IN DEO VERITAS -

CAPTAIN GENERAL
Wargaming the Age of Marlborough and the
Great Northern War

Philip Garton
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Published by Helion & Company 2020

Designed and typeset by Mary Woolley, Battlefield Design (www.battlefield-
design.co.uk)
Cover designed by Paul Hewitt, Battlefield Design (www.battlefield-design.
co.uk)

Text © Philip Garton 2020

Map design by Philip Garton © Helion & Company 2020
All artwork © Helion & Company 2020
Front cover figure is a grenadier of the Savoy-Piedmont Infantry Regiment
Guardie 1709 by artist Bruno Mugnai © Helion & Company 2020
Acknowledgements: Helion Wargames would like to thank all those
gamers who contributed photographs of their collections.

ISBN 978-1-804511-72-5

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 Contents
1 Introduction 5
2 Army Composition 7
3 Basing 10
4 Troop Quality 11
5 Movement 12
6 Combat 13
7 Cohesion 15

Scenarios
The Battle of Luzzara, 15th August 1702 16
The Battle of Speyerbach (Spire), 15th November 1703 24
The Battle of Helsingborg, 28th February 1710 30
The Battle of Francavilla, 20th June 1719 35
4 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL
 INTRODUCTION 5

Chapter 1

Introduction
In Europe, the first two decades of the eighteenth century were
characterised by almost constant warfare. In the West, many
countries had been involved in the Nine Years’ War, which ended in
1697. The peace didn’t last long and by 1701 the same major
powers had started to fight again in the War of the
Spanish Succession. This war has several large battles
featuring one of the most famous commanders
of the time, John Churchill, the 1st Duke of
Marlborough. Ultimately, despite their battlefield
successes, Marlborough and his
famous colleague Prince Eugene of
Savoy, lost political influence and
were replaced. Peace was achieved in
1713 but it didn’t last for long and the
first two decades of the eighteenth-century
end with the war of the Quadruple Alliance
(1718–20). Elsewhere, the Danes and Swedes,
who had been fighting each other on and off
in the previous century, opened the century
by starting another war: The Great Northern
War. This would last for the twenty years of
this expansion. Despite its name, the fighting
was not confined to the North. It covered a vast
area from Finland in the North to Turkey in the
south. In this last theatre, the Ottoman Empire
simply continued its battles of the previous
century, spanning conflicts with Russia, the
Austrians and the Venetian Empire.
There should be no shortage of inspiration for
players interested in this period.
6 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Command
Perceived success in combat remained the main selection mechanism
for commanders in most armies. There’s nothing very different in
these two decades from the previous century. Given the expansion
of armies there were many political appointments but also a much
wider pool of experienced commanders. On balance the current
rule mechanisms are fine. As stated in the rules, if you have evidence
for any particular commander’s characteristics then please use it to
inform his profile.

Changes over the period

Infantry combat was more linear at the end of the seventeenth
century. The trend towards linear battle lines continued in the first
two decades of the eighteenth centuryandcavalry would remain the
decisive element in most battles.
The infantry component was still not very mobile. Most countries
lacked agreed drill manuals to organise the processes for moving
bodies of troops, and a fixed pace for marching (cadenced step)
would not be in use for another couple of decades. The flintlock
 ARMY COMPOSITION 7

musket would become dominant, although in the first few years

of the century the matchlock was still commonly used. The biggest
change was the shift from pike-armed to musket-armed troops.
Bayonets were still in their infancy and this limited the firepower of
the infantry. Combat remained a close-range business.
Most artillery was still too heavy to play a significant role but its
effects were clear. Development focused on lighter guns to support
the infantry. Despite its effects, some countries did not adopt the
newer technology until much later.

Chapter 2

Army Composition

The High Command and

army structure
During this period armies tended to be larger.
When an army is over 20,000 men it should
include at least one Subordinate Commander.

Infantry Wings
The ‘Early Tercios’ have disappeared.

Brigades
The most common unit of the period was the
formed infantry unit of between 900–1200
men. Frequently called a ‘Brigade’, each unit
represents a grouping of regiments. These would
typically be musket armed men. Some units may
retain a pike armed component.
8 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Companies
‘Artillery’. The guns were still difficult to move effectively.
Developments in gun carriage design didn’t match the progress in
the manufacture of the gun barrels. More importantly, the ranges
that could be achieved and the weight of shot both increased over
the period.
Most armies had Field Artillery (firing shot between 4–8lbs). For
some armies Infantry Guns (firing shot of up to 4lbs) became an
important tactical element.
There were a few set-piece battles where Heavy Artillery (firing over
8lb shot) was used.
A common ratio for artillery remained around 1 company (4–6
guns) per 8 infantry brigades (fractions rounded down). The gradual
increase in artillery meant that some armies, although by no means
all, might achieve a ratio of 1 company per 5 infantry brigades.
 ARMY COMPOSITION 9

Cavalry Wings
Brigades
The earlier ‘Double Brigades’ have disappeared.
The major unit is the ‘Brigade’
of 400–600 men. It usually
represents a grouping from
a number of regiments. The
debate between shooting and
charging attacks is very much
alive at this time.
Some countries organised
their dragoon troops into
regiments which were large
enough to be considered
as ‘Brigades’ under these
rules. The purpose was to
increase the amount of cavalry
available and their previous
role, as mounted infantry,
became secondary. The
limitations of lower-quality
horses and equipment tended
to continue and so many of
these units should be rated
as Raw. These large dragoon
units may deploy as two single
‘company’ bases but may not
recombine during a battle.

Companies
‘Commanded Muskets’
(infantry detachments in
cavalry wings) have dis-
appeared.
10 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Chapter 3

Basing
Many players may wish to use the 80mm wide bases that they already
have from other rulesets. This doesn’t present any problem as these
rules are not written to be dependent on a 4mm difference (6mtrs in
scale terms). Indeed, many of the playtesters’ bases had edges that are
not perfectly square, and often had basing material over their edges.
The main aim of the rules is to get an enjoyable experience, without
the need for micro-measurement.
 TROOP QUALITY 11

Chapter 4

Troop Quality
As in the previous century, it’s difficult to gain accurate information
about the state of a unit before a battle, and performance on the
day could be varied. As with the Commanders’ Characteristics you
should consider the historical performance as a guide to the ratings
that you use.

Raw – This reflects the state of many regiments during the period.
Regiments that are newly raised, lack organisation (perhaps garrison
troops), or affected by disease/exhaustion are generally, but not
always, raw.

Trained – Regiments with a core of experienced soldiers, and been

in existence for some time may be called Trained.

Veteran – A unit that has been in the field for three years or more,
and not destroyed at some point, could be Veteran. A unit formed
from selected elite companies should be considered Veteran.

There are no changes to the following chapters:

Chapter 5 The Battlefield Chapter 6 Deployment

Chapter 7 Events Chapter 8 Disorder

Chapter 9 Sequence of Play Chapter 10 Orders

Chapter 13 Retreats Chapter 14 Impetuous Pursuit

Chapter numbers in the above table refer to those used in the rulebook
In Deo Veritas
12 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Chapter 5

Movement

Deploying artillery
Deploying Field Artillery takes a full move without moving and the
unit may fire in the immediately following combat phase. Limbering
Field Artillery before moving takes a half move.
 COMBAT 13

Chapter 6

Combat
The main changes in the Combat Table reflect the removal of the
Tercios and Double Brigades.
The only other change is to add a line for musket-armed infantry
brigades. There may be a few pikemen in these units but their impact
is minimal. By the end of the period all armies had moved over to
musket-armed brigades.
14 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Range Shooting Melee

Infantry detachments, dismounted dragoons 3 ins 1 1

Irregular infantry 3 ins 1 2

‘Rabble’ infantry and March Columns - - 1

Infantry brigades (pike armed) 3 ins 2# 2*

Infantry brigades (musket armed) 3 ins 3# 2

Cavalry brigades 2 ins 1 3

Dragoon company (mounted) 2 ins 1 1

Irregular cavalry 2 ins 1 1

Infantry guns (up to 4lb shot) 8 ins 1 -

Field Artillery (4–8lb shot) 16 ins 1 -

Heavy Artillery (over 8lb shot) 30 ins 1 -

 COHESION 15

Chapter 7

Cohesion

Shameful Conduct
Given the steady improvement in the quality of generalship over
the first two decades of the eighteenth century this is now an
Optional rule.
16 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

The Battle of Luzzara, 15th

August 1702
After several months of defeat the French army in Italy was given
a new commander. Appointed in June 1702, Vendôme set out to
seize the initiative for the Imperial forces. By the end of July he had
captured Guastalla and turned north to cut the
Imperial army’s supply line. He stopped near to
the town of Luzzara, which is close to the River
Po. The Imperial commander, Eugene of Savoy,
reacted to the challenge and, taking as many of his
troops as possible, he quickly marched to block
the French.
To the west of Luzzara, there were several raised
banks to prevent the river from flooding the
countryside. A major road passed from Eugene’s
base in Mantua to Guastalla. This road sat on top
of one of the embankments and it would form
an important feature on the battlefield. Eugene
planned to use the bank to cover his attack on the
French in their camp south of Luzzara. His plan
was to force his way through his opponents and
to cut them from their supply bases across the Po.
Arriving in position on the 15th August, Eugene
organised his attack in two columns: the left wing
under Commercy, the right under Starhemberg.
The Imperialists approached the French camp.
Unfortunately, they were discovered about midday.
Vendôme called in his troops and moved north to
confront his enemy. The French had no immediate
plan and would deploy on the battlefield as they
arrived. Eugene sent out a reconnaissance and saw
that the French had reacted more quickly than
he expected. He set out to reorganise his attack
 THE BATTLE OF LUZZARA, 15TH AUGUST 1702 17

to focus his main effort on his right. This took time. Time which
Vendôme used to get more units into position.
Despite this problem, Eugene was committed. If the French could
concentrate their forces they outnumbered his army, and there were
10,000 more enemy troops on the other side of the Po. They would
be across the river by tomorrow. It was attack now or retreat. Eugene
chose to attack.
His changes to the deployment of his forces meant that he did not
move off until 5:00 p.m. Time was running short so Eugene urged his
columns to attack all along the line. His right wing almost isolated
the French wing facing it but the French line managed to hold. In the
centre and on the left, Eugene’s troops attacked, were repulsed, and
attacked again. Vendôme had to commit his troops as they arrived.
The casualties mounted on both sides as the fighting continued past
9:00 p.m. The gathering night and sheer fatigue eventually brought
the battle to a close.
Casualties on both sides were heavy. An average of some sources
gives the French at 4,000 dead and wounded; the Imperial army lost
slightly fewer at 2,500 but Eugene was less able to replace his losses.
In effect, the overall result was a bloody draw although, in line with
the practice of the times, both sides claimed it as a victory. They both
dug lines of entrenchments and settled down to watch each other.
Vendôme eventually moved from these lines in September.

Total engaged No. of Brigades Horse Foot Guns

French 26 8,000 16,000 24

Imperialist 27 7,000 13,000 35

A note on the numbers engaged

A German source says that Eugene had around 11,000 infantry and
9,000 cavalry, a total of about 20,000 men. He left 1,000 cavalry
to cover the camp at Sailetto. There were also 1,200 unmounted
cavalrymen in the camp, so it’s likely that several of Eugene’s cavalry
units were understrength. According to the source, ‘The infantry
18 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

battalions [38] numbered little more than 300 men on average, the
Squadrons [80] just over 100 horses.’ Far from the hypothetical
figure given by multiplying the number of battalions/squadrons by
their organisational strength!
Similarly, the figure of French forces varies depending on whether
the author has used a list for Vendôme’s army as available on the
day of battle. An earlier list from June shows 60 battalions, and
doesn’t include Savoyard or Spanish allied troops, but one source
for the latter shows just 41, including his allies. The cavalry has 102
squadrons in the former but only 83 in the latter. At an average of
90 men to a squadron and 300 to a battalion, there’s considerable
potential for debate about the actual strengths engaged. Assuming
the French were similarly understrength (38 v 41 bns and 80 v 83
sqdns) then the actual numbers engaged could have been closer than
some sources suggest. This would help to explain the duration of the
battle.
The French reserve of 4 battalions and 8 squadrons did not participate
in the battle.

Objectives:
• The primary Imperialist aim is to break through to Guastalla.
To achieve this, they must exit at least 4 brigades off the table
to the South. This would be a major victory.
• Their secondary aim is to break the Will of the French army
and force it to retreat, which would be a minor victory.
• The primary French aim is to stop the Imperialist force
exiting to the south. Fewer than 2 Imperialist brigades
exiting would be a major victory. If 5 or more brigades exit
then it would be a major defeat.
• A secondary aim is to break the Will of the Imperialist army
and force it to retreat. This would also be a major victory.
 THE BATTLE OF LUZZARA, 15TH AUGUST 1702 19

Game time Start at 6:00 p.m. Game length 12 turns

Some notes on the terrain:

• Buildings – Luzzara, Riva, the convent and the two farms are
all buildings.
• Enclosures – the area of the Parco dei Gonzaga is a walled
enclosure.
• Difficult ground – the two areas on the eastern side represent
areas of cultivated fields with ditches and vines so are
considered difficult ground.
• The westernmost road is on a significant embankment – it
counts as a linear obstacle but it also blocks any Line of Sight
passing through it. Units on top of the road would be visible
to either side.
20 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Imperialist Army: Prinz Eugen of Savoy

Right Column – Starhemberg
First Wing Second Wing Third Wing

Guttenstein Trautmansdorff Vaudemont

Grenadiers (Right) T Solari IR T Vaudemont CR T

Nigrelli IR T G. Starhemberg IR T Neuburg CR T

Infantry guns T Liechtenstein IR T Corbelli CR T

Savoyen DR T Infantry guns T Alt Darmstadt CR T

Artillery T Commercy CR T

Herbeville DR T
 THE BATTLE OF LUZZARA, 15TH AUGUST 1702 21

Left Column – Commercy

First Wing Second Wing Third Wing

Liechtenstein Haxthausen Serenyi

Grenadiers (Left) T Kriechbaum IR T Taafe CR T

Bagni IR T Gehlen IR T Palffy CR T
Infantry guns T Prins Carl (Danes) T Lothringen CR T
Serenyi DR T Jung Daun IR T Vaubonne DR T
Infantry guns T
Artillery T
Trautmansdorff DR T

Visconti

Guttenstein IR T
Heberstein IR T
Dronningen (Danes) T
Infantry guns

Optional rule:
The Imperial dragoon units (DR) were large by comparison to many
other regiments. For example, the Savoyen regiment mustered
around 600 men around the time of the battle.
In this battle there are reports of Imperialist dragoons fighting on
foot. To reflect this, the Imperial dragoon regiments (DR) may
dismount as 2 company-sized units. The dismounted units may not
reform as a brigade during the battle.

Deploys:
Guttenstein T – T Trautmansdorf U – U Vaudemont V – V
Visconti W–W
Liechtenstein X – X Haxthausen Y – Y Serenyi Z – Z
22 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

French Army: Duc de Vendôme

Left column infantry – Albergotti

Langallerie Médavy

Piedmont IR V Saulx IR T

La Marine IR T Lyonnais IR T

La Rocque (Savoy) T Auvergne IR T

Dillon IR V D’Aguilar (Spanish)

Artillery T Artillery (Spanish) T

Left column cavalry – de Créquy

Bezons de Mongon

Montpeyroux T Rennepont V

Sully T Gendarmerie V

Carabiniers T D’Este (Spanish) T

Monroy (Spanish) DR T Dauphin DR T

Sennecterre DR T Lautrec DR T

Deploys:
Langallerie A – A Médavy B – B Bezons C – C
De Mongon enters following Bezons any turn after Turn 1.
One field artillery company deploys on the island A.
THE BATTLE OF LUZZARA, 15TH AUGUST 1702 23

Right column infantry – Vaubecourt

de Murcey Sezanne

Perche T Anjou T

Vaisseaux T Palavicini (Savoy) T

Albemarle T Ile de France T

Artillery T Artillery T

Right column cavalry – de Revel

de Roussy Barbessieres

Bordage T Broglio T

D’Ourches T Choiseul T

Vaudeuil T De Las Torres (Spanish) T

D’Estrades DR T S.A.R. (Savoy) DR T

Languedoc DR T Genovese (Savoy) DR T

Deploys:
Murcey D – D Sezanne E – E De Roussy F – F
Barbessieres enters on the south edge of the
battlefield, east of Luzzara any turn after Turn 2.
24 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

The Battle of Speyerbach

(Spire), 15th November 1703
In November 1703 two allied forces were heading to break the French
siege of Landau. On the morning of the 15th the two commanders,
the Erbprinz of Hesse-Kassel and the Graf of Nassau-Weilburg, met
in Speyer and celebrated the Emperor’s Name Day. They argued
about command of the arrangements and the order of battle for the
coming attack. Partly due to this lack of agreement the Allied camp
was disorganised. Additionally, not all of their forces had arrived.
Aware of the opportunity to attack the dispersed allies the French
commander, Marshal Tallard, had called in his outlying troops and
by 8:00 a.m. his army was marching toward Speyer. It completed its
deployment without interference and advanced toward the Allied
camp. It was almost noon when the allied commanders in Speyer
finally realised the French were attacking. They still lacked an agreed
order of battle and this added to the chaos. As fighting commenced,
Vehlen wanted to prevent the envelopment of his wing and moved
to his left. Bourscheidt’s infantry could not move as quickly and gaps
were created in the front line.
On their right the French were successful. Their infantry drove
Vehlen’s cavalry back. The cavalry lost its cohesion and fled. The
THE BATTLE OF SPEYERBACH (SPIRE), 15TH NOVEMBER 1703 25

French infantry then attacked the Palatine infantry. Exposed by the

flight of the cavalry this also fled. A major part of the allied army had
ceased to resist. The French then moved to envelop the Hessians.
Initially, there was good news for the Erbprinz. The Hessian cavalry
won the fight against its French opponents and Pracontal was killed.
The French infantry, however, pushed on into the Hessian foot. This
was a bitter contest and caused significant casualties. The Hessian
Grenadiers and several other regiments suffered over 50% casualties.
It was during this period The French sustained many of their
casualties. The Erbprinz dismounted to fight with his troops but his
cause was lost.
The battle ended about 4:00 p.m. Covered by the remaining Hessian
cavalry, the Hessian troops started their retreat toward the bridges
over the Speyerbach. Tallard was content that the threat to his
siege of Landau had been destroyed. He did not hinder the Hessian
withdrawal or pursue the fleeing Palatinate troops.
There are estimates that indicate the Hessen-Kassel army lost about
2,500 men killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Nassau-Weilburg’s
army lost about 4,000 killed or wounded and about 2,000 taken
prisoner. French losses were estimated to be as many as 4,000 killed
or wounded.
The most immediate result of the battle was that the Alliance lost
its supply train and artillery. Worse was to come. After hearing the
result of the battle, the defenders of Landau capitulated at 5:00 p.m.
Tallard’s victory was complete.
26 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Total engaged No. of Brigades Horse Foot Guns

Allied 25 5,500 18,000 10

French 23 8,500 15,000 15

Objectives:
• The Allies’ primary aim is to break the Will of the French
army and force it to retreat. This would be a major victory.
• The primary French aim is to break the Will of the Allied
army and force it to retreat. This would be a major victory.
• A secondary aim is to stop the Allies exiting to the south.
Fewer than 3 brigades exiting would be a minor victory. If 8
or more brigades exit then it would be a major defeat.

Game time Start at 12:00 p.m. Game length 16 turns

 THE BATTLE OF SPEYERBACH (SPIRE), 15TH NOVEMBER 1703 27

Allied Army: No overall commander

Erbprinz von Hessen-Kassel
Right cavalry Left infantry Reserve

Spiegel Hessen-Homburg Schulenburg

Bde Leib T Grenadiere IR V Stuckradt IR T

Bde Goden T Leib IR V Schenck IR T

Erbprinz DR T Anhalt-Bernberg IR T Tielemann IR T
Haremberg DR T Charles IR T Hesse-Homburg DR T

Schmettau DR T Erbprinz IR T Schulenburg DR T

Stubenvoll DR T Prinz Wilhelm IR T

Wartensleben IR T
Artillery T

Graf von Nassau Weilburg – arrives on turn 2

Left cavalry Right infantry Reserve

Vehlen Bourscheidt Aubach

Bde Darmstadt T Leib & Grenadiere IRs V Darmstadt IR T

Bde Frankenberg T Lybeck IR T Isselbach IR T

Bde Hochkirch T Rehbinder IR T Barbo IR T

Bde Leib T Saxe-Meiningen IR T N. Weilburg IR T

Venningen DR T Artillery T Bde Lecheraine (cav) T
Wittgenstein DR T Leiningen DR T

Deploys: Hessen-Kassel X – X, Reserve enters on Turn 2 behind

the front rank.
Nassau-Weilburg Y – Y, Reserve enters on Turn 3 behind the front
rank.
28 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

French Army: Marechal de Tallard

First Line – Deploys A – A

Left Cavalry Right Cavalry

Pracontal Locmaria

Bde Forsat T Bde d’Humieres V

Bde Puiguion T Bde Vertilly V

Bde Silly T Bde La Valliere T

Flavacourt DR T Col.-General DR T

Le Roi DR T La Reine DR T

Mestre de Camp DR T Rohan DR T

Centre Infantry

Surville Clerembault

Croy IR T Navarre IR V

Le Roi IR T La Marche IR T

Orleans IR T Royal IR T

Surbeck IR T Sillery IR T

Artillery T Artillery T
THE BATTLE OF SPEYERBACH (SPIRE), 15TH NOVEMBER 1703 29

Second Line – Deploys B – B

Left Cavalry Centre Infantry Right Cavalry

Grammont Hornes St. Maurice

Bde Chepy T Robecque IR T Bde d’Asfeld T

Bde Fraula T Grenada IR T Bde du Chatelet T

Brie IR T Bde Gaetano T

St. Second IR T

Artillery T
30 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

The Battle of Helsingborg,

28th February 1710
In November 1709, with the main Swedish army shattered by defeat at
Poltava in July, a Danish force under General Reventlow was landed
unopposed in the Swedish province of Scania. The main Danish
objective was to capture the Swedish naval base at Karlskrona. In
order to offer any resistance troops had to be gathered in from a
variety of depots. The Swedish commander, General Stenbock
retreated, trading space for time. Several of his regiments
were rapidly constituted and they were exclusively armed
with muskets; not equipped with the usual third of the men
armed with pikes.
By January 1710, the Danes were ready to advance on their
main target. Stenbock was preparing his counter-attack.
His target was Helsingborg, the key to the Danish supply
lines. Reventlow, saw the threat and turned to meet the
Swedes, but he was taken ill and command passed to
General Rantzau. Rantzau hurried back to Helsingborg
with his force of 10,000 infantry and 4,000 horse. He
deployed the army in a defensive, blocking line on a
north–south axis.
On the morning of 28th February Stenbock marched
south towards Helsingborg. A thick fog lay over the two
armies. When it lifted Rantzau saw that the Swedish
army was deploying on his left and he sent troops
to reinforce that flank. Around midday, Rantzau’s
artillery on the Ringstorp heights started firing on the
advancing Swedes. Rantzau was expecting the Swedish
attack to fall on his weaker left flank and shifted his
right toward the east. Stenbock also turned his army
east towards the Danish right flank. The Danes saw
this as an attempt to encircle their exposed flank, and
to prevent this they marched further east. This opened
THE BATTLE OF HELSINGBORG, 28TH FEBRUARY 1710 31

up gaps in the line that couldn’t be filled. At the eastern end of the
line the Danes were initially successful, the Swedes were repelled and
the opposing Swedish commander, Burenskjöld, was captured.
The Swedes slowly forced the Danes backwards. Rantzau joined
in the fighting but he was seriously wounded. It has been said
that a rumour developed on the Danish east flank that the Swedes
were attacking from behind. For whatever reason, the entire flank
collapsed, with the troops retreating back to Helsingborg. Rantzau’s
loss from the field was also felt in the centre of the Danish line. These
remaining Danes had great difficulties resisting the Swedish assault
and, seeing the collapse of their eastern flank, the centre also
started to buckle.
At this point in the battle, the Swedes attacked the gap that
had formed between the Danish centre and the western
flank. In the centre, the elite regiments of the Guards and
the Grenadier Korps tried to resist the Swedish advance
to allow the other forces to pull back in good order. They
caused serious casualties amongst the attacking Swedes
but their efforts were in vain. They were in danger of
being surrounded as the Swedish cavalry pursued the
fugitives on both left and right. The situation was
increasingly untenable for the Danes. The senior
commander remaining, Major-General Valentin
von Eickstedt, ordered a general retreat and the
Danes fled into Helsingborg, bringing the battle
to an end.
The Danish army was crippled by the engagement.
It lost 1,500 men killed, 3,500 men wounded and
2,700 men captured. It was trapped within the walls
of Helsingborg. The Swedes were camped outside
and Stenbock invited the Danes to capitulate. His
offer was rejected. The Swedes lacked the control of
the sea needed for a traditional siege. So, Stenbock
settled down to bombard the city.
By 5th March the remains of the Danish army had
taken to their ships and left Scania, never to return.
32 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Total engaged No. of Brigades Horse Foot Guns

Swedish 20 5,000 11,000 30

Danish 16 3,500 12,500 30

Objectives:
• The Swedish army’s primary aim is to break the Will of the
Danish army and force it to retreat. This would be a major
victory.
• The primary Danish aim is to break the Will of the Swedish
army and force it to retreat. This would be a major victory.
• A secondary aim is to stop the Swedish force exiting to the
south. No brigades exiting would be a minor victory. If 5 or
more brigades exit then it would be a major defeat.

Game time Start at 11:00 a.m. Game length 15 turns

 THE BATTLE OF HELSINGBORG, 28TH FEBRUARY 1710 33

Swedish Army: General Stenbock

First line
Left cavalry Centre infantry Right cavalry
Buhrenskjöld Taube Meyerfeldt

Västgöta CR T Jönköping IR * T Ankedrottingen CR V

Östgöta CR T Kronoberg IR T Livregiment CR V
Västgöta 3M CR T Saxon IR * T Småland CR T
Infantry Guns T Uppland 5M CR T
Infantry Guns

Lewenhaupt Palmquist
Skanska 3M CR T Älvsborg IR * T
Småland CR T Småland 5M IR * T
Gyllenstierna DR T Uppland 5M IR * T
Infantry Guns T
Infantry Guns T

Second line
Von der Noth

Kalmar IR T
Östgötland IR T * Units marked with
an asterisk have a
Sodermanland IR * T ‘traditional’ (1/3rd)
allocation of pikes. All
Uppland IR T
other infantry units are
Västmanland IR T musket armed.
Infantry Guns T

Deploys: Right X – X, Centre Y – Y, Left Z – Z

Von der Noth enters on Turn 1 behind the Centre.
34 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Danish Army: General Rantzau

First line

Left cavalry Centre infantry Right cavalry

Devitz Eichstedt Rodstein

1st Fynske CR T Dronningen’s IR V Livgarden til Hest CR V

1st Jyske CR T Grenadiere Corps V 1st Sjaellandske CR T

Bulow DR T Livgarde til Fods IR V Prins Christian’s IR T

Bulow DR T Fynske IR T Livregiment DR T

Field Artillery T Jyske IR T Livregiment DR T

Field Artillery T Infantry Guns T Sjaellandske DR T

Infantry Guns T

Second line

Sprengel Hessen

Leepel IR T Prins v. Hessen IR T

Mariner IR T Lollandske IR T

Sjaellandske DR T East Sjaellandske IR T

West Sjaellandske IR T

Infantry Guns T

Deploys: Right A – A, Centre B – B, Left C – C

The second line enters on Turn 1 behind the respective first lines.
 THE BATTLE OF FRANCAVILLA, 20TH JUNE 1719 35

The Battle of Francavilla,

20th June 1719
The War of the Spanish Succession ended in 1713 with the Peace
of Utrecht. Spain resented the outcome, having lost many of her
overseas territories. In 1717 this pressure broke into open conflict.
In August, Spanish forces recaptured Sardinia virtually unopposed.
This success was followed up in 1718 by a landing of 30,000 men
on Sicily. The invasion was initially successful, but in August 1718
the Spanish navy was defeated. The Spanish army in Sicily was now
isolated from its base.
In contrast, its Imperial opponents received
reinforcements from Italy. In May 1719, under
the command of the Earl of Mercy, an army of
24,000 men set out to attack the Spanish army
besieging Melazzo. The Spanish commander,
the Marquis de Lede, was forced to abandon
his siege. The Imperialists pursued and a
battle became inevitable.
De Lede deployed his army skilfully.
He chose a site near the town of
Francavilla that was protected by a river,
and centred on a heavily built Capuchin
convent. The convent was built on a hill
that dominated the flood plain through
which the Imperialists would approach. On
this major feature the Spanish deployed 4
battalions of Guards and a few light guns.
Behind this major feature was the town
of Francavilla and a dry stream bed,
along this line the Spanish entrenched 5
infantry battalions. The end of the line
was guarded by 6 cavalry squadrons.
To the right of the convent, the Spanish
36 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

deployed 17 infantry battalions and 12 squadrons of dragoons

entrenchments alongside the river.
The Imperial army approached in three columns. The first of these
descended from the hills opposite the Spanish line and waited for the
other columns to launch their attacks. The aim was to pin the Spanish
main body in its entrenchments. The second column marched along
the road to Melazzo in its divisions, one after another, to attack the
convent hill. This attack was to be combined with the attack of the
third column approaching through the high ground to the north.
This third column was to climb over the ridge and attack downhill
towards the convent.
This flanking attack disorganised the defending Spanish. The second
column now joined in, forcing the Spanish back. There was heavy
fighting during which the Imperialist commander, Mercy, was
wounded and had to leave the field.
On the Spanish left, Seckendorff attacked the trench defending the
town of Francavilla three times, but was repulsed at every attempt.
On the Spanish right, the Imperialist main body finally launched
itself in a frontal attack. The Spanish behind their entrenchments
successfully resisted. Although fighting continued it was fairly clear
that there would be no decisive outcome.
 THE BATTLE OF FRANCAVILLA, 20TH JUNE 1719 37

The battle finally ended around 8:00 p.m., when the Imperialist army
began to withdraw. The Spanish army stayed in its entrenchments
and did not pursue. Lacking artillery, which had already been sent
back, and cavalry, de Lede had little choice but to continue his own
withdrawal. The Imperialists recovered and moved on to besiege
Messina. Without command of the sea to ensure supplies, that city
surrendered in October. The lack of supplies was critical and by May
1720 de Lede had signed an armistice. What remained of his army
was evacuated later that year.
As with many battles of the period there are no accurate records for
the losses of either side. Some partisan sources indicate the Austrians
suffered 6,000 casualties (dead and wounded) and the Spanish fewer
than 1,000. By contrast an Austrian source states Mercy’s loss as
850 dead and 2,400 wounded. The truth is undoubtedly somewhere
between.

Total engaged No. of Brigades Horse Foot Guns

Spanish 16 2,500 15,500 4

Imperialist 19 3,000 17,000 12

38 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

The table for this battle is 4’ x 3’. Each square is 1’ x 1’.

Game time Start at 4:00 p.m. Game length 12 turns

Some notes on the terrain:

• Buildings – Francavilla, and the convent are buildings.
• Difficult ground – the area to the south of Francavilla
represents cultivated fields. The area around the convent was
cultivated with ditches and vines. The area to the eastern
edge was rocky ground. The area on the western edge was an
outcrop overlooking the Alcantara river.
• Streams – the stream in front of the entrenchments is dry
and does not affect movement or combat. Its purpose is
purely visual.
• Fortifications – the zig-zag black lines show the Spanish
entrenchments (Fortifications p.27).
 THE BATTLE OF FRANCAVILLA, 20TH JUNE 1719 39

Objectives:
• The Imperialists’ aim is to break the Will of the Spanish army
and force it to retreat. This would be a major victory.
• The only Spanish aim is to stop the Imperialists breaking the
will of the Spanish army.

Spanish Army: Marquis de Lede

Left rear Left pickets Centre left
Almendariz Tenqueur Marquis de Villadarias

Castile IR T Cantabria IR T Spanish Guards IR V

Guadalajara IR T Borgona IR T Spanish Guards IR V
Farnese CR T Hainault IR T Walloon Guards IR V
Flandres CR T Utrecht IR T Walloon Guards IR V
Combined elite cav
V Infantry Guns T
coys *

Centre right Reserve Right

Carvajal D’Huart Araziel
Ultonia IR V Edinburgh DR T Cordoba IR T
Asturias IR T Frisia DR T Milan IR T
Saboya IR T Batavia DR T Lombardia IR T
Aragon IR T Lusitania DR T

* The combined elite cavalry companies are treated as a sub-unit of

veteran dragoons.

Deploys:
Left rear A – A, Left pickets B – B, Centre left C – C
Centre right D – D, Right E – E
Reserve behind Centre Wings (may deploy dismounted)
40 IN DEO VERITAS - CAPTAIN GENERAL

Imperialist Army: Graf von Mercy

First column Second column Third column

Wallis Zum Jungen Seckendorff

G. Starhemberg IR T Ansbach IR T Alt-Wallis IR V

Holstein IR T Wetzel IR T Alt-Württemberg IR V

Loffelholz IR T O’Dwyer IR T Hesse-Kassel IR T

Traun IR T Konigsegg IR T M. Starhemberg IR T

Converged Grenadiers V Converged Grenadiers V Converged Grenadiers V

Field Artillery T Ebergenyi HR T

Field Artillery T

Eck

Hannover CR T

Portugal CR T

Ansbach DR T

Tighe DR T

Deploys:
On Turn 1 – Wallis enters deployed at X.
On Turn 2 – Zum-Jungen enters at Y in road column. Eck follows
this column.
On Turn 3 – Seckendorff enters deployed within 6” of Z.

Optional arrival –
On Turn 2 – dice for Seckendorff ’s arrival. He must score 1 or 2 to
enter. If he scores 3–6 dice again on Turn 3 – he arrives on 1–3. If he
fails again, he arrives automatically on Turn 4.