French Indian War Campaign - Game 19

The Battle of Fort Oswego, September 1758, has French forces commanded by Contrecoeur attacking a similar sized, but less experienced, British force commanded by Amherst. This is a major battle and its outcome will have a level of importance for the on-going campaign being run by Jonathon at Palouse Wargaming Journal.

The quality of the commanders, Contrecoeur and Amherst, means they can improve the quality of their units. From a rules perspective this increases the number of hits a unit can absorb before being eliminated. For example, a Militia unit of 6 hits will increase to 8 hits the equivalent of a Regular unit. The French improve the quality of two Regular regiments and the British one of their Militia regiments.

Each regiment is represented by 2 units on the tabletop and the following order or battle was used:

• French = 3 x Regular units (10 hits), 1 x Grenadier unit (12 hits), 2 x Regular unit (8 hits), 2 x Irregular unit (6 hits) and Artillery unit.
• British = 2 x Regular unit (8 hits), 2 x Militia units (8 hits), 2 x Militia units (6 hits), 2 x Cayugu warband (6 hits), and Artillery unit.

The French arrive on either end of the tabletop and must split their force evenly.

Initial setup with British in the centre and French forces on either end of the tabletop.

British force wait for the impending battle.

British have some defensive earthworks manned by Militia

The early moves has the French advance on either flank and engage the British outside the fort.

French advance and the fort artillery open fire.

French Irregulars move swiftly through the woods.

The force commanded by Contrecoeur is harassed by the Cayugu warband which has moved into the wood. 

French Irregulars occupy the woods.

On the other flank British Regulars come under fire from the French Irregulars positioned in the woods. 

The middle game has the direction of attach shift towards the fort.

The Cayugu warband is putting up a stout defence against the French advance.

The attack on the fort begins from both sides.

The Militia unit and Warband is putting up a strong defensive effort. So much so only one French unit is available to attack the fort.

All units are engaged in combat.

The French attacks were suffering for some very effective British shooting and they may have over-stretched themselves.

As the game moves into the end stage it is in the balance with neither side having a clear advantage.

French Regulars retire out of range from the fort defenders to avoid units being eliminated and reducing the army resolve.

The Irregulars positioned in the woods are suffering and taking losses from Regulars.

French Grenadiers finally clear the woods of Cayugu units, while the Militia hang on behind their earthworks. This Militia unit was proving very effective having eliminated the unit with Contrecoeur assigned. The French commander retiring wounded from the battle. 

British Regulars retire where they can to avoid further losses. At this point the French attack had stalled on both flanks.

The only effective French unit remaining was their Grenadiers who having cleared the wood, now launched themselves on the stubborn Militia and started rolling up the line. 

French success was in the hands of their Grenadiers as the British Regular unit will turn to support the Militia. 

The Grenadiers delivered victory for the French.

A marginal victory for the French thanks to their Grenadiers and careful management of their units. Retiring any unit which where close to elimination. It did look at one point they had over stretched themselves with attacking fort on two fronts.

Losses on the tabletop were:

• British - 2 Militia units, 2 Warbands, and artillery unit
• French - 2 Regular units and 2 Irregular units.

All in all a very engrossing game which went down to the wire.