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The Action at Federstein: The Game Played. . .

The Stollenian forces deploy and position themselves along a low ridge at the northern edge of a shallow valley.  General von Fußinmund decides to place his squadron of hussars ahead of his right flank to threaten the approaching Zichenauers whose left flank will soon be exposed.


Several hundred yards to the south, across the valley, The invading Zichenauers begin their advance on the Stollenian line.  General von Arschrückwärts orders his grenadier battalion and dragoons to wheel right, march around the copse to their front, and attack the Stollenian left flank beyond.  His provisional line regiment and gun will pound away at the enemy center.


The Zichenauer dragoon squadron wheels to the right and begins its long advance toward the Stollenian left flank across the valley.


Just before Noon on the morning of 4. August 1769, advance elements of the Army of Zichenau crossed the frontier and moved into the long contested Mark of Schleiz, sandwiched between The Electorate of Zichenau to the south and The Grand Duchy of Stollen to the north.   

General von Arschrückwärts commanded the ragtag force, which consisted of drafts of men from various regiments.  His orders were to gain control of and hold the main road into Stollenian territory until the rest of the army two day's march behind could join him.  

Caught off guard during the summer holidays, the Stollenian commander General von Fußinmund threw together a scratch force to meet the threat and rushed southwards to ward off the Zichenauers before the bulk of their army arrived. 

All troops concerned were of average morale -- C Class -- with the notable exception of Stollen's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers, who had veteran -- B Class -- status. 

Let's see how the action plays out. . .

-- Stokes


Move Two saw little action save for the respective forces maneuvering further into position and some early ranging  shots from the artillery on either side.  Here is the Stollenian line along its shallow ridge line at the start of Move Three.  The respective artillery contingents began inflicting light casualties at this point in the game.


 But the Zichenauer menace is never far off!  And enemy dragoons moved into view during the same move.



Inexplicably, when ordered to charge the exposed flank of the Zichenaur line at the western end of the valley during Move Four, the Stollenian hussar squadron checked its morale and instead retreated in the opposite direction to the table's edge!  Unexpected is something of an understatement.


Move Five did not go much better for the Stollenian General von Fußinmund.  The veteran Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers at the center of his line took heavy casualties from enemy musketry and failed a related morale test, halting any activity for the forthcoming Move Six.


On his left flank, enemy dragoons charged home, causing von Fußinmund's resplendently clad Hanseatic Regiment to retreat from its position along the ridge line.  With his flanks in disarray, and his center battered, General von Fußinmund quit the field at the end of Move Five and withdrew his remaining troops from the fray.




 Zichenauer grenadiers allow the defeated Stollenians to retire unmolested.


The victorious general, von Arschrückwärts and staff hear from an aide de camp that Stollenian forces have turned tail and withdrawn.  Zichenauer forces, despite the odds against them, have managed to prevail and now control the road into the contested Mark of Schleiz.  "I wonder what that silly Grand Duke of theirs will have to say now!" he guffaws to his officers.  


P.S.
For his part, General von Fußinmund moved his remaining but now widely scattered troops roughly another day's march north to a more readily defensible position, where they camped outside a small settlement called Blasthoff.
 


Comments

Steve J. said…
Nice background fluff and love the old school simplicity of the terrain. The figures look lovely.
Looking forward to seeing more of this action . Do you have a link to the rules you are using ?
Argh! Blogger has decided not to cooperate again with regard to font size and style. Blast!

Stokes
Old Nick said…
Well done! After all that painting what fun to set up and play a entertaining game. That you for posting this.
Wellington Man said…
Absolutely gorgeous, Stokes!
Best regards
WM
warpaintjj said…
Good to see you gaming again, even a tiddler can scratch the itch!
Best wishes,
Jeremy
Good to see the lads in action.
Anonymous said…
Great to see you're back playing a game Stokes. I'm looking forward to the remaining battles.
Simon

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