Battle of Long Island

After providing Jolly Broom Man a taste of an AWI game using Fields of Honor (see Back to the Revolution), the battle was reset and a call went out for a larger player count.  Four remote players accepted to fill the four commands and the battle was set for a refight Cornwallis' flanking attack as part of the Battle of Long Island.  

Mark and Chris took command of the Rebels.  Steve and David took up their places at the head of the British army.

Heard's Brigade stands in silence.
Red disks denote RESERVE status.
White balls show First Fire bonus.

The Rebels wait in silence.
Note gun section on rear hill covering the main road.

At the beginning of battle, the battlefield is quiet as General Heard positions his brigade on Shoemaker Heights overlooking the bridge.  If the British can breakthrough here, the flank to the American positions at Brooklyn will be compromised.  The Rebels must hold! 

The British army begins the game off table.  Divided into four brigades, all may begin arriving on Turn 1.  Most of the Rebels begin off-table and enter as reinforcements too.

British Army

Rebel reinforcements

Lord Percy begins the attack by ordering Smith's Brigade of four regiments up the road toward the bridge.  Seeing the Redcoats on the road, Heard sends one of his militia regiments off to contest the bridge.  The Rebel 6lbers on the hill east of Shoemaker's Hill makes it presence known by inflicting casualties upon Smith's lead regiment.  Rebel reinforcements from Brooklyn are already reaching the battlefield with Nixon's Brigade in the lead. 

First blood as the British army advances.

Percy chooses not to concentrate his attack solely down the road and against the bridge but advances broadly against the entire American position.  MG Jones is ordered to sweep wide against the Rebel left while MG Pigot pins the Rebel militia on Shoemaker Heights. Seeing the might of the British army to its front, the militia at the bridge quickly reconsider and retire. 

Redcoats advance across a broad front.

MG Jones' Brigade marches off to turn the Rebel left.

Alongside Smith, Mathews' Guard Brigade forms up and chases the militia off with a volley as the British army prepares to cross the stream.  Rebel guns on the hill continue pounding the Redcoats at the stream.  Rifle fire from the Continentals, positioned within the breastworks, cripples the 63rd foot. As Pigot's Brigade forms up at the foot of the heights, all of Heard's militia unleash a devastating volley into the British ranks.  The 5th Foot is sent packing almost before the battle begins!  British casualties are surprisingly high.  Percy may have some very hot work today.  Sensing Heard will soon have his hands full, Nixon quickly brings his brigade up in support.  For now, the Rebels are giving better than they get.

The Redcoats line the stream as they prepare to cross.

Rifle fire stops the 63rd in its tracks.
Casualties are very high.

The destruction of the 5th Foot!

But these early Rebel successes may be short-lived.

On the British left, Smith and Mathews unleash deadly volleys into Heard's militia along the stream.  Two militia regiments scatter.  Having seen half of his brigade disappear, Heard's Brigade is broken.  In what has been called Pigot's Charge (thanks, Chris!), Pigot, at the head of his two remaining regiments, leads the way up and onto the heights.  Heard and the militia to which he is attached are overwhelmed.  The militia scatters in the face of this assault and Heard is killed. Pigot reaches the heights but loses a second regiment in the fighting.  Pigot's Brigade is broken in these efforts.  To finish off the remnants of Heard's Brigade, the guard destroys the remaining militia situated behind the rail fence.

Pigot's Charge!

'X' marks the spot where Heard falls.

As Heard's position collapses,
Nixon brings up his brigade.

The last of Heard's Brigade is destroyed.

Nixon's boys let loose a tremendous volley into the face of Pigot's remaining regiment. The redcoats are cut down.  Before Pigot can get himself out of harms' way, the Rebels advance and Pigot is captured.  On the Rebel left, Jones maneuvers his brigade into position to threaten the Rebel flank. Two volleys from the Redcoats and a regiment of militia forming up at the foot of the hill scatters.

Pigot is captured!

With Nixon now in command of the heights, volleys pour down onto Jones' Redcoats.  Fire is hot and the 10th foot is destroyed.  On the British left, Smith advances his brigade along the road.

Rebels concentrate fire against Jones.

As the Rebels bring up more troops, the firefight intensives.  Jones witnesses two of his regiments disintegrate in minutes.  His brigade is broken.  Back on the British left, the persistent Rebel gun continues its work.  Another of Smith's regiments crumbles.  Smith's Brigade breaks and continued efforts look pointless.  Percy calls off the attack.

First Jones breaks and then Smith.

The Rebels hold out to see victory and drive back the British invaders!

Well done to all players but especially to Mark and Chris for their careful handling of the Rebel army.  My condolences to Steve and David.

This was a very interesting battle to watch unfold.  First, the British took heavy casualties almost before the battle began only to come back to destroy Heard's entire brigade in coordinated attacks.  While Heard was destroyed, his stubborn defense allowed time for the Rebels to bring up Nixon and Parson's brigades to counter every British threat.  

Well played and very fun to watch.

Thanks for a great game, guys!

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.

Brandywine: Americans on the Attack!

After successfully making it through the Battle of Brandywine in last Saturday's remote game see Brandywine: Knyphausen Attacks!), I presented the scenario to the Tuesday UK group.

Combatants were:

British: Chris and Richard

American: Ian, Graham, and Steve.

While I questioned the brashness of Greene's attack across Chadd's Ford to meet the British head-on in the Saturday game, the American players in the Tuesday game doubled-down and attacked across both fords!  In the Saturday battle, Greene's aggressiveness cost him the battle and his life. Would the same fate await the Americans in the Tuesday battle?

Let's see with a quick overview of the action.

In the distance, Americans line Brandywine Creek.

Maxwell deploys forward of Chadd's Ford.

Sullivan defends Brinton's Ford

Greene defends Chadd's Ford

Vaughn begins skirmishing with Maxwell's light infantry.
Pinned on three sides, the 4th Foot takes heavy casualties.

Grant brings on his brigade to lend weight
 in pushing Maxwell aside.

On the Allied left, Knyphausen orders the heavy
artillery to unlimber on the road.
The two batteries target the American guns
 in the redoubt on the far side of the creek
as Sullivan's men wade the creek.

Quickly, the Americans cross the ford
and fan out to take the high ground.
British dragoons race up to garrison the farm.

While British heavy guns pound the American battery,
counterbattery activities slow the German approach.

The 16th Lt Dragoons are thrown in to thwart
the American advance. 

Ferguson's Rifles engage the enemy at the farm
 in support.  Too late.  The dragoons are scattered.

At Chadd's Ford, with the Redcoats tangled up with
 Maxwell, Greene strikes across Chadd's Ford.

Maxwell's light infantry are giving much
 better than they get.
 Maxwell, with his small command, stops two British
brigades in the their tracks.
  Unbelievable display of cunning and luck. 

Even when attacked by two British regiments,
 Greene's light infantry throw them back down the hill.
Vaughn attacks up the road trying to break the Americans.

Maxwell keeps up an unrelenting harassment
 of the enemy while Greene arrives to
reinforce Maxwell's successes.

Battlefield overview

Maxwell's light infantry are such a nuisance that Grant throws
 five regiments into combat to deal with this meddlesome unit.
Despite heroic efforts, Maxwell's command breaks.

Opposite Brinton's Ford, Ferguson retires as the British
 guns continue pounding the American positions.
  The American guns are destroyed.

Finally reaching Brinton's Ford, the Germans
 form up and attack.
Weakened, Sullivan is forced to vacate the west side
 of the creek. 

As Maxwell's command scatters, Greene attacks.
While Weedon's command is broken in the fighting,
 so is Grant.  Vaughn teeters on breaking as
both the 4th and 23rd scatter.
The British right has no more offensive capability.

Dispositions at battle's end.
Greene controls Chadd's Ford.
Sullivan about to lose Brinton's Ford.

After eight turns of play over about four hours, we called the game due to the late hour.  At that snapshot in time, the Americans firmly hold Chadd's Ford and have a tenuous hold on Brinton's Ford.  With Stirn's command having hardly a scratch and Sullivan's Division showing signs of heavy wear and tear, we conclude that one more turn would see Brinton’s Ford in German hands.  Given that each holds one ford and casualties roughly equal, a draw seems a reasonable assessment. 

This engagement saw a really a hard-fought battle especially on the British right.  Maxwell's tenacity (coupled with some luck) combined with Greene's aggressiveness tore the British right to shreds.  For the British, Grant's Brigade was broken and Vaughn was nearing that point.  For the Americans, Weedon and Maxwell were broken with De Borre wavering.  

My eyes could not believe what they were seeing.  Having envisioned a defensive stance along the banks of Brandywine Creek, the Americans threw caution to the wind and attacked with great gusto.  On the American left, that brashness paid off.  On the American right, these attacks met with less success.  This Battle of Brandywine was an exciting and long fight.  Great fun watching this battle unfold.  Sometimes the best defense is a great offense! 

For battle accounts from two of the participants, please visit,

Patriot Games with that Battle from Hobbiton - Graham (Maxwell then Sullivan)

Battle of Brandywine Creek - Chris (Knyphausen and Stirn)

 

Thank you to all of the participants. 

Next up on the gaming slate, a return to Matt's table with Rebels & Patriots and the Battle for Fort Washington.