Battle of West Ford village 1776

 

 Set up for game:

In setting up for the battle the American commander placed his rifle unit in the woods to flank the British.  They were then ordered to fall back across the north ford where the 26th Continentals and a artillery battery would hold the line.  They were to cause casualties and delay the advance if the enemy on that side.  On the road from the southern edge of the table a militia battalion was placed in the farm with a artillery battery to hold any out flanking attempt.  In the center a militia battalion hid in the woods while two Continentals (13th and 3rd) under General Glover took defensive potion in front of the town.  In reserve was a small troop of the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons.

The British entered the field by way of the eastern edge of the table.  General Rall with his three battalions and a battery (Rall, Knyphausen and Lossberg) would cross the southern ford while General Webster's Brigade (23rd, 33rd and 63rd) and two batteries crossed at the bridge.  The Jagers would attempt to clear the woods.  General Cornwallis held the 17th light Dragoons in reserve.  Not on the table, the 1st and 2nd Grenadier battalions were marching to out flank the American position and would enter on the fourth turn.

Turns 1&2:

In the woods the American rifles slowly fell back towards the ford pursued by the Hessian Jager company.  Both units caused casualties.  The Jager commander then charged his enemy and in a fierce melee drive the Rifles back across the ford with heavy casualties.  

General Rall had his Regiment across the ford under heavy fire from the militia in the woods and the American battery.  Once across they formed  line to return fire.  Although they suffered heavy casualties they passed their morale check with the presence of their commander.  The rest if the Brigade hurried to cross.  The militia, under fire from two batteries at close range hung in for two turns before failing their morale check and retired.  

In the center the 23rd crossed the bridge and firmed line to protect the 33rd as they crossed.  They were very lucky to not suffer any casualties due to very poor American dice rolling!  

Along the line the Continentals of Glover's Brigade prepared to engage the British.

Turns 3 & 4:

The Jager and 63rd crossed the ford through the woods driving the Rifles before them.  Once across the 26th Continentals charged them, destroying the jagers and driving the 63rd back across the river.

In the center the 13th Continentals and Hamilton's battery drove the 23rd back into the woods when they failed a morale check. The 33rd took their place and the British commander quickly called his cavalry and artillery up.  The Hessian commander continued to  pressure the American line and on the fourth turn the Grenadier battalions made their appearance.

Turn 5 & 6:

The 1st Grenadier battalion formed column to march up the road and out flank the Americans.  Waiting for them was the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons who charged and drove the 1st back.  The 2nd Grenadier routed the militia behind the fence and captured the artillery.  Quickly facing to their left they fired a devastating volley which destroyed the poor dragoons.  

As the British poured over the bridge in the center Glover ordered his Brigade to fall back. The militia, rallied by their commander and Washington himself formed line in the village of West Ford.  Washington begged them to hold and give the Continentals time to withdraw.

Turn 7 & 8:

The Grenadier battalions advanced into the village from the south.  Rall, determined to not lose any more men brought two batteries up and their combined fire routed the militia in front of them.  Glover pulled his men and gun back towards the bridge with the 13th Continentals and the rifles as rear guard.  The British launched their light dragoons at the rifles who managed to shoot down some before they were sudden down.  

In the foot race to the bridge the Americans managed to get the Continentals and the gun across the river.  The militia, what was left of them broke and ran off the north edge of the table.  The British succeed in capturing the town. Lord Cornwallis could write home about a glorious victory.  But the Americans had saved the Continentals and one of their guns to fight another day.  Although the militia were decimated  more militia were available to be called up to take their place.  

 

Conclusion:

It was a very hard fought battle which I greatly enjoyed.  It's an interesting game with both sides able to win.  The defenders are not going to stop the attackers but just need to cause casualties and withdraw their troops.  In the end the casualties were nearly equal (70 British and 85 American).  Because of this I think the game accurately reflected the war and how both sides fought.  Both could claim victory but in the long run I feel the result favored the Americans.