The Battle of Timerton part 5 - The end game

It has come to my attention (AKA Mrs E asked a question) that in the photos from previous posts,  I had not placed all those units which were disorganised in the approved zig-zag formation to mark their disorganised state. This was entirely due to the fact that I forgot and my opponent (that's me folks) didn't remind me of the omission. I knew which units were disorganised but as they were not anywhere close to being in contact with the enemy I neglected to take the time to show disorder. It's because I'm lazy! The offending units are those who are moving while straddling a linear obstacle (stream or hedge etc). I have now corrected this heinous oversight! With that out of the way it's back to the action.

We pick up the situation as turn 4 is commencing which means that 24 minutes have elapsed since things kicked off.  The time is now 6.00am and the sun has risen.  It is finally daylight but a light rain continues to fall.

From The letters of Sir Robert Snell (Royalist general)

'As the the light grew I was able to discern that portion of the Rebel's deployment which was facing my centre and left wing but my view of our right was blocked by the hedges around the Timerton enclosures.  It were not until a messenger was received from that same portion of the field that I was alerted to the death of the gallant Colonel Pargetter and the effect of the same upon our fortunes.  I at once attempted to gain a view of what transpired upon that wing but without avail.  I could only trust that my dispositions would be proven to be sound and that the righteous would prevail.'

The 'True Relation' seems to confirm this part of the field was involved in significant fighting. 

'T'was the death of Colonel P which much disheartened the Cavaliers on that part of the field.  Ere a replacement for him could step forward two squadrons of their horse were seen fleeing the field with cries of 'Woe unto us we are undone' and 'Fly, fly save yourselves all is lost' and suchlike sentiments.  Yet not all were settled to Parliament's advantage, some of the Cavalier party fought on and still pushed forward.  Indeed much of that army was not yet engaged in fighting.  This was particularly so on the other side of the river and matters yet hung in the balance all across the field.'

Royalist Horse are in flight on their right

The fight to control the enclosures starts with a bang

From the True Relation once more

"Certain Battalia of Foote being untried and unlearned in the ways of Martial Prowess formed a defensive pike stand against horse long ere it were needful to do so.  It took the presence of their General to disavow them of the need to take such overly prudent action.  More seasoned men might have attempted a volley afore forming so."

Raw infantry forms a pike stand at first sight of cavalry

Sir Robert Snell wrote

"Upon our right wing matters were not as well as I should have desired. Though our men attacked with vigour they were repulsed with great loss of men and horses.  In extricating themselves from the fight [name] passed through their supports disordering their ranks which did them much disservice as they were close followed by the Roundhead horse galloping onwards in pursuit which crashed into them as they sought to recover their order forcing them to retire.  They did at least give a charge from their pistols which did give some pause to the Rebels."

From The True relation

"Things were proceeding very well upon Parliament's left wing with the King's cavalry there forced to give ground.   Matters stood at a lesser state upon their left where events were reversed with the Royalists' advancing with great success and Parliament retiring where they were not rather in full panic flight.  Only in the centre of the field were matters still unresolved, for the first exchange of musket shot had so discomforted both parties concerned that both battalia engaged gave up their positions and fled, a thing much commented upon as showing the lack of true discipline and fighting mettle of both parties."

Captain Deanswood commented on the same incident

"Though the first Roundhead attempt to dislodge our Foote from the enclosures was driven off with great resolve yet a second Battalia came upon us to take their place.  They gave a great volley in the Swedish style and came on at point of pike until at last it came to the press.  For a moment or two both sides strained manfully to gain some advantage.  Then as if by consent of all engaged,  the lines gave some little ground such that some thirty of so paces separated us.  Now without any attempt to return to the fray both sides did'st ignominiously turn their faces from the other and fly from that ground.  I of course remonstrated with my men but nought could I say to change their intent to be rid of that place of death."

Both sides having taken casualties failed the post melee reaction tests.  This was due to low starting CE scores and the further reduction in CE from the melee combat.

Again the 'True Relation' shows the fierceness of the engagement 

The Royalist right wing fell more and more into despair and disarray and it were only by the quick wits of two battalia of their foote, who drew close to provide succour to the discomforted horse, that a small measure of respite was granted to them.  Parliament's horse durst not close to engage this foote in melee as the were tight ensconced in solid stands of pikes sheltering their shotte.  Despite this Dunne's Horse didst give fire from their pistols to some effect whilst only a small portion of the Wooley's Foote could return their fire.  Thus they continued for a pretty space of time until Parliament brought foote of their own to contest the ground whereupon the malignants moved away.

Sir Robert Snell describes matters at around 6.30am

It was now that I saw that the fight upon our right was lost yet our men still fought on giving ground only as necessitated by the pressure of the onrushing Rebel horse.  Yet still I had hope that matters might yet be settled in our favour upon my left where our horse swept all before it.

The 'True Relation' broadly agrees with this opinion 

"All was going awry for the King's party upon their right yet the parliament men could not break in upon the two embatteled Battalia of Foot who stood their ground.  Yet that mattered little for the rest of the field was yet to be settled.  Parliament had forced the first line of hedges separating Timerton enclosures from the moor beyond and was seen to be going forward at point of pike there.  A Royalist body of foot were holding within the village fighting as I am told from garden to garden.  The right of the Parliament line was in worse state with two or mayhap three squadrons of horse in full flight.  Yet in the midst of this Perk's Horse were put to flight in unexpected fashion despite considering themselves the best mounted, armed and armoured horse of the King's array."

Sir Robert calls it a day

"Matters continued in much the same way until the rain which had been falling in a steady drizzle turned heavy, this being betwixt six and seven of the clock.  My men could no longer maintain their fire upon the enemy who being made up of larger bodies of foote than our own had the advantage where matters came to push of pike.  With my right in tatters and my left victorious but not yet able to support my centre and as I conceived it being not like to do so for a space of time exceeding that which my foot could hold their ground I gave signal to withdraw.

I believe my duty to have been well fulfilled with the Rebels prevented from advancing further that day and so unable to interfere Prince Rupert's intentions in the Midlands." 

Light rain causes a reduction in shooting factors of minus one but heavy rain increases this to minus two.  There is no such reduction for melee combat and larger units can more easily soak up hits before their CE is reduced. 

The Royalist left made progress but too late

Things are not great in the centre either

The Royalist right wing collapses

The True Relation describes the end of the fighting

"As the day wore on it the early rain turned heavier and the wind moved more Westerly lashing the faces of the Parliament men.  It was beset by these conditions that Elliot's Foote forced passage of Timerton Bridge causing the Royalist blue coated foot facing them to retire.  At about this time upon some signal, I know not what this may have been, the Royalists commenced to withdraw from the place of battle.  Cold, wet and exhausted as they were no amount of encouragement could persuade the Parliament men to give chase and the King's forces slipped away to the West."

The letters show What General Snell thought about the causes of his defeat

"I had determined to combine certain understrength battalia to bring them closer in size to the enemy.  Yet upon seeing the ground upon which they were to fight I did doubt myself and allowed them to revert to their component parts, the better to advance through the enclosures.  This I perceive to have been a grievous error for it reduced their ability to engage an enemy battalia in musketry on terms of parity.  The heavy rain late in the fight did also conspire against these smaller battalia as it did render muskets near useless and allowed the Rebel Foote to close to hand combat without undue loss.  By such means they cleared the first of the enclosures.  If bodies of commanded shotte had'st been placed amongst our horse in the Swedish fashion I believe that our left had some better chance of holding that ground yet I do not berate myself for such lack as there were no such shotte to be had without stripping them from other parts of the field."

The True Relation places these words in the mouth of the victorious Parliamentarian commander

"We had fought two battles, at it seemed to me, upon the two separate banks of the river and by the grace of God concluded both to our satisfaction.  and yet there were still time to repair to my coach and break my fast, which I did with some great relish over a dish of coddled eggs.  I am not aware of any other such battel in these times with two victories gained afore breakfast."

Lessons learned

There is a reason most large battles were fought in open fields! Manoeuvring over the ground was difficult and some rules to allow players to shift the random terrain drops are needed.  A few final minor tweaks are needed where cases that arose are not covered in the rules.  Plus a couple of extra rules concepts arose.  Nervous units should not be allowed rapid advance and fleeing units allowed double distance moves but loose a CE level each turn they do so.  Although I didn't use them in this game the optional ammunition supply rules need to be simplified.  There are a final handful of procedural points to clarify but so far as I am concerned the rules are working and in their final form.

Perhaps it is right that the final word on Timerton fight should be from a fragment describing the thoughts of an unknown infantry soldier.

"......never fought in a battle afore this and hope never to do so again after.  I have no words fit for your ears to describe the sights, sounds or smells of dead and dying men and horses and pray the Lord God that you need never know the same."