Army List for Sabugal 1811

[ClausewitzRulesOk]

Hi All,

Helping Tas1812 with an army list has made me think I should put together mine for comment and criticism. I reckon its best to get multiple opinions when trying to turn a historical ORBAT into something that works for BP.

I am just collecting one division per side (plus support) at this point for evening long games, but Sabugal was small so its not unfeasible to build up the whole force.

So here we go!

British
3rd Division - CiC Picton

Mackinnon's Brigade

45th, 74th, 1/88th, small unit of 60th Rifles

Colville's Brigade

2/5th, 2/83rd, 66th (standing in for 2/88th!), 94th

Power's Portuguese Brigade

2 battalions each of the 9th & 21st Line

Erskine's cavalry

16th Dragoons, 1st Hussars KGL

I need to put a gun battery in there somewhere as well. Any ideas?

What I am unsure about is how to put the French force into BP format. They have silly giant brigades.

Thanks any help, especially on how to organise frogs so they fight fairly!

[Greenjacket]

I designed a scenario based on Sabugal a while ago.

You've forgotten Beckwith and Drummonds' brigades of Light Infantry!!

McKinnon's brigade (1/45th Notts (aka the 'old stubborns'), 1/88th Connaught Rangers) were very tough outfits indeed, and should be Steady, Tough Fighters, etc.

Erskine was blind and insane - so make up a special rule so that he blunders a lot!

The French had very large brigades, but that works out OK as the French didn't show much tactical skill in this battle. The French soldiers were tired and desperately hungry, so they should not have their usual elan. The French cavalry under Pierre Soult were exhausted.

[ClausewitzRulesOk]

Hi Greenjacket, thanks for the reply.

Don't worry, Picton's chaps will get extra rules! I wanted to collect the 3rd division because it had the 45th (a regiment I have great respect for) and also because Picton was a bit of a nutter.

One day I hope to have the forces to do a historical re fight of Sabugal, but in the meantime I just want a 'balanced' game I can play with my non-historical wargaming friends.

That's the problem I'm having with my frenchies at the moment, you see. In my admittedly limited practical experience with BP, I saw how much tougher larger brigades were, and I am worried if I put a french brigade together that the 6 battalions will crush the British 3 battalion brigades.

So far I think I will make a BP 'brigade' out of one french regiment consisting of three battalions and have a colonel figure commanding. Does that seem like a good idea?

I would love to get your input.

Cheers