A Zanzibari expedition

We did a colonial skirmish at the club today!

The Premise was an expedition to capture a fort which has been harassing river traffic by firing a cannon at them.

The fort contained a Zanzibari slaver force, and our forces consisted of a company of Her Majesties 24th foot, supported by some local police, with a small gun.
Ian ran the police, armed with muzzle loading percussion cap rifles.
Lawrence ran a platoon of the 24th, and I ran the other half of the company.
I was given command, and decided to send the police down the riverbank to outflank the fort, while the regulars assaulted the fort directly. Our objective was to capture the cannon.

The Zanzibari cannon covering the river

The clear area in front of the fort. 

 Ian's police entered the table following the river.

I led my platoon down the centre of the wooded area. 

Lawrence moved up on my left in column. 

Alerted, the slavers manned the ramparts, they had a mix of weapons, varying from Percussion rifles to trade muskets. The leaders bodyguard had Schneider rifles.

The police advanced with their gun. 

 The regulars advanced slower, to allow the police time to get into position.

The police got first sight of the fort. Too far for a shot though! 

Lawrence weaved through gaps in the woods. 

 My men began to shake out into line.

 The police began to form line.

 As did Lawrence.

 The Slavers spotted the police and opened fire.

 

 A policeman fell with a minie ball in the chest. 

 A cheer went up from the ramparts! 

 The police began to shoot back.

Their accurate fire wounded two of the enemy riflemen. 

The slavers held their position, and another policeman fell dead.

 The Zanzibaris were winning, and knew it!

 I brought my platoon through the trees to support the police.

Lawrence moved forward on my flank. 

 The police cannon fired canister at the fort.

 One of the fort defenders was blown away.

 I got off a hasty volley from some of my men, but missed!

 Another policeman fell dead.

 We began to get our men shooting together at the fort.

 The Slaver riflemen began to feel our fire. 

 The police moved to take cover on the riverbank, but were still being hit.

 A second unit of rifles had joined in shooting the police.

Our combined fire continued to hit the corner unit of rifles. 

 The riflemen fell back from the rampart in disarray. 

 Lawrences men finally got into position and fired at the front of the fort.

They caused casualties on the musketeers there.

 The Zanzibaris were now taking casualties all along the line. 

 But one of Lawrences men fell dead too. 

 Many of the Zanzibaris had now been forced from the ramparts.

Ian felt confident to continue advancing down the river. 

The corner rifles returned to the ramparts, but Ian and I managed to hit them heavily. 

The survivors fled!

 The remaining slavers tried to hold the wall bravely.

 Lawrences men began to advance on them without orders, despite their officers!

 My men advanced too, firing as we went. 

The regular company began to advance on the fort gate. 

 The advanced half platoon of Lawrences men continued advancing, shooting.

 The musketeers facing them still held on.

 Another redcoat fell to their fire.

 The police formed up with my men. 

 At last, the musketeers facing Lawrences men fled. 

Lawrences men raised a cheer! 

The fort defence depended now on a unit of musketeers covering the gate. The riflemen who had retreated from the rampart stayed down, would they challenge our attack? 

I was at closer range now and my men got a crushing volley in. 

 The remaining gate defenders fled into the fort.

Lawrences men began to clamber up the fort ramparts. 

Victory seemed sure for the Queens men. 

But then! - a sudden volley hit Lawrences men approaching the gate! 

The riflemen had decided to shoot again!  

 Lawrences men held their nerve though...

..and a last volley from Ian, me and Lawrences men scattered the riflemen. 

 With a massed assault on the gate looming...

 

The Slaver chief slipped away with his few remaining men. 

 The Queens forces entered the fort and proceeded to demolish it, the Zanzibari cannon was captured and destroyed, its remains now lie on the river bed!

This was an exciting game!, at a couple of points we were unsure if we would actually win!

The rules used are my own, and can be downloaded from TWC downloads page - we actually used a newer version with improved solo system. This will be available soon online but can be got till the by E-Mailing me at the address on the blog header!