Hanging Rock (2)

Welcome to part 2 of my Hanging Rock refight. Rebel Right The right-had rebel column had not moved with the alacrity of the other two columns and found itself engaged with a better-prepared defence. By the end of turn 2 each side had taken casualties and the rebels were preparing to bring in Davie's light dragoons: The dragoons smashed into one of the British Legion companies, shaking it but not breaking it.

the militia and dragoons fell back to regroup while the loyalist forces formed an ever more organised defensive line:

..a line that was disrupted by the belated emergence of the rebel centre column on their right flank, sweeping away the loyalist militia and threatening the gun!:

Not wishing to be cut-off, the loyalists drove back the centre column then retired behind the cabin with the intention of linking-up with Carden and the PoWAR:

The rebels contineud to press on but with little success, both sides were now seriously weakened:

Centre column

The centre column rapidly routed the majority of Bryan's tory militia but one stubborn company remained on the top of the hill and proved difficult to shift; no doubt aided by the umpire's application of a higher morale value then they actually deserved, but they did roll some fantasic die too - I've seldom seen so many 5s and 6s.

A second tory company fell back to the bottom of the hill to offer a little defence if it could. Difficult for a broken command to achieve:

On the following turn the rebel milita continued to chop-up both tory companies but they still hung on somehow:

...before finally succumbing on turn 4 and allowing the centre column to push some of its troops through the woods to aid the right-hand column - but too little too late if they hoped to destroy the provincials around the cabin:

Left Column

This column had found itself prematurely engaged with the PoWAR and despite routing one loyalist company it now found itself engaged in a fight it had little chance of winning with its rapidly diminishing ammunition. An enthusiastic charge was delivered:

..but was dirven back with heavy casualties and the remaining militia hung on as a broken command:

...and hung in there a little longer before finally routing:

End

In the Crown portion of turn 6 the loyalists fell back from the cabin to form an organised defence, the PoWAR on the right and Rousselet's men on the left with the gun in the centre and the newly arrived troop of the Legion cavalry in support:

Much like the real battle the rebels had captured Bryan's camp and the central camp but had run out of steam before they could rout their opponents completely. The Crown had done slightly better but I think I'd still award a very minor victory to the rebels who still achieved a lot with not very much more than audacity and a tot of rum.

Next planned battle is Briar Creek, Georgia.

Bye for now!