Friday, September 17, 2010

Reporting in

Well, now.

I've been a bit quieter than I'd expected to be over the past little while.

We've been re-stumpung the front of the house this past week. Well, when I say "we" I really mean some extremely-well remunerated tradespeople. More power to them, says I - it's a filthy job.  This is being followed up by another gentleman taking up the weekend polishing our floorboards.

The sum of this activity is that very little painting of toy army men has been done, although I have received sufficient inspiration from watching "The Horse Soldiers" this week that I have managed to paint a dozen dismounted cavalry.

They are very nice figures that are not overburdened with detail and were really very quick to paint.

Photos to follow.

On painting, I took a while to adapt to painting these figures. As a true 25mm figurine, the Staddens (I think of them as 'baby Staddens') are more like painting 1:72nd plastic in terms of the fineness of the detail. Because they are quite small and also because I intended to take a lot of photos of them, I have chosen to take a quite "high contrast" approach to painting them to make the colours pop out. The induvidual figures don't really have elaborate paint-jobs, although I do elaborate what's done to the key figures as they are the ones most likely to be picked up and examined by casual passers by. I did do the trick recently though of amalgamating all my union and rebel troops into two super-regiments and they do look pretty spectacular if I do say so myself.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Photoshoot Today...

Confederate officers confer outside an old sawmill.
Brigadier General E. Northman seeing the wagon train to safety.
Brigadier General William T. Compton getting upset with a staff officer.
5th Alabama marching to a uncertain fate.
Confederate 12-pounders assaulted by three Union Regiments.
Union troops march past the unfinished(!) sawmill.
The Union forever!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

We've reached a Milestone

The second of this project, indeed.
The first was the production of the rules. This, the second is that I get to say - at last - that I have completed my order of battle for "Sawmill Village".
I now have forces comprising three Union and three Confederate regiments, a battry each of field artillery and a pair of Brigadiers.
My Confederate Regiments are the 5th Alabama, 6th Virginia and the 13th North Carolina. The Union regiments are rather more generic, but will be no less hard-fighting, I am sure.
Today was a bumper delivery in the mail; I also have two more foor regiments to paint along with a two-regiment brigade of cavalry. I also have the two-dozen skirmishing figures I'll need to dismount my cavalry should the need arise.
Once painted this will give me a Union and a Confederate division of infantry plus a Union Cavalry brigade - my next milestone.
In addition to the toy soldiers, I've also gotten two doors which will be my new games table. It ought to be about 6'8" by 5'10", extensible to 6'8" by 7'9" if I get another door. I've spent the afternoon giving them a Phil Olley-inspired coat of gloss green paint.
I will be playing "Sawmill Village" next weekend.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Herewith a few pics...

...as a supplement the rather dry progress report of my previous post.
The Confederate 3" battery piles it on as the infantry advance.
The Union boys prepare to respond with canister as the Rebs close the range.
Forgive the spanner on the window sill in the background. Perhaps this is Mechanicsville?
The 6th Georgia and the 5th Alabama go in under the eye of Gen'l Lee.

I've begun my third Union infantry regiment and am now pondering my next order. If you had about a hundred and twenty pounds to spend (courtesty of eBay) at Spencer Smith, how would you spend it? The only constraint is that it must be on 25mm Union or Confederate Staddens.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Very quick update

Since I'm at work just now, just a very quick update.

I've nearly finished painting my 4th regiment now, some Confederates with gigantic beards. I've now two each for the Union and the CS. One more of each and barring a little terrain construction and I'll be able to to give "The Rules" a test drive.

What better scenario to take on than "Sawmill Village"?

I ought to be ready in about three weeks, I think.

From there I'll be moving to fill each side out to the "basic divisional" size and then add a cavalry brigade to the Union in preparation for eventually playing the first day at Gettysburg per my earlier post.

Oh, and I've acquired and painted a couple of Imex Conestoga wagons that look the part. Wagon Train anyone?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

New Boys

5th Alabama
Union Troops and 3" Rifles



General Lee and JEB Stuart
The Lot.

I've just finished another union regiment and am painting up a couple of wagons before I go on with a Confederate gun crew and some brigadiers.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Gettysburg: The First Day

Well, the paint is now flying here in Old School ACW Headquarters.
All my recent orders of figures have now arrived and I'm getting going on painting the little beggars.
My Union regiment has now been joined by a Confederate one and I am about to start work on a second Union unit.
With our friends the Confederates I've made a classic wargamers accident/mistake/move insofar as I have painted up one Infantry regiment and also figures for Robert E Lee and JEB Stuart. Shades of the first regiment of the Imperial Guard commanded by Napoleon and Ney! Still, it was what I had to hand at the time...
Now, I want to talk a little about the first day at Gettysburg. This is the scenario reproduced from the Wargame Digest in The Wargame Companion and I want to take a look at how it matches up with the battle.
The two armies began to collide at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, as Lee urgently concentrated his forces there. Low ridges to the northwest of town were defended initially by a Union cavalry division under Buford, which was soon reinforced with two corps of Union infantry. However, two large Confederate corps assaulted them from the northwest and north, collapsing the hastily developed Union lines, sending the defenders retreating through the streets of town to the hills just to the south.
As Grant has it, the Confederates are represented by 10 infantry regiments and three guns, while the Union has six infantry regiments, two of cavalry and also three guns.
He limits his battlefield to Seminary Ridge to the west, Cemetary Hill to the south, the Baltimore Pike and Culp's Hill to the south-east and east respectively and to the north the area past Barlow's Knoll.

The scenario calls for the Rebels and the Union troops to come onto the table at specific points on the game. Grant considers the length of the day to be 30 moves. Remembering that a brigade is two regiments and a division two brigades:
Start of the game:
A Union Cavalry Brigade and a gun anywhere on the board.

Move 1 - a Confederate Brigade with a gun enters at Cemetary Ridge.
Move 6 - a Union Division and a gun come on the table via the Baltimore Road.
Move 8 - a Confederate Brigade with a gun enters play from Cemetery Ridge.
Move 12 - a Union Brigade plus a gun comes on via the Baltimore Road.
Move 15 - a Confederate Division enters play (gun in tow) down the Carlisle Road.
Move 19 - a final Confederate Brigade comes on via the Harrisburg Road.

These deployments seem to match the timing of the main Confederate attacks so far as I can tell with my imperfect understanding. The relative sizes of the opposing forces also seem about right.
I think we have a fairly useable scenario.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Modern War Gamer

To battle, with Canister Cone and Bounce-Stick. All I need is a cravat.

Friday, July 16, 2010

The American Civil War Game - Second Draft

Well what follows is my second draft of the rules. It incorporates all the suggestions and modifications incorporated to date, most significantly, the Canister Cone, a Rules Annex for the Cavalry rules disallowing breakthroughs and the recently discussed morale rules.

These are probably ready for a playtest now, so should anyone want to put their hand up, please email me (colonialwargamer AT gmail DOT com) for a copy you won't have to play copy-and-paste games with. For everyone else, please read on (please note that formatting is not great...):

The American Civil War Game


by Charles Grant as reconstructed by Greg Horne

MOVEMENT

Line Infantry

In line 6”

In line and firing 4”

In column or open order 7 ½”

Charging 9”

Cavalry

Normal 9”

Battle move 12” (for each period of rest)

Charge 18”

Artillery

Team 6”

Manhandle 1”

Wagons

All types 6”

Barges

Up River 6”

Down River 9”

Canal 7 ½”

MOVEMENT AND TERRAIN

Hill contours

Uphill moves for all troop types are halved

On the level all moves are normal.

Downhill gives no distance advantage but note the impetus when charging.

Scenic Terrain

All movement is halved.

Woods

Line infantry half move

Light infantry normal

Heavy cavalry no movement

Light cavalry no movement

Artillery/Wagons no movement

Swamp/marsh

Infantry only, in open order at half move distance.

Rivers/streams

If fordable, infantry and cavalry take 2 moves while artillery and wagons take 4 moves.

Buildings

Maximum garrison of seven infantry figures per building section

RANGES

Musketry

Rifled Muskets 24”

Cavalry Carbines and Smoothbore Muskets 18”

Artillery

Ball 60”

Canister 24”

Howitzer 20” to 50”

ESTABLISHMENTS

Infantry 3 officers and 24 rank-and-file

Cavalry 3 officers and 12 rank-and-file

Artillery Battery 3 officers (one mounted) and 8 rank-and-file (2 guns)

MUSKETRY

Players throw dice to determine who fires first in a mutual exchange. When the decision is a draw the firing is simultaneous.

The firer throws one dice for each group of 6 firers and deductions are made for range and cover as follows:

RANGE NORMAL VOLLEY      FIRST VOLLEY

               Open Cover                      Open Cover

0 to 8”     2     3                                 1      2

6 to 16”   3    4                                  2      3

16 to 24” 4    5                                  3      4

Each target group is numbered 1 to 6 and dice are thrown (one for each casualty caused) to determine which men are hit. In this way a figure may be hit more than once. If firing has not been simultaneous, the side to fire second does so replying with those figures left after removing the casualties inflicted on him. In the case of musketry from smooth bore muskets or cavalry carbines, the range bands above are reduced to 6, 12 and 18”.



SKIRMISHING INFANTRY MUSKETRY

Entire units or detachments may act as skirmishing Infantry.

Skirmishing infantry fire as individuals using a single dice for each figure firing.

Firing at organised bodies of troops (in to the brown).

Range 0 to 12” 5 or 6 kills

Range 12 to 24” 6 kills

Firing at specially selected individuals (picking off officers etc).

Range 0 to 12” 6 kills

Range 12 to 24” Cannot be done except for mounted officers when 6 kills

Firing at line infantry in cover (in houses, behind walls or earthworks)

Range 0 to 12” 6 kills (no picking off)

Range 12 to 24” nil

Open Order Infantry firing at Open Order Infantry:

In the open 0 to 12” 5 or 6 kills.

12 to 24” 6 kills.

In cover

0 to 12” 6 kills.

12 to 24” nil

Reduce ranges for smooth bore muskets and cavalry carbines to 9” and 18”.



THE CHARGE

Infantry

Infantry may only charge if they are in column, they may however move a normal move to contact. In the latter case they get none of the advantages of the charge. Rules for this are covered separately.

In column, the head of the column, that is the front rank, are moved directly forward to make contact with the enemy. The two men from each flank of the second rank are moved forward and outwards to meet the enemy to either side of the original column, while the centre men close up behind the centre of the column. Similarly, one man from each flank of the third and

fourth rank is moved outwards and forwards, the centre men closing up to their front and behind the remaining column up to the full extent of the 9” move.

Firing at a charging unit.

An advancing unit is fired on each move until the move in which the charge comes to contact. On this occasion, both sides throw a single dice. If the defender wins he fires at close range; if the attacker wins he comes to contact without receiving a volley.

Cavalry

The charge plays out over two moves.

In the first, the Cavalry move to within 18" of their target. If infantry, this takes them within Rifle range and naturally they take a volley. Casualties are removed as normal.

In the second, morale is tested for by the attacker. The charging cavalry and the defender dice off to see whether the defenders are cool enough to get off another volley. If all is well, the charge goes home and the cavalry are moved to contact.

Breakthroughs - If cavalry charge infantry who are formed less than 3 ranks deep and the distance is 12” or less, they may actually ride down the men and burst through.

Each cavalry figure moving up to contact throws one die.

• 2 ranks deep: throw of 5 or 6, breaks through.

• 1 ranks deep: throw of 4, 5 or 6, breaks through.

In the event of a breakthrough, the front figure is removed as a casualty. The second and third rank figures are moved back and to the side a total of 3”. The horsemen continue through to the extent of their charge move to contact another enemy if possible. They may veer up to 30 degrees to do this.

MÊLÉE

Mêlée occurs when two sides are in base contact either as a result of one or both sides charging or coming in contact within a

normal move. The mêlée is resolved by throwing dice for each individual combat in the following manner:

1 inf vs 1 inf: straight throw, highest wins 2 inf vs 1 inf: add 50% of 1 die for the 2 inf

1 cav vs 1 cav: straight throw 1 cav vs 2 inf: cavalry doubles throw

1 cav vs 2 inf: straight throw 1 cav vs 3 inf: infantry add 50% to throw of one die

1 cav vs 2 cav: latter adds 50% to throw of one die

1 inf vs 1 cavl 1d6 vs 2d6

It is not possible for the same troop types to fight more than 2 to1.

In all cases the higher throw (or score) wins.

Before mêlée can take place in a building, each attacker must first dice to see if they can break in. A 4, 5 or 6 means they have been successful, and can fight on equal terms. A 1, 2 or 3 means they remain outside and the occupants gain the +2 bonus.

The attacker always requires the 4, 5 or 6 to enter, even if a particular section of wall appears undefended.

Advantages in mêlée

Charging +1

Attacking downhill +1

Infantry behind a wall +1

Attacking exhausted troops who have had only one move of rest (see Exhaustion) +1

Attacking exhausted troops who have had no rest +2

Defending in a house against an attacker outside +2

The second move of mêlée

The first move of mêlée is quite formal, whether infantry vs. infantry, infantry vs. cavalry or cavalry vs. cavalry, there is little scope for independent movement. Musketry and artillery casualties inflicted by the defending unit which is contacted count towards the mêlée.

In the second move, however, the combat is free flowing. If both sides stand and continue the mêlée for a second move, then each throws a single die to determine who moves first. The winner may move 4 figures of infantry or 2 of cavalry into contact with the enemy. Once contacted, a figure is pinned, and may not be moved. The other side then does the same,

moving 4 figures of infantry and so on until all that can move to contact within the normal move distance have done so. The aim of each side will be to get as many advantageous combats as possible (that is 2 to 1). This mechanical system represents what is in reality a simultaneous flowing together of the two sides.

The second move of mêlée is conducted as the first except that the charging impetus of +1 is lost.

Duration of mêlée

A mêlée will last no more than 2 moves unless it is taking place in a built-up area, in which case it can continue for a further move. This is because fewer troops will actually be engaged at one time because of the defiles.

Deciding the outcome of a mêlée

The outcome of a mêlée may be decided by one of the following ways:

First move

• If one side loses twice the casualties of the other side including those casualties inflicted by artillery and musketry, then it must withdraw on the next move.

• If any casualties have been inflicted then the side in question must test for morale. If the result is bad, the unit must withdraw in the next move.

Second move

• If one side loses twice the casualties of the other in the mêlée then it must withdraw on the next move.

• If either side has bad morale then that side must withdraw on the next move.

• If neither of the above factors apply, then the result is a draw. In this case both sides will retire unless one is a defender who has written orders to hold ground.

Actions after a mêlée

Units that have had two moves of mêlée and have drawn the combat will fall back two normal moves and will then rest a further two moves before being allowed to take part in further offensive action. They may defend themselves of attacked.

If a unit is attacked by fresh troops during their four moves of exhaustion (two of retreat and two of rest) the attackers add 2 to each individual combat throw if the move is immediately following the fighting moves of the exhausted side, and 1 to each throw if the exhausted side has had a clear move without combat. If fighting is continued for another move, the additions are increased to 3 and 2 respectively.

If, however, part of ONE side has fallen back, a further move of combat takes place, and if at the end of this third move, the two to one rule does not apply, both sides fall back as before. The two to one rule is simple - if one side is outnumbered two to one it must surrender - this applying only after hand to hand fighting though.



MORALE

The morale of a unit is based on three factors. These are:

• Command and control

• Losses in action

• The imponderable

Command and Control is based on the number of officers and supernumeraries present. Each is worth a certain number of points:

Infantry

Colonel 3

Two other officers the first at 2, the second at 1

TOTAL 6

Cavalry

Colonel 3

Two other officers the first at 2, the second at 1

TOTAL 6

Losses in action affect morale as follows:

• One sixth of original rank & file strength lost: -1 point

• One quarter of original rank & files strength lost: -2 points

• On half of original rank & file strength lost: see 50% rule

The imponderable is determined by the throw of one ordinary die.

Morale is calculated by the following:

Command Points - Points for Losses + Throw of 1 die.

• If the result is 6 or better the morale is good, the unit continues with its task.

• If the result is less than 6 the morale is bad! The unit must fall back or behave as follows:

• If it is actually at grips, in a mêlée with the enemy, it breaks off the struggle and makes a complete move the rear.

• If it is advancing, or stationary and firing, it remains halted on the following move and cannot fire.

Once a unit has incurred a bad morale it must be tested on each successive move until it rallies or flees the field, but on each of the ensuing moves the requirement to rally increases by 1, i.e. 7, 8, 9 and then 10, after which it is considered dispersed.

The 50% Rule

When any unit is reduced to 50% or less of its rank and file it must break off from whatever it is doing and move directly to the rear in the next move. It will play no further part in the action.

The exceptions are:-

1. If it takes place in the first move of mêlée it may complete the second move of the mêlée.

2. If occupying houses, the unit may remain in the houses.

General’s rally

A general may rally a retiring unit (unless it is at 50% or less) by moving to the unit and attaching himself to it. When he reaches the unit a single die is thrown to see how many moves it will take before the unit is fit for action. Once this happens, the General may not leave the unit during the battle.

The Saving throw for Officers

A saving throw is allowed in the case of officer casualties. When an officer is hit in combat or from enemy fire, the player may throw a single die to save him. If he throws a 5 or 6 he is saved and continues in the battle; on a 1-4 he is dead and is removed.

Morale, Detachments and very Extended Lines

Troops in very extended order - skirmish lines of one rank with 1" separating each figure.

In the case of Skirmishers, any part of the line that finds itself within the range of enemy musketry or gunfire to either it's flank or rear must test for morale per the detachment morale rules. If the threat is at the maximum "range" band for the weapon type, or if the threat is cavalry within charge range, one pip must be deducted from the morale roll; if within the second band, two pips and; if within the nearest, then three pips must be deducted.



In the case of Detachments:

Detachments are in made of multiples of eight figures and an officer; this detachment size is based on breaking a 27-figure regiment down into a maximum of three sub-units.

1. A portion of a regiment may be detached but must include an officer. Once the detachment is separated from the main body by at least 6", it counts as a unit for morale. When a regiment is together, the officers count as normal for morale. When an officer is sent with a detachment, he counts as 3 points when the detachment tests morale, thus being more vulnerable. The main body counts the remaining officers as normal. % casualties are based on the detachments original strength.

2. If a sub-unit fails morale and retreats, it may rejoin its main unit if it can do so while retiring. Once it reaches the main body, it rejoins and adopts the morale status of the main unit.

3. Apart from the rally rules as per "The War Game", if a brigadier joins a unit he may replace any missing officer for morale purposes.

ARTILLERY

Roundshot (ball fired from cannon) range is 60 inches.

A measuring stick is used made from ½” square rod and calibrated in inches, 60” long.

It’s first 18” are coloured black. The next 24” are coloured in three lengths of 8” each of white, yellow and green. The next 12” are likewise broken into three bands, each 4” long and coloured white, yellow and green. The final 6” is broken into three lengths 2” long and the same colour scheme carries on.

Now, a roundshot pitched in the yellow part of the stick would pass through the subsequent yellow parts of the stick also as it bounced along it’s course. Likewise the white or green. To determine the part of the round-shot stick the ball is ricocheting along, throw a dice that has had it’s alternate faces painted in like colours to those of the measuring stick (ie, 1 and 2 are white and so on). The heads of figures covered by the coloured band are then diced for as follows to determine if they are casualties:

Near Group 3, 4, 5 or 6 kills

Mid Group 4, 5 or 6 kills

Far group 5 or 6 kills

Range 48-60” 6 kills

Each figure is thrown for individually

Counter-battery fire

Counter-battery fire uses the system above except that when working out the effect on the gun it is done as follows:

If the gun is hit a single die is thrown and the result from 1 to 6 is noted. When the accumulated total reaches 10, the gun is reduced to firing on alternative moves. When 20 is reached the gun is destroyed.

Because of the reduction in velocity with distance however, damage is reduced by 1 from 36” to 48”, and by 2 at 48” or more.

Canister

The Canister cone is an elongated equilateral triangle, 24” long from base to apex with a base 5” wide. It is internally sub-divided into three units, that closest to the apex being 5.5”, the middle unit being 6.5” and the Far unit being 12” long.

The device is placed with its apex at the muzzle of the gun.

Figures within the device are diced for as follows:

Near 4, 5 or 6 kills; Middle 5 or 6 kills and; Far 6 kills

Howitzer (shell)

Howitzer range is 20” to 50”. The centre of impact is worked out using the Shell Burst Indicator (SBI) which is shown in the Rules Annex. The SBI has 5 sectors numbered 2 to 6. The centre sector is numbered 6 and the outer sectors clockwise from 5 to 2.

The firing procedure is to place the SBI on the chosen target with the centre section over the point of aim and with the 5 section furthest from the gun. A die is thrown to show area of impact (1 is a misfire). Dice are then thrown for the effect of each figure within the sector in which the shell impacted. A 1,2 or 3 has no effect while a 4,5 or 6 kills.

It can be seen from the above that with the device a 5 is an overshoot, a 3 an undershoot and 2 and 4 are errors to the left and right. Nevertheless, casualties still occur if troops are in the particular sector.

For counter-battery fire the procedure and accumulation of hits is as for roundshot.

Round Shot effect on houses

When a house is hit by round shot a single die is thrown with the following results:

Die Roll

Range 1 and 2 3 4 5 6

0-36” No Penetration Penetrates, Kills 1, Stops Penetrates, Kills 1, Stops Penetrates, Kills 2, Goes on Penetrates, Kills 3, Goes on

36-48” No Penetration No Penetration Penetrates, Kills 1, Stops Penetrates, Kills 2, Goes on Penetrates, Kills 2, Goes on

48-60” No Penetration No Penetration No Penetration Penetrates

Kills 1

Stops

Penetrates

Kills 1

Stops





Houses are destroyed by an accumulation of hits on the target until a total of 20 points are achieved using the above table in the same manner as with counter-battery fire. At this point, the body of the house is removed to leave a ruined shell.

With howitzer fire the same accumulated score system is used but the effect and casualty systems are different. The SBI is placed on the house if that is the target and a die is thrown to see if a hit has been achieved. If a hit on the house occurs then a second die is thrown to determine the effect:

Throw of 1,2 or 3 no casualties

4 1 killed

5 2 killed

6 3 killed

In addition to determining the number of men lost, the hits are added as for roundshot to determine the effect on the house. (This includes 1, 2 and 3 which count towards damage although killing no men. When the total reaches 10 the house is set on fire. All the troops in the house must leave retiring at least 3” away from the fire. The house will burn for 15 moves during which time no troops may move within 3” of the house.

When a house is in 2 sections there is a strong chance that the second section will catch fire. In each move that the first section burns a die is thrown to see if the second section catches: 3, 4, 5 or 6 means that the second section catches fire: 1 or 2 it does not.

Model flames are placed on the building for the duration of the fire. At the end of the 15 moves the flames are removed as is the building to reveal the ruins.



Rules Annex

Herein shall be placed those rules which may be used only with the agreement of both players. They are either the authors own quirks or depart significantly from the spirit of the original Grant Rules in the light of information available today that may not have been available in 1957!

Sharpshooters
Super skirmishers.
May only operate in open order.
May only be present in detachment size - ie, an officer and eight privates.
Are subject to the morale rule for detachments.
May add one to their dice rolls when shooting vice the Skirmishing Infantry Musketry Rules.


Zouaves
Assault Infantry - rules pinched from the Supplementary Rules for Grenadiers.
May add one to their dice roll in melee.
No reduction for the Morale Index for rank and file casualties until losses have reached 25% (6 figures), when 1 is deducted from the throw for morale.

Cavalry
No breakthrough rule allowed. Cavalry charge to contact, but may not break through defending infantry. This rule made cavalry unhistorically strong and encourages players to use them like a European General might.



Artillery
This version of the rule makes use of the so-called round-shot measuring sleeve.

Roundshot (ball fired from cannon) range is 60 inches.

A measuring stick is used made from ½” square rod and calibrated in inches. Around the stick is wrapped a 4” long sliding scale sleeve made of card. The stick is positioned on the line of fire from the gun to target and the sleeve moved until it is over the desired target. Two differently-coloured dice are thrown; one is designated plus and the other minus. The sleeve is moved towards or away from the target according to the difference in scores of the two dice. There is no movement of the sleeve if the throws are equal. The heads of figures covered by the sleeve are then diced for as follows to determine if they are casualties:

Range

0-24” 3, 4, 5 or 6 kills

24-36” 4, 5 or 6 kills

36-48 5 or 6 kills

Range 48-60” 6 kills

Each figure is thrown for individually

Counter-battery fire
Counter-battery fire uses the system above except that when working out the effect on the gun it is done as follows:

If the gun is under the sleeve a single die is thrown and the result from 1 to 6 is noted. When the accumulated total reaches 10, the gun is reduced to firing on alternative moves. When 20 is reaches the gun is destroyed.
Because of the reduction in velocity with distance however, damage is reduced by 1 from 36” to 48”, and by 2 at 48” or more.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Going Forward

I've been a little quiet the past week of so as personal business has got in the way of mere play. Mere play is however once again the order of the day so I will set out my path going forward.

First task will be to incorporate the new rules changes and get them written up properly. I am hoping to get that done this weekend. I'll be following this up with the construction of bounce-sticks, cannister templates and all the Rube Goldberg contraptions I'll need tp play the game.

Meantime, I am expecting to shortly take delivery of my second lot of infantry who I expect shall be painted as the 6th Alabama in direct hommage. Once these are done, I'm lining up on another four units and some more gunners.

This will give me the three Federal and three Confederate units (with gun crews) that I will need  for my test game - Sawmill Village.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

More on Morale

Here's my latest take on the Morale rules which owe a great deal to Ross and Ion's suggestions.

The normal morale rules for "The War Game" hold true barring these circumstances:

Troops in very extended order - that is to say skirmish lines of one rank with 1" seperating each figure or detachments. Detachments are in made of multiples of eight figures and an officer; this detachment size is based on breaking a 27-figure regiment down into a maximum of three sub-units.

In the case of Skirmishers, any part of the line that finds itself within the range of enemy musketry or gunfire to either it's flank or rear must test for morale per the detachment morale rules. If the threat is at the maximum "range" band for the weapon type, or if the threat is cavalry within charge range, one pip must be deducted from the morale roll; if within the second band, two pips and; if within the nearest, then three pips must be deducted.

In the case of Detachments:

1. A portion of a regiment may be detached but must include an officer. Once the detachment is separated from the main body by at least 6", it counts as a unit for morale. When a regiment is together, the officers count as normal for morale. When an officer is sent with a detachment, he counts as 3 points when the detachment tests morale, thus being more vulnerable. The main body counts the remaining officers as normal. % casualties are based on the detachments original strength.


2. If a sub-unit fails morale and retreats, it may rejoin its main unit if it can do so while retiring. Once it reaches the main body, it rejoins and adopts the morale status of the main unit.

3. Apart from the rally rules as per "The War Game", if a brigadier joins a unit he may replace any missing officer for morale purposes.

Monday, July 5, 2010

A Little Housekeeping and Morale

I said I'd get some morale rules up over the weekend, so this is a little late!
Before we delve into them, I'd like to say that we are really making good progress on the rule-writing front; I really think something playable is coming into being. I think that I may have said it before, but I am happy to reiterate that this project has been a steep learning curve for me and that I'd like to thank our contributors who have sought to set me on the right track.
In the same vein, I would like to mark the recent passing of Paddy Griffith who has been my guide in coming to grips with the tactics of the American Civil War. Obviously I never knew the man, but my researches have led me to understand a little of his contribution to our understanding of not just the ACW, but many areas of interest.
That being said, I'd now like to take a very brief look at ground scale for the Grant Rules for the ACW. Now, it's explicitly stated in The War game Companion that Charles Grant took 1" to 25yards as his ground scale. With infantry weapon ranges being 24" this translates to 600 yards in "real life". An artillery maximum range of 24" comes also to 600 yards for canister fire and 60" or 1440 for ball.
My understanding of combat ranges for the ACW was that battle ranges for musketry were between 33 and 100 yards, whilst cannister range was about 300 yards which translate to something like 4" and 12" respectively.
How am I going to translate this to the table? I'll treat these ranges as the most deadly of the range bands for their respective weapons. Thus troops in the first band of the cannister cone will be eliminated on a 4-6, those in the second on a 5-6 and those in the third on a 6 only.  Similar arrangements will be made for other weapon ranges.
And now to Morale.
Going back to the responses to my initial post on Morale, I had some very interesting replies, paraphrased below:
Mosstrooper drew attention to CS Grant's new book "Wargaming in History Vol 1 " where there were some thoughts to be had on SYW Freicorps, which which are quite interesting as they deal with detachments; see my earlier post on morale for my thoughts on the matter.
Ion suspects the Grant rules might have included some kind of 'impact radius' for causes of loss of morale. For instance, suppose a unit is marching along when there appears an enemy unit emerging from some dense growth upon its flank.
If the flanking unit's appearance was very close to the unit, the whole lot might well flee. But if they were a moderate way off - bringing only half the unit within effective musketry range, say, then the adverse reaction might not be felt equally along the line. Effectively, Ion is presenting a "morale zone" that impinges whichever part of a unit is within musketry range, although, some other area of effect might do as well. It would operate when a unit is "caught" in an unfavourable tactical situation - an enemy unit appearing on a flank or to the rear.

If I read him right, he suggeats that this effect might be subject to attenuation, diminishing by a pip on the die per 4" increment up to a maximum of 12".
This sort of thing will be the more apparent when using extended skirmish lines, of single rank lines.
Positive effects might be equally subject to attenuation over distance - e.g. the control of officers.

What I like about this rule is that it allows part of a unit to break and run, especially when actin in very expended order.
Ross suggests a rule that might operate in this fashion:
1. A portion of a regiment may be detached but must include an officer. Once the detachment is separated from the main body by at least 6", it counts as a unit for morale. When a regiment is together, the officers count as normal for morale. When an officer is sent with a detachment, he counts as 3 points when the detachment tests morale, thus being more vulnerable. The main body counts the remaining officers as normal. % casualties are based on the detachments original strength.
2. If a sub-unit fails morale and retreats, it may rejoin its main unit if it can do so while retiring. Once it reaches the main body, it rejoins and adopts the morale status of the main unit.
3. Apart from the rally rules as per "The War Game", if a brigadier joins a unit he may replace any missing officer for morale purposes.
For myself, I'm still in the "undecided area". I like Ross's approach overall, but feel that I'd need to make it possible for part of a regiment to suffer a morale failure as Ion describes. If I can integrate that into Ross's take on the morale rules, I think I can be satisfied!

For the rules annex:

The other option would be to have fixed sub-units of 6 men, each including a corporal (just paint stripes). When the company is with the regiment the corporals do not count for morale but if the company is more than a move from the regiment then the corporal is worth 3 pts etc.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Wanted

I've been poking around the internet and have discovered the Imex rancge of wagons for the Old West.

They are probably a little out of period, but they look great and I think will do well with the style of figure I am using for this project, despite being slightly under-scale.

Has anyone got any they might be willing to part with? They are not available here at the moment; I'm really keen to get a couple of the Conestegas, Prairie Schooners, Chuck Wagons and so on. I think there is even a stage-coach and a Civil War Ambulance.

I think Airfix have re-issued their wagon train set, too, so I'll be on the lookout for that.

Any takers? One of my goals is to re-fight the "Wagon Train" scenario as retold in The War Game Companion eventually, and besides, I would like to have something to take on campaign.

In further news, my first Confederate Infantry unit has been ordered. Looking forward to getting them. There will be no prises for guessing that they'll become my own 6th Alabama in homage to Mr Grant. Next will be another gun battery to go with the (still) awaited rifled guns.

In the first place I am building to the order of battle to let me fight the Sawmill Village Scenario, then The Wagon Train. Enthusiasm hopefully still in place, I'll then be looking to fight Gettysburg.

NOTE: I have not missed the interesting responses to my post on Morale. I'm working on the Morale rules and will post something on them over the weekend.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Morale Again

I'm a bit troubled by my take on the morale rules.

Just for my own reference, here is what I want them to do:

I want dispersed units to be able to test by sub-units.

I want morale to be based on officer numbers, casualties and the roll of a single D6.

I want fleeing or retiring sub units to be able to fall back on the parent unit to rally.

I want retiring units to be able to rally if left undisturbed.

I want a General Officer to be able to rally a faltering unit.

Any suggestions?

Monday, June 21, 2010

Eye Candy

You'll always take a better photo outside and under natural light than you will otherwise. Herewith then are some rather better photos than I've put up before!
My new gun battery. 12-pounder Napoleons by Mark Fenlon (unfortunately all but unavailable at the moment) with 25mm Stadden Gunners, organised per Grant. I love the gunner in his shire with the red braces.
The Union forces so far!
As I have already said, I'm now waiting on the delivery of a pair of 3" rifles. Once I've made a start on them I'll make my next order to Spencer Smith.

Plenty to do until then, especially considering I've just discovered a basic error in my calculations. The ground-scale is 25YARDS per inch, not 25 FEET...

Canister Cones

In my last post on the rules proper, I tried to take a comprehensive look at where we were and plug it all into the rules presented in "The War Game" which I am using as a template for this exercise.

This being done, I was re-reading the Grant Artillery rules and I came across this passage on page 70 in the chapter on Canister:
"... the Canister Cone. It is patently not a true cone, but the name reflects the original shape and is used for the very simple reason that I cannot think of another."
Furthermore, on pp 68-9, Grant states:
"For long in wargaming the general assumption seems to have been that the firing of canister produced a shot pattern similar to a kind of elongated cone... wargamers who, like myself, preferred to have an actual device to indicate the pattern and casualties of canister fire in their games."
It may well be that at the time he was using a canister cone for the ACW games, Grant may not have been using the familiar canister cone at all. Rather he may have been using something like an elongated  equilateral triangle. I do not know it's dimensions, but would guess that it would be 28" long, with internal sub-divisions at the 6.5" and 14" points along from it's apex to define the increasing lethality of canister as you approached the muzzle-end of the gun.

I'd guess 28" as Grant has canister range as about 240' which translates to about 28" at his 1"=25' ground-scale. The smaller sub-divisions are guess-work based on those of Grants' polygonal canister cone.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

At last, some lead to push around.

I'm glad to introduce my first ACW unit. Some Union infantry from a generic regiment who may well morph into something else sometime later. There is no State flag you'll note as I've not yet settled on one and the Grant Rules don't allow for a 4th "Officer"! Not that I'll let that stop me.
Marching past the camera in line. A Fenton 12PR SB in the foreground. Generic Union Flag proudly displayed! Courtesy of Warflag.
Gunners getting their uniforms in the background. Coincidentally a good match for the Fenlon 12PR SB gun-howitzers.
March-past. A fine sight.
Says it all really, Dr Who producer Barry Letts on DVD in the background, wine-glass, coffee cup and baby bottle in the foreground. Tools of the Trade! I think there are some toy soldiers there somewhere.

Next stop is to paint those gunners. A start has been made. I may have to do some cavalry next.

Friday, June 18, 2010

The Irresistible Urge...

... to tinker.

Lying in bed last night as I tried to get to sleep after a heavy evening of painting Union Infantry my thoughts turned to "The Rules".

There are all those great figures out there. Berdans' Sharpshoopters, all those Zouaves, Rush's Lancers; virtually no end to them, is there? The urge to tinker is very strong, so I'll tell you what. We'll create a rules annex in which to house all those special bits and pieces that make "The Rules" special.

They are only to be used with the agreement of your opponent. I'd suggest only one of these "super units" per side. They are optional extras. More chrome. More stuff to remember...

Sharpshooters
Super skirmishers.
May only operate in open order.
May only be present in detachment size - ie, an officer and eight privates.
Are subject to the morale rule for detachments.
May add one to their dice rolls when shooting vice the Skirmishing Infantry Musketry Rules.

Zouaves
Assault Infantry - rules pinched from the Supplementary Rules for Grenadiers.
May add one to their dice roll in melee.
No reduction for the Morale Index for rank and file casualties until losses have reached 25% (6 figures), when 1 id deducted from the throw for morale.

In further news, I'm nearly finished painting my first infantry unit to go with a couple of 12 PR SB guns I've had from another life. Just the trousers and metallics on the muskets to go. Black straps on a dark-blue coat are a pain to make stand out - you get a very dark figure. I'm really relying on the trousers to brighten things up, but have put in some fairly bright blue highlights to improve contrast. I expect to post pictures tomorrow.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

The American Civil War Game


Please note that the following are basically "The War Game" rules from the condensed ruleset from the Battlegames Website with those parts of the that I feel  are authentically the ACW rules"plugged in".  Many of the changes are fairly small. 

For example, infantry weapon ranges have gone from 18" to 24". 

There is a morale rule for detachments. 

There has been a change to the rule for cavalry breakthoughs. 

I have substituted Skirmishing Infantry for Light Infantry. The light infantry firing rules have been taken on untouched, although I am considering making them for detachments only as they might spell the end of close order infantry as they are very offensively powerful and unbalancing.

There is no longer any Light Cavalry, although the argument might be made that all cavalry is at this time "Light". 

I have made no provision for dismounted cavalry rules as I've not yet seriously considered them.

Detachments count as Skirmishing Infantry. 

For want of information I have kept the morale and terrain factors from "The War Game".

I realise this is a very long post, but I would encourage everyone to please take a look and to comment freely.

MOVEMENT
Line Infantry
In line 6”
In line and firing 4”
In column 7 ½”
In open order 7 ½”
Charging 9”
Cavalry
Normal 9”
Battle move 12” (for each period of rest)
Charge 18”
Artillery
Team 6”
Manhandle 1”
Wagons
All types 6”
Barges
Up River 6”
Down River 9”
Canal 7 ½”
MOVEMENT AND TERRAIN
Hill contours
Uphill moves for all troop types are halved
On the level all moves are normal.
Downhill gives no distance advantage but note the impetus when charging.
Scenic Terrain
All movement is halved.
Woods
Line infantry half move
Light infantry normal
Heavy cavalry no movement
Light cavalry no movement
Artillery/Wagons no movement
Swamp/marsh
Infantry only, in open order at half move distance.
Rivers/streams
If fordable, infantry and cavalry take 2 moves while artillery and wagons take 4 moves.
Buildings
Maximum garrison of seven infantry figures per building section
RANGES
Musketry
Line 24”
NOTE: potential here for Carbines to be less effective. 6, 12 and 18” range bands?
Artillery
Ball 60”
Canister 24”
Howitzer 20” to 50”
ESTABLISHMENTS
Infantry 3 officers and 24 rank-and-file
Cavalry 3 officers and 12 rank-and-file
Artillery Battery 3 officers and 10 rank-and-file (2 guns)
MUSKETRY
Players throw dice to determine who fires first in a mutual exchange. When the decision is a draw the firing is simultaneous.
The firer throws one dice for each group of 6 firers and deductions are made for range and cover as follows:
RANGE NORMAL VOLLEY FIRST VOLLEY
Open Cover      Open Cover
0 to 8”               2          3          1          2
6 to 16”             3          4          2          3
16 to 24”           4          5          3          4
Each target group is numbered 1 to 6 and dice are thrown (one for each casualty caused) to determine which men are hit. In this way a figure may be hit more than once. If firing has not been simultaneous, the side to fire second does so replying with those figures left after removing the casualties inflicted on him.
SKIRMISHING INFANTRY MUSKETRY
Entire units or detachments may act as skirmishing Infantry.
Skirmishing infantry fire as individuals using a single dice for each figure firing.
Firing at organised bodies of troops (in to the brown).
Range 0 to 12” 5 or 6 kills
Range 12 to 24” 6 kills
Firing at specially selected individuals (picking off officers etc).
Range 0 to 12” 6 kills
Range 12 to 24” Cannot be done except for mounted officers when 6 kills
Firing at line infantry in cover (in houses, behind walls or earthworks)
Range 0 to 12” 6 kills (no picking off)
Range 12 to 24” nil
Open Order Infantry firing at Open Order Infantry:
In the open 0 to 12” 5 or 6 kills.
12 to 24” 6 kills.
In cover
0 to 12” 6 kills.
12 to 24” nil
THE CHARGE
Infantry
Infantry may only charge if they are in column, they may however move a normal move to contact. In the latter case they get none of the advantages of the charge. Rules for this are covered separately.
In column, the head of the column, that is the front rank, are moved directly forward to make contact with the enemy. The two men from each flank of the second rank are moved forward and outwards to meet the enemy to either side of the original column, while the centre men close up behind the centre of the column. Similarly, one man from each flank of the third and
fourth rank is moved outwards and forwards, the centre men closing up to their front and behind the remaining column up to the full extent of the 9” move.
Firing at a charging unit.
An advancing unit is fired on each move until the move in which the charge comes to contact. On this occasion, both sides throw a single dice. If the defender wins he fires at close range; if the attacker wins he comes to contact without receiving a volley.
Cavalry
The charge plays out over two moves.
In the first, the Cavalry move to within 18" of their target. If infantry, this takes them within Rifle range and naturally they take a volley. Casualties are removed as normal.
In the second, morale is tested for by the attacker. The charging cavalry and the defender dice off to see whether the defenders are cool enough to get off another volley. If all is well, the charge goes home and the cavalry are moved to contact.
If heavy cavalry charge infantry who are formed less than 3 ranks deep and the distance is 12” or less, they may actually ride down the men and burst through.
Each cavalry figure moving up to contact throws one die.
• 2 ranks deep: throw of 5 or 6, breaks through.
• 1 ranks deep: throw of 4, 5 or 6, breaks through.
In the event of a breakthrough, the front figure is removed as a casualty. The second and third rank figures are moved back and to the side a total of 3”. The horsemen continue through to the extent of their charge move to contact another enemy if possible. They may veer up to 30 degrees to do this.
MÊLÉE
Mêlée occurs when two sides are in base contact either as a result of one or both sides charging or coming in contact within a
normal move. The mêlée is resolved by throwing dice for each individual combat in the following manner:
1 inf vs 1 inf: straight throw, highest wins 2 inf vs 1 inf: add 50% of 1 die for the 2 inf
1 cav vs 1 cav: straight throw 1 cav vs 2 inf: cavalry doubles throw
1 cav vs 2 inf: straight throw 1 cav vs 3 inf: infantry add 50% to throw of one die
1 cav vs 2 cav: latter adds 50% to throw of one die
1 inf vs 1 cavl 1d6 vs 2d6
It is not possible for the same troop types to fight more than 2 to1.
In all cases the higher throw (or score) wins.
Before mêlée can take place in a building, each attacker must first dice to see if they can break in. A 4, 5 or 6 means they have been successful, and can fight on equal terms. A 1, 2 or 3 means they remain outside and the occupants gain the +2 bonus.
The attacker always requires the 4, 5 or 6 to enter, even if a particular section of wall appears undefended.
Advantages in mêlée
Charging +1
Attacking downhill +1
Infantry behind a wall +1
Attacking exhausted troops who have had only one move of rest (see Exhaustion) +1
Attacking exhausted troops who have had no rest +2
Defending in a house against an attacker outside +2
The second move of mêlée
The first move of mêlée is quite formal, whether infantry vs. infantry, infantry vs. cavalry or cavalry vs. cavalry, there is little scope for independent movement. Musketry and artillery casualties inflicted by the defending unit which is contacted count towards the mêlée.
In the second move, however, the combat is free flowing. If both sides stand and continue the mêlée for a second move, then each throws a single die to determine who moves first. The winner may move 4 figures of infantry or 2 of cavalry into contact with the enemy. Once contacted, a figure is pinned, and may not be moved. The other side then does the same,
moving 4 figures of infantry and so on until all that can move to contact within the normal move distance have done so. The aim of each side will be to get as many advantageous combats as possible (that is 2 to 1). This mechanical system represents what is in reality a simultaneous flowing together of the two sides.
The second move of mêlée is conducted as the first except that the charging impetus of +1 is lost.
Duration of mêlée
A mêlée will last no more than 2 moves unless it is taking place in a built-up area, in which case it can continue for a further move. This is because fewer troops will actually be engaged at one time because of the defiles.
Deciding the outcome of a mêlée
The outcome of a mêlée may be decided by one of the following ways:
First move
• If one side loses twice the casualties of the other side including those casualties inflicted by artillery and musketry, then it must withdraw on the next move.
• If any casualties have been inflicted then the side in question must test for morale. If the result is bad, the unit must withdraw in the next move.
Second move
• If one side loses twice the casualties of the other in the mêlée then it must withdraw on the next move.
• If either side has bad morale then that side must withdraw on the next move.
• If neither of the above factors apply, then the result is a draw. In this case both sides will retire unless one is a defender who has written orders to hold ground.
Actions after a mêlée
Units that have had two moves of mêlée and have drawn the combat will fall back two normal moves and will then rest a further two moves before being allowed to take part in further offensive action. They may defend themselves of attacked.
If a unit is attacked by fresh troops during their four moves of exhaustion (two of retreat and two of rest) the attackers add 2 to each individual combat throw if the move is immediately following the fighting moves of the exhausted side, and 1 to each throw if the exhausted side has had a clear move without combat. If fighting is continued for another move, the additions are increased to 3 and 2 respectively.
If, however, part of ONE side has fallen back, a further move of combat takes place, and if at the end of this third move, the two to one rule does not apply, both sides fall back as before. The two to one rule is simple - if one side is outnumbered two to one it must surrender - this applying only after hand to hand fighting though.

MORALE
The morale of a unit is based on three factors. These are:
• Command and control
• Losses in action
• The imponderable
Command and Control is based on the number of officers and supernumeraries present. Each is worth a certain number of points:
Infantry
Colonel 3
Two other officers the first at 2, the second at 1
TOTAL 6
Cavalry
Colonel 3
Two other officers the first at 2, the second at 1
TOTAL 6
Losses in action affect morale as follows:
• One sixth of original rank & file strength lost: -1 point
• One quarter of original rank & files strength lost: -2 points
• On half of original rank & file strength lost: see 50% rule
The imponderable is determined by the throw of one ordinary die.
Morale is calculated by the following:
Command Points - Points for Losses + Throw of 1 die.
• If the result is 6 or better the morale is good, the unit continues with its task.
• If the result is less than 6 the morale is bad! The unit must fall back or behave as follows:
• If it is actually at grips, in a mêlée with the enemy, it breaks off the struggle and makes a complete move the rear.
• If it is advancing, or stationary and firing, it remains halted on the following move and cannot fire.
Once a unit has incurred a bad morale it must be tested on each successive move until it rallies or flees the field, but on each of the ensuing moves the requirement to rally increases by 1, i.e. 7, 8, 9 and then 10, after which it is considered dispersed.
The 50% Rule
When any unit is reduced to 50% or less of its rank and file it must break off from whatever it is doing and move directly to the rear in the next move. It will play no further part in the action.
The exceptions are:-
1. If it takes place in the first move of mêlée it may complete the second move of the mêlée.
2. If occupying houses, the unit may remain in the houses.
General’s rally
A general may rally a retiring unit (unless it is at 50% or less) by moving to the unit and attaching himself to it. When he reaches the unit a single die is thrown to see how many moves it will take before the unit is fit for action. Once this happens, the General may not leave the unit during the battle.
The Saving throw for Officers
A saving throw is allowed in the case of officer casualties. When an officer is hit in combat or from enemy fire, the player may throw a single die to save him. If he throws a 5 or 6 he is saved and continues in the battle; on a 1-4 he is dead and is removed.
Morale and Detachments
An infantry unit may make a detachment of an officer and 8 privates who may act as Skirmishing Infantry who have to retire should either the officer or four of the privates be made casualties.
ARTILLERY
Roundshot (ball fired from cannon)
Roundshot range is 60 inches.
Rules per “The War Game”.
Ranges as below:
0-24” 3, 4, 5 or 6 kills
24-36” 4, 5 or 6 kills
36-48 5 or 6 kills
Range 48-60” 6 kills
Each figure is thrown for individually
Counter-battery fire
Counter-battery fire uses the system above except that when working out the effect on the gun it is done as follows:
If the gun is hit a single die is thrown and the result from 1 to 6 is noted. When the accumulated total reaches 10, the gun is reduced to firing on alternative moves. When 20 is reached the gun is destroyed.
Because of the reduction in velocity with distance however, damage is reduced by 1 from 36” to 48”, and by 2 at 48” or more.
Canister
The device is placed with its apex at the muzzle of the gun.
Figures within the device are diced for as follows:
Near 4, 5 or 6 kills; Middle 5 or 6 kills and; Far 6 kills
Howitzer (shell)
Howitzer range is 20” to 50”. The centre of impact is worked out using the Shell Burst Indicator (SBI) which is shown at annex A. The SBI has 5 sectors numbered 2 to 6. The centre sector is numbered 6 and the outer sectors clockwise from 5 to 2.
The firing procedure is to place the SBI on the chosen target with the centre section over the point of aim and with the 5 section furthest from the gun. A die is thrown to show area of impact (1 is a misfire). Dice are then thrown for the effect of each figure within the sector in which the shell impacted. A 1,2 or 3 has no effect while a 4,5 or 6 kills.
It can be seen from the above that with the device a 5 is an overshoot, a 3 an undershoot and 2 and 4 are errors to the left and right. Nevertheless, casualties still occur if troops are in the particular sector.
For counter-battery fire the procedure and accumulation of hits is as for roundshot.
Round Shot effect on houses
When a house is hit by round shot a single die is thrown with the following results:

Die Roll
Range
1 and 2
3
4
5
6
0-36”
No Penetration
Penetrates, Kills 1, Stops
Penetrates, Kills 1, Stops
Penetrates, Kills 2, Goes on
Penetrates, Kills 3, Goes on
36-48”
No Penetration
No Penetration
Penetrates, Kills 1, Stops
Penetrates, Kills 2, Goes on
Penetrates, Kills 2, Goes on
48-60”
No Penetration
No Penetration
No Penetration
Penetrates
Kills 1
Stops

Penetrates
Kills 1
Stops


Houses are destroyed by an accumulation of hits on the target until a total of 20 points are achieved using the above table in the same manner as with counter-battery fire. At this point, the body of the house is removed to leave a ruined shell.
With howitzer fire the same accumulated score system is used but the effect and casualty systems are different. The SBI is placed on the house if that is the target and a die is thrown to see if a hit has been achieved. If a hit on the house occurs then a second die is thrown to determine the effect:
Throw of 1,2 or 3 no casualties
4 1 killed
5 2 killed
6 3 killed
In addition to determining the number of men lost, the hits are added as for roundshot to determine the effect on the house. (This includes 1, 2 and 3 which count towards damage although killing no men. When the total reaches 10 the house is set on fire. All the troops in the house must leave retiring at least 3” away from the fire. The house will burn for 15 moves during which time no troops may move within 3” of the house.
When a house is in 2 sections there is a strong chance that the second section will catch fire. In each move that the first section burns a die is thrown to see if the second section catches: 3, 4, 5 or 6 means that the second section catches fire: 1 or 2 it does not.
Model flames are placed on the building for the duration of the fire. At the end of the 15 moves the flames are removed as is the building to reveal the ruins.