7th Cavalry: A Troop in trouble- F Troop relieved. A Plains Wars Solo Game

 Being in Lockdown, I dragged out some figures that I've had for years and haven't used! Some very nicely painted Plains Wars in 28mm. 

A Troop did get in Trouble....F Troop was relieved..not as in 'hold until relieved' but relieved in the sense that they didn't have to fight!

Now the following incident is not really about F Troop ( A Troop really gets it) but how could I play a Plains Wars game without a reference to the show? Anyway,  most of the humour is from the show- so I won't take any credit! So with apologies to the writers and cast of the old show...........

A TYPICAL DAY AT FORT COURAGE:

A wagon train was to be escorted by the brave boys of F Troop. 

Inside Fort Courage, the Boys in Blue were told: 

'An easy job, boys,' says Captain Parmenter , ' You'll be back before sundown!'

A TROOP - on the march because F Troop was lost.

The men grumbled under their breath. The Captain might think he's the man who keeps the peace....but all the men know that the local Indians - the Hekawi tribe- call him 'The Great White Pigeon'.

SGT O'Rourke preps CPL Agarn.
"Now Listen Corporal, let's just keep it calm.  The Hekawi are giving us plenty of souvenirs to sell to the tourists. There's a wagon train heading out. "

"Sure Sarge. But I've been ill. I can't go out with the wagon train.'

'You'll be fine. Take Trooper Vanderbilt with half the Troop. He will be lookout.'  The weary Corporal shrugged. Vanderbilt can't see a thing without his glasses.  Even with them, he can't see.

Sgt O'Rourke then turns to Trooper Dobbs. " Bugler, sound Reveille."
Dobbs nods, and playing the only call he knows, 'Yankee Doodle' the men begin to assemble, muttering and grumbling.

Trooper Duffy stops in front of the Sergeant and Corporal.
"Permission to be excused Sarge!'
"Why?'"
"The injury I got at the Alamo is playing up."
O'Rourke just rolls his eyes. "You're going!"
Duffy sighs and shuffles off slowly, limping to his horse.

In record time, two days, F Troop is combat ready to escort the Settlers across the prairie. However, heading off in the wrong direction, they get lost. 

By the time they came back, it didn't matter really- A Troop had been sent instead.

 The following is a report compiled by the survivors of A Troop.

 The Wopitupas were violent and warlike...........F Troop breathed a sigh of relief.

A Troop: "Column of Twos- Forward Ho!" ( The vinyl battle mat had a bit too much shine!)

The wagon train

The Braves watch A Troop and the settler wagons.

The Village- warriors pour out to 'count coup' against the Blue Soldiers of A Troop.

War Party closing in on the rear of the Blue Column

Peeling off ...

Dismount!!! Half the Troop dismounted- the other half continued
( sorry the vinyl mat makes it look like they are in water.)

Aimed fire! Warriors taking casualties.

Circle the wagons!

Another War Party!

The mounted half moves toward another war party- or the safety of the wagons?

Another War Party!! Catching Half of A Troop in enfilade.

Settlers adding their firepower to that of A Troop.

The settlers still firing as the Braves focus on A Troop.

The last survivors of A Troop - caught out in the open.

Uh-oh...this wasn't supposed to happen!

Neither was this......

The Braves closing in. Not looking good for the few boys of A Troop.

The Wagon train makes a getaway as the Wopitupas focus on A Troop.

Poor A Troop....but the Heroes of F Troop are still around to bumble for another day!

I used The Men Who Would Be Kings with the Plains Wars amendments. 

To simulate 'Fog of War' and add a bit of unpredictability I used a system of cards with the Orders on the rear- and select them at random for BOTH sides.  In this game it provided some interesting moments.  The first was when half of A Troop had to dismount. ( I had four 'move' cards and 1 'dismount' shuffled and had to chose from- selected unseen- the 'dismount' card was flipped.  The Braves got aggressive with the 'Attack' Cards showing up several times in row  for different groups rather than the more common 'Evade' , 'Fire' or 'Skirmish' cards- and the Indians closed in! 

With cards for both side, I use a bit of common sense, to avoid  a card being drawn that is not relevant, I select 5 cards that could be a reasonable course of action, shuffle them and pick one.  For the opening turn that could mean 3 move cards, 1 dismount card,  1 and a 'stand to' card for example.  If it is Free Action, no problem, if not the usual activation rolls etc apply. 
In this game war parties close to A Troop were given 1 charge, 1 Evade, 2 Skirmish and 1 fire.  The Charge card came out a lot ( 4 times in 7 selections) ...defying probability..hence the demise of A Troop!

By allowing the cards to run both sides, it can be amusing to watch the Cavalry dismount...and then remount...and then dismount...and finally fire....I just put it down to an inexperienced nervous commander,  but then the Indians 'evade'...and move away. Frustrating, but entertaining!