A T Party.....(T Junction that is...)

When Brigadier Ross, the British General in Pisiquid, heard that the Duc d'Anville's armada had arrived in Chebucto Bay (now known as Halifax harbour), he ordered Brigadier Turner to lead an expedition to cross the bridge over what is now known as the Meander River, and block the only direct routes from Chebucto to either Pisiquid, or to the Acadian settlements along the Minas Basin.     
(Where Highway 215 crosses the Meander River near the current NS town of Brooklyn if  anyone wants to look at a map, but don't expect even a close representation of the actual geography of any particular point!)

The opposing forces collide. The British force consisted of 1 battalion of veteran Royal Americans and 3 battalions of provincials as well as 2 companies of rangers. The French had 1 battalion of Colonial infantry from Ft. Beausejour and 2 companies of veteran Colonial infantry from Canada, 2 companies of militia and two parties of Abenaqui and Mi'kmaq warriors. 
(Note Acadian women and children on the far left, fleeing the village, hoping their houses and winter food supplies would not be burned or confiscated.)

While the main forces moved up and deployed, the light troops were already trading fire.

Soon, the fighting spread across the entire battlefield.

Casualties were heavy and both sides had to pull back their right flanks.

Eventually the French infantry, fighting twice their numbers, had to retire, but at the same time, the 60th Foot (Royal Americans)  also had to retire after heavy casualties while the rangers were forced back by superior numbers and heavy losses. The sun was sinking and it seemed that at the end of the day, neither side  would have fully achieved their orders.  

Brigadier Turner, leading his first detached command, was torn between not fully completing orders, even if he held the bridgehead and could be reinforced by night fall, or having the glory of winning his first battle, especially as the French appeared to be on the verge of breaking. At last he flipped a coin and decided to order his New Englanders to charge again. 

Alas, his troops were tired and low on ammo while the small body of French infantry, including veteran skirmishes manning the hedges,  were steady and released a deadly fire causing the Provincials to break and run for the bridge. There was nothing to do but to use the remaining Rangers and the remnants of the 60th to cover the retreat.

Now The Hurley-Burly's Done

At last I found some 'me time' and the battle surged forward to the music of fife and drum and the rattle of dice.

Click on the picture for a larger view.

Battle report to follow.

First Shots

 At last! This little skirmish has begun.

Stay tuned!

An Imminent Encounter On The Fringe

 The table is set, and a battle is likely.

Stay tuned!.......

The Same But Different

Growing up across the St. Lawrence from Montreal, and from the old fort on Ile Ste Helene where
re-enactors of Colonial French soldiers entertained visitors, I thought I knew what the Compagnies Franches looked like and how they fought.  They were trained as conventional line infantry, but those posted in more distant forts, adapted their dress and tactics to the woods and the winters, learning a lot from First Nations warriors.  

It was only recently that I learned that the Louisburg garrison companies, straight from France were only trained as line infantry, even when garrisoning some forts in Acadia. 

So for now, while the fight for Acadia is on, all of my tidy, close order units will represent Louisburg garrison units fighting in close order whether wearing their white coats or having left them in camp in 30C heat. The veteran detachments from New France, far from home, fighting alongside Acadians, Canadiens and First Nations, will be fielded as skirmishers, equivalent to Britain's rangers and dressed appropriately.

(A repeat of the colonial troops in the woods shot)

Now, time to get some troops on the table and roll some dice! Just need to come up with a scenario....hmm.... I think more coffee is required......,

Too Much Info Can Be A Nuisance

For a good number of years, one could easily find references to the milice in New France wearing red, blue or white toques (knitted caps) depending on whether they were from Quebec, Montreal or Trois Rivieres. 

Well........my latest, hot off the press after years of research by professionals Rene Chartrand, and Kevin Gelinas, 2 volume set has just crossed that out.  During the ancien regime, only red caps were sent from France or made in Quebec. 

Milice in the woods.

So,,,,,,,,I shall slowly update my lads when convenient, such as when I needed to replace a missing head after an accident. (The habitant standing next to the kneeling one.)

Down Tools! Clear for Action!

Its that time of the year, getting ready for winter, cutting and stacking firewood, trying to manage water supplies after more than 3 months of drought, sorting out and reorganizing miniatures for North America from the 1740's to 1760, casting, painting, and on and on. 

Its time for a game! The rest can wait.

 

       
"Sergeant Major! Clear the table! Get work parties together, ready to set up terrain as instructed!"

  "Army commanders, meet in my tent to discuss scenarios, then draw cards for sides"

Everyone, else....Stand by!

En Avant!

Not my best painting ever, but these days, its often as good as I can manage. (I know 70 isn't really old but there are days when it feels like it.) 

 Anyway, these are Compagnies Franches de la Marine from Canada, dispatched to Acadia to help drive out the English. The full uniform is left behind in the heat of a muggy summer day, especially when moving quickly through the forests. (In winter a warm woolen, hooded, coat would replace the uniform coat.)

The figures are a mix, mostly formed from various Prince August moulds but with a few modified Irregulars and one 3d printed sample from Day of Battle.

The rest of the Highlanders are finally cast and next on the painting list!

On and Off the Painting Desk This Week

I needed to add 2 more of Gorham's rangers to fit the plan, so now that's done. In the early days the friendly 1st Nations warriors were a large part  or the Rangers so they make up 1/2 of my rangers.

While I was at it, I rechecked my thin sources (no pieces of clothing remain and no contemporary paintings have been found so far), and lightened up the facings, tams, and small clothes.

While I had the camera in hand, I took a quick shot of some of the existing and in progress casualty markers.  

The two First Nations warriors were done on purpose more than a decade ago, but the rest are actual casualties injured on the tabletop or in transit and are going to be touched up and used as removed stand markers on table.

On the table now, is a refurbishing of some of my Compagnies Franches skirmishers.

The unpainted ones are fresh castings, the two painted Irregular Minis loading their muskets, have had their odd mini-bicorne heads removed and Prince August replacements attached. 

More Highlanders are next!

What's He Doing Next?

Well, the attempted overthrow of the planned units of 4 stands of 4 infantry or 2 skirmishers, has been squashed and the Acadian campaign is about to resume shortly, once the reinforcements arrive and all units conform to international regulations on basing and unit sizes.

More artillery will be next.....

Then trees....I need more trees, more BIG ones especially (for the 40mm lads), and more foliage. At the moment I'm pretty well equipped for late autumn forests.......

(I miss the days when one could easily get treated lichen for model railway layouts, even in the boonies....)

The Battle of Notenoy (Pt 2: Conclusion)

 While the Germans and Emigres were tackling the redoubts, the British infantry enveloped two sides of the central village while leaving a clear line of fire for the Royal Artillery.

The fight for the town was bloody and sustained while the opposing cavalry units eyed each other. If either had charged and won, the victorious horsemen could turn the tide in their side's favour but if they lost, all might be lost. So it was that neither General ordered them in and the opposing cavalry stared at each other, ready for pursuit if their infantry triumphed, or to cover their army's retreat if needed.  

A balloon's eye view of the battlefield, 1/2 way through the day.

With the redoubts cleared, the General ordered his left wing to detach a battalion to join in the attack on the village. He also ordered the redcoats to side step to give the artillery a clean line of fire to the stone house. The Black Watch, having suffered heavy casualties was ordered to fall back and guard the flank of the infantry in case the French cavalry charged. Slowly, the allied infantry fought their way into 1/2 the houses in the town. 

On the far left, the German battalions stormed the town and, despite heavy casualties, they drove the French out with the points of their bayonets.  The Republicans themselves had taken even heavier casualties and there was no chance that they could attempt to take the town back.  The Republic still held two of the objectives and the sun was sinking low. Was it time to gamble with the cavalry?

There was no need. The allied infantry manged to take most of the town and after very heavy losses, the remaining Republican infantry broke and ran. The Republican cavalry covered their retreat and the Duke decided not to risk his cavalry in pursuit when there were so many of these French Republicans to fill the ranks of their infantry. (ps this was the 3rd last turn.)
  

Up next?   hmmm....

The Battle of Notenoy (Pt1)

The 1st Coalition armies were getting restless in the fall of 1793. The campaign seemed to have stalled but eventually the Duke of Belmont had received orders to advance with an allied force of British, Emigre and Brunswick units and seize the strategical town of Notenoy where the road splits, and either the town on the North road or the redoubt blocking the South road.

Cavalry scouts reported that the Republicans had occupied the town and both exits but with a smaller force. After a quick council of war, a plan was decided on. The British infantry would seize the central town and road junction while the Emigre and German brigade would storm the enemy redoubts and seize the smaller town. The cavalry would guard the flank of the infantry while the light troops would work their way through the forest and try to silence the enemy artillery which was holding the third objective.  

The British infantry headed straight forward to the main objective, supported by all of the artillery and were quickly engaged.

On the left, the French musket and canon fire was causing serious casualties. The Emigres were first to reach their target but they were blown back by cannister fire.

The veteran Brunswickers also took heavy casualties but they cheered and swarmed over the redoubt, capturing the French guns and raising the morale of their experienced supports.

"Advance The Guns!" came the order. The bombardment against the redoubt had done little damage so they were ordered to advance to a more effective range. Supported by infantry musketry, the artillery did its work.  

On the Southern flank, the German Jagers slowly forced the French skirmishers back towards the redoubt beyond the woods. In the clearing between the woods and the town, the opposing cavalry sat and faced each other. If either side charged and drove off their enemy, they could wreak havoc on the already engaged enemy infantry or exposed artillery, but it was a dangerous gamble, one to only be used if absolutely necessary.   

After a brief bombardment by the British artillery, the Royalists charged again and captured the second redoubt. Now it was time to move on the crucial goals but the day was half spent and not one objective had been taken. Could it still be done?

...............To Be Continued 

At Last This Hurley Burly Is Done!

 Battle Report to follow.....

....probably tomorrow.

Just A Roll on the Drum and....

 .... the war has begun. 
(from Fairport Convention 'Sloth')

Hopefully, tomorrow will see the last 10 turns played....

At Last!

Its always something!   Routine chores, helping out with a litter of 3+ week old puppies, oh and rediscovering that the scenario called for twice as many Coalition troops as I have. Luckily, a number of German states had not changed their uniforms as drastically since the Seven Years War as the British and French had done, and it didn't take long to cast and paint a few more Dragoons for the Coalition army. I could use double the number of artillery pieces, but, not today!

Hmm, A little crowded but....

Let the battle begin!   (But not today, now I have errands to run in town.....sighhhh).

The Table Is Reset

 The table is set, the recce has been done, and the British general is making his plan. 

Those readers who are familiar with CS Grant's 1st book of scenarios will doubtless recognize the scenario (I'm pretty sure it appeared first as one of the Table Top Teaser magazine articles in the 70's buttttt.... that was awhile ago to say the least.) Those who are familiar with the battles of Marshall de Saxe will also recognize the historical battle that inspired the generic tabletop scenario.

Looks like there's going to be a battle tomorrow!

New Gathering of Host Battle Report

Battle of Long Ridge battle report is now posted on my Gathering of Hosts blog (clic) 

....

Ready To Go

I needed at least 1 more stand of Valdurian levies before I tabled the game and after sifting through some old Garrison and Prince August castings and a few spare painted, long service, just needing a touch up, Ral Partha figures, I got what I needed.

Now the game is ready to go.

(And yes it's that, oh so comman, classic CS Grant scenario.)

Coming Soon to the Gathering of Hosts blog

Next up on the Gathering of Hosts blog will be the first clash in this age between the Woods folk and Valdur. Will the Duke and his household come to repel the raiders? If it is an invasion, will the rest of the Federation respond as they did when the Midlish armies invaded?

The hairy Beast coming out of the woods is a young offspring of the original Gruach Mor who gave his life at the Battle of the Ford, five years ago (!?? really 5 years?). (See The Bloody Ford).

(Aside: our B____y internet connection went down as  I was working on the drafts for the next postings on the 2 blogs. What actually happened were incomplete & inaccurate posts getting posted, but that is now fixed.)

Progress Report

Well, the rain only lasted 1 night, but it refilled our rain barrels, so its all good.  Almost as important, I got some work done on the 3rd cavalry squadron. 

Here is Prince Wyngnuht of Valdur, 8th of his name, with the cavalry under his command. All but one of the riders are Minifigs, painted in '74/75. Their veteran remounts are from a mix of horse farms.

There are still a few scrapes and scars etc to be patched, but, I should be able to finish them tomorrow and then move on to the infantry.

Ah HA!

I was trying to think up a scenario for my Gathering of Hosts, something different, and drawing blanks. Then a certain reader from Tragardland requested a reappearance of the Great Beastie, that made it even harder, until I finally remembered that the Midlands did NOT have to appear on every battlefield. In fact, the Free Folk were supposed to be as opposed to the Federation, esp Valdur, as to the Midlands. 

Problem solved! However, Valdur in particular is a little short on table top troops, Luckily, there are still a few veterans from the '70's, and new recruits from here and there, all needing modification, repair, and/or painting. 

Oh look! Rain!!!! We haven't had rain since early June!    Ohh, well, I'll just have to forgo outside chores and get on with repairs and painting, and a scenario..... work, work, work :)

That Time of Year

 Like many a rural Canadian, its the time of the year to stack firewood for the coming winter.  

I was about a quarter of the way through when I took this shot yesterday and my wife's parking spot will be usable before noon. Then I can take a break and finally decide whether to paint minis or play a game.

The real issue there, is having difficulty deciding what era and what sort of scenario to play.

(...and yes, that's a call for requests and suggestions.) 

Ambushed!

It was a hot August day in 1548 when an English Magistrate approached Haddington after a long journey from the border.  The town was not under siege at the moment, nor was there open warfare, but a strong escort had been provided for his safety, and it had been needed!  

(Note: click once on the pictures for a closer look, then click on the magnifying glass symbol for an even better close up.)

As the convoy approached a bridge over the river running through a valley, a flurry of arrows flew from a patch behind cover and bands of Highland warriors raced down from the hills, screaming their war cries. The escort infantry deployed to face the enemy while the cavalry spurred ahead to ensure a safe passage to and over the bridge.

Artist's impression of an eagle's view of the skirmish.

With light cavalry and archers threatening any attempt to cross the bridge, the head of the column stopped and waited for infantry to come and clear the way rather than risk exposing the convoy. They just hoped that if the enemy attacked first that the Demilances, and Border Horse, could see them off. 

The English commander had not considered that the fleet footed Scots might wait for the convov to pass  and attack it from the rear. (and I've played this scenario again and again since I got the book in '82! As it was I used 2 blind markers per unit, one real, one false and deployed them facedown until spotted.)

 

The English infantry must have been tired after all that marching because their dice were awful! The fighting was prolonged but the English kept backing up, hoping to catch up the the convoy so as to protect its rear, and maybe improve their dice rolling. 

The sun was getting low in the sky but the wagons were getting close to the bridge and safety and the Highland swordsmen were too far away even if they could break the English biillmen. The Earl of Lennox  decided to risk throwing his border horse and the English Demilances and border horse.
If the charge worked, the wagons would be run over. 

The cavalry charge was a close fought affair, but the Scots cavalry were driven back by their heavier foe. Behind the convoy, the English billmen had suffered horrible casualties but they continued to do their duty and retreat slowly. It looked like the convoy would make it to the bridge.

What either commander hadn't contemplated, was the desire of the Highland archers to be first to reach the loot.  After a lengthy exchange of arrows, they drew  their daggers, swords, whatever they had, and screaming their battlecry, rushed the English archers and, taking them by surprise, scattered them. It was enough, with over 1/2 of the English companies scattered or out of action. the rest of the English soldiers scattered, running for safety. The English Lancers managed to rescue the Magistrate but the rest of the convoy was now loot.   

Rules were used by the latest draft of the updated "Rough Wooing". As soon as the one page Quick Reference is rearranged to give all of each troop type's stats in one place, I'll make it available. 

ps: Any relation to the ambush scenario in CS Grant's "Scenario's for Wargames" is because that was what it was.