Cowpens 1781 - the Battle

 So, the Wing Scale variant of V&B, extends ranges, and utilises skirmishers/detachments in a more period manner. (available on the Mr McNelley'sV&B fansite and J.D.Glasco's site). For example, light infantry can break down and recombine, yet light units can also be charged etc.

I re-arranged the American deployment historically, and juggled with some of Tarleton's position viz the 71st Highlanders and British Legion - otherwise, the battle was pretty close to the historical layout; the American first line mainly composed of militia - who predictably, using the militia/poor troops rule, were very brittle, then the continentals who would give excellent account...until the last turn, and the cavalry, who would become engaged early on the American left, holding British dragoons.

British 1st attack: Dragoons on the British right. Legion cavalry on the left, though this shows the British problem - with troops with good morale, and only Tarleton and a sub commander, V&B punishes the lack of command with a shorter command radius at wing scale - historically accurate, since Tarleton had great concerns on the day co-ordinating movements.

American response on their left...the militia holds the line under the first vollies of British fire.

The militia hold for the most part (amazingly so against the Legion charge)

Legion cavalry charge on the British left - though they charge their way out of Tarleton's command radius - a one hit wonder...

Americans defend the flank - British dragoons can not break through.

The legion cavalry breaks through, but will now have to move back toward command, rather than be free to exploit the flank.

Of course, the flank move brings the legion cavalry into range of the continental line...(range is extended at this scale, making stationary troops in good positions VERY deadly)

A strong British attack starting to build.

71st Highlander assault

The Continental line

Trading muskets and charges, battalions become rapidly exhausted and/or are shot from the field...the Scots remain in place, but are slowly eroded by accurate American skirmish fired

By game end, the British are exhausted, with very few units that can move toward the enemy...an American victory, and very close to the historical battle.

A great variant of the original rules. The changes ALL make sense - range, command determination, movement, co-ordination of units within the scale...the changes work - the main mechanisms change to suit that. Contrast with Black Powder, which simply seems to throw a scale at an existing warhammer style game to suit the beer and pretzels experience. BP thereby doesn't work. V&B has a sensible and elegant design mechanism, and thus gives a good, reliable and historical game and experience...always.