Battle of Lachlan's Cross Turns 13-16

Turn 13- The Jacobites aggressively seek to regain the initiative with a series of counter attacks on both flanks. Drummond hurls three of his regiments against Wolf's teetering line, shattering it.

Mordaunt is able to move up his artillery in an attempt to slow Drummond's attack.

On the left, Macdonald charges Legonier with the Lifeguards, successfully driving the scarlet riders back across the stream. Fitzjames's Horse pushes back a Dutch regiment.

In the center, Brockhorst's Dutch Regiment continues to be pummeled by French musketry and artillery and is close to breaking.

Lascelles is able to get two of his regiments across the stream and to apply pressue on Murray's depleted regiments.

As the turn concludes, Olgilvy organizes his men to defend the right flank along the stream.

Turn 14- This turn is a frustrating one for the Government forces. Both Mordaunt and Wolf roll poorly on their initiatives and accomplish very little. This allows the Jacobites to regroup. Drummmond pulls back his clans to avoid losses from the superior firepower of the British regiments.

Wolf's line is marked by the bodies of his men. His brigade, as well as Cholmondleley's, is no longer able to stay in the fight.

Brockhorst's regiment finally breaks after receiving yet another blast of musketry.

Fitzjames's elite regiment bravely attempts to charge yet another Dutch regiment but is only able to achieve a drawn result.

The lone bright spot for the forces of the Crown are Lascelles' regiments that continue thier relentless advance.

The Dutch and Murray both take brigade morale tests and pass. Turn 15- Fitzjames extricates his men from the mele, but is not able to get out of musket range.

Lascelles' men fire upon Murray's columns but with little affect. Legonier takes a defensive posture on the other side of the stream. He is content to sit out the rest of the battle there.

Mordaunt finally cajols his men forward to attack the ridge in what he hopes will be the decisive blow. Drummond's men are spent and attempt to get out of range of the British muskets.

Turn 16- Both sides are clearly exhausted. It is up to Mordaunt's relatively fresh brigade to secure the victory. The Black Watch attempt to charge the Royal Ecossais, but come up short. Another regiment moves up and issues a volley. On the other side of the road, Mordaunt moves up yet another regiment that is able to fire a devestaing volley into Drummond's disorganized columns. One unit is forced to flee; the rest will follow them upon Drummond failing his brigade moral test at the end of the turn.

The Dutch, reduced to half strength, withdraw back across the stream to avoid further loss.

The stage is set for the climax of the battle. Lascelles and Mordaunt will attempt to capture the ridge and shatter the Jacobite line.

Battle of Lachlan's Cross Turns 10-12

Turn 10- Cholmondeley's brigade continues to deteriorate due to relentless pounding from the French cannon and pressure from Lord Drummond's highlanders. The 25th Foot is shattered and flees the field.

General Wolf works feverishly to reorganize his battalions to relieve Cholmondeley and regain control of the Government left flank. Mordaunt's arrival brings an overwhelming numerical advantage to the British on this end of the table.

The French battalions are taking heavy casualties. Berwick pulls back his depleted regiment to avoid further damage.

The Dutch, though tardy, take up positions in the Government center.

The Royal Ecossais take up a position in the Jacobite center and brace for the upcoming assault.

On the Government right, Lascelle's men continue to take a beating from the disciplined French volleys. One of Murray's regiments charges a squadron of dragoons and fights them to a draw. The rest of Legonier's horsemen continue to deploy to support and attack on this flank.

Gordon's regiment of lowlanders fortify the outskirts of Lachlan's Cross to provide a last line of defense.

Turn 11- The valiant French battalions along the river have finally reached a breaking point. Two of them are forced to flee the field and find sancturary behind the second line that has been formed along the ridge.

There is a bit of a lull on the British left as both sides gather themselves for what will probably be the final chapter of the battle.

The same is true on the opposite flank.

Turn 12- The French guns now direct their fury upon the Dutch. One regiment is driven off the field. Both banks of the river are littered with broken bodies giving testimony to the desperate fight that was waged here.

Lascelles fails his initiative roll as do the Dutch. This is a huge break for the Jacobites.

Drummond's clansmen charge and finish off Cholmondeley's brigade as well as inflicting losses on Wolf's men. However, Mordaunt is rapidly deploying his troops. Drummond's position across the river is perious, to say the least.

Murray's men continue to offer stubborn resistance with the support of Macdonald's horsemen, but numbers are beginning to tell. The Jacobite left flank is in danger of commplete collapse.

The next few turns should prove to be decisive. Victory seems certain for the numerically superior forces of the Crown, but at what cost? The Jacobite second line of defense is quite formidable, bristling with cannon. Until next time...