Chapter 11

Horse and Musket Wargames Rules

UNIT TYPES

This game features the unit types of Infantry, Cavalry, Skirmishers, and Artillery. The first three occupy a frontage of 4–6 inches, whereas ordnance is deployed over a width of 2–3 inches. Any size or scale of figure may be used; wargamers should decide for themselves how many figures constitute a given unit.

SEQUENCE OF PLAY

Each complete turn comprises two player turns. Each wargamer follows the sequence listed below in his or her player turn:

1. Movement
2. Shooting
3. Hand-to-Hand Combat
4. Eliminating Units

1. MOVEMENT

Movement Allowances. Units may move up to the distances listed below during their turn:

Unit Type	Movement Distance
Infantry and Artillery	6”
Skirmishers	9”
Cavalry	12”

Turning. Units turn by pivoting on their central point. They may do so at the start and/or the end of their move.

Terrain. Units are affected by terrain as follows:

• Woods. Only Skirmishers may enter.
• Towns. Only Infantry and Skirmishers may end their move in a town.
• Marshland and Lakes. These are impassable to all units.
• Rivers. These may only be crossed via bridges and fords.
• Roads. Units moving by road increase their movement distance by 3” iftheir entire move is spent on the road. This bonus may not be received if charging.

Moving and Shooting. Units may not shoot if they have moved during the same turn.

Interpenetration. Only Skirmishers may pass through other units (and vice versa).

Charge Moves. Cavalry are the only unit type that may enter Hand-to-Hand Combat. Charges are resolved by moving the attacking unit into contact with their victim. They are subject to the following restrictions:

• Turning. A charging Cavalry unit may turn once, at the start of its move. This evolution may not exceed 45º.
• Limited Engagement. Only one attacking unit may engage any given defending unit.
• Fighting. Combat is resolved during the Hand-to-Hand Combat phase.

2. SHOOTING

The procedure for Shooting is as follows (note that cavalry units do not shoot; all other units can).

Adjudge Field of Fire. Units may only shoot at a single target within 45º of their frontal facing, except for:

• Units in Towns. These have a field of fire of 360º, and may therefore engage any single target in any direction.

Measure Range. Infantry and Skirmishers have a range of 12”; Artillery has a range of 48”.

Assess Casualties. Units roll a die when shooting. Infantry use the unmodified score; the result for Skirmishers and Artillery is reduced by 2. The final score gives the number of hits the target acquires, which is modified by the following:

• Cover. Units in woods or towns only suffer half the registered number of hits (any fractions are rounded in favour of the unit shooting).

3. HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT

The procedure for Hand-to-Hand Combat is as follows:

One Sided Combat. Only the attacking unit inflicts casualties.

Assess Casualties. The attacking cavalry unit rolls a die and adds 2 to the result; this denotes the number of hits acquired by the defender, which are modified by the following:

• Terrain. If the defending unit occupies a hilltop, it only suffers half the indicated number of hits (rounding any fractions in favour of the attacker).
• Cavalry Targets. Defending Cavalry units only acquire half the registered number of hits (rounding fractions in favour of the attacker).
• Flank or Rear Attacks. Units engaged in their flank or rear suffer double the normal amount of hits.

Retreat. If failing to destroy the enemy, attacking Cavalry units retreat 6” after the combat is resolved, ending the move facing their erstwhile target.

4. ELIMINATING UNITS

Units are eliminated upon the acquisition of 15 hits.

5. SQUARE FORMATION (OPTIONAL RULE)

Infantry units may move to or from Square formation at the start of the movement phase. The formation has the following effects:

• No Movement. Units in Square may not move.
• No Shooting. Units in Square may not shoot.
• Protection from Cavalry. Enemy Cavalry units may not charge an Infantry unit in Square formation.