Last updated 06/30/11

Items needed to play the game

• An army of nicely painted troops for each side.
• Enough six-sided dice so that each player may have a couple spares to use when "all the good luck" drains out of any particular die.
• Fire markers that are placed on a unit to show that is is under fire. The Jackson gamers use Red Triangles to represent artillery fire, and White Triangles to represent musketry.

Organization and Scale

There is really no scale. These rules are set for our 15mm armies. Our infantry battalions are approximately 5" long when in line.

The Jackson gamers use the following organization for their 15 mm armies. Infantry units are 12 figures (4 stands' of 3), Cavalry units are 8 figures (4 stands of 2) and artillery batteries are 1 gun & 4 crew (all on one stand).

The guns used in this game represent "position" or "reserve" artillery batteries. The small "battalion guns" are not represented on the field, they are assumed to be adding their firepower to the infantry battalions.

If your organization is different, it won't matter.

Sequence of Play

The ADMINISTRATIVE Phase

1. Both sides test "Staying Power" of units that have lost a stand (or artillery units that have lost a gunner) in any previous turn of the game:
   • Units reduced to 3 stands (or 3 gunners) will leave the field on a die roll of 1.
   • Units reduced to 2 stands (or 2 gunners) will leave the field on a die roll of 1 or 2.
   • Units reduced to 1 stand (or 1 gunner) will leave the field on a die roll of 1, 2, or 3.
2. Test all cavalry units that were involved in melee in previous turn for "Blown Horses." (optional rule)
3. Test wounded/unhorsed officers to see if they may return to the battle. Roll a D6 for each officer:
   • On a roll of 1 the officer dies or must be carried to the rear to be succoured by his mistress.
   • On a roll of 2 or 3 the officer is not well enough to return to his troops, but may test again in the next turn.
   • On a roll of 4, 5 or 6, the officer springs back into the saddle and is placed immediately with his troops.
4. Officers may (except for those "carried away" with troops who failed morale, may now make a 20" move to better position themselfs for the upcoming combat turn. They may move AGAIN during the Combat phase if they wish.
5. Players must mark the entering position of any reinforcements or flank-marching units and must ensure that the enemy generals are aware that such units will enter in the Combat phase.

The COMBAT Phase

1. Dice for Initiative - high dice has initiative and must move first.
2. Side with initiative moves units, or deploys units, or rallies units from disorder, or shoots. Shooting and movement to contact (melee) will cause "morale tests" on units of second side.
3. This ends the first half-turn.
4. Second side now has initiative and moves units, or deploys units, or rallies units from disorder, or shoots. Shooting and movement to contact (melee) will cause "morale tests" on units of first side.
5. This ends the second half-turn

Movement

Infantry: deployed into line 5", Line charge 8", column of movement 10" column charge same.
Cavalry: deployed into line 10", Line charge 15", column of movement 20"
Field/Position Artillery: limbered 10", Hand push 1" (after unlimbering)
Horse Artillery Limbered 15", May move 1/2 normal move and then unlimber, may limber and move 1/2 normal move.
Brigadiers or other officers: 20"

Notes on movement:

• Units may move before or after fire but all fire should be resolved at one time.
• All melees are resolved after all movement is completed.
• No move is allowed for infantry or cavalry units when they deploy from column to line. Once deployed into line, these units remain in line for rest of game, unless no visible enemy within 24"
• Units may not move THROUGH enemy units.
• Units may move THROUGH friendly units at half-move without either becoming disordered.
• Units may move THROUGH friendly units at full move rate or charge through friendly units but one unit, either the one moving or being moved through, must become disordered.
• Units may move THROUGH already disordered friendly units with only the previously disordered unit being disordered by the move.
• Artillery (unless horse artillery) may not move again at limbered rate, once unlimbered. Previously unlimbered artillery may be "hand pushed" 1" in lieu of firing. Horse artillery may limber up and move ½ move.
• Previously unlimbered artillery may pivot the guns up to 180 degrees in lieu of firing.
• Disordered units = ½ move. Disordered infantry units may not charge. Disordered Cavalry may charge 1/2 move if it has an officer attached to it.
• Units may NOT move and fire in the same turn (unless horse artillery).

Fire

• The result of any fire on the enemy is resolved with a morale Check.
• Units may NOT move and fire in the same turn (unless horse artillery or Prussian Infantry, both of which may move half then still fire, or fire then move half.)
• Artillery must be unlimbered and Infantry deployed into line to fire.
• Artillery range is 48". Musketry 8".
• Place artillery fire marker(s) on units that are target of artillery fire, one marker for each battery firing on the unit.
• Place infantry fire marker(s) on units that are target of musketry, one marker for each unit firing on the unit.
• Test the morale of the units under artillery fire, subtracting one from the die roll for each artillery marker beyond the first one on the unit.
• Test the morale of the units under infantry fire, subtracting one from the die roll for each infantry fire marker beyond the first one on the unit.
• The Officer commanding the target unit(s) rolls the die testing morale of his units.
• Cavalry cannot close into musketry range unless charging. Cannot stand in musketry range. Must move out on next turn or charge.
• Infantry may not fire overhead. See "Special rules on Artillery" for Artillery overhead fire.
• Units may not "dance around" in the open if in musketry range. They must charge, fire, or withdraw. Attempts to evade this rule will be met with severity by the Game-master.

Arc of Fire

• Infantry units fire straight forward. Imagine a line extending out from each edge of the unit, perpendicular to the front of the unit. If any portion of the target unit is within those two lines, it may be fired at.
• Artillery has a 60 degree code of fire, 30 degrees off each side of the facing direction of the battery. If any portion of the target unit is inside that cone, it may be fired at.

Charges and results

The result of any charge is a melee which is resolved with one or more morale checks. All melees are resolved after all movement is completed.

• Charging units must have the target in their 180 degree arc of vision to be able to charge them. Charging units must go "straight at" the nearest portion of the enemy. Charging units may have their path or formation or facing after movement adjusted at the whim of the Game-master, just because "It looks better that way."
• If a unit charges another unit it is moved to touch the unit. After all movement is complete the "target" unit tests morale.
• The Player commanding the target unit(s) rolls the D6 testing morale of his units:
• If the unit fails the morale test, it loses a stand and falls back a move, becoming disordered.
• If the target unit passes then the charging unit tests morale. If it fails, it loses a stand and falls back a move, becoming disordered.
• It neither unit fails, they both lose a stand,are disordered, and "Locked" in a melee. They will repeat it again in the next half-turn. They cannot break free till one of the units fails morale. New units may charge into the melee if they can reach an enemy unit - cannot charge into back of your own troops. If neccesary the Game-master may judge which units are fighting which, and may break the melee into two or more parts.
• Units which charge a unit from target unit's Flank/Rear and said target unit does NOT fail the morale test, do not have to test morale, but fall back a normal move in good order.
• If multiple units charge a target unit, and the target unit does not fail it's morale test, but the "Multiple unit force" fails it's morale test, only one of the charging units loses a stand and falls back disordered. The other attacking units fall back a normal move in good order.
• Cavalry cannot close into musketry range unless charging.

Terrain Effects

Through WOODS, through ROUGH, across MAJOR obstacle is:
Infantry 1-2 no movement, 3-6 movement halved
Cavalry 1-3 no movement, 4-6 movement halved.
Artillery - no movement across rough terrain, woods or Major obstacle.

Across MINOR obstacle is:
Infantry and cavalry 1 no movement, 2-4 movement halved, 5-6 no penalty
Artillery - 1-2 no movement, 3-5 movement halved, 6 no penalty

• Light Infantry units move through woods or across obstacles/rough with no terrain penalty. Light cavalry treat all obstacles as "Minor."
• No move is allowed for infantry or cavalry units when they deploy from column to line. Once deployed into line, these units remain in line for rest of game, unless no visible enemy within 24"
• Artillery (unless horse artillery) may only move 1" per turn once unlimbered (the gunners are pushing the guns by hand). The guns may not fire while being hand pushed. Horse artillery may limber up and move again, or may limber, make ½ move, unlimber, and still fire.
• Disordered units = ½ move. Disordered infantry units may not charge. Disordered cavalry units may charge half move if they have an officer attached.

Effect of Morale Checks

Player who's unit is being charged or fired upon rolls a die testing morale of target units:

Results of morale test:

• 1 -2 fail, Target unit loses one stand and become disordered
• 3-6 no effect from fire, disordered if in melee.

MODIFIERS to morale test due to FIRE:
-1 The target unit is in column (or limbered Artillery)
-1 The target unit is already disordered
-1 Unit causing test is full strength infantry unit (has not yet lost a stand.)
-1 Target is cavalry under fire (not melee)
-1 for each additional fire marker, after the first, firing on the target unit.
-1 Officer killed during morale test (see Below).
+1 Target unit is behind hedge, wall, in a town, or in woods.
+1 Firing unit is disordered infantry or artillery.
+1 Officer attached to target unit (see Below).
+1 Target unit is unlimbered Artillery
+1 Firing unit is Artillery over 18 inches away. Heavy or reserve guns do not take this modifier.

MODIFIERS to morale test due to MELEE:
-1 The target unit is in infantry or cavalry in column (or limbered Artillery)
-1 The target unit is already disordered
-1 Target unit is Infantry in melee with Cavalry. Infantry in square or other specialized anti-cavalry formation or infantry or artillery protected behind wall or hedge does not take this penalty.
-1 for each additional unit after the first charging the target unit.
-1 Lighter cavalry testing, in melee with heavier cavalry.
-1 Cavalry with blown horses. (optional rule)
-1 Officer killed during morale test (see Below).
-1 The target unit is not in melee but disordered on previous turn or half-turn.
-1 Unit is in melee, disordered as a result of continuing melee which began on earlier turn or half-turn. Note that Disordered units take either this modifier or the previous, not both.
-2 Target unit is charged from flank/rear
+2 Target unit is behind field works - Cavalry may not charge units in field works or in towns.
+1 charging unit is disordered cavalry - infantry cannot charge disordered. Cavalry may do so, IF it has an officer attached to inspire the disordered men.
+1 Officer attached to unit (see Below).
+1 Target unit is unlimbered Artillery charged frontally.
+1 Target unit is in a town.
+1 Target unit is elite infantry or cavalry.

Please note that a die result of "1" always is a failure, and a die result of "6" always is a pass, no matter how many modifiers accumulate.

Effect of Brigadiers or Higher officers

Officers not "attached" to units cannot be harmed. Just move out of way of enemy troop movements.

If an Officer is "attached" To the unit testing morale, roll two D6 BEFORE making the morale test and sum the total:
Result of 12 = Officer killed.
Result of 11 = Officer wounded or unhorsed. He is taken to the rear and plays no part in the battle for this turn.
Result of 10 or less - Officer carries on normally and gives a +1 die roll bonus to morale tests.

Officers who are attached to a unit which fails morale, fail with the unit and move back with the unit, remaining attached to it.

Officers which are "wounded or unhorsed" and taken to the rear, test to see their fate in the next Administrative phase.

Officer who is with unit can remove disorder;

• Elite units may rally with officer's aid on die roll of 2-6 - roll of 1 unit remains disordered.
• Line units may rally with officer's aid on die roll of 3-6 - roll of 1-2 unit remains disordered.
• Militia units may rally with officer's aid on die roll of 4-6 - roll of 1-3 unit remains disordered.

Brigadiers may only be attached to and influence units of their own brigades. The army commander, wing commanders, aides-de-camp or such other officers as you may see fit to commission may influence any units. Armies of this period did not usually have Divisional or Corps organizations. The French army was the first to organize brigades into divisions, later in the 18th century.

Special rules for Artillery

Artillery units on elevated positions may fire over friendly units or villages as long as the target is 10" or more past the friendly units or villages.

Artillery units on the flat may fire over friendly units or villages, at targets on elevated positions, as long as the firing unit is 10" or more behind any friendly units or villages.

An artillery battery consists of a gun and four gunners. When the battery loses a morale test due to fire, it loses a gunner. It does not have to fall back and does not become disordered.

A battery which is at less than full strength must pass an "effectiveness test" when it attempts to fire:

• If the battery has only 3 gunners left, it must roll 2-6 on a D6 to be able to fire.
• If the battery has only 2 gunners left, it must roll 3-6 on a D6 to be able to fire.
• If the battery has only 1 gunner left, it must roll 4-6 on a D6 to be able to fire.

Artillery batteries which lose a melee are out of action for the game. The victor may tow the guns through the streets of it's capitol city in triumph!

Towns

A town or walled farm is a defined area with a few buildings in it. The individual buildings are not "tactical" and may be moved about for convenince if troops occupy the town.

Unless specified by the game-master only one battalion of troops and one battery may occupy a town. The battery must face "out" from one side of the town and its fire is measured out through that side at normal effect.

Infantry occupying a town may fire out through any one side per turn. The infantry's fire range is cut to 4" because the town precludes the effective concentration of the defending troops' fire.

Infantry fire has no effect on the occupants of a town. Artillery fire has normal effect, but it takes "two hits" (one on turn 3 and another on turn 4, for example) to cause a morale test. A unit in a town, which fails morale loses a stand but does not need to fall back out of the town. It may remain in the town in disorder. It may, of course, fall back if it wishes to after a failed morale test.

At any time that a unit in a town must take a morale test due to enemy artillery fire, roll two D6 and sum them. If the total is 11 or 12, the town has caught fire and the occupants must evactuate on the next turn. This applies no matter if the morale test by the occupants was passed or failed.

Misc. Rules about Disorder

Elite units may self-rally without an officer attached, if they roll a 6. Remain disordered on 1-5.

Units that do not rally from disorder, remain disordered, may attempt to rally from disorder on later turns. Disordered units that move may not attempt to rally.

Disordered units attacked by enemy troops:

• Disordered Cavalry attacked by enemy Cavalry test morale at -1.
• Disordered Cavalry attacked by enemy infantry fall back one move, without loss.
• Disordered Infantry attacked by enemy Infantry test morale at -1.
• Disordered Infantry attacked by enemy Cavalry test morale at -2.

The Game-Master

The Jackson gamers almost always have an "umpire" or "Game-master" who runs the game but is not a player. He makes final rules interpretations, and these interpretations stand during the course of the game even if patently wrong. He decides what terrain is major or minor obstacles. He adjudicates any hidden movement or hidden deployment. His word is law during the game.

Optional Rules

Elite & Militia The game-master decides what proportion of units may be elite, or must be militia. The players may then decide which of their units actually ARE elite or militia. Both sides must know which units are elite, but there is no need to inform your enemy which of your units are miliita. This may be left as a pleasant surprise.

Hidden Units & Off-table units The Game-Master may allow either or both sides to have hidden units or off-board units. He may allow movement around flanks and may construct special rules for this as needed. Hidden units or off-table movment should not be used without a Game-Master.

Aides de Camp Players may allow the army commander one or two "Aides de Camp." These are extra officers that may assist by rallying units when no brigadier is available. They should stay next to the Commander-in-Chief and be sent to specific units for specific tasks, returning to the C-in-C when the task is complete.

Charge Movement Many people have asked if charging units would not move more quickly. This is a question of philosphy and can be debated endlessly. If you wise you may allow charging units 50% additional movment.

Blown Horses At the start of the turn, each player rolls a die for each of his mounted units involved in a melee or a charge (even if for some reason a melee did not result). If the die result is 6 the that unit's horses are "blown" and it will move at half-rate for the remainder of the game. If attacked, it tests morale at -1. Some would say that this would apply more to the French in this period, whose cavalry suffered from a variety of ills making it less effective.

Notes on unit formations

Infantry fights in line (except elite infantry may charge in column against towns or fortificatons or across bridges) and moves in column. The diagrams below show simple infantry and lines and columns. The Jackson Gamers use four stands per infantry battalion.

Cavalry fight in line but may also charge in double lines (one squadron behind the other). Cavarly do not charge in column, but may fight (at a penalty) if enemy cavalry charge them while in column. Their formations are mainly the same as the infantry except the we mount two cavalry figures per stand.

If you must use cavalry squadrons, use two stands per squadron, so that a regiment has two "squadrons." Most French cavalry regiments during the Seven Years War had only two squadrons. Many other contries had more squadrons per regiment. If you have larger regiments for one side, it will distort the game. The Jackson Gamers make all of their battalions and squadrons the same size.

Infantry Column

O O O

O O O

O O O

O O O

Infantry Line

O O O

O O O

O O O

O O O

Cavalry Column

O O

O O

O O

O O

Cavalry Line

O O

O O

O O

O O

Cavalry in two Lines

O O	O O
O O	O O

Notes by authors

By Fr. Aelred Glidden This rules set is based on concepts of Donald Featherstone & Stephen Simpson The (above) concepts are developed from Wally Simon's account of Stephen Simpson's rules for the ARW which appeared in "Wargames Illustrated" #75. They are similar to Featherstone's, but SIMPLER, since no roster is required.

By Jay Stribling I have added a good bit to this rules set, mainly to codify how things work - to make it more clear when things may happen during the turn.

We have played the morale tests for this game in two ways. The first way is to allow the player firing the guns or charging the enemy to roll the morale test dice to determine the result of fire or charging. The second way is to allow the "owning" player to roll the die to see what happens to his units as a result of being fired upon or being charged. While the first way "feels better" if you are shooting or charging, I now favor the second way. It is quicker.

If you feed that the firing or charging player must roll the die you may play the game that way. It will not change the outcome in the slightest.

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