Randi and the Saucy Mare, part 2

Oh, honourable Captain Whitmore Sir,

Good King George's 30th of the Foot are here in Madras.  They are in fewer numbers than supposed, being only a pair of Flank Companies, the Lights and Grenadiers.  The remaining companies of this battalion must be still on a ship somewhere...

    I haven`t ink shaded these boys yet, and I also have to confess that I started using a dark flesh tone on the Musicians, so that it looks like these were recruited locally in Fort George!

They will have to wait for a battle however, since the 2nd Madras have just completed a major brawl with the forces of the Typhoo Sultan, and sent him reeling back to his tea plantations.








You may recall  that  at the village of Chinta, almost within sight of the walls of Fort George the battalion faced the regulars of the Sultan.  We drew into our lines and advanced with our colours, the Major shouting at us all this while.

The green turbans of the Sultan's regiments came to meet us.  We gave them the volley, or "Three a F***in minute," as the Major describes it. 

Our light company was divided between both flanks, (once again gamey... not really histirically accurate, and pretty much a mistake as I didn`t have enough big men to control them) and we had a Squadron of Sowar Cavalry with my Brother Ram Dittin as their Silladar, lurking to the rear.

 I must confess that Major Williams did not perform with his usual gusto.  Perhaps it was the presence of the Courtesan The Jhani of Bhalti, in the village.  Williams actually deserted his post during the battle and went to pay court to the Jhani.

Fortunately the battalion has the Subadar-Major, (Big Man 2) and he drew some really lucky combinations of flags, enabling him to command the Sepoy line and remove shock.  Captain Grahame, as Big man 3 also did an excellent job.

The Saucy mare of the title was captured by the Sultan`s cavalry early in the game.  
 

The Sowars of the 1st Madras Cavalry had one moment of glory when their charge saw off an enemy squadron, but they were thrown back in confusion by the second of the Sultan`s cavalry units.



















The end was in little doubt since the Duc a L`Orange, commanding the Sultan`s battle line, was taking too many casualties, and shock was really mounting.  The Subadar -Major, Haidar Sikh, acquired three flags and cleared the way for the 2nd Madras to go in with the bayonet, and these minifigs bayonets are a thing to behold!   Slightly later Captain Grahame also came up with three flags.  The Typhoo regulars didn`t like it up em' and ran for home.

The Jhani watches the battle.  Is she a spy?

The Madras Cavalry in their first fight

 

Major Williams pays court... Unsuccessfully!

Subadar Major Haidar Sihk, in the silliest hat ever worn on a field of battle. (according to Dr David Chandler)

Notice Randi at the back "guarding the flag."  What a hero!

The devastating bayonet charge of the 2nd Madras clears the field.