Agnadello, The Rematch!

Reject Richard joined me on Monday for a rematch of our recent Agnadello battle (Richard's Battle Account and Jon's Battle Account).  In that contest, my French Army won a major victor against Richard's Venetian Army.  In post-battle discussion, we suggested that a rematch was in order.  We decided to swap sides and refight the battle looking from the other side of the table.  Now, Richard has already posted a superb account of our rematch (see Agnadello Rematch).  Really, if you have not already read Richard's account, pop over to his blog and read the battle through his eyewitness account and keyboard.  Great stuff!  While the game only lasted about two hours and ticked off only four turns, those four turns were packed with action from the opening salvo. 

Armies deployed and ready for battle.

Having re-read the historical battle accounts and watched on as Mark and then Richard commanded the Venetian Left Wing, I waffled over whether sending Carpi over the ditch on Turn 1 to confront Chamont was the prudent move.  After careful consideration, rather than standing behind the ditch and being shot to pieces by all of the missile fire from the French, the best strategy was to wade the ditch and bring the enemy to battle.  For the French on a time schedule, I figured King Louis would begin the battle on the attack.

On to battle!

Carpi waits behind the ditch
with Alviano in the background.

Venetian pike blocks at the ready.

The French Army prepares to advance.

As both armies are set into motion, Alviano sends his skirmishers across the ditch to take up positions in the vineyards.  Hopefully these skirmishers will slow the delivery of the King's blow against the Venetian Right.  Chamont, on the French Right, steps off toward Carpi's Venetians positioned beyond the ditch.  Taking missile fire from Gascon crossbowmen, Carpi sends his two pike blocks into the ditch in an effort to drive back the French.  As the leftmost pike block negotiates the ditch, the body of crossbowmen continues sending volleys into the Venetians.  Coming up out of the ditch, the pikemen attack into the vineyard to dislodge the enemy.   

Skirmishers occupy the vineyard as the King advances.

Venetian pike into the ditch!

Reminded of Richard's previous game success with his Stradiot attack against the French guns in the center, I opt for the same tactic.  Rather than seeing French guns overrun and crews cut down, Richard's French guns drop some horsemen and disorder the Stradiots before they can fully launch the attack.  I find no success in this attack and the Venetian Stradiots are driven off with great loss.  Sigh.

Stradiots repulsed!

With Carpi’s Provisionati Square coming up and out of the ditch and into the enemy positioned in the vineyard , the Venetians successfully eject the Gascons from the vineyard sending them to the rear in disorder.  Plowing ahead, the Italians run into a Swiss pike block and a body of supporting crossbow.  As the Venetians close, the crossbowmen manage to get off an ineffective shot before the two pike blocks clash.  Fighting through the Swiss dopplesoldners, the pikemen push forward as the dopplesoldners fall to the rear of the formation.  Despite putting up stiff resistance, the Swiss are pushed back toward the main road.  The now isolated Gascons retreat in sympathy.  The victorious Italians fail to pursue.     

Gascons fall back in front of Venetians...

as the Venetians contact the Swiss. 

Swiss fall back!

Perhaps a little embarrassed by being pushed back by the Italians, the Swiss regroup and then charge into the vineyard.  The Venetians are ejected and tumble back down into the ditch.  The Swiss pursue.  In an extended push of pike between the Swiss and Venetians, the Venetians are forced back once again.  Casualties are heavy with the Swiss losing about two-thirds of their strength.

The Swiss counterattack...

driving the Italians back into the ditch.

Carpi's Cernite Square, on the right, steps into the action by attacking out of a vineyard and into more Gascon crossbow.  While suffering light casualties as they close, the Italians send the Gascons scurrying for the rear.  The Italians do not let up.  In pursuit, many of the Gascons are scattered.  Not much of Chamont's command remains on the field.

Gascons under attack!

Pursuit and annihilation.

Chamont's command is tattered.

Seeing that Alviano is moving his pike blocks up to reinforce Carpi's success on the Left and sensing the battle is slipping away, the King counters by setting his French and Swiss pike blocks into motion.  Leading the advance, mounted crossbowmen clear the vineyards of enemy skirmishers.

Light cavalry move up to challenge enemy skirmishers...

and succeed!

King Louis is not the only commander sensing opportunity.  With thoughts of halting the King's advance, Alviano attacks!  First his Stradiots drive off enemy light cavalry as Alviano and his MAA emerge from the cover of the woods.  Alviano charges the nearest enemy light cavalry and they disappear under the Venetians' hooves.  Facing a French pike block, Alviano pulls up and does not pursue.  

Enemy crossbow are driven back as Alviano charges.

A second body of enemy mounted crossbow are dispatched...

but no pursuit.

While cavalry clashes are swirling on the French Left, Chamont, on the French Right, attacks in an effort to salvage the situation he faces.  Leading his Gendarmes forward, Chamont crashes into Carpi and his MAA.  The initial impact sends Carpi backwards.  Chamont pursues.  Catching the Italian MAA as they retire, Carpi turns around to face his opponent.  In a melee that seems to last forever, Chamont finally drives Carpi and his MAA off.  The Italian heavy horsemen are no match for French Gendarmes.  Watching as Chamont drives off enemy MAA, what is left of the Swiss pike block advances back into the ditch.  There it strikes the enemy pike block and drives the Italians back away from the ditch.

Chamont vs Carpi!

Carpi retreats but is able to regroup to face Chamont.

A lengthy melee, that is one for the record books,
 ends in victory for Chamont.

Swiss in action...

successfully drive back the enemy!

Returning to the French Left, seeing that Alviano hesitates, the King orders the pikemen forward.  In a quick clash, the French are repulsed, no worse the wear for their effort.  As the enemy retires, Alviano seizes this opportunity to pursue. Rather than targeting the pike block, Alviano is after the King!  Skirting the French pike block, Alviano's pursuit is stopped by the King and his Gendarmes.  Alviano's MAA are no match for the King's Gendarmes.  Alviano recoils with the King in hot pursuit.  Alviano cannot make good his escape.  He and his MAA are caught from behind.  His MAA are cut down.  Alviano barely escapes and seeks safe harbor with the nearby Stradiots.  The King wheels and strikes the Stradiots from the side.  Alviano's light cavalry are scattered and Alviano falls dead on the field!   

French pike attack...

but are repulsed.

Alviano pursues into the King's Gendarmes,...

his MAA are cut down...

and Alviano falls in battle!

What looked like the possibility for a Venetian triumph early on, the battle has turned.  Jumping back over to the French Right, Chamont continues his pursuit of Carpi.  This time, the wavering Italian horsemen are defeated but Carpi escapes to seek refuse within the Italian pike block.  The Swiss are not yet finished either.  Again, they attack the Italians.  Again, the Italians retire.  With both flanks turned and Alviano dead on the field, Carpi orders a general withdrawal to save what is left of this army. 

Chamont attacks!

Swiss attack!

Battle is over...

As mentioned in the opening paragraph, this refight of Agnadello saw non-stop action from the opening exchanges.  While lasting about two hours, the fighting and drama were ever present and the turns whizzed by.

Butcher's Bill

Congratulations to Richard for a very well-earned victory.  I thought the Venetians had a chance when Carpi drove straight into the French Right and scattered much of that wing.  That sense of victory was fleeting, however.  Richard came roaring back to secure a decisive victory.  Those darn Swiss and French Gendarmes are tough opponents to stop.  I certainly could not stop them on this day.

Outstanding fight!  Thank you, Richard!  Very good fun and the Venetians could have been contenders.  Almost.  Perhaps on another day.