 |
| The Rebel River Run photo courtesy wargamesinthedungeon |
Matt and I finished off our three-game Long Island battle trilogy on Sunday. In this last episode of the Long Island campaign, Matt put together a scenario recreating the American race back to the safety of the Brooklyn fortifications before becoming completely enveloped by the advancing British. For Matt's account of the battle and scenario background, please visit Maryland 400: Battle of Long Island. Really, check out Matt's excellent battle account with terrific close-up photos and then return to enjoy my spin.
The American goal was to simply make it across a contested table and wade the river to safety. Casualties mattered not. How did the Americans fare? Did they splash across the river to victory? To find out, please wade through my battle pictorial.
 |
| Maryland 400 stands alone against the enemy. |
 |
| The '400' must sacrifice so the army can escape. |
 |
| The Rebel escapees. |
 |
| Fighting begins as my host (Matt) takes some opening shots (literally!). |
 |
| Redcoats advance to contest the path to the mill and freedom. |
 |
| More redcoats arrive as fighting intensifies! |
 |
| The Guards Attack! |
 |
| and retreat... |
 |
| British advance on the left to close off the Rebel escape route to the river. |
 |
| The Rebels are forced to halt and fire. One British regiment breaks! |
 |
| With one Redcoat regiment in retreat, the American push to the river continues. |
 |
| View of the action from the other camera. |
 |
| By luck, Rebel reinforcements arrive as the Maryland 400 continues to shrink! |
 |
| Rebels close upon the mill and the river crossing point. |
 |
| View of the action from behind enemy lines. |
 |
| British advance upon the enemy continues in an effort to drive the rebels back from the river. |
 |
| American progress is slowed as they must stop to defend themselves. The Maryland '100' fights on. |
 |
| The Marylanders die to a man. The annals will say they say sacrificed themselves to save an army. |
 |
| A British regiment breaks! |
 |
| A second British regiment breaks! |
 |
| A third British regiment breaks as the Americans get two green militia regiments over the river. |
 |
| Attrition thins the battlefield. |
 |
| The fire from the cannon and guards is too great. The Americans break to the rear and AWAY from safe harbor. |
After three hours of hard fighting and barely a soldier left standing, we declare the battle a draw. The Rebels managed to get two regiments across the river to safety for six Honor Points while the British tallied five Honor Points. A draw seemed a fitting conclusion to the contest.
Another exciting action to end our Long Island trilogy. This trio of battles witnessed one victory each plus a draw. Can't get a much more closely contested match than this.
Great fun and thanks again to Matt for another terrific remote game. Where do we go next in the continuing AWI campaign? Perhaps Kip's Bay or Haarlem Heights? We will see.
It sounds like a very tight game with horrendous American casualties followed by three British units breaking - a draw sounds like a satisfactory way to end such a contest and mini campaign.
ReplyDeleteThe battle outcome was very close. I did not figure the Americans would even make it to the stream before they were all cut down. Perhaps I should have attacked the enemy before trying to make an escape?
DeleteA draw was a satisfactory conclusion to the trilogy.
An excellent looking game, Jonathan. What rules? FoH??
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve, but Matt gets full credit for the look of the game. For these skirmish games, Matt and I have been using "Rebels and Patriots".
DeleteGreat photos- the table and miniatures look great.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Matt's table is superb.
DeleteAn excellent table and a hard fought battle.
ReplyDeleteCorrect on both counts! We both fought until neither could fight more. Quite a slugfest.
DeleteGreat looking game
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteAh! Fantastic period and great looking game gentlemen!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michal!
DeleteA fine game and spread as usual.
ReplyDeleteWe expect nothing less than a fine looking game from Matt and yourself.
DeleteGreat looking table and very nice use of pics and comments for the AAR. From the title I did wonder if you were doing some NASCAR related gaming!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter! Ah, NASCAR. Maybe that we will a new project?
DeleteLovely toys and a great sounding battle it was too.
ReplyDeleteVery true! Matt (the other Matt!) is a fine painter and expert table-setter.
DeleteThat worked well then, with Honors of War even.
ReplyDeleteThat's right! In this series, we were each 1-1-1.
DeleteI read this over on Matt’s blog. That’s a very cool scenario and sounds like a lot of fun. Very nice! 😀
ReplyDeleteThe game was a lot of tense fun, for sure. I thought my Americans would NEVER reach the river.
DeleteAnother fun scenario, and nice to see that Matt is holding hos own in this trilogy after some nasty setbacks in earlier games.
ReplyDeleteYes, Matt is holding his own after a very rough start. I lost count of the number of double sixes he rolled for activations in this one. No, I didn't lose count. He rolled FIVE!
DeleteWow that still seemed like quite a bloody nose to thBrurs, considering they were pursuing a retreating enemy! A draw sounds about right as most of the Americans DIDNT escape over the river, but a close run thing!
ReplyDeleteCasualties were very high, Keith. Few units remained on the table at the end.
DeleteThat was a bloody and brutal game but a draw seemed a fair result and a nice way to end the campaign. Looking forward to more action from the AWI in the future:)
ReplyDeleteEnding on a draw allows us both to claim victory, I think. For now, Brooklyn holds. Looking forward to see which battle we tackle next.
DeleteA honourable draw to the game. It has been an enjoyable series of games.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the Long Island trilogy, Peter!
DeleteIt's very impressive how you manage to write one AAR after the other of the AWI. Very nice photos. It must be a joy to play such a game.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrè. It can be a real challenge trying to keep up with all of the games played and produce a battle report for each. I actually have quite a few games that will not likely see an AAR. I try to write about the more interesting ones and the ones in which I keep notes.
DeleteIt is a pleasure playing on such a lovely table.
Outstanding game!
ReplyDeleteI loved the series.
Thanks, Mark! Researching the battle and scenario development were as much fun as actually playing the three battles.
DeleteSimply superb spectacle - great looking and great narrative.
ReplyDeleteVery much in an AWI frame of mind now - and looking forward to the week-end :)
Thank you! The look of the thing is all Matt's handiwork. He sets a handsome table.
DeleteHopefully, Saturday's contest will provide even more motivation to keep you in an AWI frame of mind.
Have yet to check out Matt’s write up but if your excellent take of this scenario is anything to go by am sure it’ll be brill!
ReplyDeleteGood pics too and yeah, a draw sounds about the right result
Thanks so much! Be sure to pop over to Matt’s.
DeleteThanks Jon a fair write up as always. I am taken how good the quality of the iPhone photos are given they are pointing towards the painting light. I also need to tidy up a bit , look at all that mess in the background !
ReplyDeleteThe picture quality is very good. My screenshots are not nearly as crisp as your phone photos but perfectly suitable for remote play. You have a great setup,
DeleteA tense write up and game that do both the table and players justice. Looking forward to seeing the next round when it comes.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Ross
Thanks, Ross! Where will we go next?
DeleteLove it - nice to see games on the table.
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteImpressive AWI gaming again with Matt!
ReplyDeleteVery fun too!
DeleteGreat looking game Jonathan. I love that statement “ After three hours of hard fighting and barely a soldier left standing, we declare the battle a draw.”
ReplyDeleteYeah, let’s call it even…
DeleteSplendid looking game and a draw sounds fair!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
With few troops remaining, I was happy to take a draw.
DeleteNice write up and troops. These actions happened not too far from home at all.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking my retirement project may be AMR; after all, I ought to have SOME American troops in my collection.
Barry had started a 40MM AWI project, and I had agreed to supplement that but after the purchase of much lead, he decided to abort it before I acquired any figures. He has now moved off top the wilds of Maine.
So, would I keep to my 25/28's, or try a different scale? 20mm, 18 mm, 10mm? Something to ponder for the future.
Thank you, Peter! Matt does an excellent job on both troops and terrain.
DeleteI think you need another new project and AWI sounds perfect. While I have only Germans and British in 28mm, my 15mm collection has it all. It has been great fun getting this collection back onto the gaming table this week.