Had a chance to do a little gaming today with my group! Napoleonics, French vs. British. The battle ended up being lengthwise down the table, instead of across it, so a narrow field, which definitely favored the British - the French are poorer quality troops and their only advantage is speed, which they normally use to throw most of their forces against only part of the English line. It was hard-fought on both sides, with the French sending a battalion across a bridge twice to be shot up by the British on both occasions before reinforcing units came in and drove the British back but were, in turn, repulsed by a battery of 6-lb cannon firing canister at about 75 yards. The British right flank held tightly on to their occupied town while their cavalry attacked in the center but were in turn repulsed and chased by French infantry and dragoons, who themselves were then halted by Portuguese reinforcements.
The battle's end saw the French fighting for one flank and trying to reform with a few companies in the center, while the British right still had two entire battalions (almost half the British total force on the field) facing off against a single French battalion. Had the British advanced, they might have turned the French flank, but it wouldn't be easy - the French artillery was well-positioned and is quite potent.
Still, a fun game all around and looking forward to next Sunday. We'll probably do a little more of a scenario battle next time, and might see about fielding Austrians instead of (or in addition to?) British.
