Sharpe's Practice - Don't Go In the Woods Today

Last Thursday evening, John hosted a French and Indian War Sharpe’s Practice game at The Abyss. William, Graham, and I were the eager participants. I took command of the British line, while Graham led the American colonists and our Native allies. 

The view of the table and the opposition from the British side.

On the other side, William commanded the French forces, supported by John’s Native allies. William won the opening toss, giving him an early edge on the French deployment markers.

Table as viwed from the French side.  The Hills are impassable terrain.

French early placement with a barricade

Initial volleys are exchanged.

Taking early positions, the French allies secured the woods on their right flank. Meanwhile, the warriors of the Six Nations Confederacy deployed to our left, advancing steadily toward their traditional rivals. From the outset, the devastating accuracy of the Huron musketry was unmistakable.

Even the regulars were forced to retire due to the firepower displayed by the native warriors. 

Emerging from nowhere, the Coureurs des Bois fell upon the British redcoat flank. Closing into a brutal hand-to-hand melee, they inflicted devastating losses on a unit of regulars. A spirited countercharge by the other regular British faltered, failing to even reach the fight.

The open ground quickly turned into a killing field with heavy casualties on both sides. Though the French initially held the upper hand, a decisive final push by the British regulars—supported by the remnants of the shattered redcoat infantry—turned the tide. The British eked out a narrow victory, forcing a full French withdrawal.