Trouble along the Schoharie (1 Viewer)

[jkstew11]

Ft. Steward on the Schoharie R., tributary of the Mohawk, May 1760. Stationed at the fort are detachments of the 44th, 42nd, 78th, and Roger's Rangers.

A contingent of Roger's Rangers and 78th are being sent to reconnoiter with a platoon of Rangers at the blockhouse located near the confluence of the Schoharie and Mohawk. Together they are being ordered to check out reports of French Marines and their Indian allies who were seen approaching the trading post of Robert McQuay, known as ol' Trader Bob.




The party of Rangers, highlanders, and scouts reached the blockhouse just as the platoon stationed there had finished breakfast and were turning out for their daily patrol.


The ensign commanding the platoon had heard the same report, but with a more recent update -- Trader Bob, his daughters, and a couple of traders were in deep trouble. They were being held captive after the enemy had burnt their post and home. There is very little time to waste...


The Rangers and others headed out, it's about 4 miles or about 1 hour to the post. Stay tuned....


...submitted by Joel (jkstew11)

 

[Louis Badolato]

Joel,

Fantasic looking dioramas, and great story!^&cool^&cool

 

[TomNT]

Wow! Joel, you have created a masterpiece! Love that creek, pier and the little boats. Thanks for posting the pic's.

Tom

 

[lancer]

Fantastic fort and love the story line. -- Al

 

[Desertkiwi]

Fantastic thread mate.......please keep it coming{bravo}}

 

[UKReb]

Joel

Brilliant story telling with great looking set ups-the river boat scenes are really stunning. Good to see another member having a go at diodramatics. Keep it coming.

Bob

I see also those two kneeling figures of Crockett and Co you knocked up for my Alamo awhile back making a re-appearance.

 

[AIDMAN]

Joel

Thats one heck of a Fort you have put together there mate..and the groundwork with the creek is wonderfull. Thanks for letting us see your work...!!.

Steve

 

[mikemiller1955]

hey Joel...

FANTASTIC JOB!!!!!

you fort scene is spectacular...
your ground work amazing...
and I love the work you did on the river...
this is an amazing display that you should be really proud of...
how about some more pictures...

GREAT JOB...OUTSTANDING!!!!!

 

[Napoleon1er]

WOW! That is the largest F&I display I have ever seen- and the best blockhouse type fort! Did you make that, or is it JG? I love the story, and the groundwork and river are awesome, with some great shots! Can't wait to see more!

 

[jkstew11]

To all who replied, thanks for compliments! More storyline with photos coming. Generally, I'm not a good photographer and my photo equipment, a cell phone, is not the best by a long shot. So, I take a lot of photos hoping that a few are worth sharing. The fort layout is Barzso with one J. Jenkins cabin amongst the other cabins. The creek was fun to make -- my compliments to Magic Water. The ground is light brown felt, spray painted in patches with different shades of green and darker browns, then sprinkled generously with various Woodland Scenics grass flock (after glue was applied). I think the felt worked out pretty well and is easy to use (stays flat or conforms to depressions, hills, etc.). It's also conveniently storable -- just roll it up or fold. I can describe other landscape products or materials later when you see other photos.

I also mix up my manufacturers of toy soldiers as many of you noticed. I use J. Jenkins, Conte, Britains, K&C, AIP, plasticunderground (e.g., two captives that Bob identified as PU), CTS or Marx, etc. I paint all my plastic and even painted some metal. And a warning to all of you period perfectionists, in future photos you'll see that I mix my periods a bit (over a 30-yr span) with regard to the British (1745 - 1776). I would have loved to collect JJD FIW British, but I had to make a financial decision and opt for just the JJD French and Woodland Indians while using the Conte Rev. British that I've had for some time. So, now you're forewarned.

Again, thanks for your kind and encouraging words.
Joel (jkstew11)

 

[Sans Culotte]

Well, no matter what sort of mixing & matching that you did with the figures, all the magic came together to produce a very informative & compelling layout. It's no wonder that you've left the viewers of this dio wanting to see more of your work. Thanks for sharing it!

 

[marco55]

Looks great Joel.My favorite period of collecting.
Mark

 

[jkstew11]

Re: Trouble along the Schoharie -- Part 2. Prisoners



The fort garrison's detachment of Rangers, Fraser's Highlanders, and scouts joined with a Ranger platoon stationed along the Schoharie R. Their mission was to scout Trader Bob's post and, if practical, engage the French Marines and Indians and free captives. The party advanced through a few miles of wood then entered a clearing about a mile from Trader Bob's post. They could smell smoke; evidence that the report about the post being burned was probably true. This thought, certainly borne by all at that moment, quickly vanished as complete silence replaced woodland sounds. Any prior thoughts gave way to extreme alertness to an ambush.



Red Scar was in a rage. After ordering his men to burn the post, he had them tie up Trader Bob to be burned before the eyes of his daughters and the transient traders that were unlucky enough to be present. Major Troisant quickly intervened, imploring Red Scar and his men to stop the torture. "We can take them to Montreal and your village nearby; they may have invaluable information and there is the ransom! Please think on this!"



As these dramas unfolded at the woods clearing and at Trader Bob's, a French Marine was captured by a patrol a few miles northwest of Ft. Steward. The Marine convinced the guards and later the fort commander that he was a deserter and was willing to provide important information vital to their well-being.



Was this a trick, a possible ruse conjured by the French, an intended prisoner to convey false information? Stay tuned...

 

[The Lt.]

Enjoying your tale as it unfolds Joel along with it's staging bringig the scenes to life. Looking forward to it continuing..........The Lt.

 

[Fusilier]

This is a great thread! Your story is great and the scenes you have set-up really bring it to life. I also like how you have integrated so many different companies into your dio. Excellent stuff.

Noah

 

[REVWARBUFF]

Joel,

I have to agree with what everyone else has said about your marvelous work here. Keep it up! I look forward to seeing how your story is all going to unfold.

Mark

 

[jkstew11]

Re: Trouble along the Schoharie -- Part 3. Ambush & Aborted Rescue

The story at this point: A patrol from the fort has captures a French Marine who claims he is a deserter. Meanwhile and following the burning of his post, Trader Bob is being tortured by Abenaki led by Red Scar as Bob's daughters look on helplessly. A detachment from Fort Steward's garrison, Ranger and Fraser's Highlanders, are advancing on the post intent on rescuing the Bob and the other captives.
The ambush was planned nearly perfectly; the French and Abenaki had allowed the rescue party to walk into a 3-sided snare. The French Marines to the north exposed themselves first, causing the rescue party of Rangers, Highlanders, and scouts to seek cover while firing off a few shots. More Indians and French showed themselves to the east firing off a volley. The rescue party backed away slowly, seeking cover as they retreated. Then, sensing that they were not only surrounded but outnumbered, the lead scouts and Rangers signaled to as many in their party to high-tail it back to the blockhouse.


The rear of the rescue party, comprised almost entirely of Rangers, now were in the lead retreating on the run. Before they had covered hardly any distance, they were confronted by a dozen to twenty Abenaki. The Rangers were now desparately cutting their way through the Abenaki as their fellow Rangers and Highlanders backed them up providing covering fire and fending off their pursuers from the north.


Stay tuned.....

submitted by Joel

 

[marco55]

Great story Joel.
Mark

 

[jkstew11]

Re: Trouble along the Schoharie -- Part 3. Ambush & Aborted Rescue

HERE'S A POSTING OF A BETTER MAP FIGURE. The story at this point: A patrol from the fort has captures a French Marine who claims he is a deserter. Meanwhile and following the burning of his post, Trader Bob is being tortured by Abenaki led by Red Scar as Bob's daughters look on helplessly. A detachment from Fort Steward's garrison, Ranger and Fraser's Highlanders, are advancing on the post intent on rescuing the Bob and the other captives.

See rest of Part 3 previously posted...and stay tuned for (more) Trouble along the Schoharie

 

[jkstew11]

Re: Trouble along the Schoharie -- Part 3. Ambush & Aborted Rescue, MAP CREDIT

I need to give proper credit to the source of the base map used in the map-figure to illustrate my story. The source is Ian McPherson McCulloch's Sons of the Mountains: The Highland Regiments in the French and Indian War, 1756 - 1767, p. 7. The base map may have been adapted by McCulloch from a map originally drafted by Lt. Thomas Mante of the Montgomery Highlanders (77th Foot). For those of you who are students of FIW campaigns, especially those of the Highland Regiments, this is a 'must have' book.
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