"Altar of Freedom - Fire vs Close Combat" Topic

When a brigade from the active division moves into close combat, does the defending brigade get defensive fire, or is that subsumed into close combat resolution? Artillery gets to fire when an enemy is moving (interrupt), but infantry doesn't.

I.e. When Johnny Reb charges Billy Yank, does Billy get a round of fire on the Fire Combat table THEN they resolve close combat (assuming Johnny doesn't recoil), or since Johnny closed the distance in one move, do they go straight to the Close Combat table?

It occurred to me today that we might not be playing this right?

Brigades that are in a close combat (whether they are attacking or defending) cannot issue ranged fire or be shot at with ranged fire.

You still carry out ranged fire first, which can be used to peel off enemy supporting brigades (which are not in close combat).

Thanks, drummer. That's how I've been playing it, but suddenly I had this weird thought that maybe the defenders got to fire in the round they were engaged. I could see the justification, but then it seemed like units would never get into close combat.

I had the same weird thought a while ago, and got got straightened out by Mr. Wagman (the game designer). So I am very confident in my answer.

Hah! Well, I'm in good company with my weird thoughts at least – thanks.

Have to say, I really like how this game plays. "Feels right", I suppose.