Back to The First Carlist War

This post is really about using Field of Battle for the First Carlist War that said if you use some other modular, tool kit like rules it may be of use to you too.  If neither of those things apply, I hope you enjoy the photos and can find something of interest in the information below.

The Carlist War has some oddities all of the infantry on both sides often had to fight in skirmish order.  For the Carlists charging home while in skirmish order was a frequent event.  Infantry squares lacked the resilience of those formed by soldiers of other nations.  Terrain often prevented the effective use of cavalry that arm was under represented in most forces.

There were also difference in the capabilities of Carlists and Isabelino forces.  The Carlist infantry could move faster and were more aggressive than the Isabelino infantry.  The British Auxiliary Legion (BAL) were slower still.  The Isabelinos could expect to win fire fights simply by virtue of having more ammunition.

To try and capture all this on the table top I intend using the following amendments.

Infantry Movement

Carlist infantry add a +1 to their movement dice throw

Isabelino do not add a +1 to their movement dice throw

BAL infantry deducts -1 from their movement dice throw

Skirmishing

Carlist infantry in skirmish order who choose to charge do get the up 1 Dice size bonus for charging.  Other charging skirmishers don't get the up 1 Dice size bonus.

Firing

Isabelino infantry add +1 to their firing dice throw.

Melee

Carlist infantry add a +1 to their melee dice throw

I'm still thinking about brittle squares, so more anon.

Readers who play Field of Battle will notice that the foregoing does not provide major advantages to any of the combatants.  Had I wished to create that effect I’d have substituted up or down one dice size rather than plus or minus 1 to dice throws.

This reflects my current understanding of how battle was fought in the First Carlist War.  Carlists always moved fastest but were not always out shot and Isabelinos won many a melee. I have opted for a nuanced approach that would slightly tip the balance in certain circumstances.  Let’s hope it works.