Our fifth game was based loosely on the Battle of Spencer's Ordinary (Tavern), near Williamsburg, Virginia on 26 June 1781. The actual battle was an inconclusive skirmish between the light detachments from the armies of General Lord Cornwallis and the Marquis de Lafayette as the British tried to move cattle and wagons south to Williamsburg.
Our game had the British Guards brigade and artillery at Spencer's Ordinary, the British Legion Dragoons at the farm east of the Ordinary and Webster's Brigade shepherding a couple of spare artillery pieces (acting as wagons) south along the road past the Ordinary.
Close on their heels were the Americans who could bring one brigade on each turn. They choose to arrive in the following order; Virginia Continentals, Lee's Legion, Artillery, Steven's Virginia Militia and finally Butler's North Carolina Militia. Their aim was to capture the convoy.
The Continentals exited the wood, deployed and opened heavy fire on the 33rd Foot and Hessian Jagers who formed the rear-guard. The 5th Virginia Continentals suffered in return.
The British advanced two of the battalions of the Guard rapidly to support Webster's hard pressed brigade. The third battalion was delayed, perhaps by the refreshments of the Ordinary. (Each battalion had to roll to activate needing a 5 or better on turn one and reducing by 1 each turn.)
The British Legion Dragoons, who had been feeding and watering their horses, were slow to form up (needed a 6 on turn one and one troop failed until turn 4 delaying the whole force). Once formed they moved up on the British right to cover the advancing artillery.
Lee's Legion moved to the left of the Continentals with the Dragoons leading followed by the infantry in skirmish order. Lee's plan was to harry the right of the British line with fire rather than to face the Guards in melee.
The survivors of the 33rd Foot had withdrawn towards the fields and the remaining light companies of Webster's Brigade had lined the fence east of the road. The first two battalions of the Guard formed the right of the British line.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Fifth%20AWI%20Game%207%20June%202014/01_zpsb9a7a769.jpg)
With casualties mounting from the steady fire of the Continentals Webster threw the 33rd and 23rd Foot at the centre of the rebel line supporting their flanks with skirmishing light companies.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Fifth%20AWI%20Game%207%20June%202014/02_zps32da1c6b.jpg)
The charge did not go as well as planned, 33rd Foot destroyed the rebels to their front but the 23rd Foot was forced to give ground returning to the fields in some disorder.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Fifth%20AWI%20Game%207%20June%202014/04_zps3dbcb3c9.jpg)
While the two Guards battalions carefully dressed their ranks (went stationary) the Americans brought all the fire of the remaining Continentals and Lee's Legion to bare. Unfortunately the fire was not as effective as they had hoped.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Fifth%20AWI%20Game%207%20June%202014/05_zpsb83f2bb9.jpg)
This allowed the 23rd Foot time to recover from its set back and together with the 33rd Foot and the Guard they surged forward with the bayonet. The Continentals collapsed under the violent onslaught as did most of the Virginia Riflemen of Lee's Legion.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Fifth%20AWI%20Game%207%20June%202014/06_zps28b6a0cf.jpg)
At this point Steven's Virginia Militia Brigade exited the wood and managed to form three of its four battalions in line to support the American artillery. It was not enough, the victorious British continued their surge, the artillery was destroyed and three of the four the poorly trained militia battalions routed. This fighting had been costly and after multiple charges and a steady stream of casualties from rebel fire Webster's Brigade was exhausted.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Fifth%20AWI%20Game%207%20June%202014/07_zps470187df.jpg)
As the routing Virginia militia poured through the ranks of his even less experienced North Carolina militia Brigadier Butler decided discretion was the better part of valour and withdrew his brigade.
While these dramatic events had been unfolding, closer to the Spencer's Ordinary Lee's Legion Dragoons had slipped through the British lines and was well placed to intercept the slow moving and unescorted convoy. Tarleton spotted the danger and charged at the head of three troops of his British Legion Dragoons. One troop fell into disorder as it charged (rolled a 6 and failed its morale test). All three troops were scattered by Lee's Dragoons with little or no loss to themselves and Tarleton's Brigade collapsed.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Fifth%20AWI%20Game%207%20June%202014/10_zps6d8918d1.jpg)
Isolated by the British infantry and with no way of successfully moving the convoy off Lee decide to extract as much of his Legion as possible and withdrew to the east before heading south to support Brigadier Butler's North Carolina militia.
Our first British victory.
Early on it looked like the fire of the massed Continentals was going to overwhelm the British and their first bayonet charge almost lead to disaster. The second and third charges by the British were overwhelming and Americans couldn't get enough troops deployed quickly enough to counter the British success.
Another really enjoyable game where fortune swung backwards and forwards.
Another cool report, thank you.
Lee almost got away with it...
Another nice game and interesting to see so much open terrain.
Wow, Paul! Sorry I haven't commented so far, but I have been a silent 'lurker.' That's an absolutely beautiful table and troops. I hate when I see stuff like this, i.e., beautiful looking game in a period I don't have, as it's very inspirational and severely tempting. I can't afford to have these sorts of temptations!
Please keep up the good work, and I look forward to your next one.
V/R,
Jack
Very impressive table.
Good game, Paul. The Brits have finally won one. ;)
Quote from: Steve J on 08 June 2014, 11:52:18 AM
Another nice game and interesting to see so much open terrain.
It was a feature of the actual battle, some accounts mention the British commander ordering fences in the area torn down since "it was an admirable place for the chicanery of action".
Great report & pics, Paul !
Cheers - Phil.
Very nice report Paul....would have been nice if I could have been there but I was a bit busy.
Look forward to seeing the 71st and the "grenadiers in pyjamas" on the table next time :)