Battle of Lugio - August 14, 1745 - the battle fought

Battle of Lugio - August 14, 1745

Pierre-Louis Grand-Duc de Gourmandie has chosen the late summer weather to move once more against Il Ducato di Libagioni in an attempt to annex the agriculturally-rich region of in the bend of the Caprera River. This area has seen much campaigning in recent years (through many generations, in fact) and Pierre-Louis' army commander, Le Marquis de Fromage, is intent on learning from past mistakes and failures. Rather than move directly against the region's stronghold at Castra Taurinorum, he has chosen the more difficult route through the Wood of Lugio. In this way, he hopes to then move onto Siscia and Stirpiacum, thus cutting off Castra Taurinorum from succour to the north. Le Marquis must only force the gauntlet of the Wood of Lugio to reach the open plains beyond. Unfortunately, Il Prinicipe Giuseppe Martellato, has received intelligence of the Gourmandie intentions and has moved forces south to counter the move on Lugio. And unbeknownst to the Gourmandie commander, Il Principe has received some welcome support from his neighbour, KronPrinz Friedrich Wilhelm!

Vidal and I gathered in Castra Cambridgionum on Friday past to fight the Battle of Lugio. Despite some rules gaffes (disorder? who needs disorder?), some truly appalling dice-rolling, and Vidal's gimpy leg, we enjoyed another game of Black Powder and pushing about toy soldiers.

 The village of Lugio.

The battlefield was fairly simple with only the woods in the four quarters funnelling movement toward the village.

Gourmadie's 1er Brigade under the watchful eye of  Phillipe Grand-Nez, Comte de Roquefort enter the field in column of march.

In the opposite corner of the table (north-east, for those keeping track), Primata Brigata of the army of Libagioni march toward Lugio. 

Libagioni Prima Brigata are caught in column of march by the quick-deploying Roquefort regiment (those of the red variety, top right of the photo). The Libagioni brigade is commanded by Barone Vincenzo Paradiso, a lowly '6' on the Black Powder command scale (average is '8'). It soon became apparent that is was far more expedient to use the army commander, Il Prinicipe Giuseppe Martellato, and his '8' command rating to command Paradiso's troops (although this kept his influence from having effect elsewhere).

A mixed force of Libagioni and KaiserReich cavalry move to support the infantry. 

 

KaiserReich infantry move to deploy to the left of the village while the Libagioni infantry on the right flank continue to try and sort themselves out. The unit and commander name tags were an experiment and probably not to be completed (except maybe for the commanders only). While an interesting thought, they tended to clutter the table unnecessarily.

The Libagioni infantry continue to try and shake themselves out into some semblance of order. The Roquefort infantry battalion, although well-situated to foil these efforts, was unable to make an appreciable impact, although one Libagioni battalion rolled a blunder ('12' on 2d6) and can be seen moving back away from its compatriots.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of Lugio, Gourmandie artillery approaches and prepares to unlimber. Also in the bottom right of the photo can be seen the Grenadiers à Cheval Boursin finally entering the battlefield after two (yes two) consecutive blunders while trying to move onto the table (Vidal was less than pleased to say the least, but took the results with equanimity, as befits a gentlemen of the Enlightenment). This was the same unit that blundered in our first (test) game and precipitately left the field before even drawing their swords.

The Libagioni infantry have finally deployed into line and are preparing to move against Lugio (now occupied by a Roquefort battalion) and the other Gourmandie units anchored on the town. It is to the advantage of the Libagioni infantry to eschew any fire-fights and charge in because they have the Terrifying Charge and Bloodthirsty attributes. Both of these are exactly as they sound...terrifying and bloodthirsty. Any defending unit had better hold firm and pass its Break Test to receive the charge. In contrast, the Gourmandie infantry have the First Fire bonus, something their enemies lack.

 On the Libagioni left flank, the KaiserReich infantry advance toward the hapless  Grenadiers à Cheval Boursin (they of the double blunder...seems they may be downgraded soon...or perhaps their commander sacked?). The leading KaiserReich grenadier battalion has already dispatched a Boursin squadron with disciplined musketry. To the left of the picture, Gourmandie artillery has unlimbered.

  

A Libagioni charge (top right of the photo) has routed a Roquefort battalion and artillery unit (already removed). Vidal's dice-rolling was again abysmal here. Because of the Terrifying Charge attribute of the Libagioni infantry, the Roquefort battalion was forced to make a Break Test before issuing closing fire. Unfortunately, Vidal's roll was 'snake eyes' ...extreme failure and the unit broke! This also broke the Gourmandie brigade and given the poor performance of the Grenadiers à Cheval Boursin on the opposite flank, we chose to end the battle with a Libagioni victory.

The result...

Le Marquis de Fromage must retreat the Gourmadie army back across the Lower Cabrera toward Montagnac. Whether Il Principe will follow up his victory and move into Gourmandie territory in pursuit is a matter for another game. Perhaps Le Marquis will contest the crossing of the river. Yet, he may retreat further into Gourmandie territory in search of succour.