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Friday, May 7, 2021

Battle of Long Island: Grant Attacks!

Battle of Long Island, 1858 by Alonzo Chappel
After a few weeks reprieve from the ongoing series of fighting through the AWI using Rebels and Patriots, the next battle is on the schedule with me at the helm for scenario design.  Having been rebuffed at Great Bridge (see: Action at Great Bridge), the British try another frontal attack.  This time, the British attack toward the Brooklyn Heights with a points advantage of almost 3:2.  The Rebels stand ready for battle without earthworks or artillery to offer succour.  Although the entire Battle of Bunker Hill was recently fought using Rebels and Patriots (see: Battle of Bunker Hill), given the size of the battle and the scope of the rules, only a portion of the battle will be tackled.  

An overview for the area of this action is highlighted in the map below.   
Area of battle highlighted
The Map: 
The map shows the approach to Brooklyn along the Gowanus Road.  Each grid is one foot square and the battle will be fought in 28mm. 
Game Map
The British force under Grant marches up the Gowanus Road toward Brooklyn fortifications to make a preemptive attack against the American right in the earlier morning before Howe can get all of the army into position to attack the passes protecting Brooklyn. Driving back the Americans pickets, Grant marches north past the Red Lion Inn and toward Lord Stirling’s quickly forming defensive line. Lord Stirling (Alexander) has arrayed his command upon the heights overlooking Gowanus Bay. His left, he anchors on the wooded heights and his right is anchored against the bay.

SPECIAL:
  • Game Length: 12 turns with variable end.
  • Gowanus Bay is impassable.
  • The high ground offered plenty of undulations and opportunities to secure cover. Fences could be in abundance especially near Vechte-Cortelyou House.  Units on high ground are considered in cover for firing purposes.
  • For melee, defenders are considered uphill until attackers have passed the crestline (top edge of woods mark the crest line).
OB:
British: Grant
1 x Grenadiers: Shock (8pts)
1 x 42nd Highland Foot: VET (6pts)
1 x 23rd Foot: VET (6pts)
1 x 33rd Foot: VET (6pts)
1 x 44th Foot: VET (6pts)
1 x Light Artillery (4pts)

total = 36 points

Americans: Alexander
1 x Lutz’s Penn. Militia: (4pts)
1 x Hay’s Penn. Militia: (4pts)
1 x Kachlein’s Penn. Rifles: Sharpshooters (6pts)
1 x Smallwood’s Maryland Continentals: VET (6pts)
1 x Haslet’s Delaware Continentals: VET (6pts)

total = 26 points 

OBJECTIVES:
American:
+2 Honor for each British unit destroyed.
+1 Honor for each British unit at half strength.

British:
+2 Honor for each full strength British unit exited off north side of table.
+1 Honor for each half strength British unit exited off north side of table.
+2 Honor for each American unit destroyed.
+1 Honor for each American unit at half strength.

Let's see how Matt translates this sketch into the actual battlefield.  

I may even set this up in 15mm and give the scenario a whirl but not likely before Sunday's contest.  If anyone else wants to test the scenario using your preferred rules, please report back.

46 comments:

  1. Great looking scenario ! I’m sure the Black Watch will see the job done 😀👍

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    1. Thanks, Andy! I am sure Matt is expecting the same.

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  2. Oh dear, another frontal attack by the British. I wonder if they will fare any better this time, against the American militia?

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    1. Yes, another frontal assault by the British. They keep coming on in the same manner and we keep sending them back in the same manner.

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  3. Really great looking scenario Jonathan!

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  4. Hmmm...I was thinking the same as Lawrence, although at least with this battle, the British actually did win in real life, so hopefully Matt can replicate that - not that I am biased in favour of the Crown forces or anything! I am still a bit concerned that the Americans will count as being in cover as they are on the heights....

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    1. I understand your concern. As for bias, well, that is understandable as well.

      Once the British begin advancing up the heights, they will receive the benefit of the undulating terrain too. That may even the situation. The effect of the British gun will be something to keep an eye on. Typically, artillery can be a game-changer in R&P.

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  5. Looking forward to seeing it all pan out.

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  6. Looks like the setting of an intriguing game

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    1. My hope is that the battle is as interesting as the situation.

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  7. I'll be curious to see how this plays out.

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  8. Very nicely done. The opening photo is very atmospheric and the map is superb. It has all the makings of a fab game

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    1. Thank you, Norm! The proof is always in the playing.

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  9. Great scenario for a game, Jonathan. Classic artwork too.

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  10. Thanks Jon and know we need to live upto expectation 😀

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    1. You are welcome! Now the challenge is before you.

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  11. Sounds like those Brits FINALLY have a chance at winning one of these games! :)

    Very nicely laid out Jon, looking forward to the report on how you guys play this through.

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    1. Yes, this may be a good opportunity for the British to gain a victory on the battlefield. No harassing skirmishers, no ambushes, no earthworks to hide behind. This is be as near to a linear battle that we have experienced thus far.

      Thank you for your support, Dai!

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  12. I'm sure it will be great fun and look splendid!
    Best Iain

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  13. Nice job on the scenario JF. I’m sure Matt will make the table beautiful. 😀

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    1. Thanks! Matt has a knack for setting a handsome table.

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  14. This should be a good game. And it may all come down to deployment...so the AAR is eagerly awaited.

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    1. I am hoping for a good, competitive game, Anthony. an AAR will be drafted once the game is in the books.

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  15. This one might be where the British get some of theirs back for the rebuffs they've suffered in the last few games.

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  16. Nice set up Jonathan. I look forward to seeing the resulting game.

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    1. Thanks, Mark. I am looking forward to the game too.

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  17. Looking forward to this game. Its a interesting part of the battle with a great array of troops. Your American Rev War games are always beautiful.

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    1. This wing of the battle has an interesting assortment of troops, for sure. Matt is the mastermind for setting out the table and providing the beautiful troops. Should be fun. Thank you.

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  18. Keenly anticipate what follows next, Jonathan. As Bill Cosby once said in his what if battles were preceded by a coin toss, "Settlers, you win the toss, settlers will hide behind rocks and trees and everything, British, you have to wear red and march in a straight line."

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  19. A great setup, Jonathan, looking forward to the fight.

    V/R,
    Jack

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  20. That's a very fine small scenario. Simple but effective.

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  21. I found this very interesting. RP seems to be a glorified skirmish game but focusing on a limited part of a battlefield seems to nullify the skirmish feel. I like the concept and using 36 points seems to help.

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    1. Glad you found this of interest! Matt and I recently fought the full battle of Bunker Hill with R&P and it worked out well. Upping the point total helps for producing a larger game. We find the recommended 24 points each too small for most historical actions.

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