Attack on the Camp, Rising of the Clans Battle Report

I wanted to give my new Hessians a chance to test their courage in a battle situation. Their task is to hold a fortified camp/supply depot against a jacobite attack. The Hessians are supported by a brigade each of Dutch, dragoons and British regulars. Attacking them are two brigades of highlanders, a French brigade and the small band of Jacobite cavalry. Here is the set-up:

Turn 1: The Government units were content to just hold their positions this turn. Lascelle's artillery fired at long range at a Jacobite limbered gun, but to no effect. The French brigade rolled well for its actions and boldly advnced against the Hessian line on the hill. It's gun was able to move up and unlimber, ready to do some damage on the next turn.

Stewart's men were not so responsive (a roll of an 11 on the first unit's initiative roll put an end to their turn without any movement.) The cavalry moved up to support Stapleton's (the French) right flank.

The turn ended with Murray's card. He was able to advance two of his regiments and his battery, but his two other regiments refused to move up in support (another roll of 11).

Turn 2- Stapleton's card was drawn first. His cannon fired at the Mansbach Regiment and inflicted four casualties. The infantry moved up to within firing range but did not have any actions left to get off a volley. Macdonald's cavalry moved up to continue to support Stapleon's right and threaten the Prince Frederick Regiment.

Stewart, for his part, put one of his clans and his artillery under the command of an ADC to add support to Murray's attack on the Dutch. He then was successful in goading his other three units into formation and to advance on Lascelle's positiion behind a stone wall. Lascell's cannon fired once again at the limber Jacobit gun and again missed completely.

Murray had one of his regiments charge a thin line of dismounted dragoons. The dragoons were unable to get off a volley before the raging highlanders crashed into them. The men in kilts inflicted two casualties on the overmatched horsemen while taking no losses of their own. The dragoons were driven back six inches in disorder. Murray's unit took the position, though disordered themselves.

Murray's advanced clan had to endure a volley from the solid Dutch line and took two casualties while awaiting the rest of the brigade and the artillery to come up in support.

Finally, the Hessians moved up into close range and unleashed fierce volleys into the well dressed lines of the French and inflicting damage on both regiments. In doing so, however, they have exposed the Prince Frederick Regiment to a combined attack from both infantry and cavalry. Whoever's card is drawn first next turn will have a significant advantage.

Turn 3- Knyphausen's fortuitously had his card drawn first, but it was all for naught as his first initiative roll failed. His units are left floundering in the bloody hill.

Stapleton makes the most of this lapse in command and pours more fire into the Canitz Regiment, who are now worn.

Roy Stewart charged Lascelles' position with mixed results. One regiment was able to drive off Lascelles' artillery, but the Camerons of Locheil were mauled by a veteran British regiment and driven back after sustaining 9 losses, mostly from the volley they received going in.

Murray's men also charged forward. They were able to rout one of the Dutch battalions but not before suffering heavily. They decide to halt and reorder as opposed to charging still further into the Dutch position.

Macdonald was able to charge the hapless Hessians and drives the Prince Frederick Regiment back nine inches. The horsemen halt to reorganize for the next push.

The Dutch were the next card to be drawn. A reserve battalion moved forward and fired into the jumbled ranks of Murray's clans inflicting even more casualties.

Legonier attempts to lead his conscript cavalry on a glorious countercharge. To their utter shame, the horsemen refuse to move.

The Jacobite ADC orders his gun to fire into the Dutch before it. Its cannister tears gaping holes in the blue clad ranks.

The final card of the turn was Lascelles'. He skillfully maneuvered his two reserve batallions into closer support of his front line.

Turn 4- Stewart is relieved to see his card drawn first as he desperately wants to pull his battered regiments back. His orders, however, don't make it through the chaos.

The Aide de Camp orders his lone regiment to charge despite it having already suffered 25% casualties. He hopes to take advantage of the disorder of the Dutch before him. Alas, the reigment only gets one initiative and the charge falls short.

Next up, quite providentially, is Knyphausen's card. The German is apparenty drunk as a skunk and is un able to take advantage of his good fortune. His men will pay a high price for his incompetency this day.

Stapleton does not waste this opportunity. He orders a French regiment to fire a volley and charge the beleagured Canitz Regiment which is shattered as a result.

The Royal Ecossais, in a march column, roll very well and are able to advance within musket range of the Hessian encampent and form into line. The prize is within reach!

To Murray's great dismay, the Dutch card comes up before his. More musketry is poured into his men before he is able to attempt to pull them back.

After sustaing even more losses, Murray begins pulling his men back but not as rapidly as he had hoped.

Again, Lascelles' card is the last to be drawn (I need to shuffle better!). His disciplined ranks fire yet another volley into the muddled ranks of Stewart's regiments. It is not war. It is slaughter.