The Defence of St Harlot's Wood

...as it is known by Royalist forces, also referred to as the Second Battle for Curmudgeon Moor by the forces of Parliament.  Both refer equally to a cracking day out with Dux at Chateau Millsy yesterday.

Observant members of the blogosphere may have noted the other chaps' more timely battle reports here and here.  What follows here is the one true account as reported to His Majesty.

Two loyal Regiments of Foote deployed in the key approaches to Strumpet's Way, a pivotal strategic point and the key Parliamentarian objective.  The Royalist General and a rag-tag reserve of Clubmen deployed to give this key position depth.

The fearsome Royalist centre

Royalist Commander Sir Hugh Notatall-Surly, Earl of Crapstone
A little gouty on the day and not as effective as his Parliamentarian counterpart 

The left flank was securely anchored on the stone walled Church of Our Lady of Negotiable Virtue (a lovely scratch build by Millsy) with a unit of Commanded Shotte (newly painted by Millsy, surely they were doomed to die quickly and to a man) and a Veteran Unit of Dashing Cavalier Gallopers.

The right flank was anchored on the impenetrable forest of St Harlot's Wood where a massive Culverin demonstrated His Majesty's resolve and might

The Forces of Parliament advanced, determined to force their passage before nightfall and the inevitable Royalist reinforcements.

The real reason its called Curmudgeon Moor...

Early success as the culverin took the Enemy Trotters under intense bombardment and routed them from the field!

While on the left the Commanded Shotte came under pressure by enemy Foote and dismounted Dragoons.  The Cavalry Commander undertook a daring move to relieve the pressure but under intense fire the Squadron broke and fled.  Their Commander was cashiered personally by Prince Rupert after the battle and sent home in disgrace (This was indeed a bold but silly gamble which dramatically failed to pay off...)

Things were looking poorly on the right too, as enemy Dragoons outflanked the line and threatened to take out the artillery.  Some timely intervention by the Royalist Commander (a rare feature of this game, the servants must have been refreshing the claret at this point) manoeuvred the Clubmen reserve into position where they showed remarkable fortitude, no doubt assisted by many flagons of ale.  Their continued resilience in the face of enemy shotte would prove critical to the outcome of the day and preventing the right from crumbling.

 

Just as it looked like the position was stabilising, misery struck! The understrength and raw Foote in the centre crumbled, fleeing the field and leaving just one loyal Regiment to try and last until sunset.  Could they hold one under such odds?

Under fire from enemy foot, commanded shot and charged by enemy trotter, things were looking grim for His Majesty's forces.

And then divine intervention showed God's true will.  The Culverin belched forth doom and death upon another squadron of Trotters, dispatching them from the field.

As the enemy tried to turn the flank, the darkness enveloped the field and the din of battle died away.  His Majesty's forces had prevented the feared breakthrough but at a fearful cost.  It was indeed a close run thing.

It must be noted that the newly raised unit of Commanded Shotte who so gallantly defended the Church were able to retire in good order with no casualties and having successfully delayed an entire unit of enemy Foote plus a unit of dismounted Dragoons.  Could this be the start of a new era were newly painted regiments don't die to a man in their first ballet? We shall see!

Best on Ground - Tots all round lads!

What a great day out - thanks Millsy for the fantastic hospitality and the chance to play with such splendid hobby goodness.  It was also fun to ooh and aaah in your hobby room and 'cupboard of shame'!