The Secret Council assembles

The first thing was to take action with all they had; now Chancellor Südflosse sat in the High Chamber of the Palace of Böhnstadt and knew his master will take matters into his own hand.
There were three men and one woman around the table: Princeps Erhard Berthold, his Guard Captain, Ludwig von Merck, Erik von Südflosse himself and Lady Ingetora Orstsdottir, the Varangian ambassador to Schultze-Böhnstadt.
'We are to set up this Council', the Princeps started in a mild, but anxious tone. 'For, you see, things have gone wild and we are at war no doubt; and that war I wish to win before more defeats are suffered and more casualties are taken.
In times like this we must seek allies where we had not done before, and this is why you, mylady, are sitting at this table right now.'
'You ask me to engage in a war we do not have interest in', the ambassador replied. 'We take money not; we are proud to serve the right, but Gluteborg-Varangia is not home of ruthless mercenaries.'
'My father knew that too well', the Princeps said. 'But times are changing, and if we don't stop the Flossian deluge they'll soon reach your country too, and they will reach it un-prepared.'
'You will be paid for', thus spoke von Südflosse, 'all we need is a few regiments, may they be volunteers or veterans or whatever you like. Join the war or lend your troops and we will give them flags to fight for; you'll have well-trained men who've smelled the smoke of a thousand muskets' fire. Their commander will be granted some estate of Böhnstadter land near the border; we will arrange their quarters, supplies and will transport them if necessary.'
'And should you refuse, we will presume you already have a contract with the Union and deal with you so', von Merck finished the thoughts of the Chancellor.
'Waging war against us and the Union at the same time?' Lady Ingetora laughed.
'I have the orders to raise five more brigades here, ready to be signed. Two more will be enough to deal with von Presser's lot in the west' - the Princeps lowered his voice and his words had a threatening tone.
'That is all; what is your answer, mylady?', von Südflosse asked.
'We bow not to mere threats, sir', the ambassador exclaimed. 'And I have no power to decide this matter alone; I will travel to Gluteborg and see the King and his court to make decision.'

An exchange of information

Luckily, the dispatch sent by von Kahlen reached the dispatch sent by von Spülge from the other side of the river. They quickly turned back, and met von Spülge's escort which just crossed the Grühne bridge. Thus the General was timely informed of the mobilization of his brigade and could alter his plans to meet them at the Bridge that leads to his town of origin.

The other messenger, sent to Störkburg took off the road to cut the distance and was ready to enter the mountain range near the fort of Wraugspitze.

Grübsheim falls

'Today these walls won't hold us back', von Leuchtenberg exclaimed with confidence. He was determined to take the fort no matter how big the brigade's losses are.

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Running with time

Dietrich von Spülge and his escorting Mounted Jägers were still twenty miles far from the Grühne and about forty more to Dreichholm. Grübsheim has been under siege for two days now.
They rode until dusk, then Von Spülge sent forward a smaller detachment of troops with orders to the Brigade to make ready for march. This detachment rode through a small fortification guarding the southern end of the bridge on the Grühne, the commander of which deliberately offered to send his own Hussars even more forward.
It still takes at least two days for the Brigade to get the orders and mobilize. Meanwhile, the siege is on again.

Siege of Grübsheim, Day 1

The Flossian army had prepared to storm Grübsheim. They had a full brigade of foot with two artillery batteries and a pioneer battalion. Von Leuchtenberg studied the outlay of the defensive works:

Grübsheim is near a lake on the left bank of the River Grühne. The lake is connected to the walls with a canal and supplies the moat surrounding the fort with plenty of water. There's one crossing on the canal guarded by three towers. More guntowers are placed around the walls, marked as dark red dots on the sketch above.

The fort itself is a star-shaped one with an outer wall which ties the two ends of the moat together in the south. 'This is where we'll attack', announced von Leuchtenberg. 'After the outer wall is crushed, all we've got to do is take them out by force. Send the Pandurs over that crossing and see if they can pass,' he ordered Colonel von Werther. 'Take the pioneers if you'd want to, but make sure they pack up some siege weapons for the rest of the brigade.'

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Dreichholm Brigade to the rescue!

'How dare you!'
Dietrich von Spülge entered the corridor of the High Chancellery shouting all the way to von Südflosse's office, and when he finally arrived into the room, he showed no intention to stop. 'How dare you not warning me that my hometown has been fallen to Flossian hands, you ruffian, you, you... Son of a baker, darn clerk, you will pay for this!'
'Excuse me, Herr Generalleutnant, I am writing orders', Erik von Südflosse told him. Spülge's rage was gone in a second. 'What sort of orders?', he asked, hoping for the best.
Von Südflosse signed the papers and then sealed the envelope. 'Orders for the Dreichholm Brigade to march west and liberate Grübsdorf from the enemy siege. By chance, take back Spülge too. Look, I knew I couldn't stop you from attacking those wretched Flossians, let us make it legal once and for all. In the meantime, I'm sending orders to dear old Hohenspitz too: he will attack as soon as he can. This is a level of threat we did not expect: don't turn it into peril.'
'Sir', von Spülge bowed then left in a quick pace. He rode to Dreichholm immediately and started marching towards Grübsheim.

The fort of Grübsheim was held by 6 battalions of foot - a fusilier and a militia regiment -, plus a squadron of dragoons. They were facing the full force of the Union, but were keen to hold the walls. They knew help would come, but did not know when. Judging by the fate of Spülge, their only option was to hold.
The Flossian army - at least the foot as the cavalry brigade decided to spend a few days in Spülge, in the inhabitants' empty homes - slowly surrounded Grübsheim and made itself ready to storm the walls.

The first act of war

In the fog of dawn, the 5th Klaußstadt Cavalry Brigade, which left the town of Geistwold during the last, starless night, gathered and took up formations at the outskirts of Spülge, on the left (western) bank of the River Grühne, and at first sunlight the first squadrons descended on the town.

Rolled 1d10 to see how many miltia battalions are quartered in Spülge = resulted in 4. 
Rolled 1d20 for commander's Training, -1 Militia Officer, = resulted in 18-1, Seasoned.

Von Strutzenheim and the two heavy cavalry regiments arrived from the northern road leading to Geistwold. His plan was relatively simple, but he hoped the spies' informations were correct and there was an ignorable force stationed in Spülge. 'It will be an easy ride, my fellows', he said, then continued on to explain the plan.

The light cavalry regiments, the III. Carabiniers and the IV. Hussars will circle round the town and attack from the southern road as a first wave.

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Brigades of the Union assemble

The assembly of troops took no more than three weeks. At the beginning of April the Flossian main army gathered in Geistwold. This army, named the 1st Division contained the following:

6. Rückelburg Brigade - under direct command of Field Marshal von Leuchtenberg

I. Pandurs zu Fuss 1-3. (4) Col. von Werther
4. Grenadiers (7)
VIII. Füsilieren 1-3. (3) Col. Eisberg
IX. Füsilieren 1-3. (3)

5. Klaußstadt Cavalry Brigade - under direct command of Elector von Strutzenheim
At quarters in Klaußstadt

I. Garde du Corps 1-2. (6) under direct command
V. Leib-Küirassieren 1-2. (5) Lt. Col. Schwannberg

II. Leib-Dragoner 1-3. (5) Lt. Col (promoted) Schilswig
III. Karabinieren 1-3. (2) Col. (promoted) Fichte
IV. Hussaren 1-3. (3) Lt. Col (promoted) Mösenberg

1st Independent dragoon (escort) squadron - no appointed commander

Artillery regiment A, 2 batteries, Col. Größfud

V. Rgt 1-3. Pionieren (7) Col. Mannwehld

In the meantime, the Landwehr Brigade's six battalions (one pike and one musket per regiment, in the good old-fashioned way) were assembled and sent to Grübsheim with the lead of Elector Michheim.

Landwehr Brigade - Elector Miccheim as acting Lieutenant General

Rgt. 1 1-2. (X) Lt. Col von Mulke

Rgt. 2 1-2. (X) Major von Glebstrühr

Rgt 3 1-2. (X)  Lt. Col Schmidt

The other two brigades, under assembly, would contain the following:

1st Rückelburg Brigade - under direct command of Elector von Presser

Von Presser's Leib (foot) Rgt 1-3. (4) - under direct command

II. Rgt. Grenzer (from the Selbständig battalions and reserve) 1-3. - Col. (promoted) Fischer

III. Rgt. Füsilieren 1-3. (3) - Col. von Mauser

4. Grenadiers (4) 

IV. Rgt. Füsilieren 1-3. (3) - no appointed commander

2nd Geistwold Cavalry Brigade - under direct command of Elector von Könstrelle 

VI. Light cavalry regiment 1-2. (of the independent regiments) Col. von Braun

VII. Light cavalry regiment (-II-) 1-2. Lt. Col. Ruquier

VIII. Rgt. Küirassieren (6) 1-2. Col. von Löwenstern

Independent units

Volunteer Jäger Rgts. 1-2 (2 battalions each)

Selbständig Grenzer Rgts. 1-2 (3 battalions each)

Artillery Rgts. B-C (2 batteries each)

Pioneer Rgt. VI. bat. 1-3

Newspapers and posters in the bigger towns have shown the words of the First Elector:

"We are going to war, my people. The Electors do not take any more insults from the scoundrel Böhnstadter: our land must belong to the people who deserve it. This war would require much manpower, but the cause is well worth the risk; and I know and feel in my heart that the good men of the Union will not hesitate and join the Army as soon as possible. God be with you,

Elector von Presser"

Union an dem Flosse army list and the Electors make a plan

Before taking a seat amongst his three colleauges, Magnus Walther von Presser, the oldest elector of the Union on the Flosse read through a list his adjutant just put on his desk.

Current Armies of the Union
list by Manfred Sillinghoffen, by the orders of his Excellence the First Elector


(One regiment of foot is 3 battalions by standard, cavalry regiments are 2 squadrons.
Brigades are strictly organized and not only operational units.)

6. Rückelburg Brigade - under direct command of Field Marshal von Leuchtenberg
At quarters in Rückelburg

I. Pandurs zu Fuss 1-3. (4) Col. von Werther
4. Grenadiers (7)
VIII. Füsilieren 1-3. (3) Col. Eisberg
IX. Füsilieren 1-3. (3)

5. Klaußstadt Cavalry Brigade - under direct command of Elector von Strutzenheim
At quarters in Klaußstadt

I. Garde du Corps 1. (6) under direct command
II. Leib-Dragoner 1. (5) Major Schilswig
III. Karabinieren 1-2. (2) Lt. Col. Fichte
IV. Hussaren 1. (3) Major Mösenberg

7. Landwehr Brigade - no appointed commander
(Insurrectionist, regiments take a week to form)
3 regiments of Landwehr foot with two battalions, 1-6. (2) 

Independent regiments

Light cavalry regiments 1-3 (2 sqds of light cav. and 1 carabiniers)
Militia (pike) battalions (196 men) I-VIII.
Artillery regiment A, 1 battery at present, 2 reserve
Selbständig Grenzer battalions 1-2.
V. Rgt 1. battalion Pionieren (7), bat. 2-3 reserve
Von Presser's Leib (foot) bat. 1-3 (5)

When declaring war, besides the regular brigades, all four electors should raise a mixed brigade with
one cavalry and two foot regiment plus a field gun battery.

'Fine', said von Presser outloud as he finished the list. 'I'm going to make some proposals to my fellow Electors.'
The cause the Electors' Council gathered was quite serious. A civilian living on the other side of the Böhnstadt-Flossian frontier rode to Rückelburg with the news of major Böhnstadter operations (at least a brigade, and the Principality had only two) near Schrimpsdorf and Rotsdorf.  They, the Council and the people wanted war no doubt, that was the reason of regular troops participating in frontier raids. The only question was how to begin. If they do not follow diplomacy, Leuwenthaal, formally an ally of both the Union and the Principality would intervene; then there's a chance for Glambria entering the war too.
The Council was seated around an U-shaped table when von Presser entered the room. They've also invited the head of the Union's army, Feldmarschall Otto von Leuchtenberg to dispute the case; the commander was standing at the moment, between the two branches of the table. He held a piece of paper in one, and a long cigar in his other hand.

Schultzdorf Brigade hits the road

After receiving 50000 thalers from the Chancellery for finances (the payment being 1 thaler per week for a foot soldier and 1.5 thalers for a cavalryman, 100 thalers for a cavalry and 75 for an infantry commander per month; volunteers, freelancers receiving half pay), the 1st Schultzdorf Brigade started its march to Störkburg. General von Hohenspitz decided to make a continuous march for three days and spent the fourth bivouacked near the village of Lochkirchen. 

(Click on the images to view in full size)

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