Reminiscing: The Saindoux Campaign

Currently I have quite a bit to put on the blog so naturally I've been distracted and found these photos from the Saindoux Campaign Campaign organised by the very capable David Hunter. It took place in Sanctuary Games in Sutton In Ashfield and was set in the French Indian Wars of the 1750s.
I had put together a half company of British Infantry, the 45th Foot (who, a year or so previously, had been routed at Prestonpans so I took a trip there to get in touch with them, spiritually...though I didn't route but then I wasn't being attacked ;D ), with an attachment from the Virginian Regiment, a locally raised loyal militia and two groups of Rangers as skirmishers.
The campaign, which took course over a day was split into two games; one in the morning and one after lunch, and was played out over several tables by, if memory serves, 12 players; 6 a side.
My chap's or rather Captain Runphunnae's chaps, for he was the commander of the half company from the 45th had a mixed bag of results. In the first game we managed to chase away the marauding Indians but not before they kidnapped some of the settlers and set fire to their houses. And in the second, a rescue mission, they were unable to get through the woods quick enough to save Lt Kennedy from a fate worse than death. C'est la guerre. Photos below

Captain Runphunnae of the 45th

the BIG men

Soldiers of the 45th

Loyal Virginians

The whole force

Captain Roughdiamond, the leader of Roughdiamond's Rangers 

Roughdiamond's Rangers

The figures came from a mix of manufacturers; Foundry, AW Miniatures and Front Rank. I have since, regrettably, sold them, though I invested the money wisely ;)

Still, here's some photos from the battles

An alert settler spots the Redskins in the woods and helpfully points them out

Roughdiamond's Rangers deploy

as do the rest of the half company

the Indians; twisted fire starters

the Rangers, who don't like twisted fire starters

Runphunnae reacts to the Indians attempt to outflank his force

If you go donw to the woods today...a disturbed grizzly who doesn't like fire starters either

The 45th do better in America than they did in Prestonpans

Quick, hide!

Still banging away

the locals join in

while the natives, having had their fun, decide to leave the party...accompanied

...by some of the new residents

how could you miss!!

catching up with the Indians the 45th pour out more lead in their direction

some of the 45th were a bit slow off the mark

The next mission, as mentioned before, was a rescue mission. Poor Lt Kennedy had been captured by the Indians, and was due to be burned at the stake (see, told you they were twisted fire starters!!) in the Indian fashion. Runphunnae and his men were out to put a stop to the Indians plans

Kennedy at the stake

This is the contemporary picture that I based the Lt Kennedy diorama on. Not a pleasant way to go

The thing was, the British were starting from waaay back here, their deployment point was the dead tree on the bottom left, whereas, Lt Kennedy and his tormentors were away across the river, between the two hills!!! Blimey!!

Roughdiamond's Rangers, thanks to their woodmans skills, were able to deploy further forward and attempt a coup de main. It wasn't to be though, the Indian force were way two strong for them and they were forced back across the river, taking not a few casualties 

Meanwhile, Captain Runphunnae, aware that time was critical ( he could smell charred Kennedy from way across the river) urged his men on but it was to no avail. Poor Kennedy lost the number of his mess that day

All in all, this was a cracking days worth of gaming. I was really glad I made the trek down to Sutton-In-Ashfield as Dave puts on a good event which is why I have signed up for his event at Britcon in Auguts where my Frenchies are going to wipe the floor with some British, Spanish and Portuguese ;D