The Battle of Irish Farm - An AWI batrep

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!!