If you attended ATC, War Party, Origins, or travel about in the Cincinnati game circuits, you have probably seen my game Tomahawk Wars. Tomahawk Wars, as the name implies, is based on Indian warfare in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Battle of Blue Licks is a scenario that I have run several times. Having been asked on numerous occasion, "So Tusk, what was the Battle of Blue Licks?", allow me now to answer that question.

Historical Background

The battle was fought in 1782 and is considered one of the last engagements in the American War for Independence. Located along Rt. 68 south of Maysville, KY, the Blue Licks was one of many salt licks located along the Licking River. Today, the salt springs have dried up. Now a state park and a battle monument sit alongside Rt. 68.

Two things should be noted here. Firstly, State Rt. 68 is built on what is called The Old Buffalo Trail. Buffalo herds moving across Kentucky tended to follow the same path for generations. This quickly became a wide game trail used by the Indians and later the Long Hunters. Secondly, the Licking River makes several sharp bends here. The bends wind through a group of rocky hills divided by steep ravines.

It was in one of these ravines that Indian agent Simon Girty set his ambush for Daniel Boone and the Kentucky Militia. Simon Girty had become an Indian agent for the British during the American War for Independence. His plan was fairly simple. A small part of the Indian force was to attack nearby Bryans Station and quickly withdraw back to the Blue Licks region. News of the attack would reach the other Kentucky forts and pursuit would be mounted. The Indians, supported by Canadian Rangers, would ambush the pursuing militia as they entered the ravines.

The plan worked well. The militia, gathered at nearby Lexington, arrived at Bryans Station just as the Indians withdrew. With the militia was the famous frontiersman, Daniel Boone. However, he was leading only 45 men from Fayette county. The rest of the force of 135 were under Hugh McCary, who had fought previously in the war under George Rodgers Clark. McCary had lost family and friends to the Indians before and had been looking for a way to even the score. While pursuing the Indians, Boone noted that the tracks the Indians left behind seemed to be concealing their numbers. Reaching the Licking River, a few Indians could be seen on a nearby hill. Boone urged caution, but was shouted down by McCary as a coward and Indian lover. Boone found he had little choice but to follow the Kentucky Militia as they splashed across the Licking River.

Girty's force was supplemented by Canadian Rangers under the command of Captain Caldwell. Added to this was about 50 Mohawks and Mingos under the command of Joseph Brant. In all, a force of nearly 1,000 Indians and Rangers. Most accounts confirm that Girty and his sub-commanders kept good order, waiting until almost all the militia had filed into the ravine before springing their trap. It worked perfectly. The militia lost 77 that day. The Indians lost 3. The militia fell into full retreat back to the forts. Boone, for his part, was probably not in the mood for "I told you so." His son Israel was killed in the battle. McCary escaped without a scratch.

Scenario

In turning the battle into a game scenario, several challenges had to be met. Simon Girty's forces enjoyed the advantages of 5:1 odds and a defensive position. In this case, I decided to keep the forces even for a more balanced game. Then there is the surprise factor. Even with the best of rules, this is hard to recreate. Also, would the victory conditions for the Kentucky militia be to retreat off the board before the battle begins? My solution to this was to turn it into a "Wagons Through the Pass" scenario. Giving the Kentucky forces at least four wagons that must be moved from a fort, located at one end of the board, through a narrow ravine to the far side of the gameboard. This seemed to be the best solution for this problem.

The last thing I considered was choosing the two historical leaders who would be represented. Although Daniel Boone was not the leader of the Kentucky forces, he was there and did help save many lives. His words are inscribed on the Battle Monument "Enough Honor Cannot Be Paid." One could argue who was in charge of the Indian forces. Joseph Brant was a famous war chief, and there is some evidence that both Blue Jacket and Tecumseh were in this battle. But most historical evidence indicates it was Simon Girty's plan. So, he was my choice for leader of the Indian forces.

I'll be at gaming conventions with Tomahawk Wars in the future. Stop by, play a game, and ask what scenario we are playing. I'll tell you the story.