The colorful cover of the early 1900’s board game of The Little Soldier, displays just that; A Little Soldier boy.  The coat he is wearing is oversized and the sword at his side drags on the ground behind him. During the game, however, the little soldiers who play, end of becoming grown soldiers.

The players work their way around the board, attaining higher ranks.  Who will become ‘Commander in Chief’ first? That is the game’s objective for players.

To begin the game, each player chooses his color of pawn, and places it on the ‘Start Here’ space on the board. The board is a spiraling path towards center, pasted to the bottom of the box.  This ‘game board pasted to box bottom’ was common for many games of the time.

The first space says, “Recruiting Office, Enlist Here”.   As players spin the spinner, and move accordingly, they continue to grow through the process of becoming a soldier.

Players will pass over such spaces as the following:

“Pass Medical Examination”

“Bravery in Battle. Promoted to Captain”

“Wounded. Go back to Hospital”

“Skill with rifle. Advance to Sharp Shooter”

“Captured by the enemy. Go to Prison”

Some of the spaces, like the previous, ‘Go to Prison’, indicates the player should move to that space on the board. 

The game is completed when the first player reaches the center space, by exact spin.  He has become the ‘Commander in Chief’.

The Little Soldier offers a look into the past and the life of a soldier.

With its charming board and box, it makes a great addition to any game collection.

Enjoy playing a game today!

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