Here's a general panorama view of the battlefield after an hour of game time. You'll note the respective armies beginning to concentrate and converge.
By approximately 4:25pm on the afternoon of 4th August 1773, the ongoing respective cannonades of both armies had inflicted only light casualties on either side. Otherwise, the battlefield was relatively quiet with both General de Latte and General von Tschatschke taking the opportunity to shift some of their units into better positions.
General de Latte (left) and Major di Biscotti (right) lead two squadrons of the 11th Hussars toward their left flank at the gallop. Di Biscotti, you'll note, is already demanding "Are we there yet?" and exhorting his superior to find a sidewalk cafe where they might stop for a late afternoon pick-me-up and use of the facilities!
Meanwhile, de Latte has left behind his third squadron of hussars under the supervison of another one of his aides, one Colonel von Buttinski, in support of a single company of the von Cziklos Croats on the far right flank. You can just make them out in the distance as they move onto the wooded hill in the background.
Across the battlefield and north of the ridge, General von Tschatschke has wheeled his 4th Dragoons and Leib Grenadiers to the right, ordering them to take positions beyond and slightly behind the 2nd (Von Laurenz) Musketeers, the Grand Duchy of Stollen's senior infantry regiment. The general turned to watch his troops file past and spotted the Grand Duke Irwin-Amadeus II and Hives riding toward him. "Oh, blast!" muttered von Tschatschke to the officers around him, "Here comes that meddling macaroni again. He'll probably ask to borrow my telescope, or attempt to discuss the tailoring and of our jackets, or something equally mind-numbing!"
At the other end of the Stollenian line, von Tschatschke's 13th Musketeers have moved up, taking a position just above the northern bank of the River Elbow.
Finally, a small group of Zichenauer engineer officers, who were out ahead of their infantry, attempted to cross the river for a better look at the enemy. Sadly for them, this section of the river turned out to be very deep and rushing. Three were swept away, presumably to meet their maker, while the fourth was last seen clinging to a fast-moving log downriver. His horse managed somehow to make it across the swollen Elbow where it was rescued and led away by a plucky stableboy named Alfonz.
Comments
Jim, never say never. I fear it's too soon to tell who might prevail in the Battle of the Elbow.
Best Regards,
Stokes