Save the Guns!

New Colchester Gazette January 6, 1862.

Today the good citizens of New Colchester rejoice. A convoy of guns and ammunition has arrived safely in the town defying an attempt by the Yankees to capture it.

Edward D. Malone reporting, photography by Mr Jay Cloth.

Colonel Sanders, Commanding Officer of the New Colchester Volunteers (NCV), has obtained a section of 6 pounder guns and ammunition. Having been commissioned into the Light Artillery in the War of 1812 this pleases him no end. All he has to do is escort the convoy through a small region of disputed territory to reach the safety of the Confederate lines at New Colchester. What could possibly go wrong?

Maj McKeen of the Union Little Framlingham Militia (LFM) has had word of the convoy and marches to intercept it. Lt Morris Minor’s skirmishers are first on the scene, advancing through some woods on the Confederate left flank.

Moving into the woods to meet them, Lt Chester Drawers’ Confederate skirmishers drive the Unionists back. Maj Des Aster’s New Martlesham Minutemen are coming up in support and begin to open fire.

Edward D. Malone and photographer Jay Cloth, of the New Colchester Gazette, are on hand to capture the moment the Yankees run in terror from the brave New Colchester boys.

Chester Drawers’ men are eventually forced to withdraw from the woods. More NCV skirmishers come up to help hold the flank and give time for the convoy to pass by this dangerous spot.

The convoy, however, is moving agonisingly slowly. Perhaps distracted by the fight in the woods, Col Sanders’s column grinds to a halt, holding up the convoy behind.

More and more Union troops arrive on the field. Maj McKeen’s LFM begin to pour devastating fire into the flank of Col Sanders’ column.

Hearing the gunfire, Frenchie Simmons marshals his ruffians and leads them out from New Colchester to help bring the convoy safely home.

Frenchie is supported by Capt Ider Down’s two companies of the NCV.

Advancing through woods on the Union left flank, Frenchie’s and Down’s men wreck havoc on the Little Framlingham Militia. Capt Bob Float is wounded and his skirmishers are driven back with heavy casualties. The flanking fire also shocks Maj McKeen’s men.

This buys time for Col Sanders to finally shake his column into line to face the threat and clear the road for the convoy to pass. His men however are reeling with shock and have taken significant casualties. Another volley from Maj McKeen’s LFM sends several companies reeling back.

With the Confederate centre near breaking point, Maj Des Aster’s New Martlesham Minutemen have reached the edge of the woods with only the Confederate artillery crewmen between them and the prize convoy. Seizing the moment, young Lt Sanders takes command of E Company of the NCV and swings them around to meet the impending attack.

When it comes to fisticuffs E Company is all but wiped out and Lt Sanders is wounded.

Lt Sanders’ gallant intervention buys just enough time for the Confederate artillery convoy to make its escape and reach the safety of New Colchester.

Once again the New Colchester Gazette's indefatigable reporters Malone and Cloth are at the scene to record the moment the convoy escapes the Union clutches.

This was the 6^th encounter in our ongoing Missouri Border Wars campaign using Sharp Practice rules. I have become a great fan of these rules and they gave an exciting game that swung back and forth. Initially it looked as if the Union would win, largely down to the fact that for several turns Col Sanders and Frenchie’s cards were not drawn. This left the convoy and Col Sanders’ lead column stranded. When their cards finally came up they were able to save the day by the skin of their teeth.

Noted in dispatches are Lt Sanders on the Confederate side for his valiant effort which allowed the convoy to escape. On the Union side — Maj Des Aster who cleared the woods and led a gallant charge that very nearly succeeded in capturing the convoy. Frenchie Simmons is in discussion with reporter Edward D. Malone about a potential series of pulp novels recounting his fabulous exploits.