Battle of Short Hills 1777 - Rebels and Patriots

Thanks to Matt Crump and his excellent blog for this scenario - wargamesinthedungeon: Battle of Short Hills 26 June 1777 : AWI

An engagement between George Washington and General Howe as Howe pushed to defeat the Continental Army and clear the way to capture Philadelphia. Washington's forces numbered in the region of 11,000 men against a British force of Regulars, Hessian mercenaries and Loyalists in the region of 18,000 men. 

The British under one column under Gen Cornwallis and a second under General Howe attempted to outmanoeuvre the American forces. The Americans looked to delay the British advance and avoid being out flanked.

Matt converted the encounter to the table top, which I have 'borrowed'.

Played in 10mm using Rebels and Patriots rule set with some new fencing :-)

The British outnumbered the Patriots by approx. 20% with both sides split across to access roads, the Americans deployed behind fences and in the tree line. awaiting the advance of the Kings forces.

The ranks of red coats marched down the road towards the defenders.

On the left flank the Americans won the initiative and seized the high ground and picket fence but were not able to get all their companies into close order as the British approached.

The British advanced with a cloud of German skirmishers to their front as the Americans readied their lines.

A long range fire fight opened up the Patriots whittled away the skirmish screen only for the British rank and file to have formed close order and let off volley fire, the militia started to fall back from the picket fence. But they were slowly knocking the turns down.

Switching back to the right flank the British came into sight as the second American detachment stood firm.

The Americans reserved their fire allowing the British line out.

The view at the mid point as both lines close.

As the left flank ground to a stalemate the British pushed hard on the right. 

The final turn and the throw of the dice for the British as the Grenadiers look to smash their way through the Patriot lines.

The American lines hold.

A hard fought victory for the Americans, they had taken a real battering but their morale had held and they had held up the British forces for 12 turns swapping bodies for time.

Forces were twice those recommended for each company but it did not slow the game, having a random command generation for each of the 4 commands made it quite fun as to who had the drop on each other. A large first game but played to a conclusion in 3 hours.

You really need to get the militia into close order to stand up to the British volleys. The Patriots had some lucky morale rolls to hold their ground. The British played a great game with the skirmishers forcing the militia men to waste their first round of fire.

10mm looked great for the period and allowed me to play those larger games with flanks and ranks.

The next order has been fired off to Pendraken for more reinforcements in the shape of artillery, Continential Regulars and British Light Infantry.

More games to come and thanks again Matt for your scenario.