"Quatre Bras query" Topic

I know Ney had the Light Cavalry of the Guard attached at Quatre Bras, but under instructions not to use them. Did this include the attached batteries of Guard Horse Artillery or did they participate in the battle? Do I need to paint these chaps before I can start my refight??

Hello,

According to Andrew Field and John Franklin amongst others the Guard light division was accompanied by its artillery.

However, with specific instructions from the Emperor not to get involved they played no active role on the 16th.

Nevertheless I believe the lancers with the Elbe squadron in particular were involved in a scouting mission on the evening of the 15th at Frasnes.

I am researching this battle myself as it is my next re-fight after Ligny

Happy modelling.

Chris

It is your choice how you want to do the re-fight!
I had them present as reserve in Frasnes with the stipulation mentioned with CM DODSON.
Of the three re-fights I have run to date, only one gamer (playing Ney) physically marched back to Frasnes after reading his info card (with the Commanders reply to his request), grabbed the "command by the collar" so to speak, then ordered the artillery to support the fire on the position, then had to attach and lead by "the hand" 1 of the squadrons to an emergency charge, since all the other s refused to go forward. I had so much joy, as the GM of these games : – )

MG

Thanks. That's more-or-less what I thought, but given the reported superiority of the French artillery for much of the battle I thought they might have been active. No last-minute painting needed!

Robinson mentions that the Guard lancers were involved in the evening cavalry attacks on the Guards and others. But he relies on British sources and I can't see any corroboration. Piré's cavalry would have been pretty exhausted at this point, but it is unclear exactly how vigorous this cavalry action was.

One puzzle is that the British Guards seem to have suffered heavily from artillery fire as they emerged from the wood. Given that the French corps artillery had been in action for 5 or more hours by then, I don't think it is outrageous to suggest that the Guard horse artillery might have been involved in this.