Attack on Fort Trumper - Part One

The second (& third) game(s) in our American Interlude moved us forward to the War of 1812-15 and northward to the American-Canadian border. The game features a British assault across a wide river. The Americans have constructed a fortified blockhouse to command the river, supported by two artillery redoubts on the heights overlooking the river. Congress, ever wary of  a threat from a standing army, has seen fit to garrison the blockhouse with one very understrength regular battalion. In turn they are supported by two brigades of Militia of varying reliability and ability! One of these is encamped in support of the batteries, the other amongst the storehouses south of the blockhouse position.

'Fort Trumper' and it's understrength garrison of US Regular Infantry.

The Militia encampment. Each battalion may be roused from slumber by an odd number dice throw at the start of each turn.

Moore's Battery: regular US artillery prepare their 12lb gun for action. Nervous sentinels from the Militia keep watching for enemy activity.

Bretcher's Battery: a second 12lb gun is carefully primed for action by its crew of US Regular Artillery.

Lord Rawnsley and his staff, lead by Major Watson, gather on a low rise overlooking the river ready to signal the onset of the British assault on 'Fort Trumper'. A Royal Marine rocker battery will fire a salvo to open proceedings!

A brigade of regular infantry are poised to make for the crossing point along the river where boats crewed by Royal Navy officers and tars wait to ferry them to the far bank.

In game terms it takes a battalion half a Turn to embark, half to cross the river and half to disembark and form up. Only one battalion can cross in any one Turn.

The boats really just mark the only two crossing points the British and Canadians can use. The Paddoquoi War Party can try to cross at any point in each Turn on an even dice throw. As dawn breaks each side waits with varying enthusiasm and readiness.

A view from the British-Canadian position towards 'Fort Trumper' and the American lines.

A sleepy garrison of 'Fort Trumper' and the equally drowsy Militias dream on undisturbed...for now at any rate. Join me for more in Part Two later in the week.