© Alberto Giorgi
Muskett, rifle and carabine fire
Once the artillery shoots, we move on to the musket, rifle and carabine shot. In this phase, can fire infantry in formation that has not intention to move. While Line infantry either move or shoot, Light infantry in skirmish order or cavalry with carbine can fire and move (not the other way around). Each infantry or cavalry unit intends to fire against units within its range is entitled to do so, but no friendly troops must stand between the shooting base and the target. Only the bases in the first line can fire.
Small arms fire procedure
Light infantry
Line Infantry
Cavalry
The Light infantry in skirmish has a better range and can fire in any direction around each base. It rolls one die for each base. A regular Light infantry unit's weapon has a lower range than the rifle of an elite Light infantry unit.
The Line infantry, rolls one die for every two bases aligned against a target within 20 cm. The Line always pulls in a straight line perpendicular to the enemy.
Mounted dragons, and Hussars carry small arms such as muskets, rifles, and carbines. Cavalry can roll one die for every two knights. They can fire in any direction around the two bases. They hit with 1. In the example above the French Dragoons have 3 dice rolls available against the English infantry. They must roll three 6-sided dice and get 1 to hit.
Fire range and ability
Range
Line infantry, Light infantry, Mounted dragons, and Hussars carry small arms such as muskets, rifles, and carbines. These have different ranges as shown in the list. A regular Light infantry unit's weapon has a lower range than the rifle of an elite Light infantry unit.
Fire ability
For each outcome (dice-deduction) less than or equal to the fire point on the list, the shot has the equivalent of 1 enemy soldier killed; otherwise, the chance is unsuccessful.
Skirmish protection
Saving throw
Skirmish cover
The French light company, however, is exposed to fire from both the British line and the light company despite having in its favor the "saving throw". The French line unit, on the other hand, cannot fire at the British line because it is covered by a friendly French light company.
In the examples above, the British Light Company can shoot at the French line infantry but the English line infantry cannot do so because from its position the units are protected by the company in skirmish.
Three or two rows
Fire difference
Infantry (standard)
British and allied infantry
In the example shown above, we can see the difference between a French and a British battalion. In the first one, the companies are made up of three toy soldiers, while in the second of two. This fact will result in a difference in fire capability. A British battalion of 900 men (18 toy soldiers) in double line can make two dice rolls while a French battalion of 900 can in the same tactical formation roll only one.
Infantry fought by battalion, and it was the unit by which generals of that period reckoned the strength of their infantry. This maneuver group on the tabletop represents a Napoleonic tactical unit.
Each infantry base represents a company; Normally, it measures 4 x 1.5 cm (1,5" x 0,6") and normally contains three toy soldiers.
The base of the British and some allies measures 3 x 1.5 (1" x 0,6") cms contains two toy soldiers
Line infantry, Light infantry, Mounted dragons, and Hussars carry small arms such as muskets, rifles, and carbines. These have different ranges as shown in the following list. A regular Light infantry unit's weapon has a lower range than the rifle of an elite Light infantry unit.
Special fire
Infantry fire against artillery
Fire from buildings
Square
The garrison will need an area of about twice its size. For a battalion of 4 bases that occupies 24 square centimeters, the building must be at least 48 square centimeters. The garrison acts in the open formation and needs to move outside the building to reform.
Only light infantry can fire from the inside out by rolling one dice for each company. No units (except artillery) can fire at troops inside the building.
The infantry in a Square can shoot from its sides with -1 penalty to the fire ability but not diagonally or intercepting friendly units.
In a melee's circumstance, the Square shot in the reaction phase only if the enemy cavalry is not charging.
When infantry (Line or Light) shoots at artillery, it targets gunners, since muskets do not cause damage to cannons. Roll the dices for each unit shooting as usual with its fire skill chart. If the battery is deployed to fire, make saving throws as if it was in open order (1 or 2), if it is behind a light cover, it has to obtain 1, 2, or 3, if behind a trench, it has to get 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Light infantry
Light company
Light infantry
Elite light infantry
Light infantry companies have three game modes. They can fight inside a line battalion, be part of an entire battalion composed only of light infantry, or act as independent companies. Unlike the line infantry companies make a shot for each board instead of every two and must get 1 or 2 (instead of 1, 2 and 3) with the die to hit. In addition to this they can shoot 360° and not only frontally.
- When the companies are inside the line battalions they act and shoot (at 20 cm) like the other line troops and, when they are separated but close to the rest of the battalion to act as a screen, they act as light infantry (firing up to 30 or 40 cm depending on the type of weapon supplied).
- when a battalion is composed entirely of light infantry, if it is in closed formation (line, column or square), it fights and shoots exactly like the line infantry with the same fire factor; when instead, it is placed in open order, use the expected value for light infantry. It can also keep part of the companies in closed formation and detach some or only one company of shooters chosen in order of skirmish as would a normal line battalion (in the case of the French light battalions, it is the company of the Voltigeurs). In case of danger, the skirmishers can escape behind the main battalion, ready to form a square.
Light companies are usually equipped with a musket, such as line infantry, but sometimes some battalions, considered elite units, are equipped with a rifle that has a better (40 cm) range of fire. At the end, however, apart from the greater shooting distance, it has the same effectiveness (1, 2 ) since the higher accuracy is compensated by the lower loading speed.
-When companies leave the formation of membership by moving away, they behave like light infantry. They act completely independently and usually do so to guard a building, a forest, or to guard a strategic point. To eliminate the base, all soldiers in the company must be eliminated.
© Alberto Giorgi