Today I continue my previous post testing a multipronged assault against the Fort Carillon perimeter. It was slow going as always, even before the first moves I was updating the rulebook. I also made significant updates to the test scenario by placing British light troops on the east bank of Lake Champlain to interrupt any French movements there. After adding the abatis I proceeded to a full British offensive setup which obviously differed from the historical one having detached a lot of the light troops to the flanking maneuver.
Starting with the French – they always go first. This is an old-fashioned IGOUGO game, so no cards and other more modern mechanics. The 300 Canadian reinforcements arrived at the north end of the map and had to get through the gauntlet to join the main army. I placed small British patrols around the lake for this exact purpose. The 400-man composite Grenadier battalion headed by the Swiss-born Colonel Frederick Haldimand was preparing for their strike into the Hornet’s Nest. Although the Canadians would be strong on water against the British Army, the Grenadiers are not alone. A thousand light infantry from the 55th and 80th Regiments were massing nearby and if they intervened, the Canadians would have little chance in the fight. Thus, they skimmed the opposite side of the lake to avoid the enemy’s main force.
Two companies of Stockbridge Mohicans, part of Rogers Rangers and totaling about 100 men, had been positioned to keep an eye on any French movements on the lake. They were headed by Captain Jacob Cheeksaunkin and his son, Lieutenant Jacob Naunauphtaunk. The Canadians paddled their whaleboats and canoes right under the noses of the Natives, but Jacob C. decided against an intervention even though the young Mohicans were anxious to strike the enemy three times their number. The odds were too great against them.
The Canadians joined their comrades guarding the right flank of the army – they also left a large group in reserve due to the threat of a flanking maneuver. Although there were many officers senior to him, the defending militia and French marines were in reality commanded by the famous ensign, Jean-Baptiste Levrault de Langis Montegron, also known as Langy. A man who ridiculed Robert Rogers and headed many patrols where even captains from regular regiments competed to join. Such is his weight in the game that he provides a +2 DRM along with the likes of Howe or Lévis – seconds in command of both armies.
As other French troops were already in place, we finally get to the main course – the British attack. To wreak havoc amongst the defenders, powerful light infantry strike groups were in place on both north and south side of the fort. Once they had successfully landed, they would be enforced by nearly 2000 troops carrying artillery in to the French rear.
Well, the plan sounded good when deliberated in the early morning council of war, where General Abercromby let his trustworthy #2, Brigadier General Lord Howe, reveal the ambitious plan to crush the French forces with one audacious strike from three directions. Although some officers were sceptical, they ultimately favored Howe’s approach. After all, you wouldn’t want to miss out of the moment of fame!
Fast forward a few moments and the first boats to enter Lake Champlain carried some of the famous Blue Jerseys from New Jersey. They were aiming at the area between the “Lower Town” and the newly constructed artillery redoubt anchoring the left end of the French main line.
Unfortunately, this was a true artillery killing zone. The fort had in two bastions 14 pieces of heavy naval cannons with a clear aim to this space, with additional pieces located at the battery Lotbinière overlooking the lake and the redoubt mentioned earlier. The first salvo killed about a hundred men and sent the remaining troops back to the foot of the Rattlesnake Mountain in chaos.
I have not yet defined the exact firing arcs for the bastions, but this will ultimately limit the direction the artillery in the bastion may fire at. It forces the French player to place them where the anticipated attacks come from. Moving guns between bastions takes time so unlike infantry, they cannot react quickly.
Next, the Rangers attempted their strike against the artillery redoubt close to river La Chute. They did nor fare much better as the artillery from the fort interdicted at medium range and aborted the move. However, they took no casualties in the engagement.
Finally, the Indians bravely lead by the famous Superintendent of Indian Affairs, William Johnson, followed. The natives were already nervous as they saw the massive French firepower and reluctantly obeyed his orders. Again, devastating salvos hit the boats killing not only a significant number of Iroquois but also hit Johnson who quickly bled to death.
The attack from the south thus collapsed and no results were gained for the loss of 200 men and a respected leader. The morale toll was quite notable.
But enough for today!