120
Heavy
12 Dragoons Reg Cav Trained 10 120
0
1 Brig Commander 40 40
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Vet Musket 4 5 84
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Vet Musket 4 5 84
20 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Raw Musket 4 3 64
16 Inf Btn Reg Line Inf Raw Musket 4 3 52
0
Art Bty: 0
3 Medium Guns Reg Art 40 120
1 Medium How Reg Art 40 40
2 pairs
4 Limbers Reg Art Trained horses 5 20
16 Gunners Reg Art Trained 5 80 260
0

TOTAL 1524

Turn 1
The French won the roll off for the first turn, so took the first bound.

The French Artillery needed to take a Reaction test as they intend to shoot. This is a
Reaction to First Opposition Test, and as this was the first opportunity to see what the
quality of the French Brigadier looking after the infantry and the guns (right of centre of the
line) was a die was rolled = 5, giving a Bold Brigadier. This actually meant that the Artillery
test was automatically passed as they needed to beat a -1 on a D6. Moving into the shooting
phase the artillery shoot, shooting at up to 700paces at a dispersed target, as the British
column has skirmishers out front, requiring 6’s to hit with the guns and 5’s for the howitzer.
The guns rolled 2,2,6 and the howitzer 5, inflicting 2 casualties on the British column. This
will give the column a Reaction Test at the beginning of their turn.
As there was no other shooting or any hand to hand in the first turn the French moved.

The French start their advance across the table.

And so to the first British turn. Beginning with the Response Phase, the Artillery needed to
take a test as they intended to fire upon the advancing French. The British column on the
left of the line also had to take a test as it received casualties from the French artillery fire.
The Brigadier in the centre with the guns rolled a D6 to see what his quality was = 5 which
was Bold. The Left flank infantry’s Brigadier rolled a 2 making him Cautious. The Guns
Reaction Test was to beat -1, so this was done automatically and no dice was rolled.
However, the trained column on the left had to react to 2 shooting casualties, and needed
to beat a 2, rolling a 3 they succeeded, allowing them to act as they wish. The guns firing at
just below 600 paces, needed 6’s to hit the dispersed skirmishers in front of the column and
the Howitzer needed a 5. The guns rolled 5,5 and the howitzer a 1 scoring no hits. As there
was no more shooting or hand to hand the British moved.
The British at the end of turn 1. Note the casualty marker at the rear of the yellow flagged
infantry column near to the wood.

Turn 2
The French column that came under fire had a test for being fired on (even though no
casualties were caused). Their Brigadier had to test for quality rolling a D6 = 2 which made
him Cautious. The French column needed to beat a 1 as they were fired on with roundshot.
They threw passing the test. The French cavalry could not charge the British cavalry as they
were still on the reverse slope of the hill. Only two of the French guns and the Howitzer
could fire at the same British column as the battery was partially covered by the cavalry
advance. The range was still 500 paces and the guns need a 6 to hit whereas the Howitzer
needs a 5. They rolled 5,1,1 missing that turn. As there was no more shooting or hand to
hand the French moved.
The British turn began with some small arms fire from the skirmishers in front of the two
columns in the centre of the table, as well as more artillery fire. However one of the
columns had already taken a test for first opposition so did not need to test again. The
remaining column did need to test though. As their Brigade commander was cautious, they
automatically passed the test as they needed to beat a 0 to do so. The British shooting from
the artillery was at a range of 340 paces so was still with roundshot at the dispersed targets.
If the French continued their advance they would receive canister fire next turn. Needing 6’s
with the guns and 5 with the howitzer, rolling 5,4,3 the guns missed their target again. The
skirmishers could not actually hit their targets as they would need to be at 100 paces to
have a chance with a 5. At 200 paces they cannot hit the dispersed targets. No further
shooting or hand to hand, so the British moved.

The British cavalry have kept behind the crest of the hill so the French could not charge
them yet. On the right flank and in the centre the British formed lines in order to get their
better firepower into play.

Turn 3
The right hand French column was now within range for its skirmishers to fire at the nearest
British skirmishers so indeed needed a test for First Opposition, which they automatically
passed being veterans with a bold commander. The French guns continued to fire roundshot
at the same British column, needing 6’s and 5 for the howitzer against the skirmishers
protecting it. They rolled 6,3,2 and a 5 for the howitzer scoring 2 hits. The French
skirmishers had 2 dice requiring 5’s and scored 4 and 3 on the same target. The British
column needing to beat a 2 for reaction to shooting casualties rolled a 2 and the skirmishers
halted. No further shooting or hand to hand, so onto the manoeuvre phase.
The French Dragoons advance onto the top of the hill on the right and in the centre finally
getting to close range. On the left 4 battalions skirt the woods but keep behind the cover of
the hill.

Finally we got to a few British tests for meeting First Opposition. A line and 2 columns on the
right of the British line, the infantry line in the centre, and the Light Dragoons on the hill
who attempted to charge the Dragoons that had just come over the crest. Both the right
hand infantry commander and the cavalry commander threw 5’s indicating they were both
Bold. All the right flank infantry required to test passed as they had a Bold commander
giving them a -1 to beat. The line in the centre needed to beat a 1 as they could’nt actually
see the commander at this time. They rolled 4, so were fine. The Light dragoons attempting
to charge needed to beat -1, so they went in, moving their initial charge move in the
Reaction Phase.
The British shooting started with the line on the right. As they could’nt hit the French
skirmishers as they were still at long range, the next unit to fire was the skirmishers on the
right at the French ones, 2 elements needed 5’s, scored 6,2 for one hit. Just to the right of
the British guns the columns skirmishers fired onto a French column needing 6’s to hit,
rolling 6,4 causing 1 casualty. The central line fired on to the 2 groups of skirmishers
covering the following columns, needing 4’s to hit and scoring 6,3 on the first (1 hit) and 6,5
on the second for two hits. The skirmishers from the halted British column fired on the
skirmishers directly to their front needing 5’s to hit, and rolling 6,4 scoring 1 hit. The British
artillery opened up on the skirmishers to their front, just from the two guns as a British
column has strayed into the danger zone of the howitzer. The guns needing 5’s to hit rolled
6,4 for 1 hit. The French reaction to shooting started with the column on the right, having
received 1 casualty they need to beat -2 to continue – Easy. Indeed all 4 columns in the
centre pass without the need to roll dice. The Raw column on the left that took a casualty
only needed to beat a 1 and rolled 5 passing the test.
The first hand to hand of the battle was with the Light Dragoons charging the Heavy
Dragoons. The British Light Dragoons scoring 2 advantage points for charging whilst the
French Dragoons scored 1 for being uphill. Therefore the British had the advantage and their
3 elements rolled 4,1,1 for 1 casualty, whilst the French only have 2 elements rolling 6,5 for
one casualty as well. As the hand to hand was a draw, it continued into another turn as a
melee.
The British manoeuvre phase saw the reserves starting to move up on each side of the
centre, and all the battalions forming line on the right flank.

Turn 4
The French had some tests for charges. The Veteran Infantry column on the right trying to
initiate a charge on the mauled British battalion. They needed to beat 4 to go in and rolled a
1, meaning that they could not move closer to the British line. On the left flank a raw
column attempted to charge one of the British lines once again needing to beat a 4, and
rolling 3, temporarily stopping the advance.
The French artillery once again fired roundshot at the same British battalion, now in line
(normal target), needing 5’s for the guns and 6 for the howitzer, rolling 5,3,1 and 5 for the
howitzer inflicting another casualty. The columns skirmishers fired at the same target and
rolled 5,4 when 6’s were needed. The 2 columns advanced in the centre fired their
skirmishers at the central British line needing 5’s. One column missed rolling 2,1 but the
other rolled 5,5 for 2 hits. The fourth column in the centre fired its skirmishers at the British
artillery needing 6’s, scoring 1 hit with a 6,3. The hit on a gunner, when another 6 was
rolled. The now halted raw column on the left fired at the line needing 5’s to hit from the
skirmishers, rolling 6,2 killing another of the Kings men. This bought up 4 shooting tests, the
line on the right needing to beat 1 rolled 6 and were fine. The artillery also needed a 1 and
rolled a 4. The central British line needed to beat a 2 and rolled a 2, meaning they became
shaken and must retire at least 25 paces next bound. The smaller battalion had been
mauled for three turns now rolled a 6 and therefore was able to continue as it wanted.
The ongoing melee on the hill saw the advantage points for the Light Dragoons
disadvantaged as the Dragoons had upslope, Heavy Cavalry fighting others and 2 elements
reinforcing the melee. The British needing 6’s with their 3 elements and the French 4’s with
their 4 elements. The British rolled 5,2,1 for no hits whilst the French rolled 6,6,4,1 for 3
hits. The British lost taking a test needed to beat a 6 which they couldn’t so routed. As the
Light Dragoons routed during the French bound they moved in their own response phase
and in their manoeuvre phase next bound.
The British now had a few problems to sort with the Light dragoons in rout and several
French columns approaching the British firing line.
The British Heavy Cavalry declared a charge on the French Dragoons that beat the Light
Dragoons on the British left flank. As they were attempting to charge a friends pursuers they
needed to beat a 3 to succeed, so the 4 thrown was a welcome sight. The Light Dragoons
took their initial rout move and headed for the gap at the end of the British Dragoons
charging line.
With the charge being successful the British moved on to their shooting phase. Starting on
the right hand side the line opens up on the skirmishers on the hill, needing 4’s to hit.
Having rolled 5,5,4,3 three casualties are inflicted on the French column. The second line
unit fire on the halted Raw French column once again needing 4’s to hit the skirmish line,
causing 2 casualties by rolling 1,2,4,4. The third line fire into the same column throwing
1,2,3,6 causing yet another casualty making it three casualties on the column this turn. The
fourth line fires into the flank of the column advancing on the guns needing 4’s to hit the
dense target at long range. Rolling 4,5,6,6 four casualties were inflicted. The artillery fire
into the same target, with the guns firing canister at the skirmish line needed 5’s, rolling 1,6
inflicting 1 more casualty. The howitzer holding its fire as the British line was still in the
danger zone. The shaken British line can fire at the 2 French columns advancing on it as the
line was unsteady, throwing 2 D6 on the first rolling 3,4, and one on the second rolling 5,
inflicting one hit on each column. The French then had to take 5 reaction tests from
shooting casualties. In the centre the first column had taken 1 casualty this turn passed
automatically as they were Veterans and French meaning they had a -2 to beat, as indeed
did the next column. The column in front of the guns had taken 5 casualties still needed to
beat 2, rolled 4 and continued onward. The raw columns on the left flank, both having
suffered 3 casualties needed to beat 3. The one nearest the wood rolling a 6 continuing, but
the column on the hill could only manage a 1, forcing it to halt.
With no hand to hand actions to be fought, the British moved with the infantry in the centre
having to retire shaken, forcing the line behind them to retire as well, The infantry on the
right advanced, and the Heavy cavalry charged into the French Dragoons. What was left of
the Light dragoons left the table.

Turn 5
The Dragoons on the hill tested for being charged and as they were pursuers they needed to
beat a 2, rolling 6 they stood on the hill to receive the British Heavy Cavalry charge. Two
columns in the centre of the table both declared charges on the Shaken British infantry line.
One automatically passed but the other needed to beat a 1 as it has a Cautious General,
having rolled a 3 it was fine. On the French left 2 raw columns attempted to charge a British
line, needing to beat 4’s, throwing 2 and 4 neither could charge. The French Dragoons
receiving the charge at the halt fired on the charging British Dragoons needing 5’s to hit,
rolling 2,6,6,6 scoring three hits on the chargers. The French artillery fired on the infantry
line again, still needing 5’s and the howitzer 6, scoring 1,1,4,1. Bad miss. The right hand
column’s skirmishers fired again at the line needing 6’s and scored 4,5 for no hits. The two
central columns held fire this turn as they were charging and obviously did not want to be
slowed down to collect their skirmishers. The last column in the centre in a firing position
used its skirmishers to fire at the guns needing 6’s, scoring 6,6 for two hits. The additional
roll 4,6 meaning 2 more gunners bit the dust. Near the hill on the lelt flank the skirmishers
fired on the line needing 5’s scoring 5,6 for 2 casualties. The adjacent French column adding
another element requiring a 5 and getting a 2, not changing the situation. The skirmishers
on the hill fired onto the last British line needing 5’s, rolling 1,5 for 1 casualty. This meant
that 4 British units had to test for shooting casualties. The one on the right needing to beat a
1, rolled 4 so was fine. The next unit in line needing to beat 2 only rolled a 2 giving it a
retired shaken result for next turn. The guns needing a 2, rolled a 5 so passed the test. The
heavy cavalry having taken 3 casualties as they charged in on the Dragoons rolled a 6 and
continued to charge into contact.
The British Heavies having charged in to disordered Dragoons who were uphill had the
advantage on the French. The British needed 4’s to hit whilst the French needed 6’s. The
British rolled 2,4 for 1 hit, whilst the French rolled 3,4,5,6 also for 1 casualty, resulting in
another drawn melee.
During the manoeuvre phase the Dragoons lapped round the open flanks of the British
Heavy Cavalry, and the French columns made contact with shaken line infantry.

The French cavalry lapping round the British Heavies.

Onto the British response phase, and with the British line continuing to fire and the French
columns already having charged, the only reaction test was for the shaken British line
receiving the 2 charges. It needed to beat 2, rolling 2 it failed and broke, routing directly
back they burst through the British line to their rear disordering them. The French final
charge moves took them into the freshly disordered line.
Starting from the right the British lines continued their withering fire. The first unit required
4’s, scoring 2,5,6,6 for 3 hits. The shaken line on the right flank required 4’s scoring 2,3,3 for
no hits. The third line needed 4’s scored 1,3,4,4 for 2 casualties. The French column in front
of the British guns took enfilading fire from a British line needing 4’s to hit scoring 1,1,5,5 for
two hits, permanently shaking the French column. The artillery adding two more hits to the
column with 6,6 when 5’s were required. The last British unit that could fire fired 2 elements
at a French column that had come down the hill in the centre needing 4’s to hit rolled 1,5
for 1 hit. This lead to 4 shooting tests for the French. Starting with the last one hit which was
raw, it needed to beat a 1, the 2 rolled being enough. The column enfiladed, and
cannistered, needed to beat a 1 as French columns advancing are very reliable. However it
rolled a 1 forcing it to halt. The raw column which had been halted last turn now needed to
beat 4 and rolled a 6. At the end of the French line on the left flank the raw unit needed to
beat 5, and rolled a 3, retiring shaken.
The Cavalry melee continued with the British having 2 elements against the French 3, with
the French now gaining the melee advantage. The British rolled 4,4 for no casualties and the
French rolled 2,4,5 for 2 casualties. The British reaction test being automatically failed the
Heavy Cavalry routed. In the centre 2 French columns hit a disordered line. The French
having the advantage. Against the first column the British scored 3 for no casualties and on
the second column 1,2,3 for no casualties. The French scored 2,3,3,5 for 4 casualties. The
British line routed.
During the British manoeuvre phase the cavalry and the line took their first rout moves
whilst the other line continued its rout.
At this stage the game was drawn to a close as the French had broken the British cavalry and
were making good headway in the centre. Indeed it appeared that the raw French columns
on their left flank were in a position to upset the trained British lines facing them.