Wellesley in India

The Black Powder supplement Last Argument of Kings got its first run out on Sunday. We did a Wellesley in India scenario using the colonial India data from the supplement.

The opposing forces:

British
Unit	Size	Type	Weapon	H to Hand	Shoot	Morale	Stamina	Special
Wellesley (9)
Dragoons	Small	Reg. Cav	Sword	4	1	3+	3	Ferocious Charge, Valiant, Marauders
Dragoons	Small	Reg. Cav	Sword	4	1	3+	3	Ferocious Charge, Valiant, Marauders
Sepoy Btn	Small	Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	4+	3	First Fire
1st Foot Brigade (8)
Line Regt	Standard 18	Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	3+	3	First Fire, Reliable, Steady
Sepoy Regt	Standard 18	Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	4+	3	First Fire
		Artillery	Smoothbore	1	3-2-1	4+	2
2nd Foot Brigade (8)
Line Regt	Standard 18	Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	3+	3	First Fire, Reliable, Steady
Sepoy Regt	Standard 18	Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	4+	3	First Fire
		Artillery	Smoothbore	1	3-2-1	4+	2
Native Prince
Unit	Size	Type	Weapon	H to Hand	Shoot	Morale	Stamina	Special
Nawab (7)
Bodyguard	Small	Reg. Cavalry	Sword	6	3	5+	3	Lancers
		Artillery	Smoothbore	1	3-2-1	4+	2
		Artillery	Smoothbore	1	3-2-1	4+	2
		Rockets		1	2	4+	2
Ist Brigade (7)
French' Battalion	Standard 18	Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	4+	3	Reliable
Native Infantry	Standard	Irr. Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	5+	?	Untested, warband
Native Infantry	Standard	Irr. Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	5+	3	Unreliable, warband
Native skirmishers	Small	Irr. Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	2	5+	2	Skirmish
2nd Brigade (7)
Sepoy Battalion	Standard 18	Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	4+	3	Reliable
Native Infantry	Standard	Irr. Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	3	5+	3	Bloodthirsty, warband
Native skirmishers	Small	Irr. Infantry	Smoothbore Musket	6	2	5+	2	Skirmish
Right Wing Cavalry (6)
Native Horse	Standard	Cavalry	Sword	6	1	5+	3	Warband,
Native Horse	Standard	Cavalry	Sword	6	1	5+	3	Warband, Wavering
Right Wing Cavalry (6)
Native Horse	Standard	Cavalry	Sword	6	1	5+	3	Warband,
Native Horse	Standard	Cavalry	Sword	6	1	5+	3	Warband, Wavering

The native cavalry started the battle with a bold sweep on the left that was eventually fought off by the dragoons. The British infantry advanced and engaged the native infantry. Superior fire power won through but it took some time. The right flank cavalry battle was less decisive.

The rules played well and gave a pretty accurate feel for the period. Artillery isn't very effective at long range, and don't bother with rockets - they killed more friendly troops than the enemy! By beefing up the dragoons with special rules they were able to disperse the native cavalry, but it wasn't a foregone conclusion. The infantry battles were more closely fought affairs.