Using Mike Walls Bayonet Rules, we decided that each side should in turn place one feature on the table, each having two features with a choice of buildings, rivers, roads, etc. Each side has a Galloper and a Saker. Each move has not been indicated, but each paragraph is roughly one move on the table. The battle opened with a dash by the Musketeers of Pinchbeck's Regt. for the cover of the Churchyard followed by the straining artillerymen with the Saker. Compton's Dragoons in the centre likewise spurred towards the farmyard perimeter wall. The Parliamentary Army's first line moved forward in more stately fashion. The Yorkshire Militia moving up to the wood with Whalley's Horse on their left flank skirting round it. With Pinchbeck's Musketeers ensconced behind the Churchyard wall and the Saker being unlimbered) the Royalist first line advances, Langdales Northern Horse keeping pace on their right flank. Unlike Lord Loughborough, who hung back hoping to draw Essex's Lifeguard in an attempt on Newcastle's left flank much to the unease of the 'Lambs'. In the centre Compton's throw themselves from their nags and level their carbines on the farmyard wall. Meanwhile the Yorkshiremen begin to curse their way through the wood. Whalley pauses on the farside to take in the situation. On the western side of the wood the Parliamentary guns are unlimbered. Stamford's Musketeers reach the Northern wall of the farmyard in time to catch a volley from the carbines of Compton's Dragoons and despite the range several musketeers fall. Things in the Parliamentary centre begin to go awry - the Scots, presumably overcome by religious enthusiasm to convert Pinchbeck's men from their evil ways - rush forwards. Whalley's Horse mistaking Langdale's frontage straightening for the preparation for a charge begin to urge their horses forwards. Haselrige seeing that Whalley is at a disadvantage-moves up causing not a little ill- feeling from the artillerymen to his front. On the Royalist side Lunsford's musketeers are brought up to flank the galloper which has taken up position in the wood between Church and farm. The Scots Musketeers are now doing their best to form a rabble and leaving the pikemen behind them. The first casualties falling to Pinchbeck's muskets - Whalley's Horse probably realising their mistake are now committed to their charge as the entire cavalry wing of the Royalist side lurches forward. Haselrige's Lobsters break into a trot - Compton's in the centre have settled down to picking off Stamford's musketeers who are having no luck at all in their replies, Okey's Dragoons are hurried forward to counter the galling carbine fire. In a terrific salvo from the muzzles of Lunsford and Pinchbeck's musketeers and the two artillery pieces the Scots charge disintegrates - two stout souls do in fact reach the Blue-coat ranks only to be clubbed down. Whalley's Horse, much to their surprise and Langdale's discomfort, push back the Royalist Horse. The King's Guard are sent forward to support the cavalry. Essex's Lifeguard edges forwards - Lord Loughborough likewise draws level with Newcastle's Foot and takes the opportunity to intersperse musketeers from that regiment with his horsemen. Pinchbeck's pikes move up to support the pikes of Newcastle's Regiment. The Parliamentary guns are keeping up a steady fire on the Churchyard. On the right wing numbers begin to tell and the Yorkshire Militia emerge from the wood in time to see Whalley's Horse withdrawing - help is at hand however in the ponderous form of Haselrige's cuirassiers and leaving a troop of Horse to speed Whalley's men on with pistol fire, the Royalist Horse swings on Haselrige. Back in the centre Okay's Dragoons make a dash across the farmyard in an attempt to dislodge Compton's but are brought to a halt by the telling fire of those worthies. Essex's heavy cavalry seeing that they would have to run a gauntlet of musket fire before getting to grips cease their advance. Prince Maurice's heavy cavalry joining the melee near the wood proves too much for the Lobsters and leaving a badly mauled Northern Horse fly the field - they are immediately followed up by the Royalist Horse whilst Whalley still not given a chance to re-form is losing men rapidly. The remainder of Langdale's re-forms behind the men of the King's Guard. The Yorkshire Militia having only just got into order find themselves alone and looking down the levelled muskets of the King's Guard only pausing to deliver a crashing volley - the Redcoats close with the Militiamen after a quick exchange of musket butts the Yorkshiremen follow the example of their lorse and leave in haste sweeping the artillery along with them in their rout. The King's Guard not waiting to re-form follows up. The men of Stamford's Bluecoats finding their Dragoons unsuccessful retire out of the line of fire behind the farmhouse. Compton's seize the opportunity and enter the house. Gerrard's Regiment scramble over the well after them into the yard. Holles' Foot seeing their left wing routing towards them stoutly face the oncoming rabble of fleeing militia and victorious King's Guards. This proves the final blow for Parliament, on seeing the exposed flank the Musketeers of Pinchbeck's and Lunsford's Regiment move forwards. With levelled pike the men of Bolles' Regiment hold the tide of Royalists for a moment, but after a volley into their right flank from the advancing musketeers and the sight of the Royalist Horse on their left flank they too break in flight taking with them Stamford's men who are still beset by carbine fire from the upper windows of the farmhouse. Hampden and the remaining Horse hold the field long enough to give their comrades a head start before retiring themselves. Leaving the King's Army in possession of the field and their baggage. Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 153 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1974 by Donald Featherstone. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com