An escort of 10th. Hussars struggle to follow Genearl Pettygree across the Kotar River and through panicking civilians and supply animals toward the sound and smoke of gunfire.
No time for error for either side! The inscrutable foe rushes in and at very close quarters. Rearmost soldiers of The Column fire first shots to stop them. Will they?
Left to Right: A company of Seaforths fire from the top of a building while the Bombay Miners and Sappers in extended order also give fire.
General Pettygree arrives on the scene without his escort. The latter are still making their way though the panic. The Seaforths however, calm and steady throughout, have about turned and are on their way to help. Hurry laddies!
The Tugs are closing in. Rifle fire intensifies.
The first Seaforths form close order to the left and atop an adjacent building. FIRE! Forward of them, their mates and the Bombay Miners and Sappers have taken heavy losses to stop the tide coming in.
Losses mount on each side. The Berkshires begin to arrive at the bottom center of the photo. Has the tide begun to turn?
The Imperial fighting line and the Berkshires returning to the village.
Suddenly the foe departs. They realize there is no way to win. Casualties are taken with them.
Some moments later the Imperials form outside Kotar.
Victors of The Battle of Kotar left to right: The Bombay Miners and Sappers and the Seaforth Highland Battalion.
Chota and The General salute them.
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Closing Remarks:
- Bombay Miners and Sappers lost 16.
- Seaforth Highlanders lost 16.
- The Imperials were unable to count enemy losses.
- They lost 33.
- Campaign rules allow for recovery of the wounded from hospital. To be determined.
- You may remember from Chapter 13 that at the time of the attack, The Column was bisected by the Kotar River. The Berkshires and artillery battery had already crossed the river. Indeed, half of the Berkshires had already marched through the main gate of Fort Grant. The Seaforths were within seconds of fording the river when Chota and The General opened fire with a captured piece of ordnance.
- Had they waited until the Seaforths were half way through the river, they might have won a surprise and stunning victory. I think one turn separated them from it.
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