Remote frontier outpost -1757

One of our first games, we were experimenting with a few rule systems. In this case we played using our Legends of the West 'French and Indian Wars' supplement we worked up.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The terrain was thrown down and we pretty much got stuck in.

Scenario – 1757 and Rangers have been raiding up the Mohawk valley, causing no end of havoc. In an effort to inflict damage on an isolated outposts just off the Mohawk River, a known staging area of a Ranger company; a warparty consisting of three Indian Warbands (8 figures) and supported by hastily raised Canadian Militia and a French Marine company (9 figs each) attempt to overrun the position.

It is known that the stockade is lightly defended (12 figs) but the return of another Ranger company (12 figs) is imminent according to French scouts.

The action kicked of with all the French and Indian forces on the edge of the woods in something of a large ‘U' shaped formation, taking advantage of the treeline. The Rangers, well protected in their blockhouse (6+ITW) and behind stone walls (5+ ITW) would be hard to whittle out of such a strong position.

The first few turns of fire did not inflict any losses on the Ranger detachment. However the Rangers were able to hit several enemy companies as the light woods offered a (4+ITW) save and only the Indians derived a further (+1ITW) bonus as they could skirmish (Rangers rated riflemen also re rolled misses..they hit on 3+…ouch!)…Militia and Marines were deployed only in a loose open order formation so got no benefit for being skirmishers.

After a few turns it became apparent that the French and Indian forces would have to storm the blockhouse if they were to have any chance of success…even though they outnumbered the rangers by four to one at this stage, they simply couldn't hit troops defending such a strong location.

Throwing caution to the wind four out of the five French forces assaulted the stockade. One Militia unit was held back as it fightin' value and morale was only 2 and the charge across open ground vs the rangers would probably not be a good idea. Also, another ranger company was expected so they formed the reserve.

In they went!! It took two turns to make it the wall and the ranger rifle fire was deadly. One unit, already reduced in numbers, took further casualties and broke (Indians suffer a ‘Life is Precious and a further -1 if an easy way of escape exists). By the second turn the French Marines and remaining Indian forces stormed over the outer wall to engage the defenders, however another Indian unit had taken too many casualties and headed for the hills as well!!!

By this stage the second ranger company appeared, as it happened, just near the Canadian militia forces held in reserve. The militia, in the presence of their commander, Henri Beauvais, moved to delay the rangers to allow their compatriots to fulfill their attack. These two forces faced off one another in the woods and began a steady firefight.

A fearsome Indian attack resulted in the death of 1/3 of the ranger company with many scalps taken for the Indian braves. The marines overwhelmed the lightly held stone wall. By this stage the victorious but depleted French forces were exhausted at the walls of the blockhouse proper. However, the elevated position of the defenders of the blockhouse enabled a continuous fire as their comrades held the stone wall before they finally fell. To no avail…the defenders were swamped by the attack and the Indians and French were in position for the final push.

It was not to be. The casualties suffered at this stage were to much. The successful Indian unit, happy with it's scalps had taken enough sniping rifle fire to cause a bravery test and they decided enough was enough. The marines persisted on however but by this stage they were the lone attackers of the last blockhouse defenders. Importantly the initiative (pluck) shifted to the rangers in the next turn and they were able to run into the blockhouse with the other defenders, slam the door shut and man the parapets.

Se sauver!!!! With the ranger force ensconced in the blockhouse and another company coming, all the Indian allies gone, Beauvais gave the signal for a withdrawal. The blockhouse survived!!!!

A most enjoyable game using our Legends of the Wilderness rules. The French force lost 3/5 of their force and the rangers were just under half. Riflemen with their re roll and 3+ to hit behind 5+ and 6+ in the way saves proved very tough…but I guess they should be. This was about as good as it gets in the game for any forces. However, a raiding force with a small cannon and a unit of regulars would certainly have changed the equation somewhat….next time!!