WARGAME (French versus USA , Louisiana)

INITIAL MOVEMENTS

The French launched several rapid expeditions in an attempt to break out of New Orleans. Their fleet disembarked five military units in Vermilion Bay, and quickly secured the town of New Iberia, four of the units then moved on to Lafayette. A small detachment was also sent to occupy Houma. 

From New Orleans, the town of Slidel, to their north, was also occupied by a single French unit. But the main army, ten military units, advanced on Baton Rouge, again. 

American forces at Lafayette, numbering five units, decided to fortify the town and make a stand (D4). The French brigade decided not to attack!

US Headquarters for the South, based in Alexandria, was kept fully informed of these movements and immediately ordered their main force to utilise the Texas & Pacific Railway to aid Baton Rouge. This plan of action had already been envisaged and fully planned for. Their speedy arrival gave the Americans thirteen military units, five already being stationed there. Their plan was to crush the French main force, and then relieve Lafayette. 

BATON ROUGE ARRIVAL TIMES 

With train travel the American main army arrived fairly fit and able, eight units. They now joined those stationed in the area. The French were much slower in their movements, humidity? The opposing armies met about two miles south of the city. Spies keeping both sides informed of their opponents main movements.

WARGAME SETUP

I confess, there has been some gamesmanship! The American units were all large and fully up to strength, they also had two units of local volunteers which furnished an extra twenty-six figures. The French had also strengthened their units, and attached a Heavy Machine Gun to several battalions, claiming they were not separate military units!

Viewed from the French side.

A local farmer is advised his property is now HQ for the United States Army, he fully understands and wishes the commander success (D4).

THE BATTLE

The first shots potentially fired were almost an accident, a local farmer appeared carrying a shotgun. To their great credit (D6) the French instructed him to drop his firearm, and depart the field with his family.

EARLY MOVES. Both sides advanced with resolution, neither side wishing to fire first, even the guns were moved forward!

MOVE THREE. They open up! Predictably, what guns were able to fire, zoned in on the roving cannon, with casualties on both. MOVE FOUR. Disaster for the French, the American RC knocked out the French RC cannon. MOVE FIVE. More rapid advancing by both sides, including the French RC! MOVE SIX. The French RC ran over two Americans, but American artillery was pounding several French units, The American RC even took out one French gun. MOVE SEVEN included some American charges on the French right, but they held fast and fired a devastating volley, six Americans going down, but they still charged on into melee! 

Below. The Americans advance on the French rightwing.

The French RC causes mischief.

The French rightwing is charged, a bloody round of melee is enacted both in and around the farm house.

MOVE EIGHT. The French on the right recovered, and successfully broke one of the American regiments. Another, which was attempting to enter the house was reduced to three figures. only a fluke dice kept them in the fight.The armed volunteers proved their worth, they also attempted to fight their way into the house, suffered two casualties, and the remaining fourteen ran away!

But in the centre, the French were facing defeat, their artillery had been largely ineffectual this day. Their RC was still causing mischief, but so was the American RC, and two French units were now routing, and a HMG had been run over.

MOVE NINE. The Americans advanced all along the line. And the French army was under stress. Even on the right, two French battalions routed, unable to fight off two fresh battalions and a gatling gun. In the centre, another French gun was destroyed, and another battalion routed. MOVE TEN, the French RC is silenced with two direct hits! The last crew member of the American RC is also taken out, a lucky shot through the viewing slit, but the damage had been done, a French battalion reduced by one third. And, about to be attacked by a fresh battalion, and a cavalry regiment. 

MOVE ELEVEN. Surprisingly, the French are having some real success on their left, but they must now face a battery of light guns, fully manned. On the French right, both sides are still fighting on.

MOVE TWELVE. The following photos say it all! 

The Zouaves came under heavy rifle and howitzer fire, at half strength they routed.

The French commander was determined to fight on. He ordered a charge in MOVE THIRTEEN, three more went down but despite being half strength, they still entered into melee (D5). Result. French inflict a casualty for charging, and another for being professional. Americans inflict a casualty for outnumbering 2-1, and another for professional. As a draw, a dice determined an extra casualty and to confirm the melee victor. French win. Americans forced to test their morale as melee loser. A D2 saw the American infantry rout!!!!! The neighbouring cavalry unit witnessed this and was obliged to also test, but stood firm. In the following MOVE FOURTEEN the cavalry charged the survivors, they still held on. But there was no complete section to fire a volley, and the cavalry charged home. Result. American cavalry inflict casualties for being professional, mounted, charging, and outnumbering 2-1. The French inflict one casualty for being professional. No need for a morale test on the losers.This French unit is wiped out, as is the CinC attached to this unit. 

Below, the French sky-blue marines routed under gatling fire.

The French navy blue marines facing the battery broke at 50% casualties, having nearly crossed the entire table, they then routed back (I threw some dice to see what the results would have been in subsequent moves) under artillery fire, only one survivor.  

While casualties were similar; 66 French to 57 American, it is the state of the French military units which means their army is destroyed, possibly seven military units worth out of the ten.

Bright green areas are considered no longer under French control, due to the Baton Rouge defeat.

MGB