Roddy Mcourlly 1798 Rebellion

I've been interested in gaming this conflict as my ancestors are from Ireland and I share the name of a song. As well, my late great Uncle Fred sang the wind that shakes the corn.
I have sufficient figures for both sides
Just need to get them on the table

Roddy, who I've painted as a highwayman 

My British and Loyalist Irish will be made up of AWI types with the late 18th Century Light infantry 

The Rebel Irish will be made up of AWI civilian militia types 

There may be a few French types thrown in for colour, 

The British/Loyalist units will be made up of AWI British as well as the 1790 types I've been able to paint up.

The Battle of Carrickfergus 21 February 1760

As mentioned in the previous posting Battle of Carrickfergus was a French invasion of Northern Ireland during the Seven Years War one of the most interesting aspects of this action was that three of the regiments involved had actually been involved in operations in British North America on the French side we had the Regiment going and going to be both of which had served in the Garrison of Louisbourg during the siege of 1758 and the 62nd regiments which is served in the siege of Quebec in 1759 furthermore this campaign is very easily adapted to the wargaming table due to its small size and also to the fact that I have most of the figures already in order to fight the battle within Wargames Illustrated magazine (July 2019) the figures used are from the author's collection however within my own collection I have better suited civilian type militia figures for the Seven Years War. Which at 1/72 scale it really doesn't matter the style of clothing however the Caps being worn or probably better than Irish Rebels have 1798 where the newer style clothing started to come in at the end of the 18th century as well there are several armed civilian types I have in my collection in metal from rafm miniatures.

The French force for the battle

Carrickfergus with castle and garrison

The Irish Loyalist Militia man the walls.

Defending their homes against a foreign invasion 

French begin  advance

They begin to try to breach the walls

My son Ian and I played out this game as we hadn't had a Black Powder game together in some time. In this game, he acted as the British-Irish commander while I took the French.

The French troops attempted to bombard the town. In the process, they were successful in taking out most of the Royal and Royal Irish Artillery. However, as the French Infantry advanced, the Irish militia held firm better than their historic counterparts. The British Grenadiers actually broke morale several times! Quite the scandal! 

However, in the end, despite the French breaking over the forward wall of the town, they could not overcome the defenders. They quickly departed the area before being defeated in detail.

My version of Culloden April 16, 1746

My first 18th century game of the season.

The Jacobite line forms up

the government forces take position near the old farm.

rather than wait for the British to open fire, the Jacobites begin their charge

the Jacobites attempt to take both enclosures

but fall into a pincer movement

the British right consists of a combined Grenadier battalion

the Jacobite casualties add up

the Jacobite smash into the front line of government

and the Irish Picquets take position in an enclosure

the government horse flank half of the Irish picquets and the only Jacobite gun

history repeated itself by having the Jacobites cut down in a crossfire, the rest of the Jacobite army under the command of Lord Lovat, flee, the 45 is over, now the chase for charlie begins

Fontenoy 1745

So my next mid 18th century battle will be Fontenoy.

The main reason for doing this battle is the fact that the Wild Geese had such a main role as did the Black Watch.
My French metropolitan army is gaining strength as is the British, Prussian and Hanoverian.
Mostly, it's filling out the Cavalry and the infantry.
So over my restaurant shutdown, I will see what I can do.

the main French line

the Allied centre made up of Hessian, British and Dutch troops

oday's battle

The Highland Brigade take the hill supported by the Royal Artillery

The main British force, two columns of Troops and horse

looking towards the French lines

the first battalion of Highlanders reaches the hill with gun support 

the French right begin to fire

a French heavy gun fires, neat effect with cotton wool

the Brunswickers line fire

both lines begin to exchange musketry enveloping the battlefield with gunsmoke

the French cavalry open fire with their carbines and pistols scattering the Brunskers

musketry continues to be exchanged

the French cavalry charge the Brunswickers, breaking their line

the Prussian horse counter charge

the French right wing eliminate their opponents (who were made up of the 43rd Black Watch). 

the 64th and 88th Highlanders attempt to hold the hill. The French eventually drive off the Highlanders but suffer horrendous casualties in the process.

The British Grenadiers break through the French line

but the move is negated by the Wild Geese flanking the entire Allied right wing. As French guns begin to decimate the Brunswickers and Prussians, the Allied Army withdrawls.

Once again a historical win for the French.

French attack on Harburg Castle December, 1757

A French army has assembled in Hanover. At the town Harburg, the French are to invest the town and capture the castle for their winter quarters.
And with actual winter too cold for gaming in the garage, this may have to wait a month or so until the temperature is closer to 0c.
I have also been taking stock of my 18th century figures, having been in storage. I need to do some small repairs, but otherwise, ready to go.
First warm day of  2018, 2/15 allowed for some manovering but still not shots taken or fired.

 the castle area by moonlight. 

Prussian allies begin to deploy

the French begin to deploy

More shots will be taken when the sun is up.

Using the Gentlemen of France Fire First rules, the French force begins to hit the Prussian lines

the first redoubt falls after artillery fire clears out the defenders. 

This area of the battlefield proved to be the lynchpin of the entire Brunswick/Hanoverian line. The French cavalry proceeded to roll up the entire line. The French are set to over take the camp. 

Due to the cold weather, it took me four months to play this game.

The French horse and Wild Geese flank the line.