Katonah, twenty-second and third of July in the year 2006

Deflecting the American Resolve

Forty-five miles to the Northeast of New York City, the Americans were probing our lines. After their devastating defeat on Long Island, they had slinked to the South. Now they had returned with the French to re-take the city. Crown Forces were eager to repel them.

We were near a peasant farm village with the odor of swine and sheep. Katonah the name, and our Forces bivouacked along the ridge of Ward Pound.

The King's Own set off in the Advanced Guard with the 16th LD and the 40th, patrolling along a sunken road. Rebels were encountered hiding in the woods and a serious firefight ensued. Crown Forces pressed forward across a field, and pushed them back. Then they began to get reinforcement, including some yellow jacketed troops with quite a sting - they managed to hit one of the 16th twice. He pulled back to bind his wounds and then rejoined us. We slowly were pressed back.

The 40th sent word to bring up a gun while we held position. However, more and more rebels began to arrive, including about ten horse. It was clear that we really needed more infantry support. Then, just as that was forthcoming we were attacked by the cavalry and infantry, losing the gun and being overwhemed. Heavy losses were incurred and several men were forced to beg quarter. The rest of the company fell back and was relieved for nooning.

Late day, the 4^th again formed in the advanced guard, eager to extract revenge on the provincials in a long end run through a wooded pass. Unfortunately, part of our forces found the wrong road, diminishing our numbers. Stoutly, the King's Own pushed on.

Deep in the woods, we caught up with the rebels. The ground was high and uneven. Wooded, yet rocky crags providing great cover, stonewalls, and the like. We initially advanced on the enemy, but then they were reinforced and began to press us back. We fought from one crag to the next, stubbornly retiring. A group of Royal Navy from the Somerset, plus a handful of Jagers arrived, strengthening our hand. Sgt Langdon joined us at this point. Then finally, the first unit of the Union Brigade showed up - the Guards under Sgt Maj Condrick. Their arrival put us a even numbers with the rebels, and we were in a stalemate. Finally, the rebels - apparently out of ammo - fired a volley and charged up hill into our defenses. We unleashed a crashing volley and they died or surrendered.

Literally a minute later, who should appear? The greater part of the Union Brigade. Then, some Queen's rangers came up from the flank. Had they been there sooner we could have disposed of our enemy and continued our mission. The Union brigade continued on, spurred on by the sound of action ahead - we presumed the County Brigade having at it.

We joined a full engagement in progress shortly before it ended, and returned to camp for the day, followed by some more rain. This rain was welcome, as overnight it pulled the high humidity and Sunday was much more weather-friendly. But as far as we were concerned, only the weather in England was welcome.