Commission and Regiment

Sunday, January 18, 2026

2026 - Looking Forwards

Gen. Washington looking from Dorchester Heights, Boston from [click]

This blog is my original blog, but has evolved into a focus on the Horse & Musket era. I'll talk about 2026 plans for more modern gaming at my Up the Blue! blog [HERE] and medieval / fantasy / ancient gaming at my Spear to the Strife blog [HERE]. Below are some exciting Horse & Musket plans for 2026!

Well, I'm excited about them, anyway... but I'm a gaming geek...

1a) Tricorne Era. Am Rev, FIW [some 7YW] w' classic 30mm Scruby figs [click].

I have more than enough extra figs to expand my French into 2+ brigades, plus at least a brigade of French Canadians. I need to get Indians from Historifigs. Rules will be my "Zeal & Bayonets" some "A Gentleman's War" and "The Complete Brigadier". I also need to do my review of the Am Rev Historifigs [click]. That post should be coming soon. I really need some mounted generals and officers for the period, and have been checking out various 30mm sculpts, like those of Tradition of London [click].

2) Shako Era. Napoleonics & War of 1812.

- This will be a spin on the above project. I've already acquired a good start to 30mm Scruby Napoleonics [click]. Project will be very focused on the battalion and its leadership. I love the old-school approach that really digs into the Battalion / Regiment's history and gives a strong identity to each unit on the tabletop! Bases from Atomic Laser Cut Designs of Ohio [click] are on the way to get this project going. They were a great deal, about half of Litko and others, great service, can't recommend them enough!

- Looking to still do a bit more progress on my 15mm War of 1812 boutique project [click]. Need to paint up Indians, Militia, and redcoats. Rules as above. Finally, want to rebase them onto 40x20mm [so, DBx bases] from Atomic Laser Cut Designs [click]. I plan to mount them 4 figs per base. The extra size helps them stay upright, and looks better on the table. One of those mindless busy tasks that will get done eventually.

- Finally, I need to organize and mount my N-scale [9mm] Scruby minis [click] and most likely expand the French a bit. Alternatively, could re-paint some of them as French [who can tell what the original was in 9mm??].

Both the 9mm and the 15mm projects fit nicely onto smaller tables and spaces. While I love getting out the 30mm units, they tend to be around 7-12" wide, which tests the limit of table space. This may improve in 2026 as we are doing some re-arranging of the house, and I may end up with a room I can set up 2 tables of 8'x2.5" or acquire a fold-up ping-pong table.

3) Kepi & Picklehaub Era. Franco-Prussian War.

With 2500 figs painted, I need to polish up and refine my K&P rules, base it all, and start hosting games - obviously, I can host a large game with 120 Battalions, 12 Squadrons and 32 guns! This is a favorite period of mine, so it is essential that I get the rules and basing worked out. Having just done some playtesting of that Distinguished Gamer Bruce Weigle's 1871 rules [click] I will consider trying them out as well. The QRS is quite busy, could be made simpler. I don't like that the game mechanics allow wild swings of fortune, but we'll see...

- 3b) FFL v. Arabs. Same era as above. Will re-base my 15s to match the FPW figs so I can use the FPW French figs in Algeria. Need to paint up some more Arabs. Rules will likely be The Sword & The Flame, The Complete Brigadier.

4) English Civil War, 40mm. This works nicely on the terrain size as the 30mm above. It would be fun to do some small unit actions with The Pikeman's Lament.

5) Terrain! I really need large scale 15mm FPW terrain. I have lovely paper buildings I bought the PDFs for from Paperboys. I also need to hit the small scale 30mm terrain, mainly in the area of hills and printing out Paperboys terrain for that old-school feel. I have the wire cutter and lots of insulation foam, and the base coat of paint already. Mostly just need some mild weather for it.

6) Game Design.

Probably the most interesting concept put forward in my gaming world lately was a lengthy OODA-Loop discussion at TMP [HERE]. I've long been dissatisfied with the time / space / activity relationships in traditional I GO - U GO game design. I've seen a couple of rule sets that use mechanics to show the reality that all armies, units, and commanders don't make and act on decisions at the same speed, these being A Gentleman's War and CWG's "Rocket's Red Glare / Habitants & Highlanders". However, once units get into close combat [not necessarily melee] the pace of action definitely increases. I'd like to get that more clearly into my rules designs. Requires some thinking and playtesting.

Well, there it is. Hope this list inspires you to consider and plan your 2026 game also!

Friday, January 16, 2026

15mm War of 1812 for "The Complete Brigadier"

Red or Blue - that's who!

from: smallsoldiersstouthearts blog [click]

[NOTE: This post was started in early November and then forgotten - it pre-dates the posts on playtesting The Complete Brigadier rules CLICK where you can see the below figures and units on the table].

The start was I want a small boutique project that had the sort of pointless, meandering, indecisive warfare that works best for game play on the table. After all, no one wants to be on the receiving end of Desert Storm or anything... Doing some research, the War of 1812 comes somewhere near the top of the list, checking all the boxes:

- Pointless

- Indecisive

- Meandering

- Warfare

I went into the boxes of giveaways in 15mm that I have, generously donated by my wargaming club, some of which was successfully sold for charity in years past, and discovered much to my surprise a substantial body of 15mm figs that were already painted, as well as a bunch that were not.

They're a mish-mash of sizes and manufacturers, unfortunately, with True 15s, New 15s, and everything in between. However, they are consistent by the units, each being the same make / size.

A substantial number are these fellows, with nice details, great realistic proportions, and decent poses:

As they are True 15s, as in 15mm from bottom of foot to top of head, I did some comparison shots to get a better idea what they might be:

From Left,

12mm / 1:144 Kallistra ACW fig [actually 13.5mm ] [CLICK], mystery figure,

Minifig 15mm [CLICK], likely another Minifig 15mm fig, artillerist

Below, mystery fig showing off his nice proportions and correct height:

Above and below, Miniature Figurines, aka MiniFig, showing their 16mm height and greater bulk. But lovely figures!

Another one of the mystery figures, right at about 15mm.

Through plenty of asking around, I finally got what I feel is a good answer. These are Heritage figs from their Napoleonettes line.

The main problem for me, is that the vast majority of the painted figs are from this line, which I've never heard of, and is definitely out of production. So...how to add more, especially since nearly all the figures are painted as Americans.

I could re-paint a bunch as Canadians and Brits, certainly.

I could ask around and see if anyone has some for sale / trade.

- probably start with this direction first.

This would result in a fun "Red v. Blue" project, above / beyond / beside historical 1812 wargaming. I'm pretty sure in the mess of boxes there are more of the smaller True 15s sculpts. The main issue is sorting them out and figuring out how to go Red v. Blue. There are a load of Prussians. One thing I'm definitely going to need is British with the stovepipe shako...

Meanwhile, I decided to mount them on 1" square bases for a playtest of the fascinating wargame rules from the 1980s, "The Complete Brigadier". How will this go...I dunno! To start, I just made certain that the figs would fit on the bases at all. While TCB recommends 1" wide by 1/2" deep bases, I prefer 1" squares which protect the figures bayonets better. Another reason not to use the popular wargaming pose "advancing with bayonet", I might add. Not only was it rarely used compared to the march attack but it is prone to damage. Anyway... test below, the figs are resting on the unprimed Liko 3mm laminated wood bases.

Not a bad look, in line, I think.

Near figs appear to be Napoleonettes Prussians in green U.S. Rifles uniform, opposing them are some sort of U.S. blue infantry.

Below is how they look on the primed bases.

I also like the 3mm height - easy to take hold of or just push around.

Below is the entire bunch of painted figs, based, with a few Napoleonic generals, Russian artillerists and such, all ready to go. 14 Battalions, more than enough for TCB, especially using One-Hour Wargames scenarios.

Now, to get these fellows on the table!

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

New Year's Insanity! 30mm Scruby Naps

I just couldn't resist.

Almost 400 Infantry and 86 Cavalry painted [mostly not well and a bit battered] for less than the retail price. I do enjoy Battalion / Regiment focused games, where the units really have an identity and history that is clearly in play also.

This project appears to be the remnants of a significant Peninsula War collection. French, German Allies, Polish Lancers, and a few Brits. Since my N-scale Scruby Naps boutique project is mostly French, Austrians and Russians, why shouldn't this 30mm project be the Peninsula!?

Looks like 6 French Battalions, 5 Westphalian Battalions and 2 Cav, v. 3 strong British Cav Regts and one British Battalion. Need a lot more Brits!

Below, out of the box and onto the table.

"Westphalian Line" says the bag label. We'll see!

Westphalian Grenadiers

Westphalian "Guard"

French Chasseurs a Cheval, I'd say.

Foreign Regt Isemburg is the guess here.

My plan is to base them all, while straightening the battered fellows so they have good parade-ground posture. They seem to fit nicely with 4 on a 2.5" wide base, which will then be 1.5" deep to protect their bayonets, etc. Thus following one of my "rules of basing" that the ENTIRE figure must fit within the boundaries of the base - otherwise there's just too much damage, scratching, etc.

And this is what the units will look like.

32 line figs on 8 2.5" wide bases, with the command stand on an oval in the center. As they fought in "divisions" each of 1/4 of the unit, that's how they'll be based. There will be a few 24 and 16 fig units as well, on smaller bases.

Many gamers and rules still mistakenly base units by the number of companies they had, which leads to incorrect formations on the table. This scheme makes it easy to use the Napoleonic "Column of Divisions" as well as a half division for road marching, etc. The command stand is not a fighting stand, just a marker for Leadership use in my "Zeal & Bayonets" rules.

Each division of 8 figures will take up about 5". Two divisions wide is 10" plus 2" for the command stand, so each full-sized unit will be 12" frontage on the table when in a 3-rank line.

I'm excited about the figs, the project, and even making old-school terrain for it. It will also double-down on my 30mm Scruby American Revolution armies, which I plan to add more French and cavalry to and go fight in Europe. All the terrain can be re-used in either period, far as I'm concerned.

Already ordering the bases, so stay tuned!

Saturday, January 3, 2026

2025 - Looking Back at Progress

"Take your men over thru those trees over there, Captain"

"Which trees over where, Sir?"

"Them, those trees, right there!"

"Sir, that entire horizon is filled with trees..."

Ah yes, a Soldier's life in the wilderness... lots of trees, little food, but plenty of weather.

This blog, Commission and Regiment, is my original blog but is now specifically my Horse & Musket blog. I'd done most of my "Self-check" on gaming, here however. This time I'm just checking in with periods covered in this blog, and how they fared in 2025...

French Foreign Legion v. Arabs, strong showing!
Franco-Prussian War, weak showing.
American Civil War, a no-show.
Napoleonics / War of 1812, a strong showing!
American Revolution, a weak showing.
French & Indian War, a weak showing.
English Civil War, very little to show.

...mostly because my Up the Blue! blog [click] and gaming has been so busy the last few years that it needs it's own 2025 year in review.

So, how did they goin 2025? Overall, pretty well!

1) French Foreign Legion v. Arabs [click]

This project returned from a shallow grave in 2017. I used them to try out Neil Thomas' "Wargaming, an Introduction" rules [click]. Then, forgot about them for a while. Finally, in a fit of nostalgia I decided to both dive deep into The Sword & The Flame AND get the figs on the table, since they were initially a project for those rules, anyway. This resulted in several plays and posts [now HERE], lotsa fun, and I have plans to re-base them onto 3-fig bases and paint up a few more units of them.

2) Franco-Prussian War

After my last big battle, Colomby-Nouilly 1870, in 2023, the project lost some momentum as I had to make the hard decision about basing. They clearly need to be rebased [as the small metal ones they are on tip over and also allow the figs to rub together] and that is such a permanent choice! Also, I had some dissatisfaction with the rules, and needed some space to ponder them. So nothing happened in 2024 except I acquired some books on uniforms to paint more of them.

All that has been managed in 2025 is to decide on the basing and buy the bases, altho I've started to spray primer them, also. But I got some plans now!

3) American Civil War

Projects in 54mm and 13mm languish in boxes. They need to have decisions made about them in 2026! Overall, I find 19th C. Europe a more interesting period than ACW. A shame since there is SOOOO much available locally on it, including re-enacting and battlefields.

4) War of 1812 [click]

I read a few histories and an excellent wargamer's guide, "Rocket's Red Glare",

...which was enjoyable since it's a period I don't know a lot about.

I also dug into the mess of 15mm figs I was gifted and found a painted War of 1812 project, 200 mostly small "true 15s" on the slender side, nice figs. I ID'd them as Heritage "Napoleonettes", based them on 1" bases for "The Complete Brigadier" gave those a read and then played them several times. Tactically, 1812 is the same war as American Revolution in Canada. No new rules needed. Swap tricornes for shakos.

Playing "The Complete Brigadier" has been a real eye-opening experience for me, as in many ways it is a traditional rule set. However, it has written orders and simultaneous movement [like a naval game] and - as written - no dice rolling for morale, movement or fire. Fun, nostalgic, and thought-provoking, this has been a surprise for me. Uncertain where the project will go next. I definitely need some red coats!

In the area of Napoleonics, I carefully evaluated the painted 9mm Scruby's I have, which are a bunch of Russian, Austrian, and some French. I'm pretty sure I can make a boutique game out of what I have already. Decided upon 40mm by 30mm deep bases, in groups of 3-4, for the figures. Did some reading and researching. Again, a boutique project with several rule sets on the table to try out. No posts since the Rage occurred with Blucher [click]... but it'll get there.

5) American Revolution.

2025 has been mostly reading some books, working on my "Zeal & Bayonet" rules, researching the Battle of Whitemarsh with my son, and re-visiting the boxes filled with NINE BRIGADES of painted Scruby 30s. Plus hundreds more in various stages from primed to mostly painted. I also did some research on suitable leader figures and bought the oval stands I want to use for the command stands. Lots of plans to get these units ready and then get them on the table in 2026!

6) French & Indian War [click]

Again, more reading and another close read of the Canadian Wargames Group books and rules.

Ordered a copy of "Moncalme & Wolfe" by Parkman which is readily available.

Seriously considering what else can be done with the figs I have before I get any more. One new idea is to use the 30mm Scruby's for FIW - that means the Brits would be done, but I'd need some Indians, Courier du Bois and French Militia types. Wouldn't take much to get it on the table. I already have plenty of Americans that could be colonial militia, too!

I love the Armies in Plastic 54mm French Line box of plastic soldiers. I was gifted some painted plastics, so it wouldn't be much to make a skirmish project out of them. But one pal I know has a lot of that done already, so it'd be easier to ask him to throw a game.

7) English Civil War

Love the period, the unusual uniforms / gear, and my Sash and Saber 40s. Read "Pikeman's Lament" and got a copy. Seems like a doable way to game with what I already have. Would pair nicely with colonial wars if I throw in Indians, and there are several scraps with French forces and themselves. Meanwhile, should go ahead and paint the figs I have assembled and prepped...

Rules that got attention in 2025:

A) "The Complete Brigadier" [click] and "The Sword & the Flame" [click] got both close reading and study, then several playtests; made players sheet for TSATF.

B) My "Kepi & Picklehaub" and "Zeal & Bayonets" rules were reviewed and updated. Various design notes and theories were noted. Organized the material, also.

C) "A Gentleman's War" [click] will get more play soon, but I re-read all the posts on the rules, as well as gave them a close read.

D) and Canadian Wargames Group Horse & Musket rules from "Rocket's Red Glare" and "Habitants & Highlanders" books got a close read due to some of the design mechanisms. They are more interesting than I thought at first! But they'll get a playtest with the War of 1812 15s I've prepared. Both books are great resources if you can find a used copy somewhere.

E) "Pikeman's Lament" got a read-thru, and some researching of batreps on line. I think it is a promising set for the figures I already have. This was partially provoked by some games of "Dragon Rampant" hosted by a buddy in 2025.

Well, that's 2025.

I was glad to get some projects on the table and furthered along. I was especially glad to be inspired by several excellent rule sets that I am beginning to appreciate more and more. I also feel like I am learning a lot about game design and why I like what I like, and what I want to tweak and/or design next.

With all this in mind, 2026 should be looking good!

The Complete Brigadier: Playtest #2

#8 Lundy's Lane... actually fought in the War of 1812!

I've played #8 Melee from "One-Hour Wargames" at least a score of times, using a variety of rule sets, including Neil Thomas' "4-Base" rules, Simplicity in Practice, and several others including ones from different historical periods. The series of decision tensions created in it make it a great battle, time after time:

- Defender starts with 1/3 of Force, gets two reinforcements of 1/3 more each.

- Attacker starts with 1/2 of Force, gets one reinforcement of 1/2 between the two Defender reinforcement arrivals.

NOTE: due to the different move rates between the games, the arrival of reinforcements is about 50% later each. Also, there is no time limit as TCB uses a fatigue mechanic and morale rules that will end the game.

There are three tactical choices for the Attacker:

1) Attack left, leaving the woods to the right;

2) Attack the woods, use them as a base of fire to make the near portion of the hill untenable to the defense;

3) Maneuver straight then attack around the woods to left - this requires fighting the first reinforcements coming on at the road at 3-2.

This is a tough scenario to win due to the difficult victory conditions:

Victory. Winner has complete control of the large hill [ridge].

How will The Complete Brigadier [TCB] fare here? Let's see!

Above and below, two maps of this War of 1812 battle, none detailed enough to be definitive:

Here's the two side by side for a close comparison:

[left from click]

Note that the left includes the river, but less of the battlefield. The right seems to be a higher level view and includes all the troops involved, but historically they arrived sequentially, so there's some time distortion there unless you figure it as the final phase of the battle.

Hopefully, you get a pretty decent idea of the battle despite the limits of these maps... which are more like diagrams.

For the forces, especially the numbers, I used:

...since One-Hour Wargames doesn't do detailed OOB or unit compositions. This suited TCB better than generic units, but I could have done that, also.

American forces - 2 Generals, five Infantry battalions and one Heavy Battery.

Turn 1, General Scott, three Infantry: 9th, 22nd & 25th U.S. [Green, Green, Regular] on left;

Turn 6, General Ripley, two more Infantry [Regular, Green] and the Towson's heavy battery [Elite] on right.

British Forces - almost identical: 2 Generals, 5 Infantry, 1 Medium Battery.

At start - General Pearson, Green Glengarry Fencibles and Elite medium battery on the hill.

Turn 6, General Drummond with two Regular Infantry, 103rd and 104th.

Turn 12, last two Infantry, Raw Militia [back] and Elite 8th Foot [front].

Turns 1-2. Americans send 9th & 22nd to pin the defender's front, and 25th to threaten their flank. They are generally moving at the Quick and Double rates. This will Fatigue them faster but I'm hoping the positional advantage will result in a relatively quick, cheap win. We'll see!

Turn 3. Plan seems to be working. The 25th to right are almost clear of the woods.

Brigadier leading from the rear! Behind green units! Hardly seems inspiring...must be Ripley

Turn 4. Considering the hammer and anvil threat, the Guns did a limber and wheel. This will keep both American units in their sights, regardless of which charges. Note that they only *barely* kept the right unit - the 25th - on their front side...

Above, the 22nd - smaller unit to left - basically I'm having trouble maneuvering it well, and it isn't coordinating with the 9th on the right.

Turn 5 - what will happen to the limbered Artillery unit? The 25th is Charging!

Unfortunately, the column was *just* out of Quick charge range - they should have Charged at the Double! Oops - my bad! I habitually try to conserve Stamina Points.

Below, the British battery ordered Unlimber and Fire. Which they do, causing several casualties. Musketry erupts on the hillside as well. NOTE: TCB includes the - historical but rare - penalties for musket fire between different elevations. This results in a general reduction in musketry effects between two elevations.

Turn 5. American reinforcements arrive at the road, 21st, 23rd, Towson's Battery.

NOTE: I did the math wrong, so Turn 6 was too late, it's really Turn 5 for their arrival, a >50% later arrival. Similarly, the Brits arrive T9 not T12.

Turn 6. I maneuvered the American battalions poorly, so now the 22nd is partially masked. The 9th is re-positioning to get closer while losing the firefight against the Glengarry's on the hill. British Brigadier Gen Pearson had horse shot out from under him and can't move for a Turn.

Meanwhile, the poor 25th U.S. Infantry run away to fight another day [or turn].

Fortunately, help is on the way, and the heavy guns are laying down effective Fire against the British columns - they have to deploy in line.

Turn 7. The threat gone, British battery limbers up and moves back over the military crest to re-engage the threat from the front. Meanwhile, the 9th engages the Glengarry's in a Firefight, which will pin them in place.

The Americans rush towards the woods and the hill. The Heavy Battery is inflicting casualties, but the British correctly advanced with the large battalion -103rd, and maneuvered with the small battalion, the 104th Foot.

The 25th is Rallied from Broken by their Brigadier Scott who Commands them to "Rally On Me!" The bonus is just enough to improve their Morale up to Shaken.

Interesting series of difficult situations.

The 25th has bad morale and is outnumbered badly by two regular Brits. It is also in the way of the guns field of fire. Obviously, my plan was a poor one!

The British guns will be flanked by the Americans in the Woods, the 23rd U.S., probably what I should have done with the 25th right from the beginning. But the 23rd will in turn be threatened from the British to their right flank, the 104th and 103rd.

Meanwhile, the Brit guns are also being threatened from the front by the 21st U.S., but they can fire some cannister into the 9th U.S. while that threat develops. Despite a bunch of casualties, the morale of the 9th stays Firm!

The Glengarry Fencibles on the hill are slowly being outflanked. Their only option is to Fall Back, which they may be able to get away with since it is simultaneous Orders followed by [Melee, then] simultaneous Movement.

This makes the units feel a lot like ships in Wooden Ships & Iron Men. Very interesting mechanic! As you are not alternating movement, you have to plan ahead and not try to constantly be in a "perfect reaction" mode.

Or they can try and Break the 9th Infantry in front of them with Fire, then deal with the outflanking 22nd. I decide on this course of action, since the entire victory condition is the hill, not units, and I figured If they Fell Back they'd be off the hill and it would be hard to get back on it.

Turn 8. More of the same situation develops. The 25th took a chance and again Rallied, which was sort of pointless as they are also being Threatened. So I need to pay more attention but it's hard to fight both sides. What they really need to do is Fall Back! Still, the heavy guns are going to cause some sort of morale check on the advancing 103rd Foot soon.

22nd U.S. Charges and rolls up the Fencibles Flank. Guns wisely chose to Limber Up and Move farther away, over the military crest of the hill.

This leaves the other U.S. units free to advance. Note that both Brigadier Scott and Ripley are on the scene, just in case...

Meanwhile, I incorrectly face the Brits with the Shaken 25th - they should have just performed the Fall Back! order, but I completely forgot they were Shaken. The Brits advanced and formed a battle line on Turn 9.

Turn 10, the 22nd Pursues the Fencibles over the hill, causing some losses. The Artillery continue to move back, planning to unlimber and fire upon the Americans, then support a Brit advance upon the hill.

Meanwhile, the 9th U.S. advances up the hill and becomes Disordered.

Also on Turn 10, the British final reinforcements arrive, a unit of Crack Infantry - the 8th Foot [in green], and a unit of Raw Volunteer Incorporated Militia following. The small 104th Foot charges the U.S. 22nd in the Woods, who are able to face in time. Next to them the large 103rd Foot is facing off against the Unfortunate 25th U.S. because the Brigadier doesn't know the rules Completely!

The larger 21st U.S. advances up the hill in column, so doesn't get Disordered. This turns out to be the single most important thing an American General does all day! It must be Scott...

Turn 11. The British 104th lose the melee in the woods and Fall Back Shaken. The Fencibles flee off the board. The 22nd U.S. Charges and catches the Battery as it wheels away, another oops...

The Elite 8th Foot advances up the hill in line, disputing the American victory condition. The Raw Militia continue to advance in a Disorganized manner.

The Disordered U.S. 9th advances in Line, under the Brigadier's Command to Follow Me! which also gives a morale bonus. To their right, the 21st carefully Wheels in Column of Divisions and now is ready to charge the Disordered British troops next turn.

Turn 11 sees the British situation go down the tubes. The 103rd and 104th are Shaken and Broken respectively, and need to Rally. The large 103rd has taken significant casualties from the American battery. I also corrected the error of the 25th and had them Fall Back! which they should have done earlier.

The British battery is overrun and Breaks. The Elite 8th Foot automatically Falls Back when faced with the American 21st advancing in Column, and in good order.

Turn 12, more of the same. Even having a couple of well ordered Units in Reserve would have kept the British on the table.

Alas, I was too busy learning the rules to think through every situation!

Well, a decisive win for the Americans, so I can't say that I am unhappy about that!

Clearly, I violated a few rules of both gaming AND historical tactics:

- tried for a quick win on the hill's east flank,

- bungled a pretty straightforward frontal advance for Americans,

- spread defense too thin, resulting in them getting shot by guns. Instead, should have moved to support the hill defense, where woods would have blocked gun's Fire.

- didn't stay focused on the victory conditions.

Most interesting aspect of the rules was closely examining the difference between a Charge and an Encounter [a contact between opposing units with no Charges ordered]. Disordered Units can Fire just fine [don't like that, but...] but they are not a Threat when they advance, and they will Fall Back if they encounter an enemy Unit that is not Disordered. If Charged, they will likely Retreat unless the opposing unit is very small and can't muster up enough Factors to win.

Since I was unaware of this, and the hill objective was a Gradual Slope that Disorders Infantry in Line, I ended up with a bunch of Disordered Lines that pretty much automatically lose against an orderly column.

I have found just a few small aspects of the rules that I will likely change as they are either mistakes or I question their historicity, e.g. Shaken units [which are always Disordered as well] Fire at half effect, while Disordered units have no Fire penalty. Doesn't match what I read about in history, where good order is considered key to good Fire.

Have really enjoyed getting these rules onto the table. The interaction of morale, maneuver and fire makes for a fascinating game. It is not easy to correctly use all the tools at your disposal without making a mistake OR having something unexpected happen with your opponent's choices. This optimizes the impact of player skill and decisions instead of relying on lucky die rolling to bail you out of trouble.

There's no doubt that an orderly, supported advance is the way to go, and any defense should have or build up a support line as soon as possible.

Cavalry? I don't think I'm ready for that yet!