Rules - Introduction

These rules have been written to give an easily playable game which reflects the style of battles fought during the American War of Independence, and the French and Indian Wars. To simplify the game a standard size of unit is employed and only a few major formations are permitted. Figures are not removed but a simple record needs to be kept of the status of each unit.

These rules assume that 20/25mm figures will be used, but they can be used for 15mm by using 2/3 the distances specified. The scales are flexible and can be adjusted to reflect the size of battle being fought provided the ratios are maintained.

Figure Scales 1 figure = 20 men 1 gun = 4 guns
Ground Scale 6" = 100 yards (20mm) 10cm (4") = 100 yards (15mm)
Time Scale 1 move = 10 minutes

The line units represented under the rules are equivalent to an American Battalion or very weak European regiment, of about 250 men, most European regiments are best represented by two units. Open order units represent 2 companies, about 120 men. Cavalry about 2 troops or 80 men. A four gun battery is represented by an artillery unit

Strength Points

Each unit is depicted as having the same number of figures irrespective of its actual strength. However it is allocated a number of strength points depending on its actual strength.

Full strength units are rated as having 5 strength points. To represent under strength units reduce this by 1 point for each 20% under strength, so a 150 strong battalion will have 3 strength points. Units with less than 3 strength points should be combined whenever possible, and units with more than 6 strength points must be split.
Units whose strength points fall to zero or less are considered to have become ineffective and are removed from the table.

Guns

Although various type of guns are available, for simple games it is best to use only light guns. To convert from actual orders of battle:- Light = 3-4 pdr; Medium = 6-9 pdr; Heavy = 12 pdr or heavier

Units and bases

Most units under these rules are composed of two identical bases of figures. Each base measures 45mm x 45mm (25mm) or 30cm x 30cm (15mm). Artillery units are made up of a gun base and a limber base. Supply (wagon) units comprises a single wagon base.

The numbers of figures on each base depends on the type of unit:-
Close Order Foot (Line Infantry, Fusiliers, Grenadiers, Militia)....6 figures in two ranks
Open Order Foot (Light Infantry, Jaegers, Rangers, Indians).......3 scattered figures
Cavalry......................................................................................2 figures in one rank
Artillery piece.............................................................................1 gun and 3 figures
Limbers......................................................................................1 limber and 2 horses
Wagons (on a double sized base)................................................1 wagon and 2 horses
Brigadier General........................................................................1 mounted figure
Senior General............................................................................1 mounted figure + 1 other

Generals

Generals are allocated on the basis of one brigadier general per 3 - 5 units, and one senior general per 2 - 4 brigadier generals. If there is more than one senior general one extra may be added as a C in C.

Formations

Only two formations are possible for infantry and cavalry, line with both bases in side to side contact and column with the bases one behind the other.


Marking Unit Status

It may be useful to have markers to depict the current morale state of units. Either a small card with the appropriate status can be used or the following:

Shaken - place a dead figure in front of the unit or reverse one of the bases.
Routing - place two dead figures with the unit or place both bases in partial side to side contact.