Written by Charles S. Grant (Published by Partizan Press: 2008–2015)
The Mini-Campaign Series: Narrative Wargaming at its Finest
Introduction: Charles S. Grant has provided the 18th-century wargamer with a masterclass in scenario design through this six-book series. While the narrative follows the fictitious struggle between the Grand Duchy of Lorraine and the Vereinigte Freie Städte (VFS), the tactical problems posed are universal. For the Muskets & Magnification project, these volumes offer a perfect way to transition from one-off battles to a cohesive, story-driven campaign.
1. The Raid on St. Michel (2008)
The series opener introduces five linked "Table Top Teasers." This volume is particularly useful for our 6mm Baccus figures as it focuses on provincial raids where speed is key. The scenarios help us utilize our light cavalry and smaller 24-figure infantry battalions in roles beyond the grand battle line, such as securing river crossings or defending remote hamlets.
2. The Annexation of Chiraz (2008)
Focusing on a political crisis and a disrupted marriage, this volume adds a layer of "Grand Strategy" to the tabletop. It’s an excellent guide for using our Brigade Commanders and Overall Commander bases to represent the high-stakes escort missions and political maneuvering that often preceded the real-world battles of the Third Silesian War.
3. The Wolfenbuttel War (2012)
This is perhaps the most clever volume, translating the operational movement of the 1815 Waterloo Campaign into a mid-18th-century setting. For our Black Powder games, it provides the perfect justification for massing our Austrian and Prussian cavalry brigades on the flanks to simulate the high-pressure flanking maneuvers Frederick the Great was famous for.
4. The Siege of La Crenoil (2013)
A true gem for terrain lovers, this volume focuses on siege warfare. It gives us a reason to bring our 3-gun artillery batteries and engineer units to the forefront. The transition from small-scale trench raids to a final grand assault on the breaches allows us to showcase our Total Battle Miniatures resin buildings in a truly central role.
5. Attack on the Junger (2014)
Continuing the conflict with high-tension actions like the "Surprise Attack at Haux," this book is all about reaction and readiness. It perfectly simulates the "fog of war" that Christopher Duffy wrote about, testing how quickly our 24-figure battalions can form up from column into line when the enemy appears on the horizon.
6. Border Raid: "Pillage in Procrastor" (2015)
The final volume moves away from pre-planned pieces and into player-driven orders. This is the ultimate test for our Black Powder roster, as it forces the player to manage smaller detachments across a wider front, making every 12-figure cavalry stand and independent officer base essential to victory.
Tactical Utility: What makes Grant's work so enduring is the "Table Top Teaser" philosophy. These aren't just stories; they are tactical puzzles. They encourage us to look at our 6mm world not just as a collection of pretty models, but as a functioning military system where logistics, terrain, and leadership (Staff Ratings) are the deciding factors.
Conclusion: If you are looking to move beyond the "encounter battle" and give your miniatures a world to live in, this series is mandatory. It turns a collection of lead into a living history of the Grand Duchy, or in our case, the battlefields of Silesia.
Comments
Post a Comment