As many of you who have followed this blog it has takne me far longer to raise the forces to fight my first action. A refight of Charles Grants 'Sawmill Village' or Scierie Village as I have called it in my campaign.
So in the last blog we left Sir Harry marching over the border of the Duchy of Comyn, his orders to sweep Scierie Village in a demonstration of force in retaliation for raids that have been taking place along the border.
He had anticipated little or no opposition but as his troops had left Gysburgh a shadowy figure was seen riding off ahead of them bringing news of their departure to General Pomerol of Comyn who had happened to be visiting troops stationed in the border area.
Upon hereing the news of Sir Harry's intent General Pomerol mobilised what troops he could and set off towards Scierie Village to give those red coated devils of Albion a surprise they wouldn't forget.
As they approach the village Sir Harry's scouts report that a Comyn force of similar size to their own is heading for the village and is likely to arrive at the same time.
Sir Harry relished the thought of engaging enemy regular troops and at once issued orders to his Officers.
The Talisker Foot supported by the artillery were to move to the South of the Village and deploy and then sweep the area between the village and the wood.
The 25th Albion and the Royal Albion Lights were to move North, The 25th Albion moving to the centre of the village and deploy before advancing in support of the Talisker Regiment, the light Infantry were to move to the North of the Village and sweep the area clear to the sawmill there to meet up with the Line Infantry.
General Pomerol in the meantime issued his orders, the
Regiment Nuilly-la-foret (les Lapins) were to advance South through the woods towards the village and engage any enemy found.
Pomerol would lead the two Regiments of foot de Grancy and Nuilley with artillery to the North of the Village, the artillery would depoly at the end of the stone wall to cover the open area in front of the wood and support Les Lapins.
Regt Grancy would move North round the village and Regt Nuilley would turn South past the stone wall and enter the village by force if necessary.
The picture above shows the Albion artillery depolying just as Les Lappins emerge from the woods, the Talisker foot are moving around the village ready to deploy in the North can be seen General Pomerol and the remainder of the Comyn forces.
Les Lapins and the Talisker foot exchange fire with Les Lapins gaining the upper hand, however the Albion artillery lends its support by firing cannister at the light infantry.
The 25th Albion can be seen deploying in the centre of the village whilst the Royal Albion and the Regt Grancy exchange fire, the Royal Albion swiftly exert their authority (lots of 6's tee hee).
The Duchys artillery has deployed at the end of the wall and has started firing cannister on the flank of the Talisker foot, fortunately Lee's dice rolls were not up to scratch and few casualties were caused.
The Regiment Nuilley can be seen marching in attack column ready to enter the village.
The 25th Albion deployed in the centre of the village ready to engage the Regt de Nuilley, at this time the Regiment Grancy had reached 50% casualties due to the contiued excellent shooting of the Albion Light Infantry and had started to fall back thus exposing the flank and rear of the Nuilley regiment.
Les Lappins and the Talisker foot with their respective Artillery support had almost fought each other to a standstill.
The Regiment Nuilley launches their assault on the Albion foot, they receive a weak volley and charge home but are held by the Albion troops to take the melee to a second round.
At the same time the Regiment Grancy were now in full retreat
and the Albion Lights were follwoing up to keep the pressure on, General Pomerol was under threat as was his artillery.
A second round of melee was fought with both sides trading casualties like for like, however the Regiment Nuilley faltered and had to fall back. General Pomerol realised he had failed to stem the incursion and called for his men to leave the field.
General Pomerol can be seen sending his Courier to inform the Court of what had happened, Sir Harry was pleased to see the battle ended, the Talisker foot had lost 50% of its unit and the 25th Albion were badly mauled. However Rupert Gibb and his Light Infantry had suffered little and had caused grievous damage to the enemy ( lots and lots of high scores!!!!) His name will be highlighted to the King.
That night Sir Harry couldn't help but smile as he drank a small malt and watched as his troops loaded wagons with supplies and other small spoils of war from Scierie Village. Now could he convince his King to press their advantage and launch a stronger force deeper into enemy territory!.
I have teamed up with Brian Waugh of Waugh Games and convinced him of the value of such a place.
