Battle of Millstone, 1777

Redcoats on the march. 
photo courtesy wargemsinthedungeon.blogspot.com

Matt and I return to our long-running AWI campaign as we fight our way through the war.  After the battles of Trenton and Princeton, combats center on small skirmish actions while both armies are in Winter Quarters.  Up this time is one of the actions from the Forage War.  For historical background and Matt's excellent battle account, please visit, 

The Forage War, 1777: Battle of Millstone 

While Matt presents his version of the action with superb battle photos, I attempt to recount my rendition of the action from the Rebel perspective and from afar.

Let's take a look at this battle from the American chroniclers.

The battlefield with the long British column
 marching toward Millstone River Bridge.
A Hessian detachment guards the bridge.
photo courtesy wargemsinthedungeon.blogspot.com

British column marches toward the bridge.

The Rebels arrive out of nowhere to challenge the column
but the Rebels fail to attack both flanks.

Gunshots ring out as contact is made
 at the rear of the column.

Threatened from beyond the mill and from the town,
 itself, the Redcoats are forced to split their command
 to deal with each threat.

The Rebels advance upon the lead elements of the column
 while the rear guard is attacked from both directions.
The baggage train stalls.

A withering opening volley from the town
sends the British back toward the bridge.

Surprised by seeing enemy both fore and aft,
 the British unit scatters.
Hoorah!

British infantry line the fence as the Rebels close in.

The firefight intensifies as the Hessian jaegers scurry
 across the Millstone Bridge to aid their comrades.
Musketry from the Americans drives off the Hessian gun. 

The Hessian jaegers arrive to thwart the Rebel attack.
photo courtesy wargemsinthedungeon.blogspot.com 

One Rebel skirmisher has seen enough and disperses.
The baggage train is making little progress.

In the firefight, first the lead British regiment breaks
taking Abercrombie away with it.
  They scamper toward the bridge pell mell.
Seeing their commander carried away in flight,
the second British regiment breaks.

First one Hessian jaeger company is destroyed 

and then the second disperses.

As the Americans close in on the column,
 not much remains to protect the train.

The lead wagon is attacked as the British rear-guard
continues suffering casualties at the hands of their pursuers.

With the route to the bridge blocked and the baggage
 train under heavy attack,
the remaining British infantry skedaddle. 
The rebels are victorious!

Well!  That was a quick and sharp little action.

The Rebels attacked quickly and gave the British a very bloody nose.  Crown forces experienced a spate of untimely and unseemly Morale and Rally tests.  So many catastrophic morale failures occurred, the likes of which are not often seen.  If it were not for bad luck, the British may have had no luck at all.

While there will be fewer places set at the British mess tent this night, the Rebels will be eating well with lamb on the menu.

Great game and great victory to the Rebels!