ROME 1849 (Wargame)

Decided to use my French 19th century army against another drawn from several collections. This solo game is inspired by the action at San Pancrazio Gate on April 30, 1849. 

Having driven the Pope from Rome, the Italian nationalists had replaced clerical rule with a Roman Republic. This revolution did not go down well with the French, Austrians, Two Sicilies, and Spanish governments. But it was the French that had the resolution to launch a direct assault on the city. This government despatched a force of 8,000 (some say 10,000) with orders to reinstall Papal rule. It was the French view 'Italians do not fight', and that the soldiers would be welcomed into the city.

However, the Roman Republic was supported by many of the residents. And even many in the old Papal Army had crossed over to the nationalists. Even the foreign artist community embraced the cause and took up arms, including some Englishmen. Other contingents from across Italy had also appeared including the Italian Legion (Republicans) under Garibaldi, and the Lombard Bersaglieri (Monarchists) under a Milanese aristocrat, Luciano Manara. Hard to put numbers on those defending, anything from 7,000 to 20,000, the latter being more probable. But these were distributed to protect numerous entry points into the city, and others manned internal barricades.

                           The French appear to have approached the city in several columns (6,000 men with twelve field guns) but all were shocked at the determined response of the garrison to deny them entry. This included the generous use of the garrison's wall cannon. 

The action at San Pancrazio Gate is particularly interesting as it was Garibaldi's determination to not only oppose the French, but to launch a counterattack, to break their army...... and he very nearly did. Over three hundred French were captured! Against Garibaldi's advice, the French were allowed to retire, and await reinforcements. Only when their numbers had swelled to over 25,000, with a strong siege artillery train, did the French move again on Rome, and forced the garrison to surrender in early July. The Pope was reinstated in April 1850. 

                                                               GAME CONTINGENTS

For the game, the city gate was defended by two companies of ex-Papal infantry, and another of artillerymen. I reduced my four gun crews to only two figures each. There was also a battalion of armed civilians, and some others were manning cannon. The defenders were allowed to open fire as soon as the enemy came into direct view. The French brigade comprised three light battalions, three line battalions, a squadron of light cavalry, and a battery of light guns, each with three crew. 

GARIBALDI's FLANK ATTACK

On spotting the French, the Italian player must throw a dice each move, a D6 initiating the counterattack on the French right flank. This will comprise two battalions of volunteers, a squadron of lancers, and two battalions of armed civilians. The French must break through the Gate in numbers to claim a victory. 

                                                                        THE BATTLE 

MOVE ONE the French advanced. MOVE TWO the French advanced, two fortress guns opened fire down the main road, hitting a building. MOVE THREE The French advanced, two fortress guns fired again, another building was hit and caught alight. MOVE FOUR the French advanced, an Italian gun spotted some cavalry and scored a hit.

MOVE FIVE the French advanced, their light troops leading the way. Two French soldiers were hit.

MOVE SIX two more French go down. The cavalry charged a lower level artillery position, the civilian crew ran. MOVE SEVEN two more French on the main road were brought down. But the garrison was now getting nervous, where is the counterattack? MOVE EIGHT  the cavalry charged those holding the gate, but they not only stood firm but delivered a volley from their barricade which wiped out the cavalry! But where is Garibaldi?

MOVE NINE the French line infantry charged the gate, it was a blood bath, despite losing in the melee, the partisans somehow held on. MOVE TEN another round of melee at the gate, while their compatriots manning a nearby gun are bayoneted by revengeful infantry. Garibaldi, where are you?

MOVE ELEVEN Amazing, the partisans at the gate, ably supported by a wall cannon force the French infantry to test their morale (half strength) and they rout! If that was not enough......  I finally threw a D6......... Garibaldi's four battalions and some cavalry finally appeared.

I allowed the French to secure a gun position they had taken.... but obliged them to test their morale, but with a D6, they stood firm. MOVE TWELVE Oh dear! The Redshirts charged this gun position, the French held fast, fired their muskets, and broke their charge (D1 morale test). On MOVE THIRTEEN Garibaldi rallied his men (D6), but this game was becoming dependent on both sides holding fast to strong positions, despite many French units being, or approaching, half strength. I felt this game was exhausted, the French in the redoubt were now under fire from three sides. MOVE FOURTEEN, the French were granted leave to retire.

CASUALTIES

French 27. Italians 7

An enjoyable game, but once more I find a twelve move limit works best. Dragging games out to the last few figures might appeal to some gamers, but it doesn't work for me. I also find you often lose the character of the period you are trying to capture. I must also mention, my battalions of mid-19th century armed civilians, converted Timpo, have once more proved very useful. Will certainly play this game again, but will increase the ex-Papal troops at the gate to a full battalion, and all the artillerymen will be regulars.

MGB

Look to the west of the river, near the Trastevere area (aka Transteuvere).

Museum Display

A new addition served in this game (re painted Timpo copy)

REPLYING TO FRIENDS SENDING COMMENTS

Thank you, Donnie. Yes, I have seen too many wargames where 'wipe out' is almost the sole objective. This encourages players to act and move in a manner which has nothing to do with the period, and more to do with Warhammer. And every army they raise ends up refighting the Battle of Gaugamela (Alexander v Persians). I understand the figures are 'just' counters, but surely you would wish to capture something more of the conflict? I guess, everyone to their own. The French running figures were mainly bought cheap as they were broken. Using steel rods, they are arguably stronger now than when they were first cast.

Hi MJT. Isn't it just, I also like the fact that the uniforms are so divers you can often find something similar in other collections. And my armed civilians also look the part. But I am now raising actual Italian 1848-70 troops, to go with my Garibaldi redshirts. 

Thanks Tony. My account may infer it should have stopped on move twelve, but fourteen was right. But I wasn't going to drag it out any further. Itt was a 'solo success', and worth playing again. As it happens, my result kind of matches the historical event, which is a bonus. 

Hello Brad. I very much enjoyed the game, and will certainly want to refight some other Italian Unification actions. Mind you, I must make some higher civilian walls. This is not the first occasion  their absence has been felt, even if it is just for the visual spectacle. Saluti!

Hi Roger, I have never met a gamer who did not declare to me his opposition to heavy going rules. In reality, most gamers ARE advocates for complexity, and constantly seek that magical set that they will be happy with. Whether they ever find such a set, is doubtful. Thats why I don't promote my rules. (Mine are based on Featherstone's simple six sided dice rules, with a few 'house' additions. Everything is so simple that we rarely have to view the two sides of A4, and these are normally for calculating each melee, and morale. Any issues that arise are sorted out by throwing another dice, high scores are always good.) Vastly more important for historical gaming, but often underplayed, is to recognise national characteristics. And too many forget, in most actions the numbers killed or wounded is outweighed by those that withdrew or ran away, and the mental fatigue of war eventually drains the best in any army. I like the fact that for every casualty in my games, three will no longer advance or have routed. I appreciate this might not be the answer you were seeking. To put it another way, I prefer to be a photographer than an accountant, lol. A typical move takes about 5-8 minutes to calculate, and a similar amount to move figures. The above game took about two hours.

Roger, I may have failed to clarify. If a unit is obliged to test its morale, and the result is POOR, it may decline to charge home or even advance that move. If, however, it FAILS its morale, this will see the unit rout (or surrender if surrounded). You may then request a morale check on a neighbouring unit up to 8" away. On occasions, I have seen this spread to three/four similar or lesser allied units in a game. Concerning numbers, It pleases me to count the number of figures K+W in a game, and I find it appropriate if three times that number of figures are in a state of routing/surrendered/unwilling to advance. Note, my rules prohibit any unit reaching half strength being allowed to advance further on the enemy, although they may still stand and fire, or perhaps continue their full charge move if their morale is otherwise still OBEY orders. Holding a key position is one method of giving them bonus morale points. Concerning the Portable Wargame, I have heard of it, but never seen it played, I think they draw squares on their gaming board?, so unable to comment. I confess to having no inclination to seek alternative rules. If my game results failed to deliver what I considered realistic (and fun) games linked to my research of a given conflict, I might wish to explore others. But I am quite happy with mine, and family and guests debate the game/dice not the rules. For example, my house rules for the Medieval period were derived principally from reading Sir Charles Oman's The Art of War in the Middle Ages (IMHO, all other works are derivatives) but my Medieval wargame rules are still only two pages of A4.  Hope this is of some help.

Roger, I normally start with more general uniform books, then I seek out the original uniform plates which inspired those in the modern publications. I now have the uniforms for many of the units serving in the 1849 war. Just spent a moment applying key colours to a batch of ACW kepi figures, that will later take up service in Italy.