Gates of Asadero - Battle Report

 ENEMY AT THE GATES!

Citizens in Asadero awoke to the sound of Artillery - and cannonballs bouncing down the Prime Boulevarde. The Crimsonian Army, fresh from its victory at Bottonlyme Crossroads, have arrived at Asadero, Capital of Mauxica, and home of the Revolution!

After this fire, a message was received from Brigadier General H. Charbonnier, as follows:

In response to this message, Cerphilius Maximouse, recently appointed Lieutenant of the Revolution in the place of his fallen brother and former President, rallied and formed the Goudason Regiment - raw recruits formed hurriedly this season. The regiment stood-to in defence of the city, even as many of the better-to-do citizens evacuated. This Maximouse, is, unlikely as it seems, just as charismatic and inspirational as his brother.

Meanwhile, Albrecht Goudason, head of the department of dirty tricks, has deployed companies of partisans with orders to "sell their lives dearly" as they delay and disrupt the Crimsonian advance.

The Militia will not need to fight the battle alone - report indicate that Commanding General Bobr Morski is only a few hours march away. Battle will be joined at the gates of Asadero!

BATTLE JOINED IN THE FIELD!

{Crimsonian Guns open the battle, firing at the Covert Division skirmishers}

{THe Mauxican Army crosses the river, with Morski on the Left, and Cotija on the right. Maximouse Commands the Raw Militia in front of the city}

{Duhamel Commands the Crimsonian left, and volley fires into the skirmishers}

{Across the River, the Infantry forms line}

{And the gun line forms - the Mauxicans have a massive advantage in Artillery (all of it light) so can afford to stand back and make the Crimsonians come to them}

{the Yellow-trousered Regiment in the centre of the line are the Stilwenese Grenadiers - Elite Mercenaries that have drained the Mauxican Treasury for many seasons. Now they are on the field of battle at last}

{This is the massive 2nd Artillery Regiment - all of Militia Quality, but still putting out enormouse firepower}

{The Crimsonian Infantry is still dealing with the skirmishers - three turns of delay and counting!}

{the Mauxican Artillery open fire}

{Charbonnier, still feeling the impact of the wound from the previous battle, rallies the troops under Artillery fire, and having cleared the skirmishes in front, orders the advance.}

{Duhamel advances on the right, Charbonnier in the centre. De Waart is still delayed on the right. But the Cavalry and Elites move out on the far right}

{the Mauxican Artillery Continues to fire with some effect}

{like this kind of effect - half the shots are hits, and Charbonnier's Regiment loses a stand}

{De Waart is still dealing with Skirmishers, and taking hits from artillery}

{Mauxican Infantry advance in the Centre}

{Duhamel advances against the raw Militia guarding the City - his orders are to crush them and join Charbonnier in the centre before the Mauxicans can bring their superior numbers to bear. Charbonnier meanwhile advances on the guns - they have no grapeshot, being light guns, so the plan is to charge and destroy them before too much damage is done}

{A view of the whole field - whoever wins initiative this turn will be able to charge first...}

{And the Crimsonians win the roll}

{the tiny Regular Cavalry of Olivier will be able to hit the much larger, but Militia Cavalry of the Mauxicans}

{While the tiny elite Legros Regiment is just able to reach the light guns! They will suffer horribly from fire as they charge}

{Crimsonian Cavalry are able to defeat Mauxican in melee - pushing them back with casualties.

Legros' Elites will draw with the artillery battery - both lose a stand, but combined with the losses from being shot at on the way in, Legros' regiment ceases to exist}

{in the Centre the Stilwenese Grenadiers open fire with deadly volleys}

{Charbonnier's Regiment has taken heavy casualties from the artillery, but prepares to charge home.}

{And Duhamel charges the raw Militia and Maximouse}

{on the far right, the Mauxican Cavalry come back, ready for a re-match next turn. Who will win initiative?}

{Volleys are exchanged in the centre}

{And on the right}

{on the left, the Raw Militia are able to defeat the Regulars! Duhamel cannot believe it as the Regiment falls back with losses - 12 dice to 7 and they still lost!}

{in the centre, Charbonnier's Regiment wins a much more unlikely fight against the guns, forcing the crews to abandon the cannon and run}

{Duhamel is enraged, and launches another charge on the left - and barely pushes the Militia back}

{Mauxicans won initiative, and so get to charge with the Cavalry first on the right}

{Charbonnier is wounded again}

{but it is only a minor wound}

{Duhamel exchanges fire with the militia - not enough command points to charge this turn}

{Rolling volleys in the centre, but the Mauxicans have the numbers and are inflicting absurd casualties}

{on the far right (photo is upside down) the Cavalry fight is much fairer - neither side scores a hit, which results in the Crimsonians being destroyed}

{Duhamel decides he has to charge and destroy the Militia so he can get to the centre and swing the balance back to Crimsonia...}

{but they take 3 hits on the charge...}

{And lose the melee! What is going on! Duhamel loses two stands and is forced back. There will be no more charges on the left}

{A view of the entire field}

{Charbonnier is shot and killed - his regiment has ceased to exist but fought to the last man.}

{The Crimsonian left has ceased to exist, and the Mauxicans advance to envelop. De Waard orders the retreat - the army is exhausted and about to be destroyed}

{Bobr Morski is Victorious - the Stilwenese Grenadiers have held in the centre, taking a third of their force in casualties}

{Maximouse and Goudason's Militia Regiment have held the gates to Asadero against all odds}

VICTORY! ENEMY REPULSED! 

This journalist can report from the field of battle that the Crimsonian threat to Asadero has been defeated, and that the body of Brigadier General H. Charbonnier, who only this morning threatened to bombard our beloved city, has been found on the field.

Commanding General Bobr Morski has been hailed in the streets of Asadero as a Hero of the Revolution. Morski has said "The troops deserve all the praise. They fought for freedom! They stood their ground and would not yield!"

Lieutenants Cotija and Maximouse have also been received with rapturous applause and acclamation. "Our losses are severe," Cotija said. "But the enemy's are worse - we have struck a blow against the Imperial power that would oppress the common mouse!"

While Maximouse is quoted as saying "That was close. Damn close. Very damn close."

Casualties among the Mauxicans are believed to extend to almost 1200 soldiers killed and wounded - it is believed that a similar number of Crimsonians were lost.