A Matter of Outposts

       To; Commandant of Veloute
       From: Captain  Lars Vanderhoute
       Regarding:  The recovery of two cannon by our patrols along the road to Bourguignonne


                 As your esteemed majesty will remember the enemy engaged out forces on the 25th of October in Anno Domini 1619. In the course of that battle our troops routed the enemy militia of Veloute and overran their guns. These cannon were not recovered at the time because the enemy had burned the carriages. I am happy to report that those guns are now safely on their way to you. On the 26th of January one of our patrols observed a sizeable enemy force moving to the old battlefield.  At first they thought it was just Small-Platers foraging but as they continued to observe it was clear that the enemy was up to more than collecting supplies.     
        They reported this activity and continued to shadow the Small Plater unit. As they observed the enemy I ordered that all of our available patrols were to be summoned to the area. We waited until the Small Platers had remounted the guns on carriages and had brought in draft animals to begin carrying away the cannon. At that time we had only been able to assemble four companies of Horse and two of Dragoons, the enemy had two units of Horse, a unit of Pike and three of Shot as well as artificers, drovers and gunners. Despite the lack of infantry I decided to launch an attack as the enemy was harnessing his teams to remove the cannon. Through the bold and brave action of our soldiers we were able to overcome the enemy and eventually capture the cannon and draft teams. Causalities among our troopers were unavoidable and heavy but the enemy force was scattered.


            Your Most Humble and Obdedient Servant,
                                                               Captain Lars Vanderhoute

 

the patrols from the west advanced resolutely and in perfect order, 

the dragoons were particularly effective in countering the enemy musketeers hidden in the woods

 

with the musketeers distracted by the Dragoons, Lt. Deveraux's Horse charged the cannon and drove off the gunners while Lt. Asby-Smythe's Horse shattered the Small-Plater Cuirassiers

 

Lt. Asby-Smythe deserves particular credit for his heroic actions leading his men they completely shattered the enemy's heavy cavalry with one brilliant charge 

       This was a small battle that we fought out using Pikemans Lament, I do apologize for using my Lace Wars Horse, I am still in the process of painting my remaining Thirty Years War Horse.