Didz's American game blog.

[Didz]

1799 Summer: What the hell are the French doing?

For several months now reports have been filtering in of a French army commanded by General Franck Delancy marching northwards through Cherokee Territory. It slow and tortuious progress has been monitored periodically to see if it posed any threat. There were various theories about what its goals might be, including the possibility that it might make a raid into Georgia, or swing west and try to retake Upper Louisiana. There was even possibility that it might be planning to try and seize one of the Cherokee's territories.

What was not expected was what actually happened.

For in the summer of 1799, Delancy's French troops reached the northern border of Cherokee territory and marched boldly north onto Iroquios land. Whether the French were lost, or were betrayed by the Iroquios remains a mystery, but whatever the reason they were immediately set upon by a large Iroquios Warband and routed retreating rapidly south in disorder.

This event was a source of speculation in itself, but far more interesting was the fact the the large Iroquis warband which had marched south to meet and defeat them had been the same forced that up till then had been blocking the path from Fort Hoo to the Iroquios main settlement at Niagra.

Suddenly, thanks to the French, the road was clear for General 'Jack' Cowell and his army of indian fighters to make a direct and decisive march and seize the entire territory.

1799 Winter: The Battle of Niagra

After a rapid but uneventful march Cowell's army arrived at the main Iroquios settlement of Naigra. Most of the warriors had left weeks before and were chasing the French further south and the settlement was now defended by Chief Menawa and 3,390 men and 6 rather old cannon. Cowell had 5,385 men (including 2,445 horse, 2,400 Foot and 36 guns.)

The battle opened with Cowell moving his army forward to deploy on a low ridge overlooking the indian settlement. He deployed his the seven regiments of dragoons on the left of his army supported by two batteries of horse artillery, whilst his three regiments of militia deployed in the centre protecting the four batteries of howitzers delpoyed to their rear, The two detachments of scouts were sent forward and deployed their anti-cavalry stakes halfway down the slope of the ridge to prevent he indian lancers charging the militia line directly. Whilst the armies right flank was guarded by a single regiment of militia cavalry.

The Iroquios were content to watch the deployment of Cowells army and wait for it to come within range of their guns, which were deployed in redoubt tom the south of the settlement. As soon as these guns opened fire two parties of lancers emerged from the settlement and made their way rapidly towards the left and right flanks of Cowell's line.


[The 12th and 14th Dragoons dealing with the Iroquios lancers.]

On the left Cowell ordered the 12th and 14th Dragoons to intercept the incoming lancers which they did most successfully, cutting most of them down and drive the rest off in panic.


[The 29th Provincial Cavalry charge the Iroquios Lancers.]

On the right the Iroquios Lancers came under fire from the long rifles of the scouts and had to make a wide detour to avoid their fire. When they finally regrouped and approached the American right flank they were met by a charge from the 29th Provincial Cavalry. Although, not being sure of the militiamens fighting ability Cowell also moved one of the militia infantry regiments to screen the right flank of his gun line and ordered two regiments of dragoon to move to the right in support. As it happens his concerns were unfounded and the 29th succeeded in routing the lancers just as the dragoons arrive to assist.


[The Iroquios guns are silenced]

In the centre little had changed the Iroquios were managing to inflict a few casualties on the dragoons with their guns, whilst the howitzers and horse artillery on the ridge pounded away at the redoubt until the last gun was silenced.


[Cowells forward scouts fire and retire before the indian attack]

As soon as their guns were silenced the remaining indian's in the settlement surged forward and up the slope fo the ridge towards the American centre. The two detachments of scouts defending the picket line fired and then retired behind the militia infantry. Most of them never reached the militia. Blasted by shell fire and shredded by cannister from the horse artillery and musketry from the militia most broke and fled.

One determined group tried to charge the Horse Artillery positions and was in turn charged by the 13th Dragoons.


[The charge of the 13th Dragoons]

And a small group armed with muskets caused problems for the right flank of the militia until the scouts with their long rifles were brought forward to deal with them.

Cowell lost 720 men out of a force of 5,385, the indian force of 3,390 was wiped out, and America secured the territory.