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Final Moves and the Conclusion of The Battle for Teodorstal Valley. . .

Moves Seven and Eight were pivotal in the ongoing tabletop Battle for Teodorstal Valley between Colonel von Adalnowksi and his houseguest, the younger Major von Topfsange, who was still somewhat reluctant to pull up a chair given his recent accident during the wild boar hunt. But let's peek in on the two gentlemen in the drawing room and see how things are coming along. . .


At the far western end of Teodorstal Valley, the large cavlary mele was resolved at the end of Move Seven with a few casualties on both sides and the squadrons invovled both retiring 12" to rally after everything was wrapped up. The beginning of Move Eight saw Colonel von Adalnowski give chase with a fresh squadron of Grenadiere zu Pferd. "Ha, ha! Take that!" shouted the Colonel with renewed vigor.


To his dismay, von Adalnowski soon discovered that his vehemence and sabre rattling may have been somewhat premature. Major von Topsange quietly informed his elder host during Move Eight, "I'm ordering several of my Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers to charge your remaining three Irish Grenzers in the village of Instetten. Although the melee will have to wait until the end of Move Nine to resolve, my dear Colonel, you'll notice that my troops now firmly control all three built up areas on the table, precisely as the Brigadier's scenario specified!" Von Topfsange punctuated this revelation with a smart click of his heels and dusted an unseen speck from the gold braid across his dolman.


Meanwhile, in the middle part of the valley, between Instetten and the larger village of Effibriest, Colonel von Adalnowski's infantry had taken a beating at the hands of von Topfsange's line infantry, jaegers, and half battery. "Blast!" exclaimed the Colonel, "And I felt sure they would make short work of your men, von Topfsange!"


But it was at the eastern end of Teodorstal Valley where the battle was really decided, during Moves Seven and Eight. A squadron of von Topfsange's 3rd Kuirassiere, which had advanced previously into contact with half of von Adalnowki's battery on the right of his line, rode down more than half of one gun's crew at the end of Move Seven. "Curses!" spat the Colonel in utter disgust. To add further insult to his injury, the young Major casually informed von Adalnowski at the start of Move Eight, "Oh, and I'm positioning the rest of my cuirassiers on the flank of your line should you like to cause any additional trouble." The Colonel stared in disbelief, dropped his monocle, and reached unsteadily behind himself for a chair. It was a masterful and fortuitous stroke for von Topfsange.


Surveying the battlefield from his chair, Colonel von Adalnowski finally spoke after several minutes of uneasy silence. "I suppose there's nothing for it but for me to order General de Latte to surrender to General von Tschatschke -- The Flamboyant Silesian -- confound it! Damn good game, von Topfsange! Seems there's a backbone in there after all, what? But you know of course I was really demonstrating to you how it shouldn't be done. If I'd really meant to, well, I could have given you a right good thrashing, a figurative bloody nose, and all that. A really good going over, like we used to do in the old days when I was your age. Still, no harm done. I suppose you'll do me the honor of allowing my remaining troops to retire unmolested to their base near the Stollenian-Zichenauer frontier?" From across the table, Major von Topfsange smiled genially, nodded, and puffed on his clay pipe. Not only had the Army of Stollen finally won a battle, but it would live to fight another day, which, judging by the well-known treachery of Colonel von Adalnowski and his alter ego General de Latte, would be before too long. The Colonel rang for Valerie l'Vivandiere, requested a bottle of something medicinal, and proposed a walk around the grounds to the young Major, so that the two might discuss the Battle for Teodorstal in somewhat more detail before dinner.

Comments

Martin said…
Twas a famous victory! Three cheers for Stollen for their well earned win! No doubt there will be much celebrating in the Grand Duchy for some time to come.

I wonder if the Grand Duke and his loyal butler will be up to the challenges of review parades of the returning heroes, Palace balls, and fetes?!
Der Alte Fritz said…
Congratulations to General Tschatscke and the Grand Ducy of Stollen. I am sure that henceforth, August 1st shall be a national holiday in Stollen forever more.

Fritz
Charming! Warfare in the Age of Reason - what? - accompanied by roborative and restorative quantities of pipe tobacco and brandy. Portuguese brandy, of course, distilled in the cool cellars cool of the monasteries built upon the banks of the Douro River...
Bluebear Jeff said…
Very handsomely done, sir. Very handsomely done.

However we in Saxe-Bearstein wish to remind you to beware of vile Stagonian treachery. They tend to be up to their vile tricks just when you feel safe.

And I must say that your artist should be handsomely rewarded for his fine battlefield images.

Bravo!


-- Jeff of Saxe-Bearstein
Capt Bill said…
Reich Due Wilhelm has ordered an artillery salute to honor your victory. For his gallant victory, General Tschatscke will be inducted into the Beerstein Military Order of the Golden Crown. Well done indeed!
John Clements said…
Lovely old style game. Enjoyed it all.
A J said…
A splendid triumph for Stollenian arms! Grand Duke Karl of Hetzenberg has ordered an artillery salute to be fired from the Grand Bastion in the capital in Stollen's honor.
Ken said…
A fine story well told.
tidders2 said…
Great news - a victory for Stollen !

Really enjoyed the pictures and commentary

-- Allan
Paul Liddle said…
Wonderful looking game,I enjoyed it very much.

Paul.
ColCampbell50 said…
Hurrah for Stollen!! Great game that I enjoyed witnessing.

Jim
Fitz-Badger said…
An entertaining and enlightening series of reports! And 3 cheers for Stollen! Finally the Zichenauers get their just desserts...
Finally a victory for Stollen! Hesse-Engelburg sends its congratulations!

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