In 1848 a quasi-military expedition led by Edmund Kennedy comprising of 13 men, twenty-eight horses and 100 sheep set out from Rockingham Bay (between Cairns and Townsville to blaze a trail to Cape York. This was only three years after Ludwig Leichardt first explored the area.

Closely observed by the local people, they appeared to wave Kennedy and his companions back. When a spear was thrown he ordered his him to open fire….. (Six Australian Battlefields p243).

Thus was the historical background to our Wednesday night’s game.

The Kalkadoon warriors were being played by David K (see his previous blog on the painting of his Eureka miniatures figures):

Kenndey and his expedition  was being played by David S:

We decided to use “Stongsword” which gave two good games but we wold like to try “Tribal” or “FUBAR Victorian” rules next time.

The Kalkadoon Warriors advance.

Accurate fire causes Kalkadoon casualities.

Climbing over the rocky outcrop the Kalkadoons suffer more casualities.

The attack on Kennedy’s right flank is blunted.

The unknown Kalkadoon leader is repulsed in closed combat.

With the leader finally downed the skirmish is over.

We then played a second game with more Kalkadoon long ranged fire (boomerangs), and fewer men in Kennedy’s expedition. The fight ended with a decisive Kalkadoon victory.

With all of the Europeans casualities, the native scouts in Kennedy’s expedition fight on despite being outnumbered.

The end is near…….

Two good games but we need to find more suitable rules for the period.