Sunday 19 February 2017

King Phillips War 1675 Governor Winslow Attack on Connecticut River

This battle comes from a variety of sources. The inital idea came from the August 1999 issue of Miniature Wargames. In their Renaissance section an article by Simon Lee War in the Colonies: King Philip's War 1671-1676.
Roger Marsters Bold Privateers: Terror, Plunder and Profit on Canada's Atlantic Coast (2004) gave me some more ideas. The rules used were Slitherine/Osprey's 
Field of Glory Renaissance.

 New England troops, a combination of Pike and Shot with some ship guns, prepares to advance on the French and Indians who are blocking the river valley.
A large body of Huron warriors have rallied to try and drive the English from the Connecticut river valley. 

Winslow's force consists of several regiments of militia, most armed with pikes and matchlocks, a few with flintlock or doglock muskets

The French forces however all have flintlocks. They have barricaded their end of the valley with fallen trees and some basic earthworks.

The English artillery open up and smash some of the fortifications to bits. 

This enrages rather than discourages several groups of Hurons who charge out and engage the militia in impact charges.

The miltia pike and shot blocks are unable to make much headway towards the lines.

More and more Hurons rush the militia who are stalled in their advance.

One group is broken apart and slowly cut to pieces.

The first line of militia pike and shot blocks begin to fall back. 

The militia units with more advanced firelocks begin to open fire holding back he surge of warriors

However, it proves to be too little too late

With a broken line and no clear way to break through, Winslow orders a withdrawl. New England may now be open to invasion!