French Revolutionary Wargames 1789-1802: March 2017

Wargame Rules, Ratios, etc

RAISING MINIATURE ARMIES FOR THE LATE 18TH CENTURY

I am very keen to keep my wargame rules as simple as possible, yet capture the character of the 1790s. Morale dominates the games as the opposing sides are very different. Most of the French troops are 'levee' battalions, which I have chosen to base in column as their ability to change formation on a battlefield must have been limited, nor do I believe their volley fire had any great value. Of better quality, able to change formation, will be white-coated regular and blue-coated volunteer battalions, aided by a fair number of skirmishers. The British, Austrian, Dutch and German armies are often outnumbered, but they maintain the discipline and order of typical 18th century armed forces. Interestingly, French revolutionary cavalry have little in common with their later Napoleonic counterparts, the former are few in number, often poorly mounted, and no match for those in the service of the Allies. All figures are 28mm in scale, using a 1=25 ratio.

Thursday, 30 March 2017

French Generals 1792-1798

Have spent some time clearing my spares box of numerous odd figures which for various reasons were unlikely to be mustered into larger units. I also had some very fine castings of French general officers which I was sure would make excellent command bases. All told, thirty-nine 18th century figures are now user-friendly for the war-games table. I'm also pleased with a decision to clear some spare French infantry by forming a 'Depot Battalion', and to use these for sentries, guards for wagons etc, so negating the need to draw from my complete battalions.
MGB

Friday, 17 March 2017

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS c.1794

My Georgian town could use some more locally recruited volunteers, in case of invasion. Here is my second company. These are my own castings in bearskin-crested top-hats, and have been given distinctive orange facings. Will later issue a company colour.
MGB

Tuesday, 14 March 2017

2nd New Hampshire Regiment c.1777

A new Continental battalion joins my Rebel American army. This is the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment in their distinctive lighter blue coats. There are several renditions to the format of their flag, I prefer to keep the correct British Union in the canton, so typical of many colours carried by Rebel troops during 1775-77.
MGB