The first Skirmish for Colonel Whitmore of the 22nd Foot

During the French Indian war the 22nd Foot were known as Whitmore's Regiment.  Like others during that war the Regiment experimented with the use of light troops as a response to the disaster on the Monogahela, but like the Colonel it had served on the continent during the War of the Austrian Succession.

By 1757 the Monogahela was two years in the past and my Redcoat Light Company represent the first British attempts to meet the French and their Indian allies on equal terms.  The Colonel was present at the Siege of Louisburg, and upon it's capture was appointed as Governor.  he was further promoted to Brigadier General before falling off the front end of a ship at midnight in Plymouth Harbour 1761.  

I can speculate that his fall was perhaps due to the evils of Spirituous Liquors, or perhaps may have been a sign of his unpopularity, or innate clumsiness?  Either way this is the leader I need for my own 10mm 22nd Foot.*

The Game

 Raiding parties from the Abenaki have been seen on the waterways of the frontier.   The British decide to send a Company out to one of the forts, accompanied by the Colonel of the 22nd Foot.

The Light Company of the 22nd foot has 30 figures.  Three of these are Command figures, a Colonel, a Captain and an Ensign.  Operating in three groups the British advance along the forest track.  To meet them a French Captain with thirty Indians operated in smaller groups, the plan being to work around the flanks.  

 The British tried to form lines.  This was a disaster historically, but in the game they could squeeze as much firepower as possible down the narrow channels of fire available on the forest tracks.  

I repeated the tactic as I advanced, with a wall of fire shredding the trees and native Americans in front.  

 The Indian tactic to outflank my line failed.  The British avoided volley fire as the Indians closed in, shooting right and left very effectively.

  

 With over half of the Abenaki killed or routing the 22nd Foot closed up again to continue their journey.  The Colonel directed the main two rank line, sword drawn but unused. 

My figures are for the most part 10mm Pendraken.  mounted on a 1 cm washer they give a game on  a small tabletop battlefield.  Once again I used the Donald Featherstone Rules for Close Action, with some amendments of my own tagged on.  They are interesting.  A figure is either killed, or routs.  That makes for a very fast game.  Native Americans would not stand and fight to the last man so there is something that feels right about these rules.  

*In the interests of fairness I should point out that other Colonel Whitmores are available from the period, a William, a Francis and a George.  One way or another the Whitmores lost us America!