Captain Morgan anyone?

Morgan’s Raid on Cartagena des Indes March 1669

(photo courtsey of The Chroncile Herald, Halifax, Nova Scotia) 

1 brigade of Buccaneers VS Spanish Garrison: (Conquistodors)

1 ship(Black Pearl)        

1 village, houses, windmill  

4 boats  

Capt. Henry Morgan (later Governor of Jamaica and the idea for a tasty rum) led an initial force of 1000 buccaneers to attack the Spanish city. Unfortunately for Morgan, half of his fleet deserted him when some of his crew were drunk and lit a fuse setting of an explosion on his flag ship. Eventually when he reached South America, Morgan was forced to heavily modify his plan. His French second in command knew of a passage to outflank the city, however he had been in the area 3 years before. The Spanish had strengthened their defences and has built a fort covering the channel which Morgan was now taking.

This scenario is how Morgan was able to take out the Spanish fort.

Morgan led four boatloads of Buccaneers towards the town. Landing two boatloads to march overland to flank the town, two boatloads then advanced directly towards the Spanish to act as a fient. The Buccaneers were attempting to capture some supplies but the Spanish fiercely guarded their supplies. One group of Spanish struck the Buccaneers attempting to flank the town, but only checked one group. As the other made it into the rear of the town, the Spanish were thrown into confusion as to which way to attack. The Spanish commander led his main force towards the threat faced in his rear. While this happened, a group of Buccaneers then went back into their boats and then boarded a Spanish sloop which they then sailed away. The remaining Buccaneers then made a mad dash through a gallalet of Spanish to board their boats and row away. In the end, the Spanish successfully guarded their supplies but lost one of their ships. The Buccaneers crept away with only a large vessel to show for their efforts. Thus this action was a draw. See youtube for a video of this action.

Dunner's War 1720's Nova Scotia, New England campaign

This is a campaign which I am going to try and play out this fall. These are the scenarios which I will play.

Dunner’s War – Maliseet-Mi’KMaw War 1722-26

 (www.cmhg.gc.ca) These French troops would have been in Ilse Royale, Louisbourg and could potentially been sent to Nova Scotia to assist the MikMaq

(www.plasticsoldierreview.com)

This conflict took place in modern Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It was a low level conflict consisting of ambushes, raids, ship seizures by the Ameridians and an attempt to besiege Fort Anne.

British Forces:

40^th Regt/RA detachment/Royal Navy sailors

(photo courtsey of Kerry DeLorey) 

July 1722 Battle of Jeddore

English schooner vs Mi’kMaw schooner

English force: 15 sailors, 40^th Grenadiers    Mi’KMaw 39 warriors

In this action, the Amerindian morale plays a key part. For each volley fired by the English, after casualties, check Amerindian morale to see if they stay or flee.

English make use of grenades to clear opposing ships decks.
This action was refought on 10/28/12. It is now a video clip on youtube.
The British force was sailing along the Nova Scotian coast when they were hit by two canoes of Mi'KMaw. As the Amerindians moved forward, the British fired musket volleys and tossed grenades into the canoes. It was over pretty quickly. The grenades did their job, the Mi'KMaw fell back and British Nova Scotia was saved for another day.

(photo taken at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax, Nova Scotia circa 1985)

Bradstreet’s raid in Canso area on Amerindian camps

After the naval skirmish near Canso Ensign Bradstreet, and privateer Captain Elliot clear the area of Mi’KMaw warriors

August 1722 Bradstreet’s second naval skirmish

English force: 1 schooner with 15 sailors, 12 Grenadiers

Mi’KMaw force: 3 fishing vessels with 30 warriors

In the actual battle, the Amerindians made their escape. However in the game, roll to see if they stay and fight.

September 1722 Captain Southack’s skirmish in Gut of Canso

English force: 1 privateering schooner

Mi’KMaw: 3 canoes with 6 warriors

July 1723 Raid on Canso

MikMaq raid on fisherman in the area.

MikMaq force: 1 war band

English force: 20 fisherman half armed.

1724 Mi’KMaw sniping on Fort Anne garrison

The could be an interesting little game where a MikMaq band attempts to attack the fort by rushing the gate.

English force: 2 companies of Phillips regiment

MikMaq force: 1 warband

1725 Mi’kMaw raid on Canso

This raid, despite the presence of a 12 gun blockhouse resulted in the Mi’kMaw capturing 10 shallops.

English force: 1 blockhouse with 12 guns. And 2 companies of infantry

Mi’kMaw force: 3 war bands

Le Lourtre's War Nova Scotia, 1750's

This is counter insurgency 18th century style.

(photo courtsey of the former 15th Regiment website)

(photo by G. Embelton)

 

Le Loutre's War 1750-54

This conflict took place in Nova Scotia between the Colonial government and the Mik-Maq nation. It was not fully resolved until the end of the Seven Years War.

Founding of Halifax, May, 1749.

British troops: 29^th (Hopson’s) 45^th (Warburton’s) 56^th (Horseman’s), Goreham’s Rangers plus 2,500 civilians

This could be an interesting game whereby the Mi’kMaw attempt to thwart the landing. 

Establishment of fortified settlement, as well as Fort Sackville

September 18, 1749 Mi’kMaw attack English at Chignecto

September 19, 1749 Mi’kMaw attack Canso 20 hay cutters

British forces: 6 companies 40^th/Phillips 1 company Goreham’s Rangers 1 company Clapman’s Rangers 1 company Bartello’s Rangers

Mi’kMaw raid on Dartmouth

October 1749: Nova Scotia Sea militia attack on Mirligueche (Lunenburg) destroys Mi’kMaw village

March 1750: Battle of Ste. Croix Gorham’s Rangers vs Mi’kMaw/Acadians

1 coy 45^th, 2 guns RA, Clapham’s Rangers

The refight 1/8/12

March 30, 1750 Major Lawerence’s expedition to Chignecto.

Interesting little adventure where players could try to stop Mikmaq from destroying the town.

300 regulars, Goreham’s Rangers, Sea Militia vs Acadians/Mi’kMaq

Establishment of Fort Edward. Beaubassin burnt by Mi’kMaq.

(photo taken by Capt. Redden, 2nd Battalion 84th Regiment Royal Highland Emigrants)

 

September 1750: 47^th Lascelle’s) Regiment arrives. Second expedition to Chignecto. All British regulars in Nova Scotia and 1 coy rangers vs Acadian/Mi’KMaq

Fort Lawerence built.

Ambush of How’s company at Chignecto

Ambush of Bartello’s company 60 rangers vs 35 Acadian/MikMaq

September 28: Acadian Privateer captures 37 British

September 30 Battle of Petitcodiac: Goreham’s Rangers: 30 vs Acadian/MikMaq

September 30 Raid on Dartmouth: Acadian/MikMaq vs British settlers

March 26, 1751 Raid on Dartmouth

April 1751 Raid on Halifax

May 13 Raid on Dartmouth 60 MikMaq vs settlers

Fort Beausejour built by French contains 32 guns, a mortar, 70 Compaigne Franches de La Marine as well as Fort Gaspereaux

May 1753 Establishment of Lunenburg

Sea militia, 1 company 40^th, 1 company militia, Goreham’s Rangers 1400 settlers

King George's War 1740's North America Part 1

This is another campaign which I plan on gamming. Most of the actions were small scale battles, perfect for wargamming.

(photos courtsey of Louisbourg Institute)

War of Jenkins’ Ear/King George’s War 1739-48

A)   Carribean

B)   Florida vs Georgia

British Forces:                               Spanish Forces:

Georgia Rangers/

Georgia Ind Highlanders

42^nd Regt (not Scots)

Goochs’s Regt

C)   Nova Scotia vs Isle Royale

May 24, 1744 Battle of Canso

350 Compaigne Franches de La Marine attack 87 40^th/Phillips Regiment

Dice roll to check if Capt. Heron will actually fight.

July 1744 Le Loutre’s Siege of Annapolis Royal

300 Mi’kMaw attack 100 40^th/Phillips Regiment with RA guns

September 6, 1744 Duviver’s Siege of Annapolis Royal

50 Compaigne Frances & 100 Mi’kMaw vs 100 40^th/Phillips, 42 Goreham’s Rangers

May 1745 Canadien siege of Annapolis Royal

300 Compaigne Frances, Milice and Abenaki vs 100 40^th/Phillips/Gorehams

this attack breaks off to go and assist Siege of Louisbourg

May 1745-June 1745 New England siege of Louisbourg

New England force:                       French forces:

Mass Battn                              Compagne Frances

Conn Battn                              Regt. Karrer

RI Battn                                 Cannonier-Bombardier: 3 guns

NH Battn                               

4 guns                                 

May 1746

300 Abenakis go to Nova Scotia, skirmish with Goreham’s Rangers

August 1746: 1800 Quebec milice join up with Abenakis for Duc D’Anville’s expedition which has 11,000 soldiers, sailors. This would be an interesting campaign to fight as the original foundered due to storms and sickness. Possibility of recapturing Louisbourg, besieging Annapolis Royal, attack on Boston.

French Forces:  Regt. Ponthieu

               Milice Royale du Saumur

               Milice Royale du Fontenay-le-Comte

(photo courtsey of Kerry Delorey)

 

February 13, 1747 Battle of Grand Pre (see posting for February 10, 2013)

240 Canadien Milice vs 460 Nobel’s Regiment

What do you mean I have to stay on my diet?

I found these pictures my wife uploaded. This top one looks like I'm being forced to eat salad aka rabbit food.

But then again, if I'm taking up this much of a seat, maybe my wife has a point! However, I'm back to cycling to work so my weight is going down a bit.

And actually I've lost about 7kg in the last month!

So the kids got to eat pizza! I snuck some pieces too. Hee hee.

 

Wake me up when September ends (sorry Green Day)

The end of the summer holidays, school started again.Back to the daily haul!

Slaving in a hot wood fired kitchen?

Hanging out in our kilts

I'm looking for my camping shots.

Finally found one. This guy has gone camping with his family 10 times this year in the same campground. I thought I was nuts with camping!

Historical Literature which I can't get enough of

A ways back, I mentioned Bernard Cromwell. My posting may mislead readers into thinking I do no care for his work. On the contrary, I devour all of his Sharpe novels.
I recently bought Sharpe's Battle, which I will begin reading shortly. My reading habits generally follow a pattern. I will read all of the books of a series which I have, then I will begin reading another series. (Eventually in the fall of 2018, I sold all of my Sharpe novels to my former Battery Sgt Major from the Halifax Citadel)
For example, I have read all of Julian Stockwin's Kydd novels. Being stuck in Japan, this is a close as I will get to reenacting. I plan to collect all of his works until he stops writing.
Cromwell's Sharpe series likewise, I will slowly collect.
The only series which I couldn't really tuck into was the Master and Commander series by O'Brien. I think it was the fact that he was writing his work from the perspective of an officer which put me off.
I admire officers, but not the 18th century high society types.
The Horatio Hornblower series I have not read, but I did collect the first four films of that series.

(Ian with some of our Pirate and sailor books. Thanks to Julian Stockwin for his works)

The other series which I have read is the Harry Potter novels and I also collected the films. As well the Osprey Military books I also collect. I may soon have to ship some of my books home.

To add ambiance to our bedroom, I have a poster of Bluenose II on my wall.

 And Ian has two pirate ships in our bedroom window sill to add his own touch.

I read before I go to bed. It helps calm my mind from all of the stresses of life. (Command card courtsey of Julian Stockwin)

Salamanca 1812 refight

I've fought this battle in miniature about 3 times. I have published one scenario on the www.juniorgeneral.org website and have also added two video clips on my youtube channel, japanesehighlander.
The first time I fought this battle was when I was up in Toyama, on my living room floor. It was interesting, but I quickly found out that the way I had based my troops didn't leave for flexible movement. I had based each unit as a brigade, which was fine when deploying as a column but it wasn't so great when I then deployed them in line to fire as I then had to try and fit my units together.
I then rebased all of my units save for one on small bits of wood most measuring about 3cm long each.

Then about 4 years ago I traded my entire Napoleonic collection to another collector including the book. So I'll have to rebuild the collection after my kids graduation 

The Boso Folk Village, Chiba, Japan

The entrance to the park.

As part of my son's summer homework, we did some cultural explorations.

This was an old style Japanese geletin dessert.

Making a grass mat coaster.

Ian prepares to dig into his sweet.

Making a calander.

It's all in the details.

Leena eating soba, made in the village!

Ian tucks in again.

Leena works on her calander.

A skirmish on the Scottish borders 1650

This was a border battle in the Scottish borders area. Ian's English army was attempting to cross into Scotland as part of the 1650 campaign.
The Scots musket block attempted to advance and blow great holes in the English pike block, but they got bogged down in their advance. The English then rode them down with Horse and pike. The Scottish were unable to recover from this setback for the rest of the game and eventually fled, leaving the border wide open.