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.