AWI Batrep - The 2nd Battle of New Brunswick 1781

The die was cast a few weeks ago

The same 5 Rejects, got together for Round 2

The 2nd Battle of New Brunswick

After our bashing at the Battle of New Brunswick where myself and Ian were forced to retreat after being mauled by the British Lion (John & Surj) we were determined to fly the Star & Stripes high!

We learned a few things during our previous defeat and planned not to make the 

same mistakes again??

The battle field above is a continuation of the 1st days game, just further south, the first 2 feet on the left were where we, the Americans set up upon during the last game.

Postie went through all casualties from the last battle and threw for casualties to come back for the second day. Some units luckily got large numbers back and some didn't.

Ian took command of our side as I had the last game, we also had a new General on the 

tabletop, none other than Mr Washington himself!! Unfortunately though, as we 

weren't playing an historical battle, Ian had to throw for his leadership. And as per 

usual it didn't go that well!!!

Washington was no better than our last leader Major-General Lincoln, which still gave the Brits a plus 2 to their initiative throw!!!

Damn!

We also got an extra brigade of 3 Veteran line units, Ian took these under his command.

We did also swap our forces around the field of battle. As the French were quite static troops we put them on our right, on a hill, making a nice defensive position.

While I took the left....

Surj and John surprised us both with their setup, leaving the Hessians on their left to face

 off the French, then they placed their depleted brigade all bunched up on the right flank, leaving their centre quite exposed??

Them bunched up Brits!

My brigade in the centre held in reserve.

Ian's French on the hill, with Mr Washington.

The first turn, bought us 2 surprises??

1. The Brits won the initiative?? yeh right!! They did for every turn of the game!!

2. In true Zulu fashion, both horns (flanks) of the Brits moved forward to attack, while the centre stayed still......hhhmmm???

Surj's Hessian's all move forward.

We deliberatly place my 2 artillery close to each other so we could combine their fire if 

we needed too.

On our left we placed our Militia brigade

There were a lot of quality troops heading their way??

The Brits moved first and they now pushed their centre forward

So we just had to advance ours too, Ian also sent some of his troops towards the flank of the  oncoming Hessians, while my reserve troops came off the 

hill to support Ian's advance.

The perfect defensive position, helped by the rough ground just in front of the hill.

The exposed Hessian flank.

I had a little luck this round with my artillery.

Shooting at the Grenadiers needing 5's & 6's, I threw 4 dice and got 4 kills and at the 37th Foot

5 dice and 5 kills!!!!

The Brits weren't impressed! 

Unlike me and Ian!

Now it was Ian's turn with the dice, the Hessains lost 6 figures to combined musket and artillery fire!!

A closeup shot of the action.

A few shots from the opposite side of the table.

The 42nd look pretty ominous??

Surj trying to avoid the rough ground.

The 57th foot bravely advance towards the American lines

The 1st Royal Deux-Ponts

Surj's Hessian Jagers roll around our flank unopposed.

The 54th Foot hop over the fence into the corn field.

We decided Mr Washington would serve best over by my Militia??

All's looking good for us, as I turn to try and flank the 37th

But the Brits turn easily and we gave fire....... as they charged!!

.............as they charged!!

A nice straight line.

Hang on? Where's everyone gone?

In a pretty bloody fight, we both win and lose one melee each.

But then disaster for the Brits,they fail their Brigade Morale check and all troops

 fall back broken. The 57th disperse as they were already routing due to losing the melee.

The British centre, all in retreat.

And just to rub salt in to their wounds, the Hessian unit Prinz Carl flees after failing its

 morale too, leaving Ian to charge the Hessian artillery.

John's Brits reach the fence line

The Brits fail another check and the 37th flee the field, so I advanced.

Its not looking good for the British??

Surj is trying for our flank, but there's not a lot of room.

On our extreme left flank, the dismounted 17th Light Dragoons give fire.

The Militia form a fairly decent line, its now time to move out of the British 

troops way....me thinks???

Is that a semi-naked lady I see before my eyes???

1st Rhode Island

42nd Highlanders

Now its our turn for a disaster, John throws a superb roll and knocks 8 casualties from

 the 1st New York!! Who dissolve from the battlefield....oops!

So could the battle now swing back in favour of the British??

No.

Surj promptly then failed a brigade check on the Hessians, who were all forced back, and

 effectively out of the game.

So there the game ended, in an American victory.

With the loss of their centre and left flank the British retired from the field.

Conclusion

Well what a difference a day makes??

It seems both myself and Ian did learn a few lessons from the last game. We had a plan and managed to stick to it. It was always going to be hard for the British as they were outnumbered, but I just don't get why they set up as they did, overloading their flanks and leaving their centre so exposed. They should have condensed their lines, THAT, is easy for me to say!!