"Ours to lose Longstreet," Stonewall" Shaun Jackson told me as we took up the reins of a battle left at the critical midpoint. I think he had a point!
The previous game had led to some thoughts:
1. The bases used are too deep. That’s easily remedied.
2. On reflection (and recalculation) reintroduce the right shift for Firers with Skirmishers. It was removed for historical reasons but probably should be there for the sake of maths and game balance.
3. Cavalry need a small tweak, as follows………..
The BBB rules as written do not distinguish between mounted and dismounted cavalry. Firstly, because they were written with mainly the FPW in mind, where lance and sabre armed cavalry are the norm, and secondly to keep the mechanics as simple as possible.
Cavalry in the American Civil War, deserve a little more consideration.
ACW cavalry would operate effectively as mounted infantry. In BBB there is a big difference between cavalry and infantry. While mounted, a unit is treated as a Cavalry target, meaning the firer enjoys a right shift, and the cavalry gets no benefit from cover. Once dismounted they are considered as infantry, can use cover, and don't suffer the right shift for a Cavalry target.
As dismounting and remounting was intrinsic to their function I don’t think there should be a movement penalty involved in them doing his. However, I think there should be distinction between the two different states in game terms.
Suggestion:
If cavalry with firearms do not move in the Movement phase, they can be considered dismounted; you could place a base with horse holders as a marker to indicate this. When being shot at in the Opponent’s Defensive Fire phase they are treated as an infantry target.
Cavalry with firearms are considered mounted if they move or change formation in their Movement phase. Give them a marker (white cube). They can still fire in their Offensive Fire phase but with this caveat (half factors).
Whatever their state, they are always treated as mounted for Evading, and for Movement & Retiring distances.
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| Longstreet overlooks the Rappahannock crossing at Fredricksburg |
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| And that a silenced Union battery leaving the area. So quick it blurred. |
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| JEB's boys and the Yankees go at it for a few rounds |
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| And Jackson holds his line |
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| More silenced Union guns |
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| But the bluebellends are massing to cross |
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| Longstreet pulls back that exposed Division. |
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But he loses on the left to overwhelming cannon fire and an infantry charge.
Touch and go for everybody though |
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| And they start to cross |
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| And they work the flank. |
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| My reserves cover the objective. |
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| And the treat from the centre vanished. We killed most of it. |
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| That sweeping right flank attack struggles. JEB is still at it |
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| Finally they come for Longstreet |
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| And he redeploys to face it. |
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| Some of our best units hold that entre now unopposed. |
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| Bayonets. It's a mass attack |
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| And my remaining reserve refuses to move. |
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| The right flank attack materialises |
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| They are knocked back from the ramparts, and its the last turn. |
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| The gap we were so concerned about is plugged by Hood. |
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| And over on the right Jackson holds like a brick wall |
A victory for the rebels.
What a great game!
Fat Errol's big day out
