Pea Ridge: St Louis, then Huzzah!

In early 1862 a Northern advance grinds to a halt in Arkansas. The Southern troops get reinforcements from Earl Van Dorn, a general who acts fast but sometimes thinks too little. He pushes his exhausted men into a hard night march around his opponent's positions. Meanwhile the Northern commander Sam Curtis digs in on the hills of Pea Ridge. In Pea Ridge: St Louis, then Huzzah! you step into the shoes of one of these two commanders and fight this battle again. The game runs on the Musket & Saber system, which recreates the warfare of this period faithfully. You do not have to add up endless numbers. Instead you play on feel and overview. Infantry is tough and absorbs the blows, artillery can punch holes in the enemy line but breaks quickly itself, and cavalry is weak in a straight fight but essential for scouting and pursuit. Weakened units can rout and fate can always strike, so you had better keep some reserves at hand. You win by positioning your troops well and massing them in the right place at the right moment. Protect your headquarters and your supply lines, use your leaders wisely and get to know the strengths and weaknesses of both armies. A game for two players aged 12 and up, for anyone who wants to fight out a real battle together.