Montcalm & Wolfe - The July Offensive

Braddock attacks le Boeuf
Grid Based Wargaming

Peter resolved the battle of Fort Le Boeuf and Bougainville could not hold off Braddock.  The fort falls and Bougainville marches out to Fort Presque Isle.  See Peter's account of the battle at Battle of Le Beouf.

May 1757 sees a large number of British troops arrive from England.  Reinforcements from England include six regiments of Regulars and one regiment of militia is raised.  Two regiments of Regulars go to Fort Cumberland, two Regiments of Regulars go to Fort Edward, two regiments of Regulars travel to Fort Oswego, and the militia marches to Albany.

British Reinforcements

The French receive reinforcements too but not in the quantity that their opponents called up.  The French muster two regiments of Regulars and one regiment of Irregulars.  One Regular travels to Fort Presque Isle to bolster Bougainville's garrison and discourage Braddock.  The second regiment of Regulars and the Irregulars travel to Isle aux Noix.  Dieskau, seeing the build up at Fort Edward, abandons William-Henry and retires to Fort Carillon.

French Reinforcements

June 1757
With Fort William-Henry abandoned by Dieskau, Monckton marches his large force to garrison the fort.  Only one regiment of militia is left behind to garrison Fort Edward.  Johnson successfully recruits the Cayuga to the British cause.  The Cayuga warband immediately sets off toward Lake Ontario.  For the early summer maneuvers, the French are content to ferry one regiment of Regulars from Isle aux Noix to Fort Carillon. 

June 1757

July 1757
With a fresh batch of reinforcements in the right place at the right time, the British go on a July offensive.  In an attempt to hit strength with strength, Loudoun attacks Fort Stanwix while Monckton attacks Fort Carillon.  A reinforcing regiment of Regulars marches out from Fort Cumberland. 

Double British Attack

Battle of Fort Stanwix OB:
British: Loudoun (A0D1), 4 x 5-6 Regulars
French: Drucour (A0D1), 2 x 5-6 Regulars

Battle of Fort Carillon OB:
British: Monckton (A2D1), 5 x 5-6 Regulars
French: Dieskau (A2D2), 3 x 5-6 Regulars, 1 x militia 

Two important battles for the summer '57.  The battle at Carillon is a Major Battle which means the Political Track will shift two in the winner's favor.  These twin battles have the possibility of changing the outcome of the war.  I anxiously await the results.

Over to you, Peter!