Rebels and Scottish and French...Oh My!

July of 1649

by Chris J. Hahn

High Summer arrived along with steady rain in the Provinces of Eastershire and the Western Confederation. Elsewhere throughout the island country, the weather was sunny and warm.

Two of the three non-aligned Provinces had taken sides in the conflict by this month. And both had decided early on where to "throw their fortunes" as a result of provocation if not outright invasion by the opposing side. Northumberland was for the Royalist cause, though this was problematic as they were facing very large numbers of Scots. The Lowlands had formed for Prince John and his cause. Under Featherstone, their small army was advancing through the aforementioned inclement weather on the Eastershire capital.

The Southern Association had not yet declared. The feeling of the Queen's representatives was that their politics (promises and pleadings) were falling upon deaf ears. Indeed, the districts of this Province were leaning very strongly toward an alliance with the Prince. It was, very clearly, just a matter of time before the forces of the Southern Association would march under the Prince's banner.

In respect to supply condition and status of the various armies, the general picture was good for both sides. The single exception to this being the force under Major General Turner in Northumberland. Having no home districts to provide supply (points) and a very depleted depot, his force was shrinking at an alarming rate. Though apparently, not fast enough for the Scots, who would launch an offensive against him with their Second Army.

The Scots were enjoying a bountiful Summer. They were also enjoying the benefits of supply provided by two subjugated districts. The excess was being shipped to the capital for construction of another depot. The short-term plan was to build another army by stripping the home garrisons, and launch an offensive to completely secure Sussex by the end of Autumn.

The Royalists, though beset by a number of difficulties, were also enjoying a Summer of full supply. This was especially evident in Lord Otto's Province. The Queen had a couple of strong depots as well as a couple of enemy districts under her hand. The "raid" by Featherstone and his Lowlanders was a concern, but she chose to ignore it for the moment and trust to the combined garrisons and newly raised foot regiments.

Battle ... x 3

Duke Bertrand's developing strategy of isolating Sussex would have come to fruition but for two factors. First, if Lord Otto had not won the second fight against Lord McMullin; and second, if Queen Polivka had - as any sensible commander would have - withdrawn to protect her home Province against the incursions of an enemy. But the Queen did what was unexpected. She advanced into Sussex, and in so doing, placed herself and her large force between the Duke and his main depot and garrison. The tables were turned: the Duke having cut Sussex Province in two the previous month now found himself - found his forces cut in half.

Though the Duke had many veterans in the ranks, their overall numbers were no match for the army of the Queen. Further, the Queen's army was well rested and spoiling for a fight. In a three hour engagement, the French tried to fight their way through and then around, the solid lines of the Royalist army. The French cavalry sold themselves dearly against the Royalist regiments. The French foot too, fought as well as they could have given the circumstances. General Lohmarm was lost in the cavalry melee. His foot regiments suffering at the hands of well-aimed musketry and telling artillery fire, the Duke decided to end the slaughter by asking for parley to discuss terms.

Queen Polivka's alternate, General Dvorak, negotiated the end of hostilities on this field. The terms were firm but harsh. The remnants of the once strong French force were disarmed and made prisoners. The Duke was also made captive.

The French lost all their artillery to the Royalists. For all intents and purposes, their cavalry arm ceased to exist. When the contest was ended, there were just 4 BP of infantry standing. This, from an original complement of 12 BP.

In contrast, the Royalists suffered 4 BP loss in cavalry and 5 BP of infantry. Per the "recovery" rules, a percentage of these losses would be returned to the ranks. The Royalists did not lose any standards, nor suffer the loss of any higher command. With respect to Victory Points, the totals were even more one-sided. The Queen secured 63 points in her elimination of the Duke's force. The French could not claim a single point in defeat.

If there was any problem faced by the Royalists, it was the immediate one of securing the prisoners and providing sufficient garrison to the newly "won" district (until forces of Sussex could take their place). Additionally, there was the distant but still real concern about the situation in their home Province.

After initial success, General Featherstone's small force was blocked by a polyglot force of Royalist garrison troops and newly raised foot. While there was no overall commander in place for the Royalist side, it did not prevent the various contingents from working in some concert to effect the frustration of the Lowlanders.

In terms of cavalry, the Royalist were outnumbered 9 BP to 5 BP. They also did not have any artillery support. This would ultimately prove inconsequential, as the Lowlander force had only light cannon in train. With respect to infantry, the Royalist force held a 5 BP advantage: 27 to 22. Moreover, roughly one-third of Featherstone's force was comprised of militia. In the ensuing day-long, running battle, the Lowlanders were frustrated but not soundly defeated. Both sides suffered casualties, but neither side reached a breaking point. The advantage in infantry (the only force with which a general can truly hold any ground) remained with the Royalists and so, General Featherstone determined that in this case, discretion was the better part of valor, and he withdrew in order.

Here again, the Victory Point award was one-sided. For holding the field, the Royalists earned 15 points. General Featherstone and his Lowland force could not claim a single point for their cause.

Far to the North, Royalist fortune continued. Suffering from a severe supply shortage, the combined Royalist-Northumberland force under Major General Turner marched out to give battle to the Scots.

General Crispin's force was about equal to that arrayed against him on that July morning, but several of his veteran regiments were under strength. They did initially thwart the enemy attack, but with fresh and large numbers of Royalists backing up Turner's own veterans, they could not stand for long. Two units of cavalry were broken, along with one unit of Highlanders and a Musketeer "battalion." In addition, the Scots lost two unit standards. But perhaps the most significant loss on that morning, was that of General Crispin. He fell in individual combat during one of the cavalry melees. (Well, he was actually attacked by three Royalist horsemen, so it wasn't a true individual combat.)

With this loss, the heart went out of the Scots. Turner did not pursue, however. He had in mind a different plan. The Scots were as much relieved as they were perplexed to see the Royalist-Northumberland units turn South and make for the border and the Province of the Western States.

General Turner had realized that his situation was untenable. Supplies were nowhere to be found and then there was the "culture" of his force. Though they were united against the one enemy, there still existed some animosity in the ranks between Royalists and Northumberland troops. In fact, he had some grave concerns about being able to defeat the Scots and thereby, effect an escape toward the South; toward the Confederation and Lord Otto's army.

Fortunately, the day turned out well for both General and rankers ... and on the third day before the end of the month, General Turner met with Lord Otto.

NOTES:

As related in previous sections of notes, there are times or campaign events that arise which are not, technically, covered by the rules. In the instance of the month of July, there was the post-movement move of Turner's army. Additionally, there was the set-piece battles between opposing forces. By set-piece, here I am referring to the fact that the Pre-Battle Tension (Counter Draw) system was not used to determine the parameters for the battlefield. Instead, I considered the basic or even overall, picture of the campaign and movement of forces.

In the cases of the Scots and Lowlanders then, each of these forces was on the offensive, making an attack against a force that was prepared for such. This is not to say that the defenders would have breastworks and abatis, but that they would be in place and ready to give battle. Granted, this does take away some of the maneuver options for the attacking force. However, it does seem more foolish to ..allow" a prepared defender to draw an Advance, Flank or even Regroup counter.

In the more significant example of the Queen's victory over the French, here again I was looking at things under a broader scope. The Duke had advanced into a lower district of Sussex. By so doing, he had opened himself to the possibility of having his lines of supply and communications cut. The Queen did just that: essentially falling on the rear positions of a weaker and perhaps even over-extended French force.

With respect to the "bonus" move of Turner's command, I viewed this more or less as a "natural progression" of the battle. Looking ahead to the next month, it appears as if Northumberland will remain a theater of much action: the Scottish armies will most likely combine (Crispin being KIA) against Lord Otto and the new "wing" under Turner. It may well prove the pivotal battle of the campaign. Of course, this does not take into account developments in the Southern Association and the expected arrival of a new French field force.

Return of Prince John ECW Campaign Rules

Campaign Journal: November and December 1649 [Conclusion] (MW118)

Return of Prince John ECW Campaign Rules

Return of Prince John ECW Campaign Rules

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