Battle! The Supply Problem (Part II)

The potential of having large numbers of hungry and demoralized troops  is one part of the supply problem during a battle. The other part of the problem is getting the supplies there. Romney poses a particularly challenging problem. 1) The supply lines are long.  2) Any concentration of troops there for battle will eventually be known to the enemy. 3) The potential supply lines between the enemy's base of supply and Romney can be surmised. This makes the supply line vulnerable to attack.

Cavalry moves significantly faster than infantry and supply trains. A savvy commander will determine the most likely route of supply, and send cavalry there to intercept the enemy commissary trains. If they are unguarded or lightly guarded, there is the potential for capturing the trains (or at least disrupting them) and cutting off supply to the enemy when it is most needed.  An equally savvy commander will 1) Set up outposts at critical locations to prevent enemy cavalry from getting to the supply line, and 2) Provide a guard for the commissary trains.

This is one of the features that differentiates a campaign simulation from a tactical simulation. In stand-alone battle simulations, cavalry is often used to fight, charge batteries, and pick off ordnance wagons. In a campaign simulation, cavalry takes on a lighter, but sometimes much more strategically important role: scouting, screening, guarding and threatening supplies.