After the success of last weeks game we decided to play another AWI game. :)
Roy, who's place we play at, kindly came up with the scenario for this game. He based it loosely on the Battle of Princeton, 3rd January 1777, see the map below.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/Princeton_zps49939f0f.jpg)
Basically both small forces entered the table from opposite corners of the southern edge of the table seperated by a dense forest. Both sides were attempting to capture Princeton in the north.
The American plan was to lead with Lee's Partizan Legion and use skirmishers and the Light Dragoons to harry the British while the Continentals would push on behind them to Princeton. Stevens' and Butler's Militia Brigades would follow and provide support where needed.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/LeesLegion1_zps4945052c.jpg)
Lee's Infantry and Campbell's Virginia Riflemen deployed in skirmish order through the fields hoping to reach the protection of the 'Apple Orchard' before having to engage the British. Lee's Light Dragoons when confronted by all of the British Legion Dragoons moved further north behind the skirmishers.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/LeesLegion2_zpse19160b3.jpg)
The 33rd Foot advanced rapidly and opened an accurate fire on the skirmishers, who failed their save.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/LeesLegion3_zpsae4559a7.jpg)
Lee maneouvred his skirmishers to allow four of the surviving five to fire on the 33rd Foot. The calmly firing redcoats dealt with two more companies (which both failed their saves).
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/LeesLegion4_zpsbdc6a0cd.jpg)
The 33rd Foot then charged the nearest group of skirmishers, from Lee's Legion Infantry, and routed them through the supporting company from Campbell's Riflemen.
While this infantry action had been going on two troops of British Legion Dragoons caught Lee's Light Dragoons and destroyed them for the cost of one troop. This combined with the infantry casualties caused Lee's Legion to collapse.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/Continentals1_zps59d66e4b.jpg)
The 5th Virginia Continentals had advanced north behind Lee's skirmishers and deployed and fired on the troop of British Legion Dragoons as they reformed from defeating Lee's Light Dragoons
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/Continentals2_zps4989fc2d.jpg)
This unfortunately exposed their flank to the victorious 33rd Foot who advanced and fired with some effect. Fortunately there are few tactical situations that can't be fixed by rolling high. ;) The one wing of Continentals that was in arc rolled well enough to get two hits. Combined with the earlier causality inflicted by one of the skirmishers this destroyed one wing of the 33rd Foot.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/Continentals3_zps0b5d4550.jpg)
The Continentals pressed on towards Princeton, hoping the Militia would cover their left flank. As they climbed the small hill between them and Princeton they were charged by the remainder of the British Legion Dragoons and fired on from the flank by Hessian Jagers and the rear by the 33rd Foot.
The left wing of the Continentals were destroyed but the remaining British Legion Dragoons were dispersed.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/StevensMilitia1_zps9406791e.jpg)
Stevens' Virginia Militia Brigade had been slowly advancing to support the southern flank of the skirmishers of Lee's Legion. They were too late to interfere with the victory of the 33rd Foot but did pose a threat to their rear as they pressed north against the Continentals.
23rd Foot moving up behind 33rd Foot charged Stevens' Militia with mixed results. The right wing of 23rd Foot narrowly lost its melee and retired disordered (top). The Militia that opposed them was also disordered. The left wing of 23rd Foot was more successful routing its opponents (bottom).
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/StevensMilitia2_zps5d81e674.jpg)
With one wing of the 23rd Foot isolated Stevens' grabbed his chance. His disordered battalion recovered and provided supporting fire while the two remaining battalions charged and destroyed the left wing of the 23rd Foot.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/Continentals4_zps1e786328.jpg)
Back to the north, the hard-pressed Continentals have advanced onto the hill and turned to face the pursuing British and Germans. Butler's North Carolina Militia managed to get one battalion into position to fire on the rear of the 33rd Foot. After a heavy exchange of fire the remainder of the 33rd Foot and the centre of the Continentals were destroyed.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Third%20AWI%20Game%2012%20April%202014/StevensMilitia3_zps75ff5c39.jpg)
In the south, Stevens' Militia formed line and exchanged fire with surviving wing of the 23rd Foot inflicting more casualties.
Another enjoyable game with early British success turning into a hard fought American victory. :) :) :)
Fantastic figures and terrain and an inspiring batrep.
Excellent stuff.
Many thanks for loading this.
Can I just ask one question - how did you make the snake fences ?
Phil
Great report again! Looks superb.
Fine set up and excellent photos. It sounds like an exciting and enjoyable game. Thanks for posting.
Another good game, Paul. Think you need some more Brits, though. :-\
Quote from: Glorfindel on 13 April 2014, 09:52:28 AM
Can I just ask one question - how did you make the snake fences ?
The base for the snake fence is a craft ice block stick and the rails are half craft matches with short 'spacers' at the ends.
I used a similar method to this http://jjwargames.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/snake-rail-fence-build.html (http://jjwargames.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/snake-rail-fence-build.html) without the vertical posts.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 13 April 2014, 04:55:33 PM
Another good game, Paul. Think you need some more Brits, though. :-\
Thanks all :)
Definitely, the Guards Brigade is just waiting for a brief break in the cold cloudy weather so they can be varnished :-w
Quote from: paulr on 13 April 2014, 07:49:51 PM
Quote from: Hertsblue on 13 April 2014, 04:55:33 PM
Another good game, Paul. Think you need some more Brits, though. :-\
Thanks all :)
Definitely, the Guards Brigade is just waiting for a brief break in the cold cloudy weather so they can be varnished :-w
Weather has cooperated, now varnished :)
Pics in my Painting Diary http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,8883.msg116584.html#new (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,8883.msg116584.html#new)
Over 200 views :) :)
Has been sitting on 199 for a while :-w ;)
Sorry Paul....I'd managed to miss this one, before....Great report !
Cheers - Phil
No problem Phil, there is a lot happening on this forum :)
Certainly makes my train trip to work go a lot faster ;)
300 views :) :) :)