Expeditions of Sir Robert Dales

Battle Reports, I/12 Ottoman Turks, II/22 Parliamentarian

From 1645 to 1669 Venice and the Ottomans were engaged in the Cretan War. During the war both bolstered their naval forces by hiring armed merchantmen from the Netherlands and England. While much of fighting centred on Crete, fighting spread to the Adriatic where the Ottomans gaining some territory. Yet, Ottoman interests were also vulnerable to attack. This fictional encounter assumes that in addition to armed merchantmen the English have assembled a land expedition, financed by merchant companies and recruited from Civil War veterans.

In the Spring of 1649 Sir Robert Dales’ expedition landed on the coast south of Dubrovnik. Sir Robert then set about “liberating” much of the surrounding area. The forces under command, at least for a private venture, were significant. Some 1,800 foot organised into three regiments each of around 600 men formed the bulk of the English land forces. They were further supplemented by a company of dragoons and a handful of light gunnes. Finally, a single troop of horse, some 75 men, were present. This last acting as a bodyguard for Sir Robert.

Alerted to the advancing Ottomans, comprised of locally raised levies, Sir Robert deployed his army on an open field bordered by steep and rocky hills on his right and and enclosures on his left. In the centre was Edward Meredith’s  regiment of foote and the light gunnes. To Meredith’s left was the regiment of Samuel Wadroy supported by the dragoons. The dragoons were instructed to secure the enclosure at the first opportunity and from there harass any enemy light horse that may attempt to outflank the English left.

The English left & Samuel Wadroy’s Regiment. To the left are the enclosures.

To right of Meredith’s regiment was that of James Barnes. Barnes had fought for Parliament but his regiment in particular comprised a number of veterans that had fought for the King. The English horse, along with Sir Robert, formed to the rear of Meredith’s regiment from where it would be a small reserve.

Opposite, the Ottomans deployed a mix of foot and horse. Quality was mixed as they comprised both local militias, of dubious quality, along with a core of experienced troops including a number of cavalry. The heavy cavalry, some 300 in number, formed in the centre while another 200 light horse assembled on the Ottoman right. A body of 400 Janissaries were placed on the Turkish left while 800 archers, again of varying quality, formed between the light and heavy cavalry. In all the Ottomans numbered 500 horse and 1,200 foot. Unlike the English the Ottoman commander preferred the benefits of a well stocked camp. Therefore to the rear a number of tents, attendants and supplies bolstered the Ottomans morale if not their health.

No sooner had the English began their advance the Ottomans countered. The infantry of the centre began to advance while the light cavalry attempted to envelope the English left. These light cavalry were soon engaged by the English dragoons. However, the Ottoman cavalry lacked resolve. Soon a number were driven off, and played no further part in the battle, while others simply refused to advance.

With little progress by the Ottoman right the focus of the battle shifted to the centre. Here the local levies, many armed with bow, were massed opposite Samuel Wadroy’s regiment. Wadroy’s regiment comprised 600 men of which 400 carried musket. Opposite the enemy had 800 archers.

The Ottoman archers broken up by English fire.

Clearly outnumbered Wadroy risked heavy casualties except for the timely support of a portion of Meredith’s regiment and the light cannon. The Ottomans, their numeric advantage now challenged, struggled to counter the English fire and quickly casualties mounted. Indeed, Wadroy would write in his journal that “Our musketeers went about their duty with deadly resolve inflicting upon the enemy our godly purpose”.

The Ottoman commander, alarmed with increasing casualties determined to reinforce his attack. After an initially hesitant advance by the Ottoman left the Janissaries moved forward with renewed determination.

The Janissaries advance against the English right, itself withdrawn somewhat.

For a time English fire broke up the advance but eventually the anticipated attack was launched. Discharging their muskets at close range the Janissaries pressed forward with musket, sword and pistol hitting John Barnes’ regiment of foote. A portion of the Barne’s regiment was almost immediately shattered. Indeed, only the resolve of Barne’s pikemen held the assault.

Simultaneously the Ottoman heavy cavalry launched their own attack, this time at the regiment of Edward Meredith. Meredith was a veteran of the late unpleasantness where his regiment had fought with determination in Borcetshire for Parliament.

The Ottoman cavalry advance, a mix of Qapukulu & Roumeliot.

Today, it would again face the onslaught of enemy horse, but this time they were armed with lance, scimitar and pistol. The cavalry, banners taught in the wind, made an impressive sight as the charged forward across the field with ferocity. Meredith’s regiment braced for impending impact. Then, as the cavalry neared, unleashing a volley of fire. As the dust and smoke cleared it was clear that Meredith’s regiment had held and the enemy force thrown back. Meredith’s veterans continued to unleash fire on the enemy, limiting their ability to reform.

Meredith’s regiment repels the Ottoman horse.

While Meredith’s regiment had held, the situation on the English right was less clear. A counter-attack was clearly required least the Ottomans regain the initiative. Sir Robert and his attending troop of horse, which formed the English reserve, swung to the right and fell on the Janissaries. Caught by the advancing horse, and assailed by Barnes’ weakened regiment of foot, the Janissaries stood little chance. As the Janissaries fled the enemy left broke. Their losses here, combined with the collapsing Ottoman levies of the right, were simply too great and retreat was infectious. The Ottoman commander, accepting defeat, fell back with his cavalry. His honour, if not his army, intact.

As the game this was a particularly small encounter with only 130 points per side fought using 15mm miniatures. The miniatures were organised into a single command with the Ottomans having some baggage while the English did not. With only one command the Ottoman player struggled at times to exploit the manoeuvrability of his horse. Despite the limited forces the game proved to be a most enjoyable encounter and I hope to use the format again in the near future.

Fawcett Magna – 1644

Battle Reports, English Civil War, II/21 Royalist, II/22 Parliamentarian

The war in Borcetshire was in early 1644 still raging with neither Royalists or Roundheads having gained significant advantage. In an attempt to regain the initiative another raid was conducted by Royalist forces in April 1644. Lord Sutton who was intent on securing the small town of Fawcett Magna, or at least disrupting trade in the area. Alerted to the Royalist field army being on the move Parliamentarian forces under Sir John Palgrave marched south. On the 12th of April, late in the afternoon, the two armies met on the field just north of the town.

By noon Sir John had deployed his forces to block the advancing enemy. His army comprised some 2,400 foote, 900 horse and a handful of light gunnes along with a company of dragoons. Moving rapidly to counter the Royalist raid Sir John had moved south without baggage.

Below, Edward Meredith’s Regiment of Foote during the morning of the 12th. Raised in 1642 for Parliamentarian service, the regiment was originally drawn from the local Borcetshire Trained Bands. By 1644 it was a veteran regiment, with an establishment of some 600 men.

Opposite the Parliamentarians the Royalists deployed. They fielded a similar sized army though with fewer foote and a greater number of horse. Unlike the Parliamentarians they were slowed by a not insignificant baggage train.

The battlefield was bordered on one flank by a series of enclosures. On the Royalist right a small wood constrained the deployment fo some 200 horse. Sir John meanwhile was frustrated by gentle rise in his left rear. He failed to consider its implication when deploying his army. As a result orders sent to Sir Robert Dales, who commanded the Roundhead left, were delayed.

Below, a view of the Parliamentarian centre and left with the enclosures visible in the distance. The horse shown were under Sir John’s direct command and comprised horse willing to charge home retaining their pistols for the resulting melee.

As both armies advanced the Parliamentarians soon pressed the Royalist right and quickly gained an advantage. However, Royalist resolve stiffened and despite being demoralised the Royalists here conducted a series of counterattacks which in turn demoralised the Parliamentarian left.

Above, Royalist horse on the extreme Royalist right. Unable to deploy initially they would need to advance in column before deploying for battle. They were a target for Sir Robert’s horse and dragoons.

Below, a view of the Roundhead left early in the engagement. Parliamentarian forces here, it will be recalled, were commanded by Sir Robert Dales. He was however on the extreme left, just visible in the distance. The Parliamentarian horse in the foreground are harquebusiers. During the battle they would fire their carbines only to be charged by numerically inferior Royalist horse and break. This resulted in a gaping hole in the Roundhead line.

Elsewhere the battle was pursued with less dramatic results. Both Royalist and Roundhead regiments became fragmented in a series of prolonged musket exchanges and were unable to press the small advantages that occurred.

As dusk drew our battle to a conclusion Sir John was forced to face realities. He had suffered significantly greater losses than the Royalists. Reluctantly he ordered his forces to retire. Lord Sutton’s Royalists had gained a minor, if inconclusive, victory.

Our game used the DBR rules and both armies comprised some 300 points. The miniatures are all 15mm with the Parliamentarians from my collection and the Royalists from my opponent’s. The table was relatively small, measuring just 4′ x 3′, but which I find ideal for a smaller games. Despite the battles size it was a great little action. Hopefully we will schedule another game soon.

Atherton – 1642

Battle Reports, English Civil War, II/21 Royalist, II/22 Parliamentarian

The King raised his standard on 22 August 1642 and across the country Royalist and Parliamentarian gathered forces and secured key locations. In the county of Borcetshire things were no different. While more dramatic events were occurring outside the county the armies within began to gather. Many of the troops of the county were drawn from the trained bands but their ranks were swollen by new recruits. By 27th October, just one week after Edgehill, Parliamentarian forces under Sir Alastair Penny moved on Heinsworth Manor, a hotbed of Royalist activity, with the intention of placing the fortified house under siege. Sir Alastair was well studied in the art of war had not served overseas. As such he was to be reliant on his second in command Colonel Robert Dales, a veteran of the wars in Europe. In the upcoming engagement a portion of the Parliamentarian forces would be effectively under Dales command.

Above, Francis Barns’ Regiment of foote. This regiment contained a number of trained band companies and like all the Parliamentarian regiments present at the battle it was well equipped.

But Royalist forces were also in motion under the determined Lord Sutton, the Royalist commander in the county. Sutton had worked tirelessly organising his army and consulting his military manuals. His Lordship had much military service but his memories of campaigns and drills were weakened by years devoted to managing his estates. But in mid October he received the following from His Majesty which left him in little doubt of his duty.

“We conceive that it most conducible to the health of the realm that you take a considerable force to march speedily against those forces to that you may supress them such they would comply with my wishes and once suppressed their hopes and ends would sink and be frustrated”.

Alerted to Roundhead intentions against Sutton moved to confront the gathering forces of Parliament. The two armies met near the village of Little Atherton some two miles from Heinsworth Manor and one miles from the town of Atherton. Here Sutton’s army blocked the road.

Between the two armies the ground was generally open. In the immediate area the ground rose slightly in two places, that on the Parliamentarian left being known as “The Plump”. On the Royalist right a wood defined the western edge of the battlefield while on the right enclosures and an area of marsh, nearer the Parliamentarian lines, marked the Royalist left. Lord Sutton deployed his foote, some 2,400 men in two battalia, on his right and centre. That on his right consisting of a greater number of musketters while that in the centre a higher proportion of pike. He extended his left with his cavalry some 500 in number under command of Sir Edward Wadroy.

To counter this deployment Sir Alastair deployed his own foote, organised in four regiments each of 600 men as follows. On the Parliamentarian left were the regiments Gabriel Holmes and to its immediate right Edward Meredith’s. Reinforcing these regiments were six troops of horse, two of which were gentlemen in full armour including Sir Alastair, and four troops of harquebusiers. In the centre were a number of sakers and interestingly four further troops of harquebuisers. On the right, under command of Colonell Robert Dales were the regiments of Vincent Boyce and Francis Barns. Finally, on the extreme right, Captain Robert Witchcote and a small number of dragoons were placed.

Above the general situation with the Royalists on the left. “The Plump” is visible on the right while the village of Little Atherton is visible in the top right. Below, the view from the Parliamentarian centre showing the regiments of Edward Meredith in the foreground with a portion of Gabriel Holmes extending the left. Roundhead sackers can be seen in the right foreground.

The Royalist advance was rapid, with the foote advancing with clear determination. The battalia on the Royalist right was initially constrained by the nearby woods but as it advanced more musketters extended the line. In the centre the deep ranks of pikemen were soon engaged by Parliamentarian gunnes comprising several sakers. These sakers would cause some discomfort to the Royalists. Soon the pace of advance by the centre battalia slackened. Finally, on the Royalist left the horse under the command of Sir Edward Wadroy moved forward.

Sir Robert Dales, commanding the Parliamentarian right, was confident that the advance of Royalist horse was a feint. While reorganising his line of foote he focussed on advancing his harquebusiers to delay the Royalist centre – which he believed posed a significant threat to the Roundhead centre. The harquebusiers, under command of Major Thomas Wild were soon engaged in an exchange with Royalist musketters and several light drakes. These gunnes lacked range yet caused considerable concern to Wild. Wild’s misgivings were fortunately misplaced and as the harquebusiers gave fire the gunners manning the drakes fled.

Above, a view from the Royalist lines with Royalist infantry advancing while Major Thomas Wild’s harquebusiers prepare to advance.

On the Parliamentarian left the foote regiments of Holmes and Meredith were under pressure from sustained Royalist muskette fire. To lessen the pressure Colonel James Frechwell was ordered to advance his harquebusiers and thus threaten the Royalist right – itself devoid of supporting pike. However, Frechwell was met with determined muskette fire and disengaged.

It was however events on the Royalist left that would define the battle. Determined to press the Roundhead line the somewhat excitable Sir Edward Wadroy ordered a charge on the formed foote regiments of Vincent Boyce and Francis Barns.

Above and below views of the Royalist left as Sir Edward Wadroy prepares to charge. The Parliamentarian foote had advanced in an effort to pin a portion of the Royalist horse and prevent them attacking Roundhead horse moving forward in he centre.

The Royalist horse moved forward rapidly and were met with unprecedented determination. The Royalist horse were dispatched with bloody vengeance. Unable to rally his horse, save a single troop, the Royalist left was unhinged. Below, the shattered Royalist horse.

As the Royalist left broke the horse of Parliamentarian centre under Major Thomas Wild was encouraged. Wild ordered his harquebusiers to charge the Royalist musketters despite them being supported by Lord Sutton and his small mounted bodyguard. Wild’s harquebusiers were thrown back with considerable loss though fortunately their success was not followed up by Sutton who was by now, and rightly so, concerned by his losses.

As dusk neared Lord Sutton ordered the army to retire. Without doubt his foote in the centre had taken heavy casualties. But it was the loss of Sir Edward Wadroy’s horse that was the most tragic blow for Royalist cause in Borcetshire. Sutton was in need of reinforcements if he was to supress these rebels.

The above was a brief report of our most recent encounter set in the fictional county of Borcetshire and involved three players. The encounter was in part a refresher for two local opponents. The Parliamentarians are from my collection while the Royalists from Robin’s. The armies, all 15mm miniatures, comprised some 300 points while the table measured 4′ x 3′.

Cromwell’s Adventures

Armies, Battle Reports, I/12 Ottoman Turks, II/23 New Model

In part to rectify the lack of posts here of late a few photos of Friday evening’s game seemed in order. This game found the Ottoman Turks engaged against an English expedition dispatched by the Lord Protector in 1654. There is little historical basis for this engagement except in the same year hired English and Dutch ships were assisting the Venetians against the Turks in the Cretan Wars including the Battle of the Dardanelles in May 1654. I will use this as the historical basis for the deployment of land forces, be it admittedly tenuous.

As to the miniatures my opponent fielded his recently painted 15mm Ottoman Turks. Above, infantry of the Turkish left. While below, the Ottoman centre and right. The cavalry on the Turkish right were a mixed bag comprising both regular and feudal cavalry.

In contrast to the new recruits of the Ottomans the miniatures of the New Model army were painted 35+ years ago. While veterans they haven’t been on the table for many years. Now to the battleâ€Ķ

The English foot regiments deployed in the centre and right with cavalry to the right rear initially. Extending to the more open left flank were more New Model horse, these supported by commanded shot. Below, the New Model right. The English plan being to advance in echelon on the right delaying the engagement of the left as much as possible.

On the extreme English right the English fleet caused considerable disorder amongst the Ottoman light horse, but less on the Turkish heavy cavalry.

Yet for all the manoeuvre the battle could only be decided with determined charges, of which there were many. On the English left Ottoman light horse poured around the flank, though not shown, to be mostly thrown back.

Below, the New Model foot advance. Periodically their advance was paused by the fire from the great Turkish guns to their front.

On the English right the New Model musketeers decimated the Turkish foot opposite. However, the swirling mounted melee here was more even and hung in the balance.

Above, the cavalry of the English right are engaged by the Ottoman Qapukulu. Below, the English gain some initial advantage.

The fighting now surges back and forth with first the Ottoman commander and then the English commander reinforcing the melee.

However, despite great determination by both commanders as dusk fell the battle was still undecided. Yet it was a most enjoyable engagement and an ideal opportunity for my opponent to refresh himself with the rules.