The next entry of the Civil War Diary follows. I cannot write another entry until after I have fought the skirmish battle on the table top, only then will I know the winners and losers. The battle, will I hope, be enjoyable, in a gaming sense of course, as some of the little soldiers already have a name and the beginnings of a character forming. This I think will add just that little bit more interest to the battle report that will be written, along with numerous photographs too. Maybe you already have a favourite character, or perhaps, one you wish to see knocked down a peg or two.
Travelling
Blind
Balk
Wood, South of Pocklington
25th
March 1642. 7:30am
Once
back in the woods, Septimus instructed Captain Hotham to send two
troopers North-West along the York Road. They were to remove helmets
and cover their uniforms with riding cloaks and if possible, travel
alongside the road, rather than upon it. Septimus didn't want to be
caught out by any force which, may at that very moment, be
travelling from York to meet with the royalist convoy from Twiston
Hall.
All the
men had been given a hot breakfast of oats and now stood to at the
fringe of the wood overlooking the road. Captain Watson and a
sergeant had walked along the road, satisfied that they could not see
any of the Foot regiment hidden among the trees and bushes.
Captain
Hotham's regiment, had also eaten and had taken up a position to the
rear of Balk Wood, out of sight of anyone who happened to pass along
the Balk, to or from Pocklington.
The two
captains and Septimus, now stood in a small clear area, to the rear
of the waiting and silent musketeers and pikemen. All weapons had
been loaded, checked and checked again. Each man had, when he stood
to fire, a clear view of the road in front of him.
'Now we
wait.' said Septimus in little more than a whisper. 'Once those
troopers who are watching the convoy return, we can finalise the plan
of attack. If that fool still has not sent scouts ahead or to his
flanks, he is going to be in for a very nasty and costly shock.'
The two
captains mumbled in agreement.
At
that very moment...
One
Mile away, South-East on the York Road.
Sir
Royston was enjoying the fine Spring morning, the sun had broken
through the thinning clouds and was now pleasantly warm on his right
side. He was alone at the head of the column, he should really have
invited the Major of the Horse Regiment, to ride with him, but the
man was nervous bore and he didn't want this wonderful morning
spoiled by that clucking old woman, bleating in his ear about scouts,
pickets and the like. For goodness sake, he thought, we are only on a
four hour journey, which will end with a triumphal entry to York.
What could possibly go wrong?
Balk
Wood. 7:50am
'Riders
approaching sir!'
The
call was quietly and calmly passed down the line of the waiting
soldiers. Coming across the field at a good gallop, were the two
troopers who had been shadowing the convoy.
The two
dust covered and sweating men, reported that the convoy was exactly
as before, no scouts or flankers had been sent out, and that it was
less than a mile away.
'Gentlemen,'
Septimus said to the two waiting commanders. 'We will allow the
mounted men and the wagons to pass unmolested, the men are to stay
hidden. Only when the foot regiment is passing before us on the road,
will the men stand and fire a volley.
Captain
Watson, nodded.
Septimus
turned to Captain Hotham. 'Once you hear that volley, your men will
charge from around the back of the wood, directly at the horse. They
should by this time be in total confusion as to what is happening in
their rear.'
This
time it was Captain Hotham who nodded his understanding.
Septimus
grinned, 'God and surprise are on our side today, let us not waste
it.'
Both
captains smiled back and hurried off to join their regiments.
The
clatter of horses hooves and rumble of iron rimmed wheels could just
be heard approaching along the road...
Very good. I will need to catch up and read the rest now.
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