Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: Pijlie on 29 August 2014, 03:34:04 PM
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I have developed the ambition to play Trenton this Christmas. Table and figures are coming along nicely, but the battle scenario is something of a challenge. The Hessians were gravely outnumbered in reality and the question is whether hey ever did stand a chance. And I’d like an interesting game.
Now I got handed some interesting ideas for the game (and thought one up for myself) but I would be interested in other people’s take on Washington’s raid on Trenton. How did (or would) you approach it?
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You might consider evening out the odds by making the Continentals "iffy" on arriving. Boats crossing a frozen river...columns getting lost or delayed...reduction in the ranks due to severe weather conditions.. the difficulty of coordinating a multi-pronged attack in the 1700's.....etc
Looking forward to seeing the completed game.
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I've read that Hessian CO Rall received a note warning him of Washington's movements, but put it away without reading it. If he had read it, the Hessians could be formed up in the morning ready for the attack.
Additionally, Rall's engineers had drawn up plans for a redoubt north of town and other fortifications along the river. He chose not to fortify.
Also, Rall had requested that the British place a garrison at Maidenhead (Lawrenceville), about 5 miles from Trenton on the road to Princeton. So, you could have some British troops showing up at some point (2 to 2-1/2 hours after the shooting starts, or earlier if warned.
And there is always the "forgotten by history" battery of artillery at Trenton (or was it a squadron of cavalry?).
Perhaps a company or two of Jaeger (again not remembered by history) went out on patrol despite the weather and engaged the Rebels before they reached town.
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So far I have two options that seem interesting. One is an escape-fighting withdrawal by the outnumbered Hessians. The second one is a what-if supposing Rall did heed the warnings and reinforced Trenton against an attack. This would also result in his artillery not parked away at the back, but placed in reinforced front positions.