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.

25/28mm WIP Kepis and Bayonets/Sharpe's Practice

This is the start of my ACW project for the release of Kepis and Bayonets but I may end up playing Sharpe's Practice instead.  I received a collection of Perry Miniatures, both metals and plastics, as part of a bulk purchase. I sold half,  gifted another quarter of the figures which were used by William in my previous blog post about the ACW Sharpe's Practice game we played and kept the rest for this project. 

ACW Figures as is

After another member of the Montreal Historical Wargaming Club, posted about the start of his Confederate Army I reponded that I had some troops available to save the Union. As you can see above they have a basic block painting style. I started with a rebase and experimented with a couple of styles of Kraut Cover Scenics.  

I will repaint the flesh as they currently look undead, or at least did not get any sun.  I'll add some detailings and finish with a wash to give them  depth. I've seen what some of the OMG (Ottawa Miniatures Games) group was able to do with similiarly painted figures from the same source. 

My treated artillery, I now have 96 infantry to update.

 

Sharpe's Practice - ACW 28mm

 On April 30th, Graham hosted a Sharpe's Practice game for 4 players at the Abyss. William provided the scenario, Graham the terrain and both supplied the troops. John and myself were willing bodies in the front lines. Here are some photos from the evening's encounter.

Ball's Cross Roads August 21st 1861, resulted in a confederate victory, when Lt Carter and his three units of Volunteers, suddenly appeared at the edge of the cornfield in front of the Union troops and unleashed two  devastating volleys of fire into the massed enemy columns slowly advancing through the orchard. Union forces under William and John, Rebs under Graham and myself. 

Upon revisiting the rules, it was discovered that the deployment disk which allowed Lt Cater's Volunteers to appear was most likely too forward. None the less, IMO it will become a gaming moment to recount.