"Charge of the Light Brigade Rules Questions" Topic

I dug out my old copy of David Louis Raybin's Charge of the Light Brigade rules that I downloaded when they were available as a free download. They are well written and contain all you need to run a game. But I always like it when an author includes a sample scenario, which this author does not. I want to try an Alma like scenario to compare it to the one in Black Powder 1st Ed. The author says that each player can control about three battalions, minus artillery. Does that mean that the British and the Russians should have the same number of units on the table? What about the Russian redoubts? If anyone has played these rules, can they please share their orders of battle? Thanks.

Hello Nick. I have all of Mr. Raybin's rules including a separate order of battle he did for Balaclava that may have all the info you need. I can email it to you if you like.

Paul,

That would be great! My email is: yelsub99 at yahoo dot com.

Thanks!

Hello -- I'll send Nick a set and my Balaclava scenario -- we did the Alma years ago but I don't have the OB from that. The Allies will have more units. If anybody else wants the rules I'll shoot them over if you send me your email.

I sent out an email as well. You can never have enough copies of good stuff! Thanks for writing some interesting rules David!

I received the rules and scenarios. Thank you very much! Another question: My Crimean miniatures are 4 to a stand, but only 4 stands per "battalion". I can merge my Russians and French to make 6 stand battalions, but the British, because of the different uniforms, can only be 4 stands. I wonder if this might still work, since the British have more command points. They will be more brittle, but also better able to deal with losses. Otherwise, I can just make everyone 4 stands and see what happens. Again, thanks to David for writing the rules and to Paul for digging them out and sending them. I will be running the Alma game close to its 170th anniversary.

i sent the 2nd Edition AND a 2019 revision AND a 2023 1859 variant -- as to your question. for the Rules to "work" as designed you will want the battalions as 6 stands. BUT put a piece of thick cardboard under each of two of the British stands to represent the 5 and 6 th stands Separate the 4 stands a bit so they occupy the same liniar area as a 6 stand unit.. not an issue since the British fought in line anyway.. ( line red line and such). . when a stand is lost just pull off the paper and when second stand is lost, off comes the other paper.. close up your line and there you go.. ANOTHER option is to have 4 stand units all around, and ignore the 5 and 6th stands on the roster sheet. As long as you do that all around it could work. For the Alma that might work out since the units were all first time in combat and this could simulate fragile units.. and thanks for enjoying my rules. AND i did have the Alma.. and if others want this -- post your eamil.