Yankee Doodle comes to Steven's Landing

June 5th 1781,  Cornwallis has been chasing Lafayette all through Virgina and has finally committed the deadly sin of splitting his forces in the face of the enemy.  With no relief coming from NY Cornwallis is desperate for supplies for his ragged forces. However, his supply line is stretched very thin so he has dispatched Lt. Col Simcoe with a small force to capture a large magazine store guarded by Baron Von Steuben at the convergence of the James and Rivanna rivers known as Steven's Fork.  The British will need to capture the bridge intact so that they can safely cross to capture the magazine.  Von Steuben needs to prevent them from doing this.  

The Continental forces have setup at the bridge while the engineers work furiously to  prepare the bridge to be destroyed.

The British forces moved down the road while one battalion moved around the hill to flank the Continentals. Unfortunately for Colonel Simcoe the hot June sun had taken it's toll on his troops and they were slow to obey his commands.  One company actually got very confused and headed off to the rear of the column throwing everything into confusion. Meanwhile the over the mountain boys moved up and poured a steady fire into the British as they emerged from the woods in confusion.  The British column was thrown into confusion for some time as a second company of militia moved up and poured a deadly fire into the reeling Brits.

Things were looking up for the Continentals unfortunately the experience and training of the British was starting to show.  Slowly they got themselves organized and moving on the bridge again. The Over the Mountain boys fought bravely in the face of overwhelming odds but the superior numbers took their toll and eventually the militia gave in and fled the field.  However, they managed to hold up the British column while the engineers packed the bridge with explosives.  On the Continentals left flank the British had moved through the rough terrain hoping to outflank the Continentals.  Again the militia held firm and allowed the Continental line troops to move up and outflank the British instead.  Facing stiff resistance to their front and galling fire from their flanks was just too much for the British who broke and headed back down the road.

Having finally pushed through the screen of milita the British began to move on the bridge.  Meanwhile the engineers had finally put all the explosives in place and lit the fuse.  Unfortunately, the fuse appeared to be wet and fizzled out.  As the British drew closer they tried again.  Again the fuse fizzled out.  The British began to assault the bridge itself and were driven back while the engineers reset the fuse.  This time the fuse lit but was burning slowly.  What originally looked like a huge victory for the Continentals was now looking like a win for the British.  Again, the lined up and charged the barricades but were driven back by accurate fire from the Maryland Continentals.  Finally, the British troops had enough of the continual fire from the Continentals and started to flee back down the road.  Even though the engineers never were able to get the explosives lit, the British leaving the field was enough for the Continentals to win.

We used the Black Powder rules which gave a very good game.  Dewey and I noticed that every game we have played with Black Powder has started with at least one general blundering.  We felt the results were quite accurate and the scenario was a good one.  We are looking forward to the next Black Powder game.

The Red Shadow rides again!

 "You say ISIL and I say ISIS...or...Don't cross this line!"

Morocco 1875, somewhere in the Atlas mountains.  

The Red Shadow, an Algerian scout working for the French to help unite the Berber peoples and free Morocco,  has set his sites on the Mad Mutha Mulla.  A religious zealot bent on driving out the French and setting strict religious reforms in Morocco.  To this end the Mad Mutha has stirred up many of the tribes and threatens to destroy all the hard work the Red Shadow has been putting in to bring Morocco into the 19th century.  The local police chief has been accused of selling the equipment the French have given him and his security forces to the Mad Mutha.  The Red Shadow has tracked a large deposit of arms and ammunition to a village high up in the mountains and has led a patrol of Legionnaires to recapture these weapons and bring the Mad Mutha Mulla to justice. 

One of the local women cheerfully salutes the Mad Mutha Mulla after hearing about his new dress code. Burkhas being all the rage!

 Outside of the town, the Red Shadow takes cover in a date grove to see if he can determine where the guns are hidden.  He has determined that he must try and look from several different locations around the town before heading in to recover the weapons.  The Mad Mutha Mulla has spies everywhere and this could be a trap to capture the Red Shadow.  While the Legionnaires and Tirailleurs take up position in the same grove.

The Red Shadow spies on the village.

All of the sudden the hills erupt with rifle fire as a large force of Berbers has spotted the French troops and seems to have them pinned down. Under the cool leadership of Lt. LaRoche the French forces take up position in the grove and begin to return fire.  After a few good volleys the expert marksmanship of the Legionnaires begins to take its toll and the Berbers start to pull back. 

Berbers grab the high ground and pour a steady stream of lead into the Legionnaires.

 Sensing the time was right, Sgt Major Camarone charges out of the grove and straight up the hill into the Berbers driving them from their rocks.  The fierce charge and sharp steel is enough to finally drive the Berbers from the field.

The Legionnaires storm the high ground chasing the Berbers back to their caves.

 Meanwhile the Red Shadow has determined the weapons are being hidden in the Mosque.  Oh those cowardly devils, using a place of worship to hide guns.  The Red Shadow waves his scimitar and charges in to town only to be swarmed by the fanatic brotherhood.  Dazzling swordsmanship is on display as the Red Shadow skewers foe after foe.  However, the overwhelming odds are beginning to tell and the Red Shadow is being hemmed in by the crazed mob of swordsmen.  Noticing the Legionnaires lining up to deliver a decisive volley on the crowd he deftly maneuvers his faithful steed, Mighty Wind, and falls behind a wall just as the Legionnaires loose their deadly storm of lead.  Not a soul is left standing.  

The Red Shadow displays his superior swordsmanship while being swarmed by Berber rebels.

Unfortunately, after a quick search of the Mosque turns up empty, it appears that this was all just a trap set by the Mad Mutha Mulla.  Worst of all, in the swirling swordplay the coward has slipped through the Shadow's grasp.  With a shout the Red Shadow vows to run the Mad Mutha Mulla down.

The Battle of Basementshire

The Saga has been told, the tapestry has been woven. February 28th 1067, Basementshire in the Danelaw. The horse buggering Normans led by "Dewey the Bastard" made an ill-fated incursion into the Danelaw to raid and pillage the poor unsuspecting villagers.

The peaceful village of Crapenburgh

As the Normans made their way through the Shire raping and pillaging, word was quickly sent to Jarl Johann Anthonysson and he quickly assembled the stout hearted warriors to march on Crapenburgh. By the bones of St. Cuthbert these invaders would be driven back to Normandy where they belong.

"Do not fear good citizens! I shall protect your sheep from these perverse Norman dogs.

The Normans, being mounted, took the field first.  This was to be a "Clash of Warlords" and only the truly bravest of warlords would remain victorious while the other scuttled back across the river...errr channel back to his homeland.  "Dewey the Bastard" took to the field first, arriving just to the Northeast of the village followed very closely by Jarl Johann and his trusty loyal Huscarls who thought to head around the west-end of Crapenburgh.

The Norman rabble approach.

The brave Huscarls charging the cowardly Norman bowmen.

However, the Normans brought on their Knights and some cowardly warriors armed with crossbows. Real men would never use such weapons preferring to see the fear in the eyes of their foe when they drive their spear deep into his guts.  The remainder of the Jarls forces arrived and took up a holding position to the East of Crapenburgh opposite the Norman usurper and his rabble.  As the shieldwall was forming the Norman dogs launched a barrage of arrows their way catching the brave men unaware and managing to drop to Huscarls caught unaware.  These Norman dogs did not even wait for the customary exchange of insults.  What type of men are these Normans?

The shield-wall is formed.

Quickly the brave Danish warriors recovered and prepared themselves for battle.  The shield-wall was raised and a mighty and intimidating roar was heard across the field as they charged forward.  So fearsome was the roar that the crossbowmen cowered behind their women's skirts as real men marched forward.  The Norman Knights thinking to capitalize on the Danes as they recovered from the shooting galloped forward however the shield-wall held firm and they were repulsed. Normans fell in droves as ax and sword ran with Norman blood.  As those few Normans that remained turned to flee in horror the Danes pushed forward and cut down the fleeing curs.

On the eastern side of the Village things were really beginning to heat up.  Jarl Johann shouted to his brave lads to follow him and they moved up to engage the Normans. This was to be the work or real men this day.  Shield-walls were raised and battle commenced.

The clash of shield-walls!

First blood might have gone to the Normans but the Danes battlelust was upon them and they were not to be denied. While the crossbowmen coward in fear on one side of the village the remainder of the Norman dogs stood firm and received the charge of the Danes. At least this group would die like real men. The battle was a back and forth affair with both sides coming away bloodied but ready for more. The Norman Lord seeing his men faltering charged forth on his warhorse to be met by Jarl Johann and a few of his retainers.

Dewey the Bastard charges to meet Jarl Johann

The wild stamping beast and sword of Dewey the bastard laid low several brave warriors but he was not able to break the defenses of Jarl Johann. Unfortunately, the beast he was riding threw up some dirt which got in the eye of Jarl Johann and he temporarily backed off a few paces to recover. His men thinking the Jarl might have been wounded also fell back to protect their Jarl. However, this fortuitous re-organization allowed the remainder of the Jarls warriors to charge forward and bring the invader down.

Aahh the feasting in the Jarl's longhouse, "The Hooting Owls", that night was something the minstrels will sing about for a long time. It must be mentioned that after all the bloody work was done Rob Metzlersson arrived on the field of battle. The Jarl being in a feasting mood allowed him to join in the celebration as well.The Jarl was heard to exclaim that he can be sure of many more battles like these with the Norman dogs in the future but he was sure that with brave lads like those in his hall that he would see the Normans driven from Angleland once and for all.  Then they would march north and see to those Viking pigs and their leader Josef McGuiresson.  A most foul and loathsome brute there never was.  And drive them back to Vik once and for all!

The battle of Aston Villa part 1

Young Tribune Gaius Johannus Camerinus son to the Famous senator Antonius Camerinus has been given his first solo assignment with his new Legion posting. The 13th finds itself getting set in its winter quarters in the south of Brittania. The problem is that there is not enough grain to feed the troops through the long cold winter.

Gaius has been given explicit orders. "Head up to Aston Villa and procure grain from the Roman Landlord there. Oh, and Gaius.....don't screw it up!" Gaius has been given command of a small force to protect the grain as the villa is on the other side of the wall. He has been given 1 full cohort of Auxilia, a half cohort of Auxilia, a half cohort of Legion regulars, some skirmish troops and a few horse.


The journey to the villa was going quite smoothly and Gaius was pleased with his command and how smartly the troops marched up the road. The villa was in sight just ahead when the most irritating sound could be heard all around the troops. "Centurion, what is that annoying sound?"

"That would be the enemy, sir!"



Quickly, the troops were arrayed in battle order. Skirmishers up front and the Equites around the back of the villa to make sure nothing came sneaking up from the blind side.



The Britains had their own horse and they qucikly came up on the skirmishers who saw them off with a volley of javelins. On the other side of the Villa the Equites charged bravely into the Barbarian horse and after a very close fight, narrowly saw them off.



More to come...

Dacian warband

Just finished this group of 15mm Dacians. The picture is from my new phone so it will be a good test for the quality of pics I will get from it. I also need some practice on how to get the best pics from it.