For King and Country (Great Britain AAR) [Updated: November 10, 2015]

[Dudemichael]

Really enjoying this AAR. Really enjoying the battles you write up and that with the maps, pictures and character development is creating something quite special.

[IneptCmdr]

Really enjoying this AAR. Really enjoying the battles you write up and that with the maps, pictures and character development is creating something quite special.

Thanks Dudemichael!

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter V: Death of a Nation

It had been over a year since John Churchill's expeditionary army had defended the city of Satara. Since then, he had sent continuous requests for reinforcements, and in late 1703, these requests were at last granted. The War Office, fearing an incident similar to the one in America, had dispatched the newly raised 11th, 12th, 13th & 14th Regiments of Foot and the 1st Regiment of Dragoons to India, together with enough men to bring the existing units back up to strength. With these new troops and the additon of two batteries of field guns captured from the enemy, Churchill finally had a strong enough force to continue the campaign against the Maratha Confederacy.

Confined to the region of Goa, their last territorial possession, the Marathas were preparing a final stand. Although he now had the manpower to take them on, Churchill still wanted to better his odds if possible and therefore he turned, once again, to Britain's ally; the Mughal Empire. Having been dragged into a war with the Ottoman Empire through their alliance with Persia, the Mughals wanted a quick end to the conflict in India and agreed to provide an army to assist Churchill in taking Goa. Leaving the 1st Horse and the two pike regiments to guard Satara, Churchill marched his 2900 men strong army south, linking up with the 7600 Mughal soldiers sent to help him. Together they would take on close to 7500 Marathas in what would likely be the last battle of the war.

Battle of Goa, 1703

Commander: Lt General John Churchill
Cavalry: 1st Dragoons
Artillery: 1st Field Artillery, 2nd Field Artillery, 3rd Field Artillery, 4th Field Artillery, 5th Field Artillery, 6th Field Artillery
Infantry: 1st Foot, 2nd Foot, 4th Foot, 5th Foot, 6th Foot, 11th Foot, 12th Foot, 13th Foot, 14th Foot
Support: 7615 Mughals, lead by Mir Shafi



The combined British and Mughal force had approached from the north and taken up position on a ridge overlooking the area. Before them lay a vast open field and beyond that, the city bearing the same name as the region; Goa. This time there were no walls to conquer, no fortifications that needed to be dealt with. This battle, unlike the previous sieges, would be fought out in the open. Taking the city would not be a simple task though. Standing between the allies and the grand price were seven and a half thousand enemy soldiers, ready to fight to the death to stop them.



While the Marathas were strong in numbers, they severely lacked artillery, fielding only a single battery. They also seemed to lack the knowledge on how to use it properly, seeing as the guns had been placed far too close to the front. They had also been aimed too high which became evident when they were fired at the British up on the ridge. The shots passed well over the heads of the redcoats and struck harmlessly into the ground behind them. Saved by the ineptitude of his foe, Churchill ordered the 1st Dragoons to take out the gun crews before they could reload and fire again. With sabres drawn, the mounted infantrymen set off. Covering the short distance in no time, they quickly cut down the unsupported soldiers manning the cannon.



With the enemy artillery taken care of, the first obstacle had been removed. British and Mughal troops now surged forward. The ground shook as they marched down the slope and onto the field below, where they began assuming battle formations. Across from them, the Marathas prepared their defences. After three years of war, these two massive armies were about to collide head on in a final showdown.



On the left flank, Churchill had placed the inexperienced 11th, 12th, 13th & 14th Foot. They were to provide support for the Mughal attack force of infantry and camel riders that would lead the charge. As the initial volleys were exchanged between attackers and defenders, the fresh British units got their first glimpse of the ugly reality of war. A thick cloud of smoke, created by discharged black powder muskets, slowly engulfed the area. From within it, the screams of men and beasts alike could be heard, as they fought and died. Soon, the wounded began to emerge, limping and crawling and dragging their bloodied bodies away from the battle. The sight terrified the British soldiers, but they kept their composure. When the order to advance was given, the men swallowed their fears and marched forward.



Meanwhile, on the right flank, the 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th Foot had encountered heavy resistance. Pinned down in a small forest patch on the edge of the field, they took cover among the trees and returned fire, but the Marathas stubbornly held their ground. While the left flank eventually broke under the pressure from the Mughal and British attack, the right remained intact. It was an increasingly desperate situation, and one that required a drastic solution. Running low on ammunition and with casualties mounting, the British soldiers readied their bayonets. When the signal sounded, they charged with all speed towards the enemy. "For God and King William!" an officer in the 1st shouted, trying to instill some courage in his men, as they lunged forward.



The brave but risky bayonet charge was a success, forcing the Marathas to retreat back into the city. Joining up with Mughal units that had broken through the center, the British pressed on. Together, the two allied forces clashed with their common enemy in the streets of Goa. At this point, the defence was on the verge of collapse. When news of the death of Rustam Akurdikar, commander of the Maratha army, began to spread, it all finally came crashing down. The remaining defenders scattered and fled.

Although the battle was over, the bloodshed was not. Following the victory, the Mughals once again unleashed their wrath upon the population, and once again, Churchill watched in disgust. Luckily, it was not a prolonged affair, for the Mughal army needed to return home to take up the fight against the Ottomans. This left the British in control of the city and the region, securing precious resources and adding a much needed increase in tax revenue. The news were received with great enthusiasm in London and Churchill was promoted to full General for his actions during the campaign in India.

With the fall of the Goa came the the fall of the Maratha Confederacy. What had at one time been a sprawling empire was now reduced to a handful of refugees, hiding in fear of their conquerors and with noone to lead them. It was rumoured that Queen Tarabai I, ruler of the once mighty Marathas, had been present in the city during the fighting and that she had been killed, but her body was never found. Regardless of her fate, the shattered remains of the Confederacy posed no threat anymore. The South India War had come to an end.

To be continued...

Spoiler for Map of India: 

[Dudemichael]

Very good read. Curious to see what great Britians next course of action is.

[Merchant of Venice]

The end of the war but I feel that another one is just around the corner, this is after all TOTAL WAR!Good work on the final battle and good luck in America, you will need it

[Scottish King]

Nice AAR you have here! +rep

[divilly]

Wow, 7K Mughals, and i believe 6-9K Marathas, and 4-5K British, your PC is great to 'run' so many soldiers at same time

[IneptCmdr]

Very good read. Curious to see what great Britians next course of action is.

Glad you enjoy it. A new chapter will be up soon. Things are getting serious in America.

The end of the war but I feel that another one is just around the corner, this is after all TOTAL WAR!Good work on the final battle and good luck in America, you will need it

There's always a war to fight.

Nice AAR you have here! +rep

Thanks!

Wow, 7K Mughals, and i believe 6-9K Marathas, and 4-5K British, your PC is great to 'run' so many soldiers at same time

That battle almost brought my computer to its knees.

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter VI: Renewed Efforts

After the defeat of the Maratha Confederacy in late 1703, the situation in India stabilised, giving the British time to prepare a new offensive in the west. Over the course of the following year, the small force that had returned from America after fighting the Iroquois at Niagara grew into an full army, adding two regiments of dragoons, two batteries of foot artillery, two grenadier regiments and four line infantry regiments to its strength. Officially named the 2nd Army, it remained under the command of Brig Gen Kevin McDowell, a choice that was seen by some as foolish. McDowell was known for being a poor tactician, stubborn and self-centered, but his connections within high society kept him his commission.

By the end of 1704, the army was ready to embark. Escorted by Vice Admiral Leake's fleet, it departed Portsmouth, and in early 1705, reached the coast of Newfoundland, east of the American mainland. After having landed in the port town of St. John's, the officers of McDowell's staff urged him to attack the French garrison at Plaissance with all haste, before it could prepare a defensive position. McDowell, however, saw no need to rush to take care of a few hundred Frenchmen, and instead spent the time fraternizing with the local townswomen. When the frustrated staff finally managed to convince the General to attack, the defenders had already dug in.

Battle of Plaissance, 1705

Commander: Brigadier General Kevin McDowell
Cavalry: 3rd Horse, 4th Horse, 2nd Dragoons, 3rd Dragoons
Artillery: 1st Foot Artillery, 2nd Foot Artillery, 3rd Foot Artillery, 4th Foot Artillery
Infantry: 7th Foot, 9th Foot, 10th Foot, 15th Foot, 16th Foot, 17th Foot, 18th Foot, Iron Regiment, 1st Grenadiers, 2nd Grenadiers



The Plaissance garrison consisted of about 600 men of whom a third were native warriors, bought with French gold and armed with French muskets, while the rest were local milita drawn from the white population. The garrison also had two batteries of mortars at its disposal. Having taken up a favourable position on a hill, this small force now waited for the British attack. Feeling confident, McDowell sent the French commander, Brigadier Gaspard Bruyere, an offer to surrender, but Bruyere refused profoundly. Angered by the response, McDowell ordered the advance.



It was a difficult approach. The steep hillside slowed the soldiers down considerably, making them easy targets for the enemy mortars, while preventing the British artillery from accurately targeting the French troops. The uneven ground added another obstacle for the attackers to overcome. Remaining at a safe distance, McDowell observed the men, as they struggled up the hill, tripping and falling in the rough terrain, while mortar rounds crashed down among their ranks. From afar, the hardship of the advancing infantry was unfortunately overshadowed by the sheer spectacle of it all. "A grand sight, is it not?" the General said enthusiasticly, turning around for a second to adress his staff.



While the main body of the army proceeded with the assault, a detachment consisting of the veteran Iron Regiment, the 1st Grenadiers and the Irish 18th Foot were ascending the hill at a point farther to the right. Their orders were to move around the enemy and attack them from the side. McDowell had been hesitate when this flanking maneuver was first suggested, but eventually talked into allowing it. Now that he saw it unfold successfully, he made it sound like it had been the plan all along.



As the French defenders began exchanging musket volleys with the British main line, the flanking detachment moved into position. The grenadiers were the first to open fire, followed by the other two regiments in turn. Taken by surprise, the militia panicked. After firing a few desperate shots in just about every direction, they broke before the murderous hail of bullets aimed at them. The natives held out a little longer, but were soon routed as well. With his soldiers dispersed and his artillery overrun, Bruyere was forced to give himself up to the victorious British.

With the French garrison defeated, Newfoundland fell to the British. While the common soldiers of the 2nd Army got some much needed rest, McDowell invited Vice Admiral Leake and Brigadier Bruyere, the French commander, to dine with him at his temporary headquarter in Plaissance's town hall. Both men reluctantly accepted. During the dinner, in between McDowell's lies and vaunts, Bruyere let slip that a French fleet had recently made a stop at St. John's to resupply, before continuing west. Upon hearing this, Leake immediately excused himself, and returned to his ship. Early the next morning, he set sail for Plymouth, where the French had been heading according to Bruyere. A few days later, he found them anchored in the bay, and ordered his fleet to engage.

Battle of Plymouth Bay, 1705

Commander: Vice Admiral John Leake
Ships of the Line: Acasta, Barfleur, Fox, Glory, Hector, Protecteur, Sachem, Trajan, Warrior



Leake's fleet had increased in size since the Battle of Rotterdam. The captured French ships Protecteur & Trajan had been added to it, as well as the 58-gun Acasta & Glory and the 48-gun Barfleur, the latter named in honour of the ship that was lost to the sea at Rotterdam. As the morning sun slowly rose over the horizion, the British vessels entered the bay. Leake had the Protecteur & Trajan be the first to come into the view of the enemy. The ruse worked, as the French Admiral François Louis de Rousselet mistook the approaching fleet for reinforcements.



It wasn't until Rousselet spotted the British colours, that he ordered his own ships to raise anchors, but by then, it was too late. His flagship, the Mont Blanc and the 32-gun Entreprenant were the only two that managed to get moving before the fight began. The 32-gun Seduisant and the squadron of brigs and sloops that made up the rest of Rousselet's fleet were subdued in short order by the cannon of the larger British ships.



Sensing a quick victory, Leake pursued the enemy himself. Soon, the British Hector and the French Mont Blanc were side by side. The thunder of the guns echoed across the bay as the two ships fired on one another at point-blank range. Both suffered extensive damage, but it was the British that emerged victorious. They paid dearly for it though, for on the bridge of the Hector lay a wounded John Leake, his torn uniform stained with blood. The Vice Admiral had been struck by debris and splintered wood sent flying across the deck as the ship was hit by the French broadside.



While the two flagships blasted each other to pieces, the Trajan had caught up with and boarded the Entreprenant. After a short brawl, the French captain surrendered his sword. This marked the end of the battle. On the Hector, Leake was helped to his feet by devastated crewmen. Taking one last look across the water, and seeing his fleet triumphant, he uttered what would be his last words: "I've seen what I need to see." He then collapsed again, and was brought over to the Sachem. The Admiral's own ship had been damaged beyond repair, and was scuttled in the bay. The men made sure not to tell their dying commander of her fate. A few hours later, on route back to Newfoundland, the man who had brought two important victories over the French was gone.

The victory at Plymouth Bay was a bittersweet one. The French fleet had been utterly defeated, all ships either captured or sunk, but it had cost the British Navy its most decorated officer. Leake was replaced with Rear Admiral George Rooke, an old man of poor health, who had spent most of his career anchored up at Portsmouth. Now, he found himself in command of one of the most powerful fleets in the world. As the British ships returned to St. John's for repairs, Rooke arrived aboard the Bourbon. He also brought with him two bomb ketches, Dido & London, further strengthening the fleet.

With the French naval threat removed, the 2nd Army left Newfoundland for the American mainland. Landing on the south shore of Acadia, it marched on Fort Nashwaak to the north. Lightly defended, the town fell to the British without a single shot being fired. McDowell was now faced with a decision that could very well shape the future of the war. He could either march west to aid the hard-pressed Thirteen Colonies or he could continue north and strike at Québec, heart of the French territories. McDowell went with the more prestigious option; Québec.

While the British troops huddled up in makeshift barracks, waiting out the harsh winter, things took an unexpected turn. Spain, having conquered Morocco earlier that year, decided to go to war with its neighbour Portugal. After having discussed the matter intensively, the British government chose not to intervene. It was not a popular decision, but it was a necessary one. Great Britiain did not have the resources to fight another great power, and consequently, refused to enter the war. The Mughal Empire followed suit, and Portugal found itself alone, having lost its two major allies.

In France, this was seen as sign of weakness on part of the British army, and to capitalize on it, the French launched a large scale offensive against Britain's protectorate, the Thirteen Colonies. In the course of a month, Pennsylvania, New York and Maine all fell to French forces. Despite this, McDowell did not stray from his plan. He had his eyes fixed on Québec, and would not let the failings of the colonies disrupt his goal.

To be continued...

Spoiler for Map of America: 

[General Retreat]

Excellent posts here. This is certainly shaping up to be one of my favourite AARs on this site. It's nice to see some more Empire threads popping up, as well. I might give it a crack myself once I've got my other stuff all tied up.

You've done a great job of adding personalities to the game characters, and consistently provided top quality pictures. I like the format of your battle descriptions as well.

[Merchant of Venice]

I have a feeling McDowell may just fall short of Quebec. Another good chapter. Rep when i can

[IneptCmdr]

Excellent posts here. This is certainly shaping up to be one of my favourite AARs on this site. It's nice to see some more Empire threads popping up, as well. I might give it a crack myself once I've got my other stuff all tied up.

You've done a great job of adding personalities to the game characters, and consistently provided top quality pictures. I like the format of your battle descriptions as well.

Thank you for the kind words! It's great to know that people enjoy the AAR. Makes it worthwhile writing it.

I have a feeling McDowell may just fall short of Quebec. Another good chapter. Rep when i can

It seems that France's eagerness to expand its colonies might end up helping him.

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter VII: Making Progress

In the wake of the British victory over the Maratha Confederacy, the Honourable East India Company had established itself as the dominant exporter of goods from the continent, turning in an impressive profit. To protect its investments, the Company began rasing its own army. In late 1705, the Carnatica Field Force had been established. It was headed by Henri de Massue, his first command since the ill-fated expedition to America, and consisted of the 1st & 2nd Cavalry, the 1st Lancers, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Infantry, the sepoys of the 1st & 2nd Native Infantry and two batteries of 3-lber horse artillery. Two strongholds were also purchased; Fort Vellore west of Arcot, and Fort Pratapgad just outside Satara, with the former serving as the home base of Massue's force.

With the new Company troops in place, Churchill's 1st Army was freed up from guard duty. As the war in America escalated, the army was ordered to leave India and join in the fight against France. Churchill felt somewhat reluctant to do so. Not because he feared the French, but because recent reports had indicated that Chikka I, ruler of Mysore, whose land split British India in half, were mobilizing troops along the border. Relations between Mysore and Great Britain were strained at best, and while Chikka I respected Churchill's military skill enough to refrain from attacking, he might see the depature of the 1st Army as a chance to strike. Whether or not these worries were justified, only the future could tell.

Over in America, Kevin McDowell was anything but worried, as he prepared his attack on French held Québec. The 2nd Army had left Fort Nashwaak in the early spring of 1706. After crossing the Saint Lawrence River by boat, it had turned west, and marched straight for the city. The decision to attack Québec instead of assisting the Thirteen Colonies in regaining its lost territories had been controversial, but McDowell was adamant about it. In his mind, the capture of this symbol of French colonial power would elevate his status within the British elite.

Battle of Québec, 1706

Commander: Brigadier General Kevin McDowell
Cavalry: 3rd Horse, 4th Horse, 2nd Dragoons, 3rd Dragoons
Artillery: 1st Foot Artillery, 2nd Foot Artillery, 3rd Foot Artillery, 4th Foot artillery
Infantry: 7th Foot, 9th Foot, 10th Foot, 15th Foot, 16th Foot, 17th Foot, 18th Foot, Iron Regiment, 1st Grenadiers, 2nd Grenadiers



To man the massive French assault on the Thirteen Colonies a few months earlier, several regiments had been pulled from Québec, reducing the size of the garrison. While the men of the British 2nd Army found this comforting, McDowell was disappointed since he had hoped for a large-scale confrontation to make the victory he was certain he would deliever, more noticable in London. Still, the French numbered over a thousand men, and would not give up easily. Once again opting for a frontal assault, which he deemed more gentlemanly, McDowell ordered the 15th, 16th & 17th Foot to charge the enemy position. As mortars rained death upon the approaching redcoats, the confident British General watched the battle unfold.



Having to charge uphill towards a fortified opponent, the British assault quickly withered, and was soon repulsed. The 15th & 16th Foot were forced to retreat after suffering heavy losses. Only the 17th Foot held on, hiding behind a stone wall, but could not do much on its own. A second wave consisting of the 7th, 9th & 10th Foot were sent in to reinvigorate the attack, and for a brief moment they made some progress, but were eventually pinned down. Having regrouped, the 15th & 16th together with the dismounted 2nd Dragoons attacked the French right flank, relieving some of the pressure on the main assault. It was still not enough to punch through the defence though.



Seeing the attack stagnated, McDowell was forced to accept a compromise of his plan by falling back on the strategy that had worked at Plaissance. Upon receiving the order to advance, the 18th Foot, 1st & 2nd Grenadiers and Iron Regiment quickly moved through the narrow streets of the Québec outskirts, and hit the French hard on their left flank. Under fire from three directions, the defenders began to waver.



A cavalry charge by the 3rd Horse finally broke the French resolution. Caught under hooves and falling swords, the garrison troops lost their will to fight and routed, leaving the city to the exhausted British army. McDowell smiled as he watched the last of the French soldiers throw their weapons and run. He had succeeded in taking Québec, and it would no doubt be the center of discussion back in England. Riding towards the city with his staff close behind, he crossed paths with the soldiers returning from the battlefield. They were a sorry looking bunch he thought, dirty and untidy, marching disorderly. Some used their muskets to support themselves as they limped back, others were carried by their comrades.

"Sergeant! Tell those men to straighten up. This is the British army, not the French!" McDowell said loudly, as he passed one of the companies of the 18th Regiment of Foot. The anger in the eyes of the Irish soldiers was obvious, but the General either didn't notice, or didn't care. "Alright, you heard the officer! Straighten up, look smart now!" the sergeant reluctantly told his men. He, like many others, shared their disdain for the commander, but there was not much he could do about it, other than to grumble and move along.

While the 2nd Army occupied Québec, the 1st had landed on the shore of French Guyana, the southernmost colony of the French empire. Churchill's orders were to captured all enemy territory in the West Indies as quickly as possible to cut of their supplies, and then sail north to take part in the fight against the main French forces in America. Encountering no opposition on the beach, he marched his army southeast, along the coast. The main settlement in French Guyana was the town of Cayenne, where a small garrison of less than 700 men was stationed. Commanding it was Ferrand Danton, a tall, thinly built man with an unwieldy beard. If it were not for the pristine white uniform, one could have easily mistaken him for one of the pirates that operated in the area. The Frenchman did possess the same defiant nature as those pirates, which was probably why he had been sent to this remote outpost, and it was also why he chose to fight the much larger British force, rather than surrender to it. Churchill respected such stubborn bravery, and was obliged to deliver the battle Danton seeked.

Battle of Cayenne, 1706

Commander: General John Churchill
Cavalry: 1st Horse, 1st Dragoons
Artillery: 1st Field Artillery, 2nd Field Artillery, 3rd Field Artillery, 4th Field Artillery, 5th Field Artillery, 6th Field Artillery
Infantry: 1st Foot, 2nd Foot, 4th Foot, 5th Foot, 6th Foot, 11th Foot, 12th Foot, 13th Foot, 14th Foot, The Sticks, 2nd Pike



Under the scorching sun, the British regiments marched forward with unwavering determination, their eyes firmly fixed ahead. These were the veterans of the South India War. Hardened from fighting Maratha heathens, they now advanced steadily towards a new enemy. Before them, two defensive strongpoints awaited. The first was an entrenched artillery position, guarded by a group of musket-wielding native warriors. The second, consisting of the main bulk of the French garrison, was located in the town itself were buildings and stone walls provided cover for the defending soldiers.



With superior artillery, the British easily dealt with the first of the strongpoints. A single salvo by all six batteries completely annihilated the French guns and their crews. The impact of the projectiles caused the ground to shake violently, while large amounts of dirt and grass were heaved high into the air, temporarily covering the site in a dark cloud of dust. After the cloud had settled, the 2nd & 5th Foot, making up the left wing of the advancing infantry, had a short exchange of fire with the natives. Faced with the expert musketry of the British soldiers, and still reeling from the tremendous bombardment, they broke almost immediately



The 1st Horse gave chase and quickly caught up with the the routing warriors. Hacking and stabbing at the mass of fleeing enemies, the cavalrymen made sure none of them left Cayenne unscathed. Only after their arms grew tired of swinging the swords, did they give up the slaughter. It was an attack so vicious, even Churchill was taken aback, but knowing how the regiment had suffered during the war in India, he refrained from reprimanding them.



With the first defensive position neutralized, the soldiers now made their way towards the town. From here on, they would have to face the enemy without artillery support, as Danton had been wise enough to position his men out of range of the British cannon. The streets of Cayenne soon filled with redcoated men, prompting the few townsfolk still lingering outside to quickly retire to their homes, praying that the invading army would spare them after the battle was over.



Leading the charge were the 1st, 4th & 11th Foot. After winning a few skirmishes among the litter of buildings, they came upon the last line of French soldiers, crouching behind a low wall which separated two small fields. Ferrand Danton was among them, standing firm next to the regimental colours. Eyeing the competition for a second, he proceeded to bark an order, and the men under his command opened fire on the British troops. They, in turn, responded with a deadly volley. One of the bullets struck Danton in the chest. He groaned, pressed his hand against the bleeding wound and fell forward, slumped over the wall.



Having lost their commander, the French soldiers began to dispair. The overwhelming musket fire of the British infantry was taking its toll on the them, and as their numbers dwindled, the defenders lost their nerves. When the 2nd & 5th Foot opened fire from the high ground on the left flank, which they had taken unoticed, the French finally surrendered. Rounded up and disarmed by the 1st Dragoons, they were allowed to leave, provided they never fought again. It seemed like a noble thing to do, but it was mostly out of necessity, since Churchill did not have the resources to keep prisoners.

After having secured Cayenne, Churchill left a handful of men to keep order in the newly captured territory, while the rest of the army sailed up the coast. Landing in Trinidad & Tobago, it marched on San José de Oruña. The town surrendered without a fight, and Great Britain added another region to its overseas dominion. The 1st Army now headed for Windward Islands, the last French colony in the south.

Battle of Windward Islands, 1706

Commander: General John Churchill
Cavalry: 1st Horse, 1st Dragoons
Artillery: 1st Field Artillery, 2nd Field Artillery, 3rd Field Artillery, 4th Field Artillery, 5th Field Artillery, 6th Field Artillery
Infantry: 1st Foot, 2nd Foot, 4th Foot, 5th Foot, 6th Foot, 11th Foot, 12th Foot, 13th Foot, 14th Foot, The Sticks, 2nd Pike



The 1st Army arrived at the main island, Martinique, early in the morning, and launched a surprise attack. Waking up to the sound of cannon, the French garrison scrambled to meet the unexpected threat. As they left the simple houses that acted as their barracks, and marched onto the field, they were met with a lethal combination of roundshot and musket fire.



It was a short engagement. The unprepared French soldiers could not make an efficient stand against the solid line of British infantry facing them. Brigadier Ilbert Cugnot, commanding the garrison, ordered a retreat to save his men from the slaughter. Thanks to a tremendous effort by the French rearguard, Cugnot's force managed to cross over to the neighbouring island of Barbados.



Churchill pursued the retreating enemy, and by midday, the British and French clashed again. This time, Cugnot's men were ready. They had set up several small defensive pockets throughout the maze of buildings and fields that made up the harbour town that dominated the Barbados island.



The defenders put up fierce resistance, and it took a great deal of effort for Churchill's troops to dislodge them from their positions. By the end, the vastly superior numbers of the British force won the battle, but not before 90 men had fallen to enemy fire. With the capture of Windward Islands, the French grip on the West Indies was ended, and the 1st Army began preparations for the continued campaign up north. While they did, a third British army landed in Maine.

To be continued...

Spoiler for Map of America: 

[Merchant of Venice]

An action packed chapter if i do say so. I like the added bit with McDowell where he tells the soldiers to straighten up. A good piece of character building well done.

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter VIII: Regained Ground

Despite the victories achieved during 1705 and 1706, there were those within the political and military spheres of Great Britain that propagated the need for an expansion of the armed forces in order to win the war. Not everyone agreed, however, and the decision to raise a third army was preseeded by a much heated discussion. Many criticised the huge cost, which would severely strain the economy, while others argued that the colonial gains in America would offset that. In the end, those in favour of the new army came out on top, and as the year drew to a close, the British 3rd Army landed in French occupied Maine. It was under the command of Brigadier General Timothy Sutton, an ambitious man who held firmly to the idea that a general's place was at the front line, something that made him popular among the troops. True to his personality, Sutton wasted no time. As soon as the warm spring weather had rid the ground of last year's snow, he marched the 3rd towards Falmouth.

Battle of Falmouth, 1707

Commander: Brigadier General Timothy Sutton
Cavalry: 5th Horse, 6th Horse, 7th Horse, 4th Dragoons, 5th Dragoons
Artillery: 5th Foot Artillery, 6th Foot Artillery, 7th Foot Artillery, 8th Foot artillery, 1st Horse Artillery
Infantry: 19th Foot, 20th Foot, 21st Foot, 22nd Foot, 23rd Foot, 24th Foot, 25th Foot, 26th Foot, 3rd Grenadiers



The garrison at Falmouth was an odd mix of cavalry, line infantry, militia, native warriors and citizens armed with whatever weapons they could find. Although they knew that a British army was closing in on them, it seemed they had not bothered to construct any kind of fortifications. Whether it was because of the absence of a proper commanding officer, or a general lack of knowledge in war making, Sutton welcomed the situation. Late in the afternoon, as the sun began to set, he had his batteries of 12-pounders open fire.



The few artillery pieces available to the garrison were quickly taken out by the bombardment, and Sutton ordered the advance. The 19th, 20th & 21st Foot marched forward, with the 5th Horse and Sutton himself following close behind. As they approached the edge of the town, enemy cavalry came charging at them from in between the buildings. The 19th quickly formed square which forced the horsemen to make a sharp turn to avoid the wall of bayonets. Instead, they met the swords of the 5th Horse, and the two regiments crashed headlong into each other. Despite fighting with much valour, the French light cavalry could not defeat its heavier opponent and routed.



Having broken the cavalry attack, the men of the 5th Horse soon found themselves facing another enemy in the form of a large group of bowmen making their way towards the British infantry. The riders raised their swords and charged once again. Although the bow and arrow was a deadly weapon at long ranges, up close it was rendered useless. Hacking its way through, the 5th Horse soon had the outmatched natives running.



While the bowmen were being chased away, the British infantry came upon its French counterpart. The line of red met the line of white, and the two fired their weapons at each other. Men on both sides shuddered and fell, as they were struck by musket balls. New bodies filled the gaps, and the battle carried on until one or the other of the belligerents could endure no more. It was the French who first lost their resolve. Weakened by the losses, they retreated back into the town.



Seeing the French return in haste to the perceived safety of Falmouth, Sutton sent message to his artillery, ordering the howitzers to open fire. Explosive shells soon began to rain down on the enemy soldiers cowering in the streets. This new weapon, the first of its kind in the British army, caused widespread damage and severely demoralised the soldiers on the receiving end. When the British infantry finally marched in, the French were in no shape to fight any more and ran after the first shots had been fired.



On the other side of town, armed citizens, fleeing the recent shelling, were greeted by the muskets of the 22nd & 23rd Foot and the 3rd Grenadiers, supported by the 1st Horse Artillery. Against this well-drilled force, the poorly equipped locals stood no chance, and the group was obliterated within minutes.



All that remained of the garrison at this point were a few native warriors. Low on ammunition, the 20th Foot, encouraged by the presence of their general, charged with bayonets. Cutting and stabbing at the wavering enemy, the British soldiers fought with an intensity which the warriors could not match. As the last of the defenders fell to the thrust of cold steel, the battle was over.

With the recapture of Maine, the British 3rd Army had won its first battle in the war against France. Sutton swore it would not be the last. He had already planned his next move, to march west for Albany, and he was not going to wait about. The town lay almost undefended, and he intended to capture it as soon as possible. Not tonight though. Tonight, the men got to celebrate their victory with food, drink and women. They deserved it, having performed above expectations, and considering the hardships that awaited, Sutton felt they could do with some temporary distraction.

To be continued...

Spoiler for Map of America: 

[divilly]

Epic pic

[Merchant of Venice]

As divilly siad, some great pictures. Can't wait to find out the outcome of the war in America.

[IneptCmdr]

I have updated the Characters & Events section of the first post with some more info and a slightly different layout.

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter IX: The Price of Success

Shortly after having won the Battle of Falmouth, thus capturing Maine, Brigadier General Timothy Sutton marched the victorious 3rd Army west towards Albany, New York. Arriving at the lightly defended town in the summer of 1707, Sutton himself, accompanied by a handful of guards, rode forth under a flag of truce to offer the garrison a chance to surrender. In front of 900 enemy soldiers, the confident British General delivered his terms in broken French: "Brave men of France, today you face an army against which you cannot prevail. I urge you not to waste your lives in vain. You have served your country and your King with honour. Your surrender will not stain that honour. Lay down your arms and you will leave as free men. Resist, and you will surely be destroyed. You have one hour to decide your fate." The men of the garrison did not need an hour. Twenty minutes after the conditions had been presented to them, they put down their weapons and left the town. Sutton had captured Albany with a single speech, and the New York territory was now under British control.

Following the success, Sutton remained in the area, waiting for Churchill and the 1st Army to arrive. France still held Pennsylvania, Iroquois Territory and Upper Canada, and it would take the combined effort of all British armies to liberate these regions. However, this did not mean that Sutton sat idle. Ever vigilant, he sent out patrols scouting for enemies. Late in the winter, one of them returned with information on a large French column moving east from Pennsylvania, heading for Boston. Sutton immediately marched out with his army in order to cut the French off before they reached their target. At a river crossing not far from the village of New Haven, the two forces collided.

Battle of New Haven, 1707

Commander: Brigadier General Timothy Sutton
Cavalry: 5th Horse, 6th Horse, 7th Horse, 4th Dragoons, 5th Dragoons
Artillery: 5th Foot Artillery, 6th Foot Artillery, 7th Foot Artillery, 8th Foot artillery, 1st Horse Artillery
Infantry: 19th Foot, 20th Foot, 21st Foot, 22nd Foot, 23rd Foot, 24th Foot, 25th Foot, 26th Foot, 3rd Grenadiers



When the 3rd Army caught up with the French, they had already crossed the river and were moving away. Determined to engage them, Sutton rushed the 1st Horse Artillery into position and had it open fire. The French General Camille d'Hostum, a veteran of the Franco-Iroquois War, responded by sending his cavalry back across the river. It charged bravely at the British artillery and despite being fired at with canister, managed to overrun the gun crews.



Although it cost him his horse artillery, Sutton's move had succeeded in halting the French and forcing them into battle. While the 6th Horse attacked and dispersed the isolated enemy cavalry, the main British artillery unlimbered and began bombarding the other side of the river. With round shots and exploding shells ripping through its ranks, d'Hostum's army turned around and marched back towards the ford where it had crossed earlier that day. Observing the enemy's movement, Sutton ordered his own infantry to intercept the French before they could get across the water.



The 23rd Foot was the first regiment to reach the opposit side, followed by the 24th. Quickly establishing a firing line, the British troops managed to stop the French advance, allowing more units to cross the river. The battle ground to a halt, as the two opponents fired volley after volley, with neither side buckling. To try and break through, d'Hostum sent forward his battle-hardened grenadiers. These tall men, made to look even taller by the mitre caps they wore, were the elite of the French army in America. At Cayuga, they had annihilated the Iroquois under Chief Pontiac, and now they attacked the British line with the same ferocity. Fearing that the line might collapse, Sutton rode up to the defending redcoats, and with enemy bullets flying past him, he calmly told his men to stand firm and fight. Encouraged by the presence of their commander, and with aid from the artillery, the British soldiers managed to repulse the attack.



Suffering heavy casualties to the musket fire and constant bombardment, the French army was slowly starting to waver. Growing desperate, d'Hostum charged forward with his personal guard in a last attempt to turn the battle in his favour. Aimed at the British right flank, the attack was countered by the 6th Horse. Most of the guards were killed in the short but bloody fight that followed, and d'Hostum was left with no other option than to retreat. Upon seeing their General run, the French line finally broke.



With the enemy on the run, Sutton ordered all cavalry units to pursue. He was going to make sure the French army was properly defeated. Charging forward, the 6th Horse and the 4th & 5th Dragoons encountered only small pockets of resistance, mostly from the battered grenadiers who, despite severe losses, were still putting up a fight. In face of the overwhelming numbers of the British cavalry, it was a stand that was doomed to fail though, and soon, the brave grenadiers were all either killed or routed.



Farther upstream, the British 19th & 20th Foot had secured a bridge, after defeating the small detachment of French soldiers that had guarded it. Now, the 5th Horse crossed the river and attacked the retreating enemy head on. A complete and unconditional victory seemed certain for Sutton and the 3rd Army.



In a final effort to save his shattered force from utter destruction, d'Hostum ordered the native warriors under his command to stall the British cavalry long enough for the rest of the army to escape. With axes raised, they surge forward, their war cries echoing across the landscape. The men of the 5th Dragoons were the first to come in contact with the attacking warriors, and they quickly learned about the devestating effect of a well-handled tomahawk. In return, they taught the warriors of the damage done by British blades of steel.



Thanks to the sacrificial effort of the the natives, the remnants of the French army could slip away. Sutton had won the field, and even though he had not been able to crush the enemy as he had hoped, it was still a grand victory. British casualties were counted to around 500 men killed, while the French had lost four times as many. As General d'Hostum led his defeated soldiers back to Philadelphia, Sutton returned with the 3rd Army to Albany for some much deserved rest.

The winter months pasted quietly, with only a few minor skirmishes fought between British patrols and French raiding parties. In the spring of 1708, Churchill finally arrived with the 1st Army and the campaign reignited. A plan was devised to capture Philadelphia, the current bastion of the French colonial empire. The city was protected by a fortified wall that needed to be broken through, something which Churchill's men had experience of from their battles in India. It was therefore decided that the 1st Army would lead the assault, while the 3rd Army remained in close proximity to provide support if needed.

Siege of Philadelphia, 1708

Commander: General John Churchill
Cavalry: 1st Horse, 1st Dragoons
Artillery: 1st Field Artillery, 2nd Field Artillery, 3rd Field Artillery, 4th Field Artillery, 5th Field Artillery, 6th Field Artillery
Infantry: 1st Foot, 2nd Foot, 4th Foot, 5th Foot, 6th Foot, 11th Foot, 12th Foot, 13th Foot, 14th Foot, The Sticks, 2nd Pike



Under heavy fire from enemy guns, the artillery pieces of Churchill's army were pulled into place, unlimbered and made ready by their skilled crews. Soon they spat back their defiant reply in the shape of round shots aimed at two points of the wall that had been identified as weak spots by the engineers. All through the day, the booming sound of cannon filled the air, as the British guns worked relentlessly to tear down the targeted sections.



After having been struck countless times, part of the wall began to creak and crack. A few seconds later, it came crashing down, pulling several defenders with it and burying them underneath the rubble. A second breach was achieved shortly after, setting the stage for the bloody business of the upcoming attack. Eyeing the newly created openings in the otherwise solid wall, Churchill could see the French soldiers filling up the gaps, replacing the bricks that once were there, with a new wall made of muskets and bayonets. With a grave voice, the General ordered the assault to commence.



Leaving the safety of the ridge, behind which they had hid from the enemy artillery fire, the 2nd, 6th, 11th & 12th Foot began marching towards the meat grinder that lay ahead. For many of the veterans in the 2nd & 6th, this was their third siege and, unlike the inexperienced replacements, they knew what awaited them once they reached the breaches. With a steady grip on their muskets and a cold, determined expression on their faces, they moved forward at a quick pace.



As the advancing redcoats closed in on the wall, a squadron of light cavalry came charging straight for them. "Form square!" the British officers called out, and the well-trained infantry quickly switched formation. Seemingly undetered by the hundreds of bayonets pointing at them, the French cavalrymen stayed on course. Their mounts did not share their gallantry, and as they came upon the square, the animals turned sharply to avoid the deadly weapons ahead. Those riders not thrown from their horses, found themselves fighting a losing battle.



The square formation had quickly proven too rigid for the cavalry to break. Yet they tried, and paid for their persistence with their lives. Struggling to control the spooked horses, the French soldiers could neither attack nor defend effectively, and became easy targets for the men on the ground. From his position next to the artillery, Churchill observed how the French attack disintegrated. "Brave fools" he muttered, as the last of them fell to the British bayonets.



With the enemy cavalry defeated, the assault resumed. Reaching the city wall, the British force split up and charged headlong into the two breaches. On the left, the 2nd & 6th slowly clawed their way through the defenders, while on the right, the 11th & 12th met heavy resistance and got caught in a vicious stalemate.



Having established a foothold, albeit a frail one, Churchill ordered forth the 1st, 4th & 5th Foot along with the heroes of Satara; the 1st & 2nd Pike. At the breach on the right, the struggling redcoats had been attack from the rear by more cavalry. The 1st Pike, or The Sticks as the men had become affectionately known, wasted no time and threw themselves into the fray. The were joined by the 5th Foot, charging at the enemy with bayonets raised. On the left, the 1st Foot and 2nd Pike entered through the cleared breach, and fought their way into the city, while the 4th brought up ladders and climbed the western part of the wall.



Through bitter fighting, the British soldiers broke down the enemy defense bit by bit. The battle soon spilled into the heart of the city, where the weary redcoats cleared the streets, one after another. The smoke from burnt gunpowder lay thick in the air, a manufactured fog which obscured the true extent of the carnage. It was not until the crackle of muskets died out and the smoke cleared, that the horrific aftermath of the siege could be witnessed in all its gory detail. Strewn across the bloodsoaked cobblestones in a macabre display of human cruelty, lay the masses of dead and wounded.



This was, however, not the time to morn the losses, nor to celebrate the capture of Philadelphia. The city might have been taken, but the battle had yet to be won. French reinforcements, lead by General Camille d'Hostum, were closing in fast on the British. Spotting a vanguard of native warriors, the men of the 1st Horse, eager to do their part, set off at full speed. Minutes later, they crashed into the natives as they were preparing a defensive position. Showing the same unrestrained fury as they had during the Battle of Cayenne, the cavalrymen proceeded to cut down the enemy to the last man.



As the main enemy force approached the British line, they were treated to a murderous barrage by Churchill's artillery. The same guns that had broken through the strong stone wall of the city earlier, now tore General d'Hostum's men to pieces with ease. The survivors pushed on, but ultimately broke before British musketry, as they came within range of the 13th & 14th Foot. With no hope of turning the battle around, the disillusioned French soldiers scattered, leaving the field to the 1st Army. Stricken with shame after having suffered a second crushing defeat against the British, d'Hostum walked into the woods and shot himself.

After a long and bloody battle, Churchill had prevailed. Philadelphia was captured, securing the territory of Pennsylvania, and the French colonial force had been dealt a serious, maybe even fatal, blow. It seemed like the success of the operation called for much celebration, but the recent victory was overshadowed by a string of tragedies. Shortly after the siege had been brought to an end, news arrived of the death of General Sutton. The much beloved commander had been found in his tent with a dagger firmly planted in his back. Then, a few days later, a Spanish army invaded British controlled Trinidad & Tobago, leading to the inevitable declaration of war between Great Britain and Spain. The once so bright future now looked bleak for the armies fighting in America.


To be continued...

Spoiler for Map of America: 

[Merchant of Venice]

From one war to another will be peace ever be found in America?

Anothe great chapter, this is progressing nicely