Historical Background
Colonel Joseph Blanchard, commander of Fort Edward, saw the smoke from the battle at Lake George in the distance and sent out Nathaniel Folsom’s 80-strong company of the New Hampshire Provincial Regiment and New York Provincials under Captain McGennis to investigate.
Hearing the report of guns in the direction of the Lake, they pressed forward, and when within about two miles of it, fell in with the baggage of the French Army protected by a guard, which they immediately attacked and dispersed. About four o’clock in the afternoon, some 300 Canadians and Indians who had fallen back to the field of “The Bloody Morning Scout” to scalp and plunder the dead, appeared in sight resting with their plunder on the margin of a stagnant forest pool.
Capt. Folsom posted his men among the trees, and poured in upon them a well directed and galling fire. He continued the attack in this manner till prevented by darkness, killing many of the enemy, taking some of them prisoners, and finally driving them from the field. He then collected his own wounded, and securing them with many of the enemy’s packs, he brought his prisoners and booty safe into camp. The next day the rest of the baggage was brought in, thus securing the entire baggage and ammunition of the French Army. In this affair, McGennis was mortally wounded, and died soon after. The loss of the French was very considerable.
The bodies of the French troops who were killed in this engagement (actually Canada-born French colonials and their Native American allies, not French regulars) were thrown into the pool which bears to this day the name of “ Bloody Pond”.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history?
Battle Notes
French Army
• Commander:
• (2) 3 Command cards & 2 Combat cards French start with 2 Command cards. Draw two cards after first Command card is played. Command is increased to 3.
• Move First (after British Opening Volley)
British Army
• Commander: Folsom
• 4 Command cards & 2 Combat cards
• Opening Volley: Prior to the first turn, British may fire on any opposing units within range. Firing units may not move.
Victory
5 Victory Banners
Special Rules
- French may not play a Combat card until they hold 3 Command cards.
- Indian “War Cry” is NOT in effect.
- French militia:
- may move one hex and battle or two hexes and not battle
- retreat two hexes per flag
- a Forest hex does not stop movement - The five blue hexes fronted by marsh tiles represent ‘Bloody Pond’ and are impassable terrain for all purposes.