The Black Band in Saxony, April to May 1809

Basically a few linked skirmish games.  I don't have and Saxons and my Brunswickers have more than a few 95th Rifles figures, so artistic licence required.

The Black Band in Saxony, April to May 1809

When Austria declared war on France and her allies, including Saxony, on 9 April 1809, a small force of Austrians together with a force of Brunswickers under the command of Frederick William, The Black Duke was based in Theresienstadt, Bohemia (now Terezín, Czech Republic) and acted as a defensive force whilst the bulk of the Austrian army was engaged in southern Bavaria and Italy. There was little action in the region until 25 May, when a Saxon force under Colonel von Thielmann invaded Bohemia. In response Duke Frederick William invaded Saxony and took the city of Zittau, forcing von Thielmann to retreat back to Dresden.

The Black Band of Hauptmann von Weißmehr, supported by Brunswicker Hussars is leading the Duke's column towards Zittau.

The Saxons have French Dragoons and skirmishers along the road, as well as more substantial forces in the town.

Area B2

B2   the 1st Skirmish Rifles company and a Squadron of Black Hussars march to the Inn and Hauptmann von Weißmehr partakes of the local schnapps.  Further south across the bridge is the village of Rőtmann.  

The Hussars sent a troop south towards the village, and the second troop Southeast towards the convent.  The Skirmishers sendca piquet into the woodland to the Southwest nominally under the inept Ensign Ludwig Pimplestein, but actually under the Wachtmeister.

The main body under the Hauptmann cross the bridge second and move on to Rōtmann.

At this point I don't know where the enemy are so some dice rolls are in order.

Turns out the Saxon "French" have Voltiguers in the woods.  It's a good thing I sent the Wachtmeister with Binky.  The first fight is a limited skirmish at 10am.  

The French are three groups strong under Lieutenant Napoléon Parkour and the burly drunk Sergeant O'Finnigan of the Regt Irelandais. Ludwig has a two groups but they are rifle armed. 

Ludwig Pimplestein

The terrain is thick woodland.  The weather is clear. 

The Game

I'm using the pirate cards from Blood and Plunder. Works well for the Brunswickers.

The woodland battlefield

A straightforward encounter game

The Brunswickers in two groups

Two groups of French Voltiguers and a late arriving group off table.

The Wachtmeister gets his group into a copse and reasonable cover.

The missing French group arrives and they advance.  I know they are meant to be Saxons but these are the figures I have!

Parkour steadies and advances his line

The Wachtmeister's group unleash aimed fire and take down the enemy Nco leading the Voltiguers.  Three men lost.

 

The Enemy press in closer.  Having an NCO with the Rifles allows them the needed reload.

And the rifles make short work of the Enemy line too!

And Ludwig waves his sword about.  Not ideal in a firefight.

The second enemy Voltiguer group are thrown back and dispersed.

The end of the game and Ludwig wins a stunning victory.  He didn't lose a single man.