First Bull Run, 21st July 1861

With hindsight, it was a bit ambitious to stage a refight of the Battle of First Bull Run in just one evening, but we gave it a go anyway.

Initially the Confederates made the unusual decision to retire their front line, possibly to reduce the exposure on their right flank. Either way, this enabled the Federals to push forward in the centre. Reserves began to arrive for both sides, but we had to curtail this aspect of the game, as we would never finished it before the end of the evening.

The Union forces made a breakthrough in the centre of the line, but the Confederate left flank managed to break a Federal brigade through successful musketry. The climax of the game was the emergence of Brig. Sherman's large brigade, arriving from the other side of the Bull Run. They smashed into the Confederate right flank, forcing the Southern gentlemen to manage an orderly retreat, to fight another day.

Unfortunately, Jackson's Brigade never got into action, as they spent the entire game rushing over to their left flank, Jackson missing the opportunity to earn himself the epithet 'Stonewall'.  Another unusual episode in the game was when a small Federal cavalry unit captured a limbered Confederate battery intact and carried the guns back to their own lines!

Rules used were Second Edition Fire and Fury.

 

 

Blood Thirsty French-Indian Wars

A game was hosted depicting the French Indian Wars, of the 18th Century, on Monday night. The French, consisting of some regulars, French colonists and allied Huron Indians were tasked with burning down a British fort.

In reality, they come nowhere near, being driven off by disciplined (for a change) Highlanders, Rogers Rangers and allied Mohicans.

Rules used were Rebels and Patriots.

NB: There was also a Napoleonic game held in which a Spanish force successfully defended against a determined French assault.

Irish Wars - Spanish Allies

In this encounter, the English force had to advance through a valley to capture the local Gaelic clan leader's stronghold. Facing them was an Irish rebel army, aided and abetted by some questionable Spanish allies.

Initially the English made good progress, but then they were confronted by a dastardly enemy trick - they were attacked by some Irish Kern, who had been hidden in hills and woods to their left flank. Nevertheless, these troublesome natives were eventually cleared from their positions. 

Then the Spanish made their appearance on the right flank. After the English soldiers recovered from the shock of seeing these strange men dressed, as it would seem, as ladies(!), the Spanish launched their attack. After some initial success, the Spanish sword and buckler men (or women) failed their morale check and routed. Following that, the Spaniards mainly resorted to shooting at the English from a safe distance.

Meanwhile in the centre the demi-lancers, pike and shot units proceeded to drive the outnumbered Irish from the field. 

Of note, was the inability (or reluctance) of the elite of Gaelic manhood - the Bonnachts - to engage the enemy. Instead they preferred to retire to the stronghold, before the battle was over, and remove all supplies and valuables, then taking to their heels in flight!

After the English captured the stronghold, they realised that anything of any value had been removed. This prompted them to burn the compound to the ground. And so ended another fun day of warfare in Elizabethan Ireland.