Completion of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Battle Near Loch Lochy

Completion of The Battle of Loch Lochy
Date: 7 March 1745/2020
Location: Near Loch Lochy
Situation: Rallying The Clans for Bonnie Prince Charlie
Reason: We've not had a Jacobite encounter in a long time
Rules Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763; BAR
See: oldregimerules.com
----------
See the previous two posts for earlier events.
----------

MARCH 7, 1745 --- EARLY AFTERNOON

Back Table

Cumberland's redeployed and somewhat reduced Army from the morning battle atop the low rise formerly held by Jacobite forces. Six battalions and two six pounders are about to march forward (to the right) to resume the battle. Off the bottom of the photo are two dragoon squadrons and another battalion.

Main Table: Jacobite Right Flank

Battalion de Albanie and a Highland Battalion also reduced numerically. 

Main Table: Jacobite Center

French Converged Battalion of Piquets still numerically strong. 

Main Table: Jacobite Extreme Left Flank

Highland musket and bow armed skirmishers defend a croft.

The croft was constructed by HG Walls for Jim P. (Der Alte Fritz).

Cumberland's Plan of Attack

The map shows a Main and two Back Tables.

British Right Flank: Between the Stone Enclosure and Croft 

The croft is off image to the right which is why the battalion has refused its right-most Grand Division. Throughout the day Highland skirmishers, particularly the archers there, plagued the redcoats continuing their deadly morning routine picking off a chap almost every turn. 

But to the left....

British Inside Right Flank

French Piquets defended a strong stone enclosure.

As a redcoat battalion came forward. 

Volleys and a charge carried the enclosure whilst newly arriving Jacobites
farther back formed behind a great log breastwork.

The piquets fell back soon departing for the log breastwork.
To the left...

Battalion de Albanie and Highlanders defend a hedged enclosure.

Pressure forced them back.

Battalion de Albanie's mounted Colonel urges his kilted grenadiers
to keep firing upon the advancing 60th Foot.

Bonnie Prince Charlie's plan was to slow the British buying time for the rest of his Army to arrive.  He hoped the battle would be decided at the log emplacements behind him. Would enough Jacobite Highlanders arrive in time? He had reason for concern. Cumberland had just breached his second line of defense. --- Except for the croft.

LATE AFTERNOON

British Extreme Right Flank

Near the croft Highland Light Horse engaged a squadron of dragoons fighting it to a draw. This was such a shock that the Brigadier committed his other squadron in the next round.

The startled dragoons won the next round with overwhelming numbers.
Result: No enemy cavalry left. The closest troop faces that pesky croft.
All are disorganized too late to intervene to help Cumberland elsewhere. 

To their left....

The Fusiliers marched almost across The Main Table where they were met by a charging Jacobite  Force. (See the map) Although the Scotsmen were beaten, the Fusiliers became disordered and were spent. Indeed more Jacobites soon arrived....

Forcing the Fusiliers to retreat disordered.
Then the ultimate humiliation occurred.

Jacobite archers from the croft landed arrows into the Fusiliers again.
The battalion dropped under 50% strength, failed a morale test and routed never to recover.

JACOBITE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE

Jacobite Right Flank

Opposed by the weakened 60th and full strength 44th Foot.

These Redcoats stopped due to troubles elsewhere.

Cumberland knew they might be needed to cover a retreat.

Jacobite Inside Right Flank

Two French Four Pounders and a Highland Clan....

 Did not....

Stop these Redcoats. This was Cumberland's High Water Mark.

Jacobite Right Center

Jacobite Left Center

Government attacks (not shown) failed to breach the wall.

Sensing victory Bonnie Prince Charlie ordered his forces to move.... 

Against the foe....

 Pursuing them to defeat.

CLOSING REMARKS

Turn 1 commenced near 10:45 am, we broke for lunch at 12:30 pm and concluded the game around 3:00 pm. BAR plays fast and we had the pleasure to introduce two newcomers to the rules too.

Government: 405 Infantry, 24 Horse and 2x Six pounders
Jacobites: 322 Infantry gradually arriving, 12 Horse and 3x Four pounders

We use what we have.

We had fun utilizing three tables and three lines of defense. British officers were confident until mid-afternoon. Jacobite officers were sure of defeat until then. Well played by everyone.

 Including Loch Lochy's....

Comments welcome.
**********          **********          **********

Bonnie Prince Charlie's Battle Near Loch Lochy

Battle of Loch Lochy
Date: 7 March 1745/2020
Location: Near Loch Lochy
Situation: Rallying The Clans for Bonnie Prince Charlie
Reason: We've not had a Jacobite encounter in a long time
Rules Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763; BAR
See: oldregimerules.com
----------
See the previous post for a brief early morning prelude.
----------

MARCH 7, 1745 --- MID-MORNING

Jacobite cavalry gallop toward their first line of defense with news.

General Cumberland's Government Army is arriving. See upper left.

Government forces greatly outnumber still assembling clans and French allies. Ridgeline defenders hope to buy time for more friends to arrive.

Cumberland formed two lines to attack the low ridge before him.

Three tables are shown. Intervals between them are non-existant.

The first line led with four battalions and artillery.

The second line added three more battalions and two dragoon squadrons.

Not all are shown.

Cumberland's Right Flank maneuvered to pin enemy infantry

so the dragoons could perhaps ride through the gap in the upper right.

View of the British advance upon the low ridge the Jacobites defended.

Highlander skirmishers bravely opposing Cumberland's Right Flank.

Could not stop it.

A converged battalion of French piquets held the Jacobite Left Flank.
An unseen Highland battalion held the Center.

While on the Jacobite Right Flank, Batallon de Albanie vollied with the 60th Foot. The French are mostly Crusader --- the British are Front Rank.

"Well mes amis. You will surely agree we are greatly disadvantaged though we occupy a slight rise of ground and hedgerows. The enemy has brought seven battalions, two six pounders and two squadrons of dragoons here to throw us off the ridge." 

"Our piquets, my battalion, a Highland battalion and a few skirmishers can do no more than slow them down a trifle. Thus, I exercised a game option given to us by Bill. It was a kind of pause in the battle not uncommon in history. You modern people will know it as a reset. I used it when I thought it proper to retire and redeploy...."

"Here on a slightly higher piece of ground to my rear. It was empty for minutes only. Bill generously gave everyone a timed fifteen minutes to redeploy. We did it with time to spare."

"The British benefited by occupying the ground over which we had been fighting; redeploying in any fashion desired --- as you see above. Not seen are two dragoon squadrons and one more battalion off the bottom of this image. All are readying themselves to cross to the right onto The Main Table. We shall discuss this next time. For just now though with your approbation...."

"I must report to The Prince fortunately arriving with reinforcements."

CLOSING REMARKS

We Happy Few --- Left to Right

Front rank seated: Keith L., Earl K., Scott B. and Curt B.

Back rank standing: Tom H., Rob O., Jim P. (Der Alte Fritz) and me, Bill P.

A most companionable assemblage of new and long-time friends

Sharp eyes will see units that do not belong. We use what we have.

Jacobites are fun!

We gratefully welcome your remarks below at the word Comments.

**********          **********          **********

Back To The Highlands Laddies!

Date: 7 March 1745/2020
Location: Near Loch Lochy
Situation: Rallying The Clans for Bonnie Prince Charlie
Reason: We've not had a Jacobite encounter in a long time
Rules Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763; BAR
See: oldregimerules.com
----------

March 7, 1745 --- Early Morning

Loch Lochy guarding the right flank of the assembling Jacobite Army.

Bataillon de Albanie on the Jacobite most forward Right Flank

"Good morning mes amis. Join me will you? We await the clans assembling beside Loch Lochy to oppose the Army of General Cumberland. I expect the arrival of our Bonnie Prince Charlie soon."

"Monsieur! Look."

"Our picquets are galloping in fast. They must have news."

"They will probably report to Major Campbell on our left first. Send a galloper to bring them to me without delay. I must know what is out there beyond sight and when our forces will arrive."

Out there beyond sight is the 60th Foot ascending a slope. Some of the men are unhappy with the dismal weather, barren countryside and nearly everything else. Let's listen in.

"This is a forsaken land sure, Tommy!"

"Aye it tis Davie. A bad place to die too. We should run the first chance."

"I've had a belly full an' damn the Colonel's eyes."

"Quiet you impertinent rascals. Sergeant Dowding!
Take those men's names for punishment."

Under his breath Davie asked, "What does impernent mean, Tommy?"

"Shut up man."

Behind Bataillon de Albanie only....

A French 4 pounder was being run into position.

Where are the Jacobites, Bonnie Prince Charlie and his French allies?

Where is the Army of General Cumberland?

Surely both are en-route.

CLOSING REMARKS

It has been a long time dear readers. Jim P., Der Alte Fritz and I are glad to be underway again.

Oh. Take a close look at Loch Lochy.

Your remarks and cheers for both sides are welcome below at Comments.

---------          ----------          ----------