This is a game for either one or two players, though whichever version is being followed, the playing instructions will be very similar. The game is set during the American Civil War and represents skirmish around a river crossing between Union and Confederate forces. The objective of the game is to either capture the enemy's flag or else to achieve the more dominant tactical position within the time period which you allow yourself.

1. The first decision is whether the game is for two different players, using the computer as the impartial umpire, or as a game for one player where the computer will take the role of player 2.
2. Choosing sides
   Player 1 must enter which army he wishes to be, either c (confederate) or u (union). In all subsequent actions, player 1 will always move first, and in the one player game you will always be Player 1, having the black pieces on the right hand side of the screen.
3. Setting a time limit
   If you wish to play the game through to a conclusion, then enter "n" and the battle will continue until one flag has been captured. If you enter "y" a time limit will be imposed of a given number of game turns. Hence, the entering of a "y", you must enter the number of game turns you wish to play, (a game turn is one complete cycle of movement from each player). After the expiry of the limit, the computer will calculate the respective positions and determine the result.
4. Choosing your troops
   This is always done first by Player 1 who has a maximum limit of twenty pieces of each unit (infantry, cavalry and artillery). You are advised that choosing such a maximum force will normally result in a long game if you are not using the time limit. An interesting game should result, initially, from using 8-10 units in total. Your initial selection together with its points total using the formula, infrantry = 3, cavalry - 5 and artillery = 2 will now be displayed on the screen. You must now either input "y" if you wish to fight with this combination or "n" which will enable you to re-select the force. It is now the turn of either the computer or player 2 to select their forces.
    
   To balance Player 1's advantage of first move, there is no limit set upon Player 2 as to the number of each unit he may have. Instead, using the above points formula he merely has to construct his force to a value no greater than the points total of Player 1. (In the one player game you have the option of specifying that the enemy must have an identical force to yourself. In the two player version, Player 2 also has the option of reconsidering his initial selection.)

Before choosing your forces as described in B4 above, the computer will have constructed the battlefield. The position of the two flags will vary each game, but Player 1 will always be on the right and Player 2 on the left. Two other symbols also appear at varying positions on the map. These are:

After the initial selection has taken place, your troops will be placed randomly on your own side of the screen.

1. Player 1 moves each unit in sequence. The unit to be moved will flash until a valid command has been given.
2. Player 2 (or the computer) will move in a similar manner.
3. The computer now calculates the result of any direct attacks between adjacent units and adjusts the strengths accordingly. (During this sequence, the units under attack will flash and beep).

1. Move (M)
   Input M and a movement cursor will appear around the flashing unit which is to be moved. You must now use the four arrow (cursor) keys to position the movement cursor at your desired destination. The distance a piece can move is determined by the unit's strength. Pressing ENTER will move the piece to the new location. If you attempt to move too far you will get a warning beep and must modify your move. If the movement brings the unit into contact with another unit, the river, forest or marsh then this will be the maximum amount of its move.
2. Fire (F)
   Instead of moving an artillery unit you can elect to fire. Input F and the fire cursor will appear. Again you must use the arrow keys to indicate the destination of your shot. There is no limit in the distance but you can only fire in eight directions:- N, S, E, W and the four diagonals. A warning beep will sound when you press ENTER if you are attempting to fire to an invalid location. Note once you have selected F a shot must be fired even if no target is in range. Use the grid around the battlefield to calculate whether targets are in range before selecting F.
    
   Note: For both movement and firing in a diagonal direction, you must first move horizontally and the move the same number of 'squares' vertically. Example: to move a unit 3 squares to the NW press the left arrow key three times and then press the up arrow key three times. If you press the up arrow key only twice this will register as an invalid move.
3. Cross (C)
   Units adjacent to the river bank can attempt to cross the river without using the bridge. Input C and the unit will appear on the opposite bank providing there is a space available. The unit will lose some of its strength in crossing the river and in some locations it may drown when there will be a beep and the unit will disappear from the screen.
4. Bypass (B)
   Input B to avoid giving any command to a particular unit which will then be bypassed and you will proceed to the next unit.
5. Quit (Q)
   If you do not wish to make any more moves then input Q which will end your turn and proceed to the next player's turn.
6. Display Strength (D)
   This is not a movement command but is designed to provide information. Input D and the units on the battlefield will alter to show a number between 1 and 5. This is the unit's strength. When any unit reaches 0 it is removed from the battlefield. You must press ENTER to resume normal play.
    
   Note: During all movement commands an invalid movement will always result in a warning beep when you try to execute it.

1. Artillery fire
   See para 3b for details. At the bottom of the screen the current supply of ammunition is displayed by the pictorial representation of a cannon with the number of remaining shots shown alongside. It should be noted that whilst your initial supply of ammunition is limited you may receive occasional resupply during the game. An exploding shot covers more than one square and hence the subsequent reports of the results of artillery fire will be given in sequence for each unit affected. Therefore, on artillery round may result in three or four hits on enemy units, buy you cannot hit your own units.
2. Attacking an enemy unit
   Attacks can be made by any unit on any other enemy unit, by simply moving to an adjacent square. More than one unit can attack a single enemy unit and the outcome of the encounter is determined partly by the original status value of the units and partly by their current remaining strengths. This confrontation result is only calculated after the completion of the game turn of both players.
3. Unit Strength
   This is shown by using the D command as per para 3f. The Strength of a unit is lost in the following ways:
    
   
   1. when hit by artillery fire
   2. when crossing the river other than by the bridge
   3. when attacking an adjacent enemy unit
4. Completion of game turn
   The final action before the start of the next game is for the computer to check the results of any attacks as per the initial set up.

The calculation of the result is on a points table as follows:

1. 1 point for each item of strength remaining for each unit.
2. A points calculation based on the proximity of each unit to the enemy flag (approx. 1/6 point per unit per square).
3. A points calculation for the safety of your own flag, as a reciprocal to (b).

The higher points total is the victor.

To capture a flag you must order your unit to move onto the square occupied by the enemy flag. The number of units required to capture the flag varies with their remaining strength and also with the initial size of each army. Once a unit has been placed in the appropriate position it plays no more active part in the battle.

It is possible to so deplete each other's force that neither side can reach a winning position. We respectfully suggest a truce in such circumstances to avoid further, unnecessary bloodshed.

CLOADM (ENTER)