The Ruffians Arrive

Bill Is Sent Packing

I played through the scenario on Saturday and then realised I did not use the At Em Lads special rule which gives the ruffians a plus one Fight value when fighting hobbits. Which I felt was crucial to the game at a couple of key points. So, I replayed the game again on Sunday with the special rule in play, but the hobbits had an even greater victory when I replayed the scenario. So, the replayed scenario stays and is presented below.

The ruffians swarmed forward with Bill at the front of the those attacking the bridge. With the archers advancing enough to launch a volley. The hobbits did not move but picked up stones ready to throw them at the attacking ruffians. Strong Armed Pete was the first casualty when he was hit by a stone to the kneecap. And none of the arrows found a target. 

Things didn’t go any better for the ruffians in the second turn as three managed to fall in the river and the remaining few which made the jump were swamped by hobbits and taken down. As a house rule, any ruffian falling in the river has chance of being washed down river. On the bridge things went better for ruffians as they managed to capture Holfoot and push the hobbits back. But didn't cause any wounds.

Fortunately for the ruffians One-Eyed Ned turned up on turn three and he immediately sent his lackeys to help those around the bridge while he went to support Bill with his spear.

And then another ruffian fell in the river! On the bridge the ruffians were continuing push back the hobbits and take down an odd hobbit. But around the bridge the hobbits had the upper hand and were making short work of the ruffians.

By turn seven, the ruffians reaching breaking point and with Farmer Maggot and Pip Proudfoot arriving the ruffians knew the game was up. And Bill realised he couldn’t win and turned tail to flee the battlefield with his few surviving lackeys. And then the hobbits rescued Holfoot.

After the Battle

Pip rolled on the experience table to improve his Fight value. None of the other hobbits had enough experience and they escaped injury but had to use two influence points to replace lost Fate points.

The only high point for the ruffians is that they gained a new Bully – Brutus Smith but he did not have enough experience to roll on the experience table. Strong Armed Pete did gain enough experience despite being the first mini to be removed from play and added a Wound point but sustained a leg injury courtesy of a hobbit slinger.

The other ruffians escaped injury but also had to use two influence points to replace lost Fate points.

Sid and Sharky will undoubtedly having some sharp words with Bill about his failure to teach a few hobbits a lesson!

Brutus was given a bit of a touch up, but he looks a bit crude by today’s standards. The left-hand side of his face was a bit miscast, so I made it look like a burn.

Rob

Beachhead 2025

 Sorry I wasn't There

Unfortunately I couldn't make Beachhead 2025, but some friends sent me a few pictures. 

An impressive looking Helm's Deep

Rob

The Battle of Guilford Courthouse

A Tactical British Victory

While away for business, I was able to visit the battlefield of the battle of Guildford Courthouse in North Carolina. Which was the site of a battle during the American war for Impendence. Given how well battlefield was presented, I was surprised to find that it was actually British victory all be it tactical one. 

The battlefield is now a national park with a very good little museum chronicling the battle.

Commanders and Units Involved

The Combined British Forces was 2,100 strong.

The Continental army was about 4,500.

A Brief Summary of the Battle

There are lots of good accounts online if you want to read about it in detail (in all the usual places), but I will summarise the key points. 

The battle took place on the March 15, 1781, between the British forces under Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis and the Continentals under Major General Nathanael Greene at Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina. 

While the Continentals enjoyed a large numeral advantage of over two to one. Greene understood that the majority of his force were untrained and untested militia men against a battle hardened and veteran, combined British & German army.  So, rather than opting for an offensive strategy, he formed his army in three rows with the first two rows made up of Maryland and Virginia militia plus independent units. With the third row made up of his most experienced troops. And waited for the British to attack. 

Over the course of the day, the British broke through the first two Continental lines but not without fierce fighting and heavy casualties. With the militias giving good account of themselves. By the time they had reached the third line, the British forces had endured heavy fighting for several hours and a well-trained force waiting for them across open ground. 

The Jägers and the 33rd Foot were the first units to approach the enemy. The British came within a 100 feet of the enemy line before combined volleys of the Maryland and Delaware companies drove them back.

The 2nd Guards had better luck and forced the 2nd Maryland regiment to break and also followed up to capture two of the enemy six-pounders. The 1st Maryland regiment then turned and engaged the 2nd Guards. While Washington's dragoons charged through the rear of the 2nd Guards. The 1st Maryland regiment then charged with bayonets fixed.  

Cornwallis ordered his artillery to fire grapeshot into the mass of fighting men. The grape shot killed both Americans and British soldiers. The British then advanced toward the gap left by the 2nd Maryland regiment.

By 3:30 pm Greene ordered his army to withdraw under friendly covering fire. Initially Cornwallis ordered a pursuit but soon recalled his men. After the battle Cornwallis had lost over quarter of his men compared to less than ten percent for the Continentals. 

The Park

The site is now owned by the National parks service and as well an excellent museum, their are some informative panels dotted around the park and monuments to those involved. 

Monument to Greene and the soldiers

After the Battle

So, while clearly the British won the tactical victory by forcing the Continentals from the field. They failed in their strategic aims which was to break the enemy force. Additionally, Cornwallis was forced to give up pursuit in order to resupply and gather reinforcements. Conversely Greene had managed to drain the British forces without suffering heavy casualties and escape with the bulk of his regular forces intact. Which ultimately led to Yorktown and the British surrender. 

Rob

Ruffian Toll Collecting

 Tolls & Taxes

Not much hobbying lately as I have been away on business. But I finally got some time in today, to finish off the Ruffian toll booth. Now I am back, I can focus on the next campaign scenario - The Ruffians Arrive. 

One More Wizard

After about half a dozen attempts, I finally got my hands on a limited edition Radagast the Brown. The Buy It Now options on eBay are £30 - £50 which just seems just nuts. So, I have been waiting for reasonable auction one. But then so has everyone else. Pleased I managed to get one still on the sprue.

One From the Other side of the Pond

I managed to test (purely for scientific purposes) a number of different local ales while away. And on the whole, most were pretty good. 

Rob