The Cavaliers down the High Street

 My solo "Tersey River" fictional ECW campaign has made an appearance on the table.  Memorable for the effectiveness of the cannon fire from "Little Maggie" which discouraged the Tawney attack across the bridge of the Tam and the headlong charge by Lord Blare down the highstreet of Carweal village being met with the veteran cavalry of the Murrey faction charging down the street from the opposite direction!

Blare's troopers took the brunt of the force and were forced to halt causing a traffic jam of milling horses within the town and were soon forced to flight.  

"Fine Day's" Battle of the Broken Wagon

 Fine Day, the Cree Warrior Leader stared upon the Canadian soldiers with much confusion as they slowly walked in unison, a slow walk, their legs moving as a centipede. “Why do this?”  he asked Small Bear. But his companion shook his head.  “Starlings?”, Small Bear offered as the red-coated soldiers did walk as those birds flew,  seemingly as one following unknown commands. But perhaps it is so we are confused as we are and will not attack? If that is their plan, it is working well thought Fine Day. Do we?, the warrior contemplated. 

Stepford's contingent in full dress, practicing their formation drill on the open prairie.

Across the meadow and for several hours now the rest of the convoy had moved north leaving a small contingent of the York and Simcoe Regiment to stand guard over the broken wagon, empty of its cargo, and guarding the artillery piece left here so it’s limber horses could provide the extra power to move the other overloaded wagons 

Sgt. Simmons, commanding the gun crew, was resting looking up at the circling birds when his loader made the comment , “The gun just moved!” Getting up from his supine position, the sergeant witness the gun slowly but methodically gaining speed, muzzle first, toward a small gully. “Get up you buggers!”,  he shouted to no one in particular. 

Simmons, Dobkins and crew working to upright the cannon and get it into action.

Two companies of the York and Simcoe Battalion were equally lounging in the midday sun, lifted their heads to see the artillery crew run after their cannon.  Interestingly none got up to help as they remembered the afore mentioned artillery Sergeant suggest to the column’s commander that they could provide the horsepower to move the gun along. “We are not bleeping mules!” was the general consensus and the matter was dropped. Let the artilleryman now become their own mules to drag the damn gun from the bush. Heads returned to the reclining positions as their ears still could hear the sounds of frustrated artillerymen and the shouts of particularly ambitious colour sergeant who was parading his charges in full uniform up and down the grasslands.

This would continue for several minutes when a lone person walking with a limp, came into camp asking for the commander. “ I am one of Bolton‘s Scouts. I encountered a group of Cree moving this way.  They shot my horse and I landed with a slight slight sprain. Got here as quick as God allowed but I must warn that you may be attacked”

Then the shots rang out from the clump of trees to the north-west…..

My simple terrain try of birch trees.  the Cree are hidden somewhere amongst. [spoiler alert: I have no Cree.  But in my defence, historically, the Canadian soldiers would not see any either!] 

So begins the solo scenario set up during the Canadian Northwest Rebellion using the ever unpredictable rules “The Men Who Would Be Kings”. The game begins with the cannon overturned in some scrub, an exposed Canadian militia unit in close order in the middle of a featureless prairie, two other companies unprepared for battle, and a number of natives firing away.

I had rolled for the Scout to give advance warning and my extremely low rolls for his movement speed suggests he was on foot only and hobbling at best. 

Smith consults with the wounded Bolton Scout and his contingent faces the tree-line.

For entertainment I rolled for the traits of each of the Canadian Leaders per the rules. The artillery has Simmons “a weakling” so no melee bonus [well, that makes sense for an artilleryman].   The marching unit under Stepford has a weak leadership of 7+ but with the trait as a “Musketry Buff” if activation orders for fire or volley he increases to 5+. [and this on the unit already in close formation, the volley fire bonus could be advantageous. Unfortunately it could not be used during the game] 

The forward unit has a steady officer under Smith with the leader ship of 6+ and the rear unit under Gallant has [surprisingly I rolled box cars] hero status activation at 4+ 

The Cree shooting immediately gave Stepford’s marchers almost 50% casualties but they would not break and retired to the road as Smith’s Company poured steady but ineffective long range fire against the tree-line. To the south, Gallant’s company led by the “hero”, steadily moved to the flank of the Cree position and, yes, the artillery crew continued to upright the cannon and prolong it into a firing position 

At this point the Cree fire ceased.  The Canadians pondered whether the Cree had abandoned the attack or not [actually the Canadians were all out of affect of a long range fire, so I ceased to roll for firing!]

The artillery finally moved into position but… “Dobkins, you bloody idiot! Go back and get the ammunition!” …the artillery it fails it’s firing activation.

Dobkin at left. Does he finally have the correct ammunition? ( or more to the point, can I roll enough to activate the artillery firing?!)

Meanwhile Gallant leads his company to flank the tree line when the tree-line explodes with gunfire, frightening in the militiamen and pinning them despite their fine leader.

The Canadian militiamen ready to charge into the woods. Smith's in the foreground, Gallant's depleted group in the distance.  The smoke-balls are an indication of the Cree fire expenditure. Historically they were quite low on ammunition so I roll for the amount they have to fire, and lose d6 pip per activation attempt.  Thus often they are forced to retire due to lack of ammo. 

“Dobkins! Bring the correct ammunition, damn you!”  I read the rules with the artillery ignoring cover.  Well, this should cause some Cree casualties.   Wrong. I rolled no hits on 4+!   But a turn later, finally the gun got into action regularly hitting the southern Cree unit and repeatedly pinning them.  This allowed Gallant’s militiamen to approach closer without oncoming fire.   Smith finally giving up on his long distance fire, double-timed it towards the tree line. He was rewarded by no further casualties.  My Cree fire was rolling poor. The Canadian militiamen were surviving the weakening Cree fire; and for the most part the Cree were not willing to engage in hand to hand combat so with only a few rounds of ammunition left, they got on their horses and retired from the “Battle of Broken Wagon” 

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Game Notes:

-I needed a back-story to why one of my units is in march order but not the others; so the “centipede” narrative. This unit may only have convoy duties henceforth.

-no warning explanation in the story is for my very low movement rolls

-I only remove 1 figure regardless of hits, but account for the total hits for the important Pinning Tests. This serves to make the overall miniature removal a little more realistic but the rule’s pinning numbers remain intact.

-historically, the Canadian militiamen were enthusiastic but had very little training.

-the miniatures are with a metal artillery crew having new headdress modelled, and the infantry converted Perry plastic ACW Union types.  Not perfect but with a wargamer’s squint….. 

-I added the Perry Home Service helmets because I was given them, they did indeed wear them (!), and I did not thus need to model more glengarries!  

100 Years War grunge match

Prologue: Well, they are finally painted! I have had these very old Gamesworkshop 'Brettonian' knights ready to paint for many, many years. I have an old post of them still in black primer from 2016  (see: previous post ) I recently added embossed shields from Fireforge which emblems matched some of the headgear of these knights. These shields make painting of the knightly "logo" much easier.  The use of crested helmets did continue to some degree during this period, and the Osprey edition on Crecy and Poitiers illustration plates certainly show them, so I don't think they are too far off the historical track <wink>

Introduction:  After The Battle of Crecy in 1346, the French nobles felt the English with their ‘crooked sticks’ didn’t fight fair, so they want another go at it. 

 So in the blue corner weighing in at 24 points we have the contenders - the French - with three ‘Battles’ of knights on steeds with the help of "Genoese" crossbowmen.

And in the red corner also weighing in at 24 points, the defending champions - the English - with two groups of 'elite' longbow archers behind stakes and a group of men-at-arms together with a group of yeomen spear.

Unlike the first match at Crecy, we are giving "the Genoese" their protective pavises and not having any muddy ground to hamper French movement. These two factors are used to account for the historically overwhelming English victory. Round One: Deployment of the crossbow and archers was at maximum 18” for both. The English longbow shot first but the crossbow morale withstood both lights of arrows and they returned fire causing casualties but no discouragement from the English. Historically, the French knights grew impatient and charged through their crossbowmen. To account for this, I rolled for their movement. If successful, they would move through the crossbow into charge ranges, if not the crossbow would be allowed to shoot, softening up the English. But the impetuous French knights being who they are….. Round Two: Those "Genoese" who avoided getting trampled, moved into a tight group to avoid the advancing knights who, despite casualties from the archers, launched into the more respectable opponents of the English men-at-arms and spearmen; and while the spearmen were pushed back, the men-at-arms of foot held fast and the French mounted knights fell back to regroup. Unfortunately for them the archers, still untouched, launched volleys of arrows into them finally cracking their numbers and spirit. However their sacrifice allowed the reserve knights to move into charge range without casualties.

Final Round:
The French knights (or more the fact, their horses) avoided the stakes and attacked a more chivalrous target in the English knights on foot, and while pushing back the English, opened themselves to be a target of the archers who shredded them. Addendum: important rules which I forgot to employ were the stakes while offering extra armour for the archers cost 2 points which would not allow the archers deployed behind them to be ‘expert’ and shooting better; with the result the French knight gained more casualties than they should have skewing the battle result. Thus the need to rewind. So Grunge Match #2….. The historically numerous deployed Genoese would have spread across the who breadth of the French line but "Lion Rampant" rules prohibit such deployment. This tightening of frontage allows the French knights to avoid the crossbowmen rather than riding over them into a position to charge the English.

My dice rolling came into effect which did not allow the English bow to fire over two turns (!) allowing the French knights to charge without casualties. The Right ‘Battle’ of French knights avoided the stakes to crash into the English spear knocking them back. The crossbowmen, with clean sights, routed the longbow. The Left ‘Battle’ of knights charged directed at the longbow despite their protective stakes and pushed them from those obstacles. The English men-at-arms on foot, could and would advance into the milling French mounted knights getting the better of the fight. Emboldened, they would later charge at the crossbow knowing that should they await the French, the crossbow would merely shoot them down as they stood. However the crossbowmen do know their trade and punctured the English knights as they paced forward. The English, no doubt seeing the further array of the French knights behind the crossbow pavises lost heart.(*)

The English archers while heroically withstanding attacks of the French knights finally succumbed to these armoured warriors. The English army was no more. Crecy revenged!

 (*) a decisive victory made more impressive that a third of the French men-at-arms, the knights in reserve, failed every move roll (!!!), got nowhere near the fighting thus could have been fresh for any further contest.

The second engagement at Okcorralska

While the tank fight  was going on (previous post), two German infantrymen were looting a house. Each holding an anti-tank grenade bundle, they decide to hunt down the t-34.  They move; Hans however stumbles on the flooring exiting the house [ two Move Dice and I rolling two ones!] Franz fall over him [yup, another one inch move!] but gets up and runs 6 inches further [Wild turned into a Move] and acquires the Russian tank.

Hans (right), Franz (left) 

Sensing the Germans could be near by, the Russian reverse and rotate the turret and see the German (Franz) approaching and load up the main gun.

Hans gets up and runs to a position on the other side of a low fence while Franz runs directly toward the tank fast enough that he was now within range to throw his grenade charge under the muzzle of the 85mm.

The Russian driver cleverly reveres the tank while pivoting, allowing the front face toward the element but more importantly, allowing the  hull mg to acquire the German.   The MG rounds hit  Franz wounding him [loss of two Comm, Die]

Hans, meanwhile, cautiously creep slowly to the fence [only one Move Die this time and, due on form, I again roll a 1(inch) for the move]

Franz behind the Russian t-34

While wounded, but apparently not in his legs, Franz moved to the immediate rear of the t-34.  But he forgot one critical issue - the Russian tank could reverse and crush him under their tracks. Oh, dear.

Hans, finally made his way to the fence and acquired the tank.

Hans slowly moving into position ( despite his pose!)

The Russians backed up further and aimed the big gun toward the German and aimed.

Hans looked at his options [the Command Dice] and decided on the “Heil der Fuehrer” option and would run toward the beast.  Luckily his legs cooperated ( I rolled for the distance after deciding on his course of action ).  He threw the grenade toward the Russian but it bounced off the top of the engine compartment and exploded harmlessly behind the tank.

Hans about to throw is grenade...poorly it must be said....

The Russian hull machine gun chatted again but the German avoided the stream of lead.  The main gun then fired.  The shell blew by Hans but the blast alone shook him up [ Remarkably, the 8 Russian strike dice only allowed 3 hits, 1 of which was negated. ]

But not frozen in place, Hans ran away, ostensibly to get another grenade.

Hans shown in his final moments.....

The German could still be seen by the Russian crew, so they loaded another round and fired. The shot took off poor Han’s head.  

(he rolled a very poor double 1s for savings rolls - so we can justify this outcome, what! )

Epilogue: 

In the cellar of one of the houses of OKcorralska, a father says to his little boy, you can take your hands from your ears.  Our village will again be quiet…for now….

a Natives raid on Nateville

The Abenaki raid on Nateville.  

Gleaned from email correspondence between Nate and Mr. Brewster, and CC’s to me, apparently the natives got restless as it were and attacked Nateville while the bigger battle of Towe's Field was being fought (see my previous post).

  I have dutifully come up with the following:

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While the large battle of Towe’s Field was occurring, some of the Abenaki warriors took it upon themselves to do a raid on Nateville.   

The local volunteers of Nateville had gathered to guard the town, while some were unwilling soldiers, many were pleased with the task.  The screams of war cries broke the afternoon air as a small band of warriors emerged from nearby and attacked the volunteers. The Volunteers were pushed back by the onslaught but either side did much damage. The natives followed up the charge but the Americans held their composure despite their timidness to fight.  It was the tired and hungry natives who decided their gambit had failed and they melted back into the fields.  

skirmishers or lights troops are offered additional cover despite being "in the open"

This was a very small affair using "Rebels and Patriots" rules, and with both sides fighting at half effect, so little loss (few dice throw and my traditionally poor rolling anyway, made for very few hits!)

This was an interesting game having only 1/2 effective units which makes each dice rolled that much more critical and actions proceed quickly.    

Battle of Towe's Field (fictional War of 1812)

The Battle of Towe’s Field Final Battle of the Nateville Campaign. 

We have a first hand account by an American Engineer with the US 31st Infantry Regiment.

the photo shows William and the author finishing chopping down a log for work on the "bridge of boat(s). The US 30th Infantry Reg't is starting to cross, drums a drumming. As the American military used the old fashioned "reversed colors" for musicians, these Americans indeed wore redcoats. A supply was even provided by a captured British shipment! 

 “Dear Father, Were the battles of the revolution such as this? I thought my regiment a splendid unit but it did not perform well today. Nor did any. But I did my part. William and me we were tasked to cut down some trees along the river bank to allow the captured boats to ferry the Combined Light company in the very early morning. The lack of boats and lack of oars made for slow crossing. The officer of the 30th was impatient to cross.(my regiment crossed by the bridge while I was here…I do not understand the logic of the army….) William suggested we could build a bridge on the boats. (1) The officer, a new graduate of West Point, an engineer student, thought this a grand plan and soon had his regiment tearing down the nearby fences. I only a few hours we had a nice looking crossing. When Bill and I returned from refreshing ourselves, the regiment had passed and we had no orders. Thinking we did out part and exhausted, we went to the local mill and its second story afforded us a grand perch to view the battle."

The author's position is in the Mill, the large building on the left near the river.

"Father, we were looking towards the enemy lands. To our left is the bridge with an artillery battery deployed on our side of the river, and the Kentucky horse crossing first followed by the 31st Infantry. closer to us was our boat bridge with a hill on the other side of the river on which the Lights deployed. To our right, the 10th Infantry made crossing by a narrow ford, They had artillery support. We could see the enemy had made field works and used abattis (sharpened tree branches facing out) This was in front of Brewsterburg, the same town we attacked before."

 view from the Canadian side in front of Brewsterburg:

note the RIP grave marker.  This is my indicator that the unit is now at 50% or under strength, which for Rebels and Patriots, is a very bad and indeed grave situation for the unit's morale.

"The battle started in the plowed field of Cardon Towe’s farmland. Our Lights were surprised by having early opposition from some grey-clad fellows with fur caps. They stood on the far side of the field and seemed to get the better of the Lights who then broke and ran. This was earlier in the battle as they came past us before our boat-bridge was completed. Many were very wet and without arms. The 30th’s officers made some attempt at halting them and their men jeered them but as they were fully employ with us, did little. It was rumored that the officer soiled his pantaloons during the firefight" (3) "In our view, off to the left, the Kentucky boys seemed to freeze the Redcoats in place allowing the mounted riflemen to shoot up the artillery in the fort. The artillery over there kept up a steady pounding of the fort also. Why the redcoats kept in place we could not fathom but we admired their courage." William made the observation that every one of our regiments seemed to be glued in place trying to cross the water. It was, William said, “were be like they ‘fraid of drowning” This lasted several minutes. (2). While the infantry came under scrutiny after the battle, the artillery was commended as the ‘B’ Battery firing into the field works did good work as was ‘A’ Battery mentioned already. The red capped locals manning the works and the sheds nearby took a pounding to be sure but only retreated very late in the day but gave enough time for some more redcoats to come up in support to face the 10th who finally attacked. William later spoke with a man of the 10th who said the officer insisted on keeping close order but unwilling to engage in frontal assault had them slowly move around the abattis and into the volley fire of the British regulars. This broke them."

"Back on the left, a rocket battery was set up. We done never seen these before and Will and I were in stitches, laughing most hardedly at the smoke trails going this way and that, usually over the grey-coated unit who were most distressed at the fiery things going close over their heads. Not one came near our boys. We could clearly see a mounted officer ride over and gesture for them to stop. Father, it was particularly funny!"

the hex marker shows the direction of the rocket...not good for their side, eh?

 "While the rockets didn’t come near the Kentucky horses, the artillery from the fort did and soon they galloped back to the bridge. While they tried to calm the jittery horses, my 31st which had moved past in grand style to form a close order assault column, was hit by well-aimed close range canister fire which suddenly turned our parade ground into a carnal house. I lost many friends and think myself fortunate to be here than there, truth be told. The rest of the regiment turned to flee but there was no where to run. The horses blocked the bridge, the river was deep. More losses" (4).

"While this tragedy was occurring, the 30th moved up but was met and defeated by the grey-clad unit- we later were informed this unit was the French-Canadian “Voltiguers” and a unit of redcoats who also poured a well-aimed volley into them. Of the redcoats, we learned this was the same unit that captured our ammo supply some while back. "

" At this point the battle seemed to just petter out. The British would not, could not(?) advance; our boys in confused huddled masses. Our leadership it was said, had lost faith that any of the units could be reformed. Were your battles of the revolution like this too? "

 "Your loving son, "

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Editors notes:

 The General would be sacked the next day. But his After-Action Report would explain that the limited crossing of the river would not allow easy retirement of the easily spooked American troops, making traps and causing traffic jams for units entering or exiting the fray. Due to this terrain, high command deemed it impossible to conduct any more offensive actions in the area. With the Canadians not wanting to invade over the border formed by the river, the Nateville area soon will become a backwater of the war, with units slowly dispersed elsewhere. Peace thus has come back to the residents of Brewsterburg and Nateville. 

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Footnotes:

(1) Nate’s ‘orders’ for the American attackers were to gain boats and cross mid-river. I took the opportunity to create a ‘pontoon’ with a boat as the support. 

(2)No Activation was made for these units all on the crossings for three turns straight! 

(3)The “Rebels and Patriots” rules has a delightful “Brown Trousers” effect for a unit’s command. 

(4)The rules have any unit unable to retreat in full, take losses equal to the measurement not moved and as the river and the Kentucky unit blocked the road back, the unit was essentially destroyed.

Romans vs Ancient Britons

Ok it is historical collection but perhaps not quite fleshed out. After receiving the last pieces I needed to create my Ancient Britons, I impulsively went to work scraping, gluing and adding ‘green stuff’ bits to the plastics. I needed to add enough of these ‘cultural’ details to the skeletons to make them Celtic. Shields are an important part. Headdress is another essential aspect; but I was lacking helmets and while I tried to model a few, I changed tack and added characteristic long moustaches and long hair to give some of the skulls ‘the look’.

To stretch the numbers out as I did with the Romans, I made use of terrain pieces on each stand, be it a stone, wicker fence or an emerging body from the ground. Each unit, while theoretically some 12 figures, usual sport only 7 to 9 in number but I think still gives enough impression of masses of warriors. Of course this means large multiple bases but extra skulls provide a convenient and complimentary count markers

Excited by the effort, I played a late night game using Dragon Rampant. While these rules are solidly based upon the wonderful Lion Rampant medieval orientated rules by Dan Mercey from Osprey Publishing, this fantasy version is a great tool box for modifying units to suit specific characteristics one feels certain units require - fantastical or historical. In this case, the mad, impulsive headlong rush we envision the Celtic (and Ancient Germanics included) charge toward the enemy to be, can be simply created by making the warriors “Bellicose” having the ‘Wild Charge’ impulse and adding the ‘Hatred’ characteristic (of the invading Romans) which then bumps to an automatic charge activation. The player need not roll for a possible fail to charge but know that within move distance the charge WILL proceed. These warriors are at their best in the attack.

The Roman Legionaries for their part have the added fantastical aspect of “No Feelings” which as skeletons and hardened professional disciplined soldiers, the ability to shrug off any small losses (except for the poorest of die rolls!) without becoming ‘battered’ and losing combat ability. The penalty for this is the rolling up not down of any extra hits thus creating a few more losses. While potentially crippling, the Roman high hits=losses for their high armour and defensive “Wall of Spears” (the DR equivalent of the Medieval LR ‘Shiltron’) makes this viable and, well, so classic Legionary!

In this initial game, the Ancient Britons lined up and charged the Roman line but failed to make much of an impression. The Roman ballista rolled above average a bit and skewered one of the Warrior units in two turns. The Chariots made much use of their counter-attack capability but had a tough time piercing the attacking Legio units.

Just as the historical Britons led by Boudicca found, The Romans in battle line are very tough. It is pleasing to have the expected results from such a simple set of rules. This is not to say, it will be always a one-sided affair. Just as examples can be found in the historical record, given other circumstances, the Britons could defeat the Romans, but that in a straight up fight, both forces act as we imagine them to have had, gives us a good guideline for their abilities.

The Nateville Campaign - #3 the initial situation

Nate provided the following (very secret....) American Plan: Two columns and one shore party. Shore Party The boats that were gathered have transported the Combined Lights across the river during the night.  They are formed on the central hill on the Canadian side across the river ( kiddycorner ) from the house near the ford. There is also a Line unit on the American side waiting to cross on Turn #1.  (thinking...roll a 2d6 and that is how many stands cross on boats each turn.  The unit can not move on the Canadian side (other than making table space) until the whole unit has crossed as per above.   Objective...to provide support to either of the columns (Bridge and Ford) if those columns are stalled.  If both columns have crossed successfully, they 1) ensure lines of communication to Nateville are not threatened, 2) then move on Brewsterburg then Fort Hammton. Bridge Column An artillery piece is located near the bridge to provide fire support.  The Kentuckians are to rush the bridge followed by the half of the remaining infantry.  Objective..Fort Hammton Ford Column An artillery piece set up to provide fire support.  Rest of the American force is to cross here.  Objective...Brewsterburg....then on to Fort Hammton. Additionally, if the Canadians have an artillery piece, it comes onto the table with the Voltigeurs. The Abenaki remain home and avoid confrontation. ———————— for the ‘boats’ I went ahead and constructed a ‘boat bridge’ for the American assault. It was made from the surrounding fences and would assist in the quicker flow of troops. I really needed to make one anyway. The additional artillery piece along with the Voltigeurs is in fact a rocket troop (its firing should create no end of amusement!)

The following shows the American forces ready to assault Brewsterburg

The British forces and the half-completed fieldworks protected by abattis (sharpened tree branches)

the following are the American forces lead by the Kentuckians moving along the road to the bridge.

The boat bridge recently made.

The "Nateville Campaign" #2 - the battle

The initial scenario set up can be found at the previous post.

 

The food stuffs and pork on the hoof and escorted to the fort as the Fencibles march to reinforce the defences of Brewsterburg.

The Abernaki before going back their village, had warned the Canadians of the impending attack.  Not that the Americans made that activity unknown as they formed a long narrow column snaking to the ford.  

Hardly was the column moving quickly as the ford limited the lead element, the Combined Lights crossed the creek to come under immediate fire from Brewsterburg by the SEM and the half troop of Sedentary militia. To this they bolted and ran back into the now blocked ford as the US 30th Regiment tried to cross.  In the “Rebel and Patriots” rules, those retreating units unable to retreat further must reduce their numbers by the number of inches not traveled!  This and the failure to rally had the American Combined Lights evaporate. 

Due to the slow movement of the American column, the Kentucky unit, destined to be at the rear of the column, impulsively decided to move through the town towards the bridge. Along the way they picked up a small unit of locals who had recently formed up (another of my “dramatically improbable” die rolls) but this force was later met with accurate cannon fire from the fort losing half their number and quickly losing heart about the venture.

435

At the ford, the next unit in the column, the US 30th, moved slowly over the ford and into close order formation.  They were blasted by the Canadian 3rd SEM and militia causing 4 casualties at one time but the sergeants held them firm. (my usual wide swings in dice rolls, this time with two sixes, allowed them to stay for more punishment.) The advantage of large formations is demonstrated as another blast from the Canadian troops in the town has them now with 8 casualties but not yet at the dreaded half way point insuring them a permanent disorder marker. 

The US 30th holding firm despite huge casualties.

But unable to retreat as the following artillery is now slowly trying to cross, yet might not stand any further fire,  the Americans in close order charged at the Sedentary militia, some of whom were literally protecting their homes. An exclaim of “Remember Your Homes!  Remember Your Homes!” (and a really high dice roll of course!)  had the militia hold thus forcing the Americans back.  While their rolls were good, the SEM unit had an ignominious retreat with a poor action.  However, the Fencibles travelling from the fort arrived to stabilize the defences.

The skittish 3rd SEM [on the left], the surprisingly edept Sedentary militia positioned in the sty, [top centre], and the arriving Fencibles, [right]

The American CO seeing the Canadian retreat from the village but not the arrival of reinforcements believes the time has come for a final push and rushes back to the artillery struggling across the stream to move and set up to fire.  “They are retreating! They are retreating!” but to no avail as more musket fire from the small militia unit proved again devastating and with 50% casualties the American artillerists run away.  The second American gun while set up on the far side of the creek could not manage any effective fire and they too, retreated.

Soon the struggling American artillery in the creek ford will be receiving deadly musket fire

 The American attack faltered at this point with no units willing to move (yup. no successful activations by ANY unit!)

The American commander reports that the Combined Lights have been eliminated as a combat unit, the US 30th also at 75% casualties. One battery was destroyed having lost all their equipment and half their numbers. The Kentucky Mounted Rifles had sustained almost 50% loss while the Canadian losses were very light and Brewsterburg saved from the ravages of the American raid.

"Nateville" Campaign #2 - initial situation

  Nate, my "campaign narrator" provided that Brewsterburg will be the focus of the next campaign action. The Native Abernaki were pleased with my visit and only if a roll a 1 will I lose some of their support (and yes, of course I roll the 1 and rolling again lost much of their support. Later that of activation rolls would convince me - and them - they were not willing to help…) Not asking the boss for more support and rolling a 1 means I will lose a unit to his greater command. ( and yes, once again I roll a bleeping 1!!) So I lost the services of the Voltigeurs. The final condition that rolling 2d6 and either boxcars or snake-eyes would have consequences for my troops morale ( and, well, this time I did not roll wrongly….)

The Americans are to capture Brewsterburg and were given two cannon, have “native” support of one unit of Kentucky Mounted Riflemen, but, due to the earlier Canadian raid destroying their ammunitions, the American units fire poorly and will need to make charges when possible.

The Canadians are “alert and ready”

To that end, the bee-hives were moved into the woods and out of harms way, the pigs and other food stuffs were shuffled off to the fort by half the Sedentary militia, and the Fencibles  already moving at break of dawn while the fort garrison were at the walls and ready.

Canadian Fencibles exiting "Fort Hammton" A unit of SEM mans the north perimeter.

The local militia escort the food supplies from Brewsterville to the safety of the fort. 

In Brewsterville, the SEM (left) and part of the local Sedentary Militia prepare to defend the village.

The long column of the Americans lead from Nateville to the objective of Brewsterville and its food supplies.

The Kentucky Mounted Rifles are impatiently waiting their turn to file into the column. The wagons are ready and empty to receive the bounty of the excursion.

Stay tuned to the second part of this exciting battle!