Back to the Revolution!

After a series of poundings on the fields of Ancient Sumeria, I cleared the table of terrain, figures, and haunting memories in order to change the scenery.  With a few encouragements, I opted for an AWI battle in 15mm.  Needing a short turn-around, I chose a scenario fought two years ago as part of the Battle of Long Island.

Today's battle would explore Cornwallis' flank march against the Americans in Brooklyn.  Fresh off his victory in Sumeria, my opponent would be Mark from Mud, Blood, and Steel blog.

The map shows the route of the flanking march as the British approach Brooklyn from the east thereby bypassing the passes through the Brooklyn Heights. The road passes over the stream at Shoemaker’s Bridge. The passage over the bridge is controlled by the high ground around Shoemaker’s Farm and the farm on the knoll to the east along the road.

The Battlefield

For now, all is quiet

until lead elements of Rebel army
arrive to take up positions.

Mark chose to command the British.  I would command the Rebels.  The British Army under Lord Percy has four infantry brigades facing three Rebel infantry brigades.  The British hold both a quantitative and qualitative advantage over colonists but the Rebels are positioned on the defense.  The Rebels want to trade space for time without having their army destroyed in the process.

Let's see how the battle played-out.  

Brigadier General Heard's Brigade had taken up positions on the high ground at Shoemaker's Farm overlooking the bridge crucial to any flanking maneuver by Cornwallis.  For now, all that stood between Cornwallis and the road to Brooklyn were his four regiments of militia, a battalion of Continental Rifles, and a section of 6lbrs.  More American reinforcements were rumored to be on the way to stiffen this defense.

Heard need not wait long.  As Percy and his force appears on the battlefield on the west side of the stream, lead elements of BG Nixon's command are seen marching to Heard's aid.  Heard sends the Rifles up to the stream to harass the enemy's approach while one of his militia takes up a position along the stream below the heights.

The Red Thick Lines

While the Redcoats form magnificent and orderly lines along the stream bank, Nixon begins deploying his brigade for action fanning out to the north of the main road.  Rebel guns open up but fire is ineffective.  As the Redcoats approach the stream, BG Matthews' two regiments of Guards open up against the Rifles deployed along the east bank of the stream.  The Guardsmen's initial volleys tear through the riflemen.  They are drive back with heavy casualties.  The militia guarding the southern end of the bridge suffer a similar fate as the Rebels fall back from the stream.

Rebels are pushed back from the bridge.

Opposite Shoemaker's Hill, BG Smith's British brigade splashes across the stream.  The Redcoats let loose a volley in preparation for their assault.  The fire from the 63rd Foot rips through the militia directly to their front.  Casualties are heavy.  The 22nd's volley does not show the same effect.

Back near the bridge, both Matthews and Pigot lead their brigades across the stream as BG Jones comes up in support along the road.  Pigot, having just crossed the stream, finds himself in a hot place.  The 5th Foot takes heavy casualties from both gun and musket.  The 5th falls back through the 28th Foot. The 28th returns the favor with a volley put into the Continentals astride the road.

Matthews and Pigot cross the stream
 driving back the Rebels.

Back at Shoemaker's Hill, Smith attacks!  The 63rd with the 54th in support climbs up the slope to attack the militia.  Still reeling from the devastating volley received moments before, the militia break and run.  The 63rd gains the heights.  To its left, the second assault with the 22nd in the lead does not fare as well.  As the 22nd reaches the crest, it is sent tumbling back down the slope, shattered.  Lead elements of Parson's Brigade reaches Shoemaker's farm after its long march to the battlefield.  Figuring he would have time to deploy before under threat, Parson's leaves his Continentals in column.

Smith attacks!

63rd gains the heights!

Battle overview

Seeing Smith's attack against the Rebels stalling, Pigot orders his brigade to attack the guns on the heights.  With the 28th Foot leading the way, the Redcoats scale the heights and pour over the breastworks.  The Rebels guns are overwhelmed and destroyed.  If Pigot can secure this foothold before the Rebels counterattack, part of Heard's Brigade will be trapped. 

Pigot attacks the guns!

The guns are destroyed.

Militia reoccupies the breastworks
as Jones brings his brigade across the stream.

Sensing the danger to his rear, Heard falls back to occupy the breastworks.  Not a moment too soon as Smith's Brigade attacks the Continentals at Shoemaker's Farm in force.  Having suffered mightily from musketry while still in column, the Continentals form line only to be driven out of the farm.  Before the British can occupy this real estate, Parsons brings up militia to seize the farm.

In heavy fighting at the farm, the 54th Foot is scattered while the 63rd takes heavy casualties.  To their left, Pigot's 28th pushes the militia out of the breastworks as it retires down the hill.

Firefight at Shoemaker's Farm and breastworks. 

Casualties mount!

Back on the British left, Jones advances upon the enemy.  The Rebel militia look shaky as the British lines bear down upon them.  Volleys are exchanged.  The Redcoats give better than they get.  Within minutes, this entire flank of the Rebel army collapses as men stream to the rear.  For them, the battle is done.  

Jones advances upon the enemy right.

Back at Shoemaker's Farm, having witnessed the destruction of the 54th Foot in attacks against the farmhouse, the 43rd steps forward to take its place.  With the militia already wavering, one last shove is all that is needed to send the Rebels running toward the rear.  Shoemaker's Farm falls to the British! 

43rd comes up from reserve 

to lead the attack.

Shoemaker's Farm falls!

With the collapse of the Rebel right and now the loss of Shoemaker's Farm, the severely mauled Rebel Army begins its withdrawal back toward the safety of the Brooklyn defenses.  Will these Rebel remnants find solace when they return to Brooklyn or will they find themselves trapped and prisoners or war?

It may not matter.  For them, their battle is over.

Well!  A fine and convincing victory for Mark and his British army.  While the Rebels suffered greatly, the Redcoats did not pass through the fire unscorched.  Three regiments were dead on the field and another three were only just clinging to life.

Great fun to see the AWI troops back into battle and double fun to face Mark in another exciting contest.

Super job, Mark!  Well played! 

Expect to see this battle in a multiplayer, remote game next week.  With any luck, that is.