Cowpens - Guilford Courthouse Campaign Refought

[B6BosGO]

  In his introduction to the article "Campaigning without Maps" Steve Haller wrote, "War gamers who enjoy the variety that acampaign offers for the use of their collections are often discouraged by the time and clutter involved when maps are used.  An alternative method might employ the use of an scenario based on a historical campaign (complete with OB's, etc) which allows elements of choice and chance to determine the nature of each battle of the campaign.  Each battle is assigned a number of points that are awarded based on the results of the Battle (e.g. comparison of casualty ratios). "   To me this has always been a fascinating idea which I wanted to try out.  Taking his article I have slightly modified it by changing some of the options for battles and created my own order of battles based on historical returns.  But the spirit of the campaign remained what Steve wrote way back in the early 1980's.  Here is my outline and rules for the Cowpens -Guilford Courthouse Campaign.  The campaign order of battle including militia desertion (i.e. going home) and reinforcements will be in the next post  as will a outline of the rules used and my interpretation.

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2019/02/cowpens-guilford-courthouse-campaign_66.html

British Order of Battle:
https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2017/05/british-order-of-battle-guilford.html

American Order of Battle
https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2017/05/american-order-of-battle-guilford.html

[B6BosGO]

The Battle of Camden January 1781


General Morgan invades South Carolina with his Light Troops.  He successfully linked up with Pickens' South Carolina brigade and  Sumter's brigade.  Morgan decided to attack the British base at Camden.  Outnumbered but trusting in his better quality troops Lord Rawson matches out to attack him.

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2019/02/cowpens-guilford-courthouse-campaign_22.html

February 1781 Battle of Cowen's ford

Marching hard after Greene's army Cornwallis found his army frustrated by numerous river crossings. These were usually defended by local militia. One such crossing was at Beattie's and Cowen's Ford. North Carolina Militia General Davidson was defending both fords  with his brigade.

 Under cover of darkness Cornwallis divided his army. Webster would hold the attention of most of Davidson's men and Morgan's light division while Cornwallis crossed at the lower Cowen's Ford. The heavy morning fog prevented the men guarding the Ford from seeing the British untill  the advanced guard was crossing the river.  They quickly called for reinforcements and set up firing positions.

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2019/03/cowpens-guilford-courthouse-campaign.html

[B6BosGO]

March 1781 Battle of New Garden Meeting House.

For the final battle of the campaign Greene and Cornwallis armies fought a meeting engagement at New Garden Meeting house.  The Americans fielded the army they would have at Guilford Courthouse.  I gave them a additional North Carolina Militia battalion  and Maryland-Delaware light battalion intact instead of returning it to its parent battalions.  The British got both battalions of the 71st regiment, the light battalion  and the British Legion infantry since Cowpens had not been fought.  Lastly since the battle was so large it was fought at club game night since we had additional players and more room.

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2019/04/cowpens-guilford-courthouse-campaign_21.html

[vtsaogames]

Absolutely fabulous! I love it!

[Lord Raglan]

Nicely done buddy

I played this scenario out a few years ago and had a great time

[FifteensAway]

Decisive but unexpected victory?  But we are winners!  Wait, that's a bit partisan, ain't it.   

Quite nice.  Always love a bit of AWI and this is more than a bit.

[B6BosGO]

Here is the round up of the campaign.

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2019/05/cowpens-guilford-courthouse-campaign.html

And wartime rules used to fight the battle;

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2019/05/fife-and-drum-miniature-rules-for.html