This scenario was developed by Martin Soilleux-Cardwell.
Background:
At Brienne on 29th January 1814 Napoleon had given the Allies, and Blucher in particular, a severe fright even though he gained only a tactical victory and had not, as he intended, smashed the Army of Silesia to the extent that it was incapacitated for any extended period. The quality of his men was not what it had been even twelve months earlier. After the battle Napoleon said "If I had veteran troops I might have done more, but with the troops I have, I am happy with what occurred".
Blucher fell back on Trannes a few miles to the south where the high ground with open fields of fire in front made a strong position. Schwarzenberg ordered III and IV Corps of the Army of Bohemia to support Blucher and I Corps was directed toward Troyes to prevent Mortier moving around the Army of Bohemia's flank. Barclay de Tolly's Reserve of Russian Guard Cavalry, V Guards Corps and III Grenadier Corps was brought forward to follow up on the expected defeat of Napoleon.
The weather continued foul with intermittent rain and snow with the clay roads almost impassable.
Uncharacteristically Napoleon spent two days at Brienne inactive while the Allied Corps moved on him. On the 31st Napoleon decided on his next move. His army would march to Troyes, joining Mortier from where it could strike the flank of either allied army if it attempted to move on Paris by way or Arcis-sur-Aube. Unfortunately the damaged bridge at Lesmont meant he could not begin this move for another 24 hours. Meanwhile Marmont responded to orders to join Napoleon at Brienne by way of Morvilliers.
Scwarzenberg, seeing the French still inactive on the Brienne battlefield, decided to attack. Field command for the attack was again given to Blucher who had directly available to him Sacken's, Olsuviev's, Gyulai's and Wurttemburg's Corps while Barclay de Tolly held the Russian reserve. Wittgenstein and Wrede's Bavarians were ordered to St Dizier to prevent intervention by MacDonald. Wrede suggested that Wittgenstein was strong enough to achieve this task and that he should move on Brienne from the east. Thus the scales tilted even more against Napoleon.
Unknown to either Napoleon or Blucher a crushing Allied victory was not what Schwarzenburg or his Austrian masters wanted. Blucher's control of events was limited as unknown to him Gyulai and Wurttemburg had orders not to pursue beyond Brienne and Wrede's plans were unknown. Politically everyone would be pleased if Blucher won, but not decisively. In many respects another defeat for the Prussian marshal would be welcomed by the high command as a way of gaining control over his single minded intention to take Paris.
Nonetheless Napoleon with 45,000 faced 80,000 with another 30,000 threatening his flank. The murky stage was set. It was noon on 1st February.
Orders of Battle:
FRENCH ARMY, 30,000 infantry, 13,500 cavalry, 132 guns. Emperor Napoleon (AC, Monarch)
Army Troops. Artillery Reserve, Genl Drouot (DC)
- 1st Army Reserve Line Foot Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- 2nd Army Reserve Line Foot Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- 3rd Army Reserve Line Foot Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- 1st Army Reserve Line Horse Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- 2nd Army Reserve Line Horse Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
'Corps' Marshal Ney (CC)
Corps Troops
- Young Guard Foot Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- Young Guard Foot Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- Young Guard Foot Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
1st Voltigeur Division, Genl Meunier (DC), Exhaustion=4
- Brigade Lacoste: 1st & 2nd Voltigeurs (4 bns) M6 [ ][ ][ ][ ] st
- Brigade Rousseau: 3rd & 4th Voltigeurs (4 bns) M6 [ ][ ][ ][ ] st
2nd Voltigeur Division, Genl Decouz (DC), Exhaustion=3
- Brigade Petit: 5th & 6th Voltigeurs (4 bns) M6 [ ][ ][ ] st
- Brigade Bizarre: 7th & 8th Voltigeurs (4 bns) M6 [ ][ ][ ] st
2nd Tirailleur Division, Genl Rottembourg (DC), Exhaustion=5
- Brigade Marquet: 5th & 6th Tirailleurs (4 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
- Brigade Charriere: 7th Tiraileurs (2 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ]
Young Guard Cavalry Division, Genl Laferriere-Laveque (DC), Exhaustion=3
- Young Guard Chasseur a Cheval Regt M6 [ ][ ] lt
- Young Guard Emp.Dgn & Grenadier a Cheval Regts M6 [ ][ ] hv
- 2nd-4th Gardes d'Honneur Regts M6 [ ][ ] lt
'Corps' Marshal Victor (CC)
Division Duhesme (DC), Exhaustion=3
- Brigade 24th Legere, 19th, 37th & 56th Ligne M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] g/d-sk
Division Forestier (DC), Exhaustion=4
- Brigade 26th Legere, 18th Ligne (3 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g/d-sk
- Brigade 46th Ligne, 93rd Ligne (3 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ] g/d-sk
1st Guard Cavalry Division, Genl Colbert (DC), no exhaustion
- 1st Polish Lancer & 2nd Eclaireur Regts M6 [ ][ ] lt/l
2nd Guard Cavalry Division, Genl Guyot (DC), Exhaustion=4
- Empress Dragoon & Grenadier a Cheval Regts M7 [ ][ ][ ] hv
- Chasseurs a Cheval Regt M7 [ ][ ] lt
- Guard Horse Artillery Battalion M7 [ ][ ] md
V Cavalry Corps, Genl Milhaud (CC) (subordinate to Marshal Victor's corps)
9th Light Division, Genl Pire (DC), Exhaustion=2
- 14th, 26th & 27th Chass. a Cheval, 3rd Hussars M5 [ ][ ][ ] lt
5th Heavy Division, Genl Briche (DC), Exhaustion=2
- 2nd, 6th, 11th, 13th & 15th Dragoons M5 [ ][ ][ ] md
6th Heavy Division, Genl L'Hertier (DC), no exhaustion
- 18th, 19th, 20th, 22nd & 25th Dragoons M5 [ ][ ] md
'Corps' Genl Gerard (CC)
Corps Troops
- Cavalry Brigade Picquet (det from DeFrance) M6 [ ][ ] lt (10th Hussars & 1st garde d'Honneur Regt)
Division Dufour (DC), Exhaustion=4
- Converged Brigade M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] d-sk
- Converged Brigade M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] d-sk
Division Ricard (DC), Exhaustion=3
- Brigade Pelleport: M5 [ ][ ][ ] d-sk
- Brigade Boudin: M5 [ ][ ][ ] g/d-sk
'Corps' Marshal Marmont (CC)
Cavalry Dvision Genl Doumerc (DC), Exhaustion=2
- 1st Provisional Hussars & 2nd Chass. Cheval Regt M5 [ ][ ] lt
- 3rd & 4th Chasseurs a Cheval Regts M5 [ ][ ] lt
- Line Horse Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- Line Horse Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
Division Lagrange (DC), Exhaustion=5
- Brigade Joubert: M6 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- Brigade Fournier: M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
French Army Notes
1. Each French infantry brigade of Victor's and Gerard's Corps (Divisions Duhesme, Forestier, Dufour and Ricard) may detach 1x1-5 skirmisher. Joubert may detach 2 which begin the game in Petit-Mesnil and La Gibervie.
2. Milhaud's Cavalry Corps. I originally had this broken down to brigade stands but most of them were 1 str point so I combined these to produce the single stand divisions seen above. Unlike at Brienne the corps was quite split up in the battle and I don't think it's appropriate to combine it into a three stand corps with only Milhaud represented as a CC.
3. The French cavalry was very active in the battle and as the small formations are brittle, I have rated the two weakest as 'no exhaustion'.
4. Rottembourg's Tirailleur division was composed of raw recruits.
5. 2nd Guard Cavalry Division (the original Old Guard Cavalry) has been rated very seriously indeed.
6. Note very weak battalions of Pelleport's brigade of Ricard's division. These battalions averaged about 100 men. Although they were veterans, and would normally rate 6, I have downrated them and ignored their grenadiers. Their small size indicates 'abandoned' units that have not seen replacements for some time.
7. Fournier's brigade of Lagrange's division contains sailors from the fleet. That's why this and Pelleport do not have grenadiers - a measure of slightly lower capability.
8. Key to codes: d-sk = brigade may detach a skirmisher; g = grenadiers present; hv = heavy (either artillery or cavalry); l = lance armed cavalry; lt = light (either artillery or cavalry); md = medium (either artillery or cavalry); pr = poorly trained regulars; st = shock troops.
French Deployment & Arrival:
Facing South -
- Dufour=in/adjacent to Dienville.
- Ricard=prolonging Dufour's left.
- Picquet=between and in advance of Ricard and La Rothiere (WSW-SW of La Rothiere).
- Duhesme=in and around La Rothiere.
- Forestier=in reserve N of and within 12" of La Rothiere.
- Colbert=left of Duhesme.
- Guyot=left of Colbert, resting his left near Petit Mesnil.
Facing E -
- Joubert=holding Chaumesnil with detachments in Petit-Mesnil & La Gibervie.
- Pire=W of Chaumesnil and N of Petit-Mesnil and within 9" of them.
- Briche & L'Hertier=N of Pire in that order. L'Hertier left flank rests on Ajou forest.
- Doumerc=between S end of Ajou forest and S end of Morvilliers.
- Fournier=N of Doumerc and within 12" of him.
Marching -
- Rottembourg=on road E of Brienne-le-Ville.
Arrivals -
- Meunier, turn 2=in Brienne-le-Chateau.
- Decouz, turn 7=in Brienne-le-Chateau.
French orders are to hold the line Dienville-La Gibervie-Chaumesnil and inflict serious losses on the enemy. They win decisively if they still occupy all 5 towns/villages along this line by midnight and have 2 commands unexhausted. They win tactically if they occupy at least 2 of these places and still have 5 commands unexhausted.
ARMIES OF BOHEMIA & SILESIA, 84,000 infantry, 16,500 cavalry, 348 guns. Feldmarschall Blucher (AC)
ARMY OF BOHEMIA, 45,000 infantry, 12,500 cavalry and 192 guns
III (Austrian) Corps, Feldmarschalleutnant Gyulai (CC)
Corps Troops
- Field Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- Heavy Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] hv
2nd Division, Genl Hohenloe-Bartenstein (DC), Exhaustion=7
- Brigade Spleny: I.R.37 & I.R.60 Ignaz Gyulai M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- Brigade Grimmer: I.R.36 Kollowrath (4 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- I.R.28 Frohlich (3 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- Field Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
3rd Division, Genl Fresnel (DC), Exhaustion=8
- Brigade Pfluger:I.R.8 Erzhog Ludwig (3 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- I.R.23 Wurzburg (4 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- Brigade Czollich:I.R.41 Kottulinsky (3 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ] g
- I.R.1 Kaiser (3 bns) M6 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- Field Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
IV (Wurttemburg) Corps, Kronprinz Wurttemburg (CC)
Advance Guard, Genl Stockmeyer (DC), Exhaustion=5
- Jager Regt Konig (2 bns) M6 [ ][ ] sk
- I.R. Neubronn & Landwehr Bn (3 bns) M4 [ ][ ][ ]
- Light I.R. Stockmeyer (2 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ] d-sk
- Austrian Hussar Regt Arch Duke Ferdinand M6 [ ] sk
1st Division, Genl Koch (DC), Exhaustion=6
- Brigade Doring: I.R. Herzog Wilhelm (2 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- I.R. von Pfuhl (2 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- Brigade Hohenloe: I.R. Franquemont (2 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- I.R. Kronprinz (2 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- Field Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
Cavalry Division, Prinz Adam (DC), Exhaustion=2
- Kronprinz Dgn Regt & Herzog Louis ChevLeger Regt M5 [ ][ ] md/d-sk
- Prinz Adam Cheveau-Leger Regt M5 [ ] sk
- Horse Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
Austrian Advance Guard to Bavarian Corps, Genl Frimont (CC)
Corps Troops
- Field Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
- Field Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
1st Division, Genl Hardegg (DC), Exhaustion=3
- 3rd Jager Regt (1 bn) M6 [ ][ ] sk
- Szeckler Grenze Regt (2 bns) M5 [ ][ ] sk
- Schwarzenberg Uhlan Regt M5 [ ] sk/l
- Erzherzog Joseph Hussar Regt M6 [ ] sk sk/l
- Horse Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
2nd Division, Genl Spleny (DC), Exhaustion=5
- Brigade Volkman: I.R.14 Erzherzog Rudolf (4 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- I.R.59 Jordis (4 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ] g
- Brigade Minutilly: Hus Szeckler, Dgn Knesvich M5 [ ][ ] md/d-sk
Bavarian Corps, Count Wrede (CC)
Corps Troops
- 1st Reserve Heavy Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] hv
- 2nd Reserve Heavy Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] hv
1st Division, Genl Rechberg (DC), Exhaustion=6
- Brigade Bayern: 1st, 2nd & 7th ChevLeger Regts M5 [ ][ ][ ] lt
- Brigade Prinz Karl: M4 [ ][ ][ ]
- 3rd Light Battalion (1 bn) M5 [ ] sk
- Brigade Maillot: M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ]
- 2nd Light Battalion (1 bn) M5 [ ] sk
- Horse Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
2nd Division, Genl Beckers (DC), Exhaustion=6
- Brigade Elbracht:3rd & 6th Cheveau-Leger Regts M5 [ ][ ] lt
- Brigade Pappenheim: M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ]
- 5th Light Battalion (1 bn) M5 [ ] sk
- Brigade Zollern: M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ]
- 1st Light Battalion (1 bn) M5 [ ] sk
- Field Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
3rd Division, Genl La Motte (DC), Exhaustion=7
- Brigade Dietz: 4th & 5th Cheveau-Leger Regts M5 [ ][ ] lt
- Brigade Habermann: M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
- Brigade Deroi: 5th & 8th I.R. (3 bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- 9th I.R., 5th Munchen & 6th Lindau Natl Bns M4 [ ][ ][ ]
- Field Artillery Battalion M6 [ ][ ] md
Russian Reserve Cavalry Corps, Barclay de Tolly (CC)
1st Cuirassier Division, Genl Depreradovitch (DC), Exhaustion=4
- Chevalier Garde & Horse Guard Regts M7 [ ][ ][ ] hv
- Liebgarde Cuirassier & Empress Cuirassier Regts M7 [ ][ ][ ] hv
- Guard Horse Artillery Battery M7 [ ][ ] md
2nd Cuirassier Division, Genl Kretow (DC), Exhaustion=2
- Ekaterinoslav & Astrakhan Cuirassier Regts M6 [ ][ ] hv
- Glukhov & Bleskovitch Cuirassier Regts M6 [ ][ ] hv
- Horse Artillery Battery M6 [ ][ ] md
ARMY OF SILESIA, 39,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry and 156 guns
VI Corps, Genl Scherbatow (CC)
7th Infantry Division, Genl Tallisin (DC), Exhaustion=3
- Brigade Kritschnikof: I.R.s Bleskow & Moscow M4 [ ][ ]
- Brigade Augustov: I.R.s Sophia & Liebau M4 [ ][ ]
- Brigade Dietrich: 11th & 36th Jager Regts M4 [ ][ ]
- 10th Heavy Foot Battery M5 [ ][ ] hv
- 28th Light Foot Battery M5 [ ][ ] md
18th Infantry Division, Genl Bernodossow (DC), Exhaustion=3
- Brigade Blagovenzento: I.R.s Vladimir & Dneipr M4 [ ][ ]
- Brigade Heidrich: I.R.s Lambov & Kostroman M4 [ ][ ]
- Brigade Metscherinov: 28th & 32nd Jager Regts M4 [ ][ ]
- 24th Light Foot Battery M5 [ ][ ] md
IX Corps, Genl Olsuvieu (CC)
9th Infantry Division, Genl Udom II (DC), Exhaustion=3
- Brigade Poltarazin: I.R.s Rascheburg & Apscheron M4 [ ][ ]
- Brigade Iuschkov: Inf Regts Iafuz & Riastin M4 [ ][ ]
- Brigade Melnik: 10th & 38th Jager Regts M4 [ ][ ]
- 15th Heavy Foot Battery M5 [ ][ ] hv
- 13th Light Foot Battery M5 [ ][ ] md
15th Infantry Division, Genl Karnielov (DC), Exhaustion=3
- Brigade Pushkin: Inf Regts Vitebsk & Kaslov M4 [ ][ ][ ]
- Brigade Menpistov: Inf Regts Koliman & Kurin M4 [ ][ ]
- 29th Light Foot Battery M5 [ ][ ] md
Cavalry Corps, Genl Wassiltschikov (CC)
Converged Division, Genl Lanskoi (DC), Exhaustion=2
- Achtir, Marienpol, White Russia & Alex. Hus Rgts M4 [ ][ ] lt
- Kurland, Smolensk, Tver & Kinburn Dragoon Regts M4 [ ][ ] md
- 18th Horse Artillery Battery M5 [ ][ ] md
Attached Cossack 'Division', Genl Karpov (DC), Exhaustion=2
- Karpov II & Sementschenko Cossack Regts M5 [ ] sk/l
- Lukovsin & Kutainikof Cossack Regts M5 [ ] sk/l
- Tchongonieff Uhlan Regt M5 [ ] sk/l
- Prince Biron de Courland's 'Flying Column' M5 [ ] sk (2nd Silesian Hus, Sil Natl Cavalry, Neumark Dgns)
V Guard Corps, Genl Yermalov (CC)
Corps Troops
- Heavy Guard Artillery Battery M7 [ ][ ] hv
- 1st Light Guard Artillery Battery M7 [ ][ ] hv
- 2nd Light Guard Artillery Battery M7 [ ][ ] hv
1st Guard Division, Baron Rosen (DC), Exhaustion=10
- Brigade Potemkin:Preobragenski Guard Regt M7 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] st
- Semenovski Guard Regt (3 bns) M7 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] st
- Brigade Chravonitzin: Ismailov Guard Regt M7 [ ][ ][ ][ ] st
- Liebgarde Jager Regt (3 bns) M7 [ ][ ][ ][ ] st
2nd Guard Division, Genl Udom (DC), Exhaustion=9
- Brigade Ritter: Lithuanian Guard Regt (3 bns) M7 [ ][ ][ ][ ] st
- Finlandski Guard Regt (3 bns) M7 [ ][ ][ ][ ] st
- Brigade Scheltuchin II: Grenadier Guard Regt M7 [ ][ ][ ][ ] st
- Pavlov Giard Regt (3 bns) M7 [ ][ ][ ][ ] st
III Grenadier Corps, Genl Rajevski (CC)
Corps Troops
- Heavy Artillery Battery M6 [ ][ ] hv
- 1st Light Artillery Battery M6 [ ][ ] hv
- 2nd Light Artillery Battery M6 [ ][ ] hv
1st Grenadier Division, Genl Tschoglokow (DC), Exhaustion=5
- Brigade Kniaschin: M6 [ ][ ][ ] g (G.R.s Ekaterinoslav & Arakcheev)
- Brigade Sulima: M6 [ ][ ][ ] g (G.R.s Tauride & St Petersburg)
- Brigade Semelianov:G.R.s Pernau & Kexholm M6 [ ][ ][ ] g
2nd Grenadier Division, Genl Paskevitch (DC), Exhaustion=5
- Brigade Pissareff: G.R.s Kiev & Moscow (2 bns) M6 [ ][ ][ ] g
- Brigade Damas: G.R.s Astrakhan & Fangoria M6 [ ][ ][ ] g
- Brigade Posnikov: G.R.s Siberia & Little Russia M6 [ ][ ][ ] g
Allied Army Notes
1. Each Russian jager brigade may be split into skirmisher stands.
2. Light cavalry brigades may be split into skirmisher stands.
3. The Russian Reserve Cavalry Corps, V Guard Corps and III Grenadier Corps should be preserved as long as possible. They are the final reserve of the Allies 1814 campaign.
4. Army of Silesia's VI and IX corps and cavalry corps suffered a defeat 3 days ago at Brienne. They have been downgraded as a result.
5. Key to codes: d-sk = may detach 1 skirmisher ; g = grenadiers present ; hv = heavy (either artillery or cavalry); l = lance armed cavalry; lt = light (either artillery or cavalry); md = medium (either artillery or cavalry); st = shock troops
Allied Deployment & Arrival:
Turn / Point
- 1:00pm (1) / 2 = Hohenloe-Bartenstein Div, Czollich Brigade & Resv Artillery.
- 2:00pm (2) / 1 = Pfluger Brigade.
- 2:00pm (2) / 3 = Scherbatev Corps, Wassiltchikov Cav Corps.
- 2:00pm (2) / 5 = Stockmeyer Adv Guard.
- 3:00pm (3) / 3 = Olsuviev Corps.
- 3:00pm (3) / 6 = Wrede Bavarian Corps (-Spleny).
- 3:00pm (3) / 5 = Doring Brigade.
- 4:00pm (4) / 6 = Spleny Div.
- 4:00pm (4) / 5 = Hohenloe Brigade, Adam Cav Div.
- 7:00pm (7) / 4 = Paskevitch Gren Div.
- 8:00pm (8) / 4 = Balance of Reserve Corps.
Allied orders are to inflict a reverse on Napoleon and force the French from their position. The Allies win decisively if by midnight they occupy the 5 towns/villages of the French line and they still have 8 commands unexhausted and no more than 4 French commands are unexhausted . The Allies win tactically if the French still occupy any 2 of their front line towns/villages or 3 or more of their commands suffer morale collapse or if more than 5 French commands are unexhausted. Russian Reserve Cavalry, V Guards or III Grenadier Corps are under personal command of Barclay de Tolly and are the Allies Final Reserve in this campaign. Blucher must request their release from the Umpire.
Scenario notes:
1. Movement. The ground was soft in places and snowfalls varied randomly all day from sleet to impenetrable blizzard, therefore:
- As each division is moved, roll a die. On a 1-3 halve it's movement, on a 4-6 it may move at full speed.
- Some artillery units became bogged down in the mud and deep snow therefore all artillery units must be stationary to fire, in addition to the movement rule above.
- Due to snow, roads give no movement advantage.
2. Visibility. Brief but heavy snow flurries were a feature of the battle. On occasion gunners laid their pieces on a target only to loose it in the 'soup'. This particularly affected the Russian reserve artillery which was sited too cautiously. After targets have been allocated but before firing is resolved, roll a die for each firing unit: 1-2 visibility is 4", 3-4 visibility is 8", 5-6 visibility is normal. There were several instances of artillery being overrun by cavalry charges, both limbered and deployed. This seemed to hamper the gunners but not the cavalry charge, hence visibility for moving to contact is not affected by the above visibility rule.
3. Firing. The Russian infantry in front of La Rothiere found that the snow had dampened their powder. Deduct one die roll from each infantry brigade firing unless in a town or village. This does not apply to skirmishers who are assumed to use small areas of cover and shelter such as copses and isolated farms and who are considered to posess enough initiative to keep their power dry.
4. Turn 1 is 1:00p.m. Dusk descends on game turn 6 (6:00 p.m.) when visibility reduces to 8". Darkness falls on game turn 7 (7:00 p.m.) when visibility reduces to 4". The last game turn is 13 (1:00a.m. 2nd Feb). The Allies are the attackers.
5. The river Aube is unfordable. North of Dienville it forms the west map edge. All woods are 'open'. The French have loopholed and prepared Dienville, La Rothiere, Petit Mesnil, La Gibervie and Chaumesnil for defence. Attackers receive a -1 morale modifier when meleeing defenders in these places.
Umpire notes: (information not to be given to either side)
For political reasons the Allied high command gave tactical command of the battle to Blucher. While the Allies sought to inflict a reverse on Napoleon, they did not want Blucher to soundly beat him since he would then have more fuel for his personal fire to get to Paris and occupy it. Even a reverse for the Allies (such is the strangeness when politics influence the battlefield) would not be unwelcome since another defeat for him would lessen Blucher's political clout. Therefore the Allies win decisively if by midnight they occupy the 5 towns/villages of the French line, they still have 8 commands unexhausted, no more than 4 French commands are unexhausted and no stands of Russian Reserve Cavalry, V Guards or III Grenadier Corps have made attacks and/or advanced more than 18" from the south map edge. The Allies win tactically if the French still occupy any 2 of their front line towns/villages or 3 or more Allied commands suffer morale collapse or if more than 5 French commands are unexhausted. If any stands of Russian Reserve Cavalry, V Guards or III Grenadier Corps have made attacks, the Allies may only draw, regardless of the success on the ground.
If an umpire is not available I suggest the three Allied Reserve Corps are deleted from the Allied OOB. To use them without limitation will result in a walkover.
The Map
Acknowledgments to P P H Heath and his excellent little booklet "Great Battles of History Refought - La Rothiere", Anschluss, 1987.