The French & Indian War, Muskets & Tomahawks, 28mm

After working our way through a Tabletop Teaser for the forthcoming Wargamers’ Annual 2013 (one we can’t divulge details of yet), Chris Werb and I had a little spare time left, so we tried another game using the new Muskets & Tomahawks rules. these rules had their debut a few weeks ago, when we played a game set in the American War of Independence. Since then I’ve been painting up figures for the French & Indian War, and Chris had just completed a unit of Gage’s brown-coated British light infantry. We decided to give the figures a spin. Chris commanded the British, while I took charge of the Frenchmen.The game was a small one with around 30 figures a side, fought out on a tiny 4 x 4 foot table. The British had a dozen of their well-trained light infantry, supported by three small six-figure warbands of Mohawks. For the French, their core was a unit of twelve blue-coated Companie French de la Marine, supported by eight Canadian militia and six Hurons. The British had a slight qualitative and quantitative edge, but then no real battle is completely evenly balanced. The mission for both sides was to make contact with the enemy – an encounter battle, with the French also charged with defending a hamlet. There were “side plots” too, but more of those in a minute.Both sides began by advancing onto the table, with the two units of regulars taking up position on either side of a small field which dominated the centre of the table. Using the wooden railings as cover they blazed away at each other, with the British getting the better of the exchange of musketry. On the far side of the creek two units of Indians advanced to within musket range of each other and they too began blazing away, without very much effect. There was a slightly more dynamic clash on the opposite side of the field, as the Canadian militia advanced as far as another fence, and fired at the Mohawks who were skulking in the woods in front of them. While this was going on another band of Mohawk crept forward and occupied one of the two buildings in the hamlet. That meant that by firing out of the windows, they could lend their weight to the fight against the Marines, or else harass the Canadian militiamen.This extra firepower turned the tide of battle. The French regulars began to take casualties, and as their numbers dropped their firing slackened. The Mohawks were also firing at the Canadian militia, and three casualties in the same turn prompted a “Reaction test”. The Canadians fled back into the wood behind them, which gave the Indians to their front the chance to advance. Switching their fire to the remaining French Marines the Mohawks in the house drove the Frenchmen back, until they took refuge in the second wooden house, which lay immediately behind them. At that point the French casualties passed 50%, and soon afterwards a “Morale” card was drawn, prompting a general withdrawal. The French and Canadians had suffered badly, and only the Hurons avoided any casualties. In return only a couple of Gage’s foot had fallen, and three Mohawks. Full kudos to Chris for concentrating his firepower, and eviscerating my hard-pressed Marines!As for the “side plot”, the British had to escort a civilian, who never came close to being threatened by the French, while for my part I had to avoid the turning over of my “Morale” card by keeping casualties as low as possible. Obviously that didn’t work out too well! Another interesting twist to Muskets & Tomahawks is the Random Events, which are triggered when an “Event” card is turned over. During the game the rain same and went, a new leader was created from the ranks of the French Companie de la Marine, and the French militia ran the risk of friendly fire. The best one of all was Duel, when a randomly selected officer from each side closed with his sworn enemy, to fight their own duel. Hawkeye (leader of the Mohawks) and Monsieur Chartrand of the Montreal militia advanced across the table towards each other, but the French defeat prevented them coming to grips before the game drew to a close. All in all it was great fun, and it has encouraged me to tackle my next unit of figures for this colourful little period.

Tags: Muskets & Tomahawks