Fort Devens Game Day 2024

 

  17 November was the annual Fort Devens game day.  This is a wonderful event held each year at the Fort Devens Museum. A dedicated group of gamers put it on and always hold a variety of games.  The public is invited to come out and try the hobby.  Admission is free and includes a visit through the museum itself.

  This year there were a variety of games that caught my eye.  The battle in Bohemia 1619  was especially colorful and the players were having a great time.  There was also a Command and Colors American Civil War game that looked good.

  For me the highlight each year is Adam's games featuring (a heavily modified) Black Sails rules and sailing ships.  Each model is a little work of art and Adam is especially knowledgeable about the period.  I have great fun playing and when home looking up books he recommended.  

This year he put on a series of single frigate fights from the War of 1812. These usually last a half hour to forty five minutes (or much less if I was commanding).   This way a great number of people could try out a game.  There were a number of families who dropped in.  They all looked to be having a great time.

Alas!  My record in sailing games of never winning a game has held firm.  I am now something like 0 to 125 in wins and losses.   In my first game was HMS Java vs USS Constitution.  Single frigate to frigate action.

I maneuvered well at first and got a beautiful raking shot at Constitution.  Did some damage but not enough. For me that was the high point!  Then the wind changed

Constitution then closed and devastated me.  At the end I was burning and out of control.  Historical it was after this engagement (and the loss of three other ships)  that the Royal Navy order its frigates not to engage the much heavier armed American frigates one on one.  So perhaps I did not do so badly after all!

Next up was two smaller ships Levant & Cyane vs Constitution.  Again a historical engagement where the bigger heavier American frigates took out the two much smaller British ships.  But the sacrifice saved the convey Constitution was after so there was that.  I commanded HMS Levant

The game started with the two smaller ships working to get on both sides of the larger enemy.  Unfortunately the wind gage was against us and constitution had the advantage.  Cyane got a good raking fire but unfortunately her smaller guns did minimal damage.  We were like little yorkie's snapping and nipping.

Things changed when Constitution turned and got an excellent raking shot at me.  It was devastating and did horrible damage.  But since my partner was getting good shots in I stayed in the fight hoping to divert attention and give our side a chance

Then, my luck ran out.  A devastating raking shot at point blank range!  Fires broke out, crew Aran away and magazines blew up.  Not much left to show where I once was!   Shortly after Cyane was knocked out of the fight.  Another American victory.

In spite of my poor record it was a great day out and a fun experience.  I met some new gamers and once hone from vacation will enjoy mire gaming in my area.

Park Signs you wish you saw

 

  Here is a little humor to brighten up your day.  I will be taking a but if time off my blog.  Fact us the election has caused a major depression in myself.  I need time to adjust.

  Hopefully see you soon.

Battle of Inkerman 5 November 1854

 

 

Anniversary of the Battle of Inkerman in 1854.  Here are a couple paintings by Lady Butler which capture the feel.of the battle.  

 The Return from Inkerman: top of page

"The painting depicts a column of exhausted soldiers trudging back to camp, many of who are wounded and are only just able to stand up.  Their commanding officer on horseback rides at the head of the column.  The men try to keep their heads held high as they pass fallen comrades who lie at the side of the road.  Their tattered uniforms remind us of the ferocity of the battle which has just concluded.  The battle took place on the heights of Inkerman where the Russians had mounted a counter-attack on the British forces.   The weather had been terrible during the battle with driving rain interspersed with thick fog making the commanding of the troops difficult for both sides.  It was a ferocious battle and cost the lives of 2,500 British and 12,000 Russian troops.   In her painting the troops depicted are mainly from the Coldstream Guards and the 20th." Devonshire regiment.

The Roll Call

The remnants of a battalion of Grenadier Guards, many exhausted and wounded, are answering a roll call in the aftermath of a battle generally assumed that the scene represented the aftermath of the Battle of Inkerman, which took place on the 5th November 1854.

BTW, here in the states its election day.  Please, vote!

General Leopold Philip de Heister

 

  My latest command stand, General de Heister.  During the New York 1776 campaign Heister commanded the German contingent of Howe's army.  In addition while Howe divided his army into two wings these were commanded by Clinton and Heister.

  At the Battle of Long Island the Hessians under De Heister forming the centre of the British attack  at Flatbush Pass (today Battle Pass).   De Heister personally commanded the attack that over ran Sullivan 's division and captured that general.  Later Heister commanded the Hessians at White Plains on 28 October 1776 and the capture of Fort Washington.

  He was removed from command in 1777, after the Battle of Trenton and continued disagreements with General Howe. He was replaced by his second-in-command Wilhelm von Knyphausen.  Heister, suffering ill health return to Hesse Kassel and died soon after.