The game was soon over with the British centre gone , the Highlanders pushed Murray's Foot back on the left as the Clan that pursued the cavalry rallied and wheeled round to face Murray's disordered regiment nearest the camera .
On the other flank Clan Appin charge the reserve squadron of Gardiner's Dragoons .
Murray's regiment flees having lost the second round of melee , Sir John Cope escapes with them , so living up to his historical counterpart .
On the right the highlanders fire a volley at close range into the right hand squadron and then charge home - the dragoons then rout , this triggers a morale test for Guise's regiment of foot and they run which, as these tests are cumulative causes the reserve squadron of Dragoons to fail it's test and so the entire Government army routs from the field as was the historical case .
The rules worked well , but the British were always up against it . This is the problem I find with historical re-fights - at what point do you make it more of a 'game'? , if it follows the exact course of history is it a bit pointless ? , if it turns out totally different it is no long 'historical' ? . The rules in the 'Paper Soldier' book I think are very historical and the tactics for either side are very limited and reflect the actual combatants very well , if you replayed this battle using 'Black Powder' it would be more of a 'what if' game and perhaps more entertaining as a two player game . I think I must replay it at some point using the 'Black Powder' rules and compare the two . I enjoyed playing it and am pleased with the result , I must get these figures onto the table again soon .
Great looking battle Tony. As you say it would be interesting to see the result with other rules - maybe the Government would win? (heaven forbid!)
ReplyDeleteI was happy to play it solo using these rules , but with an opponent Black Powder might give a more entertaining game .
DeleteI suppose as well as the rules it depends on what allowance is given to the general's to change disposition and orders.
ReplyDeletePoor Johnny! I understand that the doggerel is actually libellous and he didn't actually run but it is what he'll be remembered for now.
Sadly yes he did his best with what he had , the real General Cope did Try and rally the Dragoons but they wouldn't be lead back into the fray and so had to fall back towards Berwick with them .
DeleteVery entertaining, Tony, and great figures.
ReplyDeleteCheers
WM
Thanks , although a bit one sided I enjoyed the re-fight .
DeleteA great report. Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt played out historically , I had fun re-fighting the action and must get these figures on the table more often .
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