The following game was played by "The Exiles" as a back-to-back game and is based on the action at Clifton during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. It is 17 December 1745 during Bonnie Prince Charlie's army's retreat from England.

GOVERNMENT BRIEFING

It is December 1745 and the Young Pretender's army has been forced to abandon the invasion of England owing to the might of the loyalist forces now arrayed against it. Only a few pitiful English Jacobites have rallied to the lost cause and these will be mopped up later. The Pretender's army left Derby on 6 December and the pursuit began on 9 December 1745.

So far there has been neither sight nor sound of the rebels. The savages, unladen with the necessities of modern war travel lightly. There have been several skirmishes with local militia which will have delayed them and your scouts report that the gap between the two armies is closing.

The rebels retired through Preston and Lancaster and you now understand that they are at the village of Clifton, six miles south of Penrith. The rear guard of the rebel army and most of its baggage is now within striking distance. Locals inform you that much of the rebel baggage is delayed for repairs, the re-shoeing of horses and so on. Strike quickly and boldly - they must not escape.

YOU ARE Colonel Francis Ligonier - Commander of the advance guard.

YOUR OBJECTIVES Attack and disrupt the rebels' rearguard.

Exit as many troops as possible, from the north edge of the table, in hot pursuit.

YOUR FORCES

Lord Mark Kerr's Dragoons 8 figures
Cobham's Dragoons 9 figures
Bland's Dragoons 9 figures
Montague's Light Horse 9 figures
The Duke of Kingston's Light Horse 9 figures
Penrith Mounted Militia 12 figures
The Duke of Cumberland's Baggage 4 figures 3 wagons

JACOBITE BRIEFING

On 6 December 1745 your army was forced to abandon both the invasion of England and march on London owing to the lily livered English Jacobites who have failed to rally to the cause. Leaving Derby, the southernmost point of the march you are retracing your steps northwards.

It is known that the Duke of Cumberland began a pursuit on 9 December 1745 but so far there has been neither sight nor sound of his forces. There have been several skirmishes with local militia but your Highlanders reputation has been more than enough to avoid a real conflict.

Retiring through Preston and Lancaster you are now at the village of Clifton, six miles south of Penrith. Progress has been slower than need be because of the atrocious weather and the Prince's command to retain the artillery train. To make matters worse a number of baggage wagons need repairs and horses need re-shoed. The advance guard of the Duke's army is now not far behind and a delaying action is required to let your baggage and train make good their escape. 

YOU ARE

Lord George Murray - Most able of the Prince's commanders and in charge of the rearguard. With you is Lord James Drummond.

YOUR OBJECTIVES

Prevent the Government army from harassing the slow moving rear of the Prince's army. Retire with minimal casualties in good order.

YOUR FORCES
1st Battalion the Atholl Brigade 9 figures
2nd Battalion the Atholl Brigade 9 figures
3rd Battalion the Atholl Brigade 9 figures
Edinburgh Regiment 14 figures
Glengarry McDonells 12 figures
Cluny MacPhersons 11 figures
Stewarts of Appin 12 figures

UMPIRICAL NOTES

The Jacobites will need to know (when they ask) about the state of the rest of their army and when it is okay to retire. This is left in the hands of the umpire or a dice roll. It depends on your rule set but if the umpire were to roll 1d6 per turn in secret then the Jacobite army is ready when the cumulative total reaches 25.

See the attached map which shows the terrain. Government forces enter on the southern table edge via the central road. The Jacobite's initial deployment is with the Atholl Brigade behind the River Lowther to the south of the bridge. The other Jacobite units may be as far advanced as the northernmost hedgeline. Piller hill and Clifton Church should be on both tables at the start.

AND FINALLY ...

Don't forget that your new cloth has other uses too. Get a pale blue one to double as sea for naval games or act as a sky backdrop for photocalls. It's also a lot more user friendly for dawn or mist shrouded set ups than the traditional "mark your forces on a map". Simply hang the cloth down the centre of the table and allow each force to deploy and possibly make a move or two before removing the cloth as the sun comes up; revealing all.

Errata

I have also had requests for a guide to the quality of the forces involved at Clifton (Back to Back Wargaming). These are:

Government
Lord Mark Kerr's Dragoons Average
Cobham's Dragoons Average
Bland's Dragoons Veteran
Montague's Light Horse Average to Poor
Duke of Kingston's Light Horse Average to Poor
Penrith Mounted Militia Poor
Baggage Poor

Note that the Dragoons and Horse may dismount if required and fight on foot.

Rebels

1st Battalion Average
2nd Battalion Average
3rd Battalion Average
Edinburgh Regiment Average to Poor
Glengarry McDonnells Veteran*
Cluny MacPhersons Veteran*
Stewarts of Appin Veteran*

* Highland unit, only 1/2 the figures are armed with muskets.

Back to Back Wargames The Action at Clifton: December, 1745 by Derek Henderson

Set Up
Replay
Uniform Illustration: Highland Officer and Trooper 10th Dragoons