Self Hibernation Campaign - Worked Example - How Battles Work

The am of this short post id to give an insight into how battles work in this campaign, best way to do this is in a worked example.

In this example an Ohio Brigade is attacking a defending Texas Brigade, all external inputs such as Brigade Commander commitment and Defend / Attack Skills are being ignored for simplicity sake - I'm sure you can imagine how these effect outcomes....

The Texas Brigade has DEFEND Orders, Aggressiveness 4 basis Divisional Orders. By this the Divisional commander has committed his subordinate to defend his zone and expects them to hold against all but a Psycho Attack.

However, the Brigade commander may take a different view, he deploys his units in a T-BONE2 formation with two units in the firing line with DEFEND orders, aggressiveness 3 and the third unit in the second line with RESERVE orders, aggressiveness 4 as he wants to allow his brigade scope to with draw if the going gets hot.

Condererate Brigadier would list this to Campaign Moderator as:

Unit A (1st Ohio), DEFEND, Aggressiveness 3

Unit B (2nd Ohio), DEFEND, Aggressiveness 3

Unit C (3rd Ohio), RESERVE, Aggressiveness 4

ARTILLLERY, DEFEND, Aggressiveness 3

Opposing them the Union Divisional Commander has assigned his brigade commander ATTACK orders, aggressiveness 3. He wants a good effort at taking the Union position but not to be reckless about it.

His Brigade commander is looking for a bit of personal glory so he deploys his brigade in ATTACK COLUMN formation with the front unit with ATTACK orders, aggressiveness 4 and the other two units in rear ranks with SUPPORT Orders, aggressiveness 3.

Union Brigadier would list this to Campaign Moderator as follow:

Unit A (1st Ohio), ATTACK, Aggressiveness 4

Unit B (2nd Ohio), SUPPORT, Aggressiveness 3

Unit C (3rd Ohio), SUPPORT, Aggressiveness 3

ARTILLERY, ATTACK, Aggressiveness 4

 Let the Attack begin!

Attacking Unionists are fired at as they close on Defenders, the 1st Ohio takes 2 casualties but inflicts 4 casualties on defending 2nd Texas.  Attacking 2nd Ohio takes 3 casualties but only inflicts 2 casualties on defending unit 1st Texas

Defending Unit 2nd Texas has had enough and withdraws through the Reserve Unit 3rd Texas.

Attacking Unit 1st Ohio and Defending Reserve Unit 3rd Texas engage and the defenders inflict 3 casualties, whilst the Attacking unit fights back with 4 casualties inflicted on Defending the Texans. The 2nd Texas holds on, just, but the 1st Ohio withdraws.

Meanwhile Attacking unit 2nd Ohio engages with Defenders 1st Texas, inflicting 3 casualties and taking another 3 casualties themselves. Both Defender and Attacker withdraw.

Attacking unit 3rd Ohio with SUPPORT Orders can continue to press forward but Defending Unit 3rd Texas with RESERVE Orders gives ground to cover the brigades retreat.

The Rebels take the disputed Zone but are likely too weak to push on further.

Obviously this is  much simplified battle resolution mechanic, without face to face, tabletop interaction its the best that can be achieved. In bigger battles there will multiple brigades per zone and complexity will increase.. 

Once the battle is resolved, you will receive the Butcher's Bill and it will be time for each of you to extrapolate how ell you did in the battle and argue your position for replacing incompetent or injured superior officers.

Remember all is fair in Politics and War, and why is he called the Italian Stallion!