Prince Rupert's Land

I feel a bit odd today, my youngest daughter and her husband flew across the pond to start a new life in Prince Rupert's Land, British North America. It's a great opportunity for them and I wish them every happiness. The NHS's loss is Canada's gain.

Carry On Up The St Lawrence - Chapter 4 - A Lot Of Shock And A Little Bit Of Awe

Amid a hail of ill-aimed lead, the men of the Canadian Fencibles stood resolute, waiting for the words of command, following the book.......

"Present, fire", and a volley not seen since in North America since the Heights of Abraham, shattered the US infantry and sent it into precipitous retreat.

Brackenreid had no time to gloat. The US rifles were now causing havoc in Pendrick's ranks and a large force of skirmishers were heading down the road toward him. "Bonzo, beat retreat!" he ordered.

Pendrick was wounded, and it was only with great difficulty that what remained of the scouts got off the field. Finally, as Magnum left the routing infantry to lead the Pennsylvania militia forward, the Fencibles turned to their left and marched towards Montreal.

American infantry rout and the militia move towards the road 

American skirmishers swarm along the Montreal road

The Pennsylvania militia exploit the Second Amendment

 The final morale levels, US at the bottom

That was the first Sharp Practice campaign game that Dave and I had fought, and I think we both thoroughly enjoyed it. It brought out all the subtleties of the rules including cards coming out at the right time that enabled  the Fencibles to deliver that final crashing volley, and  having the drummer on hand that extended Brackenreid's command range allowing him to order the scouts off the table.

At the end of the game both sides have a few of men convalescing, with the Americans having 3 men lost and the Canadians two. The volley that devastated the American ranks opened up the morale difference so much that all of the Voltigeurs Canadiens who had been hit were able to be got off the field and immediately "patched up".

Stay tuned for the next instalment..............

Carry On Up The St Lawrence - Chapter 3 - What Goes Around Comes Around

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A furious exchange of musketry opened up between the Fencibles and the approaching American infantry, with the former getting much the better of it.

But from along the road came shouts as the Voltigeurs Canadiens were driven back from their position with heavy losses caused by the American skirmishers in the woods. 

Further along the line, the pressure on Pendrick's local scouts eased as the enemy concentrated his attention on the voltigeurs. They took the opportunity to pour fire into the trees and then, full of bravado because no shots were coming in their direction and heartened by the assumed effectiveness of their own musketry, leapt over the fence and headed for the copse.

Thomas Brackenreid was as pragmatic as he was Yorkshire. He had come to terms with the fact that life had its ups and downs, and life had now decided to play silly buggers. He turned to sergeant Higgins. "Bollocks", he said resignedly.

"Murdoch, it's time to go. Get the militia  and the voltigeurs off towards Montreal. We'll hang about here for a bit and cover the road. I think Mr James-bloody-Pendrick will have to get out of his own damn mess", Brackenreid shouted up the road.

"Right away sir!", replied Murdoch and immediately sent the militia off at the double eastwards.

Meanwhile Major Thomas Magnum thought he had spotted an opportunity and, with all the impetuosity of an impetuous American  person, shouted to his men "Forget the drill book men, fire at will and fire fast!"

Sergeant T.J. Hooker wasn't too sure about this, but Magnum was in charge so there was No Ruddy Alternative. "Yeehaw" he whispered quietly to himself.

Overview

"Bollocks!"

The Montreal Militia Head East. The American Rifles And Pennsylvania Militia Move Up

 Shock accumulating on the American line

"Yeehaw!"

The Americans disappear behind a cloud of smoke as they "go uncontrolled". The rifles have moved up to their left and can just be seen at the right of the picture. The Pennsylvania militia are behind them, desperate to make best use of their second amendment rights.