Disaster for Hoegaarden

Last nights battle was a disaster for Hoegaarden. The flower of her soldiers were cut down by the muskets and bayonets of Prussia. Her valiant soldiers tired to hold back the tide, unsupported by her allies, until barely the colour parties of her regiments remained! Grudgingly they lowered their standards and surrendered, cursing the Austrians and especially the Duke of Campari, whose soldiers tardy arrival and desultory actions had sealed the Hoegaarden men's fate.

Coalition warfare is always problematic. Contingents with different levels of training, experience, equipment and sometimes even languages. So it was that called on by her Austian allies Hoegaarden sent 3 regiments of horse, 2 foot and 1 half grenadier battalion.  Taking up position to the left of several Austrian regiments and their artillery and to the right of what should have been positions occupied by 

Campari. 

Facing them on a low hill were several regiments of prussians well supported by artillery and three regiments of horse. On Hoegaarden's right were ranged regiments of Hannoverians whilst on her left the remaining prussians sat watching the Campari contingent arrive in the distance.

The Austrians faced off gainst the Hannoverians - but were protected by a thick hedge. This screened them for the worst of the fire of their foes 

Eager to drive in their foes postions the Germans advanced. A stiff cavalry battle in the centre raged back and forth as the heavy Hoegaarden regiments held off swarms of Hussars. On the far flank, Campari's troops were entering the battle but would arrive to late to cover or reinforce the Hoegaarden men.

The battle raged and slowly the Hoegaarden casualties mounted. The cavalry almost succeeded in seeing off their foes but were flanked and wiped out.

The German allies had reached the hedge and began to fight their way through it. The crisis point of the battle had been reached and the Germans had the upper hand. At last a Campari regiment arrived, but was out manouvered by the allied cavalry and by now only 4 stands of Hoegaarden men were left. Surrounded and out numbered they had no choice but to surrender and save the further effusion of blood.

With that we halted the game. It's had been a good test of the rules for everyone and, next week, the real campaign starts!