North And South Line Battle Rule Set Discussion

[Hethwill]

Don't worry, once my Rangers take the field, we'll demonstrate how its done

Salute.


Nothing like a squadron riding up in between the line and turn a regiment. Happened to us (20th ME ) last LB when those dragoons rode up between the lines, took up the rear, delivered two volleys, remounted and replaced. Was enough to make our position perilous. And yes, the cav lost a few guys, but it surely paid off. On the plus side, they were working conjunction with the Louisiana Tigers, which made their actions even more dangerous. Can't recall their regiment, but was really nice to see, even from the Union side and losing.

 

[5arge]

Nothing like a squadron riding up in between the line and turn a regiment. Happened to us (20th ME ) last LB when those dragoons rode up between the lines, took up the rear, delivered two volleys, remounted and replaced. Was enough to make our position perilous. And yes, the cav lost a few guys, but it surely paid off. On the plus side, they were working conjunction with the Louisiana Tigers, which made their actions even more dangerous. Can't recall their regiment, but was really nice to see, even from the Union side and losing.

That was the Kentucky Field Cavalry supporting the Pub Tigers. Unfortunately your cavalry (me and the 2ndRI) were busy dragooning the 33rd VA and the Rddt Texans at the time.

 

[LaBelle]

Nothing like a squadron riding up in between the line and turn a regiment. Happened to us (20th ME ) last LB when those dragoons rode up between the lines, took up the rear, delivered two volleys, remounted and replaced. Was enough to make our position perilous. And yes, the cav lost a few guys, but it surely paid off. On the plus side, they were working conjunction with the Louisiana Tigers, which made their actions even more dangerous. Can't recall their regiment, but was really nice to see, even from the Union side and losing.

That was the Kentucky Field Cavalry supporting the Pub Tigers. Unfortunately your cavalry (me and the 2ndRI) were busy dragooning the 33rd VA and the Rddt Texans at the time.

...Didn't a clan get banned for having their acronym be KFC in Secession?

 

[5arge]

I don't recall that dude. The original KFC were guys i knew from Native.

 

[LaBelle]

Huh, I was wondering if it was the same guys from Secession is all.  BACK ON TOPIC, SLAVES.*Whipcrack*

 

[5arge]

Huh, I was wondering if it was the same guys from Secession is all.  BACK ON TOPIC, SLAVES.*Whipcrack*

No, not the same guys. The old KFC were dudes from a Native clan called PRT, now known as Ra. The new KFC are members of the 1stEPI from what I gather.

 

[TheBoberton]

Am I the only one who finds that abbreviation extremely amusing?

 

[Storm0711]

I understand your point, though I dislike it. I must say one thing and understand this is from Wikipedia; there had been 4 types of cavalry at the time and 2 of them , including mount infantry, did get off horses to shoot. Regular cavalry that was armed with shotguns for the confeds and carbines and sabres for the union did fight from horseback. I understand that charging into the enemy is not the most tactical way of doing things. I would think that at least allowing cavalry to shoot from a distance in a semi sort of line would at least be acceptable.

 

[5arge]

I would think that at least allowing cavalry to shoot from a distance in a semi sort of line would at least be acceptable.

It is at my line battles. The original point of this thread was to advocate shooting from horseback at any time however. That I think would unbalance things.

 

[Hethwill]

Storm, as i said before, and you can also get to know that, at the beginning of the hostilities and up to the Wilderness campaign both sides were a bit at a loss with the use of cavalry. Southerners used most of those shotguns and dazzling sabre and pistol mounted partisan way, especially to disrupt supply lines.

Once the standards of cavalry operations was set by both sides, the proper Civil War cavalryman was set for good ( European powers had already abandoned shock cavalry since the 1840's when the rifle became effective over the 120 yards mark ).

West theatre actually is more responsible for the romantic mounted partisan rangers image of guns blazing from atop horse, for many reasons, but foremost the "organized units" were built from local militias ( especially the south ) which had great horsemanship, and stockpiled any types of weapons they could, given the hardship of bringing bundles of weapons from the East through the mountains, etc, with deficient or no existent railroads.


Now, a rule could be set between Cavalry and Rangers, say Rangers are smaller unit, like 2 - 5 players. While cav must be 6+    ??

 

[LaBelle]

Now, a rule could be set between Cavalry and Rangers, say Rangers are smaller unit, like 2 - 5 players. While cav must be 6+    ??

I would have welcomed this rule so long ago when there was only one Ranger regiment.  Now there's 5, and almost no Cavalry for the CSA.  CSA would be constantly outnumbered.

 

[Hethwill]

Now, a rule could be set between Cavalry and Rangers, say Rangers are smaller unit, like 2 - 5 players. While cav must be 6+    ??

I would have welcomed this rule so long ago when there was only one Ranger regiment.  Now there's 5, and almost no Cavalry for the CSA.  CSA would be constantly outnumbered.

Talk about unintended historical accuracy 

But then it comes to the community to do that part, forming up proper regiments, brigades, etc

 

[Korbal]

well we could have  a franco prussian mod with uhlans pointy lances and deadly spike helmet weapons

 

[5arge]

well we could have  a franco prussian mod with uhlans pointy lances and deadly spike helmet weapons

I think you just won the internet. 

 

[TheBoberton]

If someone made the pickelhaube a weapon, that would be the greatest thing... ever.

 

[LaBelle]

If someone made a NaS mod that added all the original NW factions...<.<

 

[Hethwill]

Would like to suggest the most used factor of ACW, in contrast to what we do in NW.

( although in NW it could be done, but given different army philosophies, not all armies would use it, but it is another discussion )

So for American Civil War:

Regiments can detach skirmisher squad. up to 1/5 of the regiment size. Say a 20 man, deploys 4.

Regiment can deploy skirmishers TO THE FRONT. Skirmishers go in front of the regiment and screen the advance.

Skirmishers must never fall out of line of sight. Meaning best use of skirmishers is when approaching areas with cover, like towns, wheat fields, woods, etc. Regimental commanders must make sure they always stay within view range.

Regiment must always move at pace when skirmishers are deployed. AT A WALK !!! MARCH !

Regiment cannot charge unless the Squad is reattached. Can fire normally.



I'm pretty sure many reenactors of ACW understand this perfectly.

 

[Armistead]

Why is cav only allowed to fire in formation and not in a charge and stuff ?

 

[Storantom]

I am former cav and I agree with the intelligent suggestion of indirect support.  That's how cav ALWAYS works, I don't know why these inf think that the few idiots who charge and die represent all cav.

 

[Storantom]

Reason we can no longer charge and fire is it was deemed too powerful by everybody thus disallowed in all linebattles.