Battle Report: 29th December 1990 A re-fight of FATEPUR, 12th July 1857 Early British Indian ~vs~ Indian Mutineer     (Nog Norgren ~vs~ Robert & Richard Avery)

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Early British Indian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   Sir Henry Havelock 1         100   2inC 1         50 Queen's 64th Foot 10 2x5 RegB mlr (1 co's LI)   130 Troops 84th Foot 10 2x5 RegB mlr   120   78th Highlanders 20 4x5 LightsB mlr   280 Company Madras Fusiliers 10 2x5 RegB mlr   120 Troops Naval Brigade 6 2x3 RegC mlr   74 Cavalry Dragoon Guards 2 1x2 RegB s,mlc   40   Civilian Volunteers 2 1x2 RegC s,p   36 Train Capt. Maude, RA 1   Pers.     25   1st Btty RA 2 2x1 RegB medium mlsb FA   188   Ammo Wagon 1         50               1213

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Indian Mutineer Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points Nana Sahib 1 100 2inC 1 50 Mutineers 1st Bttn 40 8x5 MilD sbm 280 2nd Bttn 40 10x4 MilD sbm 300 Cavalry 16 4x4 MilD s 184   Artillery 3 1x3 MilD light mlsb FA   225 Tribal Red Flags 32 1x32 IrregD sp/sw,sh,sbm 143 Support Blue Flags 32 1x32 IrregD sp/sw,sh,sbm 143   Purple Flags 32 1x32 IrregD sp/sw,sh,sbm 143 Horse 9 1x9 IrregD sp,sw,sh,sbm 87 1655

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. Early British Indian Indian Mutineer Foot 1120 3520 Horse 80 500 Guns 4 6

Report This battle was a historical re-fight of the Battle of Fatepur, 12th July 1857.  The battle followed its historical path almost exactly, with the exception that the British did not try to outflank the Mutineers with their artillery. As the battle opened, both sides headed off the road into the narrow streets of Fatepur. In the second turn, an artillery duel led to the artillery crews of both the British and Mutineers running from the field. The Mutineer guns were quickly manned by their infantry, but ownership of the British guns was hotly contested for the rest of the battle, changing hands at least twice! Otherwise, the battle degenerated into an infantry slogging match, with skirmishers and the brave leadership of commanders swinging the advantage between the British and the Mutineers. The fact that the fighting took place within the streets of Fatepur and its gardens meant that casualties, and therefore routs, were kept to a minimum. Eventually the Mutineer infantry managed to wheel their cannon up the road into a position from which it could fire into the flanks of the British infantry. Two stunning blasts wiped out a whole British company in one turn, turning the battle into the Mutineer’s favour. As night fell, and both sides retreated to lick their wounds, the battle ended: but with the advantage with the Mutineers. Casualties Casualties were very high on both sides. The British 2inC was seriously wounded. The Highlanders lost two companies; the 64th Foot, one company; with all other infantry companies suffering casualties. The Naval Brigade contingent was routed, and all the British cavalry wiped out. The artillery had one section destroyed, and the other captured. In all, the British lost 46% of their force! On the Mutineer’s side, Nana Sahib was seriously wounded. All Sepoy companies suffered minor casualties, with three being routed. One unit of Tribesmen and all the cavalry and artillery also routed. Results A winning draw for the Mutineers. Analysis A terrific battle that developed into an exciting slogging match. The range of the British muskets and their Light Infantry proved more than a match for far superior numbers of Mutineers. Note that no-one tried to outflank: a tactical mistake that, if avoided, the British could have exploited most effectively.