Über Den Sellheimer Fließe

The Königreich der Röt has been receiving increasing hostility from the Grand Duchy of the Blau concerning the correct way to eat a boiled egg.  The Blau, quite rightly, insist that the slicing method should be used by any civilised epicure.  The Röt insist that tapping is the only true way to demonstrate cultured gastronomy.  

In face of these implacable attitudes it must be war...

Each side has divided into three brigade sized marching columns.  

In the pre-game maneuvering it quickly became clear that the town of Silberburg was to be the focus of the Blue attack.  The Red quickly moved to block the position, with the result that both forces now face off across the Sellhiemer river. 

The fearsome Brigadier Perlenkette has been sent by the Council of the Grand Duke to demonstrate against the right flank.  (My naming of Generals is only getting worse!)

The Prinz-Regent, commanding the Red has sent out his younger brother, Der Königliche Metzger, "The Royal Butcher" with the advance brigade on that flank.  The presence of Royalty in this Brigade means that an Elite Guards battalion is included.

The Red have had no luck in the pre-game, having had to use forced march cards to reach this blocking position.  They even suffered the indignity of a corrupt commissary officer who sold off the Commander's wine stores.  If Stores-Master Uriah Hackenbush ever appears in the Red Kingdom again he will face awkward questions and Summary Justice.

The Blue have drawn an additional Officer as part of the pregame, and this turned out to be Colonel Michel-Georges de Vique, a noted Cavalry Commander.  His talents have allowed the Blue Cavalry to discover a ford to the East of the old Silberburg Bridge.

Sorting  out the terrain

Blue Forces
Brig Gen Perlenkette 
12th Ligne
15th Ligne
30th Ligne
Composite Skirmish battalion

3rd Dragoons
5th Dragoons

Red Forces
B-Gen Der Königliche Metzger
Das Röt Grenadiers
4th Line
9th Line
14th Line
3rd Jager
Balltasche's Troop of the 2nd RHA

The Red defensive position is really strong.
They deploy entirely, awaiting the Blue attack.

The Blue deploy and swarm their lights across the bridge, a column marches in the rear

The Blue also deploy their Dragoons, two mounted and three dismounted groups.

Colonel Roterhahn (technically "Red rooster" but you get the idea) and his Dragoons have discovered the hidden ford.  Its all getting started...

View as the Blue advance

The Red prepare their first volley only yards from their own deployment point!

Blue Skirmishers attempt to screen the line

The Red waste their first volley on those damn skirmishers

Meanwhile dismounted dragoons harass the Red Skirmishers on the woods

The Blue Dragoons cross the Sellheimer Fließe, but it's the first time I`ve used the Dragoon company on table and I realise that I`m short on command for these guys 

The Red Gun tries to knock back the column

Blue first volley.  It's nasty.

And where the dragoons have command figures they are effective.

Dodgy dealings as the Dragoons get onto that ridge line and find that its flat.  Noted Cavalry Commander Colonel Michel-Georges de Vique was worth the money the Blue paid for him.

View from the Blue lines as they hammer the Reds

A combination of the Blue Skirmishers and the Dragoons destroy the Red Skirmishers

The mounted charge makes short work of the gun

And the Red line now has skirmishers behind its flanks

Breaking point

And these units pretty much didn`t move.  The Dragoons need more command than one Mounted and one dismounted Officer.