Lord Ponsonby's Briefing.

Lord Ponsonby, Commander of His Majesty's Forces in these parts;
also the very Olympian ideal of Manhood.

I thought it might be interesting to chart the course of our little campaign. With that in mind, I'll be putting the game materials, orders, etc up here as well as my own thoughts on how things are going.

For starters the British (the attacker) player's briefing.

From the pen of General James Wolfe in quarters at Rourke’s Landing 7^th of March 1757

To General Lord Ponsonby at his camp at New Loudon

My Lord Ponsonby,

As you are aware our forces have moved sume distance into the country held by the French, but their energies are now spent and we shall have to spend some time in bringing up provender, horses, powder & shot, etc. In our advance we shall have to pass over the Allegheny mountains, no contemptable obstactle. There are several passes through the mountains that may be practicable. Columns are being detached to investigate those passes and see if they may suited to the transit of men and stores.

You are to take those forces under your command and to make best speed for the town of St. Elizabeth directly to the north of New Loudon at the end of Montemerency Pass no later than the 17^th of this month. This pass had not been mapped by any of our officers, so we have but little idea of the country between, through we are advised that the French under General Le Gormand hold it in some strength.

Therefore you are to bring your forces as far up the pass as you may do, observing as you may. It is most important that you send back reports of the route daily and press on as far as possibility defeating those French forces that are present to the best of your capacity. If practicable, you are to take and hold the town of St. Elizabeth, which marks the end of the pass, that it may be used as a base for our advance into French territory.

If St. Elizabeth cannot be taken you are to make detailed sketches of its defences, an appraisal of the French forces present and what forces would be required to take it.

I remain,

General James Wolfe, Officer commanding his Majesty’s forces in the colonies.

Appreciation of the Montemerency Pass by Captain of Rangers, Michael Fitzpatrick.

The Montemerency Pass is a friendly passage through the Allegheny mountains, though exceeding narrow in places. The forest on either side being very thick and impassable to formed troops, though it is hospitable to Indians and Rangers.

It is cut by the Noswego river halfway along its body. The river, being fordable in summer, is viable to swell after sudden showers and care should betaken to pass over it by the grand stone bridge built across it by the French some years past. Some 10 miles beyond the village of Noswego, the saddle of the pass is to be found, where in summer months some Indians, friendly to the French, make their abode in rude huts and similar dwellings. Between the Noswego and the saddle, there is a fine water hole, at which travelers are often found. The pass beyond the saddle becomes more narrow, opening out only at the end, where the town of St. Elizabeth sits on a rise overlooking the exit.

Travellers voyaging through the pass should be aware that the Indian therein are for the most part in the pay of the French and are treacherous beyond the common run.

Player information.

You must:-

1) Break your army up into:

Advance Guard – Should be predominantly Horse or Light Infantry.

Flank Guard – Should be predominantly Horse or Light Infantry.

Main Body

Read Guard – Should be predominantly Horse or Light Infantry.

2) Write orders for each of these bodies and any detachments. They should include.

- instructions for each body.

- Action to be taken on spotting the enemy.

Any body that you are with personally may of course act as you wish, but any body of troops not under your direct command will act in accordance with their orders and the character of their brigadier, until orders arrive to do otherwise.

3) Write any other orders regarding scouting, logistics, spies, bribing local Indians, burning buildings, building bridges, etc.