With the first volleys ringing out through the woods, The Battle is on! Natives and Canadians move on the British flankers on their left...
The initial British volley scores heavily on the French Regulars (just as they did historically), four green caps are recorded. The French score a hit as well...
A closeup view. Lt Colonel Gates is behind the Grenadiers, and you can see the British Scouts as well to the right rear of those Grenadiers...
The poor outnumbered flankers get off a shot while some natives miss from their flank. Other Natives are closing in to their front. Wouldn't want to be those poor souls...
The British score another hit on the French Regulars (who almost fail their Reaction Test), but they take bloody galling fire from Canadians to their right...
Those British Flankers mentioned earlier...they take a volley from Natives to their left, leaving only one of two men standing. But he is charged by another Native band, and is quickly cut down...
Closer view of the mayhem. There are now two less British Grenadiers...
Taking volleys from the front and rear, has caused the British Grenadiers to Recoil 4"! But it allows the Royal Artillery to unlimber the 6lb to their left...
On the British right flank, an Englishman is struck down by charging Canadians...
Flankers (on the British right flank) from both the Virginians and Grenadiers fire blindly into the woods and cause no casualties. The Natives charge up into melee and take down one of the Virginians (left center)...
Back on the British left flank, the Canadians struck down the Flanker, and some of their marksmen dropped another Englishmen in another group. The Canadiens then took casualties from other Englishmen, and they had to Recoil! First small success for Braddock's men!
More success for the English, cannon and musket fire bring down another Canadian and force that unit to Recoil. (Recoil forces unit to fall back 4" but remain facing the enemy while Retire includes facing away from the enemy)
Success is short-lived for the English however. On their right flank, the Natives hack down another Virginian and deliver a devastating volley into Grenadier Flankers. Four Grenadiers are left on the forest floor, while the lone survivor breaks towards the supposed protection of the Main Column!
The unfortunate Grenadiers...
The British Grenadiers let loose yet another worthless volley into the woods and even the 6lb is ineffective. Unfortunately for the English, the Canadians are returning to the fight while further on the right, more Canadians inflict two more casualties on the 4 remaining British Flankers (right center)...
Even when two more English Flankers move up, their fire misses the target...
What makes matters worse is on the English right flank, the Natives score three hits on the Virginian Flankers, causing the remaining four (top center of photo) to Retire. The entire English right flank has been stripped bear!
On the Old Indian Trail, both the British Grenadiers and French Regulars have by now lost a full stand (12 Brits and 8 French). The "Hat Men" have moved up on the Grenadiers right flank and have already taken losses. Even the Royal Artillery (right of the Grenadiers) with two ineffective blasts fired into the woods, now loss half their men in one volley from the Canadians!
Over on the British left flank an Englishmen and Canadian go down (center and top center)...
But its on the British right flank that things are falling apart. At least four bands of Natives and one Canadian are maneuvering unhindered...
The British Grenadiers attempt to change front so as to bring their muskets to bear against the Canadians who are punishing their flank. This now exposes their flank and rear to other enemies!
With more Natives appearing to his front, the last Redcoat Flanker on the left is convinced to flee for the Column. A Virginian Flanker unit can be seen to the right. Note the 6lb at top left of photo...
The "Hat Men" cos (top right of photo) are taking horrendous losses from the bands of Natives to their unguarded flank...
More losses for the Grenadiers as French Regulars and Canadiens scourge their rear and flank with deadly fire, inc Lt Colonel Gage himself! (between the Grenadiers and artillery caisson...
Natives are now closing in on the Virginian co on the trail (top left of photo), behind the Grenadiers and "Hat Men"...
Its on the British right flank that disaster is rearing its ugly head. Natives are raking the "Hat Men" (right edge), the Virginians (right of center) and now, the Virginian Road Cutters (upper left)!
Back on the Trail, the Grenadiers are now down to almost 1/3 of their initial strength and their enemies are everywhere...
The "Hat Men" (center) are forced to Recoil through the Virginians, leaving the Grenadiers even more isolated...
The Virginians barely holding on the right flank have consolidated their ranks but still see two of their numbers drop (center)...
The Virginians on the Trail (top right) send a volley at the Natives tormenting them and the Road Cutters ineffectively fire as well (upper left)...
Natives close in on the Road Cutters, (upper right center) as the critical moment has been reached on the Trail...
Braddock's response will be covered in Part II...
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