1755 Beausejour Cangames 2016

The Siege of Beausejour game began with the commencement of trench works from Mount Watley toward the Kings Bastion. The first few turns saw artillery duelling between the Fort guns and the two British batteries. Summary: the British lost significantly more guns in the artillery duels due to French accuracy. Event cards enhanced the French artillery a number of times. Despite superior performance by the fort guns, there were few opportunities of spare shots at the advancing trench works. The British accomplished a number of successful artillery hits to the interior of the fort. This increased significantly when the mortars were moved forward to close range at the final lateral trench. The escalade soon followed but preparations were not complete enough. The British companies of regulars were raked by cannister from two remaining gun positions, decimating their numbers and leaving the critical assault to the Bostonian Militia. LCol. Monckton himself lead the final assault.

British battery overlooks the Fort 

British mortars deploy to the forward lateral trench 

A scene at the forward bastion

British battery moves forward - two guns and two howitzers

British Regulars and Grenadiers begin the escalade 

Escapade by the Bostonians 

Escapade of Bostonians supports LCol. Monckton 

1745 Prestonpans - The Jacobite Rebellion

This scenario played the early morning attack of the Jacobites on the army of the Government comprised of garrison and second line troops. The event card draws aided the Jacobite victory by following events of the actual battle: i) The Government cavalry left the field due to a lack of leadership and caused Government morale to waiver, ii) The untried nature of the Government army (garrison companies not used to working together in battalions and components of invalid units mixed in) saw disruptions in battalion orders and from the field commander down, iii) Jacobite cavalry siezed on the opportunity of the retreating Government cavalry and further threatened the left Government flank.

Other misfortunes for the Government included the advancement of highland infantry against the British batteries, the invalid crews failing to perform and the gun positions completely overrun.  

The Field of Battle - Prestonpans, with the Grand Duc Du Fromage in the far distance

View from the Jacobite battery

View from the cattle pens behind the Government line

Government left flank still forming up

View from General Cope's position, centre of the Government line

Government left flank as seen from the adjacent farm

Government right flank, Militia still forming up

Government batteries on the right flank

Government batteries prepare for battle

Jacobite horse on the far right flank

Fort Neccessity 1754

The little fort and trench system saw significant action in the scenario. The French force advanced directly on the trench positions and did not invest in positions on the flanks. This proved to be costly in terms of casualties. The French regulars advanced in line, as is common for the period - and actually reminiscent of another battle in the New World near Lake George where Baron Dieskau employed this same tactic and lost. The scenario played out exactly that way. The French regulars poured a very disciplined line of firepower into entrenched positions which returned fire accurately at them in the open. 

Despite the losses at the center, the French eventually worked their way around to the flanks with irregulars and native allies, causing enough casualties to make Washington capitulate.

A View of the Trenches

The "Fort" - a 50' diameter quickly constructed palisade around a leaky hut where the powder is stored

George Washington looks out from the watery trenches to view the advancing French 

New England Irregulars watch for the French

British Regulars sternly hold the entrance

Natives allied to the French advance quickly

French troops follow the trail blazed by their Native allies

French regulars move to position

Courer-du-bois move to the flank of the battle

French Grenadier company sees a moose...

The New England force takes defensive positions

Siege of Louisbourg 1758

This scenario is only part of the entire siege game, and describes the French sortie out to attack the British trenches to disrupt the progress of work. 

Further posts will demonstrate other aspects of the whole siege: i) the strategic turns of bombardment and preparations on both sides, ii) the attack on the breach, iii) the night raid in the harbour, and iv) Kennington Cove shore landing- where the British first gained foothold on the Isle Royale.

French Companie-de-la-Marin take up positions to throw a musket ball at any redcoat venturing onto the glacis.

Companie-de-la-Marin muster at the courtyard of the Governor's Mansion. 

French Bombardiers ready their positions for the coming artillery duels.

View onto the Demi-Bastion

French Grenadiers sortie out of the Gate

French attempt to dismantle British siege works during a sortie.

Scottish Highlanders counterattack to drive the French sortie forces out of the trench line.

French regulars with a native ally scout provide support on the sortie attack.

British sentry calls for a password as French advance under cover of early morning dark.

Companie-de-la-Marin advance through empty trench works in the early morning, after dispatching the few sentries.

French Regular infantry support the sortie, awaiting to advance from the covered way.

French Grenadiers lead by their Capitaine  on horse.

A capitaine of the Companie-de-la-Marin leads his company along the covered way  unseen by  the British.

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