Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Battle on the Monongahela, Part III, the Final Phase

Two hours have now passed after the initial contact, and Braddock's Army is in serious trouble. Only a portion of the "Hat Men" that marched forward earlier, remain; while another portion is routing back the way they came. The Grenadiers are no more and the Colonials have only four men of the Virginians still standing around their colors. Natives are moving along the Column towards the vulnerable Wagon Train and supplies. The end seems in sight.

The "Hat Men" finally hit their wall. taking more casualties and they rout!On the left, British Flankers again fire ineffectively...On the right, Natives age closing in on a large group of Flankers...Back on the left, Natives are closing in for the kill...And on the right, Natives moving on the Flankers...On the right, two consecutive Native volleys wipe out a large group of Flankers, eight Englishmen gone...The time now runs out for the Mounted Virginians (center), as all four remaining are downed...And then...Braddock (center) is brought down! It will take a little while for the news to filter down. Colonel Washington in Blue at center, is again very lucky as bullets whiz by...A A close up of the General's demise. Washington again in blue...On the left, three of five Flankers are shot down...More Flankers fall on the left as the outlying guard groups are all but gone...

In the center, a group of Canadiens, not fearing any response, race across the bloody open ground that used to contain Braddock's Vanguard...
On the left, British Flankers are so unsettled that they launch a volley into the empty woods to their front, and bring down one of their own (friendly fire brought on by Random Event Card)...
On the right, numerous Native bands close for the kill. Hooray no British casualties this turn... although thats probably because the French forces didn't shoot this round!
The last British Flankers all become casualties to a very accurate Native volley...
While just to the west of that, Natives bring down Colonials, Englishmen, and the only Native Scout with the English!
On a Random Event Card bringing the turn to very quick end, French Regulars just miss Washington (left center) yet again, but inflict thee more casualties on the Routed "Hat Men"inc their color stand (to the right of Washington)...
At what used to be the head of Braddock's Column, French Regulars, Canadians and Natives are snapping at the British heels...
Both the 44th and 48th are Recoil as casualties begin to mount. One of the Colonial Companies has started to deploy in among the trees to the right of the road (right center), but a large band of Natives ((left center) are closing on the tail...
Two more Royal Artillerist are dropped (center) along with another sailor (just above)...
The 44th,  closest to bottom of photo, has actually lost two deserters along with others shot. The 48th gets off its first volley, missing everything including some of their own Flankers to their front (center right). Unfortunately for them, they suffer three more dead and Colonel Hackett (center)as well. (Historically his son was then shot dead, falling across his father's dead body)...
View from the other side...
At the Tail, time runs out for the Royal Navy. Natives surround them, and take them captive (center)...not good for those sailors...
As the 44th and 48th reposition themselves for maximum firepower (ha), Natives drop several Flankers (lower center; there are some left) but cause the remainder to Recoil...
French Regulars recover lost British standards (center) while the three Sailors (just above) are being lead off to torture and death...
At the Tail, Natives are closing in on the NY Independent Co forming half of the Rear Guard...
On the other Flank, British fire away while the Natives position themselves...
The 44th has been forced to Recoil...
And the NY Co of the Rear Guard foolish forgets to take cover and are s blasted away!!!
All along the southern Flank, the Natives are blazing away, causing many casualties...
With the Rear Guard gone on the southern edge of the road, the Natives close in for the kill...
The first of Braddock's men begin to reach the banks of the Monongahela and hopefully safety...
Its no better on the northern edge, as the 48th is Recoiled as well, but not before they dropped two Natives!
Now, according to all historical evidence and accounts, the battle didn't last beyond 3 1/2 to 4 hours. In the game as well, its just a matter of inflicting more casualties, so here it stops. With the tweaks to the Ruleset, Muskets and Tomahawks, this recreation was almost spot on. The French lost a total of 26 casualties (26 x 4=104) as opposed to about 43-96 historically. British losses in the game total 353 figs (4x353=1412) compared to 907-1100+
A view of most of the casualties from the game with French, Canadian, and Native at bottom...
It was, both historically and in the game, a one-sided victory for the French. At the same time, it was a joy to recreate on the table.






































 

No comments: