vendredi 28 août 2015

The mechanics of desertion

For an upcoming Deadlands game the players are going to start as Union deserters, running from a particularly nasty battle which was called off on account of Gloms.* However, I realize I know almost nothing about how losing battles or desertion actually works, aside from the obvious "running away and not coming back."

Historically speaking, battles are won when one side or the other turns tail and runs. How does the losing side reform again? Were the troops given a rallying point to meet up at in case of being facerolled? When some individuals zigged instead of zagged and got separated (or ran away of their own accord), was there a protocol for rejoining their company, or was it a guaranteed court martial *cough*execution for cowardice?

What happened to their supplies; bedrolls and tents and such - surely the footsoldiers wouldn't carry it all with them?

Further, how were deserters identified? Could a handful of soldiers peel off, find some work clothes and easily pose as civilians? If they were to be "made" as deserting soldiers by some podunk sheriff, what would the usual process be?


*Zombies that attach other corpses to themselves to form foetid conglomerations of limbs and weaponry, all plentiful on the battlefield.


via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1JC2nwi

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