Rivers and a snakes and ladders campaign battle report

In the campaign Jacobites forces have stolen a march on Government forces who have hastily pulled together units to defend a river crossing (triple line scenario 26 from One-Hour Wargames). They are confused and surprised at the arrival of the Jacobite force, and under the scenario rules cannot move until enemy forces come within an adjacent hex. They are setup in three defensive lines:

• Artillery positioned on the hill at the back
• Infantry and cavalry in the second line in front of the hill
• A forward unit at the bridge.

The arriving Jacobite force consists of:

• 1 cavalry
• 1 skirmisher
• 1 highlander
• 3 infantry

The Jacobite general quickly pushes forward his infantry and skirmishers to engage the defenders of the bridge, the only river crossing point. Both sides engage in musketry while Government artillery provided support from its vantage point on the hill.

A view from the defending Government position

Defenders holding the bridge are quickly involved in battle

After suffering casualties the Jacobites were able to rout the bridge defenders and gain access to the other side of the river. Their skirmishers having crossed quickly made for the nearby woods away for the cavalry.

Jacobite units cross the river to face the second line of defenders

At some cost the second defensive line is broken.

As with the bridge, the defenders held firm and more Jacobite infantry were pushed forward to fill the gap of any routed unit. Eventually though, numbers made the difference and the second defensive line yielded with the defending cavalry retiring to the hill.

The second line of defence is defeated.

After a brief standoff a short cavalry engagement occurred which went the way of the Jacobites. Having only their artillery unit functioning, Government forces chose to withdraw. Yet another victory to the Jacobite cause.

After a cavalry engagement is lost. Government forces retire.

In this game I used a straight piece of blue felt for the river. It worked well enough, but I figured a slightly more meandering piece of blue felt might work better with the hex grid, and many of the One-Hour War-game scenarios have rivers in them. So this Saturday morning I made some more lengths of river.

A paper template was first created and pinned to the felt to help in the cutting of consistent river sections. Once cut out I use some oil pastel crayons to indicate flowing water. A light spray of varnish will keep the colours in place.

All river sections completed.

A river meanders its way across the tabletop

A little bit of scenery is added for effect.

With the river created. I figured I might as well get one more Jacobite campaign game in before returning to the WW2 Western Desert campaign. Dicing for the scenario to use threw up a scenario without a river. So wouldn't you know it, I will have to wait to get to use the new river sections in a game.