Battle of Montgomery - Redux

As alluded to in the previous post, I was on deck for hosting the Tuesday remote game with my UK foster group.  Having fought the ECW Battle of Montgomery ten days ago with my local tribe and with the table still set up, Montgomery was the battle on the slate. 

Before the battle was joined, figures were staged and cameras readied.

View down the length of the table

View behind the Royalist line

View behind Parliamentarian line

Once the battle commenced, I was so occupied with moving troops and adjudicating combat that few in-game photos were taken.  Once I become more comfortable and adept at running these remote games, I will remember to take a minute or two out of the action for photos.  Maybe next time?  I wager Graham will have a more detailed account on his blog soon (see: Wargaming for Grown-Ups).

On to the battle report.

Discovering that Sir John Meldrum dispatched about a third of his cavalry off on a foraging mission and outnumbering the Parliamentarian foote by about 5:3, Lord Byron seizes the initiative and launches an aggressive attack down from the high ground.

Tyldesley's cavalry command on the Royalist left is first to snap into action.  His troopers advance upon Fairfax's cavalry who are covering the Parliamentarian line of communication traced over the bridge on the River Camlad.  Fairfax, not one to stand his ground waiting for the enemy to come to him, advances into the open ground toward Tyldesley’s troopers.  Royalist infantry stream off the heights as well to pressure the outnumbered infantry of Lothian.  Before the infantry can close, Tyldesley strikes Fairfax.  In a series of charges, counter-charges, pursuits, and melees, both cavalry commands on the Royalist left are in tatters.  Much of Fairfax's command is seen heading back over Salt Bridge, broken.  Tyldesley's command is in no better shape.  Three of his four regiments are in flight back to Montgomery.  Meldrum wonders what has become of the foraging party.  They would be most useful just about now.

Tyldesley v Fairfax on the Royalist left

Fairfax departing the battlefield across Salt Bridge

As if on queue, Myddleton arrives onto the Royalist left with two regiments of horse.  Myddleton's timely arrival allows Meldrum the opportunity to finish off Tyldesley's cavalry by putting both to flight. Actually, one of Fairfax's regiment of horse is driven back into the River Camlad where it meets its demise. 

With the cavalry battle decided, action turns toward the center where the two infantry lines continue to close.  As both lines converge, smoke from short range volleys begin to mask the fighting.  Regiments advance into contact and either drive back their opposition or are repulsed in the confusing melees and short range firefights.  Casualties climb quickly all along the line. No regiment is left unscathed.

Infantry clash in the center

Having trapped and destroyed one Roundhead infantry regiment against the banks of the River Camlad, Broughton's command sees victory within his grasp.  If one more of Lothian's infantry can be broken, the battle may be won.

Seeing an opportunity to attack with a two-to-one advantage, Broughton strikes.  His lead regiment attacks Lothian's infantry regiment pinned with its back up against the river.  The first attack is driven off with musketry.  Hoorah! 

First attack repulsed!

Weakened, Lothian does not fare as well when Broughton's second regiment charges home.  In the desperate fighting, Lothian's command breaks.

The coup de grace

With two of its three brigades broken, Meldrum's Parliamentarian Army breaks.  The battle is over.  Lord Byron and the Royalists win the day!  Unfortunately, Lord Bryon will not savor this victory.  He lays on the field dying from a mortally wounded.

Fairfax's command heading for home

For me, that was good fun and an exciting battle.  The mechanics of hosting my second remote game went more smoothly than the first and the rules survived contact with six players keeping me on my toes.  Repetition will make hosting and the rules more solid.  Remote play is naturally slower than F2F play but game time was about three hours which fits into the allotted session time.  The players are increasingly more comfortable manipulating the different webcams to get the view they want.  I figured out pairing my Bluetooth headset with the laptop making audio from players much improved over Game 1.  We are all learning as we go.  On my end, lots of stuff to refine and improve but I think I am moving in the right direction.  With plenty of encouragement, I will not give up yet.  Next time I host a remote game, expect something different...and with more photos.

Games scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday this week.