The events in India had vastly unfolded since the mutiny began on 10th May 1857. Most of the hottest action was still taking place around Delhi, with rumors that the British were to began the attack at any time into the city's streets. Additionally Havelock's column was preparing to march on Lucknow to assist the besieged inhabitants.
Our story today though takes place at a city named Azamgarh, about 800km from Delhi's wondrous walls.
"Brigadier" Ambrose McArthy was in command of the British forces who had recently cleared out pockets of weak Sepoy resistance from its buildings and streets. Expecting a response from surrounding Mutineers at anytime due to its crucial location as a main route towards Delhi, Ambrose ordered the troops to dig in. The troops were worried, a week had past and no sight of the enemy. However, on that 8th day the flags of mutinous regiments glistened in the hot mornings sky alongside familiar marching band tunes.
The Army Lists
British Forces
34th Cumberland Regiment of Foot
Rank III Officer - 9pts - "Brigadier" Ambrose McCarthy
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" Anderson Ward
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts
1st Bengal Fusiliers
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" Dudley Sanford
Rank I Officer - 3pts - "Sergeant" Harris Ellwood
HEIC European Infantry with Rifled Muskets - 8pts
HEIC European Infantry with Rifled Muskets - 8pts
1st Madras Fusiliers
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" Carter Mills
HEIC European Infantry with Rifled Muskets - 8pts
Gurkhas "Nasiri Battalion"
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" Robert Cadden
Native Skirmishers with Rifles - 9pts
Total - 83pts
Mutineer Forces
8th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Subedar" Sanjay Goswami
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
25th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Subedar" Sukhinder Basran
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
25th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
Rank I Officer - 3pts - "Naik" Suneet Bagri
Sepoy Rabble - 3pts
Sepoy Rabble - 3pts
7th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Havildar" Chandran Singh
Rank I Officer - 3pts - Bhaskor Rai
Sepoy Rabble - 3pts
Sepoy Rabble - 3pts
Sepoy Rabble - 3pts
Local Raja Troops
Rank II Officer - 6pts - Jagadish Alam
Rank I Officer - 3pts - Bihari Rakib
Sepoy Rabble - 3pts
Sepoy - 3pts
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Havildar Major" Gopal Khan
Sepoy Skirmishers - 7pt
Rank II Officer - 6pts - Rishabh Ghani
Mutineer Artillery (Light Gun) - 5pts
Total - 94pts
The Mutineer forces today combine elements of the 7th, 8th and 25th Bengal. Most of these regiments now have discarded their uniform in favor of the Dhoti so we have managed to get a very nice en-masse look. We also have local Raja troops under the command of Jagadish Alam.
The outer defenses of Azamgarh
View from the Mutineer camp
Carter Mills and his Staff sergeant survey the Mutineer encampment
The well-ordered Sepoy's of 7th & 25th Bengal arrive with some Artillery
More Sepoy's march into line, Skirmishers leading the way
Elements of the 7th & 8th storm forth, lead by "Halvidar" Chandran Singh
The large majority of the Mutineer force now marching forwards
The 1st Bengal Fusiliers are the first to raise the alarm and deploy
Gurkha's led by Robert Cadden start the skirmishing fire
Elements of the 1st Madras move forward to engage
The 34th Cumberland deploy from their barracks to the Cantonments
1st Madras Fusiliers support the center of British defenses
Overview of the Siege unfolding
Part of the 25th Bengal advance hastily
The 1st Madras pick targets and fire
The Sepoy's advance en-masse
1st Madras pour a harrowing fire into oncoming Mutineers
Shock begins to accumulate on the Sepoy's left side assault
Sepoy Skirmishers create a skirmishing screen for the advance
The 25th Bengal continue towards British lines under direct fire
Troops loyal to Jagadish Alam prepare to join the assault
Sepoy's in the center approach the crossroad
Sanjay Goswami finally organizes his men of the 8th Bengal to push forward
Gurkha's head for cover in the nearby buildings as they receive return fire
Mutineers of the 25th Bengal forming up into line
Overview of the flanks showing the right side assault stalled
The men of the 34th Cumberland lay accurate volleys down
Mutineers bring their cannon into range of Canister shot, to harrowing effect
The Sepoy's right assault is severely impacted and men flee
Gurkha's again shift positions to continue harassing fire
1st Bengal Fusiliers finally start to feel overwhelmed
Aerial shot of the action
The exchange of fire continues at dangerously close ranges
Rugged troops from the 8th Bengal desperately try to seize ground on British right
Jagadish Alam's troops are eager to join the fight
"Up and over lads!" British push forward at a crucial moment
The chaotic dash begins to secure victory
With Sepoy morale crushed units start to retire from the right side
Disorganization and shock sweeps over the Mutineer lines and a full rout begins
Well that was certainly an exciting game and a close run thing at that!
Sepoy's from the 25th and 8th Bengal slammed against the right side and were consistently repelled by deadly Musket and Rifle fire from men of the 34th Cumberland and Gurkha's. By the time they got close enough to be a threat the Sepoy's morale was too low from constant setbacks. At the end we saw British troops pushing out from the safety of their defenses to shoot into shocked troops and secure a victory.
On the left hand side we saw an entirely different picture. Although initially Enfield fire from the 1st Bengal Fusiliers continued consistently to punish the huge assault at long ranges, the sheer amount of bodies of the 7th Bengal was able to keep things moving for Sepoy forces. Mutineers were able to wither the shock and bring up a Cannon to deliver absolutely horrific canister casualties. This wall was absolutely close to being overrun and had we seen the Mutineers with a higher force morale at this point, I believe they would have likely have pushed into the city and secured the game.
Two things are for certain with this rule set. Controlled Volleys from Rifled Muskets are absolutely lethal when combined with the "Sharp Practice" ability. Had we seen a smaller left side assault, I doubt the Mutineers would have even gotten as close as they did. Additionally Canister at close range is terrifying and well worth risking a cannon to take some small arms fire to deliver even a first shot of this.
I'm glad to be back to tabletop gaming after a period of moving house and expect some more Battle Reports soon. The Indian Mutiny painting queue is now complete after a year and I've moved into carrying on my American Civil War project with the first games expected around Christmas.
