French Revolutionary Wars - solo bash

I just had an itch to get the 28mm French Revolutionary Wars French and Austrians out on the table and reacquaint myself with the rules.  I went for a solo game as the Rejects were occupied with the Broadside show and preparing to help out in a demonstration game at Chatham Docks (more to come later).

Background
I went for a small affair.  This is an encounter with one division each meeting as they both proceeded down a major road.

The French were made up of a brigade of six battalions and a medium artillery battery.

The Austrians comprised of a brigade of six battalions each with a light battalion gun, plus a unit of skirmishing grenzers.

The Austrians having scouting superiority have the initiative to lose each turn.

The aim for each side is to capture the opponent's line of communication, or alternatively force the enemy's army to break.

Deployment
Both sides almost mirror each other. However, the weight of the Austrian division is on their left flank, just as is the case for the French who fancy assaulting the hill.

Looking up the road from the French position.

The view from the Austrian perspective.

The Battle
Holding the initiative, the Austrians sprung forward to occupy the town and so close the road for the French,

Moving forward either side of the road the Austrians occupied the hill with the intention of forming a defence whilst the three battalions and skirmishers of their left flank move towards the attack.

With mixed formation of open order and attack columns, the French use their tactical flexibility to advance with purpose towards the Austrians deploying on the hill.

The French attack formation menacingly approaches the hill.

The position as the two sides move into artillery range.

As the French columns bound forward.

The French right pauses in what might be called an aggressive defensive posture.  On the road one battalion remains as a reserve as the sound of musketry and artillery starts to echo across the battlefield.

As the French skirmish line opens up and then pulls back out of the way, the columns come under fire from the defenders and from the troops in the town.

Despite withering fire the French charge into contact.  However, cracks in the resolve of the Austrians shows as they become anxious.

Weight of numbers tell and the Austrians turn tail and rout.

Hoping to break through and open the Austrian line of communication to them, the columns attempt to pursue.  Alas, the exertions of the melee leave them unable to catch the fleeing defenders.

Meanwhile on the other flank, the Austrians advance in line.  The exchange of artillery and musketry is ineffective on both sides.  The Austrian skirmishers screen the French battery but fail to eliminate it as a threat.

With little time for either side to take stock of the situation,  both sides try to assess if opportunity is on their side.

With the French columns exhausted and in need of time to reform, an Austrian battalion turns to bring its small arms to bear with initially little impact.

Meanwhile on the French right, the Austrian skirmishers break contact with the French battery.

The French, insisting on an "active defence" take the fight to the approaching Austrians and charge through a hail of lead from the defending line line and from the town.  The imperial troops also want a decision and a battalion storms the battery, whose gunners are unable to react with sufficient speed.

The French gunners are swept away and the battery captured.  However, the infantry melee is close and bloody.  With the Austrian line holding firm the French morale falters and what remains of the column is repelled and shaken.

The right flanks of both armies are now looking a little brittle.  With both commanders contemplating whether to press the attack or form a defence, the Austrian general now decides that holding the town is not so advantageous and withdraws the battalion to protect his line of communication.

The French pour musketry into the rear of the shaken unit and scatter them to the wind.  However, their impetuosity has left them exposed to enfilade fire from the Austrians in their rear.  But this is only a prelude to the cold steel that is coming their way.

Alas, help is coming too late for the now stricken grognards as they taste the efficacy of Austrian steel.

Now you see them...

... now you don't!

On the other flank, furious volleys of musket fire pour into the French soldiery.

Unable to stand the hail of lead anymore the French column breaks and routs to the rear.  The French right is looking a little fragile.  Do the Austrians have the numbers to take advantage of this situation?

The French commander hurriedly forms a defensive line to protect the line of communication.

While the Austrian general decides to protect a damaged unit by pulling it out of the front line.  It may appear that the moment for the Austrians has gone.

Especially as a French column now charges to breakthrough the Austrian defenders.  A last throw of the dice to snatch victory.

However, the line holds its discipline and fire until the last moment and lets rip with a...

... murderous volley!

The French column is thrown back in disarray.  It is no longer combat effective.  The Austrians have held the road.

With one battalion utterly destroyed, two routing and casualties mounting, the French commander concedes the field and decides to withdraw to preserve his damaged command.

The positions at the end of the battle.

Conclusions
An Austrian victory!

The French went for a more aggressive stance and suffered casualties trying to quickly force the issue.  The Austrians were possibly helped by having early initiative which meant they could seize the village and use it as a bastion to fire at the French columns as they sought to bypass it.

I was very happy to reacquaint myself with my French Revolutionary Wars rules and found myself enjoying how they played and satisfied with the outcome.  In short, in whatever measure you choose, I came out a winner.  Hooray for me!