Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: CapnJim on November 13, 2021, 12:27:24 AM
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I am working up a "What if...?" War of 1812 scenario, set during the later stages of the 1814 Niagara campaign. My regular wargame group will certainly play it out once I finish it, and it may show up as a game I run in next year's convention circuit.
History would be followed up to and including Gen. Drummond's decision to lift the British siege of Fort Erie, in Upper Canada across the Niagara River from Buffalo, NY (arrived at prior to the historical American attacks of 16 Sept.). It would be at this point we depart from history.
1. US Gen. Brown held a Council of War on 15 Sept. Historically, he decided to attack the British works on 16 Sept. Instead he follows the advice of cooler heads, and decides to wait and see what the British would do.
2. As such, these is no American attack on 16 Sept.
3. With no American atttack, the British lift the Siege on 20 Sept. - a day earlier than they did historically.
4. US Gen. Brown decides to send Gen's Porter and Ripley with the now-reinforced army to follow and attack (if possible) the British.
5. Both the British and Americans receive reinforcements as they did historically.
6. Gen. Drummond has Gen. de Watteville turn with his division at the old battlefield at Lundy's Lane to face the Americans. They 2 armies fight the 2nd Battle of Lundy's Lane on 22 Sept. 1814.
Here are the draft orders of battle. For the Americans, I used the organization they used during their 16 Sept. attack on the British lines (that didn't happen here...), and tweaked it a bit.
For the British, I started with the organization they used during their ill-fated attack on Fort Erie, made a couple adjustments, and added in the newly-arrived regiments. The forces would be pretty even. A few more US units, but the British units would be, on average, a bit bigger.
US Order of Battle
Commanding General (Brig. Gen. Porter)
1st Brigade (Col. Miller)
9th Infantry
11th Infantry
19th Infantry
2nd Brigade (Brig. Gen. Davis)
23rd Infantry
Hopkins’ NY Militia
Churchill’s NY Militia
Crosby’s MY Militia
Field Artillery Battery
3rd Brigade (Lt. Col. Wood)
1st Infantry
Dobbin’s NY Militia
McBurney’s NY Militia
Fleming’s NY Militia
Field Artillery Battery
Reserve Brigade (Brig. Gen. Ripley)
21st Infantry
17th Infantry
25th Infantry
Independent Units
1st/4th Rifles
US Light Dragoons
British Order of Battle
Commanding General (Maj. Gen. de Watteville)
Advance Guard (Lt. Col. Drummond)
Flank Companies
Royal Marines
Glengarry Light Infantry
1st Brigade (Lt. Col. Scott)
8th Foot
103rd Foot
104th Foot
Field Artillery Battery
2nd Brigade (Lt. Col. Fischer)
Regiment de Watteville
82nd Foot
89th Foot
Field Artillery Battery
3rd Brigade (Lt. Col. Tucker)
1st Foot
6th Foot
97th Foot
Independent Units
19th Light Dragoons
It'll likely be set up as a Black Powder scenario, but it could be used for any suitable rules.
Anybody got any thoughts of ideas about this? I'm open to suggestions. And once I'm done putting it together, I can post it here if anyone would be interested...
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I like the idea you have had for this "what if.." I look forward to seeing how it plays.
I like the US line up: The fact that the Reserve Brigade are all Regulars (and under a full Brigadier) while the two mostly Militia brigades in the centre are stiffened by a Regular battalion and artillery batteries suggest to me that General Porter is planning to hold a line then do some sneaky tactical thing with the reserve.
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Very interesting "what if", look forward to seeing how it turns out. :)
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Thanks, fellas. I've finished developing the scenario, and attached the scenario narrative, orders of battle, and map here. I plan for our regular gaming group to play it out within the next few weeks. If/when we do, I'll post an AAR here. I'd also be interested in anyone's thoughts on what I've come up with...
If you'd like a pdf of the scenario, just PM me with your email address, and I'll send you a copy. Likewise, If anyone decides to play this scenario, it'd be interesting to see how it plays out for you.
Anyhoo, enjoy!
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What a superb effort at a plausible what if scenario and orders of battle. The only unrealistic aspect of your scenario is that the Americans would be unlikely to get across the the well fortified bridge crossing on the Chippewa River as was previously attempted by Scott.
A more realistic scenario would be the American's trying another end run by crossing further up the Chippewa River at Lyon's Crossing. So, instead of repeating Lundy's Lane you could have a second attempt to turn the British/Canadian flank at the Battle of Cook's Mills. Only this time you would not have a tentative American commander like Bissell. Your thoughts?
A technical question for you re the Royal Marines. My understanding is that all of the RM battalions were in the Chesapeake Campaign and that the only RM unit in the Niagara region was the RM Rocket detachment. Do you have any information that establishes a RM battalion in the Niagara region during this period?
It is great to see gamers like you gaming the War of 1812, which is my favorite period. Many thanks to you for posting your scenario and orbats here.
P.S. I am hosting a what if game using GdeB this Saturday; what if Major-General Izard had the courage of his convictions (and an ounce of common sense) and remained in the Champlain border area to face Prevost's invading British/Canadian army.
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You have put a lot of work into this. Thanks for sharing. I am looking forward to your AAR with lots of photos. Good luck and happy gaming.
Regards,
Hitman
😎
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The only unrealistic aspect of your scenario is that the Americans would be unlikely to get across the the well fortified bridge crossing on the Chippewa River as was previously attempted by Scott.
A more realistic scenario would be the American's trying another end run by crossing further up the Chippewa River at Lyon's Crossing. So, instead of repeating Lundy's Lane you could have a second attempt to turn the British/Canadian flank at the Battle of Cook's Mills. Only this time you would not have a tentative American commander like Bissell. Your thoughts?
A technical question for you re the Royal Marines. My understanding is that all of the RM battalions were in the Chesapeake Campaign and that the only RM unit in the Niagara region was the RM Rocket detachment. Do you have any information that establishes a RM battalion in the Niagara region during this period?
P.S. I am hosting a what if game using GdeB this Saturday; what if Major-General Izard had the courage of his convictions (and an ounce of common sense) and remained in the Champlain border area to face Prevost's invading British/Canadian army.
You have put a lot of work into this. Thanks for sharing. I am looking forward to your AAR with lots of photos. Good luck and happy gaming.
IronDuke596: Actually, i\I hadn't thought about the US crossing of the Chippawa River. On the run-up to the historical Lundy's Lane, Brown's force just went upstream and crossed, flanking the British at the main bridge over the Chippawa. Perhaps Porter and Ripley just did that again, in force, as Drummond wasn't present at the original crossing, and he and de Watteville wouldn't have guarded against that. It appears that Drummond wasn't necessarily a tactical genius.... As I understand it, Riall was in command of the troops facing Brown at the Chippawa, and he had been captured by the time of my "what if...?" scenario happens.
But you do bring up a good point. My "what if...?" assumptions here might provide for an interesting campaign as Porter and Ripley pursue the British under Drummond and de Watteville northward from Fort Erie...
As for the Royal Marines, there was a 150-man strong detachment of ships' Marines and sailors in Col. Drummond's column at the August attack on Fort Erie. Technically that unit would be mixed RMs and sailors, but I don't have any sailors painted up yet, so they will be represented by a unit of all Marines...
And interesting idea you have about Izard reinforcing the troops at Plattsburgh. Presuming Prevost would go ahead with the land attack without naval support, in the face of an now-almost even US force defending Plattsburgh, that would be an interesting fight.
Hitman and IronDuke596: We're gonna play out my scenario on 25 Nov. Just a few days after IronDuke plays out his "What if...?" Plattsburgh scenario. It would be interesting to compare notes after out 2 "what if...?" battles, to see how we might have changed the strategic situation on the Great Lakes... ;)
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Looking forward to hearing from both of you for your AAR. Keep me or should I say all of updated.
Regards,
Hitman
😎
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Alrighty then. We played this scenario yesterday, using Black Powder as mentioned previously. We tries something a little different, though. We tweaked the order of units moving and firing, as follows:
1. We assigned each Brigade and the Independent Units a playing card, British red and US black. Each side had A, K, Q, J, and 10.
2. We shuffled and picked cards for commands/movement. Once a Brigade's card was drawn that Brigade went through the commend/movement phase for that Brigade as normal. Each Brigade and the Independent Units cards were drawn. The 2 Army Commanders either moved to attach themselves to a brigade prior to any movement cards being drawn, or moved as the player wished after all the movement cards were drawn.
3. We then shuffled and picked cards for firing. Once a Brigade's card was drawn that Brigade went through the firing phase for that Brigade as normal. Each Brigade and the Independent Units cards were drawn.
4. We then fought all the melees.
It ended up working out quite nicely. Between the command rolls and the random movement and firing sequences, it really brought the "fog or war" into the fight. We thought the battle really fought out as the real ones did in the War. We think that's how we're gonna play Black Powder from now on... :)
Now, on to the battle. I ended up playing the British, and my gaming buddy Ted played the US. The British Advance Guard started out deployed along Lundy's Lane on Meeting House Hill. Then we rolled out entry turns and points for the relevant Brigades. And the battle began.
Both the British and US brought on their Independent Units (Light Dragoons for both, and Rifles for the US). The British Dragoons moved slowly up the Portage Road, as did the British 2nd Brigade. The US Dragoons also moved up the Portage Road, while the US Rifles began moving up into the woods on the US right. On the US left, their 1st Brigade entered the field moving slowly towards the Skinner House. The British Advance Guard stayed up on Meeting House Hill.
Meanwhile the British 2nd Brigade deployed into line at the base of Meeting House Hill, with infantry left (east) of the road and guns to the right (west). The US 1st Brigade on their left moved 2 regiments up toward the Burchner House, while one of their regiments got confused and countermarched off the field. The US 2nd Brigade also come up the Portage Road, behind their Dragoons. Unfortunately, the US Dragoons charged the British 2nd Brigade guns, and overran them after 2 turns charging. Fortunately, musketry from British infantry broke the US Dragoons, who retire from the field. The British 2nd Brigade then spread out their lines and moved forward toward the Peer House. So far, their hadn't been much in the way of musketry - just maneuvering, and the charges of the US Light Dragoons.
To be continued...
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Part 2 - Things warm up!
As the British 2nd Brigade advanced toward the Peer House, and the US 1st Brigade (well, most of it anyway...) advanced toward the Burchner House, the British Dragoons screened the British Brigade's right flank. The British advance Guard maintained its position on Meeting House Hill. The US Rifles advanced through the woods to get on the left flank of the British 2nd Brigade.
Then, the British 3rd Brigade came up from the east along Lundy's Lane, and tuned into the woods to advance up to the left of the British 2nd Brigade. At the same time, the US 3rd Brigade came up the Portage Road, bringing with it more artillery.
It was then that things really warmed up.
The British 3rd Brigade began pushing the US Rifles south through the woods, taking the pressure off the British 2nd Brigade's flank. Then the British 1st Brigade finally came on, also up the Portage Road, and obliqued right to move up onto Meeting House Hill. The British 2nd Brigade, the pressure off its flank moved up to engage the US 2nd Brigade near Peer House. The British Advance Guard moved down off Meeting House Hill to engage the US 1st brigade, getting in on its left flank. The US 3rd Brigade slowly moved up in support of their 2nd Brigade. And the British Light Dragoons, to return the favor, charged a battery of US guns set up along a fence line in the center of the field.
At this point, we had the US and British 2nd Brigades getting into a firefight, as did the British Advance Guard and US 1st Brigade (whose errant regiment had returned to the field). And we had the British Light Dragoons charging a US battery.
Then, the US Reserve Brigade came up toward the Skinner House to get up to support their 1st Brigade.
To be further continued...
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Wow!! Looks like quite a fight. At this stage of the war it really would be a last gasp attempt by the US forces to overturn their fortunes in the Niagara peninsula. I can hardly wait until your next report. Great looking figures and table. Boy do I wish I could have played this scenario wirh you!! Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Hitman
8)
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Thanks, Hitman. It was a ton of fun! Read on...
Part 3 - The Plot Thickens...
As the US and British 2nd Brigades continued their musketry duel near the Peer House, The British Advanced Guard and and the US 1st Brigade did so near the Burchner House. The British Dragoons were trying to overrun the US Battery at the fence line in the center, as the British 1st Brigade moved up along Lundy's Lane on Meeting House Hill, and the British 3rd Brigade moved south through the woods on the British left.
On the US side, their 3rd Brigade moved up the Portage Road to support their 2nd Brigade, while the Reserve Brigade was moving north toward the Burchner House to support their 1st Brigade.
Then, things got ugly for the US, and a even a bit for the British. First, the British Advance Guard broke the US 1st Brigade, sending them to running to their rear. at the same time, one of the Regiments in their reserve Brigade got lost, and was delayed finding their way back to the field. And last, the British Light Dragoons finally overran the US battery they had charged. But it wasn't all rosy for the British. Their 1st Brigade garbled their orders, and backed down off meeting House Hill in confusion. This left a huge hole in the British center, if only the US 3rd Brigade could move fast enough to exploit it.
But it was not to be. With the British 3rd Brigade pushing the US Rifles through the woods to support the left flank of the British 2nd Brigade, the US commander moved the US 3rd Brigade up to support their 2nd Brigade in their fight with the British 2nd Brigade. This allowed time for the British 1st Brigade to sort itself out, and move southward toward the fence line between the Advance Guard on the British right, and the 2nd Brigade on their left. By then, the British Light Dragoons, who had come under fire from the other US battery, had begun to retire to the rear a bit to reform.
By then, the US Reserve Brigade had moved up to the Burchner Farm, and was engaged by the British Advance Guard in an action eerily reminiscent of the Advance Guard's fight with the US 1st Brigade.
So there we were, in the middle of the 12th turn. The US 1st Brigade had broken, and the US Reserve Brigade had taken their place (less an errant Regiment). The British and US 2nd Brigades were still locked in a prolonged duel of musketry (both teetering on the edge of collapse), while the British 3rd Brigade was clearing the woods on the British left, and the British 1st Brigade was moving up to fill the gap in their center. The US 3rd Brigade was coming up to the aid of their 2nd Brigade. Both sides had lost a battery of guns, and the US Light Dragoons had quit the field.
While it appeared that the British had the upper hand at this point, the US was definitely still in the fight. We knew things were nearing a decision, but it really could go either way...
To be more further continued...to the Finale!
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Exciting!
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OMG!!! To be continued!! You have got to be kidding!!
lol
This AAR with all its marvelous pictures has me on the edge of my seat...the suspense is gripping. Can hardly wait to see the final outcome!!
Keep it coming.
Regards,
Hitman
8)
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Thanks, fellas. But I left out one little tiny detail...
In the scrum where the British Advance Guard broke the US 1st Brigade, the US Brigade Commander (Col. Miller) went down. That turn was not a good one for the US...but wait and see how the battle turns out - the finale tomorrow (Saturday)...
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On the edge of my chair... Great stuff!
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Yep, it was a real nail-biter. And now on to the grand finale...
Part 4 - This Is The End...
As we left our intrepid warriors in Part 3 (the middle of the 12th turn), the US and British 2nd Brigades were still locked together near the Peer House, slugging it out with musketry. Their ammunition supplies likely running low after a sustained firefight. To the British 2nd Brigade's left, the British 3rd Brigade had 2 battalions pushing the US Rifles south through the woods, while that Brigade's other battalion moved up along the edge of those woods covering the gap between the British 2nd and 3rd Brigades. To the British 2nd Brigade's right, the British 1st Brigade had sorted themselves out, and was moving up towards the fence line between the Peer House and the Burchner House. The British Advance Guard, having broken the US 1st Brigade, was now in a fight with 2 Regiments of the US Reserve Brigade. And the British Light Dragoons, having overrun a US battery at that fence line, was under fire by the other US battery. And, somewhat ominously, the US 3rd Brigade had moved up behind the US 2nd Brigade, preparing to lend a hand in their fight. And, the Commander of the US 1st Brigade had gone down and their Light Dragoons had already quit the field.
We could sense a tipping point coming in the battle. And it started in the 13th Turn. The British Advance Guard broke the US Reserve Brigade, sending it's remnants streaming to the rear. And the British 1st Brigade took up their positions along the fence line, effectively closing the gap between the British Advance Guard and 2nd Brigade. And the British Light Dragoons retired behind their infantry, getting out of the line of fire of the US artillery.
Good thing the British 1st Brigade finally moved up, too. In the final turn, the Commanders of the US and British 2nd Brigades must have sensed that their brigades were getting tired and low on ammunition, as battalions of each brigade went in at each other with the bayonet. And to lend strength to the US cause, the Commander of the US 3rd Brigade sent 2 battalions in with the bayonet, charging the battalion from the British 1st Brigade that was on the edge of the woods.
We figured that these charges could decide the fight, and we were right. The battalions from the US 3rd Brigade won their fight with the British battalion, shaking it. But, the US and British 2nd Brigades both ran out of steam, breaking each other in their melee, and costing the British their 2nd Brigade Commander (Lt. Col. Fischer).
But the damage had been done. The US now had 3 of 4 brigades broken, a Brigade Commander down, and their Light Dragoons routed. The gig was up for the US, and their 3rd Brigade, with its battery and the Rifles, would now have to act as a rear guard as most of the US Division was now either retreating or routing to their rear.
The British had now clearly won the 2nd Battle of Lundy's Lane, and faced a decision. They had their 2nd Brigade broken, but had 3 Brigades in good shape - their 1st Brigade not having fired a shot in the entire battle. Would Drummond and de Watteville decide to pursue the broken US Left Division, or would they rest on their laurels, or continue retiring to Ft. George? In any event, the US Left Division would now have to retreat back down to Ft. Erie, with the prospect of a strong British force following or pursuing them. Perhaps a future game will decide what happens with that...
It was quite the game! The game went 14 turns in just over 3 hours, and it was up in the air right up until the last 2 turns. Then things just went south for the US.
Literally...
And we liked the modified Black Powder movement and firing sequences we used. They just felt right to us. And I reckon I'll use this scenario on our 2022 convention circuit.
Thanks for reading this, and sticking it out through the 4 parts!
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What a finish!! Once you added your last tidbit of information of the falling of the US commander I thought that the British could push forward and pull out a victory. The British would have been strong in that part of Ontario as the army in the southwestern part of Ontario were retiring to the Niagara region with the Americans hot on their heels after the death of Tecumseh and the Aboriginal allies basically leaving the war after his death. The what-if mopping up scenario could prove to he a nail-biter as the Americans usually put up a solid effort on their retirement from battles in order to keep their army as strong as possible. What a great game and spends pictures to add to the excitement. Thanks for several nights of reading entertainment.
Regards,
Hitman
8)
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Good battle report thanks. I am waiting on delivery of my own copy of Black Powder 2 rules, so when I have had a read through I will understand more how you modified the movement/firing sequence and whether I would want to do the same.
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@Hitman: It was indeed quite the finish. As for the strategic situation, after the Battle of the Thames in Oct 1813, the native American participation in the war did indeed wane dramatically, particularly in the Great Lakes area. The 41st Foot reorganized, combining the remnants of their 1st battalion with their 2nd. They were indeed in the Niagara area during the time of my "What If" scenario, but Dummond (Edit:
didn't take them only took their flank companies) with him to the Siege of Fort Erie. They did fight at Conjucta Creek in August 1814, losing that one. I assume they were at (Edit: Ft. George Ft. Niagara) during the actions around Ft. Erie, and thus my little departure from history. So, they don't appear here. The British did get a new regiment at Queenston (the 90th Foot on 23 Sep), so they do make an appearance, as you shall see below...
As for the Americans at the Thames, Harrison withdrew back to Detroit not long after the battle. He had some companies of Regulars with him (from the 24th and 27th Regiments) whom he did send east, but it doesn't look like the made an appearance in the Niagara campaign. So they ain't here either...
I'm really hoping IronDuke596 posts an AAR from his modified Plattsburgh scenario game last Saturday. That could further change the strategic situation along the Canadian border/Great Lakes region...
@vodkafan: Once you get and read your copy of Black Powder, I'd be interested in hearing what you think of our tweaks to the movement and firing sequences. They mix up who moves/fires when, and along with the Command rolls to move really added some tension to the battle. Nothing like a little "Jeez, I hope I can move/fire this Brigade before the other guy does...". :D
In order to see what would happen if Drummond decided to pursue the beaten and battered US force, I've done up a scenario to do just that. Looks like we're gonna play it out this Wednesday (01 Dec). I stole IronDuke596's idea of a different fight at Cooks Mill. On the surface, it looks like a rough go for the US, but the British will have to be aggressive to catch and destroy the US force. The scenario is attached below. I'd be happy to hear anyone's thoughts on it before we play it Wednesday...
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I should add that if anyone is interested in a pdf of this scenario, just PM me, and I'd be happy to email it to you...
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What a great AAR coupled with good photos of nicely painted figures on superb terrain coupled with a realistic what if scenario! It is a real joy to view. Thanks so much for posting it.
As you asked, here is the link address to my blog and my AAR on the 'what if' Battle of Champlain, which is prequel to the Battle of Plattsburg in the Lake Champlain area.
https://warof1812war-gaming.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-battle-of-champlain.html
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Thanks, IronDuke596. :)
I read your AAR of your "What if...?" War of 1812 battle. Wow. I thought I did research, but you went all out! Well done. Between my battle and yours, rough few weeks for the US...
And yesterday, we fought the follow-on scenario shown above for my "What if...?" situation on the Niagara front. It was another close one, but I shan't yet say who won. I'll post an illustrated battle report later today or tomorrow...
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Sorry it has taken so long to post this, but real life got in the way. I was tasked by Higher HQ to help decorate the place for Christmas... :)
But here goes. This Wednesday last, we played our "What if...?" Cooks Mill scenario outlined above. 20mm, using (our tweaked) Black Powder rules. Ted played the British, and Gene played the US. I was referee. And it was another nail-biter...
Just a quick set-up - It's 25 Sep 1814 in the Niagara frontier in Upper Canada. British Gen. de Watteville and his Right Division has soundly defeated the US Left Division at the 2nd Battle of Lundy's Lane (See Battle report earlier in the thread if you haven't already...). Gen. Drummond tasks Gen. de Watteville with pursuing the US force with the Advance Guard, 2 Brigades with guns, and the Light Dragoons. They catch the US force as it tries to escape across Lyons Creek at Cooks Mill.
The US is set up with its 3 broken brigades strung out in march column along the road leading up to the bridge at Cooks Mill. Its 3rd Brigade is set up screening it to keep the pursuing British at bay until the shattered Left Division can get south of Lyons Creek. The US Rifles are also set up on a wooded hill protecting the US 3rd Brigade's right flank.
The British come on near the NE corner, with their 3rd Brigade on the right, their Advance Guard on the left, and their 1st Brigade behind their 3rd Brigade. the British Light Dragoons ride hard to try to get around the left of the US 3rd Brigade, hoping to catch the tail of the retreating US force.
The British move right up into line to attack the US screening units. The British 3rd Brigade moves up on the US 3rd Brigade, trading musketry and cannon fire with them. The British Advance Guard moves left to try to dislodge the US Rifles from the wooded hill on the US right. They too trade musket fire. The retreating US units stream toward the bridge at Cooks Mill, and the US Light Dragoons and their lead brigade make it across. The US screening units hold their positions!
The British 3rd Brigade, tired of taking cannister fire from the US battery, charges it. One battalion, with another in support, takes the guns, but at a cost - That battalion and the battalion that supported them are both now almost Shaken. The US Rifles trade fire with the British Flank Company battalion and the Marines, while the Glengarries go into skirmish order behind the Flank Cos. and the Marines. The British 1st Brigade is formed up behind the British Lines, waiting for orders to advance. But the US Rifles still hold that wooded hill, and the US 3rd Brigade, less its guns, still hold their position. And 2 more US battalions escape across Lyons Creek. Can the US 3rd Brigade and Rifles continue to hold off the British long enough to allow the rest of the army to escape? Or will British numbers tip the balance?
Find out later today or tomorrow - to be continued.... 8)
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Looking like the bulk of the US force will get safely away....and perhaps at a high cost to the British..
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All great stuff, thanks for sharing.
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@ olicana: Thanks. It was fun developing these 2 scenarios, and then playing them out. I love writing scenarios, and not just for the War of 1812...
@ vodkafan: Find out what happens below... 8)
Speaking of which: Part 2: The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same...
We left our intrepid fellows with part of the US force having escaped across Lyons Creek. There was still part of their Reserve Brigade, and all of their 2nd Brigade waiting to cross. There was a bit of confusion at the bridge, as US units rushed to cross with the sounds of musketry and cannon fire behind them. North of the creek, the US and British 3rd brigades were locked in combat, with both side taking casualties. The British Advance Guard was (so far) vainly trying to dislodge the US rifles from the wooded hill, and the British Light Dragoons were trying to get around the US left flank. And the British 1st Brigade was lined up behind their 3rd Brigade, waiting for orders.
The Glengarry Light Infantry (of the British Advance Guard) having gone into skirmish order, moved through their Flank Cos. battalion and Marines, and went into the woods after the US Rifles, charging them. The Glengarries and the US Rifles both gave and got, neither flinching.
The US and British 3rd Brigades kept up their own little duel, while the British Light Dragoons managed to finally get around the US left flank. The US 3rd Brigade commander ordered a Militia Regiment to refuse the Brigade flank to guard against the Dragoons. And Gen. de Watteville ordered the British 1st Brigade into march column to move down the road to try to catch the US units at the Lyons Creek crossing site. Both batteries of British artillery also moved right to try to get into position to fire on the US crossing sites, as well.
Due to the confusion at the crossing site, the US 2nd Brigade commander split his brigade, keeping 2 battalions in the queue at the bridge, and sending 2 battalions toward the ford a bit downstream of the bridge. The British and US 3rd Brigades kept at each other, each knowing it was just a matter of time before one or the other couldn't take in any longer. The Glengarries and the US Rifles battered at each other with musket butt, bayonet, and sword on that wooded hill. And the British 1st Brigade and Light Dragoons kept up the threat on the US left flank, but neither could move fast enough to affect the US crossing. Another US battalion got across the stream, leaving only the 4 battalions of the US 2nd Brigade left to cross.
And then, it happened. the fight between the US and British 3rd Brigades finally came to a head. They broke each other. Each had had enough. But the US Rifles sent the Glengarries packing, keeping control of the wooded hill. The remnants of the US 3rd Brigade retreated toward the crossing site, and the US 2nd Brigade crossed over to safety. And that was the end.
The British had technically won, as they broke the US 3rd Brigade just before the last of the retreating US units had crossed Lyons Creek. But they won at a cost. Their 3rd Brigade and the Glengarries were broken. And the bulk of the US Left Division had escaped across Lyons Creek. And, Gen. de Watteville only had 3 Foot Regiments, a battalion of Flank Cos., the detachment of Marines, and 2 batteries at his disposal now. He was in no real position to pursue any further.
So, in our "What if...?" situation, by the end of Sept. 1814, the US Left Division had limped back to Ft. Erie. Half of the British Right Division had been roughly handled in the previous week. Gen. Izard and the US Right Division would arrive on the Niagara frontier by 12 Oct., while Gen. Drummond only get the 37th Foot on 02 Nov. It seems our version of history, while it took a different route, really didn't change the strategic situation on the Niagara frontier compared to what actually happened as of 30 Sept. 1814.
Perhaps I will develop a scenario that sees Gen. Izard with the fresh US Right Division move on the British in late Oct. 1814. We'll see...
We had a ball doing this little exercise. Hope you all enjoyed reading about it... :D
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This another very plausible what if scenario that you have portrayed very well. Well done!
Your idea about MGen Izard reinforcing the American Left Division is an interesting scenario. At one point Brown and Izard, through series of letters, planned to have Izard strike Kingston (another good scenario and something the Americans should have done in 1812 and 1813). Commodore Chauncey was not very keen as the mighty St Lawrence was nearing completion. Then Brown suggested a siege of Fort Niagara and or a landing at Fort George to strike towards Burlington to get behind Drummond while he (Brown)moved across the Chippewa to trap Drummond. So many what ifs here for scenario writer like yourself. I look forward to your what ifs.
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Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I might get to some more "What if...?" scenario development after the 1st of the year...
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Alrighty then, It was back to the War of 1812 for my weekly gaming group this Friday past. This time, it was 54mm figures, using Fistful of Lead: Bigger Battles as rules. Figures and terrain provided by Ted, who GM'ed. We played the "Hold for reinforcements" scenario from the FfoL: BB rulebook. The Terrain was a 6' (east to west) x 4' (north to south) board. A low flat ridge ran north to south about 18" in from the east board edge. A small village was in the northwest corner. A road ran from the village to about the middle of the east board edge. And there were a few copses of trees scattered about.
After soem random die-rolling, I played the British, and defended. Gene played the US, and was the attacker.
I deployed half my troops (2 companies of regulars, a detachment of Rifles, a band of Indians, and a dismounted Major) on that forward ridge. I deployed the remainder of my troops (a company of Canadian Militia, another detachment of Rifles, a detachment or Light Dragoons, a light gun, and a mounted Colonel) in/adjacent to the village. Gene's US force, which mirrored mine, would enter the east board edge on Turn 1.
And so it begins...
As US troops entered the east board edge, leading with the 2 companies of Regulars and their Militia, I started moving my units in the village forward. Gene also moved his Indian band into a copse of trees on his far left.
The first real action was right in the middle. After Gene's Regulars and Militia traded musketry with my Regulars and Rifles on the ridge, his centermost regulars went in after my Rifles with the bayonet, driving them from their hasty breastworks. First score to the US!
While that was going on, Gene had managed to work one of his Rifle detachments on my left flank, and was harassing my left-most regular unit. Over on the south side of the ridge, the 2 bands of Indian eyed each other...and my reinforcements moved forward...
To be continued...
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This is the end...
With a company of US Regulars in my center works, I sent in my band of Indians after Gene's Indians in the copse of tree on my far right. Too bad. My Indians were sent packing... :(
But my Canadian Militia and my gun had moved up far enough to get in the action, and began firing deadly volleys in to the US troops on the ridge. Our Dragoons and Rifles mixed it up on my left, with my units getting the short end of that stick. At this point, it wasn't looking good for my Crown forces.
BUT, my right flank Regulars chased Genes' Indians away, and the firing of my Militia and gun sent the US Regulars in the center running away. Things stabilized on the ridge, with I hold on to my right, while the American held my left.
Then, Gene's Dragoons skirted around a copse of trees in my left rear. Fortunately, they got lost, which gave me time to move my Mounted Colonel over to see what that was about. Gene's Dragoons sorted themselves out just in time for my Colonel (and his small entourage) to gloriously charge into them. My Colonel, while he lost the fight and had to retreat a bit, held that flank! Huzzah!
And then night fell. We had reached the end of the battle. My British held the south end of the ridge, while Gene's Americans the north. It was a bloody draw!
Once again, Fistful of Lead: Bigger Battles had worked just fine for this fight, and fun was had by all. It was a close-run affair for both sides, and we fought to that bloody draw. Huzzahs all around!
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Awesome battle. You'll have to post the stats for all the units.
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Awesome battle. You'll have to post the stats for all the units.
Ask, and ye shall receive... :)
First off, we decided that each figure represented 40-50 men, and all troops were d10...
British Force
Mounted Colonel (Leader, Encouraging)
Dismounted Major (Leader, Encouraging)
2 10-figure units of British Regulars
1 10-figure unit of Canadian Incorporated Militia
2 5-figures units of British Rifles (Ranger, Sniper)
1 6-figure unit of Indians (Ranger, Good with the Tomahawk (but only in cover))
1 light gun
1 4-figure unit of Light Dragoons
US Force
Mounted Colonel (Leader, Encouraging)
Dismounted Major (Leader, Encouraging)
2 10-figure units of US Regulars
1 10-figure unit of US Kentucky Militia
2 5-figures units of US Rifles (Ranger, Sniper)
1 6-figure unit of Indians (Ranger, Good with the Tomahawk (but only in cover))
1 light gun
1 4-figure unit of Light Dragoons
I think that does it...
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Great! I'll share this with the Facebook groups.
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Great! I'll share this with the Facebook groups.
Roger that!
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Inspired by Ash up in the "Conflicts That Came in From the Cold" and "World War 2" boards, I have been going through all my minis and taking group shots of them. I've started with my 28mm collections, and my WW2, Vietnam, and Modern stuff is already posted on the afore-mentioned boards. Next up is my 28mm War of 1812 stuff.
Below are pics of the Americans. Most of them I bought painted as such on eBay, but I've added several of my own. The figures are Old Glory, Knuckleduster, and Brigade Games metals, and Perry and Victrix plastics. Once I finish some modern figures I'm working on, I think it's time to add to these guys...(and play with them!)...
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And here are my British. Again, most of them I bought painted as such on eBay, but I've added several of my own. The figures are Old Glory, and Knuckleduster metals, and Perry, Warlord, and Victrix plastics. Not sure who made the Indians, but they're metals. I think it's time to add to these guys too...
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Great thread! Brilliant AAR!
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Thanks! The battle above was a real nail-biter!
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My weekly gaming group played a game of Blood & Steel today, in a period for which it was not specifically intended - the War of 1812! It worked quite well, actually.
Below are the US and British Troop Lists and Scenario Sheets I came up with. I randomly rolled for the missions out of the rules, and assigned them to the 2 sides at my discretion. Ted and Gene rolled to see who picked which side, and the other guy picked his home base edge. As it turned out, Ted played the US and approached from the west, while Gene played the British and Indians, and approached from the east. I acted as umpire/GM.
I based the Regulars (both sides) and US Militia on the rules' US Regulars and Militia in their Seminole Wars lists. The US Rifles were based on the Mississippi Rifles in the rules' Mexican-American War lists. The Indians were taken straight from the Seminole Wars lists. I gave the Indians their own Junior War Leader, and I gave the British the "Fix Bayonets!" Army rule, but it could only be applied to the British Regulars.
As you can see, the points for both sides were dead even.
Also below are a couple shots of the field (farm, really). There were woods along both the east and west board edges, and the farm was in the middle. A single track ran at a slight angle from the east edge to the west edge. The powder kegs the US force was after were located in the barn, and the musket crates in the cabin. The cattle were gathered around the feeding trough in the livestock pen.
I also included a farmer and his eldest son. I rolled their initial location randomly, and they ended up working in their crop field by the barn. Once they saw their first unit, I rolled randomly to see who's side they would be on - it turns out they were on the US side - so the fight must have taken place in the Old Northwest (maybe Ohio, or the Michigan Territory).
The fight would prove to be a close one right up to the end. I'll start the actual AAR tomorrow (Saturday)...
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Here is the field of battle. It is about 5' north-south, and about 4.5' east-west. The pic shows the respective forces' base edges, the US Objectives, the location of the hidden Indian unit at the start of the game, and the location of the 2 farmers at the start of the game. As I mentioned, the farmers turned out to be pro-US....
The farmers and animals all activated on 1 initiative die. They would all have an 8+ as the score for their various tests, and both farmers had SB muskets. I ran the farmers and the animals. the farmers would react as events warranted, and the cattle, the ox, and the chickens would react as events warranted, as well. The livestock pen's fence would keep the cattle and the ox inside it, unless someone opened the gate, of course... The horses were tied to the hitching rails.
I'll post the AAR here very shortly...
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And now, on with the show. By the way, this fight was in 28mm...
Part 1: Get to the Cabin!
The British slowly advanced from the starting line, Regulars astride the road in the west woods at the left of their line, with the Indians right of them. One Indian unit stayed hidden at the wood-line keeping an eye on things.
The Americans came on from the west through the woods, led by their Rifles. Their Regulars were on the right, Militia on the left and in reserve.
The farmers noticed Indians in the west woods, grabbed their muskets, fired, and ran. The Indians kindly fired back, killing both farmers. The US Rifles advanced on the cabin, intent on grabbing some muskets.
The US Regulars and Militia moved up to the west wood-line, to provide covering fire for the Rifles, who had made their way into the cabin.
The Indians began moving out of the east wood-line, heading for that cabin. The were considering torching the place. But they traded shots with the US Rifles inside the cabin. Both the Indians and the Rifles took casualties, with the Indians on the short end of that stick. Over on the British left, their Regulars were taking a more deliberate approach to things, only moving up to the wood-line and no further...
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Part 2: We Have the Muskets! Well, We Had the Muskets...
Things heated up a bit now. The Indians kept up their attention on the Rifles in the cabin, slowly making their way across the farm and the crop field toward it. The US troops in the west woods traded shots with the Indians, with both sides taking light casualties.
Then, the US Rifles grabbed a crate of muskets, and headed back to the US line in the west woods. Or at least they tried to. Indian fire caused the Rifles to drop the crate and retreat back into the west woods.
The British Regulars, apparently seeing the Indians having the situation somewhat in hand, stepped out of the east woods, and advanced a short ways to the east fence of the livestock pen.
A US Regular unit then stepped out of the west woods, and took possession of the crate of muskets the Rifles had dropped. They then hauled them back to their wood-line.
The Indians continued to move slowly up to around around the cabin.
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Part 3: A Close-Run Affair...
By now, the fire had spread out across the field, with both sides volleying at each other. It was about now that the British and their Indian allies really found their marks.
Up to now, the British had been firing by platoon. Once they got to the livestock pen, the whole company presented and fired. And didn't hit a damn thing...
But when they went back to platoon firing, they did. The US Regulars carrying the crate of muskets, took a man down, dropped the crate, and ran back into the woods.
The firing continued. A few more Americans went down. The Militia unit in reserve ran out, grabbed the crate of muskets, and got back into the west woods without taking any casualties. And ran out of time...
When the game ended (after the 8th turn), the crate of muskets was still on the board, but in possession of the US Militia unit. Thus, the British and their Indians friends had 1 Attrition point due to that. They had only taken 4 casualties (all Indians, given the British Regulars' deliberate approach to things...). The Americans, on the other hand, had taken 11 casualties (5 Rifles, 4 Regulars, and 2 Militia). 3 more, and they would have taken an Attrition Point.
Thusly, with an Attrition score of 0-1, the US could claim a Minor Victory, albeit it a fairly pyrrhic one...
We all had fun. And while Blood & Steel was not specifically designed for the War of 1812, it certainly worked for it.
Now, we are talking about maybe trying the same scenario using Fistful of Lead: Bigger Battles. We'll have to wait and see if we do that...
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An impressive collection - had no idea your interests stretched to 1812 … always associated yourself with more modern projects :)
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An impressive collection - had no idea your interests stretched to 1812 … always associated yourself with more modern projects :)
Thanks! And yeah - my interests (and collections, in 15mm, 20mm, and 28mm variously) go all the way back to the French and Indian War...
But it does seem like me recent efforts have focused on 1900 and after... :D
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Great stuff mate, loving it!
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Thanks, Grump! Appreciate that.
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Excellent game and great looking figures and terrain!
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Wonderful stuff. Great to see 54mm figs in action!
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Excellent game and great looking figures and terrain!
Thanks, MaleGriffin. Appreciate that!
Wonderful stuff. Great to see 54mm figs in action!
Thanks, RedShank. Yeah - Ted's 54mm stuff is great. I've thought about getting into 54mm stuff, but that'd be just another rabbit hole I'd wander into... :D
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:o CapnJim! It looks like you have something of a thing going on here. My own 1812 stuff is only half finished. I plan to use Rebels and Patriots rules, which I think is ideal for this conflict. Great report and interesting game.
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Thanks, vodkafan!
To be fair, though, I bought a hefty chunk of my 28mm 1812 stuff on eBay already painted. Luckily, my painting style is close to those.
And R&P will work fine. That's one of the rules we've used with these guys...
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Thanks! And yeah - my interests (and collections, in 15mm, 20mm, and 28mm variously) go all the way back to the French and Indian War...
But it does seem like me recent efforts have focused on 1900 and after... :D
Hmm, do you have 15mm War of 1812 figures? If so, who do you use for Tennessee volunteers. I recently found Keith Roccco's painting of them.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WKXBqKpn6Cw/VhHanT-KJJI/AAAAAAAAAV0/x_yZjt40E3s/s1600/TN%2BMilitia%2BPic%2B1.JPG)
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While I'm at it, perhaps you chaps can suggest a good modern history of the war?
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Hmm, do you have 15mm War of 1812 figures? If so, who do you use for Tennessee volunteers. I recently found Keith Roccco's painting of them.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WKXBqKpn6Cw/VhHanT-KJJI/AAAAAAAAAV0/x_yZjt40E3s/s1600/TN%2BMilitia%2BPic%2B1.JPG)
No, sorry. My War of 1812 stuff is in 20mm/1:72 and 28mm. I have a box of 1:72 plastic Strelets US Militia in Winter Dress that would work perfectly for those chaps. But, alas, that box is still on my Wall of Stuff to Do...in the meantime, I use good ol' everyday militia.
While I'm at it, perhaps you chaps can suggest a good modern history of the war?
I have 1812 The War That Forged a Nation, by Walter R. Borneman. Published in 2004. Ii haven't read it all yet, but so far so good.
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Just got When the British Burned the WHite House on my Kindle, halfway through, a fine read.
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Don't have that one. Hmmm....
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Winder was the son of the governor of Maryland. A fine pick for political reasons, a bit less for military ones. A cluster-reproduction.
Edit: Winder was the nephew of the governor. Still a less than stellar choice for command.
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Yeah - makes you wonder what would have happened in Stricker and Smith were in charge at Bladensburg...