Battle of Althorp - 26th December 1745: Part Three - Boxing Day Desserts

 I hope you have enjoyed this short series so far. If you need a reminder of this, the biggest battle in Guy's "what-if" Jacobite Rebellion, the previous part is here.

(As before - main text by Guy Barlow, explanations in picture captions, and helpful asides in italics (!), by me)

Day Two

The first five moves  on this mid -Winter "Boxing Day" had taken us from 8am to mid morning, but with 1200 figures for the two players and their "umpire-assistants" to deal with it had taken us all of the first day 's play to get that far. "Bonnie Prince Charlie" for that Day One was Ken Marshall who could not manage a whole weekend this time.  So Steve Johnson came up from South of Bristol for the day and picked up the Young Pretender's "Crown". 

At this point the Scots/French force, though it had suffered a lot, was gaining momentum and merely lacked overwhelming strength in any one sector.  Richard/Duke of Cumberland was defending well but his line was shrinking. Guy and I had to figure out what to do about the reserve brigades we had lined up for each side. With Steve/Prince Charlie obviously wanting a good game I was in favour of bringing the French reserves on very quickly so he would have the confidence to attack. To balance this I proposed that Cumberland receive a message telling him his reserves had been delayed and suggesting that he save the army by an orderly withdrawal. Knowing Richard of old I guessed he'd make a professional, well controlled and 18th century style attempt at this while being heavily pressed.

Guy had other ideas though, and he wanted to prevent an outright victory for either side in order that his campaign could continue on to his desired dénouement somewhere nearer London. So Guy wrote two hand written messages (see them here) which we gave to the respective commanders, who obviously had no idea of our actual deliberations. Neither did I really, as Guy kept his "neutral" intention close to his chest and trusted in the players' interpretation of his solicitor-speak letters and the fate of the dice! He knew neither side would get reinforced today!

CG

View near the start of Day Two, a detailed tour in the photos below

No matter how "serious" the game it seems to be laughter all the way when Steve's at my table!

The government left flank cavalry had either died, fled or were just retreating disconsolately. The villagers of Harleston were now the last bastion holding the flank!

The line of regular troops ended at Harleston Church with a worn Grenadier battalion

Reforming government units form the second line near Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick's left-central position

On the other side of the frozen village pond some Highlanders are eager to return to the fray, but behind them other battered clans are collecting muskets and reforming. In the distance small cavalry units are using the sunken lane to shelter from artillery fire while the two French line cavalry regiments are brought up. At this point they face a very thin-looking British defence

At the government right-centre the "Advance Guard" which had come on as reserve and moved towards Althorp Manor, has been withdrawn to form a second line and hold the flank. In the Manor Garden the mortar battery is under attack

At the extreme right flank it actually felt a bit precarious for Cumberland. The exultant mix of Highland and Lowland clansmen were looking for opportunities to pick off weakened and isolated government units. The Scots 43rd Foot are in the foreground as the government right flank holders

On with the narrative by Guy:

Turn 6

<<We were then moving towards the climax of the battle. Despite winning the initiative, the French commander allowed the government forces to move first. This was unforeseen and led to much rather rude Gaelic mutterings from the flanks (by CG as assistant!). The government forces had received orders that their overriding mission was not to imperil the army or allow it to be defeated. Further, a message had arrived saying that the government reinforcements had sighted and were shadowing the French reinforcements and both sides were unlikely to see fresh troops.

The Government forces therefore started a modest withdrawal to strengthen and consolidate their lines. The shortened frontage only made the task of the Jacobites harder. Meanwhile, the Jacobites pressed on by attacking the mortar battery, but in a true Samson v. Goliath moment the plucky British gunners picked up their muskets and somehow survived to be able to withdraw and reform. 

There was further ongoing considerable attrition in the Franco/Jacobites ranks. In the West, inferior lowland units tangled with the 1^st Foot Guards in the gardens and exchanged volleys, with the inevitable result. More French units were lost in the centre from ongoing artillery attrition.  The result was that gaps started to appear in the French lines which had to be plugged by reserve infantry and some small Scots and French cavalry units . 

In the centre the Grenadiers de France break under canister fire from two light batteries

Steve's allowing his opponent the initiative meant Richard had the chance to bolster up that weak point  opposite the French cavalry......

......who would soon be taking casualties from long range artillery fire

At Harleston the one remaining government cavalry regiment heads towards the centre to find more fruitful cavalry ground 

Each government brigade had a battery of light guns. Combining with the threat of musketry volleys it meant that nowhere in the central area was safe for the French to attack

By the Hunting Lodge woods a German mercenary battalion was the next unit to break from long range attrition

On the government right flank, however,  the loss of units and the need to contract was causing a bit of confusion. Cumberland in person is organising the line and he has no units spare here to back up the Guards and Grenadier brigade which is suffering a Scots charge. The mortar battery has retreated safely with 4 Hits and is saluted by the nearby generals for blunting the Scots advance.

View from the French - it looks like their opponents are in a bit of a mess - if only they were nearer!
 Note the Lowland unit with yellow saltire flag is engaging a Guards battalion at the corner of Cumberland's line.......

.....but they were easily pushed back by the elite infantry

French casualties from an earlier hour are being recovered from under the influence of the French Commander in Chief

Reformed Highland clans on the Jacobite right now return to the scene of action. The villagers of 
 Harleston await the onslaught with trepidation 

This arial view shows the reforming government line very well.
Beyond Harleston church, fields and woods Richard has created an L-shaped
 killing ground in anticipation of multiple French and Scots mounted units trying
 to break his line there

Above and below: The rather sad state now of the whole French central line. All the brigades have suffered units lost and none feel strong enough to advance across that open ground into artillery and musket fire. A couple of double moves on Command Initiative dice would be good! Even so the French guns have forced back one of the redcoat battalions to their front.

Turns 7 -8

Artillery continued to fire along the lines with the government guns rather more effective than the inferior Jacobite ones. At the NW corner of the battlefield there was a last highland charge against the 43^rd Foot (an inferior regiment here today and subsequently became the Black Watch). The 43^rd were supported by 2 units which allowed them to send the highlanders back, although they also had to retire. A fresh British unit filled the line. 

A Highland clan attacks the good folk defending Harleston who held the hairy Scots at bay for one round of melee but went down on the second. This was still enough to put the Highlanders going back to reform on 4 Hits

On the other extreme flank a similar Jacobite charge went in against the loyal Scots 43rd Foot.....

.....however this wider view shows that a mixture of setbacks, reforming and close terrain had inhibited Steve's ability to get enough troops up the ridge quickly. That icy pond was a nuisance.

This clan under the Earl of Cromartie was broken, and so too was the 43rd. But the government line had plenty of reinforcements at this end

Richard doesn't look very happy, but in fact by late morning
on this Boxing Day the battle was turning in his favour

Slow but steady losses from the Jacobite guns was reducing units on the
government left so the line could  no longer reach beyond the church and
still retain that "killing ground" angle. Opposite, the French cavalry are
 hopeful of an opening

View from the French cavalry's position, where the front unit has already sustained 3 Hits.........

.....with de Saxe Lancers by their side and Baggot's Hussars and the Princes Lifeguard waiting to give support; meanwhile the Scots guns pound away wherever there is a gap

Near the centre the French are once again on the advance, trying to support the faster moving Scots

Le Duc de Grammont backs up the advance bringing forward his reformed battalions

Above and below: the advance from the Hunting Lodge of the Foreign Service brigade under the Marquis de Souvre  constantly met a wall of British fire. Now Lally's Irish regiment falls victim to it

The French Guard Brigade had not been able to make any progress, maybe now there was a gap for them?

Turns 9 - 10

In the rest of the line, the government commander continued to hold his position and the Franco/Jacobite force after a modest advance against the village of Harleston to eject some troublesome yokels armed mostly with scythes, came to the conclusion that victory was not going to be achieved that day. 

All, however, was not lost. The Jacobite army was still between Cumberland and London. The Jacobites had severely mauled the government cavalry which meant there was no pursuit. In the fading light the Franco/Jacobite army withdrew, and the 2 armies lost contact. 

Looking West up the battlefield from Harleston pond the observant viewer will see that one of the large French cavalry regiments has been forced to withdraw from artillery fire losses. The Jacobite and other cavalry are all small and/or inferior so I think we all knew now that Prince Charlie's efforts on this flank were doomed

On the Althorp Manor flank the Jacobite thrust up the ridge was looking distinctly lacking too

The Chisholms had lost a Hit when Cromartie's ran through them giving them 3 Hits and therefore a Minus on everything till they could recover. I denote three Hits with an orange marker for quick reference

Cumberland has managed to steady his line, but it's still scrappy and nearly all these battalions have suffered hits. It's now about 1 pm and several have been in action since 8 am

Aftermath

The government forces were left in possession of the field which allowed Cumberland to claim a victory but………..

It was certainly not a crushing defeat of the rebels as demanded by the King. Large quantities of ammunition had been expended and supplies were running low. The Jacobites were now between them and London, their principal point of supply. 

The result was also not particularly satisfying for the Prince. Whilst the combined Franco/Jacobite army had fought well, and at one stage certainly seemed to have the government forces on the ropes, it was perhaps illusory. The government battle lines had never really been challenged and a number of fine French infantry regiments had been destroyed. For the first time in the campaign his troops had not achieved an overwhelming victory. The British/Hanoverian government troops from the continent were certainly a far tougher nut to crack than the troops he faced at Prestonpans and Brampton. The Prince could only claim that they had given Cumberland a bloody nose and the army had withdrawn intact to fight another day. 

However, he has nagging doubts whether the French are trusted allies and will continue to support him? Whilst the route to London is effectively open, if a council of war proposes a retreat to Scotland, this may now be problematic from a purely geographical perspective. Retreat northwards may not be an option.  

One way or another, the campaign continues. The rebels are still loose in central England and the throne is still threatened. 

Above and below: Guy conducts "post match" interviews with the team captains (not the Managers, Royalty is above that):
Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick : <<Vell, I did not catch zee stag for zee Weinachten Jagd but zee high point für mich zis day woz to see zee Grenadiers de France fall beneath mein guns, and to be part of zee masterful control of zee game battle by My Lord zee Duke of Cumberland. It woz, as you sagen in English, "a team effort">>
Lord George Murray: Eh well, the lads surely gave those Sassenach Dragoons a seein' to, jus' like we did tae Johnny Cope. Can't trus' the Frogs o'course, they did naught a' day, what dae ye expec'? As fer that bloody assistant referee runnin' up an' doun oor touchline, he was f***** useless (pardon mae French!). An wen yon mortar crews started tae fire back wi' muskets!!? Och Aye, we shudda bin given' a penartie, nae question aboot it! As fer my high point? Why, that barrel o' 1720 malt whisky "rescued" from yon Earl Spencer's cellar!>>

Man (Unit) of the Match - the British mortar crews for saving the penalty that their demise would have represented on the flank of Cumberland's line.

Postscript

Ferdinand of Brunswick once again received glowing compliments from the King and the army for his steadfastness. 

The Hon John Spencer crawled out of his priest’s hole to survey the devastation of his house. He took the decision that day to rebuild Althorp. The stable boys and villagers called him Hon Cringeling behind his back. He became aware of these derogatory comments and the villagers Christmas boxes were cancelled in 1746. For decades the stories of the stable boys and villagers’ valour multiplied in the local public houses to the extent that in the local folklore, the battle was solely between the hearty sons of Northamptonshire and Scots. 

The British cavalry were again the subject of much criticism. A duel was fought after a Guards subaltern referred to them as donkey wallopers. The name stuck.

The Jacobite troops in the main were further emboldened by their performance and the success of the highland charge. They failed to appreciate one of the lessons of the battle, i.e. the Franco/Jacobite units had great difficulty advancing and breaking a formed British infantry line supported by artillery. They continued to maintain the effectiveness of the highland charge as a battle winning tactic. 

Post battle - the campaign goes on

The Franco/Jacobite forces manoeuvred to join with their covering forces at St Neots and a Council of War was called to decide which direction the army should move. Various options were proposed – a fast advance and attack on London, an indirect advance through East Anglia which would have the advantage of resupply by the French ships, a withdrawal to Scotland, or a march towards Oxford and the Southwest. 

The Government forces dispatched their remaining cavalry to discover where the Jacobites had gone. No conclusive news was forthcoming. Cumberland therefore ordered a forced march towards London. Perhaps the truest indication of what happened was seen in the City of London. The value of Government securities lurched downwards, and gold was in huge demand. Hysteria gripped the streets as rumoured sightings of hairy Scotsmen on Hampstead Heath circulated. The ladies of fashion dusted off their Parisian decolletage gowns and the gentlemen their bottles of Sauternes...........  

  

The game record shows that the Jacobites won the initiative every turn (Plus 1 as designated attacker) Although the game was not just about army destruction this is a useful indicator (using my 1-5 Army Points per unit system) - In terms only of units on the table "Done For" the Jacobite/French 37 points represents about 30% losses, and the Government 23 is in fact about 20% losses. So bad enough for each commander to be glad of the natural break in fighting allowing a withdrawal

(by CG) Finally, I need to pay tribute to Guy. He deserves great credit for putting together such a complicated scenario, providing most of the ideas and 95% of the figures which made it to the tabletop, compiling the briefs and orbats (under guidance from me), and being lead umpire for two days.   Thanks a lot Guy, wonder what next year will bring?