Landain

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Is it my turn? pardon me. I will post today.

Battle of the Nations

Also entrenchments have always been used, even in the field of battle. During this age of revolution, they were really put into full potential. Waterloo, the different riots in Paris, Yorktown, Borodino. Most of the time, the two armies would entrench and fight over several days while marching troops across an open field littered with bodies of previous waves of men while being fired upon. Sometimes they would meet the enemy out in the open if both armies sent out men at the same time or sometimes as a quick counterattack if their line won the skirmish.

@Jamesyco

You are correct about the accuracy. A lot of soldiers in the line did not want to kill another human and would aim high or low. When You read historical data on the subject, the empiricist does not state why the units miss, just that they miss. There was an experiment done in the UK using smooth bore muskets. They found that a battalion (~1000 men) would hit roughly 60% of their targets when firing at hay bales. But as described during the conduct of battle when there was the potential for shooting at humans, committing a sinful act or placing oneself in harm's way, the accuracy dropped to about 3-6%. The bayonet was the primary weapon on the battlefield.

Building a redoubt with a trench circling a built up area surrounded by wooden pikes or palisade was more common than fighting in an actual trench. This forced the enemy to climb the banking of the redoubt from the trench up the wall and past the pikes.

Battle of the Nations

Using smoothbore muskets a battalion of ~1000 infantry is terribly ineffective at 100 yards. Infantry formations in this time period rely on the volley of musket fire to encourage the enemy, at least green formations to break and run. Maybe the hope of intimidation alone could get the enemy to leave. The bayonet affixed to the muzzle is still the primary. Once you start seeing rifled muskets and breeach loading weapons used in military formations, the accuracy of musket or rifle fire improves. Then, the use of entrenchments serves a true purpose. With inaccurate smoothbore musket fire, a trench would only mean the infantry have to charge up out of their own holes in order to meet the enemy with the bayonet.

This Roleplay is a prime example of why professional armies employ a "Unity of Command" or "Single Vision" when it come to the Commander's intent. Having a democratically chosen method of determining a strategy or tactic is such a grossly inefficient method.

Battle of the Nations

Duke Friedrich nearly fell out of his chair upon hearing the suggestion that they dig entrenchments. “Preposterous!” He steadied himself, puffing on his pipe. “A battalion of infantry will hit maybe three or four of the enemy at a hundred yards. The musket ball that comes out the end is not the primary weapon infantry engages with, it has been and remains the bayonet!” He realized these people had no experience with infantry; especially to suggest they dig entrenchments. “We do not have a battalion of pioneers, which would carry wagons with pick-axes and shovels. Besides, if we were dig in our infantry, it would place them at a disadvantage to the enemy. We would then need to charge uphill; the forward slope of the trench in order to attack into the enemy.” He thought about it for a moment. “No, sir. We will not dig into the soil.” He thought a bit longer, “A series of redoubts might break up an attack, but they would be unnecessary in this ground, unless you would entertain the notion of a series of redoubts more than a few miles behind us. But I do not believe that is what you were suggesting.” Duke Friedrich then thought about what the gentleman from the Khanate suggested. “Using cavalry to break up enemy artillery formations is still a solid offering for this group. I would second that suggestion.”

Post a random fact about yourself.

I was sleeping the other night. My wife crawls into bed as quietly as she could. Apparently, my arm was outstretched onto her side. She placed her knee right on my hand. It made a crunching sound when it woke me up.

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I like maps. Call me a Cartophile if you will. Here is Kelewen's map, showing where everyone is based on what has been written already.

_{click on image for larger view}

I got the impression Mistihkoman was sitting next to Mr Logan. I put Finney on the other side of Logan since I had him run to the end of the bar near the door. I put Billy closest to the table of four behind them since he started the fight when he stood up. I also placed Sergio on the other side of the room from Finney; not even close, since he was playing pool at the pool table.

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...but are you trying to tell me I've narrated something that didn't make sense in my reply?

@Kelewen

No, not at all. rambling, I guess.

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@Kelewen When I wrote the bit about Billy throwing a one two at the cowboy, I wrote Left cross and right upper cut. I spent seven years training in Krav Maga. I am right handed. I would have thrown a left jab and a right cross or a cross and a hook. I just kind of got into the moment there and wrote it that way not knowing where anyone was sitting; except Finney. I do love your map by the way. That helps out a lot.

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@EvilEdd1984 I am roleplaying both Phineas Eugene O’Connell (Nickname: Finney) and William “Billy” Kingsley. A link to my character sheets is here if you would like to read them. Whether Finney is a book worm or not, may be known by EvilEdd1984, but is not known by Sergio Westwood yet. If you read the CS you will see Finney spent a week on the trail before arriving at the Saloon. I hadn’t written anything about shaving, so we can assume he has at least a week’s growth and is still dusty and dirty from the trail. So far, Sergio has seen him play cards. He isn’t writing or reading a book during the card game. This little bit of metagaming is something Sergio will learn after a conversation. No one truly knows much about the others yet; only what was said in conversation during the game.

After a week on the road, Finney made it to Sweetwater, having adjusted to life on the road. The sacrifice of being dirty, he committed to himself in New England was nothing compared to the sacrifice of food he endured at the beginning of his journey. Fortunately at the saloon, he was able to purchase a meal and a beer. Phineas was a happy man.

So what is the 1984 reference in your user ID?

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