PLAYBOOKPLAYBOOK WildernessWilderness WarWar Strategic Game of the French & Indian War

Designed by Volko Ruhnke

CONTENTS

Scenarios ...... 2 Extended Example of Play Annus Mirabilis (1757-59) ...... 2 The Year 1757 ...... 7 Early War Campaign (1755-59) . . . . . 3 Strategy Notes ...... 13 Late War Campaign (1757-62) ...... 4 Card Notes ...... 16 The Full Campaign (1755-62) ...... 4 Historical Chronology ...... 18 Combat Examples ...... 5 Design Notes ...... 22 Wilderness Battle: Selected Sources...... 24 The Monongahela, 1755...... 5 Raids on the Frontier: The Shenandoah Valley, 1756 ...... 5 Amphibious Landing: Gabarus Bay and Louisbourg, 1758 ...... 6 Battle Outside a Fortress: GMT The Plains of Abraham, 1759 ...... 6 GAMES WILDERNESS WAR

and types are placed. This is also true one 1-value HIGHLANDERS SCENARIOS for the Provinicials, as long as ROYAL AMERICANS Northern and Southern units are ACADIANS EXPELLED discriminated. Indian units, however, WILLIAM PITT WILDERNESS WAR has four must be set up according to tribal DIPLOMATIC REVOLUTION scenarios: name. INTRIGUES AGAINST SHIRLEY Annus Mirabilis (1757-59)—The Tournament Scenario Set up all units at full strength. Then shuffle the deck and deal each Early War Campaign (1755-59)— player nine cards—the number each Intermediate Scenario One will receive each season of this Late War Campaign (1757-62)— * * * * * scenario (unless the British play Intermediate Scenario Two QUIBERON to reduce the French hand The Full Campaign (1755-62)— to seven cards). Extended Scenario Annus Mirabilis (1757-59) Tournament Scenario PLAY NOTE: As indicated on The scenarios that begin in the same the HIGHLANDERS cards, precon- year use the same counter setups, and Historical Note: The British called ditions to play the HIGHLANDERS those that end in the same year use 1759 the “Year of Miracles” (in events apply only in the 1755 the same victory conditions (see rule Latin, Annus Mirabilis) because scenarios. In this scenario (and in 12.1 How to Win). the victory bells in London that year the Late War scenario), the seemed never to cease ringing. The British player is allowed to play Map Setup Abbreviations British in 1759 captured French HIGHLANDERS events whenever he As an aid to setting up, spaces on the forts Carillon, St-Frédéric, and receives them. In this and the game map are marked with abbrevi- Niagara. In Germany, they and Late War scenarios, the WILLIAM ated setup instructions for 1757 (the their Hanoverian allies defeated a PITT and DIPLOMATIC REVOLU- starting point of Annus Mirabilis and French army at the Battle of TION Events are considered the Late War Campaign). Abbrevia- Minden. Most importantly, General already to have occurred. Thus, tions are: Wolfe took Québec while Admiral both players receive nine cards, Hawke broke the French fleet at and Highlanders, Amherst, C: Coureurs Quiberon Bay—these last events all Forbes and Wolfe are available. F: Fort but sealing the fate of Canada. HL: Highland (4-4) Markers I: Indian Length of Game “VP” at French 4. Ldr: Leader This scenario focuses in on the “Season - French First” on Early MD: Marine Detachment (1-4) period of transition (historically) Season 1757. Mil: Militia from French to British ascendancy. It “Provincial Assemblies” at Support- P: Provinicial begins at the British low-point in the ive. R: Regular (3-4) war, 1757, and continues through the “French Allied” at Mingo Town, RA: Royal American (4-4) end of 1759, when (historically) Logstown, Pays d’en Haut, Ra: Ranger British victory was all but ensured. Mississauga. S: Stockade This scenario involves just six hands Important: The PITT event has Fort Under Construction of cards and can be completed in two occurred, so the HIGHLANDERS to three hours. Play begins with the events may be played. first French Action Phase of Early Note that the setup for the 1755 Season 1757 and ends after Late Setup scenarios (the Early War Campaign Season 1759 (barring an earlier This scenario uses the setup informa- and the Full Campaign) differs from Sudden Death). tion marked on the map. these markings on the map. Cards French Forts Unit Designations Use only cards #1-62. Ticonderoga (Fort Carillon) The designations for the 3-4 Regu- Crown Point (Fort St-Frédéric) lars, Rangers and Coureurs are for Set aside cards #63-70, which are Niagara (Fort Niagara) historical interest only—it is not marked “1755 scenarios.” They are not Ohio Forks (Fort Duquesne) necessary to set up units by designa- used in this scenario. They are: tion, as long as the right quantities one FRENCH REGULARS one BRITISH REGULARS

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French Stockades British Stockades Île-aux-Noix (Fort Île-aux-Noix) Schenectady (Forts Johnson and Early War Campaign St-Jean (Forts Chambly and St-Jean) Hunter) (1755-59) Oswegatchie (La Galette and La Hoosic (Fort Massachusetts) Présentation) Charlestown (Fort No.4) Intermediate Scenario One Cataraqui (Fort Frontenac) Augusta and Woodstock (Virginia Toronto (Fort Rouillé) fortification line) Length of Game Presqu’île (Fort Presqu’île) Carlisle, Harris’s Ferry, Lancaster, This scenario uses the same victory French Creek (Fort Le Boeuf ) Reading and Easton (Pennsylvania conditions as Annus Mirabilis but Venango (Fort Machault) fortification line) begins with the landing at Alexandria of two British regiments from Ireland French Leaders and Units British Leaders and Units and the arrival of six French army Louisbourg: Drucour, 3 x 3-4 Regu- Winchester: 1 x 2-4 Southern battalions at Louisbourg and Québec. lars (Marine, Artois, Bourgogne), 1 Provincials (Virginia) These regular reinforcements sig- x Coureurs (Boishébert Acadian) Shepherd’s Ferry: 1 x 2-4 Southern nalled the onset in 1755 of direct Québec: Lévis, 3 x 3-4 Regulars Provincials (Maryland) conflict in America between British (Marine, Guyenne, La Reine) Carlisle: 1 x 2-4 Southern and French crown. Montréal: Montcalm, Vaudreuil, 2 x Provincials (Pennsylvania) 3-4 Regulars (Béarn, LaSarre), 1 x Shamokin: 1 x 2-4 Southern The formal, European war has not Coureurs (Repentigny), Huron, Provincials (Pennsylvania) yet begun and fewer forces are Potawatomi, Ojibwa, Mississauga Philadelphia: 1 x 4-4 Royal Ameri- available than in the 1757 scenarios. Crown Point: 1 x 1-4 (Marine cans (1/60th) Montcalm has yet to arrive, for Detachment), 1 x Coureurs New York: Loudoun, Abercromby, 3 example, and Pennsylvania and (Perière) x 3-4 Regulars (22nd, 27th, 35th), Virginia have not yet constructed Ticonderoga: Rigaud, Bougainville, 2 3 x 4-4 Royal Americans (2/60th, their border defenses. x 3-4 Regulars (Languedoc, Royal 3/60th, 4/60th) Roussillon), 1 x Coureurs (Marin) Albany: Dunbar, 2 x 3-4 Regulars Play begins with the first French Cataraqui: Villiers, 1 x 1-4 (Marine (44th, 48th) Action Phase of Early Season 1755 Detachment), 1 x Coureurs (Léry) Hudson Carry South: Webb, 1 x and ends after Late Season 1759 Niagara: 1 x 1-4 (Marine Detach- Rangers (Rogers), 3 x 2-4 North- (barring an earlier Sudden Death). It ment), 1 x Coureurs (Joncaire) ern Provincials (Massachusetts, should take at most five hours to Presqu’île: 1 x 1-4 (Marine Detach- Connecticut, Rhode Island) complete. ment) Hudson Carry North: 2 x 2-4 North- French Creek: 1 x 1-4 (Marine ern Provincials (New Hampshire, Cards Detachment) New Jersey) Use all cards (#1-70). Shuffle and Venango: 1 x Coureurs (Langlade) Schenectady: Johnson, 1 x 2-4 deal each player eight cards—the Ohio Forks: Dumas, 2 x 1-4 (Marine Northern Provincials (New York), number each player will receive each Detachment), 1 x Coureurs 1 x 4-4 Highland (1/42nd) season, until certain events that may (Ligneris) Halifax: Monckton, 3 x 3-4 Regulars increase either player’s hand size to Logstown: 1 x Shawnee (40th, 45th, 47th) nine cards or decrease the French Mingo Town: 1 x Mingo Southern Militias: 1 x Colonial hand to seven cards. Militia Important: Dieskau and Beaujeu Markers are not used in this scenario. Leader Pool: Place Amherst, “VP” at 0. Bradstreet, Forbes, Murray and “Season - French First” on Early British Forts Wolfe into an opaque container so Season 1755. Hudson Carry South (Fort Edward) that they can be drawn randomly. “Provincial Assemblies” at Support- Hudson Carry North (Fort William ive. Henry) Important: Braddock and Shirley “French Allied” at Pays d’en Haut, Will’s Creek (Fort Cumberland) are not used in this scenario. Kahnawake and St-François. Shamokin (Fort Augusta) “British Allied” at Canajoharie.

British Forts Under Construction * * * * * Setup Winchester (Fort Loudoun) The setup for this scenario differs Shepherd’s Ferry (Fort Frederick) from the 1757 setup shown on the map.

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 3 WILDERNESS WAR

French Forts British Stockades came within sight in late 1762. Crown Point (Fort St-Frédéric) Oneida Carry West (Fort Bull) Niagara (Fort Niagara) Oneida Carry East (Fort Williams) Play begins with Early Season 1757 Ohio Forks (Fort Duquesne) Schenectady (Forts Johnson & and ends after Late Season 1762, Hunter) barring a Sudden Death. This French Stockades Hoosic (Fort Massachusetts) scenario could take as long as five Île-aux-Noix (Fort Île-aux-Noix) Charlestown (Fort No.4) hours to complete if it goes all the St-Jean (Forts Chambly and St-Jean) way to 1762. Oswegatchie (La Galette and La British Leaders and Units Présentation) Oswego: 1 x 2-4 Northern Cards Cataraqui (Fort Frontenac) Provincials (New York) Use the same card deck preparation Toronto (Fort Rouillé) Albany: Shirley, Johnson, 5 x 2-4 as found in the Tournament Scenario, Presqu’île (Fort Presqu’île) Northern Provincials (Rhode Annus Mirabilis. French Creek (Fort Le Boeuf) Island, Connecticut, New Hamp- Venango (Fort Machault) shire, 2 x Massachusetts), 2 x Markers and Setup Mohawk Use the same setup of units and French Leaders and Units Halifax: Monckton, 1 x 3-4 Regulars markers as is found in the Tourna- Louisbourg: Drucour, 3 x 3-4 Regu- (47th) ment Scenario, Annus Mirabilis. lars (Marine, Artois, Bourgogne) Alexandria: Braddock, Dunbar, 2 x Québec: Dieskau, Vaudreuil, 4 x 3-4 3-4 Regular (44th, 48th) Regulars (Béarn, Guyenne, La Will’s Creek: 2 x 2-4 Southern * * * * * Reine, Languedoc) Provincials (Virginia, Maryland) Montréal: Rigaud, 1 x 3-4 Regulars (Marine), 2 x Coureurs Leader Pool: Place Abercromby, The Full Campaign (1755-62) (Repentigny, Perière), 1 x Bradstreet, Loudoun, Murray and Extended Scenario Caughnawaga, 1 x Abenaki Webb into an opaque container so Île-aux-Noix: 1 x 1-4 (Marine that they can be drawn randomly. Length of Game Detachment) This scenario covers the full period Crown Point: 1 x 1-4 (Marine Important: Place Amherst, of general conflict in North America. Detachment), 1 x Coureurs Forbes, and Wolfe aside: they are (Marin) not available until the WILLIAM Play begins with Early Season 1755 Cataraqui: Villiers, 1 x 1-4 (Marine PITT event or 1759. Once the and ends after Late Season 1762 Detachment), 1 x Coureurs (Léry) PITT event is played or at the (barring an earlier Sudden Death). If Niagara: 1 x 1-4 (Marine Detach- beginning of 1759, place it goes the full distance, it may take ment), 1 x Coureurs (Joncaire) Amherst, Wolfe and Forbes into as long as eight hours. Presqu’île: 1 x 1-4 (Marine Detach- the British leader pool. ment) Cards French Creek: 1 x 1-4 (Marine Use all 70 cards. Shuffle and deal Detachment) * * * * * each player eight cards—the number Venango: 1 x Coureurs (Langlade) each player will receive each season, Ohio Forks: Beaujeu, Dumas, 1 x 1-4 Late War Campaign (1757-62) until certain events which may (Marine Detachment), 1 x Intermediate Scenario Two increase or decrease a player’s hand Coureurs (Ligneris), Ottawa, size. Potawatomi This scenario uses the setup informa- Markers and Setup tion marked on the map. Important: Place Montcalm, Use the same setup of units and Lévis, and Bougainville aside. markers as is found in the Early War They enter with the first FRENCH Length of Game Campaign Scenario. REGULARS event. This scenario begins with the North American conflict in full gear (as in British Forts Annus Mirabilis), but allows play to * * * * * Hudson Carry South (Fort Lyman, aka extend beyond the date of Canada’s Fort Edward) historical surrender (late 1760). The Will’s Creek (Fort Cumberland) presumption is that—without Oswego (Fort Oswego) Britain’s spectacular victories in 1759 and 1760—fighting could have continued until a European peace

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Detachment (the first loss must be With the threat to Virginia evident, from Drilled Troops) and rolls for the British player uses a 2-value card COMBAT EXAMPLES Beaujeu, who is killed on a roll of 1, to build stockades at Augusta and and Dumas, who survives on a 2. Winchester. (There is already a Virginia Provincial unit at Wilderness Battle The French won (one step loss to Woodstock.) The Monongahela, 1755 four British steps) and so the British must retreat to the friendly stockade The French player uses a 1-value The British player, having previously at Gist’s Station. (If no fortification card to activate Dumas and the two constructed a stockade at Gist’s were there, the six British Drilled Indian units as a force and moves Station to provide a line of retreat, units would be eliminated and them to Augusta to raid the stock- activates Braddock (2-7-0) with a 2- Dunbar retreated alone.) The French ade. (If using Advanced Rules, the value card and moves him with receive 1 VP for defeating a force French player could have individually Dunbar (3-5-0), the 44th and 48th including Regulars (or consisting of activated Indian units—or moved regiments (both 3-4), and two more than four units) in a field just one unit under Dumas—to Virginia, one Maryland and one battle. Infiltrate through Augusta to Pennsylvania regiment (four 2-4s) Culpeper, and the Provincial in from Gist’s to Ohio Forks—intent on Woodstock could have attempted to besieging Fort Duquesne. Raids on the Frontier Intercept into Augusta and/or The Shenandoah Valley, 1756 Culpeper and force a Battle.) The French player decides to defend outside the fort, in order to take It is the beginning of the Early Because the raid target is an unoccu- advantage of his Auxiliaries in the Season of 1756. The French player pied stockade in cultivated terrain, a wilderness—and of an AMBUSH! card notes that the frontier of the South- Militia unit from the corresponding he is holding. His force includes ern Department colonies is sparsely box may be deployed to bring about a Beaujeu (1-2-1), Dumas (1-2-1), a defended, and decides to score some Battle. The British player decides to Marine Detachment (1-4), a Coureurs VPs with a series of Indian raids. He deploy his new Colonial Militia unit des bois unit (1-6) and three Indian has a fort at Ohio Forks, and so can to the Augusta stockade, so Dumas’ force must attack. units (all 1-6). play a WESTERN INDIAN ALLIANCE event. He rolls a “3” and—having He plays AMBUSH! (which goes to the fewer than 5 VPs at the moment— On the CRT, the French are on the 2 discard pile), allowing him to fire must halve the roll and round up, column (DRMs of +1 for Dumas’ first with doubled strength (10). He placing two new Indian units in their tactics and –1 for the stockade cancel rolls a 6 (resulting in a leader loss settlements. He also has a fort at out). The British are on the 1 check), modified (+1 for Beaujeu’s Niagara, so could choose Pays d’en column. Each player rolls a 4, each tactics) to be less than or equal to 7 Haut Indians, but selects instead a causing one step loss. The reduced on the 9-12 column on the Combat Mingo unit and a Shawnee unit, Militia unit returns to the Southern Results Table (CRT). The result is 4 placing them at Mingo Town and Colonial Militia box. The French step losses. Logstown, respectively, where he also player reduces the Mingo Indian unit places “French Allied” markers. to 0-6 and must retreat Dumas’ force The result means that the British back to Allegheny South (tied results player must reduce four units, so he The British player responds in his without eliminating the defender mean the attacker loses). flips all his units but two of the Action Phase by playing a CALL OUT Provincials. He then rolls once for MILITIAS event to place one full- each leader to see if they are killed. strength Colonial Militia unit in the The British player has another CALL Braddock rolls a 1 (he is eliminated) Southern Militias box. OUT MILITIAS event in his hand and and Dunbar a 3. plays it to place a second Militia unit The French player plays a 2-value in the Southern Colonial Militia box. The British now return fire with a card to individually activate the two strength of 10 (four 2-4s and two 1- new Indian units (each count half a The French player is content to keep 4s). The roll is a 1 (a leader loss point to activate), plus Dumas (1-2- the British distracted and on the check) modified –1 for only Regulars 1), who is at Ohio Forks. He moves defensive, and so with another 1- and Provincials battling Auxiliaries in the two units and the leader each value card again activates Dumas’ the Wilderness. The “<0” row on the individually via Upper Monongahela force to repeat the strike on Augusta. 9-12 column shows one step loss. to Allegheny South. The British player deploys his new The French player flips the Marine full-strength Militia unit to the stockade, but this time only the

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 5 WILDERNESS WAR French player scores a 1-step loss on If the British lost, they would retreat Battle Outside a Fortress the CRT. The reduced Militia unit to Halifax (the space from which The Plains of Abraham, 1759 returns to its box and Dumas’ force they entered the Battle), the Amphib remains in Augusta to carry out its marker would be removed, the An army under Wolfe (1-6-2) is raid. Fieldworks marker would remain, ensconced at Île d’Orléans on an and the French would receive 1 VP Amphib marker and a stockade, The French Raid receives a +1 for for winning a Battle against a force having been repulsed in a recent Dumas’ tactics and a –1 because the that includes either Regulars or more movement into Québec. The British target space is within a Department than four units. player activates the force under with at least two militia units in its Wolfe with a 1-value card. The force box. The French roll a 5 on the In this case, however, the British win includes Murray (1-5-0), Monckton Stockade/Settlement column—a the battle, and so the surviving (2-5-0), one full-strength 4-4 (one of Success and one step loss. The French force must retreat into the the 78th Highlanders), three full- stockade is eliminated and a Raided fortress (there is no adjacent space, strength 3-4s (the 35th, 43rd and marker is placed in Augusta. The and only the British may retreat by 48th), three reduced-strength (3-4) French player decides to eliminate sea—and then only if they have an Regulars (the other 78th, the 2/60th the already reduced Mingo unit. All Amphib marker). The British receive and the 3/60th), four reduced (2-4) who participated in the raid must Go 1 VP for winning a Battle against Regulars (the 15th, 28th, 47th and Home. The French player decides to Regulars or more than four units, the 58th), a 2-6 Light Infantry unit have the surviving Shawnee unit Fieldworks marker is removed, and a (Howe’s) and a 2-6 Ranger unit accompany Dumas back to the fort at “Siege 0” marker is placed. (Goreham)—a total of 34 strength Ohio Forks. points. The British player moves the The space is now besieged and entire force into the Québec space. Assuming the French place no controlled by neither side. If the (For convenience, all these leaders additional Raided counters, the French player were holding the and units are in the Wolfe box, and Raided marker at Augusta will be LOUISBOURG SQUADRONS card, he only Wolfe moved from the Île worth 1 VP (half a VP, rounded up) could no longer play it as an event d’Orléans space to Québec.) when it is removed at yearend. because of the contested control of Louisbourg. The French force at Québec already has a Fieldworks marker and consists Amphibious Landing Despite the contested control—and of Montcalm (1-6-2), Vaudreuil (3- Gabarus Bay and Louisbourg, because of the Amphib marker—the 5-0), Bougainville (1-3-0), three full- 1758 British could naval move additional strength Regulars (the Royal forces to Louisbourg from any other Roussillon, Languedoc and La Sarre British port without another AM- The British player uses a 3-value card Regulars), three reduced (2-4) PHIBIOUS LANDING card, or could Regulars (Béarn, Guyenne and a to activate a large force of units and naval move besieging units from leaders under Amherst in Halifax, Marine unit); two reduced (0-6) Louisbourg to any British port Coureurs des bois units and four full- then plays an AMPHIBIOUS LANDING (including Halifax). card to allow it to perform a naval strength (1-6) Indian units (Ottawa, move to French-controlled Huron, Algonquin and The British cannot, however, carry Caughnawaga). The French player— Louisbourg and to place an Amphib out an Amphibious Landing at the marker there. not wanting to leave any of this army three approaches to Québec until bottled up inside the fortress, and they capture the fortress at Louisbourg is occupied by Drucour wanting to take advantage of his Louisbourg and thereby control the Fieldworks and a strong militia— and five French Regular units. The Louisbourg space, because an French player decides to defend decides to defend outside with the Amphibious Landing must come entire force. A battle results. outside the fortress with this force, in from a port they control. hopes of throwing the British back to Halifax and in order to use a The French player has four full- If the British succeed in capturing strength Canadian Militia units (4 x FIELDWORKS card he is holding, so a the fortress before yearend, they will Battle occurs. In the Battle, the 1-0) in the St. Lawrence Militia Box, receive 3 VPs and be immune to and he decides to deploy all of them British roll is modified by –1 for Attrition there. However, if the siege attacking amphibiously and shifts to Québec for the battle, giving his continues at yearend, both the force a total combat strength of 23. one column left for the French French and British there will suffer Fieldworks marker. (He could not deploy them for the Attrition. battle if there were any “Raided”

Page 6 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War markers in the St.Lawrence Depart- marker is placed on the Québec players receive the following hands ment at that time, but earlier raids by fortress, which will defend itself even (card numberical values are in the British rangers into Baie-St-Paul though empty of units, until taken by brackets [#]). and Rivière-Ouelle failed.) Siege and Assault (or a SURRENDER! event). French Hand The British player plays a #14 FOUL WEATHER [2] FIELDWORKS card, removing the * * * * * #24 NORTHERN INDIAN ALLIANCE [2] French Fieldworks marker (repre- #32 TREATY OF EASTON [2] senting his army finding a way EXTENDED #36 FRANÇOIS BIGOT [2] around them). Neither player is #37 BRITISH MINISTERIAL CRISIS [3] holding any other response events EXAMPLE OF PLAY #41 BRITISH COLONIAL POLITICS [3] (with a brown background around its #44 RAISE PROVINCIAL REGIMENTS name). The Year 1757 [2] #46 COLONIAL RECRUITS [2] The only modifiers are for the the A good way to learn how to play #48 VICTORIES IN GERMANY [3] tactics ratings of each commander, in WILDERNESS WAR is to set up and this case +2 for each side for follow along with this full description British Hand Montcalm and Wolfe. The British of a sample year of the game. #5 BASTIONS REPAIRED [1] player rolls on the >28 column and #12 AMBUSH! [1] the French player the 22-27 column Two players have decided to play the #17 AMPHIBIOUS LANDING [1] of the CRT, each adding +2 to the tournament scenario, Annus #22 GOVERNOR VAUDREUIL INTER- die roll. The British player rolls a 6, Mirabilis. They choose sides and FERES [3] resulting in eight French step losses agree to use all the Advanced Rules. #28 IROQUOIS ALLIANCE [3] and an leader check. The French #31 CHEROKEE UPRISING [3] player rolls a 1, resulting in four They place the units and leaders #38 PROVINCIAL REGIMENTS DIS- British step losses and a leader check according to the scenario setup, PERSED FOR FRONTIER DUTY [2] as well. opting for convenience to ignore the #57 BRITISH REGULARS [3] historical designations, but making #59 BRITISH REGULARS [3] The French player must flip his three sure to select the right types of units. full-strength Regulars and eliminate To be able to spread out the units Play then begins with alternating one reduced Regulars, plus flip four more, they place Vaudreuil and the Actions Phases (card plays) starting other units, and in this case he units at Montréal in the Montcalm with the French. chooses the four Militia units. He box, leaving only Montcalm in the must roll a check for each of his Montréal space. The French player French Action Phase One: Hoping to leaders. Rolling a 1, Montcalm is also places Bougainville and the units prevent the arrival of British rein- killed (removed). at Ticonderoga in the Rigaud box, forcements, the French player begins for the same reason. Likewise, with play of #37 BRITISH MINISTE- The British player must flip two of Abercromby and the units at New RIAL CRISIS as an Event. Of the cards his full-strength Regulars plus two York City are in Loudoun’s box. listed on the Event, the British player other full-strength units, in this case is holding only two BRITISH REGU- choosing the Light Infantry unit and They place the “Provincial Assem- LARS and so must discard one of an additional Regular unit. The blies” marker at “Supportive,” the VP them. (If he had had none of the British player rolls for each of his marker on the French section of the cards on the list, the French event leaders. Rolling a 1, Wolfe is killed. VP Track at 4, and the Season would have had no effect.) Cards #37 marker on Early Season 1757, and #57 both go into a discard pile. The French lost and must retreat. All “French First” side up. militia are returned to the St. British Action Phase One: The British Lawrence Militia box. The French They prepare the deck, removing the player now takes an Action Phase, could retreat into the fortress, but the eight cards that say “1755 scenarios” choosing to enter reinforcements, French player still wishes to avoid (#63 to #70), which are events playing his remaining BRITISH committing his main army to a siege considered to have been played and REGULARS (#59) as an Event. He first and so retreats to Bécancour, a removed (occurred historically) draws a leader randomly from the cultivated space. during 1755 or 1756. Then one British leader pool (which, at this player shuffles and begins the first point, consists of five leaders), The British receive 1 VP for winning season, Early Season 1757, by drawing Murray. He then enters one a field battle against Regulars or dealing each player nine cards. The new 3-4 unit at New York City more than four units. A “Siege 0” (placing it in the Loudoun box), and

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 7 WILDERNESS WAR

Murray and two more 3-4s at Royal American and one 3-4 Regular subordinate to Rigaud. (Bougainville Halifax, to add to the threat to at New York City, as a reserve for the and all the units remain in Rigaud’s Louisbourg. Because card #59 says Hudson River corridor. He Naval box and the player simply moves “REMOVE” and has been played as Moves the two leaders and the other Rigaud to the new space.) an Event, it is removed from the five units to Halifax, a British port. game rather than placed in the (Because the force was already in the The French force has entered a discard pile. Loudoun box, the player can simply British-occupied space and must move Loudoun to Halifax, being sure stop. (The force is more than a lone French Action Phase Two: The French to move one 4-4 and one 3-4 from auxiliary unit and so cannot Infil- player could move Lévis’ force from the Loudoun box to New York City.) trate.) The British player must decide Québec to Louisbourg, to respond to whether to attempt to Avoid Battle the British build up at Halifax, but French Action Phase Three: Despite out of the space, or Intercept into it, he decides to rely on his FOUL the overwhelming force at Halifax, or neither. Without a leader in the WEATHER response card to block a the French player presses on with his space, only one of the two Provincial British amphibious strike, and plans in the interior. He plays #44 units there could Avoid. Up to all therefore instead plays #24 NORTH- [2] to individually activate the four units with Webb—adjacent at ERN INDIAN ALLIANCE to build up his Algonquin and Caughnawaga units Hudson Carry South (Fort Ed- own strike force in the Champlain (which each count for half an ward)—could attempt to Intercept. region. He rolls one die (a 4), and activation), plus a leader, Montcalm. However, the British player does not because he has less than 5 VPs, The Indian units and Montcalm want to commit to a large battle halves the result to 2. He chooses individually move to Ticonderoga (losing a battle involving more than two units—an Algonquin and a (Fort Carillon), using boat move- four friendly units costs a Victory Caughnawaga—and enters them at ment. Because Montcalm has left Point). He decides to reinforce their settlements, Lac des Deux Montréal without the units there, the William Henry with only a single Montagnes and Kahnawake, respec- player moves the units in the unit, in this case, the Rangers. The tively. He also places French Allied Montcalm box to the Vaudreuil box Interception succeeds (roll of 4), and markers on these two settlements to and places Vaudreuil at Montréal. the Rangers unit at Hudson Carry show that they are now susceptible to South is placed at Hudson Carry British raids. Card #24 goes to the British Action Phase Three: The North, and the French will attack at Discard Pile. British player responds to the threat least the Rangers in a battle. to the Hudson Carry by playing #22 British Action Phase Two: The British GOVERNOR VAUDREUIL INTERFERES as Now the British player must decide player, holding an AMPHIBIOUS an Event. He could choose any two whether the two Provincial units will LANDING event and seeing that the French leaders to switch. He chooses defend outside the fort along with enemy has made no effort to rein- Montcalm and Vaudreuil. The the Rangers, or remain inside. The force Louisbourg, decides on a French player must place Vaudreuil at British player decides to risk the serious effort to seize that fortress. Ticonderoga and Montcalm at units in a field battle—in part He plays #31 [3] to activate a force Montréal (shifting the units in because he risks no VPs with his under Loudoun. (Even though the Vaudreuil’s box back into Montcalm’s small force, while a victory would card has a French-only Event, either box). earn 1 VP, because the French force player can use it for Activation or contains Regulars (and, even if it had Construction.) The card allows the French Action Phase Four: The no Regulars, it has more than four activation of even a 3-initiative French player could use another card units). leader like Loudoun and also enables to move Montcalm back into posi- a force to perform a Naval Move. tion, but decides instead that the The players resolve the battle. The The British player designates force already at Ticonderoga is attacker (the French) has no events Abercromby as subordinate sufficient and plays #32 [2] to that can be used in the battle. The (Abercromby’s command value is no activate Rigaud—with Bougainville, British are holding an AMBUSH! higher than Loudoun’s). Together, two Regulars, one Coureurs and two event, but cannot play it because the Loudoun and Abercromby’s force Indian units—and moves the force (it French have more auxiliaries (two activation limit is 14—more than is irrelevant whether by land or boat) Indian and one Coureurs units) than enough to command the three 4-4 into Hudson Carry North (Fort the British (one Rangers unit) in the and four 3-4 units at New York City. William Henry). Vaudreuil stays battle. Players consult the Combat Nevertheless, as not all these units behind, because his initiative rating Results Table (CRT) and each rolls will be needed for a maximum- is too high for him to have been one die. The French have nine strength attack on Louisbourg, the activated with a [2] card and his strength points and the British have British player opts to leave one 4-4 command rating is too high to be a six. There are no die roll modifiers

Page 8 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War

(DRMs): the space is wilderness, but ern units to keep within their new launching his naval assault. Instead both sides have auxiliaries; and the limit of two. He chooses to eliminate he responds to the threat to Virginia French commander, Rigaud, has a Southern units at Shamokin and by playing #5 for Construction, tactical rating of 0. The French Shepherd’s Ferry. completing the fort at Winchester player rolls a 3 for a result of two (Fort Loudoun)—where there is an step losses on the British. The British Action Phase Five: The in-supply Drilled unit (the Southern British player rolls a 4, resulting in British player notes the thinning of Provincial)—so as to free up the two step losses on the French. The his defenses in the south, but never- Southern unit there interception, British flip their two Provincial units theless attempts to seize the initiative chasing, or blocking the Shawnee to their reduced sides (wishing to by launching his major operation for and Mingo. preserve the more valuable Rangers). the season—an amphibious assault The first French casualty must be a on Louisbourg. He plays #28 [3] and French Action Phase Seven: The Drilled unit, so the French player states that he is activating all leaders French play #46 [2] to activate the flips one 3-4 Regular and then flips and units at Halifax in a force under same four Indian units as in the the Algonquin Indian unit. No one Loudoun. The French player can see previous French phase. (He tilts the rolled a natural 1 or 6, so there are no what’s coming and immediately— four unit counters as a reminder of leader loss checks. Because the before the British player moves his which units he activated, as he carries defender wins a tie, Rigaud and his force—plays #14 FOUL WEATHER out the actions of each in succession). force must retreat whence they came, (the Event’s name has a brown to their fort at Ticonderoga, and the background around it, and therefore a) The Mingo Infiltrate through the British receive a VP, sliding the VP can be played as a response in the stockade space Augusta (rather marker to French 3. middle of an Action Phase). The than Woodstock, so as to avoid British force is prevented from any possible Interception from British Action Phase Four: The Naval Move, and therefore is stuck at Winchester) into Culpeper. British player decides to draw on his Halifax for its activation. Having ended movement in an reserve at New York City to beef up enemy cultivated space, the unit the defense of William Henry. He French Action Phase Six: The French must Raid and rolls on the plays #12 [1] to individually activate player now suspects that his oppo- cultivated column of the Raid the 4-4 Royal American. He uses nent is indeed holding an AMPHIBI- Table. There are no modifiers boat movement to bring the 4-4 up OUS LANDING card. The question (there is only one unit in the the Hudson river to Hudson Carry remains whether either of the other Southern Colonial Militias box). South, then across the portage to two cards in the British hand are 3- The French player rolls a 4—a Hudson Carry North. The French value cards that could allow a Naval failed Raid and one step loss. He player could have used the FOUL Move by more than an individual flips the Mingo and places him in WEATHER card he is holding to slow unit. The French player decides to his home settlement, Mingo down the Royal Americans, but holds risk that possibility, to ignore the Town. it to block a prospective attack on maritime threat, and to press his Louisbourg. French Interception at border war on the British colonies. b) The Shawnee repeats the Infiltra- Hudson Carry North is not possible He plays #36 [2] for individual tion and Raid against Culpeper, because the space is already occupied activation of the Huron and rolling a 5—a Successful raid and by the British. Mississauga (one activation point)— one step loss. A Raided marker is which each perform Boat Movement placed at Culpeper; the Shawnee French Action Phase Five: Having (representing canoes, of course) along unit is flipped and placed in botched his attack on Lake George, the seven spaces from Montréal to Logstown. the French player decides to take Oneida Carry West—and the advantage of political conflicts Shawnee and Mingo units (the c) Next, the Huron at Oneida Carry between the British crown and its second activation point)—which West move by land through colonies to pressure their frontiers. move to Allegheny South, where they Oneida Castle, Canajoharie and He plays #41 BRITISH COLONIAL must stop. The British provincial at Schoharie—and daringly attempt POLITICS as an Event. The Provincial Winchester—a Drilled unit—cannot to Infiltrate the Albany space into Assemblies marker is moved one box intercept individual Auxiliary units Kinderhook. (Indian settlements in the direction of the French edge of entering Allegheny South because are no hindrance to movement; the map, from Supportive to Reluc- the space is mountain. the Drilled units at Schenectady tant. The British player finds that he and Albany cannot Intercept the has only six Northern Provincials on British Action Phase Six: Fresh out of lone Auxiliary Huron in any of the map—still within the Northern 3-value cards, the British player must the traversed wilderness spaces; limit—but must remove two South- wait for the next season before and the Huron auxiliary can enter

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 9 WILDERNESS WAR

an enemy fortress space because it British Action Phase Seven: In his #7 MASSACRE! [1] is attempting to Infiltrate.) The Action Phase, the British player #43 RAISE PROVINCIAL REGIMENTS British player can now attempt an cannot build any stockades in [2] Intercept in Albany with any one response to the Raids (construction is #47 TROOP TRANSPORTS [3] unit or force in Albany, not allowed with two cards in a row). #49 CALL OUT MILITIAS [1] Schenectady or Hudson Carry There are no longer any Indians #54 LIGHT INFANTRY [2] South. He does not want to nearby to chase off with the Provin- #58 BRITISH REGULARS [3] redeploy any units, so attempts cial at Winchester. So, he continues with a Regular at Albany (but to reinforce William Henry by The French player again has the first fails on a roll of 3). The Huron activating the 3-4 Regular at New Action Phase. has passed through an enemy York City with #38 [2] and boat cultivated space (Albany) and so moving it to Hudson Carry North. French Action Phase One: Thanking must stop at Kinderhook, where it (A 2- or 3-value card can individu- his lucky star for drawing #21 Raids. The roll is a 6—a Success ally activate only one Drilled unit.) LOUISBOURG SQUADRONS just as with no loss. A Raided marker is Loudoun’s army is bearing down on placed in the space and the lucky French Action Phase Eight: The the French fortress port, he decides Huron unit goes home to Pays French player plays his final card, to risk the fortunes of the French d’en Haut. #48 VICTORIES IN GERMANY, as an navy and play the event (even though Event. He has only one reduced its benefits to him will last only one d) Finally, the Mississauga move by Regular unit, in the Rigaud box hand, because it is already Late land due south to Station Point, (meaning, at Ticonderoga), and flips Season). He rolls a 5, so the card is then East Delaware, and into the it back to full strength. discarded rather than removed from stockade space of Easton. They play, and there is no impact on cannot Infiltrate into Trenton or British Action Phase Seven: The French naval movement or British Reading because they are out of British player decides to hold his last ability to play the QUIBERON event. movement points. Because the card, #17 AMPHIBIOUS LANDING, for The British player will not be able to would-be raiders have ended in an the next season, to guarantee he will play AMPHIBIOUS LANDING events otherwise empty stockade space in have such an Event available for the this season, and a Louisbourg the Southern Department (Vir- planned assault on Louisbourg. He Squadrons - No Amphib marker is ginia, Maryland and Pennsylva- places the British Card Held marker placed on the Season marker as a nia), the British may deploy a on the Early Season 1757 space of reminder. Militia unit from that the Year track as a reminder that he Department’s Militias box to will not be permitted to so hold a British Action Phase One: His Easton to force a battle before the card in the following season. offensive plan thwarted for the Raid attempt (unlike joining a season, the British player reverts to battle involving other British Late Season 1757 defensive measures. He chooses #43 units, which would be prohibited The Season marker is advanced to for Construction. (He cannot play by the Raided marker at Late Season 1757 and new cards are the RAISE PROVINCIAL REGIMENTS Culpeper—note the distinction dealt until each player again holds event, because Provinicial Assemblies between rules 7.3 and 10.2). The nine cards. are Reluctant.) He cannot finish the Mississauga must attack the fort under construction at Shepherd’s Militia in a battle, suffering a –1 French Hand Ferry because there is no Drilled unit DRM because the Militia have a #1 CAMPAIGN [3] there. He can build stockades in stockade. Both sides roll on the 1 #2 CAMPAIGN [3] empty cultivated spaces, doing so at column of the CRT, in this case #8 COEHORNS [1] Ashby’s Gap, Virginia and Trenton, the Mississauga and Militia each #16 GEORGE CROGHAN [1] New Jersey, to help defend against achieve no effect. With the result #21 LOUISBOURG SQUADRONS [3] further Indian Infiltration. (He does a tie, the Mississauga attacker, #26 WESTERN INDIAN ALLIANCE [2] not build at Culpeper, to avoid having lost the battle, must retreat #34 SMALL POX [3] offering the French any further VPs to East Delaware. The Militia #35 COURIER INTERCEPTED! [3] in the already Raided space this units returns to the Southern #56 FRENCH REGULARS [3] year.) Militias box. If East Delaware were a cultivated space, a raid British Hand French Action Phase Two: The French attempt would ensue there, but it Held: #17 AMPHIBIOUS LANDING [1] player decides to take advantage of is wilderness. #4 CAMPAIGN [3] the rather ill-positioned British #6 SURRENDER! [3] forces to resume the offensive on the central Champlain front—this time

Page 10 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War with a full-fledged force. First, the British player expends #47 [3] to Avoid Battle because he has already however, he plays #34 SMALL POX as return Loudoun’s army to the attempted Interception into the an Event, designating Hudson Carry Hudson. Loudoun with three 3-4s space. He decides to defend inside North as the affected space, which and two 4-4s conduct a Naval Move the fort, but leave one unit, in this qualifies because there are five units to New York City, leaving Monckton case a reduced Provincial, outside to there. The roll is a 3, halved (round- and Murray behind at Halifax with fight a battle (he places the other ing up) to 2. The overcrowded five 3-4 units. four units underneath the fort conditions at Fort William Henry marker). The French attack is strong result in reduction of the 3-4 regular French Action Phase Four: The enough to guarantee eliminating the and the 4-4 Royal American units French player wishes to try #35 unit, but the British player must roll (the British player deciding to COURIER INTERCEPTED! before to see if he causes any French losses. preserve the Rangers; the Provincials launching his expedition against Fort He rolls a 1 (No Effect). There is no are ineligible because they are already William Henry and so plays it as an leader loss check because no step reduced). Event. He rolls a 4, allowing him to losses occurred. The Provincial unit select a card at random from the is removed. British Action Phase Two: The British British player’s hand. The card he player anticipates the threat to the chooses turns out to be #6 SURREN- Because the space is occupied by Hudson. With Loudoun too far away, DER! and he adds it to his own hand. French units and a British fort, a he plays #4 CAMPAIGN as an Event to (This card will cause a reshuffle at siege begins. The French player mass a defense under Webb at Fort the end of this hand, unless the places a Siege 0 marker on the fort. Edward. He designates the two French player decides to hold it until He cannot roll yet on the Siege Table forces to be activated as Dunbar and the next hand.) because his force did not begin its his two 3-4 Regulars at Albany and activation in that space. Johnson and his troops at British Action Phase Four: Judging Schenectady. First, he moves that the army at Fort Edward is British Action Phase Five: The Dunbar’s force to Hudson Carry sufficient defense against Montcalm British player has no remaining 3- North. Second, he moves Johnson for the moment, the British player value cards and so cannot activate with the 2-4 Provincial and the 4-4 uses the respite from French opera- either Webb’s or Loudoun’s armies to Highlander to the same destination, tions to enter reinforcements. He respond to Montcalm. Otherwise ill- drops off the units there, and then plays #58 BRITISH REGULARS as an positioned to relieve the besieged continues moving with Johnson (who Event, removing it from the game. fort, he decides to leave William has 6 MPs) and returns to He draws the leader Forbes from the Henry to its fate. He plays #17 to Schenectady—to be in position pool and places him at Philadelphia continue his construction of frontier should an opportunity to recruit (for an eventual expedition against defenses, placing a stockade at Mohawks or the Iroquois arise in the Fort Duquesne). He then takes three Wright’s Ferry. (The AMPHIBIOUS future. new 3-4 units and chooses to place LANDING is useless now, because of one at Philadelphia, one at New York “Louisbourg Squadrons” and because French Action Phase Three: Keeping City and one at Halifax. he may not hold any cards for the up with—or, rather, surpassing—the next season.) British reinforcement of the Lake French Action Phase Five: The George area, the French play #1 French player now launches his French Action Phase Six: The French CAMPAIGN as an Event. Lévis with assault on the Hudson defenses. He player now prosecutes his siege of his three 3-4s move by boat eight plays #16 [1] to activate Montcalm William Henry, playing #8 [1] to spaces from Québec to Ticonderoga. and all the leaders and units with activate Montcalm’s force. With Then Montcalm with his full army at him as a force, and moves the force Montcalm’s tactical rating of 2, the Montréal—two 3-4s, one Coureurs into Hudson Carry North (simply French are guaranteed to reach Siege unit, and the Potawatomi and placing the Montcalm leader at that Level 1 and be able to Assault. But, Ojibwa—move by boat to join Lévis space). because the French player wants to at Ticonderoga. (For convenience, avoid the possibility of casualties the French player consolidates all the The British player attempts to (including Montcalm) and wants to leaders and units under Montcalm— Intercept with Webb, in command of capture the fort intact to speed his seven 3-4s, two Coureurs units, four Dunbar and all the units at Hudson expedition toward Albany, he plays Indian units, and four leaders— Carry South. However, he rolls a 3 #6 SURRENDER! (which has a name placing them in the Montcalm box.) and fails. He now wishes to defend with a brown background and inside the fort, but only four of the therefore is playable during the British Action Phase Three: With a five units at Hudson Carry North phase). He places the event card face true strategic threat facing Albany, will fit, and he cannot attempt to up on the draw pile as a reminder

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 11 WILDERNESS WAR that a reshuffle will occur before the a) Montcalm moves north by boat, order to receive a –1 against raids next hand. As a result of the SURREN- dropping off a small winter there. However, he also wants to save DER!, the British fort marker at garrison for Fort Carillon at least one unit from the attrition Hudson Carry North is replaced with (Bougainville, two 3-4s and a looming at the overcrowded Fort a completed French fort marker, and Couriers unit) on his way through Edward. He uses the card individu- the four British units there are Ticonderoga. He continues with ally to activate the 4-4 Highlander moved to the fort at Hudson Carry the remainder of his force to unit at Hudson Carry South and South. The French receive 2 VPs, Montréal for the winter. During moves it to better winter quarters at moving the VP marker to French 5. his activation, the French player Albany. demolishes the newly-captured The British player takes advantage of fort at Hudson Carry North in French Action Phase Eight: The the fact that his fortification fell to a order to keep it out of British French player now plays his remain- force including both Drilled and hands. This reduces VPs to ing cards in succession, because the Indian units, and immediately plays French 3. British hand is empty. He plays #56 #7 MASSACRE! (this event has a FRENCH REGULARS as an Event, brown background around its name, b) With Villiers, the French player placing two 3-4s at Québec and and therefore is playable during the takes advantage of Montcalm removing the card from play. French Action Phase). The British having drawn British forces away receive 1 VP, moving the VP marker from the Mohawk River. Villiers French Action Phase Nine: He then to French 4. The four Indian units and the Coureurs move by land plays #26 WESTERN INDIAN ALLIANCE with Montcalm are eliminated, and over the six spaces to Schenectady as an Event. He still has less than 5 the French player removes the (whether via Oswego or West VPs and must halve the die roll FRENCH ALLIED markers from Lac Canada Creek doesn’t matter) to (rounding up). His roll is a 1 which, des Deux Montagnes and Raid. Bradstreet, at Albany, has a halved and rounded up, remains a 1. Kahnawake, because there are no good chance to intercept (on a 3 He can flip two reduced Indian units longer any Algonquin or or higher because of his Tactics for every new unit he may place, so Caughnawaga units on the map. rating) with his Light Infantry uses the result to flip the previously- (Schenectady is cultivated, so the reduced Shawnee and Mingo units British Action Phase Six: The British drilled Light Infantry may both back to full strength. player enters more troops with #54 intercept the lone Coureurs unit). LIGHT INFANTRY. The leader he draws But, capping a bad year for the Indians & Leaders Go Home Phase: is Bradstreet, whom he places in British player, he rolls a 2 and This was the last Action Phase of a Albany with one 2-6 unit, placing a fails. There are no Militia in the Late Season, so the Indians & second 2-6 at Halifax. Northern box to deploy. Johnson Leaders Go Home Phase follows. is alone with enemy units and There are no lone leaders and the French Action Phase Seven: Having must retreat, and is placed in only Indians not in fortifications or lost Montcalm’s Indians to the Albany. their settlements is the Mississauga unexpected massacre, the French unit at East Delaware. The French player reconsiders his campaign plan. Villiers and his Coureurs now raid player places the unit in the Looking at his hand, he decides that the stockade. They receive a +1 Mississauga settlement space. he would like to play both the for Tactics and roll a 4 on the REGULARS and INDIAN ALLIANCE as Stockade column. The result is Remove Raided Markers Phases: The 1 events, leaving him with too few “Success/1”. The French player French have three markers for 1 /2 activations to drive on Albany. Also, removes the stockade and places a VPs which, rounded up to 2 VPs, with British strength continuing to Raided marker (no VPs are moves the VP marker to French 5. build along the Hudson, he decides received for destroying the that it is time to shift to the defen- stockade, it was destroyed in a Winter Attrition Phase: All units sive there. Furthermore, a buffer of Raid). He flips the Coureurs unit outside friendly cultivated spaces are wilderness is desirable. to 0-6 and places it with Villiers in fortifications and in stacks of four at the nearest fortification, Fort units or fewer, except for Webb’s He plays #4 CAMPAIGN as an Event, Carillon (the Ticonderoga space). army of ten units at Hudson Carry using it to activate Montcalm’s army, South. The Ranger unit (an Auxil- plus Villiers, at Cataraqui (Fort British Action Phase Seven: The iary) is unaffected. Three drilled Frontenac), who will command a British player must now play his last units are already reduced, of which Coureurs unit. card, #49 CALL OUT MILITIAS [1]. the British player must eliminate two He would like to add a Militia unit, (every odd unit—the first and the especially to the Southern box in third). He chooses to eliminate the

Page 12 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War reduced Provinicial and the 2-4 and allow a garrison to remain Regular, leaving a reduced Royal STRATEGY NOTES through the winter without attrition. American unit in place. He then flips Defensively, forts slow down an the remaining six Provincial and General enemy campaign by forcing him to Regular units in the space to their stop and siege. But be careful how reduced sides. The British have lost WILDERNESS WAR explores the many you build and don’t neglect to more troops this year to deprivation interplay between the conventional demolish them when necessary, for and sickness than to battle. European military methods of the otherwise their loss will yield victory 18th Century and the raiding and points to the enemy! Victory Check Phase: Neither player other forms of petit guerre common has more than 10 VPs, so the game on the American frontier. Conse- Beyond the two styles of warfare, proceeds to 1758. The SURRENDER! quently, there are two general players will have to decide upon card has appeared, so the players methods of gaining victory points in which geographic axes to center their shuffle the discard and draw piles the game. During the course of their efforts, and how and to what degree together to form a fresh draw pile for campaigns, players will have to to counter enemy efforts along each. Early Season 1758. decide between throwing their resources into the massing of conven- The importance of the maritime The year 1757 has seen poor plan- tional armies and the capture of axis—Halifax to Louisbourg to ning and mishandling of opportuni- fortifications and cities, or into the Québec—is evident. It contains two ties by both sides. Although the border war of frontier raiding and of New France’s three fortresses, French made only small gains, they skirmishing. which are worth 3 victory points each did manage to keep the British off and cannot run away nor be demol- balance in what must have been a The tradeoffs will not often be ished. And loss of Louisbourg can disappointing year for King George. obvious. Capturing a fortress or cut the French army of regulars off In 1758, the British must make string of forts and stockades can from European reinforcement, either better use of their growing superior- yield a large cache of victory points by leading to the loss of Québec or ity in forces, perhaps with major quickly. But the constant trickle of a by tilting the naval balance decisively expeditions up the Hudson, to victory point here and there from against France at Quiberon. Louisbourg, or in the west to destroy raids—which are cheap and low- the bases of the French and Indian risk—can add up to a war-winning A maritime campaign is a high- frontier raiders. Now it’s time for you lead even before a more cumbersome stakes affair for both sides, however. to carry the flag forward and improve and often risky conventional offen- Every amphibious landing by on this record! sive yields results. regulars that is repelled costs the British a victory point; siege and * * * * * Similarly, activating a large force assault of a fortress is not a trivial under a single leader can be a very challenge; and if a large British army efficient way to move troops. But the is still sitting outside the walls of effectiveness of activating individu- Louisbourg or Québec when winter ally—especially with Indians—for comes, attrition will be devastating. dispersed raiding operations should not be under estimated. Meanwhile, what is happening in the interior? Both players have multiple Construction will play a key role in axes available for conventional either method of conflict. The first campaigns—principally defined by means of countering raids is to the waterways. The Lake protect cultivated spaces with Champlain-Hudson corridor in the stockades. Alone, they increase losses center is the most direct route to among the raiders. Used in a system— enemy fortresses. But the West built to complete coverage and should not be ignored: lucrative backed by militia and (if using the targets at Ohio Forks and Niagara Intercept rule) a scattering of drilled beckon the British; the French must troops—they can thwart individual secure their waterway westward raiding parties almost every time. should reinforcement of these posts become necessary; and control of the For a conventional offensive, stock- West—from Ohio to Oneida— ades and forts facilitate movement by governs control of the various Indian drilled troops through the wilderness tribes who live there.

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 13 WILDERNESS WAR

In general, it is advantageous to tively provide the French interior your militia, which can play a key pursue operations in more than one lines. Key targets for you are British role in the defense of Canada. theater at a time, so as to make use of fortifications at Hudson Carry or, in Campaign cards that allow the 1755 scenarios, at Oswego and Knowing when to evacuate and activation of two forces in one Action Oneida. Control of Oswego is demolish your posts is a key skill for Phase. particularly important to protect the the French player. If a British long French lines of communication offensive gets rolling along a line of A third strategic decision facing both to the West and to block a British- French forts and stockades, you’ll sides, after conventional or brush Iroquois alliance. lose your lead in points very quickly. warfare and where to strike, concerns Remember that every little French the speed of campaigns and the You will have the far greater oppor- Marine detachment that gets caught degree of attendant risk to be tunities for raiding of the two sides, in the field can cost you a victory accepted. A conservative approach and you must take maximum advan- point as well. means building fortifications as you tage. In the 1755 scenarios, the early go, principally to guarantee a route of years are open raiding season—before Fort Duquesne at Ohio Forks is a retreat if a battle goes awry. But the British mobilize border defenses special case. It is difficult to defend sometimes the bold approach—the of stockades, militia, and provincials. because it is more than one move quick march over wilderness trails or Use this period to generate a lead in away from the St.Lawrence. But the long-distance strike by boat— victory points (which can help recruit don’t surrender it too early—it is the must be risked to take advantage of a even more Indians) and force the key to the border war in the west and fleeting enemy vulnerability . . . or British to invest in defenses. can lead to a domino-like loss of simply to get the job done in the French fortifications to its north— time (that is, the number of cards) But even if the British seal up the including Niagara. Consider sending available. frontier, don’t give up on raiding reinforcements to Duquesne if the entirely. Every raid will have some British begin a build up in Pennsyl- The French chance of success, and late in the vania or Virginia. Harry British game a single added victory point can progress across the Alleghenies by The first puzzle for the French player make all the difference. The border auxiliary attacks on stockades along is what to do with Louisbourg. war is often a battle of attrition, and his march route. Consider holding an Losing it early can go a long way to if you have more auxiliaries than the “Ambush!” card into a subsequent preventing a French victory—but enemy has militia you can win. hand if you don’t have a chance to losing it with a large French force Against a solid defense of stockades use it immediately—one successful trapped inside can be even worse! and militia, try a tactically capable ambush can turn around a campaign, Slow down any British amphibious leader in command of several auxilia- especially in this remote part of the campaign with Foul Weather or (if ries: they will have a good shot at map. you’re willing to risk an early defeating any militia that deploys and Quiberon) Louisbourg Squadrons if have a decent shot at a successful The French global strategy which you have them, and by putting raid. If they destroy the stockade— you are to support in America pressure on the enemy in the interior. and the enemy does not immediately involves simply achieving a stale- Eventually, you will have to decide rebuild it—send more raiders mate. In the end, you have the luxury whether to defend in force—includ- through the gap! of time. If you made use of your early ing on the shore—or pull back to the advantage, the British will be on a St.Lawrence and prepare to defend If your raids and campaigns have tight schedule. You can lose battles there. Even without a garrison of won you a lead, you will have to and territory and still win the war. regulars, the fortress can burn up decide whether to go for a Sudden Even when British forces seem British cards to capture, especially if Death or to switch to the defensive overwhelming, you can win through left in the hands of a tactically adept and hold out to the end. Watch the delay, harrassment, raiding, and just leader. British player’s buildup carefully— making a nuisance of yourself. you can lose your advantages in In the interior, you start out with numbers and leadership quickly if he The British superiority in leadership, in auxilia- gets the right cards. Keep an eye on ries, and (barely) in regulars. You your own losses as well: British Britain has her navy, and the sea via should be on the offensive for much capture of Québec or, depending on Louisbourg looks like the direct of the game—with raiders, or a how the naval war is going, play of a route to the vitals of New France. regular army, or both. Parry British single card (Quiberon) can cut you But it is only one possible approach thrusts by moving quickly along off from the ability to restore regu- to victory—and not necessarily the rivers and lakeshores, which effec- lars. And don’t forget to build up easiest. Always consider the option of

Page 14 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War dedicating a large force to an am- But until you have decent leaders and Most of all: keep moving! Time is phibious campaign, but don’t get superior numbers of drilled troops, it against the British—especially in the fixated upon it to the degree of will be easy enough for the French to Annus Mirabilis scenario. You must ignoring opportunities or dangers react to your offensive. So watch that take risks. Sometimes, you will not elsewhere. French automatic victory level be able to afford all the construction carefully if your offensive does not prudence would dictate. You may A flexible approach is to mass pay quick dividends! have to risk that battle without a reinforcements at Halifax and test retreat route in order to seize the the enemy’s resolve to hold at Lake Champlain is often the main next French fort on schedule. You Louisbourg. Even if you don’t front, but don’t disregard other may even—on the odd occasion— happen to be holding an Amphibious theaters. As long as British fortifica- need to suffer winter attrition. Landing card, the French player tions span the Oneida Carry, you usually cannot be sure. You may force pose an immediate threat to Niagara You don’t want to look for such him into either reinforcing or or the upper St.Lawrence that is situations, but neither can you shy evacuating the fortress. The ideal is difficult for the French player to from them if the only alternative is to to trap a good portion of his army ignore. British presence here also let the clock run out on the war. there in a siege. But if the defense is opens the possibility of the Iroquois Don’t be lulled by the historical too strong, you can always redeploy joining you, and they can be a great outcome: the pressure of time is to New York or the Southern De- help to your regulars in the wilder- upon you. Particularly if using the partment and head inland. ness, and a threat to the cultivated Advanced Rules that require supply areas around Montréal. If the French for sieges and allow a slippery Your first task in the interior prob- control the Oswego-Oneida corridor, Frenchman to avoid battles and ably will be dealing with French and the Iroquois could join them—and infiltrate stockade lines, the tyrant of Indian raiders. There are many ways turn on the Pennsylvania or New time can make the British side the to do so. Militia may seem humble, York frontiers. more challenging to play in Wilder- but once there are two in a Depart- ness War. ment—or if they back up a solid line Don’t be overly deterred by what of stockades—they can cut French happened to Braddock on the * * * * * successes sharply. If you are playing Monongahela. Fort Duquesne is with the Infiltrate and Intercept actually quite vulnerable and a rich rules, it helps to post a provincial or prize for you. If the French don’t regular unit every few spaces along demolish it, its value in points is the the frontier to intercept raiders as same as Montréal or Québec; if they they come through. do, you’ve won a bloodless victory. Moreover, British occupation of If your opponent is nevertheless bent Ohio Forks usually will eliminate the on raiding, consider offensive raiding problem in the South. Once remedies as well. If playing without taken, you can press north—but the Avoid Battle rule—or if you have watch your garrison of the Ohio, or rangers or Indians of your own—you an enterprising enemy is likely to try can pounce on enemy raiding parties to retake it! as they stop on a mountain space. With rangers or Indians, try some As the British player, it is easy to raids on enemy Indian settlements forget to raid. You will need what while the tenants are away. Other- auxiliaries you have to protect and wise, the most direct and lasting guide your drilled troops in the remedy is to launch a campaign to wilderness. But if you can spare some occupy enemy Indian settlements rangers—or Mohawks with Johnson or—especially—the French forts that in command—they can make terrific support alliances and raiding activi- raiders. (And why should the French ties. player have all the fun?) In addition to victory points, raiding can elimi- A final option is to ignore enemy nate Indian units and prevent that raiders and focus on conquest of bothersome French militia from French territory. Capture a few forts deploying for the defense of Québec or a fortress, and you’ve compensated or Montréal. in victory points for alot of raiding.

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 15 WILDERNESS WAR

BRITISH MINISTERIAL CRISIS (#37) pended on individuals crossing often- CARD NOTES [3]: The fortunes of Newcastle, Pitt unfamiliar, enemy-inhabited terri- and other ministers in London tory. A military situation could turn Activation values are listed in peaked and troughed between 1755 on an intercepted message—as at brackets [#]. The 70-card deck and 1758, disrupting material Fort William Henry in August 1757. consists of: support for the war in America. 23 1-value cards DIPLOMATIC REVOLUTION (#69) [3]: 19 2-value cards BRITISH REGULARS (#57-59, 64) [3]: The alliance in 1756 between ancient 28 3-value cards. Britain’s ability to send a larger enemies France and Austria—soon to portion of its much smaller army include Saxony, Russia and Swe- than could France across the Atlantic den—imperiled British interests on ACADIANS EXPELLED (#66) [2]: British deportation of the French was a key to eventual victory. the Continent and heralded French speaking population of Nova Scotia mobilization for global war. in 1755 removed the need for a large CALL OUT MILITIAS (#49-52) [1]: British garrison but hardened the Royal or provincial commanders FIELDWORKS (#9-10) [1]: Numerous resolve of French Canadians to resist often called on county or other local battles—including those at the the British. militiamen to augment defenses Hudson Carry, Ticonderoga, against raiding activity and—in the Louisbourg, Québec and La case of Canada—for major battles. Belle-Famille—turned on the AMBUSH! (#11-12) [1]: The advan- tages in scouting and screening defender’s use of breastworks or the afforded by large numbers of fron- CAMPAIGN (#1-4) [3]: Both sides— attacker’s ability to overcome or tiersmen could provide decisive but particularly the British—sought circumvent them. advantages of stealth and surprise in to develop multiple, simultaneous the wilderness. axes of operations against the enemy. FRANÇOIS BIGOT (#36) [2]: Both crowns’ interests suffered throughout CHEROKEES (#30) [1]: A southern the war from individuals who were at AMPHIBIOUS LANDING (#17-20) [1]: Many preconditions—naval trans- Appalachian Indian people having once key officials and avaricious port, escorts, supplies, landing long-friendly relations with their speculators—but from none as boats—had to coalesce to make British neighbors, the Cherokee flagrant as this corrupt royal Inten- possible a major British amphibious briefly sent some 700 warriors to dant (chief of finance and civil operation. Pennsylvania to serve with Forbes as administration) of Canada. auxiliaries. FRENCH REGULARS (#55-56, 68) [3]: BASTIONS REPAIRED (#5) [1]: During a prolonged siege in the European CHEROKEE UPRISING (#31) [3]: The Despite fielding a huge army, style, defenders would attempt to falling out with Forbes and incidents France’s strategy of seeking decision destroy the besiegers’ works with with British settlers along the in Europe, plus British naval superi- bombardment or small-scale sorties, warriors’ return route southward ority, meant that only a handful of while working to repair damage to escalated into a British-Cherokee French battalions reached America. their own fortifications. war that diverted as many as 1,300 regulars to the Carolinas. FOUL WEATHER (#14) [2]: Nature could derail the commander’s most BLOCKHOUSES (#13) [1]: Colonists sometimes built themselves fortified COEHORNS & HOWITZERS (#8) [1]: well-conceived plans—particularly at sanctuaries that enemy raiders in These indirect-fire weapons were sea. search of captives would either particularly useful against fortifica- bypass—prolonging their exposure in tions—if larger pieces and their GEORGE CROGHAN (#16) [1]: hostile territory—or assault at the ammunition could be hauled through Croghan, Christopher Gist and other risk of casualties. the wilderness in any substantial British frontier traders sometimes number. provided Indian guides for British forces—or acted as wilderness guides BRITISH COLONIAL POLITICS (#41- 42) [3]: Colonial assemblies’ support COLONIAL RECRUITS (#46) [2]: With themselves. for the war fluctuated—reaching a pay and provisioning of colonial units low point in 1757 under Loudoun’s irregular at best, the ability to fill GOVERNOR VAUDREUIL INTERFERES imperious policies, such as forced gaps in the ranks was equally irregu- (#22) [3]: Canada’s Governor- billeting of regulars. lar. General quarreled with the military commander-in-chief, Montcalm, COURIER INTERCEPTED! (#35) [3]: over strategy and the assignments of Wilderness communications de- favored subordinates. (If Vaudreuil

Page 16 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War has been eliminated in the game, the 1757, but the more aggressive French RANGERS (#53) [1]: In an effort to event represents actions by a succes- naval posture also risked tipping the counter French and Indian auxilia- sor.) balance in other naval theaters. ries, the British formed elite compa- nies of backwoodsmen who were to HIGHLANDERS (#60-61, 63) [3,1,1]: MASSACRE! (#7) [1]: Indian auxilia- “range” along the frontier and beat In part as a result of a suggestion ries’ pursuit of their anticipated the enemy at his own game. from Wolfe and the influence of Pitt, captives and booty among surren- the crown raised and dispatched dered troops often embarrassed ROYAL AMERICANS (#65) [3]: Raised Highland units to take part in the European officers—particularly in 1756 in four 1,000-man battalions American wilderness fighting, in Montcalm—and could feed enemy of mostly Pennsylvanians and New which they proved themselves a force propaganda. Yorkers officered by Europeans, the of particular esprit. 60th Royal Americans were a creative MOHAWKS (#29) [1]: Allied to the way to take advantage of colonial INDIANS DESERT (#33) [2]: More British through personal bonds to manpower. self-interested allies than subordi- New York grandee William Johnson, nates, Indian war parties could Mohawk warriors served as the only SMALL POX (#34) [3]: Inoculation declare an end to their own partici- substantial force of native auxiliaries against this disease had yet to be pation in a campaign—out of pique available to Britain during the first invented, and it ravaged Europeans or if sated with the trophies already half of the war. and Indians alike—most famously won. the William Henry garrison in 1757. NORTHERN INDIAN ALLIANCE (#23- INTRIGUES AGAINST SHIRLEY (#70) 25) [2]: French authorities had long STINGY PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY (#39- [2]: Governor William Shirley of had mutually beneficial relations with 40) [2]: Provincial ranks became Massachusetts ran afoul of political tribes of the St.Lawrence region, depleted when disinterested assem- conflict with other colonial authori- many under the influence of mission- blies failed to pay or provision ties and was removed from command aries, and with Great Lakes tribes them—a problem relieved by more after the largely unsuccessful 1755 through trade via French forts. enthusiastic provincial support for campaign. the war effort after 1757. PROVINCIAL REGIMENTS DISPERSED IROQUOIS ALLIANCE (#28) [3]: FOR FRONTIER DUTY (#38) [2]: SURRENDER! (#6) [3]: Eighteenth Except for the staunchly pro-British Several colonies responded to Century sieges often ended in a Mohawk, the Six Nations sought to devastating Indian raids by garrison- negotiated parole of the garrison maintain their neutrality, until ing strings of stockades with small rather than an infantry assault, if the British dominance of Iroquoia detachments of provincial troops— besieger believed honorable resis- became evident in 1759. who proved as much targets as tance deserved such terms—or hindrances to the raiders. simply wished to avoid casualties— LAKE SCHOONER (#15) [1]: Both and if the defenders were willing to sides built and operated flotillas of QUIBERON BAY (#62) [3]: When the give up their post. lake sloops and schooners, whose French navy, pressed by lack of firepower could devastate a bateau- success elsewhere, in late 1759 TREATY OF EASTON (#32) [2]: With borne enemy force or destroy supply attempted a concentration in support Forbes within striking distance of or munitions barges accompanying a of an invasion of Britain, British Fort Duquesne in October 1758, force marching along the shore. Admiral Hawke engaged and de- representatives of Pennsylvania and stroyed a major portion of the French several Indian nations negotiated a LIGHT INFANTRY (#54) [2]: Inspired fleet southeast of Brest, thereby peace between the British and the by the forces of European opponents severing New France from Old. Western tribes. such as the Habsburg Croat Grenzer who fought in open order, the British RAISE PROVINCIAL REGIMENTS (#43- TROOP TRANSPORTS & LOCAL fielded light infantry companies in 45) [2]: Britain had a 10-to-1 ENLISTMENTS (#47) [3]: Small regular regiments and then whole advantage over France in colonial contingents of regulars arrived from light regiments recruited from population, but was unable to bring it Europe throughout the war to fill Britain and the colonies. to bear, until Loudoun’s removal and depleted ranks and, as often, regular new policies healed crown-provincial units recruited locals as a supple- LOUISBOURG SQUADRONS (#21) [3]: relations in 1758 and bolstered ment. French augmentation of naval forces provincial ranks. at Louisbourg helped stave off VICTORIES IN GERMANY (#48) [3]: Loudoun’s amphibious plans for Brilliant battlefield command by

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 17 WILDERNESS WAR British allies Frederick of Prussia and Early Season 1755 Ferdinand of Brunswick meant that HISTORICAL Capitalizing on their recent con- Britain could feed the European war struction of the four-bastioned Fort largely with subsidies rather than CHRONOLOGY Duquesne at Ohio Forks, the French British bodies—but more French, seal alliances with the Indian tribes Russian or Austrian victories might The small number of Indians that of the Ohio region, whose war have reversed this effect. we have here, realizing the need we parties begin to gather at the fort. have of them, are extremely insolent. WESTERN INDIAN ALLIANCE (#26-27) This evening they wished to kill all Major General Edward Braddock, at [2]: The French were able to impress the General’s hens. They forcefully Alexandria with the recently landed the initially reluctant western tribes take away barrels of wine, kill the 44th and 48th Foot, marches to with their rapid fortification of the cattle, and we must put up with it. Will’s Creek, where he is joined by Ohio region, but these alliances What a country! What a war! Virginia and Maryland provincials lasted only as long as French military for an expedition via Laurel Ridge presence at Fort Duquesne. —Capt. Louis-Antoine and Gist’s Station against Fort de Bougainville, Duquesne. Massachusetts Governor WILLIAM PITT (#67) [3]: De facto June 1758 William Shirley raises a largely prime minister in late 1756 and, after provincial army for a planned strike a hiatus in 1757, for the duration of The war that would bring an unprec- at Fort Niagara from Oswego, while the North American war, William edented level of European-style New York Colonel William Johnson Pitt reorganized British resources military operations to the wilderness is to take a mixed provincial and under a global strategy and expanded of the North American Indian began Mohawk force north against Fort British war aims to include the full as an escalating diplomatic conflict— St-Frédéric at Crown Point. conquest of Canada. first between Virginia and Canada, and then between London and Late Season 1755 * * * * * Paris—over competing claims to the The French at Duquesne decide to country around the Ohio River and attempt an ambush of Braddock’s its tributaries. Fort construction there army as it approaches the fort. What by the French and a Virginian results is more of a meeting engage- expedition to evict them led to ment than an ambush, but the military clashes in 1754, of which the smaller force of French and Indians Virginians took the worst. With use the cover of the surrounding undeclared war underway, Britain wilderness to shoot down Braddock’s dispatched two regular regiments of tightly packed columns of redcoats foot to Virginia while France sent six for a decisive British defeat (VPs to battalions to Canada and the New French 1). Braddock and the French World’s “Gibraltar,” the mighty stone commander, Marine Captain Daniel fortress and naval base of de Beaujeu, are killed. Louisbourg. The French begin work on a new fort War would be declared in May 1756, (Carillon) at Ticonderoga south of eventually ensnaring the major Crown Point. The French com- powers of Europe and spanning the mander-in-chief, Baron de globe. Observers at the time clearly Dieskau—deferring a planned strike saw the military events in America on Oswego in order to meet the and Europe as tightly meshed, but threat from Johnson—takes an army both its beginnings and its greatest of regulars, Canadians and Indians effect would be in North America. up Lake Champlain. The opposing forces meet in battle near the north The following chronology summa- end of the Hudson Carry, where rizes those events as they might Johnson’s troops also are building a occur in a game of WILDERNESS fort (William Henry). In the engage- WAR—season by season, with ment, Dieskau is shot and captured corresponding victory point levels. and his army turned back. (VPs to French 0).

Page 18 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War

British forces under Brigadier Robert fort, taking the garrison prisoner troops) leads to a growing reluctance Monckton subdue French resistance after a brief artillery duel (VPs to by provincial assemblies to support in Nova Scotia and expel the French- French 3). He subsequently loses what they are coming to see as the speaking population of Acadia. control of his Indian auxiliaries, who crown’s war—rather than their war— take a number of British captives, against France. With Duquesne secure, the French and scalp sick and wounded in an send their Delaware and other hours-long massacre (VPs to French Impressed by French victories, large western Indian allies on a campaign 2.) Montcalm razes the British numbers of Indians from the upper of frontier raids against the Southern fortifications and returns to the St. Great Lakes (pays d’en haut) and the Department (VP to French 1). Lawrence River. St. Lawrence mission settlements Pennsylvania begins construction of a gather at Montréal. defensive screen of stockades. British Colonel Daniel Webb, enroute up the Mohawk River to A force of 1,600 Canadians, Indians Early Season 1756 relieve Oswego, decides instead to and French regulars—led, at French Coureurs des bois and Indians, travel- demolish the British fortifications at Governor Vaudreuil’s insistence, by ing along frozen rivers on ice-skates, the carry and pull back to New York. his brother, François-Pierre de raid and destroy Fort Bull at the Rigaud—tracks over the ice of Lake Oneida Carry, demonstrating the In the aftermath of Oswego, Iroquois George for a surprise attack on strategic vulnerability of the British delegates at Montréal offer some William Henry. The attackers position at Oswego. French-led support to the French, but the damage some buildings, boats and Shawnee raid the Virginia frontier, Iroquois Confederacy (other than the supplies, but are unable to overcome where construction ensues on a line pro-British Mohawk and a few pro- the fort’s garrison and withdraw of stockades along the Shenadoah French Seneca) remains neutral. (VPs to French 3). valley, each 20 miles from the next. Alliance between France and Austria Southern Department provincials Shirley—since Braddock’s death the leads to the beginning of general war and militia struggle against contin- senior British officer in America—is on the European continent. The ued French and Indian raids. Mean- relieved of command and the British forces of France and her allies greatly while, Loudoun assembles a sizable war effort languishes while awaiting outnumber those of Britain’s ally force of regulars for a strike on the arrival of the new commander- Prussia and Britain’s possession in Louisbourg. in-chief, John Campbell, Earl of Germany, Hanover. Meanwhile, Loudoun. Meanwhile, the Marquis William Pitt becomes de facto British A ministerial crisis temporarily ousts de Montcalm lands at Québec with Prime Minister and sets in train the Pitt and delays reinforcements for battalions of the La Sarre and Royal beginnings of a strategy maximizing America. On the European Conti- Roussillon regiments and takes British commitment to the conflict nent, Britain’s ally King Frederick of command of French forces. in North America. The strategy Prussia is proving a nimble opponent, includes the raising of new Highland but he suffers a major defeat at Late Season 1756 units to be sent to the New World. Kolin, taking pressure off the The British form four battalions of Franco-Austrian alliance. regulars from colonial recruits, the Delaware Indian raiders destroy Fort “Royal Americans,” while an inde- Granville, a stockade built by Penn- Late Season 1757 pendent unit of Rangers under New sylvania on the Juniata River. (The Loudoun assembles an overwhelming Hampshire Captain Robert Rogers British frontier stockades are proving force of regulars at Halifax, but foul begins operating out of forts William as much targets as impediments to weather and reinforcing French naval Henry and Edward. Loudoun lands the French and Indian raids.) In squadrons at Louisbourg delay the at New York city with additional reprisal, Pennsylvanians successfully planned amphibious operation regiments from Britain. raid the Delaware settlement of against Louisbourg until the season Kittaning, forcing the Delaware to is too advanced to proceed. A 3,000-man force under Montcalm pull away westward (net raids bring (Béarn, Guyenne, La Sarre, plus VPs to French 4). The few new troops the British auxiliaries) arrives a short distance provinces are willing to mobilize are from Oswego, a British schooner Early Season 1757 busy defending the frontier against operating out of the British position Bickering between an imperious French and Indian raids. This on Lake Ontario having failed to Loudoun and self-interested colonial diversion, together with the British spot the French force until already authorities (such as over the issue of concentration at Halifax, give the ashore. Montcalm quickly invests the where to house British regular French an opportunity for local

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 19 WILDERNESS WAR superiority in drilled troops wherever and Prussia afloat with subsidies from Massachusetts, Connecticut and in the interior they might choose to while sending fresh troops to New Jersey. mass them. America. Meanwhile, Amherst assembles a Montcalm takes advantage of this Early Season 1758 new Louisbourg strike force at superiority, and of his abundance of This is to be the year that Pitt’s Halifax, 12,000 men including the Indian auxiliaries, to launch an global strategy gains full stride. He 15th, 28th, 35th, 47th, 48th, 58th overland invasion toward Albany. Six replaces Loudoun with the latter’s Regiments of Foot, the 78th High- battalions of army regulars, plus second, Major General James landers and the 2nd and 3rd battal- marines, Canadians and some 800 Abercromby; promotes to general ions of Royal Americans. Braving Indian warriors ascend Lake George rank the militarily competent Jeffery French fieldworks, a brigade under from Carillon in bateaux and canoes Amherst, James Wolfe and John Wolfe forces a landing two miles or march through the woods along Forbes and dispatches them to from the fortress and a formal the shoreline. Montcalm’s force (of America; and repairs relations with European-style siege ensues (VPs to almost 8,000 with heavy mortars and the provincial assemblies. He also French 4). cannon) faces a garrison at William tightens the Royal Navy’s blockade of Henry of fewer than 2,500 effectives, France, setting the stage for a Late Season 1758 principally the 35th regiment plus showdown at sea. In America, Pitt’s French Marine commandant provincials. (Small pox had recently policies have infused the British war Augustin Drucour defends struck the British.) effort with a new superiority in Louisbourg fortress steadfastly with regular army and provincial man- his Marines and the Artois, After a six-day siege, and bombard- power. Bougogne, Cambis and Volontaires ment which destroys most of Will- Étrangers regular battalions. Seven iam Henry’s cannon, Montcalm Forbes in Pennsylvania is to finally weeks of British siegecraft and offers the British terms. The fort’s put a stop to the incessant Indian bombardment from land and sea commander accepts after Montcalm raids plaguing the southern colonies reduce the French fortress to submis- produces a message from Webb at by seizing Duquesne. He assembles sion (VPs to French 1). nearby Fort Edward making clear an army which will eventually grow that no relief is coming (VPs to to 6,000 Pennsylvania, Virginia and Back in the interior, Montcalm French 5). As the French soldiers regular troops (including the 1st receives ample warning of attempt to escort surrendering Royal American battalion and the Abercromby’s preparations on Lake British troops away from the fort, 77th Highlanders). He begins to George and concentrates eight Montcalm’s Indians again rebel and construct a road and a series of regular battalions at Ticonderoga. another massacre ensues—principally stockaded depots westward from Despite nevertheless being heavily the taking of captives and booty— Carlisle (including Fort Bedford at outnumbered when Abercromby’s following which the Indians return Raystown and Fort Ligonier just force arrives, Montcalm makes a home (VPs to French 4). Without his beyond Laurel Ridge). As many as stand behind well-built fieldworks in Indian auxiliaries and fearing over 700 Cherokees from southern front of the fort. Abercromby orders extension in the approaching fall, Appalachia join Forbes, but quickly frontal assaults on Montcalm’s abatis Montcalm demolishes William become alienated from the British in and breastworks. All are repelled Henry and returns north (VPs to disagreements that eventually with heavy losses (VPs to French 2). French 3). escalate into a full-scale border war southwest of Virginia. Out of other options, Abercromby French raiders destroy frontier authorizes Colonel John Bradstreet settlements near Schenectady Western Indian raids ravage the to re-establish British presence at the (together with earlier raids, VPs to Pennsylvania and Virginia frontiers. Oneida carry and threaten the French 5). French on Lake Ontario. In a daring Abercromby concentrates 15,000 dash past the French lake fleet, In Germany, brilliant victories by men, with 890 bateaux and Bradstreet seizes and destroys Fort Frederick against the French and whaleboats to carry them, at the Frontenac (VPs to French 1). Austrians offset an ignominious British end of Lake George for his Hanoverian surrender to the French principal thrust of the year: an attack A mixed British vanguard heading at Kloster-Zeven. The stalemate on Fort Carillon. The regulars toward Duquesne is ambushed (VPs works against France’s strategy of include the Highlanders of the 1/ to French 2), but a subsequent seeking decision on the Continent 42nd Black Watch and the French and Indian attack on Fort and allows Britain to keep Hanover provincials include large contingents Ligonier is defeated.

Page 20 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War

The Ohio Indians decide that Forbes’ his rangers to raid the Baie-St-Paul (roughly equal to the British in advance is unstoppable and, at a and Rivière-Ouelle areas in a largely numbers, but not in training). congress with Pennsylvanians and the unsuccessful effort to induce Cana- Controlled British musket volleys Iroquois at Easton agree to a treaty dian militias to desert Montcalm’s undo the ragged French advance, removing them from the war. Forbes army. resulting in a major British field advances toward Duquesne, which victory (VPs to British 5). Wolfe and the outnumbered French demolish Late Season 1759 Montcalm both fall in the engage- before retreating northward (VPs to Having succeeded Abercromby and ment, and Vaudreuil withdraws up French 1). The British occupy the transferred his headquarters to the the St. Lawrence. A besieged Québec Forks and begin construction of a Champlain front, Amherst is in capitulates in six days (VPs to British new, five-bastioned fort (Fort Pitt), position to take advantage of 8). securing their frontier from Ohio Montcalm’s concentration against Indian raids and opening the way Wolfe. British strength on Lake Setting out from Amhert’s fort at westward (VPs to French 0, then to George forces the French to abandon Crown Point (still under construc- French 1 for Early Season raids). Forts Carillon and St. Frederic (VPs tion), Robert Rogers’ New Hamp- to 0). Amherst moves deliberately, shire rangers infiltrate French Early Season 1759 beginning construction on a large, defenses to raid and destroy the In a series of conferences, William five-bastioned fort at Crown Point. Abenaki settlement at St-François Johnson and his agents persuade the (VPs to British 9). A much-reduced Iroquois Confederacy to join the William Johnson leads a British force ranger force returns down the British side in the war. that includes some 1,000 Iroquois Connecticut River to Fort No.4. warriors in an investment of a Launching a campaign against weakly-defended Fort Niagara. Using Off the French coast southeast of Québec, Wolfe lands on the unde- concealed fieldworks in a skillful Brest, British Admiral Edward fended Île d’Orléans in the St. ambush at La Belle-Famille, he Hawke pursues his French counter- Lawrence estuary with some 9,000 defeats a mixed French relief force part, the Comte de Conflans, and a troops: eight battalions of regulars moving up from the Ohio forts (VPs major French fleet into the restricted plus the oversize 78th Highland to British 1). Niagara falls, and with waters of Quiberon Bay. Under gale Regiment, light infantry and Ameri- it France’s “Gateway of Nations”, its conditions, Hawke destroys or runs can rangers. link to pays d’en haut allies and trade aground most of Conflans’ ships— (VPs to British 4). The French one of the most decisive naval New France’s defenders had been abandon Forts Machault, LeBeouf, victories of the century and a fitting reinforced just before Wolfe’s Presqu’île and Rouillé. close to Britian’s “Year of Miracles.” expedition by several transports This strategic victory ends the threat carrying replacements that slipped In Germany, a Hanoverian-British of invasion of England, and Canada past the Royal Navy, and by Canadi- victory under Prince Ferdinand at is cut off from any resupply or ans enlisted into the ranks of the Minden causes thousands of French reinforcement from France. depleted regular regiments. To hold losses and stabilizes the situation for Québec, Montcalm is able to muster London’s allies. The battlefield Early Season 1760 five regular regiments of troupes de success helps siphon French resources The escalating war with the Chero- terre, various Marine units, more than from a planned invasion of England kee forces the British to dispatch 1,000 Canadian and pays d’en haut and obviates the need for large regulars from the 1st and 77th Indians still with the French, several contingents of British regulars either regiments to the Carolinas. Virginia thousand militia from regions of to reinforce the Continent or defend provincials are already fighting the Québec, Trois-Rivières and the homeland. Cherokee in the southern mountains. Montréal—and even 150 Acadian volunteers. At Québec, Montcalm stymies Wolfe Intent on retaking Québec, French for another six weeks after Mont- commander François-Gaston de Montcalm also has fortified the morency. However, Wolfe’s army Lévis regroups a French army of approaches to the city with artillery finally circumvents Montcalm’s 7,000 at Montréal, sails down river, redoubts and other formidable fieldworks around his right, through and meets a disease-ravaged British fieldworks. Wolfe makes an attempt a combination of ruse, audacity and army under James Murray on the at the French defenses at their luck, and assembles for battle on the Plains of Abraham—inflicting a northeastern extremity, Mont- Plains of Abraham outside the defeat and besieging the city (VPs to morency, but is bloodily repulsed fortress city. Montcalm decides to British 8). Lévis’ siege makes little (VPs to French 2). Wolfe also sends engage in a field battle with his force progress for want of guns and

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 21 WILDERNESS WAR especially ammunition, for it is the design puzzle for me was how to British Royal Navy and not the DESIGN NOTES allow players the option to carry out French Marine that controls access to all this essentially logistical activity the St. Lawrence. After three weeks, without complication and tedium. Lévis lifts the siege and returns up WILDERNESS WAR is an adapta- river to defend Montréal. tion of Mark Herman’s card-driven The answer was to combine both wargame system, first introduced in functions—fortification and road Late Season 1760 the game We the People. Mark building—into a card-use option that Simonitch’s Hannibal: Rome vs. would supplant placement of political The British begin a campaign of Carthage refined the strategy card coordinated convergence on control markers (which do not apply mechanics and showed that the to a wilderness context). Fortifica- Montréal. While one British force system could be felicitously adapted pushes north from Crown Point and tions in the game offer not only to widely different historical eras. defense and bases for raiding, but Murray leads his up the St. Lawrence Finally, Ted Raicer’s Paths of Glory from Québec, Amherst transfers his also speedy movement over mountain took the system in new directions in and forest. Players are free to take command to the upper St. Lawrence options of strategy card use, combat and captures a French stockade (Fort their armies anywhere they would systems and named units and rein- like in the wilderness—but they must Lévis) at Oswegatchie (VPs to forcements. British 9). either spend the time to hack out a supply route (and potential refuges WILDERNESS WAR also owes a for retreat) or risk losing that army to The French abandon Île-aux-Noix on great debt to Rob Markham’s pio- the Champlain front, hoping for an a disaster. A side can repair a cap- neering game on the French and tured fort and use it itself—but risk opportunity to use their central Indian War, Montcalm and Wolfe. position at Montréal to defeat the its recapture by the enemy—or can Among several innovations, this choose to demolish it and return three approaching British forces in handy little game meshed raiding by detail. The opportunity never arises, home (as Montcalm did at Oswego France’s native-American allies with and William Henry). as the British pincers approach other activities and objectives in the Montréal simultaneously. With game in a way that was both conse- In the game, stockades generally French forces and Montréal’s de- quential and fun—an effect I had fenses unfit to sustain a hopeless represent small, palisaded places tried but failed to achieve in a paper which are as important in their role siege, Vaudreuil and Lévis surrender campaign of the war that I had run the city (VPs to British 12). The as supply depots as for their defen- for my gaming group in the early sive benefit. Forts represent earth and British army ends the year in occupa- 1990s. tion of the entire St. Lawrence wood (or stone) construction with Valley, Ohio Forks and Lake bastions, ditches and artillery In WILDERNESS WAR’S mechanics embrasures. Both fortification marker Ontario—the war for French Canada for raiding, I have built on the is finished. types in the game also represent such success of Rob Markham’s design. activities as road building and the With the variety of raiders, raid * * * * * movement and accumulation of targets and effects of success—not to supplies—in short the logistical mention the defensive options of activity needed to support a Euro- militias, stockades and posting pean army in the American wilder- Drilled Troops in target areas—the ness. Fortresses represent particularly frontier border battles come alive in large and permanent fortifications, as WILDERNESS WAR as a game well as cities large enough to provide within a game. Infiltration and their own local defense. interception rules add further twists. Because so much in the war revolved One historical aspect missing in around these forts, many of the larger Montcalm and Wolfe is the construc- engagements were sieges rather than tion and demolition of forts in the field battles. So WILDERNESS wilderness—one of the principal WAR pays particular attention to strategic activities of the war and siegecraft. Rolling on the Siege Table objectives of its campaigns. A second represents construction of approach such activity was the construction of trenches and battery positions close road—such as those of Braddock and enough for effective bombardment Forbes—typically studded with and assault. supply depots along the way. The

Page 22 Playbook Game of the French & Indian War

To explore the differences and particular, that the afflicted side is Note that the French player would be interactions of the European-style allowed to choose step losses from able to receive European reinforce- troops that carried out such construc- Indians which are to be eliminated ments at Québec even if British tion and sieges—and the frontier anyway, thereby in effect shielding Units were in Île d’Orleans but not auxiliaries who pursued the petit non-Indian troops. However, it Québec—the British historically guerre of raids and wilderness should be noted that the Indian units were not able to establish firm naval ambushes—WILDERNESS WAR add to the stack size that draws a control of the approaches to Canada departs from the simpler, generic SMALL POX event in the first place, until Québec was in their hands. strength points for troops and and that their very vulnerability does introduces seven different troop so as well. For the side playing the A great deal of discussion, testing types, all differing in their capabili- event, choosing whether to inflict the and thought went into the victory ties. This part of the design saw disease on a stack with lots of conditions. More than most other much evolution during Rob Indians is more interesting for having aspects of WILDERNESS WAR, Winslow’s able development of the to consider that all Indians are these were not only streamlined game—mostly in the direction of automatically eliminated, but that considerably during development but streamlining and lessening the any European troops are likely to altered repeatedly in direction. With differences. I hope that players will remain unaffected. The historical too much focus on Montréal and agreed that we achieved the right premises are that Indians were Québec, players would tend to ignore balance between accessability and particularly susceptible and that historic scenes of action in the west. period character. warriors wouldn’t hang around if With too little, and the British player their comrades are dropping to the could ahistorically ignore populated One note on French unit types is Pox. Canada—and the French player necessary. French Canada had a could similarly ignore its defense. numerous and relatively well-trained The WILDERNESS WAR map is With too little victory-point incen- “militia” (milice), rather different than largely based on period maps (see tive to raid, the border war never that of the decentralized British Evens in Selected Sources), though happens; with too much, the British colonies. In the game, much of this judgment calls were of course needed are unable to make up with territorial militia is represented by the Coureur with regard to which spaces are gains for the damage the French units and part of the strength of the cultivated and which not, which raiders are likely to do in the first French regular units. The game’s rivers are substantial enough to years of the war. Finally, the victory Canadian Militia units represent depict, and so forth. A major deci- levels—including sudden death— emergency local augmentations of sion was which theaters to include required almost endless tinkering to the milice. and which to leave out. achieve what we hope is a historical and balanced contest. We cannot There is too much to say about the Far from being the channelized expect the typical game to recreate composition of the various events, so conflict that some have viewed it, the Britain’s phenomenal “Year of I will not attempt that here—with war saw major action over the course Miracles” in 1759, but it is possible. two exceptions: QUIBERON and of six years along numerous fronts SMALL POX. from Ohio in the west to Louisbourg What should the British player be on the seaboard—and that does not expected to accomplish to win? Linking the far away event of even consider the interminable French global strategy during the Quiberon Bay to the amphibious raiding and counter-raiding that Seven Years War—of which the struggle for Louisbourg may at first spanned the frontier. There was French and Indian War was but a seem odd. The premise of the linkage much to cover on the map; some part—sought to defeat Britain’s allies is that the success or failure of things I decided to relegate to off- on the European continent while French naval actions off North map events. These included the holding British gains in the colonies America are a barometer of their Acadian campaign of 1755 in Nova to a minimum. If New France could success globally—and therefore of Scotia and the Cherokee border war hold out—and inflict enough pain on the pressure on them to take the risks of 1759 and 1760 in southwestern British colonists—France could hope off European waters that led to the Virginia and the Carolinas. to regain any lost territory at the defeat in November 1759. peace table, as she had in the previ- The area around Québec saw a major ous war. WILDERNESS WAR’S SMALL POX originally had generated change during development—the victory conditions reflect both the normal winter attrition, but in game addition of a space for Île d’Orléans. holding action assigned to New development evolved into its own The added space made a closer France and the progressive fraying of form. Players may initially question facsimile of Wolfe’s famous 1759 relations between Britain and her how it treats Indian units—in campaign more likely in the game. colonies, should the British crown

Copyright © 2001 GMT Games Page 23 prove unable to protect colonial (1959). Rich discussion of the war frontiers. Victory points represent in SELECTED in the context of British global part perceptions—among the colonial strategy. population, back home and by the SOURCES Indians—of who is winning the war. Parkman, Francis. Montcalm and If the British can hold things Anderson, Fred. Crucible of War—The Wolfe (1884). The classic English- together (avoid a French automatic Seven Years’ War and the Fate of language treatment of the war. victory) and gain enough territory to Empire in British North America, Luscious prose; consciously pro- make the suffering seem worth- 1754-1766 (2000). Touted as an British in his disappointment while—at least to the classes that analysis of the war as a precursor with what became of a great mattered—the war can be called a to the Revolution, it also offers an French empire. British victory. engrossing narrative of the campaigns. Critiques of the Stacey, C.P. Québec, 1759—The Siege WILDERNESS WAR owes a great commanders are rather harsh on and the Battle (1959, Anniversary deal to the veteran designers already Montcalm, Wolfe and Rogers. edition). mentioned above. I have been amazed at how effectively their Bird, Harrison. Battle for a Continent Steele, Ian. Betrayals—Fort William original concepts combined to (1965). Handy chronologies of Henry & the “Massacre” (1990). produce the game on the French and raids, battles and unit arrivals. Could have been called “Last of Indian War that I have always the Mohicans: The True Story.” wanted to play. The game also Chartrand, Rene. Québec 1759. The In addition to the events at reflects the efforts of Rob Winslow most helpful of the many Osprey William Henry in August 1757, and his multiple teams of testers, books relevant to the war, particu- good lead-up narrative on the who guided the design to something larly in its individual histories of action along the Champlain that gamers—who may or may not be each of the units that participated corridor. Interesting discussion of devotees of the colonial era—will in the Québec campaign. Another competing Indian and French enjoy. GMT Games’ continuing Chartrand Osprey title, agendas. philosophy of bringing the less-often Ticonderoga 1758 (2000) provides treated historical eras to the gaming the clearest view available of the Washington, George. Papers. Primary public has played its decisive role maneuvers involved in source on aspects of the cam- here. Finally, I dedicate this design to Abercromby’s debacle. paigns in Virginia, Pennsylvania Jill, Daniel and Andrew—who have and the Ohio country in which patiently put up with all those years Eckert, Allan. Wilderness Empire Washington participated— of fife and drum music. (1969). A Shelby Foote for the including his frustrated efforts to —Volko F. Ruhnke American colonial and Indian thwart French and Indian raids on Vienna, Virginia wars. Narrative peppered with the Virginia frontier in 1756 and January, 2001 long extracts of letters and such, 1757 while commanding the 1st but also with enough ostensibly Virginia Regiment. If you haven’t * * * * * inside thoughts of the participants got the chance to stop by the to raise skepticism. Use with Library of Congress, check them caution. An alternative in this out on line. vein is Dale Van Every, Forth to the Wilderness: The First American Frontier 1754-1774 (1961). For those who share my particular interest in Virginia’s role in the war, Evans, Lewis. A General Map of the see James Titus, The Old Dominion at Middle British Colonies, in America War (1991), Hayes Baker-Crothers, (1754). The all-around most Virginia and the French and Indian useful of the period maps relevant War (1928), Louis Koontz, The to the war, spanning Kentucky to Virginia Frontier, 1754-1763 (1925), Montréal and replete with Indian and, for oral histories, Samuel place names. Kercheval, History of the Valley of Virginia (1925). Gipson, Lawrence. The British Empire Before the American Revolution, Volumes VI & VII