The Russian are Coming! (part 3)

While the cavalry battle was in full swing on the western flank the Emperor had been advancing in earnest against the Russian right flank. The 45th ligne and the 4th Swiss were leading followed closely by the 8th Polish regiment. Behind them in support came the columns of the combined grenadier battalion and the Austrian 51st Gabriel Spleny regiment. This whole force was screened by clouds of French skirmishers. The Russians meanwhile stayed rooted to the spot preferring to let the French take the initiative.

The view from behind the Russian lines (left centre) at the start of turn 4. French columns are advancing past the churchyard in the distance whilst Prussian Jagers take pot shots at the Russian gunners (foreground).

The Swiss quickly took possession of the churchyard where they deployed along the hedge gaining one vital victory point in the process (each of the major terrain features on the table was worth one VP to whoever occupied them). Meanwhile the French skirmishers were beginning to make their presence felt as they came within range of the Russian gunners and infantry.

The 4th Swiss infantry regiment have occupied the churchyard while the 8th Polish regiment continue to advance and start to take casualties.

The Swiss peek over the churchyard hedge hoping that it will protect them from the Russian guns on the other side!

Soon the French columns started to come under canister fire from the two Russian batteries opposite the churchyard. The men marched determinedly on into this storm of iron with the 8th Polish infantry taking the brunt of their fire losing many casualties including the brave Prince Poniatowski.

The 45th ligne advance in column on the extreme left of the French army covered by skirmishers from the elite 10th legere.

A solid wall of Russians await the advancing French - unfortunately we never got to find out what would have happened if the two lines met.

By the end of turn 6 the French attack was about to close on the Russian line whilst on the opposite flank the Russian Lancers were now bearing down on the French guns and infantry forcing two battalions into square. The battle still hung in the balance but we had run out of playing time. A quick count of VP’s yielded 3 for the French and 2 for the Russians – a technical (but not very convincing) victory for the Emperor.

Russian lancers start to roll up the French right flank by taking out the Austrian field artillery. Behind them the British Guards have been forced into square.

 Stapleton-Cotton leads the combined Hussar squadrons forward against the Russian right flank.

My thanks to Roy for a very enjoyable game and also for going to so much trouble to rebased his Russian army specifically for play with my Muskets & Marshals rules. It was great to have so many nicely painted Hinton Hunt figures on the table - in excess of 600 - something that may not have been seen for quite a few years!

The table at the end of turn 6 - game over. Click on the image to zoom in and take a close look!

As a result of the game I have made a few tiny rule tweaks to Muskets & Marshals – the full rules are available for download here.