At the end of the first session it was felt that honours were pretty well even. You can find my writeup of the first part of the refight here: https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/2023/11/battle-of-knocknannus-13-november-1647.html
The concluding session of the refight began with the Confederates moving first.....
On the Confederate right wing MacColla's infantry continued to surge forward, with one of the Muster Regiment battalia destroying Needham's battalia after a prolonged fight. Grady's cavalry though still remained unmoving at the top of the hill.
On the Anglo-Irish right Colonel Roe observes the breakthrough to his left and determines that he must act aggressively against Taaffe's wing. His veterans are keen to fight and the centre battalia salvee charges into their opponents, doing enough damage to disburse them before then wheeling left to attempt to flank the neighbouring enemy battalia.
Things start to go pear shaped on the Anglo-Irish left flank...... One of Bridges horse units successfully attempts to charge the nearest redshanks unit in the flank, but despite 6 attempts it does not land a single hit. MacColla manages to manuvere them to face the enemy cavalry. To try and support MacColla's infantry Grady's cavalry brigade finally charges spectacularly down the hillside and sweeps both opposing units from the field. Sir William Bridges, the brigade commander is killed in the rout!
Staying on the Anglo-Irish left there is a bit of a Mexican stand off between Bridges last Horse unit and the redshanks, while one of the Munster battalias turns the flank of Grey's remaining battalia which is already fighting another redshanks unit to its front.
On the right Roe's brigade grapples with one of Taaffe's battalias but despite two flanking attacks they are not able to destroy it. Had they done so it would have left Taaffe's wing defeated with no victory medals remaining. Broghill's cavalry sucessfully retired from Confederate shooting range on the extreme right while the remaining horse units on both sides clashed indecisively for the rest of the game.
Back on the Anglo-Irish left wing things continue to go from bad to worse. Having sucessfully blocked the first redshanks unit for a number of turns Grey's last battalia succumbs after being hit in the flank and failing its last save. Meanwhile Craig's brigade looses another battalia as well, forcing Inchiquin to hand over his last three victory medals.
Game, set and match to the Confederates then, though it would have been interesing if I managed to destroy one more of Taaffe's units on the right wing.
Our quick post game review while packing up did not find anything too unbalanced so I'm happy with the scenario as written. Thanks to our regular players Roy, Lester and Paul R for the chance to finally play this scenario, even if I did strike my usual "scenario designers curse" and end up on the loosing side...one day it will end :)
I'm keeping the Irish theme for my next War of the Three Kingdoms scenario which will be Benburb, with couple of smaller skirmishes beforehand to determine exactly what turns up to the main battle as O'Neill sent out two delaying forces to impede Monro's long approach march.
I hope you enjoyed the read if you made it this far.
Very much enjoyed the two episodes on Knocknanuss. I’ve been reading about this battle recently so was very pleased to see your blog about it. It seems like an interesting battle to refight as it appears that both armies have a chance of success.
ReplyDeleteThanks for looking. It is a battle that can be won by either side as you say. I chose to split the Confederate army into two separate wings due to Taaffe's deployment choices but in our game this did not make much difference in the end.
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