I have recently had another operation to restore my detached retina, so having to keep away from my fellows, I played a solo game as part of my ongoing Fescennia campaign - the Hesperides War. The Arcadians and Erymanthians clashed in a meeting engagement, with the latter rather outnumbered. For a change, I decided to play using the Horse and Musket rules from Donald Featherstone's memorable book, War Games, which I first discovered in a library nearly fifty years ago. They were the first "proper" set of wargame rules I ever played. I have played them, off and on, ever since, but the version I use now has been much amended to try and add a little more realism. However, I have tried to keep to the spirit of the original set - that it is a game, fast and furious, not too many rules, and rather bloody! The battle was based rather loosely on Vimeiro 1808 from the Peninsular War. Figures are mostly Hinchliffe, but also Perry Miniatures and Victrix.

Anyway, here are some photographs of the battle:

My copy of the famous work which I bought over twenty years ago and still

thumb through for inspiration!

The tabletop with the troops set out at the end of Turn One. Erymanthia on the left in blue;

Arcadia on the right in white.

Erymanthian musketeer regiments, with artillery support.

Erymanthian fusilier regiment, with brigade commander and ADC behind.

Arcadian light infantry, with brigade commander and ADC behind.

Arcadian line infantry, led by their brigade commander, with artillery support - in this case with the proper team and limber; one day I will have all my guns properly in draught!

Another Arcadian line regiment. My unit flags are all homemade, though I admit of varying quality, as I am not a great artist! Arcadian infantry flags show their facing colour - green in this case.

Erymanthian cavalry - lancers and dragoons, with their brigade commander.

Erymanthian grenadier regiments - the latter are all 16 figures in my campaign, as are light infantry, but line infantry are 24 figures strong.

Arcadian dragoons, who wear yellow uniforms, in contrast to the white of the infantry.

Erymanthian artillery in action.

Arcadian artillery in action, the brigade commander watching on.

The Arcadian dragoons made an impetuous charge against their Erymanthian opposites, only to be charged in the flank by the Erymanthian lancers. The latter proved devastating!

The Arcadian commander with two ADCs.

The Erymanthian lancers managed to charge and overrun an Arcadian battery.

An unfortunate Arcadian line regiment engaged in front with an Erymanthian musketeer regiment was charged in the rear by dragoons and took flight into the nearby woods, much the worse for wear!

The last turn, with both sides disengaged for the moment. The Arcadians hold the road and

the village, as per their victory conditions, but the Erymanthians put up a strong fight,

in spite their inferior numbers. Casualties were heavy on both sides!