The Dixie system is an expanded version of Columbia's tactical battle board system used in such games as Napoléon: The Waterloo Campaign, 1815. Each unit card shows its unit ID, its Combat Value (CV--the number of dice rolled), and its Firepower (the number needed to hit a target).

The game is played without a board; the table is divided into three battle line areas for each player (left, center, and right). Players deploy cards face down into their three battle line areas. Player's hands act as the Reserve area. Each turn, every unit may either move or fire. Movement consists of advancing into the opponent's battle line areas to engage. Combat consists of rolling dice equal to the unit's CV with hits occurring for each die that is less than or equal to the unit's firepower. For each hit taken, a unit must make a morale check, rolling equal to or less than their CV or "rout" (i.e., be discarded).

Play continues until one side is able to occupy unopposed two of the three opponent's battle line areas. Rules are included for fighting a second day.