The siege continues

 Turn 1

Chigley

Dawn.  The White Coats have enjoyed an uncomfortable night on the hedge line - as the Cannonade lifts they charge towards the earthwork.  Captain Sneed is in the van.

The Green Coats continued to sap forward.

Turn 2

Chigley.  The White Coats assault the earthwork - and are repulsed with heavy loss.

Trumpton. The Trained band gave fire as the White Coats appear.  A catastrophic salvo from the party popper  kills three of the enemy outright, including Captain Sneed.  The White Coats pass a morale test.

Turn 3

Chigley - Roaring Doris drops short! Killing three more of the White Coats, who retreat in confusion.   The Green Coats are poised to assault. 

Trumpton - the Trained Band fire again inflicting more casualties.  The Trumpton cannon fires grape - and a solider and Captain Clutterbuck are killed.  Clutterbuck is struck by a passing shot, and does not pass the saving roll.

Turn 4

Chigley  Lord Belborough rushes to rally the remains of the White Coats, and the Green Coats retire to the original trench line.

Trumpton  The Trained Band sing a Psalm in astonishment at their deliverance.  

Turn 5

Chigley  Roaring Doris lands a direct hit in the earthwork killing the Mayor and two members of the Trained Band.  Lord Belborough has lost two key advisors, and is left with the rather dubious Captain Snort to discuss his options??

Trumpton - A blow for Trumpton late in the day - to lose the Mayor - the inspiration of the defence.   A hasty Council of War is held and the MP, Chippy Minton takes command, assisted by Captain Flack and Mr Bolt, the engineer.

Dusk begins to fall after a terrible day at Trumpton...

The siege of Trumpton

The arrival of his Lordship's army was met with consternation in Trumpton.  The Town was summoned, and terms offered, but the Mayor and MP were not in any mood for negotiating.  The Chigley horse was visible at the northern and eastern gates; effectively blockading Trumpton. 

At the Camberwick gate his Lordship decided to open the siege works - after a council of war with Mijnheer Clutterbuck and Captain Sneed.  Captain Snort was present to discuss the placing of 'Roaring Doris' and the Culverin.

The ground was broken for the siege lines, and a cannon shot from the new earthwork marked the opening of the battle.  The White Coats were on the right flank, the Camberwick Green/Blue coats on the left flank.  (Mr J taking on the role of Lord Belborough.)

The Chigley artillery return fire, as the Chigley forces begin to sap forward...

The left flank

The right flank

Turn 1

Chigley - Roaring Doris hit the earthwork!  A roll of 3 meant the mortar bomb exploded, but the Trained survived.  The Cannon hit the Camberwick gate with round shot.  The infantry sapped forward.

Trumpton - the Reverend Munnings roundly cursed the Chigley malignants from the top of a Gabion - quickly ducking as cannon ball went overhead...

The Trumpton 'grate cannon' returned fire - no hit.  The Guild of St Brian Canto wisely withdrew to the Town wall

Turn 2

Chigley - artillery reloading, sapping progressing and Meijnheer Clutterbuck and Captain Sneed moved forward from Lord Bleborough's tent.

Trumpton - cannon reloading and a runner sent to call all the Trained Band to the Camberwick Gate

Turn 3

Chigley - first blood - as Roaring Doris hit the Town wall. One member of the Guild killed, and Raggy Dan deafened and MP Chippy Minton stunned for one turn.  Sapping continued, and a second cannon hit on the Camberwick gate.

Trumpton - the Trained Band move towards the Gate.

Turn 4

Chigley - the White Coat being bored of sapping unaccountably dashed forwards to the hedge - to the consternation of Captain Sneed who is a good way back.  Cannon reloading. Sniping from the Blue Caots in the sap.

Trumpton - the Mayor, Captain Bolt, and Reverend Munnings (with a dazed Raggy Dan) rush to the earthworks.  The mortar is fired, with a very loud bang (party poppers in basements are quite loud) but the Trained Band misfired - defective ammunition!!  

Turn 5

Dusk begins to fall...

Morning, at Trumpton

 A lull, and a spy, and a prophecy

"Here is the clock, the Trumpton clock. Telling the time, steadily, sensibly; never too quickly, never too slowly. Telling the time for Trumpton"

But, is the time up for Trumpton?

 Trumpton

The labour on the earth works continues, with the whole population digging and filling Gabions.  The Bastion beyond the Camberwick Gate is completed, and Captain Bolt will place a cannon here – a Culverin.  His new ‘Hornwork’ is designed in the Italian fashion, and stands in front of the town wall on the west of the town.

The town defences are as follows:

 HQ at the Cripple and Bastard

The Mayor and Captain Flack + runners 

Horse

The Trumpton Horse (depleted and dismounted) 5

Foot

The Trumpton Trained Band – reinforced – Sgt Pugh promoted to Captain 10

The Town Militia – the members of the Guild of St Brian Canto too old to serve in the Trained Band – commanded by Chippy Minton, MP, and Potter, the Watchman and the Reverend Munnings 7

Cannon – Captain Bolt

1 x Culverin

1 x Mortar

Lookouts – Grub in the Church Tower of St Brian Canto, Magrew in the tower of the ruined Chapel of St Just the Bigot, by the Camberwick gate.

 Philby, the Mayoral coachman has slipped out of the town to visit an ageing relative at Camberwick Green.  This has brought a certain degree of worry to Potter, the Town Watchman.

And in the study of St Brian Canto parsonage, the Reverend Munnings and Raggy Dan have been praying without ceasing all night; and expounding upon the scriptures.  Raggy Dan has received a vision of one the riders of the Apocalypse appearing over Trumpton. The townsfolk are anxious. 

The Mayor has sent a messenger to the Eastern Association, asking for reinforcements and ammunition and stores.  He fears that the malignant party will besiege Trumpton in a matter of days.  The message has been sent to Treddles Wharf, for immediate conveyance to King’s Lynn.  But is Treddles Wharf still loyal to Parliament?  

Mr Swallow is already with His Lordship's army...

Meanwhile, at Pippin Fortress...

 Meanwhile, down the Camberwick Road, at

 Pippin Fortress

Lord Belborough is being entertained to a glass of Jenever wine by that old fox, Captain Snort.  The mutinous garrison of Pippin Fortress have been paid and fed; and the Captain is more than happy to declare for the King (for now) and to prepare a siege train for Lord Belborough’s army.

Lord Belborough and Captain Snort, with the County arming at Pippin Fortress

. 

Gubbins, Sneed and Clutterbuck are agreed that the Army can march in three days to besiege Trumpton; and end the campaign in Trumptonshire in one swift blow.  Oxen and horses are needed, and Mr Crockett will provide.  Other volunteers have joined his Lordship from the minor Gentry and the tenant farmers, and a Company of 'Blue' Coats have been mustered in Camberwick Green - they are awaiting the proper green cloth from Treddles Wharf.

Lord Belborough’s Army

Horse – Gubbins

The Lobsters – and lifeguard of his Lordship - 6

The Chigley Horse – a squadron of Gentry and Yeomen - 4

Foot - Sneed

Chigley White Coats - 16

Camberwick Green 'Blue'/Green Coats - 8 

Chigley Firelocks – from Pippin Fortress – to defend the artillery train - 5

 Cannon – Captain Snort

1 Cannon Royal

1 Culverin – captured at Camberwick Wood with crew

Mortar – the great ‘Roaring Doris’

 The Train – Clutterbuck & Crockett (2iC)

The Chigley sappers and miners - 6

His Lordship has sent Clutterbuck to scout the Camberwick Gate, and approaches to Trumpton...

Night falls over Trumpton.

There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:  Ecclesiastes 9

 

THE SITUATION AT TRUMPTON

 Trumpton – a council of war

 

Following the assigned day of fasting, and the Reverend Munning’s call to repentance, repentance, (in his one and a half hour sermon) a Council of War was called in the ‘Cripple and Bastard’ inn, by the Parish Church.

In attendance, the Mayor, Mr Bolt (town engineer and now commissioned Captain), Mr Troop (Town Clerk), Captain Flack and Nick Fisher – representing the Guild of St Brian Canto.  All were deeply concerned about the rout at Camberwick Wood, and whether Trumpton could withstand a siege….

A distant prospect of Trumpton from Windy Hill

Mr Bolt is encouraged to continue the construction of earthen walls, but to hasten the building of a Bastion or Horn Work at the Camberwick Gate with the greatest speed; and using ‘volunteer’ labour to assist the Trained Band in this task.  

The new work outside the Camberwick Gate

The meeting dispersed with Nick Fisher posting a Bill to call all the able to Trumpton to work on securing the town; and praying earnestly for deliverance…

A bent ramrod!  All that remains of 'not so loud Brenda'
Well may Raggy Dan weep and wail...woe, woe and thrice woe

BATTLE - the encounter in Camberwick Wood - with the Vauban and Shandy rules

 

Game 2

Vauban and Shandy

Or

Funny Little (Uncivil) Wars

Not again, twice in one afternoon &c &c

 Turn 1 – the fog clears

Chigley – the Whitecoats advance to the hedge, the Lobsters stand firm.  The Forlorn Hope engage the Trumpton Horse – no hits

Trumpton – the Horse advance down the and engage the Forlorn hope with Pistol – no hits

Turn 2

Chigley – The Lobsters advance to Pistol range – Caracole – they receive 3 hits and His Lordship is saved!  They inflict 2 hits on the musketeers – but the hedge saves the other musketeer company

Trumpton – the Horse engage the Forlorn hope and score 1 kill with 1 save.  The cannon fires grape at the Lobsters and kills 2, and the Trained Band kill 1.

Smoke envelopes the battlefield and stays in place for one turn.

Turn 3

Chigley – His Lordship orders a charge – and the Lobsters and Whitecoats surge through the smoke….and charge home winning a very close melee, and pushing the Trumpton Trained band down the road to Trumpton.  The Canoneers wisely decide it is time to change sides.

Trumpton – The Trumpton Horse turn to return to the main body – the wood ahead means there is no way of deploying.  The Trained Band stand, and then out of the smoke appear the Lobsters and Whitecoats with their fearsome battle cry ‘Lace, and more lace, statues and incense - with Jenever wine preferably’. 

They are unable to fire into the smoke, and fail the morale test – but stand and receive.  They are defeated in a close fought melee, and are forced back down the road to Trumpton. 

Turn 4

The Trumpton Horse evade the carnage of the sunken lane, and head for Trumpton.  The Chigley forces reorganise on the field and count their trophies – a cannon and the standard of the Trumpton Trained Band.

The Trained Band and Horse retired in reasonably good order to Trumpton….to the horror of the Burghers and Godly folk of the Town; who had listened with increasing apprehension to the sounds of the battle.  

Defeat.  Well may Reverend Munnings declare a day of fasting and lamentation...

Battle Record Chart – Trumpton

 

Name	Strength	Initiative Point	Character Figures	Dead	Comments
Captain Flack	2	NA
Trumpton Horse	6	1	Off X Sgt X	1
Trumpton Trained Band	16 + Chaplain	1	Off Ensign X Sgt X Sgt	9
Cannon	3	1	Off		Surrendered – Nibs making his escape

 

Battle Report Card – Chigley

Name	Strength	Initiative Point	Character Figure	Dead	Report
His Lordship	3	NA
The Lobsters	10	3	Off Ensign Sgt X Sgt X	5
Whitecoats	10	2	Off Ensign Sgt	1
Forlorn Hope	5	2	Sgt	1

 

P = Pike + Ensign/commander

M= Musket

C = Cavalry

 

 

 

 

BATTLE - the encounter in Camberwick Wood

The Battle at Camberwick Wood

(The battle has now been played three times in the course of  the year using the Vauban and Shandy draft rules, with ECW additions - and a comparative play test with the Wesencraft rules - an old favourite.  The result has been the same in all three games...

Camberwick Wood and Deadman's Hill

The Trumpton Trayned Band headed down the old road to Camberwick Green – two squadrons of the Trumpton Horse recced ahead in the fog….meanwhile Lord Belborough had decided to intercept the Trayned Band in Camberwick Wood. 

The Lord is a God of battles,
the Lord is His name

Order of Battle - Trumpton

Van – the Trumpton Horse – commanded by Sgt Pugh (two troops)  Militia

·      Centre – the cannon ‘loud-ish Brenda’ commanded by the other Sgt Pugh and the Trumpton generalissimo, Captain Philibertius Flack with the Reverend Munnings accompanying. (Captain Flack has seen service on the Continent and is rated experienced.) The groom is ‘Nibs’ Minton, son of the MP.

·         Rear – The Trumpton Trayned Band – comprising two companies of muskets and one of pike commanded by Ensign Dribble and Sgt Grub.    Rated militia  (If Reverend Munnings is attached they receive a morale +1

 As the fog clears, Lord Belborough’s Chigley Royalists appear on Deadman’s Hill, at the edge of Camberwick wood. 

Order of battle - Chigley

·        Right – Lord Belborough’s Lobsters – (three Troops) militia/- but rated as trained as they are well drilled. Commanded by His Lordship with Mr Brackett, with Fr. Bilton at their side. Lord Belborough is rated as a veteran from his Continental service and his troop commanders, Gubbins and Sneed are rated as experienced - and reportedly ‘unsavoury’ mercenaries.

·        Centre – The Chigley Whitecoats comprising one company of muskets and one of pike commanded by Captain Clutterbuck (less than enthusiastic)  and Sgt Varley.  Militia/trained

·         Left – one Company of the Whitecoats – a Forlorn Hope commanded by Sgt Swallow. Militia/trained

 

The ‘forlorn hope’ of musketeers opened fire on the Trumpton Horse, and the battle begins, with the Trumpton forces defending the hedge.  The Trumpton forces may deploy into the field and attack…should they wish...

The Forlorn Hope give fire

Game 1

WESENCRAFT – WITH PIKE AND MUSKET

 

Turn 1 – the fog clears

Chigley – Forlorn Hope fires inflicting 2 x casualties on the Trumpton Horse

-          The Whitecoats on the hill roll a 1 and fall back!

-          Lord Belborough orders the Lobsters to stand - and moves to the Whitecoats

Trumpton – The Trumpton Horse roll a 2 and retreat

-          The Cannon scores a hit on the Lobsters – one trooper in Sneed’s company is killed

-          The Trained Band stand

 

Turn 2 

Trumpton – The Horse rallies and crosses the hedge –

-          The cannon crew run away

-          The Trained Band cross the hedge in good order and form up

Chigley – His Lordship rallies the Whitecoats and leads them down Deadman’s hill

-          The Lobster’s charge and give fire

-          Firefight – the Lobster lose 2 troopers – the Trained Band 3, including the standard bearer

Turn 3 

Chigley – the Lobsters retire and reform

-          His Lordship leads the Whitecoats through the hedge and give fire

-          Firefight – the Whitecoats destroy the Trumpton Horse – and receive one casualty

Trumpton – the gunners rally and return – they fire – and miss!

-          The Trained Band engage the Whitecoats – Firefight - and receive one casualty

Turn 4

Chigley – His Lordship leads the Whitecoats in a flank attack – Firefight – the Trumpton cannon crew are all killed

-          The Lobsters advance – Firefight – they inflict 2 casualties and receive 1

Trumpton – Captain Flack orders the Trained Band to retire, and along with the remnant of the cavalry and Nibs Minton, who holds the cannon’s horses, they depart back to Trumpton…

 

Battle Record Chart – Trumpton

 

Name	Strength	P M  C	Efficiency Factor	Dead	Captured	Report
Trumpton Horse	7	/ /     7	1	5	0	Attempted to reform but routed
Trumpton Trained Band	16 + Chaplain	6  10  /	1	8		Forced to retire – Ensign killed but Colour saved
Cannon	3		1	3	Cannon	Cannon lost but ‘Nibs’ Minton saved

 

Battle Report Card – Chigley

Name	Strength	P M  C	Efficiency Factor	Dead	Captured	Report
The Lobsters	10	/ /     9 + 2 non comb	2	4		Two successful Pistol attacks
Whitecoats	10	5  5  /	2	1		Led in person by His lordship – victorious in the centre
Forlorn Hope	5	5	2	0		Scattered the Trumpton Horse

 

P = Pike + Ensign/commander

M= Musket

C = Cavalry

The Trained Band and Horse retired in reasonably good order to Trumpton….to the horror of the Burghers and Godly folk of the Town; who had listened with increasing apprehension to the sounds of the battle.

 Defeat.  Well may Reverend Munnings declare a day of fasting and lamentation.

An old friend