About Bonaparte: Some Rules Modifications for the British

     In my last post, I described some modifications that I use for American forces in my About Bonaparte games. At that time, I also promised the next being on modifications for the Anglo-Canadian side. I'm going to format it slightly differently than my previous two posts (for some reason the paragraphs had little separation. Hopefully, I've corrected it this time).

    Some of the changes aren't really changes at all, but rather modifications and/or clarifications. Part of the reason is because Canada was considered a "backwater" as far as War Office was concerned. Officers relieved or otherwise removed from the Peninsula (where the "real" action was) were good enough for Canada. Americans? Ah, just a bunch of republican upstarts and amateurs. 

 

British light 6-pounder

    Under the existing About Bonaparte rules, British infantry always deploy into line formation, never attack columns. Road columns for movement only may be used. British regulars are always considered Veterans after 1809.  All British infantry will have an Officer attached. In AB, the attachment of an officer definitely has positive morale effects. For Spain, maybe that's perfectly true, although I have my doubts.

British line with skirmishers out front

    My modifications here are minor. The British forces in Canada were basically garrison forces. What actions they had prior to 1812 were primarily border control and policing. The local tribes were relatively peaceful, and the military presence of the U.S. south of the border was minimal. So, here's what I've done:

    1. Only British reinforcements in late 1813/1814 will be considered Veterans. Troops in Canada prior to the war will be considered Trained.

    2.  All units must have an attached Officer. Attached Officers will be diced for prior to the start of the game. 1-4, they will not affect morale when a flag is thrown. On a 5/6 they will operate normally, allowing the unit to ignore one morale hit.

    3. RN sailors act as (Trained) skirmishers on land, never Veteran. RN artillery crews on land will be considered Veteran.

    4. Canadian Sedentary Militia will always be considered Green. Select Embodied Militia and Canadian Artillery will always be considered Trained. All Anglo-Canadian artillery will be light.

    5. Each Brigade (3-4 units) requires a General Officer. Two or more Brigades acting together will require an additional General Officer and 2 Aides (Officers).

    6. Anglo-Canadian cavalry were primarily used as scouts or recon. I only know of one cavalry charge, and that was a single troop of light dragoons charging an American company (who were able to get to cover in time).

    7. Native allies will always be considered Irregulars. They will follow the rules outlined in the American War of Independence/French and Indian War sections of the basic rules.

    Well, that's it for now. I have come to like these rules. They are by no means perfect, what rules are? But they play fairly well (and of course are subject to local modification). For those who are interested, they are available from Caliver Books: Partizan Press and authored by Dirk Donvil. Check them out at www.caliverbooks.com . Until next time...