Run for the Hills (Nile) Scenario, Men who would be Kings

The University of North Durham's boasts a collection known as the "Farthingdale Papers," recovered from the Library of Farthingdale Hall. Various members of the infamous Farthingdale family have contributed to these papers over the years, but one of the most misunderstood letter collections in the archive belongs to Herbert Farthingdale, an Officer of the Indian Army between 1880 and 1914.   
Herbert was a first class administrator and served in staff positions for most of his career.  He rarely  did any actual fighting.  One of his first letters refers to the doomed Quilp Pasha expedition which had as its objective a march from Suakin to the Nile.  

Herbert's letters are all addressed to his Mother, the redoubtable Henrietta Farthingdale, who was the "Mother" of modern Wargaming, and who is reputed to have thrashed the author H.G Wells at a game of "Little Wars."

Dear Mother,

I have been seconded to the expeditionary Force of Colonel Quilp Pasha this week.  A great battle occurred in which most of our forces were apparently wiped out, but which I cannot report on since I am reduced to riding in a general service wagon with the wounded following a bout of dysentery.   It was not wise to eat dinner with those Cavalrymen of the Royals.  Goodness knows what that meat really was!

I am recovered enough to view the scenario of the retreat to the Nile.  As we fled onto the great floodplain of the river we could see a cluttered terrain ahead.  With pursuit behind us we had to get to the “Firkit” a finely crafted river steamer which was moving downriver to our rescue.

The vessel seems stoutly constructed by a master builder, yet clearly has limited berths aboard.  My estimate would be that there are only some 24 places.

Captain Quincy of the Royals commanded the GS wagon to move through his line to the front.  He made a valiant charge clearing away no less than two large groups of Dervish chargers that appeared in the rocks before us.   The Royals suffered huge losses, but also took down a group of riflemen.  

The Rajput Infantry defending our rear were caught and massacred.  Both of their Officers were deemed to be too ugly to own mirrors, but died bravely.   

With the gun clearing our way Captain Quincy seemed confident that he could at least save the Royals.

To our right were the Queen’s Own Minifigs.  The eccentric Colonel Quilp Pasha, the sole surviving Senior Officer marched at the head of his men, with the idiotic and cowardly Lieutenant Hawtrey commanding a second group.  Hawtrey repeatedly failed to coax his men into moving.  He also seemed to be armed with a service revolver and table knife.  The Queens Own Minifigs are Old School!

Colonel Quilp sacrificed his Anglo Egyptian troops to protect the Queen’s Own.  The Egyptians had some poor Officers, and were soon decimated by the repeated appearance of charging Dervish Warbands.  It was the Colonel who first reached the halfway point across the table, no doubt patting himself on the back.  (Colonel Quilp was even spotted using his George Hare patented Dry Plate Extended Bellows Camera to photograph the scene.)  

All appeared to be going well.  The Dervish had been rebuffed.  The “Firkit” had tied up to the river bank and a company of Royal Marine Light Infantry moved out to secure the landing spot. 

The Dervish reacted to the Marines when a group appeared to their front, but with a combination of superb musketry from the RMLI and the cannon from the foredeck of the steamer these were recoiled.  The leader of these stalwarts was obviously a veteran and professional Officer!  

The Steamer used its Heliograph to signal the Imperial forces now half way across the plain... “The enemy can be seen massing behind you.”    Dervish cavalry suddenly appeared on the Eastern base edge, (newly painted) with a large unit of Camelry.  It seemed that the mad Khalifa was determined to destroy the surviving British Forces. 

Added to these woes are the fact that there seems to be a fleet of Dervish fellucas about to come down the Nile and onto the table.

Will the Khalifa succeed in his evil plan.  Will your poor son ever make it off this huge tabletop?

I will write as soon as I can Mother,

Your Loving Son, Herbert,

2^nd Lt, the 3rd Rajputs.

The Firkit and her Marines.  (and yes the gangplank is a "gone to ground" marker!)