A selection of pictures from an attempt at a refight of the Battle of Marsaglia, 4th October 1693, but using my 1670s French and Allied 28mm figures on a 4 feet by 6 feet table. There was not a lot of difference between the cavalry from the two different periods, but the infantry in the 1690s would have had a lot fewer pikes, if any at all, and far more flintlock muskets not matchlocks. It is not a subtle battle, I have to say, being pretty much a head-on clash between the two sides. I had to play it solo, taking the French, who came out winners eventually, although some moderate die rolls made the cavalry engagements rather see-saw affairs for most of the game, and I can't say my tactics were all that good on the day! I hope to put the scenario details on the blog as soon as possible, as I did for Sinsheim. The first selection of pictures is of the two armies deployed and the units involved. More of the battle itself to follow.

A view down the length of the table, French to the right, Allies to the left, the River Sagone is at the bottom of the picture, with the single house representing Orbassan village, the trees at the lower left being the Wood of Volvera; at the top left corner is the River Cisola, with Marsaglia village represented by a single building, and the top right has the edge of the Possaco Heights. As the picture shows, there is no room for manoeuvre!

The French left wing cavalry and infantry centre.

The Allied army.

The French army once more.

Allied foot - a Spanish regiment in front (Morados Viejos), a Dutch Scots regiment (Colyear) behind.

Allied foot - two Dutch regiments (Brandenberg and Schwarsenberg).

A close up of the Spanish foot regiment lining the fence.

The Allied field artillery - a medium piece, the crew are North Star figures, but the gun is from Wargame Miniatures (League of Augsburg).

The Allied right wing cavalry - all Dutch regiments (Nassau-Friesland, Kurland and Schellaert).

The Allied left wing cavalry - a Dutch regiment (Ginkel) and a Hesse-Kassel regiment (Erbach),

with a squadron of Dutch Gardes te Paard at the rear.

Another view of the Allied left wing cavalry.

Another view of the Allied right wing cavalry.

And one last view of the Allied right wing cavalry.

Allied cavalry - a squadron of the Dutch Gardes te Paard.

French infantry - Humières in front, Turenne behind.

More French infantry - Royal Italien in front, Lyonnais behind.

A closer view of Humières Foot Regiment.

French left wing cavalry - Villeroi and Foix regiments, with the Gendarmerie de la Garde in support. The infantry regiment at the rear is Condé.

French right wing cavalry - Mestre-de-camp général and La Reine,

with a squadron of Bourbon at the rear.

The French right wing cavalry again.

The French left wing cavalry once more, moving forward past Olbassan village.

The Gendarmerie de la Garde.

Another view of the Gendarmerie de la Garde, being led forward later in the game by the army commander - there was a high casualty rate amongst the generals in my game (50% by the end!) and the French army commander had to lead from the front.

A squadron of the French Foix Horse Regiment.

The battle begins! The French on the left start their advance.

More pictures to follow...