Hougamont 15mm Black Powder

I picked up a copy of Perfidious Albion Vol 2 in the New Year.  As it's been ages since we last did anything Napoleonic, Ian and I gave the Hougamont scenario from the BP supplement a try out.  We played through 8 turns, but ran out of models for reinforcements.  By that stage every French infantry figure that we possess was on the table, as well as almost all the British, just enough highlanders for a small brigade left (they would have had to represent the KGL and Guards), but sadly no Brunswickers yet.

The photos below show the situation as we had to call a close.  The Allied defenders have withdrawn into the chateau, walled enclosure, orchards and formal gardens, although there are some scattered units retiring through the woods.  Opposite the chateau, lining the track, is Bauduin's brigade, with Tissot's brigade in the far distance swinging around to envelope Hougamont from the rear.  In the foreground, Soye's brigade is about to storm the orchard.

Soye's brigade, pretty much intact, although the left most battalions have taken some hits through flanking fire from tiny Nassau infantry batallions in the woods.  A distinct lack of firepower is a disadvantage for tiny units!

Bauduin's brigade facing up against a tiny unit of Nassauers in the chateau and a scratch unit of small Guards infantry batallions in the walled enclosure and orchards.  Bauduin's brigade has lost one battalion that turned and fled.

Bauduin's and Tissot's brigades, Tissot is inching around the angle of the orchard to come against the rear of Hougamont.  Not on table is a battalion of British Guards infantry in the orchard (we didn't put it on as it was the last turn).

Another view of Hougamont from the main British line.

We called it a draw.  The French had 4 turns left in which to take the chateau and felt they had a good chance to do it.  The Allies were nervous, but generally happy with their defensive line.  Tissot's brigade might have had a nasty shock when the final Allied reserves arrived, including a brigade of the KGL and a brigade of Brunswickers, coming on in 2 turns time.

All in all, a good scenario, probably needs a bit longer than an evening to play through to a conclusion.  We were happy with how the table looked, with nice sense of mass to the French brigades as they advanced.

Thanks for looking.