Turn Four Musketry, Act I. . .

General von Tschatschke's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers unleash an initial volley on General de Latte's Charging 11th Hussards.

“Ah!  There you are,” said General von Tschatschke to his guest as the latter entered the drawing room in his stocking feet.  “Have a nice rest?

“Oh, my head.  My aching head,” began General de Latte as he listed into the room and sat down gingerly on a damask chair at his side of the gaming able.  “No more brandy for a while I think.  How long was I asleep?”

“Oh, I should think about. . .  31 hours give, or take a few,” von Tschatschke replied with a devilish grin. “Fresh coffee I think,” he added to the butler, who had just entered the drawing room silently and then left again without comment. “Now then, let’s talk about musketry and artillery fire.”

“If we must,” answered de Latte, rubbing his temples.  Von Tschatschke began.

“First, we have my Leib Grenadiers versus your 11^th Hussards.  I have 24 grenadiers in the first rank who threw 3D6, scoring a total of 8 casualties.  Blast!  Not as many as I was hoping for.”  Across the table, de Latte brightened.

“Ha, ha!”  he exclaimed,  “ Looks like the game is not quite up for my hussars, eh old lumpy porridge?”  From across the table, von Tscastschke frowned at his guest.

“May we continue?” he asked.  “Thank you.  Next we have my Von Laurenz Musketeers versus your Irish Grenzers in the wood.  Eight of my musketeers are within 12” of the Irish grenzers, so casualties are half the number thrown on a D6.  They rolled a 1, damn their eyes, so no hits at all.”

“And I thought your dice were loaded, old spoon,” chuckled de Latte, his enthusiasm returning slightly.

“Another remark like that, old sugar bowl, and I’ll have you horsewhipped,” replied von Tschatchke.

“Come, come old cow creamer, you’ve become so touchy since your retirement,” replied de Latte

“It’s these blasted red dice, or I’ m losing my touch” von Tschatsche shot back.  “Anyhow, as I was saying, on the matter of my Jager zu Fuss in Eispicke Village versus your  Flickenhoffer Fusiliers, half a dozen of my jagers in are within less than 6” of the left flank of your fusiliers, meaning I can roll only a single D6.  Casualties are the number shown on the die, which comes up a 6, so your men suffer six casualties.  Ha!”  Along his side of the table, General von Tschatschke began a rather staid victory dance as the butler returned with a tray of cups, saucers, and the requested coffee.

“Good Lord!  Von Tschatschke!  Von Tschatschke!" exclaimed de Latte.  "Self control!  Do exercise some self control.  There’s a good man."

“What?  Oh.  Yes.  Of course,” said von Tschtschke and collected himself.  “Have some coffee de Latte.  It’s Sumatran I think.  Bought a boatload of it from some  Dutch merchant I know.  A van Hoegaathet I think his name is.  Or was it van Doudelijk?”

“The game, old trivet, the game, please,” reminded de Latte.

“Of course, of course” answered von Tastchatchke.  “Let’s see.  Oh, yes.  My Jaeger zu Fuss in Eispicke Village versus your Mittau Volunteers.  Five of my jaegers in the village are within 10-12” of your two formed companies of the Mittauers.  They thrown a single D6, halving the results and then halving them again due to the long range at which they are firing, to arrive at the number of hits they inflict.  They roll a 6, which is halved to a 3 and halved again to 1.5.  If we round up, as we agreed to earlier in the game, that is 2 casualties suffered by your Mittauers at the hands of my Jaegers.  Does that sound right to you?”

“My head is spinning,” replied de Latte in a flat tone.  Do total everything up for me.  I’m afraid I am having trouble following your train of thought.”

“That’s because you’re not concentrating my dear de Latte.  You must concentrate.  The key is concentration.   Concentration, I tell you!  Let’s see.  That’s eight hussars, six fusiliers, and two of your Mittauers. . .  Hmmm. . . Looks like you have lost a total of 16 men due to my musketry, old roasting pan.  Hand them over.”

“Now, now, von Tschatschke.  You know that I am perfectly within my rights to count those men as effectives when I return musket fire, and we only remove our respective casualties once your own casualties have been determined,” corrected General de Latte.

“What?  Oh, yes,” General von Tschatschke answered.  “By all means.  Let’s not jump the gun just yet.  Now, which of your units are unleashing fusillades this turn?”