Mackay,s Farm: an AWI Sharp Practice scenario

    The crown forces have recently carried out a patrol in a 'rebel' area and discovered a cache of arms in a barn on James Mackay's farm.  It has been decided that an example must be made to deter any further insurrection; therefore Mackay's farmhouse is to be burnt to the ground.  A  force of Queen's Rangers and native allies has been sent to carry out the operation.

Word has reached the local patriot commander of what is intended and a hastily assembled force of militia is on it's way to secure the farmhouse. 

The road to Mackay's Farm from the patriot entry point

The Crown forces consist of 3 companies of Queen's Rangers, a unit of riflemen and two unit of First Nations allies.  The Patriot forces are three units of militia, two groups of skirmishers armed with muskets and one skirmisher group armed with rifles.  

The Loyalist commander sent his allies forward to screen the advance of the Queen's Rangers.  Tuapene led his men to the enclosure around the farmhouse, they took cover behind the fence and were soon engaged in a long range skirmish with the militia riflemen.  Hiawasha led his men towards the wood from which the riflemen were firing, but the riflemen had another skirmish unit in support and this opened fire on the warband, causing significant casualties.

While this skirmishing was going on the formed units on both sides were pushing forward towards the farm.  The fire from the militia riflemen began to tell on Tuapene's warband and they fell back into the farmhouse and began to try and start a fire to burn it down. 

The main body of militia advance towards the farmhouse.

Two units of the militia were now exchanging volleys with the Queen's Rangers, but as this was at long range few casualties were being inflicted.  The loyalist riflemen now moved forward to take on the militia riflemen, but, being in the open, came off worst in the exchange of fire. 

Hiawasha's warband prepare to advance 

The second militia skirmishing unit had moved onto the flank of the Queen's Rangers firing line and opened fire trying to disrupt them.  The reserve unit of Queen's Rangers moved to oppose them and once again a long range exchange of fire began.

The Queen's Rangers form a firing line

In an attempt to eject Tuapene's men from the farmhouse the reserve militia unit was sent forward in attack.  They attempted to force their way in through the backdoor but were met with tomahawks and then axe-wielding braves.  Lacking bayonets and constricted by the doorway they suffered very heavy casualties and routed.  This allowed Tuapene to complete his setting of the fire and after waiting to make sure the farmhouse was well alight he led his surviving braves back towards the Queen's Rangers line.

Tuapene's men escape from the burning farmhouse

A definite success for the Loyalist force and an important lesson for the patriot commander; don't send militia into melee, they are much better shooting from a distance.

We ran the scenario again after lunch and the First Nations allies once again played a major part in a loyalist victory.  The patriot commander had moved forward quickly and established his riflemen in the enclosure around the farm.  They were exchanging shots with the loyalist riflemen, but their officer was wounded, reducing their effectiveness.  This allowed Tuapene and Hiawasha to advance and then attack.  Once again the fragility of the militia in melee was demonstrated and the riflemen were swept away, as were a unit of militia skirmishers.  This cleared the way for loyalist troops to move forward to the farmhouse and set it alight. 

Vapnartak 2025

 Once again the first Sunday in February saw Steve and I have an early start for our annual trip over the Pennines to York for the Vapnartak Show.  The Lance & Longbow was putting on our usual Lion Rampant participation game and this year it featured the Battle of Stamford Bridge, from the Wars of the Roses.  We had run the game  about 8 years ago, but this time we tried it with 'Billhooks' sized units and it gave the players a bit more room for manoeuvre.

The scenario involved a force led by Thomas Percy, Lord Egremont intent on raiding Neville family manors in the region of Stamford Bridge, but finding that John Neville, Marquess of Montague with a large body of retainers was waiting for him.  Historically the affair was over very quickly, with some of Percy's men quitting the field when they saw the size of the Neville force.  To even things up the Percy force does not suffer these losses and also the Nevilles are deemed to be still forming up after deploying across the river.  This gives Egremont a chance to do some damage to the Nevilles before their better quality begins to tell.  Also we introduced some uncertainty by creating a flank force of Raby Nevilles, whose ultimate allegiance is unknown.  They were on poor terms with Montague's branch of the family and once the War of the Roses began they backed Henry VI, whereas Montague backed Richard of York.

Egremont's forces prepare to advance

Montague's men hastening to form up

Montague's right wing attacking the Percy left

The Raby Nevilles joined Montague and caused
mayhem amongst the levy infantry on Egremont's right

We ran the game twice and on each occasion the Raby contingent kept it in the family.  However this did not guarantee success.  You lose if half your units are eliminated, or your C in C is killed.  In both games Egremont was on the verge of defeat but was saved by Montague being killed in melee.

During our lunch break I managed a quick tour around the other games all but one of which were on the 2nd mezzanine floor.  Ken Riley (aka Yarkshire Gamer), had brought along his Siege of Forli Italian Wars game.

The East Leeds Militaria Society had the battle of Tabaruzaka which took place in the Satsuma Rebellion when Samurai rebelled against the Imperial government.  Traditional samurai took on the new Imperial Army which was equipped with modern weapons.

Brompton Bankers had an AWI game, Clash on the Alloway Creek.

Finally there was Sally Forth's game, Midshipman Hornblower and the Pirates which had a very nice walled harbour and town as the scene of the action.

My apologies to Lancaster Wargamers, Harrogate Wargamers and the Westow Academy who all produced very nice games, but a combination of shortage of time and the very bright sunlight which bleached out photos meant I did not any photos for the blog.  That being said they have all featured in video reports on Youtube from 'Storm of Steel' and 'Shakos and Spruces'.

This year the organisers made significant changes to the layout of the show meaning more space is available on the ground floor, greatly improving the flow of visitors.  The organisers stress the trade aspect of the show and indeed the show seemed quite busy, but the number of games on view has declined significantly over the last couple of years, only 14 this year and one of those didn't appear.  This may be replicated at shows elsewhere, I don't attend enough to judge and there are probably several factors at play here: fewer people offering games, organisers facing increased costs and needing more traders to cover expenses, I don't know.  It is just an observation of what may be a trend.

All that being said we had a very good day.  Interaction with the public was high, with plenty of people stopping to ask about the game, rules etc.  We also had a good number of volunteers to actually join in, which is gratifying.  Our thanks to Alan, Jim, John. Jeff and James and to anyone who I have forgotten.  Thanks also to Andy, Si, Steve and Will for their work on the game and the society stand.  As always Dave kept us going with tea and coffee.