Coming Soon

It's been 9 months since Dominion Soldiers repulsed an incursion by Origawn forces, but the border patrols haven't relaxed their guard.

K

I'm still trying to reduce the number and breadth  of "collections"  a little so that I can focus a bit more on a few and get every collection on the table at least once a year..,..or two.  I have enjoyed the handful of Not-Quite-the-Northwest-Rebellion games but I don't have much enthusiasm for finishing restoration/conversion of remaining antique figures and am low of scenario

s that I want to play.

To wrap up, I'll just select a portion of the 1st Nations warriors to serve with the Dominion's Redcoats.

Oh look, an 1870ish scenario, all set up.......

Roadblock

With the British line  deployed  , it lost no time in advancing to assault the French position, abatis and artillery fire or not.

Soon the rolling volleys and the persistent popping of the irregulars started to have an effect. The Highlanders attempted to storm the enemy battery but were forced to retreat and reform. 

(Click photo for a larger version)
The British battery was soon deployed and an artillery duel began. French musketry and cannon fire cut swathes in the British line but it didn't stop them until they came to the abatis. This tangle of fallen trees with many sharpened branches was a formidable barrier. 

On the far right of the British line, some Acadians and Mi'kmaq warriors worked their way around the British flank but maintained their cover on the wooded hill, trading shots with Gorham's Rangers with little effect. The British artillery soon deployed and an artillery duel began while the British infantry in the open trading fire with the smaller number of French and Acadians behind the logs in the abatis.

With the sun sinking slowing, General Turner had two choices left, pullback, camp, and try again the next day, hoping the French would retreat during the night and not be reinforced, or try one last assault to break the French right wing, forcing their army to retreat. His force was still stronger despite their heavy losses, and they were trained to use their bayonets for assaults unlike the militia and tribesmen. 

The order went out for an assault and while the charges were repelled by the French regulars (esp Ogilvy's Jacobites in dark blue), the Acadiens by the river, who had suffered from the musket fire and were not equipped for close combat, broke to the rear. This allowed the Royal Americans, (60th foot), to wheel and flank Ogilvy's who had already taken heavy casualties. They had no choice and were forced to retreat. At the same time, the remaining Highlanders stormed the French artillery and opened the road.
 

There was no hope for the remaining French, they quickly retreated to the safety of the woods.

Now The Hurley Burly Is Done...BUT

 I haven't had time to write the battle report today but the game is done. Hopefully, tomorrow will see the full illustrated battle report but, for the meantime. 

The 2nd British Attack
(As is usual, for a larger view, click on the picture, then click again.).

To be continued.......

A Spring Surprise

It had been a hard winter for campaigning and after the failure of the British attempt to march through the snow to make a surprise attack on the outskirts of Belmont, both sides settled into Winter Quarters. Once the snow had melted and the ground dried up a bit, Brigadier Turner  determined to get his men into shape and resume his attack on the Acadian settlements.

"Enemy in sight Sir!"

"A LOT of enemy Sir.......behind an abatis!"

"Captain, ride back to the Provincial Brigade and give them orders to step out and deploy for battle as soon as possible." 

Done! (At Last)

It's just a bit more than 2 years since the first company of Highlanders appeared in a F&IW game. Now, at last, I have the full battalion, regimental colour as well, ready to take the field.

40mm figures cast in Prince August moulds.

 Time to clear the table and come up with an Acadian scenario!

It's Just A Flag Away

The lads are now painted to old geezer level. 

All that I  have to do now, is to produce a regimental colour for the Ensign to wave.

Sunday: A Day of Mostly Rest

 So, now I have three stands of Highlanders with a fourth one 1/2 way there,

(Apologies for the awful lighting....)

'........then I'll need to give the Ensign a Regimental Colour.......pity there aren't any definite descriptions of the original flags of this regiment. At least there have now been some research indicating that all of the 4  Highland battalions in North America in the 1750's/60's wore the Government or Black Watch set.