The
French had lost Quebec after the battle of the Plains of Abraham in
September 1759.
French
commander-in-chief in North America, the
chevalier de Lévis staged an expedition to retake the city before
the arrival of the British fleet and reinforcements.
The
British garrison at Quebec had suffered from winter, almost half of
their effectives lost.
Colonel
Murray British commander at Qeubec decided to confront the French
force on the battlefield.
The
battlefield was the same as for the battle of the plains of Abraham,
making it a rematch, with the reversed roles.
The
British battalions numbered less than 300 men each, 2 times 4
battalions in a brigade (Fraser/Burton)and two battalions in reserve.
There were field 20 guns spread over the units. There were also two
battalions of light infantry and a company of rangers. Totaling about
3.400 men.
The
French had double that number, but with a major part consisting of
militia and only a few field guns, divided into 5 brigades.
As
it was early in the year, there was still snow on a great part of
the field.
Playing
the battle : We used "About Bonaparte" wargame rule .
The chevalier de Levis had send grenadiers to occupy the
windmill and surroundings. The British light infantry is close to
them. As al British battalions numbered less than 300 men, we gave
them all 6 figures. The French numbered about 350 to 380 for the
regulars, so we gave them 8 figures per battalion, except for the
marine battalions that numbered about 500 men, so we raised their
number to 11 and 12 figures. The militia units also numbered in
average 270 men, so we gave them also 6 figures per unit. Al the
British are veteran. In the French army, only the Marine units and
the grenadier unit at the windmill are veterans. The British have 4
batteries, of which one is medium, the others are light. They have
all just enough ammo to fire 4 turns, this due to the poor state of
the roads limiting transport. The French have one light guns also
with limited ammo.
Figures are from Steven
British
order of battle for the game
Right
flank commanded by Ronny
Dalling's
light infantry
(“General” and officer 2x6 veteran figures if light infantry-
Burton's
brigade(general
+ADC + 1 light battery +1 medium battery)
48th
Webb's Foot 6 figures – veteran +1 officer
15th
Amherst's Foot
6 figures - veteran
58th
Anstruther's Foot 6 figures - veteran+1 officer
II./60th
Royal American Foot 6 figures - veteran
Left
flank , and reserve commanded by Steven assisted by Ryan
Fraser's
brigade
general +ADC + 2x light battery )
43rd
Kennedy's Foot 6 figures – veteran +1 officer
47th
Lascelle's Foot 6 figures - veteran
78th
Fraser's Highlanders 6 figures - veteran+1 officer
28th
Bragg's Foot 6 figures - veteran
Hazen's
Rangers 4 figures – veteran -skirmish
In
reserve behind the centre
Murray (General + ADC)
35th
Otway's Foot 6 figures - veteran +1 officer
III./60th
Royal American Foot 6
figures – veteran +1 officer
French
order of battle for the game
French
right commanded by Patrick VDB
both
brigades coming out of the woods
Royal
Roussillon brigade
General
II./Royal
Roussillon (officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 6 figures militia)
II./Guyenne
(officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 6 figures militia)
Berry
brigade
general
II./Berry
(officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 6 figures militia)
III./Berry
(officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 6 figures militia)
Indian
Allies
1 unit of 8 figures + “chief”
French
left command by Geert
La
Sarre brigade
General
II./Béarn
(officer +1 bn 8 figures veterans(grenadier) and 6 figures militia)
at windmill
II./La
Sarre (officer
+1 bn 8 figures regulars and 5 figures militia)
1
light battery + officer
French
center – command by Dirk
CIC
: Chevalier de Lévis
general +2 ADC
Compagnies
Franches de la Marine brigade
general
(Officer
+ 2
bns: 1 of 11 figures , 1 of 12 figures – both veteran)
La
Reine Brigade
General
II./La
Reine (officer
+1 bn 8 figures regulars and 5 figures militia)
II./Languedoc
(officer +1 bn 7 figures regulars and 5 figures militia)
The game
The
British had a good position, and in contrast with the real battle
remained on their position.
Ronny
pulled the light infantry back to cover his flank from an advantaged
position.
The
snow in the lower parts of the field limited the movement by 3/4,
So
the progress of the French was slow, Patrick kept his regulars in
column to go faster.
Steven
reinforced the left flank with the reserve units.
The
British batteries kept silent due to their limited number of shots,
waiting for the enemy to come closer and having a better effect.
The
French strategy was to concentrate on the left flank against Ronny.
Geert
waited with his grenadiers to leave the protection of the mill until
the remainder of the brigade joined them, first limited musketry
exchanges with Burton’s brigade. Once the La Marine brigade was in
range, they became the target of 2 batteries and 2 battalions. The
first battalion in line sustaining heavy casualties.
On
the right, the Royal Roussillon kept advancing in column, taking
casualties, but charged the battery. The battery was destroyed, but
the
Royal Roussillon reduced to one stand was also removed from play.
On the French far left, the grenadiers pushed back the light
infantry, and also the La Sarre battalion, made progress on the
hillock , One British unit being destroyed. Ronny made his light
infantry charge the grenadiers, but the latter stood firm and one
light infantry unit was destroyed.
In
the center one of the La Mairne units was reduced to one stand and
remove from play, the second La Marine, followed up, and tried to
weaken the enemy with musketry but the firing was poor, and
casualties mounting. The La Reine Brigade took position to the La
Marines right, but was targeted by 2 batteries and driven back,
luckily with minor casualties.
On the
French right, also the Berry brigade tried to fight her way on the
hillock, but was driven back to. The regulars almost wiped out. One
militia unit of the Royal Roussillon was charged and broke, the
Indians nearby also took to their heels. The French right was
wavering. Against his nature, Patrick had to start playing defensive
to avoid destruction.
Ronny
turned all his units to face the threat of the La Sarre brigade. But
by now his battery had run out of ammo. It was the signal to make the
charge with the still very fresh La Reine Brigade, supported by the
remaining La Marine. The battery was overrun, and the breakthrough
charge came into the flank of one of Ronny’s units, the latter also
being destroyed. Ronny’s lines were broken. To late, Steven had
diverted the reserve units towards Ronny, which command was broken
the next turn.
The
British had to retreat to avoid annihilation.
Conclusion
Fantastic game with the outcome in balance untill the last turns.
The rule proved perfect: tactical decisions and erros made the difference between winning and loosing in a game that lasted just over two hours.
More details of the battle at kronoskaf.com
In 1814, France was loosing the war. Lost most of it's allies, it's resources exhausted, facing a huge coalition, and fighting on several fronts. In the North of France, Napoleon Faced several armies of Prussians, Russians, Austrains, Swedes, etc..
