Marshal Ney's death at Quatre Bras - Black Powder AAR

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of playing in a refight of Quatre Bras using the Black Powder rules, plus the Contemptible Little Wargame Club house rules. Alyssa organized and hosted the game at Guardian Games, and provided quite a few figures...

Quatre Bras, occupied by troops under the Prince of Orange.

I took up command of the 2nd Netherlands Division, 1st Brigade (more or less - logistics dictated that not all battalions present at the battle actually appeared on the table), and occupied Quatre Bras itself. To my right, the bulk of the Allied force faced off against the oncoming French west of Quatre Bras.

Allied Forces holding the intersection, Prince of Orange nearby.

The French outnumbered the Allies badly, so our mission was simply to hold until our reinforcements could arrive. The first to arrive were the Brunswickers, who, well, had some command and control issues and came on rather slowly (failed command rolls two turns in a row).

French forces approaching Quatre Bras from the southeast.

The French attacked with considerable boldness from the southeast, pushing cavalry charges ahead to assault the defenders of the town. Unfortunately for l'Empreur, Ney attached to the first of these, and perished in a devastating countercharge from the Brunswick cavalry.

First wave of British reinforcements march into Quatre Bras.

French Cavalry charging in; Dutch line infantry form square, while the Brunswick cavalry are caught in column.

Successive French charges into Quatre Bras were repulsed, and the situation became static.

Gunnery duel in the fields of Quatre Bras. Dutch troops hold the wall while the Highlanders attempt to storm the French guns. French troops hold the hill opposite.

Final position. The French have effectively lost the firefight and their eastern flank is deeply imperiled.

As we drew to a close after a good seven hours of play, the Allies held Quatre Bras and - despite the French finally routing the western flank - would probably be able to hold it indefinitely.

On the whole, it was a lot of fun. Alyssa had things nicely organized, and I continue to like the Black Powder rules as a playable system.