The Griswold Massacre

Introduction to the Sikamuki Campaign
The Grayrockian sea captain was mad, or so said the court. Yet King Henrik of Bluderia listened to his tales intently. The ancient mariner told of a vast land across the sea to the west. Peopled by savages, yet it was a land of great wealth and splendor. With a determined band of adventurers one could win great wealth.

Shortly thereafter, Captain Hareld Havinger found himself in command of a three-ship flotilla, bound for the legendary western continent. After months of harsh conditions, his command landed upon the shores of "New Bluderia" (the natives called this island Sikamuki). Alas, the natives did not welcome the Bluderians, and skirmishes erupted.

As a result, Havinger sent a party under the command of Lt. Griswold to reconnoiter.

Griswold's Expedition
Lt. Griswold embarked with a band of riflemen, 3 platoons of regular infantry, and a small cannon.

Griswold's party (bottom left) advanced along a native path while various tribesmen gathered.

A band of native spearmen attack the Bluderian column. Massed firepower wipes them out.

Native skirmishers strike. Griswold sends in his best troops with a bayonet charge. Alas, the natives just melted into the forest and sniped at the infantry with their bows.

First platoon took serious casualties.

Meanwhile, the riflemen advanced to a river crossing where they got ambushed.

They didn't last long. Neither did Third Platoon.

Griswold withdrew to a large clearing and got his artillery into action. It temporarily halted the native advance.

Temporarily. The natives used their woodcraft to approach closer and snipe at Griswold's command. Casualties mounted.

First Platoon fell.

Then Second Platoon.

The natives surrounded Griswold and the gun, then rushed in for the kill.

That night, there was a great feast at the native village. Griswold's severed head was the "guest of honor." Meanwhile, a lone survivor, who was wounded and left for dead, made it back to Havinger's camp, bringing the dreadful news.

Notes

•  I have started a new campaign. This time it is a colonial campaign, loosely based on the conquest of the New World. There is a continent to the west of Francesia that has attracted the attention of the Bluderians.
• It is not looking well for Bluderia - they are now 0-1 in the campaign.
• For this battle, the Bluderians were restricted to the path while the natives could move through the forest. This allowed them to flank the invaders, with devastating effect.
• This was the first outing for my new block artillery and leader. The artillery features a stylized cannon while the leader is a flag.
• I used my latest version of my lazy gamer rules. I am still tweaking them.