The Battle of Trebbia, 17-19 June 1799

The battlefield seen from the Allied left, Bagration's column in the foreground.

My bath-tubbed and abbreviated version of the Battle of Trebbia took place as planned yesterday, without an elephant in sight; (actually there is an elephant in one of the photos and a prize will go to the first person to spot it). The orders of battle were detailed in the previous post, with the forces fielded on  1:3 basis, well roughly. This meant several small brigades became merged together in order to create a viable command, but it worked ok, with four brigades on each side.

I don't like all the extra re-rolls and the like that one gets in BP, so have dropped them in favour of a few tweaks to the unit stats. For example, the Russians are not 'stubborn' but have a stamina of 4, and what were 'crack' troops are given a better morale save. I've applied these factors in earlier FRW games when I last fielded the Russians in the Alps and it worked well, as it was to do in yesterday's game.

I also am a big fan of a battery being represented by more than one model. I know cost is an issue to some players but I like the look of three of four models side by side, representing six or eight cannon, with limbers making an impressive footprint on the table. However, giving each model the same stats as a single gun makes the battery a killing machine, with combined stats for a three-model battery of 9/6/3. I've reduced this so each model in the 'battery' shoots with 2/1/1, as do single gun sections representing two cannon. Guns 'in battery' and firing as such also get a single extra dice for the battery as a whole at medium and long ranges and two at close range.

We threw for sides, highest getting the French, which resulted in Paul taking on the guise of General MacDonald, while I was adopted a split personality, being part Suvorov and part Melas, the latter acting as a mini CinC for his Austrian column commanded by Ott.

The French got to go first, so on to battle. As usual I will let the photos and captions take you through the chain of events that led to a ?????? victory (no I'm not telling, so read on!)

The French centre deployed to attack.

The French right hand brigade of General Watrin.

Marshal Suvorov and his trusty Cossack aide.

The Austrian column under Melas and Ott on the Allied right.

The Russian central column, supported by Austrian artillery, dragoons and, off table, Austrian grenadiers.

The Cossacks started early.

The French left under Victor. Paul decided to hold this veteran very strong brigade back and trust in his planned attack through the centre being successful.

The French launched an all out attack in the centre and on their right.  Infantry and heavy cavalry crossed the stream in the face of pretty ineffective Russian and Austrian fire. These cavalry were bundled unceremoniously back over the river by a regiment of Austrian dragoons.

The French centre was led forward by their CinC who immediately fell victim to a stray bullet. I allowed the Paul to 'promote' Victor to the role.

The Lombard Legion led the French attack in the centre.

Lombard Legion artillery covered the attack from the bridge.

The Lombards were able to cross the river and engage in a firefight with the Russians, which they won. One Russian battalion had to take a break test after suffering excess musketry casualties from the Lombards and French who ganged up on them. I threw double 2 and broke. 

The surviving Russian battalion was positioned in the walled gardens and allotments and were to hold off several French and Lombard battalions for a number of turns.

More French poured over the river in the centre. The Allied reserves had not yet arrived (I forgot them) and the nearest Russians were busily engaged with more Frenchmen crossing further down the river.

This heroic Russian battalion held the French commander's attention for a couple of turns and although forced to take two successive break tests, passed them both.

The Austrian dragoons then put in another appearance and charged the flank of the French assaulting the gardens. In a very complicated melee, the French ejected the Russians and broke into the gardens but their battalion hit by the dragoons was shattered and routed.

On the Russian left Paul sent two brigades across the river supported by cavalry and artillery. As was usual in this game, Russian fire was a waste of time and one defending battalion was forced to retreat.

It was full on for the French as they pushed a regiment of chasseurs a cheval across the river facing the Russians, who yet again failed to cause any damage with their musketry.

However, back on the other flank the Lombard Legion Hussars had been covering the flank of the French heavy cavalry, but found themselves in front of a battery of Austrian 12pdrs. They took heavy casualties but remarkably Paul's break test was good enough for them to survive and merely retreat back across the river.

On the Allied left things were getting messy as I threw my Russian grenadiers at the approaching Frenchmen, having given up trying to shoot them. Suvorov was right, the bayonet is king.

Pauls chasseurs charged my infantry, forcing them into square . The chasseurs crossed the front of two Russian battalions during their charge and I failed to register a single hit! Thankfully, the next move made up for things and the chasseurs were forced to retire.

By now my central brigade was broken, although the Austrian grenadiers had finally made an appearance. Paul's right-hand brigade facing the bulk of the Russians was also broken and in retreat, and the other brigade (of Gen. Montrichard) was also teetering on the brink. Montrichard was last seen leading a battalion towards the Russians, sword in hand. He became a casualty as a result of excess hits in the melee, and a subsequent post game test decided he had been captured wounded.

With the French in front of them in retreat the Russian left wing advanced.

While over on the right, the Austrians had finally got themselves sorted out from their muddle and preceded by a battalion of Grenz were advancing en masse towards the enemy.

At last the Austrian reserve grenadier brigade arrived, just in time to plug the large gap in the centre. 

The artillery attached to the Austrian right-hand column did little to commend itself during the battle other than dispose of some Lombard hussars foolish enough to come into canister range. Nevertheless there presence was enough to influence the French decisions.

French horse artillery in the centre. They did sterling work knocking lumps off the Russians to either side of the bridge. The Lombard artillery were also effective in supporting their comrades and can be seen crossing the wooden bridge in the back ground.

As the setting sun cast long shadows across the battlefield the  Allies were secure in the knowledge that they had given the French a bloody nose.

Austrians on the right flank crossing the river to attack the French.

A Hungarian regiment engaged in an exchange of fire with the French occupying the  seminary.

Over on the Allied left my cavalry had crossed the river, broken the French  chasseurs a cheval, ridden over the section of horse artillery and forced the retreating demi-brigade legere into square. Not bad for an afternoon's work.

Back on my right the Hungarians finally decided to advance.

The Polish Legion look a little outnumbered and exposed.

At this point we called it a day, as it was almost 4pm and we'd been playing since about 10:45. Two French brigades, both on their right flank, were broken. Their centre has broken through my centre but the Allies had no incentive to try and dislodge them. Had we continued the Austrians may well have prevailed against the veteran troops on the French left. Who knows, but as it stood both armies had pretty much fought each other to a standstill and a minor Allied victory was declared. Of course, with the entire French right swept away and their centre easily isolated a more decisive Allied victory was undoubtedly on the cards. Humpff I hear Paul say.

So a great game played in good spirit. I'm happy with the rule amendments and all I need to do now is work out a scenario for the next engagement in northern Italy, the Battle of Novi.

PS while I am happy with the amended BP rules I do want to try out General d'Armee sometime. Anyone local to me who's familiar with them and would be willing to coach me through a game is very welcome to visit.

Crossing the Trebbia, 17-19 June 1799

Tomorrow Paul is coming over and we shall be refighting the Battle of Trebbia, 17-19 June 1799, when an Austro-Russian army successfully crossed the River Trebbia and attacked  and defeated a French army under General MacDonald. Well, my version anyway, as I shall be compressing the three days of fighting into just one.

The great Russian Marshal Suvorov commands a combined Austro-Russian army against a French Republican force under General MacDonald. Both sides are roughly equal. Both sides have attack orders. It ought to be fun. I'm using Black Powder with some house rules to give them more of a FRW flavour. The sides have been scaled down on roughly a 1:3 basis, with wiggle room to allow for what I actually have in my collection.

AUSTRO-RUSSIAN ARMY

Commander in Chief: Marshall Alexander Vasilyevich Suvarov (10)

 Left  Column: Major-General Pyotr Bagration (9)

Russian Jager btn x 1 

Russian Grenadier btns x 3

Russian Musketeer btns x 2

Cossacks x 1 regiment

Austrian Dragoons x 1 regiment

Russian Artillery – 2 x 12pdr, 1 x Howitzer

Central Column: Lt-General Forster (8)

Russian Musketeer btns x 4

Cossacks x 1 regiment

Austrian Dragoons x 1 regiment

Austrian Artillery – 3 x 6pdr

Right Column: Gen Der Kavellerie Michael Frederich Benedikt Baron von Melas (7)

General-Lt Peter Karl Ott von Bátorkéz (9)

Austrian Infantry x 4 btns

Grenzers x 1 btn

Croat Skirmishers x 1 btn

D’Aspres Jager x 1 btn (2 small units)

Austrian Hussars  x 1 regiment

Austrian Artillery – 3 x 12pdrs

Reserve: General-Lt Michael, Freiherr von Frolich (7)

Combined Grenadiers x 2

Melas will act as CinC for the Austrian right hand column and the reserve. Suvorov can intervene if necessary but he will have his hands full.

FRENCH ARMY

Commander in Chief: General Jacques  Joseph Alexandre MacDonald (6)

low rating as he was ill suffering from wounds received less than a week beforehand

General Francois Watrin (8)

Demi-Brigades x 1 (3 btns)

Chasseurs a Cheval x 1 regt 

Artillery – 1 x 4pdr horse gun

General Olivier Rivaud de la Rafiniere (7)

Demi-Brigades  x 1

Chasseurs a Cheval x 1 regt

Artillery – 2 x 4pdr horse gun

General Helie Desire Perruquet de Montrichard (8)

Demi-Brigades x 1

Lombard Legion x 2

Heavy Cavalry x 1 regt

Lombard Hussars x 1 sqdn

Lombard Artillery – 1 x 4pdr

General Claude Victor-Perrin (9)

Demi-Brigades x 1 VETERAN

Dragoon x 1 regt

Polish Legion x 1 btn VETERAN

Polish Artillery – 1 x 4pdr

Helvetic Legion x 1 btn VETERAN

Artillery – 3 x 8pdr

 

French Revolutionary War Campaign, the evening of Day 7 to dawn on Day 9.

Following their disastrous defeat outside St Nazaire, the remains of Anglo-Emigre army began their withdrawal, back the way they had come to their base at Pornichet. The retreat was covered expertly by the relatively unscathed British Guards Brigade under Maj-Gen Ambercrumble and the two squadrons of Emigre hussars. The Republicans pursued but their troops did little more than to maintain some pressure on the Allies during their retreat. The Republican cavalry brigade had little hunger for glory and the battered infantry battalions needed time to recover.

In Pornichet preparations are made to begin embarking the troops and destroying  whatever stores cannot be taken back aboard the fleet.

So by dawn on Day 9 we see the exhausted Allies reach Pornichet. In this campaign whenever a unit routs as a result of failing a break test, they are deemed to have reformed to their original strength but their morale/saving roll is increased by one in the next battle, so a unit with a save of 4+ would, after breaking, be reformed with a save of 5+. Should they break again, their save would go to 6+!

The retreat brings with it streams of refugees desperate to embark and avoid the clutches of the  Committee of Public Safety and rampaging Republican troops eager for revenge.

The expeditionary force commander the Comte d'Hervilly is a broken man. His orders to land more troops and continue the invasion are overruled by his subordinates and the ailing commander of the British contingent General Cyrus Trapaud, who insist that preparations must be made for an immediate evacuation. d'Hervilly's dithering outside St Nazaire cost the Allies their advantage and allowed Republican reinforcements the time they needed to counter attack. Further indecision or lack of immediate action will lead to the total loss of the army, something that the British do not wish to happen as it would cause an uproar in the House and might even topple the government. (Note: it is the English/Scots regiments we're talking about here. Not the Emigre units, about which the government cares little; any who are re-embarked will no doubt be sent to the West Indies, which would not be fun).

The Brigade of Guards and other English regiments prepare to defend the perimeter set up around Pornichet should the Republicans attack before the evacuation is complete.

The brigades under Moore and Coote holding Pouilliguen, the town at the other end of the embarkation area, have been ordered to hold the port and the roads leading along the coast to Pornichet at all costs to prevent the army being attacked in the flank. Chatham's battered brigade has been pulled back to aid in the defence of Pornichet.

So that leaves me with probably two games to fight. Much will depend upon whether the Republicans go straight for Pornichet or assault Pouilliguen first. If I were them I would ignore the latter as defeating the main force as it tries to re embark would be enough for the remaining troops garrisoning Pouilliguen to surrender. We shall see how the dice fall for that one as we know that the Republicans are not necessarily going to make the militarily correct decision if a political one supersedes it.

Whatever the out come, there is a game on Thursday.

French Revolutionary War ‘Vendee’ Campaign. Day 7, The battle of St. Nazaire

Back to the War of the 1st Coalition this week with another game from my imaginary Vendee/Emigre invasion campaign. Casting readers' memories back, the Allies have successfully landed and established a foothold on the mainland despite the best efforts of the Republicans. While things have not gone exactly to plan the main Allied  force is now outside St Nazaire, dithering, not sure what to do. Well, the English commanders know but the commander in chief the Emigre Comte d’Hervilly is a bit of a tosser and hasn’t a clue. A couple of days of doing nothing other than set out some rudimentary siege lines hasn’t got the army very far and the Republicans have brought up troops from Nantes to try and drive the enemy into the sea.

The main gate of St Nazaire

The ever present Republican telegraph station outside St Nazaire.

St. Nazaire is very lightly defended as most of the garrison has already been deployed and taken severe losses trying to push the Allies out of their beachead at Pouilliguen. Allied losses have also been high. All of the local ‘Chouan’ volunteers have dispersed since the hard fought defence of Pouilliguen. Apart from the the garrison of Pornichet and the troops on the western end of the beachead at Pouilliguen, there are precious few reinforcements available unless there is a marked improvement in the campaign. Even the British government isn’t ready to sacrifice more Emigres and a few more English regiments without some chance of success.

So, we have a strong Allied force outside St Nazaire. Actually, the Emigre units are almost all 'small' in the rules. The Republicans are present in some strength, although the majority of the battalions are newly raised conscripts and the cavalry are pretty poor. For once it is the Allies who must attack and destroy the Republican army, and the Comte d’Hervilly has finally been galvanised into action by the arrival of the Republican troops on his flank.

ALLIED (ENGLISH & ÉMIGRÉ FORCES) Commanded by General le Comte d’Hervilley (6)

1^st brigade : Major General Sir Rafe Ambercrumble ( 8 )  

3 btns Footguards

Royal Artillery – 1 x 12pdr, 
Royal Irish Artillery - 1 x 3pdr 

2^nd brigade: Colonel Arthur Weasley (8)

79^thFoot**, 92^ndFoot**

2 squadrons  15th Light dragoons

Royal Artillery – 6pdr

3^rd brigade: Major General le Comte de Choisil (8)

Choisil Hussars*

Salm-Kirkberg Hussars*

Royal Emigrants (with battalion guns)**

Mirabeau Fusiliers

Damas Fusiliers (with Rotallier Artillery manning battalions guns)

Perigord Lt Inf*

Salm-Kirkberg Lt Inf

Rohan Infantry*

Salm-Kirkberg Horse Artillery – 3pdr

* small units
** large units

REPUBLICAN FORCES COMMANDED BY GENERAL HENRI DE BOUZZILLE ( 9)

Cavalry Brigade: Brigadier General Emmanuel Grouchy ( 8 )

8^thCavalry (poorly mounted)

23^rdCavalry (poorly mounted)

Horse artillery – 3 x 6pdr

General de Bde Alonso Fonde-Lepatrie ( 7 )

2 Demi Brigades – 6 btns (Newly raised/untested)

Combined Grenadiers

General Hercule Trecon (8 )

Demi-Bde legere – 3 btns

Demi Bde de Ligne – 3 btns (Newly raised/Untested)

Foot Battery – 3 x 8pdr

To maintain some continuity John took the Republicans, who were tasked with breaking the so-called siege while the Allies had to drive off the Republican relief force, which would precipitate the surrender of St. Nazaire.

Men of the Royal Artificers working on the newly started 1st Parallel.

The main English siege battery.

The western ravellin covering the approach to the gate into the town.

So, let battle commence. I will let the photos do the talking along with their accompanying captions from this point. John got to go first.

The Allied army deployed ready to advance. Emigres in the foreground, then the Guards brigade, then beyond the bridge and camp two battalions of Highlanders and the 15th LD. The town is on the southern edge of the table.

The Emigres failed their first command roll and stood rooted to the spot.

The Guards also failed their first command roll. The Scots beyond the bridge didn't and advanced towards the enemy.

The Republican cavalry (8th and 23rd regiments) under Grouchy (he really was  involved in putting down the Vendee revolt) sweep forward.

John rapidly pushed his horse artillery forward then deployed them in front of my Scots battalions.

In turn 4 the 79th Foot (out of shot fleeing) were forced to take a break test after taking a hammering from  the Republican artillery and failed it, taking the 'low road' to Scotland no doubt. This left the 92nd in a rather exposed and perilous position. Bugger!

John was able to push his infantry into the village without any interference from me as  I  failed our  command rolls, again, and again, and again!

Republican skirmishers edging forward to the north of the village

After failing several command rolls the Emigres then managed a blunder and most of them withdrew to the table edge. In fact, in the first seven turns the Emigres blundered once and failed their command rolls on six (YES SIX) occasions! 

Thankfully the Guards started to advance on the village.

Then on turn eight the Perigord Lt Inf advanced towards the oncoming Republican troops.

Johns horse artillery was being steadily reduced by fire from my cannon and the surviving Scots battalion. One section was destroyed and another forced to redeploy somewhere safer. The third section was shaken and disordered but I could not get rid of them. John's foot artillery (just in shot top left) concentrated on the 92nd and forced a break test on them. Predictably  I failed and the battalion streamed to the rear in rout.

Trying to buy some time, I declared a charge on the Republican cavalry but I misjudged the distance  and stopped short. The next turn the 8th Cavalry charged the 15th LD. In a brutal melee the casualties were in my favour but as the Republicans were supported and got a HC+1 bonus I lost and had to take a test, withdrawing from the combat. The Republicans were shaken and unable to pursue. The 15th were also shaken so that meant my right-hand brigade under Colonel Weasley, to which they belonged, was shattered. On the plus side, Gen Grouchy was severely wounded and captured by the withdrawing English dragoons.

The Emigres finally got moving and the Loyal Emigrants advanced on the enemy looking splendid!

With the departure of the Scots and light dragoons the only units covering my right (and the siege works and camp) were two sections of Royal Artillery (a 12pdr and a 6pdr) and one of the Royal Irish Artillery (a tree pounder). The pressure was now on me to get stuck in with the Guards and Emigres to save the day. I was confident that this was doable as most of the Republics were classed as untested and newly raised and therefore were very brittle.

The Choisil Hussars, led by the Comte de Choisil himself force a battalion of Republicans into square.  Sadly the Comte  was shot from the saddle during the charge. Happily, although out of the game, he survived with a flesh wound and a sore head.

The 3rd Guards advance pushing back all before them.

Johns pesky artillery trundled forward supported by two battalions of light infantry.  

The Allied siege lines laying open for the Republican cavalry to sweep down on them. Thankfully John thought better of that idea as the 8th were still recovering from their fight with the 15th LD, while the 23rd (in pink facings) were just a bunch of Parisian Lady Boys! Grouchy's replacement was felled by a random cannon ball sometime around this time.

The Choisil Hussars, minus their Count, before withdrawing. Even a Republican square  was too tough for them to handle, especially as when they tested to check their random stamina John threw a six, giving them a stamina of four!

The Emigre advance in full swing. The Mirabeau Legion (in black) to the fore and to their right the Salm-Kirkberg Light Infantry.

The Loyal Emigrants could make no headway against the skirmishers, supported by battalion guns, lining the hedge.

The Mirabeau Legion continue their advance, driving the Republicans in front of them like sheep. General Alonso Fonde-Lepatrie was mortally wounded in the rout. The real sheep  were  made of sterner stuff.

The Guards stormed the village and drove the already shaken and disordered Republicans out. Text book style.

John threw another battalion forward, forcing the Perigord Light Infantry skirmishers  to evade.  This battalion was then forced into square by the Salm-Kirkberg Hussars. The wounded Comte de Choisil's replacement was killed leading the charge.

John then sneakily charged the Mirabeau Legion in the flank and broke them.

The Salm-Kirkberg Light Infantry then found themselves isolated with Republicans on both flanks (admittedly  the battalion on their right were in square) with horse artillery to their front. A quick blast of canister into their already depleted ranks was enough to see them run.

By now the Republicans were in control of the siege lines and had overrun the camp.  The Royal Emigrants were about to fail a break test and the Perigord Light Infantry and the Rohan Light Infantry were engaged with the Republicans in the camp and their artillery coming up on my right. The Guards were doing fine and were still pretty much intact, but the Emigre brigade was close to breaking. With the siege lines and camp in enemy hands I decided that although the Guards could possibly have beaten whatever John chose to throw at them it would be wise to order an orderly withdrawal while I still could.

Well, that was warm work. Literally as it was boiling outside. I reckon that it was a closer game than the narrative might suggest as John's battalions were starting to crumble under the incessant pressure of the Guards and Emigres. However it was a good victory for John and an excellent outcome in terms of the campaign. The Allies have been forced to abandon the siege and will now have to retire back to their supply depot at Pornichet, pursued, not particularly hotly, by the Republicans. The Guards and Emigre cavalry will be able to cover the retreat admirably, keeping the pursuers at bay.

This leads me nicely into the next and possibly final battle of the campaign where the Allies will attempt to evacuate their troops while under attack from the Republicans.