Preparing for the Gathering Storm

Spruce beer! Two bits! Officers of the Brooklyn Garrison refresh themselves. 

Its been a busy few days at Base Camp but most of my 1812 British, all of the Rebels and some of the Americans and 1837 troops are back on washers. I even invested $10 in another 2 lbs of washers which is about 200. Enough to finish the rest of the 1837, Oberhilse and American troops. I also re-tested an 8 man proto-movement stand  and it will still hold the troops at very steep angles (see a test of a 4 man stand 2 years ago).


There was a moment when I wavered and almost fell back on a larger establishment but after a break, common sense returned and I carried on. The new establishment for line infantry will be 2 officers including an ensign with a colour, a sergeant, 4 grenadiers and 9 privates. That's  a little light in privates  but as often as possible the unit will have 14 bayonets which is all that will matter. There will also be a drummer who won't count for combat or morale.

Once I had my fill of basing, I turned my mind to a scenario. I had been thinking of rebels trying to hold off government forces while they prepare a bridge for demolition but that felt too much like the last game, another delaying action. I decided to go for an attempt by rebels to seize a local militia armory including a 6-pounder canon. adlibbing, I put.together a village at a crossroads then surrounded it with fields and woods.  This was going to be a tough nut for the rebels, especially since reinforcements would include Dragoons which they would have little defence against if caught in the open. Best to keep government forces to a minumum, Here's what I ended up with:

REBELS:

On table, East Road

General Isaac Black
1 x 8 militia light infantry
1 x 16 militia infantry 1/2 pike, 1/2 musket

Arriving on a score of 1d6 <= the turn number, dice for arrival 1-4 South, 5,6 North.

Col. Pulanski
1 x 16 militia infantry with muskets
2 x 8 militia light infantry with muskets
1 x 8 veteran irregular light infantry with musket

GOVERNMENT FORCES. 

In Belmont.

Col. R MacEachern, Engineer and OC Brooklyn Defence.
1 Company Sappers (1 x 4 sappers with musket)
1 Company Ordinence Corps (1x4 infantry with musket)
1 Battalion York Rangers (1 x 8 Lt Inf with muskets. split into 2 detachments)
3 Barricades. The Armoury counts as a fortified building and contains muskets, powder and at least one 6 pounder cannon barrel and carriage..

Arriving on the south-west road on a score of 2d6 <= turn number.

Col. Flowerdew
Princess Charlotte Dragoons (1x8 Elite Cavalry)

Brigadier Topper.
Royal Veterans (1 x 16 Infantry w muskets)

Battle Report tomorrow.

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A big thank you to the officially anonymous person who arranged the gift  of the Sash & Saber Sutleress pictured above and the yet to be painted eccentric officers. Much appreciated.