Fyvie – 28-30 October 1644 – Battle report

[paulr]

In late October 1644 Montrose was surprised by Argyll near Fyvie Castle. His much-diminished army would not survive a pitched battle. So, he chose to make a stand in the broken ground above and to the east of the Castle. Argyll made probing attacks over the next three days. Historically these were each thwarted by Montrose. Argyll, at last pulled back sufficiently to allow Montrose to escape to the east.

To simulate this complex three day battle the table was divided into three sectors and fought in three phases.

Argyll's first attack came in the center sector. He attacked with his best Pike & Shot units. Montrose's Commanded Shot and Pike & Shot defended the hedge line on the top of Broom Hill. Montrose's two remaining units of Commanded Shot covered the two flank sectors but would see no fighting today.


 
The sun was settling in the west when Argyll's force had climbed Broom Hill. After heavy fighting the unit of Pike & Shot on Montrose's left was broken as night fell. In the darkness Argyll's force withdrew back down the hill unable to capitalise on their success.



The next day Argyll decided to renew his attack on Montrose's centre, trying to break through to Montrose's camp beyond the steep slope behind Broom Hill. Montrose had been able to bring one of his veteran Commanded Shot units in from the left flank and replace them with his small unit of horse that had returned from foraging. He felt Argyll was unlikely to attack this flank due to the swamp and marsh hindering the approach.



Once again it was late in the day before as Argyll's attack made contact. This time after heavy fighting the Royalists gained the upper hand on their right breaking a unit of Pike & Shot. As their Pike & Shot unit manoeuvred to attack Argyll's flank his centre unit broke under the weight of fire from the Commanded Shot to their front. Darkness fell before the Royalists could capitalise on their success.



Montrose's spies warned him that Argyll was going to attack one of the flanks, but which one? (The scenario required Argyll to attack in at least two of the three sectors.) Montrose deployed his main strength, a unit of Commanded Shot and a unit of Pike & Shot, on his right and two units of Commanded Shot on his left. His small unit of horse screened his center from atop Broom Hill.

Much to Montrose's surprise Argyll chose to attack through the swamp and marsh on his left.


 
After the heavy losses yesterday Argyll was forced to commit one of his untried units of the Argyllshire Levies to support his only remaining veteran unit. The Levies ran into a veteran unit of Commanded Shot in the woods. Fortunately for the Levies they had seen two days of hard fighting and were low on ammunition.



To the surprise of all the Levies gained the upper hand and confusion meant that the veterans were unable to disengage by withdrawing into the woods. (Drawing two ones ended their turn.) As night fell the Levies discarded their pikes as they entered the wood and pressed home their advantage breaking the veteran Commanded Shot.

Both sides had surrendered six Victory Medals and Argyll had not captured Montrose's camp so the game ended in a fascinating and exciting draw.

[paulr]

Many thanks to d_Guy for an intriguing and entertaining scenario. Despite the small forces engaged in each phase it presented the four players with many difficult decisions and several moments of high drama   

Thanks to Pierre the Shy and the other two players for a very enjoyable game 

[Techno 3]

 

[fred.]

Good looking game, I assume FKaP?

[pierre the shy]

Yes Fred we used FK&P for this game too

Last test game of our Montrose scenarioes......

[Ithoriel]

Lovely to see what the map looks like translated onto the table top!

Sounds like an excellent game.

No surprise to me at all that the scenario works so well to give a balanced game. I'm guessing the slightest of changes to combat outcomes would have had a major impact on the final score.

[mollinary]

Great to see what you guys have done with FK&P on the Celtic Fringe - Brilliant! 

[paulr]

Lovely to see what the map looks like translated onto the table top!

Sounds like an excellent game.

No surprise to me at all that the scenario works so well to give a balanced game. I'm guessing the slightest of changes to combat outcomes would have had a major impact on the final score.

Thanks Mike

For example, if the veteran Commanded Shot had managed to disengage into the wood they would have survived until nightfall. That would have meant a Royalist Tactical victory and a Major loss for the Covenanters...

[Norm]

Nice to see so much play come from small forces, a good scenario for new collectors to aim for.

[d_Guy]

Good write-up, loved the pics.   

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Great reporrs