Muskets and Springfields

Muskets & Springfields is designed for playing big battles in the American Civil War and is not model scale dependent and uses the player’s current basing system. The game is set at the operational level. The player is the army commander with sub command groups. This will be typically a Corps. In these rules a Corp is made up of several infantry brigades, mounted cavalry, and artillery batteries. If you wish you can also include Native American Indian warbands.

The basic unit in wargaming terms is the infantry brigade, which are grouped into Corps or Divisions. The game system uses grids as the unit of measurement. The game space is broken into several square grids which represent 300 yards in ground scale. Taking a balance of the various drill guides of the period this is approximately equal to 600 men in two ranks. For a typical 6x4 playing space it is recommended a ratio width x depth of 1.5 x 1. A typical 6x4 table provides the following 12 (3600 yds) by 8 (2400 yds) of battlefield.

Morale is handled at the corps level and attrition is held at the individual unit base. These rules have three levels of morale. This is not the usual average, veteran, elite often used. Instead, the format is designed to reflect the actual state of mind on the day. These are Unknown, Nervous and Steady. In a game, unless representing specific historical units all bases start as Unknown. The actual morale state is not known till the unit takes damage. The player then rolls against a chart which provides a score for the unit being Nervous or Steady. This is dependent on the year being played and if Confederate or Union. When a unit fails a morale check this is recorded against their parent corps. Once a corps reaches its break point it will then flee the battlefield. Attrition is held at the unit level. This represents loss of cohesion, battlefield casualties or supplies running low. A unit can absorb 6 hits before it is automatically destroyed. 

To facilitate a clean flow of play these rules also facilitate the use of sharpshooters and skirmishers. Turns use a bag-pull system in which it is possible for the non-active player to able to interdict the play.

YouTube Gameplay Video

Click the link for a YouTube video of the Battle of Cedar Mountain 1862 (aka Slaughter's Mountain/Cedar Run) using Muskets & Springfields.

 

".....If you are an experienced ACW wargamer wishing to try something different to ACW rules already out there, or just want to dip your toe into the period without buying thousands of miniatures these rules are worth considering." Colin Ashton, CarryingsOnUpTheDale Blog

"....These are useful rules that you could borrow for any period: one particularly helpful one is that units are of 'unknown' quality until first contact, at which point, a dieroll determines whether they are 'nervous' or 'steady'." Chris Jarvis, Miniature Wargames Issue 484, Aug 2023

"It is an interesting option for wargaming ACW, as it allows you to utilise any types of miniatures without re-basing them; as such it can appeal to both experienced wargamers and those just starting the hobby or this particular historical setting. It could be also used as potential base for other mid-19th century conflicts, with the gameplay on the operational level." Michal Paradowski

"...ultimately the rules are interesting, with mechanisms clearly designed for the recontruction of 'great battles' and good playability due, amongst other things, to the use of a checkerboard to regulate the command ranges, the movements and shootings." Vae Victus No 170 2023 (translated from French)

“The author’s sensible and flexible rules provide an engaging option for wargaming the ACW and other historical conflicts with all types of miniatures in a way that could hold appeal for everyone from beginners to experienced tabletop generals.” Toy Soldier Collector Magazine