part 2 of Clash at the Creek with Maurice in the American War of Independence

Getting ready, the American defense lines are set-up

After a bit of delay, no doubt caused by the curse of setting up the table in advance thereby causing serendipitous chain of events guaranteeing the game will be delayed by a couple of weeks, Tonio and myself final got to play out the clash of the Creek scenario I posted a while ago (link).

The British are Coming (again)

Tonio opted for the forces of the Crown mostly because it contained Hessians and he is a little fond of them. After a brief run through of the scenario he promptly wrote down the arrival points of his three brigades.  The Americans opted for a safe deployment with the Rifle brigade split with one regiment covering each crossing on the western side.  The trained/elite brigade covered the central crossing while each of the regular/militia covered the South and North crossing with the cavalry deployed in reserve.

Riflemen snipe at light bobs as they move into position

First to arrive was the main British brigade travelling down the central road.  The American rifle got the first hit in hitting the light Bobs as they moved forward in column. The British artillery countered with a hit on the regulars holding the crossing.  The Second British infantry brigade arrived to the South and another battery of artillery added fire on the defender on the central crossing while the American riflemen sniped and the advancing British.  The last brigade consisting mostly of cavalry arrived on the Northern road and tottered forward in Massed formation with Hessian jaegers jogging behind it.

The British advance begins (promptly followed by the riflemen withdraw)

All the British forces arrived the battle began in earnest.  The main infantry brigade advance supported by artillery quickly forcing the riflemen to flee for their lives across the river. To the South the riflemen were also forced across the river. The main brigade then traded fire with the defenders of the central crossing but came out the worse for it.  Two British regiments were destroyed in exchange for one American regiment. Mostly thanks to some tactical rallying  of the defenders.

The first British assault is stalled while the riflemen try unsuccessfully to snipe the British commander

With the centre assault stalled the British committed their cavalry brigade. Choosing discretion over valour the last American riflemen regiment promptly withdrew across the river.  With little hesitation the first cavalry regiment charged across the bridge and hit the militia.  The militia was knocked back but not out by the charge. The militia, regulars and riflemen poured fire into the charging Dragoons and another British regiment was routed. But there was no respite and another cavalry regiment charged across the bridge again hitting the militia and again forcing them back but not breaking them.  Again the Americans poured fire in the Cavalry but this time the regiment (barely) stayed in the fight.  The badly damaged regiment had managed to force a gap into the American lines and with a cry of “Tally-ho” charged forward and off the American table edge to get the British at least a draw.  The third and last cavalry regiment followed the break through but stayed on the table to threaten the American rear.

Tally ho in goes the cavalry

Belatedly, the American cavalry reserve reformed to face the rogue British cavalry regiment. The British opted for discretion and followed their compatriots off the table into the American rear area. Meaning the British need to get one more regiment of the table to win the battle.  But with the British cavalry out of the way the American cavalry reformed and began to cross the river looking to flank to the British force much to the consternation of the British.  The Isolated jaegers who had been unable to keep up with the cavalry and were now isolated looked particularly perturbed.  The light Bobs flank was also threaten forcing them to wheel to face the new threat.  

The Second cavalry charge makes a hole in the American lines

But night fell before the American cavalry could force the issue. With two British regiment running amok in the American rear the game ended a hard fought draw.

And they are off as the British Cavalry go haring into the american rear

Overall it was a great game, for the American I feel a little robbed the defence was going very well until the second cavalry regimented forced a hold into the line and then the cavalry poured through. In hindsight I should have committed the reserve sooner but my commander was busy trying to rally the militia to keep them in the fight.  From the British point of view losing two regiments on the first assault was an unexpected and unpleasant outcome with the American just as surprised with the result.  It was also the first game we have played which timed out rather than having an army break.  We have set-up a rematch in a couple of weeks

Belated American cavalry watch as another British regiments breakthrough

go get them boys
(with nothing else to do) the American Calvary goes after the remaining British

That is all now, thanks for stopping by.