A brief photographic report of our latest game of Rebels and Patriots the black powder large skirmish by Michael Leck and Daniel Mersey from the successful Lion Rampant franchise.
Once again, we refought the Battle of Calatafimi (1860) during The Thousand campaign of Giuseppe Garibaldi against the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. I was able to umpire the game with my friends, following the rule scenario I published in the latest issue of Wargames Soldiers and Strategy (118), which featured three articles of mine, all set in Sicily in different periods.
This scenario is available as a free PDF on the Karwansaray Publisher website, so don't hesitate to test it and let me know your opinion!
The scenario ran smoothly, with the Garibaldines advance frustrated by the lack of initiative of one unit, which led to uncoordinated advance. The first assault was successful, dealing a lot of damage to the Borbonic Cacciatori Esteri, however, the winning unit wavered, despite the minimum loss, and that gave the Borboni time to reform the line. A unit of Picciotti (fielded as skirmishers) was driven away, leaving the approaching forces unscreened.
From that moment Red Shirts units, advancing one at the time were welcomed by relentless musketry fire, accumulating a lot of casualties. Despite a fierce fight they had to leave the battlefield.
On the other side of the battlefield, a courageous Garibaldine artillery officer repelled a flanking attempt from a Borbonic light cavalry unit, but it wasn't enough to save the day. Did Landi (the General leading the Borbonic army) save the Kingdom?
