Meet Me At The Crossroads

Well......., its been more than a week since I laid out the table for a quick game with some of the refurbished Oberhilse (not USA) and Faraway (not Dominion of C.). Well, life's chores and obligations sometimes interfere with hobbies, as does working on reversions of incomplete rules. None the less, the game went on.

(PS: If you click on the pictures, they will expand to a larger size. Depending on your computer, you can either expand and shrink the pictures using 2 fingers, or on older machines, there will be a "+" marker, click that and then the picture will expand to full size, bigger than most screens BUT you can slide around the big picture and have a good close look. When you've had enough, click the back pointer on the header panel where the left, right, arrows etc).  

 a '+' on the Click on pictures for larger size. Depending on your machine, you can use your figures to enlarge or shrink the picture, or there may bepicture which will expand again and allow you to slide the large picture to see all of it. Click on the header arrow pointing left to go back to the regular screen.

What follows is a quick illustrated report on the opening encounter in the war of 1837. Once again, there was a dispute over just where the border ran. The particular target was the Stone Jug Inn and Tavern.

At dawn, both armies rose and hit the roads. Once the enemies spotted each other, the advanced guards moved as quickly as possible with the republic's cavalry and sharpshooters moving fastest with the infantry doing their best to catch up.

The Oberhilse forces moved up quickly, cavalry across the fields, infantry up the road and soon had troops in the village. The Redcoats marched forward in good spirits, but it was soon clear that the enemy was already occupying the town. General Turner had to come up with a new plan.

For awhile, while the armies deployed, the battle was a skirmish between the light troops, taking what cover they could find while the infantry on both sides moved forward as fast as possible and the Generals made battle plans.

A prolonged firefight followed.

Before long the casualties were increasing without any advantage apart from the side in the cover of the town.

At last, the Redcoats were ordered to "Fix Bayonets" then "Charge!!!"

The Dominion's infantry on their right managed to push back the enemy infantry but they weren't broken or even forced out of the cover of their houses, and reinforcements were at hand.

It was time for General Turner to fallback, fortify the two sections of the town that they held, barricade the roads, call for reinforcements and make a clever plan to evict the enemy.

ps: About 2/3 of these figures were home cast, with or without conversions, but about 1/2 of those are from my original sculpts, the rest being from commercial moulds.

'Hurry Up and Wait!'

The plan was an afternoon to play out the game. I managed to play 2 turns today......sighhh

At least the advanced units are engaged.

Ah well, there's still tomorrow.

Genr'l, Thanks for giving us a chance to show what we can do.

 Coming soon to a screen near you!

1836, Oberhilse and Faraway will clash again!
(click on photo for a close look)

......(well, it could be a few days, depends on the weather, volunteer stuff, various chores, etc, etc....)

Ghost Riders

 I picked up these hard plastic 40mm figures at a Flea market at a US Con a few years ago. There were several styles of figures and both infantry and mounted cavalry, but without horses. 

Well, I've started on a small troop of cavaly. Ever since I cut my 6'x8' table to 4'x5', I've had to reduce the size of my squadrons to 4 figures. The kepis had to be modified like a peaked police cap, but there are semi-retired cavalry.

To be continued.

Still A Mess But Making Progress

 I've decided on dropping the 1812 look and focus on the 1830's with my fictional opponents. 

If you can't see this picture, please let me know.

Work is progressing......

Let Us Pass Over (Now with apologies)

******* 

It has come to my attention that some or many of the photos are not showing to all viewers even though they all show on my screens and on some of my viewers' screens. A little exploration suggests that some of the pictures are too large and are getting blocked. 

My previous surprise was that many of my devices were no longer able to take an image on my GDrive and modify it (inc making a pic smaller in size of file in addition to trimming, adjusting lighting etc etc as desired).  The new ones I did have access to, allowed me to adjust colour, trim bits, etc etc BUT would not reduce the size of the file.

I'm now investigating the result of adjusting the size on my phone before down/uploading, as well as looking for other apps as an option if they are not too expensive for something I only use a few minutes a week.

The missing pics should be starting to appear soon!  -Ross

hmm. or not. So far every free or cheap app I've looked at has removed an option to reduce the size/(density of pixels) of the photo. Now all they do is have an option to crop. 

In the meantime, I'll have to back off and then crop the pictures It'll take a bit to get it right unless I can find an affordable app. 

Now back to the post as it was, though I may crop a few of them, reducing the width of the battle being seen, into a small part or several portions.

******** 

Winter has turned to summer and the armies of Oberhilse and Faraway march again. 

Having failed their New Years assault (see the main action here) the Oberhilse command has formed a new plan to make a surprise attack to seize the stone bridge over the Little Blue River. If they moved fast and keep the expedition a secret they should be able to launch a major invasion.

Apparently, either Faraway had a spy who sent word, or they just assumed that Oberhilse  would attack when the spring hay was cut and stacked, and summer arrived.

(Note: please click on the blank picture to see the full view....at least until I figure out how to fix it.)
A quick clash of cavalry was indecisive but the infantry on both sides took their place and the Musket fire was loud and heavy, To the North, the land did not look like cavalry terrain, so both generals ordered their cavalry to move South to find a ford.  

A passing hot air balloon with a newspaper reporter, with a camera, managed to pass overhead.
(Note: please click on the blank picture to see the full view....at least until I figure out how to fix it.)

There were fewer fords on the river than expected (#@#dice), especially in the convenient crossing places. There were a few spots where pointblank shots could be exchanged but in several spots, it was the less deadly long range musket fire.

The Faraway regulars were taking heavy casualties so the Fencibles were ordered to pass through and hold the bridge. 

The day was getting late and casualties were heavy on both sides. After a quick consultation, the order came out to Brigadier Wavey for his cavalry to cross the river and drive back the enemy cavalry.
(Note: please click on the blank picture to see the full view....at least until I figure out how to fix it.)    

As the sun began to set, the Queen's cavalry crossed the ford to encourage the enemy cavalry
to back off while heavy casualties from  musket and canister fire was
begining to weaken the morale of the Oberhilse infantry. 
(Note: please click on the blank picture to see the full view....at least until I figure out how to fix it.)

Hot Pursuit! 
(but the bugler was soon ordered to blow the Recall.

As the day turned to dusk, the order was given to the Oberhilse troops to fall back in good order,
and the battered Faraway infantry were happy to let them go.

It's been a busy day.....

 But I got a few turns in.

Sunday should see the middle and the end fought out.

The World Has Changed But, ....

....battles will go on, but with a new backdrop and a table that is 4" taller. 

For the first game on the slightly modified table, Oberhilse and Faraway are at it again in the 1840's

.....but they are fighting on a taller table with an enveloping backdrop

But enough of this: "Let the battle begin!".

May Day Parade in The Dominion of Faraway

While Faraway is now ruled by an elected Parliament, there is still an hereditary King or Queen who "advises" and approves the laws passed by Parliament and who is loved by his/her subjects, 

Her Majesty salutes as her forces march by.

The Bloody Toll Bridge Battle

The frontier had been quiet for the last 8 months, since that little incident (click), but the border patrols remained alert. It was in a balmy day in late March when General Douglas received reports of Origawn troops being on the march. A quick study of the reports strongly suggested that they were headed for the bridge near Stone House junction. 

The hidden sharpshooters in the wood caused serious casualties amongst the Origawn infantry while they were searching, fruitlessly, for a ford. The bridge itself was open to the Origawn cavalry.

Word was passed to the local native border scouts and the closest detachments of Faraway troops were called out and started down the road.  The Mounted Rifles and the Governor General's Bodyguard were the first on the scene. The Rifles dismounted and did their best to turn the Hostel into a temporary fort, while the GGBG drew swords and charged into the Origawn mounted rifles, driving them back over the bridge.

After the brief clash of sabres, the cavalry on both sides dismounted with carbines in hand and
 waited for their infantry to arrive.

For a short while, the popping of the skirmishers and dismounted cavalry were almost outdone by the drums, bugles and the marching feet of the infantry, stepping out to get into the action.

Normally the stream was fordable in various places but apparently the heavy snows over the winter had made the fords impassable. It had to be the bridge, or nothing and that was down to the infantry!
(Note: I normally make blind markers for unknown fords etc, but I just rolled when a unit probed a 6" length of water, needing 5 or 6. It turned out, NONE of them were passable. Ooops! Heavy rain I guess!)

And now the bloody fighting began!

Four Origawn units managed to cross and deploy, one after another, under a murderous fire from the Highlanders, artillery and dismounted cavalry. The fight was prolonged and bloody. Late in the day, another Blue unit, the veteran black hats, arrived, having lingered in camp (ie shelf...oops..). 

As the Origawn army started to waver, theBlack Hats rushed across the bridge but were cut to pieces by cannister and bullets. Old Veterans of this action talked for years about "never seen so many 5's and 6's in one fire phase!"

There was nothing for General Lannigan to do but cuss a little, deploy his cavalry as a rearguard and try to get his soldiers into good order for the retreat.

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 ideas 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.......

One New Year's Eve In a Snow Storm....

The town of Belmont has been under siege by the Origawn Rebels (or Patriots, depending on your POV) since the Autumn. It would be like the rebels to stage a surprise attack on New Year's Eve, especially if there is a snow storm, so the order has been issued to double the guards and have what reserves there are to be ready to turn out quickly if an alarm is sounded.  

"There'd better be a hot toddy waiting for us when our shift is over" 

What are the odds of such a surprise assault on New Year's Eve?

To be continued....

Welcome To Faraway. May I See Your Passport Please?

 "No, I thought nought." .... "Bob! Quick! Telegraph Fort Belmont for help!"

A close up shot of a critical point in the battle. 

_______________________

The garrison at Ft Belmont was on the alert and a force under the command of Colonel MacDuff soon appeared to meet the invaders. A quick conference led to a decision for Brigadier Ross to command the artillery and a company each from the Rifles and Infantry on the left with orders to pin down the raiders until they got the order to advance. On the right, a company of the Royal Highlanders and one each from the Fusiliers and Grenadiers, were ordered to turn the enemy's left flank, and drive them off the field of battle.

Initially the infantry firefights were even, but the Origawn artillery was inflicting steady losses on the Dominion forces while their guns had trouble finding the range.

As the Grenadiers deployed and extended the line, the Origawn infantry started a slow retreat, hoping for support from their artillery. 

Once the flanking attack had driven back the enemy's left flank, the order was given for the whole force to advance.

The firefight was prolonged and bloody and the sun was sinking. Who knew if the enemy was expecting reinforcements any moment. 

Finally, the Dominion's numbers were starting to tell. The enemy gun was silenced, and some of their infantry wavered, ignored the orders to "Rally Men!" and then ran! There was only a small rearguard to cover the disorderly retreat but the Dominion soldiers were tired and their commander was under strict orders not to cross the border.   

(It appears that the original report that the invaders had a gun and 4 companies of infantry, was slightly exaggerated as only 3 companies were spotted. Oops! ......but it was close with the attacker being 6 vs 4,
so it might have been the intended ratio.)  

The Battle Rages

There are no more reinforcements to come, and the day is half spent. The battle must be won
 by those who are already engaged or not at all.

To be continued.....

The Armies Deploy

At last, the armies have arrived and begun to deploy while the light troops and Dragoons have already begun to fight.

More to come.....

Here They Come!

 Several weeks had passed since the affair at the crossroads. Both armies had fallen back, reorganized, abandoned the new drill and resumed the old ways. Now both were ready to engage again. 

Various outposts were established to warn of the approach of the enemy. The Buff's had the luck to be posted near to Lindie's where those who were off duty could quaff some ale and get a decent meal until the call to arms came. 

To be continued.

For My Next Act.....

 Reforming my Oberhilse and Faraway troops has begun!  

A game will follow shortly.

The End Of The Crossroad

Well, this wasn't what I had in my mind when I sent drummers around the 19thC shelves to beat the assembly in preparation for a game, but its over now and about 4 sets of rules have been tried for a couple of turns each. I now have some evidence and recent experience for the committee (yes, yes, the usual: Me, Myself and I).  

The Queen's troops got to the town first but the Republic's troops deployed quickly and launched a two prong attack. (Random turn and road of entry.)

The grid is off though. It has its merits, but my 40mm Horse & Musket are too big to work properly with the grid that is painted onto the table and I am NOT going to repaint it AGAIN!  Anyway, I like my table the way it is, and the way the troops are based. So, the grid is off, but it would be anyway for these armies.  

A passing balloon caught this bird's eye photo as the battle progressed.

Over the last year, I've been investigating different approaches to the rules for these lads. All of the versions had something to say in their favour and some problems. In some cases I've found acceptable compromises and in other cases I have still to decide on different approaches (eg sequence of play, variable length moves vs activation, ranges, how resilient should the units be, etc, etc...)  Some of those options have been decided,  but there are still some decisions for me to make.  

The fighting got fierce and victory hung in the balance.

In any case, I'm ready to let it ride for the moment and turn my head to another collection/period.

As the day wound to an end and a bugler blew "Last Turn", the Boys in Blue (and Grey) launched a forlorn assault on the town but the Lads in Red held firmly onto the tavern, and the bulk of the houses.

The question now is: "What should I play next?"  It'll have to be one of my 8 active collections, but requests by comment or email will be considered.