prepares to do some regimental-level ACW gaming.
Muskets & Springfields
Wargaming the American Civil War 1861-1865
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Muskets & Springfields is designed for playing big battles in the American Civil War, is not model-scale dependent, and uses the player's current basing system. The game is set at the operational level. The player is the army commander with sub-command groups (this will be typically a corps). In these rules, a corps is made up of several infantry brigades, mounted cavalry, and artillery batteries. If you wish, you can also include Native American Indian warbands.
The basic unit in wargaming terms is the infantry brigade, which is grouped into corps or divisions. The game system uses grids as the unit of measurement. The game space is broken into several square grids, which represent 300 yards in ground scale. Taking a balance of the various drill guides of the period, this is approximately equal to 600 men in two ranks. For a typical 6 x 4 playing space, it is recommended a ratio width x depth of 1.5 x 1. A typical 6 x 4 table provides the following 12 (3,600 yds) by 8 (2,400 yds) of battlefield.
Morale is handled at the corps level, and attrition is held at the individual unit base. These rules have three levels of morale. This is not the usual average, veteran, elite often used. Instead, the format is designed to reflect the actual state of mind on the day. These are Unknown, Nervous and Steady. In a game, unless representing specific historical units, all bases start as Unknown. The actual morale state is not known till the unit takes damage. The player then rolls against a chart which provides a score for the unit being Nervous or Steady. This is dependent on the year being played, and if Confederate or Union. When a unit fails a morale check, this is recorded against their parent corps. Once a corps reaches its break point, it will then flee the battlefield. Attrition is held at the unit level. This represents loss of cohesion, battlefield casualties, or supplies running low. A unit can absorb six hits before it is automatically destroyed.
To facilitate a clean flow of play, these rules also facilitate the use of sharpshooters and skirmishers. Turns use a bag-pull system, in which it is possible for the non-active player to able to interdict the play.
To find out more, click on this link to go to the book's webpage.