Wobomagonda........"The White Devil" (2 Viewers)

[mikemiller1955]

Major Robert Rogers......."Wobomagonda", The White Devil, as named by the Abenaki Indians............

November 7, 1731 – May 18, 1795, was an American colonial frontiersman.

Rogers served in the British army during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

During the French and Indian War, Rogers raised and commanded the famous Rogers' Rangers.

This militia unit operated primarily in the Lake George and Lake Champlain regions of New York.

They frequently undertook winter raids against French towns and military emplacements, traveling on crude snowshoes and across frozen rivers.

Never fully respected by the British regulars, Rogers' Rangers were one of the few non-Indian forces able to operate in the inhospitable region due to the harsh winter conditions and mountainous terrain.

He took the initiative in mustering, equipping and commanding ranger units.

He wrote an early guide for commanding such units, titled, Robert Rogers' 28 "Rules of Ranging".

So innovative for it's time, that to this day....."Rogers' Rules of Ranging"

are still quoted on the last page of the U.S. Army's Ranger handbook.

 

[mikemiller1955]

As he was personally responsible for paying his soldiers, Rogers went deeply into debt and took loans to ensure his soldiers were paid properly after their regular pay was raided during transport.

He was never compensated by the British Army or government, though he had reason to believe he should have had his expenses reimbursed.

In 1755, war engulfed the colonies, spreading also to Europe.

Britain and France declared war on each other.

The British in America suffered a string of defeats similar to that of Braddock.

Encouraged by the French victories, Americans Indians launched a series of savage attacks along the colonial frontier with the intent of driving the British inhabitants into the sea.

From 1755 to 1758, Rogers and his rangers served under a series of unsuccessful British commanders operating over the northern accesses to the British colonies.

At the time, the British could do little more than fight defensive campaigns.

During this time, the Rangers proved indispensable; they grew gradually to twelve companies as well as several additional contingents of natives who had pledged their allegiance to the British cause.

On 21 January 1757, at the First Battle of the Snowshoes, Rogers' Rangers ambushed and captured seven Frenchmen near Fort Carillon but then encountered a hundred French and Canadian militia and Ottawa Indians from the Ohio Country.

After taking casualties, Rogers' force retreated.

After British forces surrendered Fort William Henry in August 1757, the Rangers were stationed on Rogers Island near Fort Edward.

This allowed the Rangers to train and operate with more freedom than the regular British forces.

On 13 March 1758, at the Second Battle of the Snowshoes, Rogers' Rangers ambushed a French and Indian column and, in turn, were ambushed by enemy forces.

The Rangers lost 125 men in this encounter, as well as eight men wounded, with 52 surviving.

Rogers estimated 100 killed and nearly 100 wounded of the French-Indian forces; however, the French listed casualties as total of ten Indians killed and seventeen wounded.

On 7 July 1758, Rogers' Rangers took part in the Battle of Carillon.

In 1758, Abercromby recognized Rogers' accomplishments by promoting him to Major, with the equally famous John Stark as his second-in-command.

Rogers now held two ranks appropriate to his double role: Captain and Major.

 

[mikemiller1955]

In 1759, the tide of the war turned and the British advanced on the city of Quebec.

Major General Jeffrey Amherst, the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America, had a brilliant and definitive idea.

He dispatched Rogers and his Rangers on an expedition far behind enemy lines to the west against the Abenakis at Saint-Francis in Quebec, a staging base for native raids into New England.

Rogers led a force of two-hundred rangers from Crown Point, New York, deep into French territory to Saint-Francis.

At this time, the natives near Saint-Francis had given up their aboriginal way of life and were living in a town next to a French mission.

Rogers burned the town and claimed to have killed 200-the actual number was 30 killed and 5 captured.

The destruction of Saint-Francis by Rogers was a major psychological victory.

The colonists no longer felt that they were helpless.

The unfortunate residents of Saint-Francis — a combined group of Abenakis and others — understood that they were no longer beyond the reach of reprisals and raids.

Abenaki raids along the frontier did not cease, but significantly diminished.

Rogers had brought total dedication to his position as commander of the rangers.

As was often the custom in the British and American armies, he had spent his own money to equip the rangers when needed and consequently had gone into debt.

In 1764, he was faced with the problem of repaying his creditors.

To recoup his finances, Robert engaged briefly in a business venture with the fur trader, John Askin, near Detroit.

After it failed, he hoped to win the money by gambling, with the result that he was totally ruined.

His creditors put him in prison for debt in New York, but he escaped.

In 1765, Rogers voyaged to England to obtain pay for his service and capitalize on his fame

Robert Rogers was bestowed an appointment as governor of Michilimackinac (Mackinaw City, Michigan) with a charter to look for the passage, and returned to North America.

After suffering a string of bizarre political set backs, financial difficulties and alcoholism, he was evacuated with other British troops to Britain.

There, he was unable to earn a living or defeat his disease.

In May 1777, Rogers was forcibly retired on grounds of "poor health."

He died in obscurity and debt, what little money he had going to pay an arrears in rent.

 

[mestell]

Another nice story Michael and more great pictures. That Wm Britain wagon works really well with your diorama.
Mike

 

[PolarBear]

Michael

Where did you get those Rangers on the shore meeting with the wagon?

Are they retired releases from John or did you have them custom made?

They are absolutely terrific.

No doubt about it you are the UKREB of the FIW. A master of story and pictures.

Randy

 

[mikemiller1955]

You got a good eye to pick out that wagon Mike, especially without the cover on it.

Randy.........I bought those sets at the San Antonio show a couple of months ago.

They are John's Frontline.........look at the label.

Can't believe I found them.....John was even a little surprised.

Got a really good price on them.

They blend pretty well.

Thank you both.

 

[PolarBear]

Thanks Mike

Those are the ones I was told are impossible to find and usually go for mucho dinero. I hope John will revisit some of those poses for the St. Francis series.
Do you have any suttlebut from John as to what is coming down the pike for Rangers in that series? My greatest hope is that he will do a Robert Rogers since he is an important New Hampshire son.

Randy

 

[marco55]

I can't see Jenkins doing a St.Francis raid and not have Rogers.
Mark

 

[pugio]

As we exited our plane in Saigon, 1967, we were all handed a small card and our first seargent said " If you read anything on your tour, make sure you read this". It was "Rules of Ranging" by Maj. R. Rogers. It only listed ten of the 28? Over 200 years after it was written, it was still saving American lives, including mine. I wish I still had it......

 

[mikemiller1955]

Thanks Mike

Those are the ones I was told are impossible to find and usually go for mucho dinero. I hope John will revisit some of those poses for the St. Francis series.
Do you have any suttlebut from John as to what is coming down the pike for Rangers in that series? My greatest hope is that he will do a Robert Rogers since he is an important New Hampshire son.

Randy

Give me a call Randy.

For Rogers.....you ask him.....he told me he loves your ideas.

Your photos and info you send him are an influence.

Did you know that there is no known authentic portrait of Rogers.

 

[mikemiller1955]

As we exited our plane in Saigon, 1967, we were all handed a small card and our first seargent said " If you read anything on your tour, make sure you read this". It was "Rules of Ranging" by Maj. R. Rogers. It only listed ten of the 28? Over 200 years after it was written, it was still saving American lives, including mine. I wish I still had it......

1967..........for real Andy!!!

Wow.........my cousin had a long tour in the army and he says,

"Yes..........they are the definitive source for forest, jungle and flat terrain advancement and retreats."

He also said it was wittled down to 10 rules also.

I will find you a link of all 28.........I read it before.......it's just good common sense from soldiers that "have been there and done that".

 

[mikemiller1955]

I can't see Jenkins doing a St.Francis raid and not have Rogers.
Mark

Mark.......you are right......there will be more Ranger and Indians.

I would like to see some structures too.

The "civilized French structures" of the St. Francis that were burned by Rogers.

Wikipedia........

"At this time, the natives near Saint-Francis had given up their aboriginal way of life and were living in a town next to a French mission."

I don't want to build them.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Before I get politely corrected.......

there is another Indian pronunciation of "White Devil".......

Wobi Mandanondo

perhaps a different dialect from another tribe.

 

[pugio]

1967..........for real Andy!!!

Wow.........my cousin had a long tour in the army and he says,

"Yes..........they are the definitive source for forest, jungle and flat terrain advancement and retreats."

He also said it was wittled down to 10 rules also.

I will find you a link of all 28.........I read it before.......it's just good common sense from soldiers that "have been there and done that".

Mike, I've got dozens of books on Rogers, I've read the full list also. Thanks

 

[thebritfarmer]

Excellent Michael just excellent. I see that river is being put to ggod use, always a joy to see that in your dios !! Like the mule team as well (must get one for myself)

 

[mikemiller1955]

Mike, I've got dozens of books on Rogers, I've read the full list also. Thanks

I'm going to post a link for them Andy..........

It's really good reading, but this is for the original 28.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rogers'_28_"Rules_of_Ranging"

If you find the current list of 10 will you post a link for me?

 

[mikemiller1955]

Excellent Michael just excellent. I see that river is being put to ggod use, always a joy to see that in your dios !! Like the mule team as well (must get one for myself)

Thank you Scott.........I'm just too lazy to start building anything else right now.

I'm collecting ideas for Culloden Moor.

John sent me a really good picture of the park encampment wall.

 

[pugio]

I'm going to post a link for them Andy..........

It's really good reading, but this is for the original 28.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rogers'_28_"Rules_of_Ranging"

If you find the current list of 10 will you post a link for me?

No problem Mike, but I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow for about a week with limited internet access.

 

[pugio]

Mike, to entertain you and the rest of the forum members who grew up watching the dozens of TV westerns in the 50's and early 60's,.... go to muzzleloading forum, click on "Forum", scoll all the way down to western theme songs... full versions of every western TV show origional themes. It will bring a tear to your eye and fill your heart with memories of a much better time.....

 

[mikemiller1955]

No problem Mike, but I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow for about a week with limited internet access.

I can't find it Andy..........this is as close as I can get to it, but it's only an edited version.

If you can find the 10 rules that are used for today's current Rangers, I would like to read it.

Thanks.

The Rules as they are taught today:

The following rules are an edited and simplified version of the original set.

All Rangers are subject to the rules of war.

In a small group, march in single file with enough space between so that one shot can't pass through one man and kill a second.

Marching over soft ground should be done abreast, making tracking difficult. At night, keep half your force awake while half sleeps.

Before reaching your destination, send one or two men forward to scout the area and avoid traps.

If prisoners are taken, keep them separate and question them individually.

Marching in groups of three or four hundred should be done in three separate columns, within support distance, with a point and rear guard.

When attacked, fall or squat down to receive fire and rise to deliver. Keep your flanks as strong as the enemy's flanking force, and if retreat is necessary, maintain the retreat fire drill.

When chasing an enemy, keep your flanks strong, and prevent them from gaining high ground where they could turn and fight.

When retreating, the rank facing the enemy must fire and retreat through the second rank, thus causing the enemy to advance into constant fire.

If the enemy is far superior, the whole squad must disperse and meet again at a designated location. This scatters the pursuit and allows for organized resistance.
If attacked from the rear, the ranks reverse order, so the rear rank now becomes the front. If attacked from the flank, the opposite flank now serves as the rear rank.

If a rally is used after a retreat, make it on the high ground to slow the enemy advance.

When laying in ambuscade, wait for the enemy to get close enough that your fire will be doubly frightening, and after firing, the enemy can be rushed with hatchets.

At a campsite, the sentries should be posted at a distance to protect the camp without revealing its location. Each sentry will consist of 6 men with two constantly awake at a time.

The entire detachment should be awake before dawn each morning as this is the usual time of enemy attack.

Upon discovering a superior enemy in the morning, you should wait until dark to attack, thus hiding your lack of numbers and using the night to aid your retreat.

Before leaving a camp, send out small parties to see if you have been observed during the night.

When stopping for water, place proper guards around the spot making sure the pathway you used is covered to avoid surprise from a following party.

Avoid using regular river fords as these are often watched by the enemy.

Avoid passing lakes too close to the edge, as the enemy could trap you against the water's edge.

If an enemy is following your rear, circle back and attack him along the same path.
When returning from a scout, use a different path as the enemy may have seen you leave and will wait for your return to attack when you're tired.

When following an enemy force, try not to use their path, but rather plan to cut them off and ambush them at a narrow place or when they least expect it.

When traveling by water, leave at night to avoid detection.

In rowing in a chain of boats, the one in front should keep contact with the one directly astern of it. This way they can help each other and the boats will not become lost in the night.

One man in each boat will be assigned to watch the shore for fires or movement.
If you are preparing an ambuscade near a river or lake, leave a force on the opposite side of the water so the enemy's flight will lead them into your detachment.

When locating an enemy party of undetermined strength, send out a small scouting party to watch them. It may take all day to decide on your attack or withdrawal, so signs and countersigns should be established to determine your friends in the dark.

If you are attacked in rough or flat ground, it is best to scatter as if in rout. At a pre-picked place you can turn, allowing the enemy to close. Fire closely, then counterattack with hatchets. Flankers could then attack the enemy and rout him in return.