A Petain Kriegspiel shall decide the future of the Kingdom.
17th September Edinburgh.
Charles enters Edinburgh with an estimated 2000 men. The populace are lukewarm to the cause, perhaps because of the presence of Irish Mercenaries supplied by the French King. The Government Dragoons of Colonel Fowker evacuate the city and fall back before the Jacobites, making for Dunbar.
17th September Dunbar
Sir John Cope's forces arrive at Dunbar by ship on the 17th and 18th.
Marquess of Twaddle, Secretary of State for Scotland, has consistently underestimated the severity of the revolt and as a result Cope's troops are poor in quality numbering about 2000 men. 4 battalions of 400, his gunners and the some 400 Dragoons. The Army musters and prepares to march out on the 19th.
Unfortunately General Cope has had an attack of Dysentry brought on by drinking twelve pints of the local brew, Dunbar's New Peculiar. The next Officer with seniority, Colonel the Hon Quincey Whigamore, takes command, a man with full confidence in his own 20th Foot. They at least will stand! Fowker of the Dragoons is his second in Command, but these Dragoons are questionable at best.
19th. The Government army begins its march from Dunbar towards Edinburgh, sending out advance parties to reconnoitre the route and discover any lurking Jacobites.
The Jacobite forces leave Edinburgh and march towards Dunbar, sending out advance parties to delay and harrass the Government march. Commanding the main body of the Jacobites is the McQuilp himself.
In the evening the Jacobites are discovered drawn up at Prestonpans. Colonel Fowker of the Dragoons is near his home Wankton House.
Prestonpans.
20th/21st September Battle of Prestonpans
The main battle is divided into three skirmishes and these will be gamed
separately according to the orders of the respective commanders.
SCENARIO A: First Clash, the Baldy Moor
SCENARIO F: Retreat to the stone walls
SCENARIO L: Defending Catchmole's Battery
Forces
The advance parties will be of similar sizes, and their success or failure will be a factor in the battle on the morning of the 21st. The composition of these forces will be unknown to their opponents until established by contact.
The map is divided into 1 mile squares, and a Cavalryman will travel four of these in an hour, an Infantryman or drawn gun two.
The roads are at best tracks here, but the map clearly shows the routes of advance.
Out at sea there are two ships, one on each side, neither under the orders of the respective commanders. The Brig Covenant is attempting to land arms from France. The Cutter Pickle is attempting to prevent them. Thier private battle may have an impact.
On the map there are encounters and civilians. These will give clues as to the strengths and positions of enemy forces, or simply be an annoyance. I have hidden mini events attached to some of these.
Civilians on the Map: 2D6
2 Bonnie Flora McDoughnut
3 Wee Davie Balfour of Shaws
4 Captain Hoseason of the Ship Covenant
5 Ebenezer Balfour of Shaws
6 Mr Catchmole the Minister
7 Robin Oig the turncoat Scout
8 Broon Parker o' the Glens
9 Overbold Mistress MacPherson
10 "Soupie" Campbell of North Berwick
11 Wee Crankie Jimmy
12 The Poet, Scotland's own bard, William McGonagall
Links: Works in progress
The Campaign map
The Planning document
Events
Rolled every hourly turn for each Officer commanding a Force on the map.
Roll 2d6
2 Weather D6, 6 good, 1 bad
3 The smell of the heather
4 Burning buildings
5 A Discipline problem
6 Can I smell haggis and neeps?
7 A lame horse for the Officer
8 A manure cart blocks the road
9 King George's Writ
10 The mist comes in/goes out
11 The wheel's come off
12 A matter of honour
Mechanics
Forces will be tracked on a master map. Hopefully they will be funneled by the roads to bump into each other, otherwise guided by my helpful civilians. The terrain will be that if the area of the map they are in, but the weather is in the hands of that event table.
This should involve only a minimum of written orders, merely a route of advance and standing orders for sighting the enemy. I will though give an opportunity to order forces as the local commander in any skirmishes.
After a few hours on this map the main bodies should be drawing together ready for the battle.
The fighting will be conducted, according to orders, by my 10mm C18 collection.
I will schedule the game for February 2020, to allow me to work through the rules and do some last minute painting (supply wagons from Pendraken and some Vestrymen)
God save the King and or the Prince...
Robert Louis Farthingdale, writ this day at the house of Shaws...
Looking forward to it. February should give me time to catch up on my RLS. Of course Ebeneezer Balfour has just me his end in my Blood and Plunder campaign.
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