Engagement at Bay Settlement

Following his victory at Belknap’s blockhouse, Maj Dennis is leading his men to the safety of British-held Michigan. They are encumbered by American prisoners and a number of wounded men.

This is the fourth game in our Sharp Practice War of 1812 campaign.

The Americans, led by Capt Wool, have occupied Bay Settlement blocking the British route to the safety of Frenchtown. Maj Dennis decides to launch a surprise dawn attack to fight his way through and around the enemy-held settlement.

The British decide to tie their prisoners to trees and leave them to their fate.

Majors Dennis and Hatt lead the Canadian volunteers around the right of Bay Settlement with the intent of breaking out to the north to reach the safety of Frenchtown.

The British and Canadian light infantry, supported by Assiginiak’s Odawa, form a screen to keep the Americans at bay. Taking the full force of concentrated American fire they begin to take heavy casualties. Several of the British units break and Assiginiak is badly wounded.

With fire coming from two sides the British screen is all but obliterated. The American fire is so furious that a pall of smoke hangs over the battlefield restricting visibility.

The Kentucky Mounted Rifles now advance at the gallop to cut off Maj Dennis' escape to Frenchtown.

They are met with a withering fire from Hatt’s Volunteers.

Undeterred, the Kentuckians charge Hatt’s Volunteers only to be driven back with significant casualties.

Despite this set-back the Americans now have the upper hand. Their fire has driven off the British screen and they are closing in on the Canadian volunteers. In his enthusiasm Capt Ogilvie steps in front of the 6^th US Infantry to lead them forward. Unfortunately not all his men cease fire and he is hit in the backside by his own troops!

Having marched at the double from the other end of the field, Lt Sander’s Light Artillery skirmishers let loose a devastating volley on the flank of Major Hatt’s Volunteers.

Major Hatt is killed as his volunteers take fire from both the Light Artillery and Capt Wool’s 13^th US Infantry. With their gallant leader gone, Hatt’s Volunteers turn back and head for the safety of the forest.

Major Dennis succeeds in getting two companies of the York Volunteers to break out to the north and the safety of Frenchtown. British and Indian casualties have been high and the other survivors  make their way, as best they can, south to the Odawa village.

The Americans are victorious. They free the prisoners and begin preparations to follow-up and attack the Odawa village. This will be our next game.