Where or Where (and when) to start a campaign.

Battle of Signal Hill - September 15, 1762
Last Engagement in North America of the Seven Years' War

Over the years our little gaming group has talked intermittently on running a campaign for our miniature gaming.   These discussions spring up in part because of the older members fond memories of old campaigns run years (decades) ago and new members who have never really been a part of a campaign. 

Due to the availability of figures and my personal interest I am seriously considering running a campaign based on the French and Indian War in North America. 

The biggest principal of the campaign is to create realistic scenarios for our games which effect the course of the war.   In looking at possible solutions for this I have chosen a Tree Campaign system in which each game has 5 potential outcomes which in turn dictates the scenario for the next game in the campaign. 

The Result of Each Game can be French major victory – French minor victory – Draw – British minor victory – British major victory.   These “results” are regardless of the forces involved, a battle between the Mingo and Chippewa would still be either French or British victory or a Draw.

Further breaking down the results each of the Six major blocks are effected by the outcome.    Britain, British Colonies, British Native American Allies, France, French Colonies, French Native American Allies.   AN example is a Victory by one side might strengthen the resolve of the Native American Allies and thus in the next game more Native American Allies are provided.   Or a defeat results in the loss of resolve and enough losses and the Native American Allies are lessened in an upcoming game.

Certain events also have outcome changing dynamics.   The first time a Provincial Forces is defeated in a battle the British Army will send to North America.    An example of this is battle of Great Meadows (Fort Necessity); the colonial government in Virginia thought this was no big deal, the British Government sent Braddock on an Expedition to Fort Duquesne.     

Where would you start such a campaign? 

• French destruction of George Croghan’s trading post in modern day Erie PN, 1750
• French Raid on Pickawillany, 1752
• Jumonville Glen 1754
• Fort Necessity 1754
• Braddock’s Expedition 1755
• or some other point?  

There are pros and cons to each of these potential starting points.   To me the answer resides in where does a result “change” history.

I personally like the Raid on Pickawillany as a good starting point, even though it kind of violates the tenant of most results will not change the course of the war, unless I get a little “unrealistic” in what scenario’s it generates.   It was debated if Major British Victory would result in an Expedition against Fort Vincennes in Indiana.     

What do other people think?