"dismounted union cavalry question" Topic
7 Posts
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Syr Hobbs Wargames | 22 Jul 2014 4:08 p.m. PST |
Still trying to figure out how to organize my figures into units/stands. I have several dismounted flag bearer figures I could use but not sure how or even if I should? I was thinking that I could scatter in a few company guidon bearers on foot along with the regular dismounted troopers. Or would they remain on horses like the regimental command. other suggestions? thanks Duane |
Dan Beattie | 22 Jul 2014 4:28 p.m. PST |
The Stars and Stripes was not authorized for U.S. Cavalry until 1895. The blue cavalry regimental flag was used instead; and in rare instances, state flags. Custer designed his personal flag, which was at his headquarters. The cavalry of that Army of Northern Virginia never carried flags. Each company of cavalry, however, carried a guidon. It accompanied the company commander when he was on foot or mounted. On the march, it was, naturally, at the head of the company. |
TKindred | 22 Jul 2014 9:23 p.m. PST |
I would use the flag-bearer minis as guidon bearers and make them for use as status markers. Or use them as horse holders, etc. Easy conversion, I would think. |
1968billsfan | 23 Jul 2014 5:17 a.m. PST |
I use basically a 1"x3/4" stand for 4 infantry. For cavalry I usually mount the mounted cavalry as a 6x2 horsemen and a single stand regiment officer. (one of the 6x2 carries a guidon). The usual formation for attack is a 2 stand wide column or a single line. A squadron (a stand) and the main unit has a required radius from the officer, whose value is command control and a slight moral effect, when attached. (Most useful when rallying) [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[Role of the Cavlary brigade commander, brigade aide and regimental commanders. Brigade commanders move first during movement, before charge declaration. After their movement is done, the in-command status of his regiments is determined. Regiments(any part) must be within 18" of the brigade commander to be in command. If they are outside of command, they may not move towards the enemy or initiate a charge. The brigade aide may be used to allow a regiment to operate under written (given to referee) independent orders outside of the brigade commander's radius. The brigade aide must travel from the brigade commander to this regiment and stay within 3" of that regiment. There is a regimental commander with each regiment. They are normally within 3" of the regiment to command the regiment. The regimental commander may attach by touching his regiment. This figure counts as an extra body for firing, melee and morale out-numbered checks. But for each casualty taken, there is a test to see if he is killed on a 1 on a 1D6 dieroll. A regiment without a commander must be within 6" of the brigade commander in order to charge, or countercharge. They will suffer a -1M on morale rolls. Note that, the brigade aide might be attached to such a regiment to serve as the regimental commander. The brigade commander may be the target of a charge but cannot be caught. He is chased away and outruns the chargers by 6"-12" directly away from the charge. ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] The dismounted unit has 5x2 footmen mounted on a 1"x3/4 stand, so they are implicitly in skirmish formation. One stand has an officer and guidon. There is also a larger stand of one horse-holder and 2-3 horses.
My ACW cavalry v cavalry rules allow mounted and dismounted fire, charge and countercharge. Routing and pursuit of routing or falling-back units is important in a cavalry close combat, as is fatigue, moot melees that you can't get out of and especially the big effect of throwing fresh,unblown units into a fray. |
Frederick | 23 Jul 2014 9:33 a.m. PST |
I put a guidon on my dismounted cavalry command stands to add colour – plus I figure the officers will be with the dismounted troopers so that's where the guidon would be |
Syr Hobbs Wargames | 23 Jul 2014 11:10 a.m. PST |
Two questions 1. How tall are the poles that would hold the squadron Guidon? roughly since I will be making my own. Do you think it would alright to have a handful of dismounted guidon bearers intermixed on a few of the NON-command stands? Especially since they are for company level? Almst tempted to have one per stand but then again that might be too much. thanks Duane |
1968billsfan | 24 Jul 2014 3:55 a.m. PST |
Just another few comments, in case it is of any interest or help to people tinkering with their rules. The base rule set is RatF and cavalry can be armed with primarily carbines, pistols, sabres or shotguns. This gives many interesting options for how to engage with different units- dismounted fire, mounted fire, charge with several units, charge with a unit and later charge with fresh units, save a unit for attacking or defending a routed unit or later add units to an ongoing melee. The weapons have different effectiveness in different styles of combat. The first round of melee against shotgun armed units can be a chore. While most regiments contain two figure stands, some are 3 figure stands. The rules have morale on the downside of the 2D6 statistical curve, so a die pip loss in morale hurts a bit. There is a reduction in morale for the loss of a stand, so 3-figure-stand-units can be more robust for the loss of 2 figures than bigger opponents. This gives a bit more flavor to the variation of melee outcomes and poses another tactical consideration to the players. Both of these, I think, show how some attention to some simple rule and physical unit composition can add variation and, maybe even, realistic flavor to the game, as suggested by several previous posters. |
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