Kavkaz Campaign - resumed...

Following the defeat at Khashuri, the Kavkaz column of Izumrud-Zeleniya withdrew, and began a rather leisurely retreat northwest towards Kutaisi, a town on the north bank of the river Rioni. Perhaps the withdrawal was a little too dawdling, for Abdul Abulbul Ameer's column ran them to earth within a couple of days. For a few days, the two forces stood whilst the Ameer ordered a reconnaissance of the Zeleniyan positions.  

After the combat at Khashuri - night, 21 May 1875

The reconnaissance and further attempts to develop the Zeleniyan position proved a failure (the Turcowaz rolled a '2'), whereat the latter were able to break contact on 27th May and resume their retreat to Kutaisi, arriving there the following day. Meanwhile, the Trebizond Command, marching up the road from Poti, had arrived opposite Zugdidi, whence they began a reconnaissance of the Rioni river line and the Zeleniyan defences along the northern bank. Forming a rough idea of the enemy strength - the '5' on the  ♥Q card in the picture infra - the reconnaissance also discovered one or two fords along the stream in front of the town.  The forces nearly equal in strength, both settled down to formulate their plans.

Developments from 22-26 May 1875

Just a break in the narrative here to remind readers of the meaning - given the month-long break in this series - of the card system of movement. The actual mechanics may be found in Bob Cordery's book The Portable Colonial Wargame. But here are a few small tweaks for the purposes of this campaign.  Instead of the simple BLACK/RED suit split, I have assigned a suit to the four commands:

• Heart: Turcowaz Trebizond Command (Suleiman Husnu Pasha) including supply transport by sea, and the protected cruiser Hamidiye*.
• Diamond: Turcowaz Kars Column (Abdul Abulbul Ameer)
• Club: Izumrud-Zeleniya Coastal Command (Generalleytenant Malachi Malodorovitch Kutizedoff) including the naval convoy* and the Guards Legion under Count Ivan Skavinsky-Skavar.
• Spade: Izumrud-Zeleniya Kavkaz Column (Count Ignatiev).
  
  
  

  

  'Graf Ivan Skavinskii-Skavar'

As this is a solo campaign, rolling for reconnaissance would have limited meaning or value unless one placed more meaning to the results. I have already suggested that a roll of '1' - signifying an attack without a preliminary recon - suggests some kind of ambush. At the other end of the scale, a '6' would indicate a surprise attack. We'll come to this. So what about the results in between?  

As the situation at Zugdidi now stands, the contending forces, very nearly equal in strength, are standing on opposite sides of the river. The Turcowaz just arriving, had the initiative, and rolled a '5' on their compulsory recon dice. So they know that the force opposite is a match for them, but also know something - but perhaps not everything - about bridge and possibly ford river crossings. The attack and defence might have to be programmed ... somewhat.

However, in subsequent moves, I gave priority to the naval elements, which implies that the initiative might well pass to the Zeleniyans at Zugdidi. But they in turn would have to conduct a reconnaissance of the Turcowaz opposite, and the river crossings as well. The Izumrud-Zeleniyan convoy began its slow journey down the coast from Sakhumi on 26th May. A week later, having delivered a supply transport at Trebizond, the Turcowaz protected cruiser Hamidiye set a course due north. Its mission: to seek and sink any Izumrud-Zeleniyan vessels upon the high sea.

* One issue that does concern me, is that naval movements seem to me a little too sluggish. After all, they could get about a deal faster than any land transport could. I propose henceforth to allow then to move:

• according as the card colour comes up - not just the suit, and 
• in addition to whichever land force is being activated. 
  
  I think this will bring on a rather brisker chain of events!  

Situation, dawn, 27th May

On 30th May, Abdul's command caught up with the Kavkaz column, who, having reached the Kataisi town, decided to offer battle from behind the river line. This time, the reconnaissance ordered by the Ameer was successful and thorough (the die roll was a '6'!). Not only were the Zeleniyan defence lines comprehensively mapped out, the river crossings were as well.  

Developments 27-31 May

The stage was set for a second encounter between the commands of Abdul Abulbul Ameer and the Count Nikolai Nikolaivitch Ignatiev. On 5th June, 1875, the Turcowaz launched their attack...
 

Developments 1-3 June.  

To be continued... assault on Kutaisi.