A final version of this report can be found here, without all the interspersed (though amusing) comments:

https://mmcvhistory.home.blog/2022/03/31/trouble-in-the-colonies-awi-with-sharp-practice/

Bit of free time this afternoon and with the table still set up thought I'd have another crack at this scenario. Turns out I was correct on the rules first time round and units can't deploy and move but can deploy and perform other actions which is where the confusion came from. It was also pointed out to me that typically it was Lt. Colonels in the field so Bradford and Hunsdale have been sufficiently demoted (though will likely refer to them as Colonels still for ease throughout).

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The tough American Sgt Chambers advances into the table as a scouting party and finds the fields clear of the hated redcoats.



He advances his men towards the hedges as Lt. Shanks moves up the vanguard.



However, unseen by the Americans a unit of Queen's Rangers, inconspicuous in their green coats, have been creeping through the woods with some redcoated light infantry deeper in behind them.

The Americans continue to advance with Sgt. Skelly bringing out his Rhode Islanders when the British appear at the edge of the woods. Everyone presents their muskets, ready to fire.


Further along the road, Lt. Colonel Bradford and his light infantry in line emerge and Cpl. Banks creeps through the woods with his skirmishers.

"Fire!" Yells Lt. Parsons to his Rangers. Their musket balls fly from the trees tearing holes in the white coats across from them.

"Return volley!" Yell Lt. Shanks and Sgt. Skelly as the shots crash out along the American line. The light cover of the woods proves of little consequence as the American volley obliterates the Queen's Rangers and wounds Lt. Parsons. The wound is light, but he's alone and his authority diminished.

The British skirmishers advance through the trees behind him while Colonel Bradford orders his men to advance on the enemy. Once again the arrogant British are underestimating their colonial adversary and his advance is met by the whizz crack of rifle fire from the bushes.

The rest of the Americans deploy behind their main line and prepare to join the fight.

Quote"Return volley!" Yell Lt. Shanks and Sgt. Skelly as the shots crash out along the American line. The light cover of the woods proves of little consequence as the American volley obliterates the Queen's Rangers and wounds Lt. Parsons. The wound is light, but he's alone and his authority diminished.

"We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they begin to runnin'
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico"


Good looking game there.

Pretty much sums things up!

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Bradford doesn't like the taste of American lead nor the look of that long blue and white line so leads his men into the woods for a bit more cover.



Meanwhile Cpl. Banks leads his skirmishers through the woods and charges the American frontiersmen with cold steel. The hard Americans are caught off guard and shocked but once their blood is up they fight back hard, giving the British a hell of a fight and only withdrawing, a little bloodied, when they sent Banks and his last man left standing running for the hills.

Cpl. Renny brings his own skirmishers through to the edge of the woods and starts firing at the Americans who are attempting to maneuver, killing one.



Hunsdale orders the Continentals to form up in a solid line while getting Sgt. Skelly to move his men out of the firing line to recover their wits a bit after the recent exchange. Sgt. Chambers takes some pot shots at the retreating British line then has his men reload. 



The British continue on into the woods, picking up the wounded Lt. Parsons as they go.

"Sir, the rebels look to be getting in the way of each other" Lt. Parsons calls up to Bradford.

"Jolly good! Let's give them a taste of our powder then, shall we? Form up men!" Lt. Colonel Bradford orders and directs the light infantry to form up at the edge of the woods.

"Present...Fire!" He commands as a volley tears across the clearing. The Rhode Islanders scream as the shots rip through their ranks. Their formation breaks as a few remaining men run through the Continental troops disrupting the line. Sgt. Skelly does all be can to keep the remaining men together but cries out in agony as a ball pierces his raised hand.

Crying out in victory the redcoats splash across the stream towards the rebels in disarray. 

"You there, see to those dirty rifle men hopping about over yonder will you?" Cries Bradford to the nearby skirmishers as he splashes past.

"Right you are sir!" Cpl. Renny salutes and orders his men to move forward and direct their fire at the shaken frontiersmen. As their shots crack out and thunk into the trees around them, the already battered American riflemen flee from the field.

"Steady in the line, steady!" Screams the American Colonel Hunsdale. "Present arms and prepare to receive the enemy!" He orders his continental infantry who comply and raise their muskets.

"Hold, load and fire!" Screams Colonel Bradford to his British light infantry who seeing the Americans raising their muskets rush to comply. Having no time to prepare a careful volley the redcoats just fire as soon as they're loaded, firing through the smoke as fast as they're able.

Their shots tear into the remaining Rhode Islanders, killing one and sending the rest streaming through the American line with the rippling shot of the well trained British infantry causing further disruption. 



With the red line of the British advancing and firing on them and their compatriots running through them bleeding and in disarray the continental line disintegrates and joins the rout.

"Son of a.. fine! Retreat! RETREAT!" Lt. Colonel Hunsdale screams, turning his horse and charging off with the running infantry.

A cheer raises from the British lines at seeing their hated adversary run screaming from them. 

That was a fun game. It seemed the British might be on the ropes early on but once they got out of the open and operated from the woods like proper light infantry they were able to bring their professional firepower to bear and show the rebels what the British army can do.

I also realised I was unfair to the British in the first game as I got confused between involuntary retreat (more shock than men) and broken group (double the shock of men) which had then break much sooner than they should have otherwise. They got their vengeance here though. 

I think I have the rules down pretty well now so I may try a slightly different scenario next time.

Compiled write up https://mmcvhistory.home.blog/2022/04/02/more-trouble-in-the-colonies-awi-with-sharp-practice/