I had teased a version of this battle report in previous posts and finally got around to soloing a quick skirmish version of a larger battle that I play eventually. Using a modified version of This Very Ground: Victory or Death by Keith Stine.
Battle
Skirmish at Soggy Bend, somewhere in the Kentucky Wilderness, 1781. 5 Turns. Objective: Kentuckians must hold their side of the river until the end of the game. If a leader is killed on either side, automatic victory.
Opposing Forces
Native American Allies: 10 "Red" Jackets and 6 "Green" Jackets led by Chief Bigcorn
Kentuckians: 10 Kentucky militia & 4 Mountain Men led by Militia Captain Hugh McGloin
AWI Native Americans Peter Pig
The Kentuckians won initiative and moved first, one block of Native Americans was spotted moving towards the river but the second smaller band of Green jackets is concealed, waiting to shoot. Hot rolls for the Kentuckians as they won initiative in turn 2 as well. The Shawnee drew first blood taking down a single Mountain Man from cover. The militia began shooting extremely well, causing two disorders and a casualty. I decided before the battle to roll for a council of war: the Kentuckians roll 2d6. On 6+ they decide to ford the river and take the fight to the enemy. 5 was rolled so we held up and waiting for the enemy to ford.
Shooting rolls have an interesting effect in these rules. A number of d10 are rolled every time a unit fires, 3 d10for normal muskets but just a single d10 for the long rifle of the Kentuckians. For each hit another d10 is rolled as every weapon has casualty or disorder rating. Units also take smoke counters each time they fire, when 3 are accrued they must spend an action point to reload in order to shoot again. I love how this mechanic works, even in a short battle you're constantly worrying about it.
After reloading the militia poured on the fire, shooting at the Natives like fish in a barrel. Three more removed. The mountain men were of little consequence, only connecting on one shot that scored a disorder on the nearly hidden Green jackets. The last deluge of musket fire was too much and the main body of Natives broke. The frontier homesteads are safe, at least for now.
Mountain men preparing to Fire
Green Jackets waiting for their turn to strike
-15mm Dieter
