Sneaking Away

Our Sharp Practice campaign set in Missouri 1861 continues.

Word has reached Col Sanders of the New Colchester Volunteers that his brave exploring officer, Mr A. Sneak, has been apprehended by local Unionist sympathisers at Hog Farm. He is being held under guard by a detachment of the Little Framlingham Militia commanded by Lt MacDuff.

Col Sanders immediately calls his men to arms. He despatches his 2iC, Maj Bill Payer, to free Mr. Sneak. Bill Payer is supported by Lt Chester Drawers’ skirmishers and Frenchie Simmons’ ruffians, cowboys and ne’er-do-wells.

As Maj Bill Payer’s men engage MacDuff’s guards at the farm, Capt Hans Holding’s Union skirmishers arrive to engage the Confederates. Frenchie Simmons leads his ruffians forward in the hope of sweeping Holding’s men away. Unfortunately Frenchie and his men may have had too much to drink in the tavern the night before. Their fire is erratic and their charge half-hearted. Frenchie is wounded and his men reel back from the shock of the Union fire.

The action at the farm heats up and in the furious fire fight that ensues MacDuff is seriously wounded. His men dive for cover and then when it becomes too much for them they flee the farm.

The Confederates advance to occupy the grounds of the farm with Lt Chester Drawers leading his skirmishers around the back to find Mr Sneak.

Fortunately for the Confederates Mr Sneak was not harmed in the fire fight. Lt Chester Drawers begins to escort him back to safety as Maj Bill Payers’ men take up firing positions to hold off increasing numbers of the Little Framlingham Union Militia who are appearing on the scene.

Wounded, and his men still reeling with shock, Frenchie withdraws to lead the way for Chester Drawers to take Mr Sneak to safety.

As the fight at Hog Farm is taking place, Col Sanders leads three companies of the New Colchester Volunteers to take up a blocking position and hold off the Union troops that are now advancing in large numbers.

Sanders’ men open fire at long range on the Union reinforcements causing them to turn away from their attempt to intercept Mr Sneak’s escape to face the threat to their flank.

At this point things are looking good for the Confederates but more Union troops are arriving. Under the command of Col Howdens Kitchen, seven companies of the Little Framlingham Militia and Missouri Volunteer Infantry move into firing positions to deliver volley after volley against Col Sanders’ three companies.

Encouraged by the brave leadership of Col Sanders, the Confederates hold their position to give time for Mr Sneak to be escorted to safety. Eventually the Union fire becomes too much and then first one company and then another is driven back with heavy casualties.

At this point it seems as if the Confederate morale might break. Then Maj Bill Payer comes to the rescue. HIs men advance from the farm and give a withering fire which wipes out the unit of Union skirmishers opposing them.

Maj Payer’s skirmishers, led by Lt Dan Daniels, move in on the Union flank, wounding and knocking out Capt Hans Holding.

Although Col Sanders men have been forced back with heavy casualties they have given just enough time for Mr Sneak to be escorted to safety.

It was an incredibly exciting game with the result in the balance until the very end. At one point it looked like the Confederates would romp to victory. Then the Union reinforcements turned the tide and were a hair’s breath away from breaking the Confederates but Col Sander’s men held on just long enough to get their spy back to safety and claim victory.

Frenchie is now soundly ensconced in his favourite tavern with the delightful ladies of the establishment tending to his wounds. Here he has dictated this true and accurate account of the Battle of Hog Farm to Edward D. Malone of the New Colchester Gazette.