Robert Mosher wrote up some stellar detailed play thru and analysis of three of the earliest wargames that we know about which were widely played as training tool then ‘socially’ among officers. The grogheads site is a trove of cool stuff.

Nineteenth Century Military War Games: Lieutenant von Reisswitz’s Kriegsspiel

Nineteenth Century Military War Games: William Livermore’s American Kriegsspiel

 

My copy is in German….Not an easy read. 😉

Nineteenth Century Military War Games: Charles Totten’s Strategos-The Advanced Game

 

But it does have nice images! These thoughtful write ups about the game mechanics (all very similar as it turns out) are worth a read just to appreciate how far we have coming in the dual world of conflict simulation and wargaming.