THE BATTLE OF WILLOW ROAD BRIDGE

The Setting

After a score of years with their grievances to high  taxes, unfair trade policies, lack of true representation in the Imperial Council, and inequality under the laws, the Union of the Packs of the Commonwealth regions had had enough. In the winter of 1761, they declared independence from the Wolfenstein Empire. Everyone knew the Empire would attempt to bring the rebels back into the fold--by force if necessary--but would have to wait for good weather.

The Union knew there were too many bridges across the Plains River to be able to guard them all, so set about destroying the places it could not control. The Willow Road Bridge was one of these, and while the Union did not expect any opposition, prudence dictated sending an armed escort.

The Empire had spent the winter scouting for the best invasion points into the Union. Some, like the city of The Plains were going to be heavily defended, so finding an undefended crossing point to launch a flanking maneuver was decided on. Willow Road provided a good network to travel on and the bridge across the Plains River was wide and strong enough to handle the largest, heaviest artillery and wagons. It was decided to send a reconnaissance in force to capture the bridge in preparation of the main forces crossing. 

The Battle Field Looking West at the Top

The Union General Baysmoon had started his force off just before dawn. On arriving at the objective around seven in the morning, his engineer informed him that it would take his group about five hours to prepare the bridge for destruction. Baysmoon set them immediately onto their task while he went off to the local tavern to have breakfast, leaving his second in command, General Hunter to oversee the troops in his absence. Returning just after nine, he noticed a cloud of dust on the horizon. General Hunter, who had been observing the same dust from atop the nearby hill, quickly road down to his commander. “It would seem we are in for a show today. What are your orders Sir?”

With the enemy approaching, the Union forces cross the bridge to take up a defensive position on the hills to the east and form a blocking force across the main road.

Union Forces Headed to the East

Seeing the unexpected enemy in their defensive positions, Imperial General Sir Arfer sends his cavalry to both flanks while his infantry begins arriving along the road. Knowing time is critical, he launches his cavalry on the attack--not waiting for his infantry support--expecting that his quality and weight of numbers will carry them to victory. The outcome is not what he expected. Both sides’ battle cavalry force their opponents to retreat, while the Union’s Spitz’s Hussars easily defeat Lord Saluki’s Hussars. Their success is short lived as the Hussar’s lively charge carries them into the fire of the Empires light infantry causing Spitz;s forces to retreat.

Empire's Lord Pawling's Cuirassier Clash with the Union Snifferbutt's Dragoons

Light Cavalry Clash. Once Old Friend Meet in Combat for the First Time. 

Spitz's Hussars on the Left, Empire's Saluki's the Right

However indecisive the cavalry battle, it buys time for the Empire’s infantry to deploy and begin the general advance. A fire fight erupts across the whole line and the Union finds itself needing to give ground to prevent the battle line being flanked. The slow progress allows both sides’ cavalry to recover and reenter the fight. This time the Union’s Snifferbutt’s Dragoon rout the Empire’s Beggin’s Dragoon. This allowed them to make the significant contribution to the infantry assault that otherwise would have left the Union’s last line infantry alone against three opponents. 

Empire Shepardton's Lights Skirmishing with the Union Battle Line

With the Union forces pressed against the river, the Empire launched the decisive assault across the entire line. Victory would see them capture the bridge, but it was not yet to be. Both sides’ infantry were routed while Snifferbutt’s dragoons were victorious. The Empire still had one more trick in its bag. Launching the recovered Lord Pawling’s Cuirassier into a charge, with the support of the Shepardton’s Light Infantry, they routed the dragoon’s but were themselves routed. This removed all Union opposition from the east side of the bridge with most of the Union forces in a near state of collapse. During this whole time, the Union engineers had been working. Even with all the coming and going, through their Herculean effort the bridge had been mined. The fuse was lit, it burned, then sputtered, when suddenly, just as the Pawling’s Light Infantry neared the bridge, it exploded in a spectacular display. Miraculously all the Union troops had made it back west of the river before the bridge’s destruction. Tired and worn, the Union forces made a hasty withdrawal as the Empire troops could only watch.

The Empire's Assault. Out Numbering the Enemy 2-to-1 What Could go Wrong?

The Infantry on Both Side Retreating. Odds are Still in the Empires Favor

All the Union Forces Retreated to the West the Shepardton Lights Watch as the Bridge Over the Plains River Explodes. 

Observations

The game went well as most of the time my opinion kept shifting as to which side I felt had the upper hand. The Empire took the maximum time to reach the battlefield. They were hindered by a few low activity turns, yet they came within a moment of winning the game. The Union cavalry are the heroes of the day, especially Colonel Snifferbutt’s Dragoons. At every critical moment, the cavalry force rose to the occasion. Getting Admirable command results, allowed them to make double moves to get to critical positions and fight well above the average.

Overall, it was a close game with both armies being just short of the breaking point. I really thought I had myself handily beat a couple of times, only to see critical reversals take place. The next battle will be the Crossing Point.