Battle of Kelso 1715.

I have played this game earlier this week,and found the research/history attached to the period fascinating,confusing and intriguing,but very playable and enjoyable.........................

Top photo is the terrain map and orders for each side,because of my Scottish roots(or should that be hoots!) I decided that I would "support" the Jacobite Scots. Middle photo is the "made-up" scenario-no battle was fought in Kelso. bottom photo is a reproduction of a Claymore sword,a real flint-lock pistol,and a real 3lb cannon ball(very likely from the period!)

Top shows the Scots moving into position,bottom shows the English "camp"(a scene of great slaughter as the game progressed!)

The "inevitable" reinforcements are shown in the top photo,the Swiss contingent in the bottom(they did not give a great show,it must be said!!)

In the top photo the Scots are just about to begin their attack-the cavalry,supported by a clan each chased the English dragoons back to the camp,and the remaining clan was cannistered and volley-fired to bits!! The bottom photo shows the English and Swiss (who,it must be said,didn't give a great show!) facing each other across the plain.Note the Dragoons placed on the English right flank-they did stirling work against the attacking Scots,who you can just see in the background(column) about to advance on the central English position!

The fight for Kelso begins-the Scots were determined and after taking heavy casualties,got into a melee with the defenders,lost the first round,recovered themselves,got back into the fight,broke into Kelso,and then the defenders recovered themselves and threw them back out again-thrilling stuff,and great wargaming!!

Two more photo's of the "Kelso action"-top shows the Scots gaining access(!!) bottom shows them being ejaculated(!!!!)-the defenders suffered massive casualties in the process,but remained in charge of the town for the rest of the game-hurrah!

It was now the turn of the English left to get into serious action-top shows the Scots attacking the centre,being fired on by artillery,and the awaiting English infantry showed no signs of fear from the famous Scots charge-this might be bloody!
Bottom shows the English and Swiss(who,it must be said,didn't give a great show of it!) firing at each other.By this move the whole table was ablaze with action-another hurrah!!

Back at the camp area things are not going very well for the English(understatement of the year!)-the Dragoons are about to flee and the supporting clans are about to attack the infantry defending the camp-BUT,and this is a big but,the English Foot Guards,have been sent from the centre,and are about to fire into the flank of the Scots-crucially!!!!

Top shows the Scots advancing into a hail of musket balls and cannister fire,whilst the Dragoons can be seen moving onto their flank-this is not going to end well-as you can see from the bottom photo!-But what of the Swiss? Well,they decided that the were missing the ticking of their cuckoo clocks and the holes in their bloody awful cheese,and took to their heels(I told you they didn't give a great show of it!)

Top-Swiss on their way home,bottom-Scots on their way home!-but what of the camp?

Ah well,the dragoons are well and truly beaten,but the Foot Guards have driven off  a clan,leaving the flank wide open,and actually saving the position-yet another hurrah!
With all the Clans retiring (it's good being retired!) the game had been won by the English.

Top photo shows the position at the end of the game-bottom photo shows a bloated English commander "gloating" over his victory!!
My next "foray" into history will be a Viking vs Viking game!

NO COMMENT!!