Last Sunday after we visited Skirmish in Sidcup, Postie put on an American War of Independence game for myself and Fran. We usually use Age of Reason rules for our AWI games, but Postie fancied a change and has once again written his own set, borrowing bits and bobs from various other rule sets.
The set up, I was playing the Brits and Fran was playing the Americans
The Battle of Irish Farm 21st Sept 1779
British OOB
Maj-Gen Sir Henry Clinton
1st Brigade Maj-Gen Agnew
23rd Fusiliers
64th Foot
43rd Foot
Medium Gun
2nd Brigade Maj-Gen Stirn
Knyphausen Fusiliers
Prinz Carl Musketeers
Hessian Jagers
Light Gun
3rd Brigade Maj-Gen Vaughan
1st (Combined) Light Infantry
3rd Battalion De Lancey's Brigade
17th Light Dragoons
American OOB
Maj-Gen John Sullivan
1st Brigade B-Gen Maxwell
1st New Jersey
2nd New Jersey
3rd New Jersey
Riflemen
Med Gun
2nd Brigade Maj-Gen Heath
1st North Carolina
2nd North Carolina
2nd Light Dragoons
Light Gun
3rd Brigade Maj-Gen Spencer
New Hampshire Militia
Rhode Island Militia
Massachusetts Militia
Fran set up his New Jersey Continental Line on his right flank on a hill
With his other Continentals in a defensive position behind some walling.
Prinz Carl's were posted on my extreme left
While the rest of their brigade, were set up to the left of the main road. I planned for
Hessians to stay put for most of the game and defend my flank
While my 1st and 2nd Brigades did all the attacking on my right, they were set up to face Fran's Militia brigade which he'd set on on his left flank
I had a lot of rough ground in front of me, as we were learning the rules Postie suggested
I could go into skirmish formation with my Light Dragoon's and Light Infantry.
The Right Honourable Major-General Sir Henry Clinton
or
Me!
3rd Battalion De Lancey's Brigade
One of my favourite units, just love the white hats!
The American 2nd Light Dragoon's set up on Fran's left flank
Fran didn't move many troops in the first turn, I suppose he didn't really need to as he was in defence.
only the Riflemen moved forward, looks like he's going for my flank??
I made a general move forward
The rough ground was gonna be a right pain in the arse!
Like Postie suggested all my attacking troops were in skirmish, so they could move quicker
and be less of a target to cannon and musket fire, BUT I could not afford to be caught in skirmish!!
The Royal Artillery opened fire, on a 1 or 2 you'd miss your target
which seemed to happen more often than not!
The Hessian's also open fire but with little effect
Turn 2
Fran's Riflemen advance once again
They're getting a bit too close for my liking??
My Jager's lead the way and move across the cornfield
While Fran sits and waits
I form up my Light Dragoon's ready for a charge, while the line units
climb over the fence.
We both fire our artillery, I manage to damage Fran's Medium gun on the road.
Oooo I don't like the look of that!!!!
So I moved Prinz Carl's back a little, hopefully I'll be able to wheel next turn??
Fran can't take it anymore, he moves the 2nd New Jersey down off the hill towards
my Jagers.
I had to turn my gun to face the Riflemen
Fran fired and killed a Jager, while I moved to my left.
I moved upto the fence line, but, if I reformed my side of the fence, when I moved over I'd be disordered, so I had a choice, did I take a chance and move over still in skirmish, then form up? or from up in the field and go disordered?? Also IF I stepped over the fence I'd be in cannister range
of Fran's artillery???
What to do??
The cotton wool shows were we both fired
I moved forward my Dragoon's, I expected Fran to do the same, but they stood as they were.
Maj-Gen Stirn leads from the front.
I charged Fran's Dragoons, but I made a mistake, my half move didn't contact Fran's unit
this meant he could counter charge!!!! Damn!
Fran started to misbehave once again, so he was punished in the usual manner,
Posties nails to the head!
Ouch!
The 23rd move over the fence in skirmish.
Fran moved up to the fence line
We both gave fire and both lost troops
The melee
Was inconclusive....we both lost 2 figures each, so we'd fight again next turn.
I began massing my troops for the final push
While on my left I was still holding Fran in place
BOOM!
I finally killed off Fran's artillery down the road!!
Get in there!!!
Fran didn't approve
he he!
The 23rd advanced towards the Rhode Island Militia and take fire
Fran moved the 3rd New Jersey off the hill threatening my left, so in a very
dangerous move turned the 43rd to fire in the flank off the 2nd New Jersey.
My left flank, I should be able to hold for a few turns........I think?
Contractual shot of the Evil Postmaster General!
Its getting better, Fran's Light Dragoons flee the table after losing the next melee and routing
The 23rd charge the Rhode Island Militia who didn't fancy the fight and flee back
towards the baseline.
The American line.
The 23rd then charge the New Hampshire Militia and melee ensues
And unfortunately that's where we had to end the game!!
Fran was on a curfew and had to get back home to do the dishes!
Postie called the game a fighting draw, but even Fran said the game was mine, as I'd killed more casualties than him and had very nearly turned his flank.
So I'll happily take it as a win!!