The unexpected French strategy in Oswego had left me quite puzzled. On the one hand, Montcalm had splitted his forces, and this was an opportunity, on the other hand he was gathering some huge forces in Oswego, and I had to be careful not to get caught between the hammer and the smith.
1) I could attack Montcalm in Oswego, but he is very likely to receive some support from Bourlamaque and even if I have some fair chance to contain them this would be a bloody mess and I don’t wish to waste my precious regular units now, the worse is to come…
2) I could strike the irregular units, but I don’t want to face de Lévis who is likely to keep on his walk down to Oswego (but he could also cross the Adirondack Mountains in order to launch a pince attack toward Albany through the Fort St Frederic and the Lake Champlain Valley).
3) I could do nothing, entrench, wait and see.
I opt for a mix between 2 and 3. Just like last month, I create a Fast interception group, and position the rest of my forces in order to defend the Mohawk Valley. The aim is to attack, strike the small group north of my position before it joins with either Montcalm or De Lévis, then run back to the British position. If the junction has been made, then the group should be fast enough to escape Montcalm heavy infantry.
While I’m using my regular units to retard the French advance, I’ve decided to take advantage of some of my militia patrolling Albany surrounds. I need to protect the construction of Fort Henry, which sould be completed in October, scout what’s going on in the Lake Champlain Valley, and, if the French has not had the same idea, to prevent the building of Fort Carillon in Crown point (moreover, Crownpoint is a strategic region, and after the fall of Oswego I need to get some compensation).
Small success around Oswego
Jolly good!! I won a battle just at Oswego gates!
The French detachment is 70% destroyed, and Johnson group only took few casualties.
The French have taken heavy losses because they were not commanded (50% malus), more over the British troops were elite soldiers (Highlanders, Redcoats) with superior firepower and excellent assault skills. One the other hand, the French have only lost some irregulars (Indians and Courreurs des bois) and only on company of marine troops. These troops are very handy for the petty war, but the main French battle corps is still untouched.
It looks like that, expecting a British assault, Montcalm had decided to gather his strength in Oswego (1). Johnson’s men have intercepted and defeated the small French detachment as it was crossing the Oneida river (X). After this successful search and destroy patrol, they moved back quickly in the Mohawk valley up to Albany (4). The whole Mohawk valley is now strongly defended by several provincial infantry regiments (3). Meanwhile, de Lévis has finally chosen to meet up with Montcalm (2), and my militias have taken Crown point (5).
In New-York, Brigadier-General Daniel Webb has arrived from Europe with another nice Highlanders regiment. He will sail to Albany as soon as possible. One of my patrolling militias has intercepted a band of Indians warriors. TIP: In order to improve your patrol efficiency, add some natives (indians, rangers) to your regular troops.
In Alexandria, Washington, Dunbar and Governor Lawrence are meeting up in order to form a task force to attack Fort Duquesne.
Fall has arrived and the French have now two strong groups at the entrance of the Mohawk valley. I wonder if Montcalm will attempt a Winter campaign against Albany. Furthermore, he has now to take back Crownpoint. I feel optimistic.
