How the West was lost!

Yesterday (Saturday) - we were without Ian, who was unwell, but this gave us the chance to dust off my old Wild West rules and figures! - they were last out in 2009!

The scenario was a few brave men attempting to save a town from a rampaging force of Apaches in New Mexico, the townsfolk having mostly fled to the hills!

My men, Frenchie, in blue, Chico, my Mexican amigo, and myself, Rickie, set up along a dried river bed and awaited the expected Apache warband.

Gareth, who had chosen a warlike, but not too bright character waited near the Cemetery. 

His sidekicks, the bank manager and a clerk, protected their workplace! 

 Lawrence waited on a rise at the end of the main street, with his sidekicks, Forbes and Mitch. 

 Unseen, the first of the Apaches approached.

 A small mounted contingent joined them.

 Another group headed for the dry river.

 The Apaches approached the town, where Lawrences' men were waiting.

Gareth, failing his Initiative roll, decided to stay at the far end of town! 

 The Bank staff decided to walk down the street towards Lawrence.

 My men got a fleeting view of the Apache cavalry, and stood ready.

 The Apaches began to group for their attack on the town.

One group decided to infiltrate in via the dried river bed. 

 The cavalry, with some foot braves, approached using cover to hide their approach. 

Lawrence, seeing an approaching group, hid from view and allowed the Indians to come closer before opening fire. 

 Joined by the bank staff, Lawrences men let rip! 

 One Apache fell dead with a head shot from Forbes, two others were grazed.

 The Apaches retreated to cover, firing.

 

The band which went back to the hill, were exposed, and 2 were quickly wounded, deciding to withdraw from the battle. 

 Lawrence ordered the bank staff back to town, and continued shooting.

 On my side of town, the Apaches spotted me and opened fire.

Our return fire only wounded a horse, but Frenchie slumped back dead. 

 The Apache cavalry raced forward to outflank my position.

Their supporting troops pushed forward confidently in support.

The cavalry reached the river bed...but I had fallen back to town! 

 Safe, we celebrated our escape!

Gareth had finally got himself moving, and entered the shop next to the one where I was hiding! His sidekicks stayed in a shop doorway across the street. 

 The Apaches facing Lawrence were still trying to hold their ground.

 

Another shot from Forbes killed another Apache!

 The Apaches facing me ignored Frenchie's body and tried to hook round the town. 

Unseen by Lawrence, another group of Apaches were still moving down the riverbed, and threatened to outflank his position. 

 Lawrence finally killed the last Apache on the hill.

Despite Forbes killing another Apache, the other group facing Lawrence were still holding on. 

Fortunately, Lawrences men took no casualties aside from a few grazing hits. 

The bank manager moved forward again to watch the action. 

 Back on my side, the Apaches decided to attack the town.

Gareth decided to go out of the Jailhouse door to face the Apaches alone, he had called the bank manager and the clerk into the cells!

 Unfortunately, the blast from Gareth's scatter-gun went wide, and the Apache cavalry rushed him! 

 The other Apaches with the cavalry moved forward to help...

 ...they didn't need any, Gareth slumped to the ground bleeding heavily from a lance thrust in his left thigh.

As the whooping cavalry moved round the house, their supports saw Lawrences men and shot at them, despite the long range, their shooting was deadly. 

 Forbes was hit in the head and chest, he fell stone dead.

 With the appearance of this force on his flank, Lawrence gathered all the remaining men and high-tailed out of town.

 Chico and I had not interfered when Gareth was killed, as we would have been killed too, so we too decided to leave the town to the Apaches! 

Fortunately- they seemed to be more interested in liquor than chasing us!  

The battle was very tough! - I think the poor sidekicks Gareth and I rolled up didn't help, but next time, we will probably use a few less Apaches!

Enjoyable though!