Dresden,
1813
The First Day
the pictures
Left: setting up the the first battle , which included a flank for the Pirna battle to accomodate more players-
The first battle in progress. Dresden and the suburbs are the tan-orange-black feature on the table. After much discussion, we crafted rules for the suburbs that we think work for NB.
French reinforcements join the Pirna flank (too much traffic at Dresden!!)
Near the End: the Allies have tightened the ring, the Guard is arriving in Dresden, and Napoleon still has his Elbe beachhead.
The second battle, no Pirna flank this time: setting up- the Russians and Prussians are in the distance, Gyulai's wing is near the front; Schwarzneberg and Hesse-Homburg are not on the table yet, and St. Cyr's XIV corps is distributed across a wide front while the Dresden Garrison holds the works and the suburbs.
The Prusso-Russian flank is folding, but notice the first French reinforcements arriving in Dresden in march column (merely O'Meara's 23rd Division- an unlucky draw for the French; it could have been the Old Guard!). Meanwhile, Schwarzenberg (in the center) is still reluctant while Gyulai and Hesse-Homberg must cope with difficult terrain and French pickets. They are approaching Freidrichstadt suburb however.
The assault on the Gross Garten is in full swing. No wonder Schwarzenberg is reluctant! Napoleon has built five redoubts around Dresden, and three of them command the approach in the center.
Later in the battle: the French still hold Dresden, and the reinforcements are crossing the Elbe. Even Ney has a Young Guard division on the far right flank, protecting (maybe) Freidrichstadt.
Situation on the last turn: Russians are assaulting the works under the heroic command of General Ben, the Prussians are happy, as usual, hanging out in the Gross Garten, and the Austrians are very threatening. But wait! I see bearskins crossing the bridges!