REBEL YELL

Frequently asked Questions, Questions and Answers - General Feedback.

"OK sing me one of those songs from the deep south..."
"neezup muvva brahn, neezup muvva brahn...
...triffick init, ear wotch yaw guym san?"

These questions have been asked of us at display games or by email, they are in no particular order.

Are these rules like Fire & Fury?

Not in the slightest.

The loss of a half casualty can be important on deciding who won especially in melee, when do I test for the half in this situation?

The half is not tested until the end of the gameturn, there are no exceptions. A half casualty still counts as a full figure during the hand to hand combat of the melee. Victory in melee can be determined by a half casualty. It is possible to lose because of a half casualty & then save him at the end of the gameturn.

Do I need a limber team for each of my model guns & dismounted cavalry with horse holders etc?

We find that because of the ground scale limbers take up too much room - plus they are pricey too. We use a limber per battery of guns, but that's up to you.

If you wish to get of your horse you must have horse holders & dismounted troopers. We suggest a stand with a horse holder & a few horses to represent the position of the horse holders - again for the sake of space.

What is the ground scale?

All distances are given in yards, a measuring aid is provided marked in yards for the different scales of figures used. There is a fancy coloured version you can download from this site too. People using 25mm scale can still use the traditional wargamers steel rule, for in that scale 1mm represents 1 yard.

How may inches to the yard?

36 :-)

What is the figure ratio?

We get emails from this site on this one. The figure ratio is still 1 figure represents 20 men as it says on the About LRN page...

What are the base sizes?

Base sizes for LRN are given on page 7 of the rules as recommendations for 2-6mm, 15-20mm & 25mm scales. Base sizes are not important in LRN, so long as both armies are based in the same style. If your infantry are based 2 ranks deep, cavalry, & skirmishers one rank deep plus you have plenty of brigadiers & generals, then don't rebase your army if you don't want to.

What is in a scenario pack? & how much are they?

See the scenario page. The scenario packs are £2 each. Currently there are 6 scenario packs for Jackson's Valley Campaign.

During normal movement last turn I did not move my General to a position where he could see the enemy. Can I put him there during charge declarations & then declare a charge?

No. If you fail to put a commander in a position where he is able to give the order to charge that's your fault.

If I cannot charge in the column of route formation, how can I charge across a narrow bridge, or down a narrow road?

This is not explained in the Rules very well, so here goes. Where a piece of terrain such as a narrow street, a breach in a fortress wall or a narrow bridge etc. only permits a one stand wide formation, then charges are allowed but with the following restrictions:
Only the one unit may charge or countercharge.
No support is allowed - the unit fights alone.
A penalty of performing an action is imposed to simulate the troops trying to form a packed column.
The charge may be declared for a unit in Column of route for the above situation only.
Troops testing morale under such circumstances cannot count rear support.

The Victory conditions in some of the Scenario packs allow both sides to win or lose, is this correct?

Yes. In many battles of the ACW the result was stalemate. Both sides naturally claimed a victory. It is up to you to do better than the real Generals did.

How many troops does a skirmish screen cover?

Skirmish companies thrown out in front of a brigade will screen the brigade. Any firing on that brigade will result in the Multi-rank target table on page 25 being used. On occasion the brigade could receive fire from a source that clearly is not firing through the screen. So where does the screen end?
We always agree that if the cumulative fire is split between facing regiments. If any one of these has a skirmish screen, then the Multi-rank target table is used for the whole casualty calculation. See target priorities on page 36. Therefore a unit firing into the flank from a wood for example, where there are no skirmishers, will not need to use the Multi-rank target table. We have always tried to fire so the skirmish screen does take casualties, forcing them to retire - not the other way round.

If firing at a dismounted Cavalry unit, can I just fire at the horses?

No. Men did not fire at just the horses they fired at other men who are a threat. Horses where valuable and in short supply most of the time.
Therefore there is nothing in the rules to allow you to do this, because you are not allowed to do this. If a situation occurs where the horse holding party has become separated from the main body and they come under fire, they are treated as a detached squadron. See detached squadrons and horse holders on page 14.