Arm & Leg Cuirassiers and fighting Johnny Reb

A few weeks before Christmas there was a conversation in our house that went like this:

Mrs S "What do you want for Christmas?"

Me "Dunno"

Mrs S "Is there any Hinton Hunt you need?"

Me (thinking need? need? need?) "Well come to think of it, there are some Prussian Cuirassiers on eBay that I need"

Mrs S "Why don't you bid on them then?"

Me "Because they're rare and they'll go for a silly price and I'm not paying that!"

Mrs S "But why not bid a silly price if you want them?"

Me "Because it's a matter of principle, I'm a pensioner and I won't pay more than three quid for a cavalry figure"

Mrs S "But if you want them...."

Me "um, er... no I won't.. no... no..." ...CLICK

Costing an arm and leg, 12 x PN77 Prussian Cuirassier, lovely vintage castings, yes really, really lovely and so worth it honest...

Goya came over today to indulge me in a game of Fire & Fury with my 15mm ACW collection. Despite having had the ruleset for 30+ years I have only ever played one game using them and that was a multi-player game back in the 90s and frankly I had no idea what was going on.

I convinced Goya to take the role of James Longstreet as I have an aversion to playing the Confederates. The scenario was a simple encounter battle with the aim of taking possession of a vital road junction.

The Rebs are on the left whilst my own command (part of General Porter's V Corps) are on the right.

Goya moved first and we were both quite amazed at the speed of his 'foot cavalry' as they fair zoomed along the road towards the crossroads.

At the same time Anderson's division rolled forwards. The figures are mostly a mixture of AB and Old Glory but there are some Freikorps and even the odd Essex in there too.

I responded by sending the Iron Brigade forward in column but this proved to be a mistake.

General Porter surveys the scene from the top of the hill.

The Rebs however seemed to get the better of the fight with two of my five brigades 'Swept from the field'.

The Louisiana Tigers sweep up the hill towards General Porter uttering a fearfull Rebel Yell.

We both agreed that we really like the game system, particularly that the morale element is built into the combat mechanisms. I'm thinking we might give it a run out again.

Have a Happy New Year!