This time, Michael has prepared a mini-campaign centred around the Battle of Germantown, which took place on October 4, 1777. However, he presents it in a slightly different format. This campaign follows a "what-if" style and breaks down the battle into three smaller engagements that occur simultaneously, each influencing the final, fourth clash. We will be using the Black Powder rules for the game, along with a few house rules created by Michael.
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider
1. Forces.
2 x Hessian Line1 x Hessian Grenadiers2 x Hessian Jaegers1 x Medium Gun
2 x Commander (8)4 x British Line
Brigade General (8)3 x Militia1 x Light Gun
Brigade General (8)3 x Militia
3 x Dragoons2 x Light Guns
2. The game.
The main objective was for both sides to pin each other down, preventing reinforcements from reaching the forces engaged in the final major battle. I set an additional goal: to draw in as many British reserve units as possible, weakening the opponent for that final clash. Additionally, I could easily deploy a dragoon unit from the reserves; however, since Michael only had one painted unit, I was limited to fielding just that one. If it had broken through, it would have posed a significant problem for my opponent.
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| I set up the table in the wrong orientation, aiding the British. |
I was also concerned that the Hessians might retreat to their own table edge and wait for the militia to join them—a scenario that, combined with the Hessians' superior training, would have presented serious trouble for me. Fortunately, that did not happen.
The Hessians began the game marching in a column along the road, just as we did, but on the opposite side of a small stream. To prevent the enemy from retreating to the edge of the field, I ordered my troops (the 2nd Brigade) and David's troops (the 1st Brigade) to cross the stream and slowly advance against the Hessian units. My Brigade moved toward the woods where Jimmy's Jägers were concealed. At the same time, David faced a more challenging situation, as he had to confront two battalions of line infantry led by Alasdair. Meanwhile, the British divided their forces into two groups: the Grenadiers fell back to the edge of the field to cover the Jägers, while Alasdair advanced with the remaining troops toward David's Brigade.
After an initial exchange of fire, one of Alasdair's units charged at David's militia unit with fixed bayonets. What happened next was unbelievable: David's unit withstood the initial assault and, after a prolonged engagement, defeated the Hessian unit, completely routing it. Alasdair now found himself in a difficult situation; David advanced on the isolated commander with his remaining units, forcing him back toward the edge of the field. Dragoons also entered the fray but failed to engage. They first made a blunder that forced them to retreat, then botched a series of orders, which frustrated me.
At the same time, my Brigade charged the Jägers hidden in the woods. After a prolonged exchange of gunfire and a final charge by one of my militia units, I routed both enemy detachments. Now, two of my units moved toward the edge of the forest, threatening to cut the Hessian troops off from their own lines. Meanwhile, another unit advanced to support David in eliminating Alasdair. Alasdair.
Disrupted by our musket fire, Alasdair was slowly retreating toward the edge of his table and was forced to abandon his cannon. Eventually, a blunder exposed his flank to David's unit. What followed was a textbook example of battlefield chaos. First, David fired at point-blank range but inflicted no serious damage. Then he ordered his troops to charge the flank, but they did not understand. I issued the same order, and it failed just the same. Finally, I ordered the dragoons to cut Alasdair off from the edge, but again, the order was not carried out. I haven't seen a round like that in a long time.
Not everything went exactly as I had envisioned. My militia positioned at the edge of the woods prompted Jimmy to call for reinforcements, specifically a unit of British line infantry. While Alasdair's unit was lost and certainly cut off from the final game, the Hessian and British grenadiers could still participate. At that point, I decided to implement a "Death or Glory" style attack. My militia charged at the Hessians and engaged them in hand-to-hand combat. We didn't resolve the fight before the game ended, so all the units involved remained locked in that sector and couldn't participate in the final, decisive battle. The plan succeeded, and we achieved far more than we expected. We will play the next game in three weeks, this time north of Germantown. We shall see if Washington makes the same mistakes.
Here is an overview of the battlefield after we completed the game:
3. Links.
SESWC:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352
FLICKR:
SONG ABOUT THE GAME:
