Sharp Practice 2 Russian draft list

[Elk101]

Ok, a first attempt at a SP2 Russian force list:

Russian Army of 1812

Name: Grenadier Guards
Type: Elite                Points: 17
Weapon: Musket              Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: Yes   
Crashing Volley: 2      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Aggressive, Stubborn
Notes: Aggressive could be limited to the Preobranzhenski, Semenovkski and Ismailovski Lifeguards. The guard units appear to have been fairly well respected across Europe as far superior to the Russian line troops.

Name: Guards Jaegers
Type: Skirmishers      Points: 12
Weapon: Musket              Size: 6
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: -
Characteristics: Aggressive
Notes:  Although superior to the line jaegers, based on contemporary accounts no Russian 'light infantry' seemed to be as well thought off as other nation's equivalents hence the skirmishers designation rather than light infantry.

Name: Line Grenadier
Type: Regulars         Points: 12 (+2 for Aggressive)
Weapon: Musket              Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: First Only   
Crashing Volley: 2      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Hearth & Home, Aggressive?
Notes: Aggressive could be limited to units such as the Pavlovski Grenadiers (before they were brought in to the Guard). Controlled Volleys are limited to the first fire only due to the Russian Line's reputation for poorly controlled musketry.

Name: Line Infantry
Type: Regulars         Points: 10 (+2 for Aggressive)
Weapon: Musket              Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: 3      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Hearth & Home
Notes: Aggressive could be given to renowned units such as the Moscow Infantry Regiment, the Pernov IR and the Poltava IR for +2 points. No controlled volleys due to the apparent lack of practice and ability to control unit fire. Hearth and Home due to their poor reputation operating outside of Russia. Step Out and Drill are good due to their reputation for discipline and willingness to close to use the bayonet.

Name: Line Infantry, 2nd rate
Type: Conscripts & Volunteers   Points: 7
Weapon: Musket                      Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 3
Characteristics: Hearth & Home
Notes:  Hearth and Home due to their poor reputation operating outside of Russia. Step Out and Drill are good due to their reputation for discipline and willingness to close to use the bayonet with Drill poorer than the better line units.

Name: Line Jaegers
Type: Skirmishers      Points: 11
Weapon: Musket              Size: 6
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Hearth & Home
Notes: No controlled volleys due to the apparent lack of practice and ability to control unit fire. Hearth and Home due to their poor reputation operating outside of Russia. Step Out and Drill are good due to their reputation for discipline and willingness to close to use the bayonet.

Name: Opelchenie (there seems to be many other spellings)
Type: Militia         Points: 4
Weapon: Musket              Size: 10
Formation: No Shock      First Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: -      Drill: -
Characteristics: Hearth & Home
Notes: The militia performed with varying degrees of success during the campaign; some appeared to have accounted themselves very well and were used to support line units directly, while others ran at the first sign of contact. Additional characteristics could be added for specific situations.

Name: Kuirassiers
Type: Impact Cavalry      Points: 14
Weapon: Sabre         Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Cuirass, Tally Ho
Notes: Russian cavalry generally seem to have been better thought of than their infantry (guards excepted), hence the Tally Ho characteristic. Units such as the Military Order Kuirassiers could potentially also have Aggressive due to their reputation.

Name: Hussars
Type: Scouting Cavalry   Points: 11
Weapon: Sabre         Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Tally Ho
Notes: Russian cavalry generally seem to have been better thought of than their infantry (guards excepted), hence the Tally Ho characteristic.

Name: Uhlans
Type: Scouting Cavalry   Points: 14
Weapon: Lance         Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Tally Ho
Notes: Russian cavalry generally seem to have been better thought of than their infantry (guards excepted), hence the Tally Ho characteristic.

Name: Dragoons
Type: Impact Cavalry      Points: 13
Weapon: Sabre         Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Tally Ho
Notes: Russian cavalry generally seem to have been better thought of than their infantry (guards excepted), hence the Tally Ho characteristic. Units such as the St Petersburg Dragoons could potentially also have Aggressive due to their reputation.

Name: Cossacks of the Guard
Type: Scouting Cavalry      Points: 12
Weapon: Sabre/Lance/Pistols   Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Tally Ho, Tactical
Notes: The Cossacks of the Guard are categorised as Scouting Cavalry in an attempt to reflect their more 'organised' nature. Tactical provides them with scope to hit the enemy in a less standard manner to other cavalry units.

Name: Cossacks
Type: Irregular Cavalry      Points: 9
Weapon: Sabre/Lance/Pistols   Size: 8
Formation: No Shock      Firsts Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 1      Drill: -
Characteristics: Tactical, Mobile Deployment Point
Notes: These Cossacks are the swarming bands of riders that seemed to instil great fear in the retreating Imperial French Army. They have a Mobile Deployment Point to provide uncertainty in where they will strike and Tactical to allow them to perform an Ambuscade.

[Aaron]

It looks good to me. You should post it over on the Lard Island Forum if you haven't already.

[Elk101]

It looks good to me. You should post it over on the Lard Island Forum if you haven't already.

Thanks. I just recently joined the TFL Forum so I have also put it over there. They're just a few ideas to get the ball rolling.

[AWu]

Not sure about controlled volley. Suvorov most often repeated and best known maxim was: Bullet is a foul, bayonet is smart.

Close combat was preferred way to fight for Russian army of the period over mass shooting.
Although its really flavour part.

[Elk101]

Not sure about controlled volley. Suvorov most often repeated and best known maxim was: Bullet is a foul, bayonet is smart.

Close combat was preferred way to fight for Russian army of the period over mass shooting.
Although its really flavour part.

That's right, a Russian military manual of tge time apparently stated: "The bayonet is the true Russian weapon and the push of the bayonet is far more decisive than musketry". That's why only the line grenadiers get it as a first shot only and the Guard get it, representing their discipline and obedience. Perhaps the Guard should be first fire only too? Should the line grenadiers have it at all?

As an aside I'm also thinking there should be a pike armed option for the Militia.

[Elk101]

I found this,  which makes me think that the line grenadiers don't get Controlled Volley at all and the Guard get it as first shot only (from the Napolun.com website):

Kosciuszko fought the Russian on several occassions, and wrote: "When they are on the offensive they are fortified by copious distributions of alcohol, and they attack with a courage which verges on a frenzy, and would rather get killed than fall back. The only way to make them desist is to kill a great number of their officers ... The Russian infantry withstand fire fearlessly, but their own fire is badly directed ... they are machines which are actuated only by the orders of their officers."

It sounds like heavy criticism of the Russian musketry , suggesting that the officers were largely incapable of good fire direction. This is likely to refer to the line units and does not mention the Guard but it is probably more likely that they would still rely on closing to contact.

[AWu]

Thats why I suggested. Russian army recruits were least educated and prepared with technical skills - as a individual soldier material (being analphabet peasants forcibly recruited and kept under harsh regime).
But strictly controlled (and as Kosciuszko wrote most of the time - drunk they were most formidable oponent for the French.

Shooting with concentrated volleys just was not their thing

[Elk101]

Definitely drop it for the line grenadiers but what about still allowing a first fire controlled volley for the Guard; or nothing at all? What do you think?

[Elk101]

Revised list based on the above discussion and my initial incorrect development of the points!

Russian Army of 1812

Name: Grenadier Guards
Type: Elite         Points: 8
Weapon: Musket      Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: First Only   
Crashing Volley: 2      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Aggressive, Stubborn
Notes: Aggressive could be limited to the Preobranzhenski, Semenovkski and Ismailovski Lifeguards. The guard units appear to have been fairly well respected across Europe as far superior to the Russian line troops.

Name: Guards Jaegers
Type: Skirmishers      Points: 7
Weapon: Musket      Size: 6
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: -
Characteristics: Aggressive
Notes:  Although superior to the line jaegers, based on contemporary accounts no Russian 'light infantry' seemed to be as well thought off as other nation's equivalents hence the skirmishers designation rather than light infantry.

Name: Line Grenadier
Type: Regulars         Points: 6
Weapon: Musket      Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: 2      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Hearth & Home, Aggressive?
Notes: Aggressive could be limited to units such as the Pavlovski Grenadiers (before they were brought in to the Guard). Controlled Volleys are limited to the first fire only due to the Russian Line's reputation for poorly controlled musketry.

Name: Line Infantry
Type: Regulars         Points: 6 (7 for Aggressive units)
Weapon: Musket      Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: 3      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Hearth & Home
Notes: Aggressive could be given to renowned units such as the Moscow Infantry Regiment, the Pernov IR and the Poltava IR for +2 points. No controlled volleys due to the apparent lack of practice and ability to control unit fire. Hearth and Home due to their poor reputation operating outside of Russia. Step Out and Drill are low due to their reputation for discipline and willingness to close to use the bayonet.

Name: Line Infantry, 2nd rate
Type: Conscripts & Volunteers   Points: 3
Weapon: Musket      Size: 8
Formation: Always      First Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 3
Characteristics: Hearth & Home
Notes:  Hearth and Home due to their poor reputation operating outside of Russia. Step Out and Drill are low due to their reputation for discipline and willingness to close to use the bayonet with Drill poorer than the better line units.

Name: Line Jaegers
Type: Skirmishers      Points: 7
Weapon: Musket      Size: 6
Formation: Always      First Fire: Yes      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: -
Characteristics: Hearth & Home
Notes: No controlled volleys due to the apparent lack of practice and ability to control unit fire. Hearth and Home due to their poor reputation operating outside of Russia. Step Out and Drill are low due to their reputation for discipline and willingness to close to use the bayonet.

Name: Opelchenie (there seems to be many other spellings)
Type: Militia         Points: 3
Weapon: Musket      Size: 10
Formation: No Shock      Firsts Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: -      Drill: -
Characteristics: Hearth & Home
Notes: The militia performed with varying degrees of success during the campaign; some appeared to have accounted themselves very well and were used to support line units directly, while others ran at the first sign of contact. Additional characteristics could be added for specific situations.

Name: Kuirassiers
Type: Impact Cavalry      Points: 9
Weapon: Sabre         Size: 8
Formation: Always      Firsts Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Cuirass, Tally Ho
Notes: Russian cavalry generally seem to have been better thought of than their infantry (guards excepted), hence the Tally Ho characteristic. Units such as the Military Order Kuirassiers could potentially also have Aggressive due to their reputation.

Name: Hussars
Type: Scouting Cavalry      Points: 6
Weapon: Sabre         Size: 8
Formation: Always      Firsts Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Tally Ho
Notes: Russian cavalry generally seem to have been better thought of than their infantry (guards excepted), hence the Tally Ho characteristic.

Name: Uhlans
Type: Scouting Cavalry      Points: 6
Weapon: Lance         Size: 8
Formation: Always      Firsts Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Tally Ho
Notes: Russian cavalry generally seem to have been better thought of than their infantry (guards excepted), hence the Tally Ho characteristic.

Name: Dragoons
Type: Impact Cavalry      Points: 7
Weapon: Sabre         Size: 8
Formation: Always      Firsts Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Tally Ho
Notes: Russian cavalry generally seem to have been better thought of than their infantry (guards excepted), hence the Tally Ho characteristic. Units such as the St Petersburg Dragoons could potentially also have Aggressive due to their reputation.

Name: Cossacks of the Guard
Type: Scouting Cavalry      Points: 7
Weapon: Sabre/Lance/Pistols   Size: 8
Formation: Always      Firsts Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 2      Drill: 2
Characteristics: Tally Ho, Tactical
Notes: The Cossacks of the Guard are categorised as Scouting Cavalry in an attempt to reflect their more 'organised' nature. Tactical provides them with scope to hit the enemy in a less standard manner to other cavalry units.

Name: Cossacks
Type: Irregular Cavalry      Points: 4
Weapon: Sabre/Lance/Pistols   Size: 8
Formation: No Shock      Firsts Fire: No      Controlled Volley: No   
Crashing Volley: -      Step Out: 1      Drill: -
Characteristics: Tactical, Mobile Deployment Point
Notes: These Cossacks are the swarming bands of riders that seemed to instil great fear in the retreating Imperial French Army. They have a Mobile Deployment Point to provide uncertainty in where they will strike and Tactical to allow them to perform an Ambuscade.

[AWu]

Definitely drop it for the line grenadiers but what about still allowing a first fire controlled volley for the Guard; or nothing at all? What do you think?

I cant say really,
My interest are into Italian campaigns, so I haven't read anything about Russian war. But  I will ask my friend who specialise in 1812 war If there are instances of them engaging in organised firefights.

Maybe allow it as an option. Guard is guard, those guys weren't  just wearing more elaborate uniform

[Elk101]

I cant say really,
My interest are into Italian campaigns, so I haven't read anything about Russian war. But  I will ask my friend who specialise in 1812 war If there are instances of them engaging in organised firefights.

Maybe allow it as an option. Guard is guard, those guys weren't  just wearing more elaborate uniform

That would be great, thanks.

[AWu]

Hmm
It appears that only prolonged firefight of notoriety or substance warranting mention was from tyralieurs of Pavlovski regiment (so guards but not at borodino - thay attained Guard status in 1814) at Borodino (and without much success).

So I guess guards could have them but I would guess as an option.
Generally Russian regiments vere undertrained in shooting.

[Elk101]

Hmm

So I guess guards could have them but I would guess as an option.
Generally Russian regiments vere undertrained in shooting.

That fits with my findings too, hence the original list. I wonder if the 2nd rate line would have Poor Shots as an option? I think I'd still only give the Guards first fire as a Controlled Volley at most.

Thanks AWu