THE DISMAL SWAMP - END OF THE FALL '24 CAMPAIGN

Repulsed at the Chickel River, the UPC and Von Mutts Allies sought another rout to Road Town. The only way left was to trek through the swamps southwest of the town. The area was far from ideal for a battlefield, but it was the only way remaining. Covered in soft ground, hidden quicksand, unfordable pools and beyond a slow stream with slippery banks, to choose to fight here was a sign of the desperation the Allies found themselves in. The only positive things where the cavalry had finally joined the rest of the army, and the sickness that had plagued them since day one, was finally showing signs of ending. Failure of the Allies today would see an end to the dream of revolutionary expansion and economic prosperity. 

Empire Forces Await the Allies Columns Behind the Muddy Creak. The Allies had Already Found Some Early Success in Their Opening Bombardment. 

Throwing Caution to the Wind UPC Columns Advance Rapidly. This Aggressive Action had Already Caused Losses as Troops Blundered into Unseen Quicksand. 

Along the Firm Ground to the East UPC Cavalry Charges Across the Muddy Stream. Their Dragoons have Already Taken Serious Casualties from Fire but Press On Courageously. The Light Cavalry Storms Across the Bridge in Support. Undaunted, the Empire Line Hold Their Ground.

To the West the Von Mutts Deploy Rapidly into Line Having Avoided most of the Terrors of the Swamp. Empire Line Awaiting to Give Them a Hot Reception. 

The Empire's Supporting Militia is Caught Trying to Maneuver by the Furious Rush of the UPC Hussars. On Their Flank the UPC Dragoons Bring Home Their Charge.  

Back to the West the Empire Awaits as the Von Mutts More Deliberately Sort Themselves Out into Their Attack Formation. 

In the Center the UPC makes a Slow Advance Letting Their Artillery Soften Up the Empire's Defenders.

In the East UPC's Softpad's Dragoons have been Routed, but Snifferbutt's have Driven Back the Empire's Line with Heavy Casualties. While of no Immediate Threat, the UPC's Hussars have Taken a Position to both Prevent the Militia from Effectively Forming Line, and Cutoff any Retreat of Lord Basset's Empire Line. 

While Suffering some Light Casualties the Empire's Line Continues to Hold the Von Mutt's at Bay. 

In the East the Empire Militia have Finally Gotten into Line, but in Doing so have Cutoff their Cavalry from Being Able to Intervein Against the UPC Horse. Meanwhile UPC Grenadiers are Positioned to Launch an Assault Across the Muddy Stream.  

In the Center Both Forces are Massed, but Neither is Making any Attempt at Anything Other Than Pinning Down Their Opponent. 

In the West the Empire Keeps the Von Mutts in Check as Well. 

Here in the East the Empire's Traffic Jam can be Seen. All Their Cavalry Has Been Stuck in Line Behind each Other Unable to Aid Their Comrades. 

Slowly and Deliberately the Von Mutts Advance as More Empire Troops Move to Halt Their Crossing. 

Finally, the Empire Cavalry gets Themselves into the Fight as UPC Infantry Attack Columns Cross the Bridge. 

As the Empire Militia Begins to Collapse Their Entire Left Flank is now Open. UPC Cavalry has Already Exited the Field to Begin the Attack on Road Town, and Their Infantry Line are now Pouring Fire into the Empire's Cavalry. 

The Von Mutts Continue to Tie-up More and More Empire Infantry that is Desperately Needed on Other Parts of the Battlefield.  

In the East the Empire Cavalry is All That Remains, and it is Beaten and Battered. They are Unable to do Much as UPC Infantry Steams Off to Assault Road Town.  

The Victorious UPC Infantry Begin Rolling Up the Entire Empire Defensive Line. 

The Empire forces find themselves pinned in place frontally and being devastatingly attack on their flank have no choice but to ask for terms. With the army soundly defeated Road Town is captured. The Allied forces of the Kingdom, Von Mutts and UPC have taken their first step at conquest of the Empire's Sugar Islands. What will the Spring hold for these worthy combatants? Can the tide be turned? Will the Empire send an expedition to retake the island, and what about the Fleet?

DOWN BY THE RIVER

The Chicle River

 Stimmed by Fort Flea the Allies switch their advance to a different route. The Empire waiting for a third assault on the fort is slow to follow. With contact broken the Empire reacts by covering the few remaining approaches to Road Town, placing garrisons at key bridges along the length of the winding Chicle River. The majority of the Empire forces remain in central garrisons where they are able to quickly advance to reinforce any threatened crossing.

The UPC and Von Mutts Allies have been trying to cover both the beachhead and get to the land side of Road Town. The Kingdom’s fleet has brought additional troops and the first of the UPC cavalry has finally caught up to the field army. Finally breaking out of the steaming, insect infested jungles and now marching along better roads in the plantation regions a suitable crossing point has been found near the small town of Millton. With two bridges in the area, it offers a wide backdoor into the lands beyond and the ultimate prize of Road Town.

UPC Forces Approaching the Western Bridge with Empire Forces Awaiting Them. 

Von Mutts Infantry and Artillery Taking Up Position Against the Empires Blocking Forces on the Eastern Bridge. 

Empire Light Infantry Cross to the Southern Side of the River to Harass the Von Mutts Forces. 

Empire Militia Holding the Central Bridge Supported by Their Artillery. 

Empire Infantry Opens the Road to Allow for the Approaching Cavalry to Take Up Position. 

Empire Hussars Maneuver to Form a Line to Deal with An Allied Breakthrough at the Eastern Bridge. 

UPC Light Infantry Supported by Their Artillery Begin Giving Fire to the Militia Defender. 

Allies Forces Massed for Their Assault on the Eastern Bridge. 

Von Mutts Grenadiers in Assault Column Advanced Against the Bridge Defender, While on Their Flank Line Infantry Pour Fire into Their Opposite Number. 

In the Center the UPC Light Infantry Opens the Bridge for the Follow-up Support Assault Forces. 

The Von Mutts Force the Empire's Light Infantry Back Across the River. 

Von Mutt's Assault Takes the Eastern Bridge. 

At the Western Bridge the UPC Also Begins to Cross. Empire Troops Steadily Wait for the Attackers to Come into Range. 

In the West UPC Infantry and Cavalry Pour Across to the Northern Side of the River in a Massive Assault. 

In the East the Von Mutts Grenadiers Have Been Repulsed, but the Rest of the Force Continues Forward. 

With Limited Success in the East, No Progress in the Center, and Being Decisively Stopped in the West, the Allies Call Off the Attack. 

The Empire's speed in responding to the crises on the Chickel River was the key to their victory. As strong as the Allies thrusts were, they were meet by equal or greater force at every point. The UPS and Von Mutts Allies again had to lick their wounds and hope to create a decisive victory before heat, sickness, and dwindling supplies forced a retreat from the Island.