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.