Chase's Pursuit

We played our second Sharp Practice game last Sunday. All in all it was very enjoyable and we had a great laugh. The game is lighthearted and had many a memorable moment. Dave, who played the British compiled an after action report. What follows is a letter from Captain Charles Chase of the Honorable East Indostan Company to his dear Mother. (Click the images to enlarge)

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11th August, 1757

Dear Mater,

The weather here continues to be beastly. I asked one of my servant chaps when I first arrived if it ever rained and he responded that it does on occasion. That was 5 months ago. All it has done since is rain! I am dictating this letter to one of my lieutenants, as I am currently trying to scrub myself clean. But more about that soon.

Recently we had a break in the weather and headed up into the mountains to hunt down a rebellious Nawab and his vicious ungodly bunch of savages. After a pitched battle they took to their heels and I was ordered to give chase. Our General has a peculiar wit about him, “Give chase, Chase!” which he found somewhat amusing. Immediately, myself, with two lieutenants, two sergeants, 40 men of the 5th Company of Foot and 20 men of the 2nd Company of Grenadiers, as well as a small cannon manned by engineers, gave chase. I’ll never live that down will I… no don’t write that down, never mind.

In column formation we marched further into the hills in hot pursuit of none other than the renegade Sepadar, Ali Harshit. He and his men were running for a village, beneath the fortress of Noghul. I knew our native cavalry was keeping his horsemen busy so focused on mopping up his fleeing men. No sooner had we entered the field though it was apparent our cavalry had let us down as waves of Indostani Horsemen were seen riding from cover on the right flank. Immediately I ordered to form square, keeping Sergeant Nobbs under my watchful eye, as I had been warned about his drinking and habit of cut and run. I saw no evidence of either, this day, but he did sway a lot, apparently due to his thin frame catching the breezes. Or so he says.

Sergeant Pat McDoodle, a strapping chap from the Highlands took charge of a squad of Grenadiers and acted as skirmishers drawing off and decimating a force of cavalry. Meanwhile in my rear, was Lieutenant Sutton and Willy Uppem, both with squads from the 5th Company and the grenadiers, who acted as a guard for the engineers, protecting them from a second group of horsemen. Sergeant McDoodle did an excellent job, so I ordered the 5th into line. Meanwhile the native chaps were still fleeing into the village.

As we were about to advance, Willy Uppem’s hat flew off, and so he made a dash forward to grab it. Unfortunately the entire line of the 5th reached it first and it was squashed terribly. While he was trying to retrieve his hat and bend it back into shape, two of his grenadiers were struck down by something they must have ate the night prior and were seen to be clutching their stomachs and rushing a stonewall. We must see to it that the men stop nibbling on native fancies. It obviously doesn’t agree with them. Once he had reclaimed his hat, Uppem then had to retrieve his wayward men. Fortunately they weren’t too far away. 

The native horsemen attacked us in the rear at about the same time, causing Lieutenant Sutton and his men to flee and jeopardizing our cannon and its crew. The horsemen rode straight past, concentrating on the fleeing Sutton and his men. This gave the crew a chance to fire point blank into the cavalry, killing one outright and grievously wounding their leader, not to mention scaring the rest of them off. However, while all this was happening, my gallant lads and I in the center were once again in hot pursuit. I don’t want you to be alarmed, mater, but I was wounded in the advance, twisting my ankle as I tried to avoid something one really must want to avoid, alas…I didn’t avoid it, hence why I’m dictating and on my third bath.

This minor mishap however allowed the enemy to escape us and get safely into the village proper. Their jubilation however was cut short when one of their chaps, firing either at us or in the air, one can never tell, set fire to the roof of a nearby hut. So as we retired away from the village and looming fortress walls, there was rather a lot of smoke, flame, and excited running around, going on within.

Alas a defeat but we didn’t lose many men and from the glow of the fire emitting from the village, they’ll have their hands full for a while. I look forward to my next meeting with Harshit and I will personally make sure he doesn’t avoid the thing, one must avoid.

Give my regards to Pater.

Yours Sincerely,

Captain Charles Chase

East Indostan Company

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Here are some photos of the action. I took a lot more, but many turned out very bad. These were the best, and in my opinion, barely acceptable. I will try to improve my photography  skills before the next game.

Ali Harshit leads his men in flight for the village

 Sgt. McDoodle faces a cavalry charge (God places a shock marker)

Captain Chase forms the square

Uppem retrieves his wayward men - "Pull up those pants!"

Captain Chase forms the 5th into line
(Uppem's hat can be seen just beneath the palm - before being trampled by the entire 5th Company)

 Lieutenant Sutton's hatmen receive a charge- RETREAT!!

Harshit's men safe in the village (complete with burning hut)