Shoemaker's Bridge: Game 1

Game 1 of the planned Shoemaker's Bridge battle trilogy kicked off on Tuesday in the weekly MNG remote game.  Being a UK based gaming group, I had some difficulty finding a volunteer for the American command.  Gladly, Richard stepped forward to take command of the Rebels.  With only three players in attendance, Richard would command the Rebels alone.  It is a lonely fight, for sure.  Ian and Will took charge of the British forces on the day of battle.

The battle began innocently enough with the Americans deployed to cover the approaches to Shoemaker's Bridge.  Heard's Brigade of militia, a regiment of Continental Rifles, and a section of guns were the only speed bump to the numerous, oncoming Redcoats.  Help would be on the way or so Heard hoped.

The white cotton ball denotes First Fire capability while the red disk identifies a unit as being on HOLD orders.  Units under HOLD orders may respond during the enemy's turn. 

The Rebels wait

and wait for what they expect to see advancing up the road.

The Rebels need not wait long.

Matthews leading the two Guard battalions and Jones leading the 10th, 37th, and 38th foot, deploy into line and press on to the stream covering the bridge (Ian's commands).  Pigott and Smith deploy and advance toward Shoemaker's Farm (Will's command).

For the Americans, Nixon and Parson's Brigades begin streaming onto the field of battle from the direction of Brooklyn.

The British army approaches the stream

The British left splashes across the stream
 while the British right prepares to assault the heights. 

The British right wades through the stream
and readies for the attack.

On the left, lead elements of Jones' Brigade engage the rebels in the field as the rebels seek cover behind the fence.  On the right, militia defending Shoemaker's Farm are slowing the British advance upon the heights.  Casualties mount but the numbers and discipline of the British prevails.  The British are upon the heights!

Shoemaker's Hill is under assault!

Redcoats gain a foothold on the heights!

Success is short lived.  On the left, Jones is thrown back from the field while Smith sees a similar response from Shoemaker's Farm.  The British are tumbling back down the hill having suffered heavy casualties.

The British are thrown back!

After regrouping, the British Army launches assaults across its front a second time.  These extra efforts pay off.  The American right is driven back from the field with heavy casualties as the Guard is sent in to finish the task.  On the British right, heavy ranks of redcoats storm the farm.  Shoemaker's Farm falls!

British take Shoemaker's Farm

At this point following three hours of battle, we called the outcome inevitable as the American commander declares he will withdraw.  The ending position looked like this:

Positions at end of game

Clearly, with two separate British commands, the battle divided into almost two separate battles.  On the American right, the position was collapsing quickly once the Guard made its presence felt.  On the American left, the rebels still maintained a defensible position upon the heights.  For how long?  We will never know.

At the end of battle, the Butcher's Bill showed,

Butcher's Bill

Heavy casualties, for sure.  The British lost three regiments to the American's five regiments.  Many more regiments were only one hit away from destruction.  This was a costly battle but one the British may claim as a victory.

For Victory Points, The British tallied 19 points against 13. A tactical victory for the British.  Congratulations to Ian and Will!

Shoemaker's Bridge was a good introduction to Fields of Honor.  The players picked up the mechanisms quickly and play moved along at a respectable pace.  I could see tactics developing as the game progressed.  There was talk about a rematch.