My First Ever Historical Rules

Packing up some shelves today and I came across this old chestnut, my first ever historical wargames rules.

I played this game around 1883/4 I think with my first historical figures, 15mm Minifigs. Being dyslexic I struggled even more so back then than now, so came to an arrangement with my school friend. I gave him the rules to learn, while I painted the armies. The result was three very memorable games. Being a novice I remember having a whole regiment armed with shot guns... I think I must have got confused as I have 18 figures armed with shot guns. These I know now were obviously meant to be Confederate dismounted cavalry in the basic Minifig sculpts.

Proper old school with tables and tables of factors and percentages. I think when I get set up in my new house I might try to give them a go just for old times sake.

I would have bought these rules from the ‘Guard Room’ in Dunstable in the early Eighties.

It’s weird to think of a time before mobile phones and computers but these rules are a testament to those simple days. They have the look of a church magazine with their hand typed layout and stabled blue cover. 

I put some of these pictures on to a ACW Facebook group and the response was surprising. There were loads of players who remember this game, most of which owned a copy. One guy said they had played a game last week and was still enjoying it. Once I repaint my confederate forces I’m going to give these old rules another spin.

 My rules of choice at the moment are Bonny Blue Flag and there is more a pasting similarity between the two systems. Both rules use a list of minuses and pluses to reach a number that will give a casualty score. Although it has to be said the lists in Circa 1863 are three times as long. My take on Circa 1863 now is that it is really detailed, with loads of options  that can effect the result. A slower game to play, but one aimed at the real aficionado of the era. A player maybe, who reviles in all the nuances of the period, getting your regiment to lie down to reduce casualties etc.