A small skirmish at Gold Creek

Earlier this year I painted up a few Plains War Indians and some US Cavalry to pitch against them. It was about time that some of these chaps saw some action on the table. 

I am currently writing up a homebrew set of rules for this period and given they are a long war from completion I decided to use that trusted set called Black Powder. Much of the inspiration for my scenario and all the stats etc came from the Black Powder 2nd edition where there is a great scenario for this specific period. Indeed one of the things that worked so well was the randomness of the natives movement. More on this shortly.

Interestingly before we started this game there was some nervousness from the one of the players that was this a particular sensitive subject to actually game. Personally I can see both sides of the arguments and would argue that the asymmetrical wars of the North American plains were in a sense no different to the colonial wars being fought in Africa during the latter half of the 19th century. I think we can all agree that the motivations that created these wars were very wrong when looked at from a modern perspective but they were fought at a time when views were very different.

This small engagement (I say small because of the few figures we had on the table compared to previous games) was fought by myself (Indians) versus Mark and Alastair leading six troops of US Cavalry.

The game initiates with 'A' troop pinned down in Gold Creek with their supply wagons by a couple of dismounted Indian warbands. A further three mounted Indian Warbands are on the back edge of the table ready to enter the fray. The remaining 5 US Cavalry troops are off table ready to save the day.

A troop pinned down by the locals

Each turn the Indian player would roll a d6 - on a 5/6 a further warband would appear along the back edge. Should one not arrive a +1 is added to the die roll for subsequent turns. The objectives were simple the Indians had to break the US Cavalry - ie shake or rout 4 plus of the six troops. The US Cavalry had to rout or drive off the table over half of all the Indian units that appeared on the table during the game (for example if the Indians had a total of 9 units during the game the US cavalry would win if 5 were destroyed. 

Cavalry coming to the rescue

Both sides had three commanders - this was crucial for the Indian players as the only way of guaranteeing the warbands would go in the direction you wanted was to use a follow me order. All units unattached from a leader rolled 2d6 and consulted the native movement table.

Troops move up in support

Native Indians advance forward

To maker matters worse for the Indians was that they were 'poor shots' which necessitated them rerolling one hit each time a unit shot. 

 

Advancing towards the creek

The gamer started with sporadic shooting between the pinned down federal troops and the local tribesmen - as the units were skirmishers and in cover hitting anything especially for the Indians was proving a nightmare

I quickly realised that going toe to toe with the cavalry in a gun duel was only going to end one way - better try a mounted attack. My braves started to use the wide flanks in an attempt to encircle the blue jackets

Despite planning for a mounted charge my foot braves nearest the creek decided top charge forward - a fierce melee erupted in the waterway. Honours were even and then the cowardly cavalry attacked the flanks driving my Indians into the happy hunting grounds.

Despite losing the Indians managed to inflict a few casualties on the blue jackets - hopefully these would add up over time.

With the melee resolving itself in the creek the Cavalry turned their attention to the natives flanking around the sides 

The warbands swiftly slipped through the woods and were ready to charge into the rear of the defending cavalry.

More warbands charged forward on the right flank.

Things were starting to look grim for the dismounted infantry as the the whoops of the native horse came forward quickly.

The Indians readied themselves for an assault on the defenders

They launched the first attack wounding several blue coats but being driven back shaken in the process

Wounded but not defeated the braves taunted the white men from afar.

As the union players (Mark & Alastair) totted up their units they realised that three units were now shaken. Rallying their men became the priority otherwise they would lose.

Could the Indians win?

Another charge was launched into the right flank. Once again the carbines of the US Cavalry drove back the attackers and another warband fled the field.

It was at this point that B troop mounted up and using a follow me order charged after the retreating INdians - routing not one but two units in a desparate charge. 

The US Cavalry won the day ....just

After all the big WOTR games we have been playing recently it was great to play something relatively simple and of course a wonderful opportunity to use my new toys for the first time.

The rules played well. They were extremely frustrating for me as the Indian player but delivered a game that was full of action and suspense.

Take care folks and come back soon