The Battle of Hobkirk Hill or Second Camden April 1781

The Battle of Hobkirk 's  Hill (April 1781) was an unusual affair.  Although outnumbered Lord Rawdon led a scratch force of mostly American Loyalist regiments out of Camden to attack a larger American Army under General Nathaniel Greene.  Although surprised Greene quickly counterattack and almost pulled off a double development.  But as the 1st Maryland fell apart while maneuvering the American army retreated and left the field.  Inspite of this victory Rawdon was forced to evacuate Camden.  Thus Greene continued to lose battles but still fought a successful campaign.

I felt this would be a good battle to put on for club game night.  Numbers of units were reasonable and each side had a good chance for victory.    I have kept the historical order of battle but have increased the size of each unit and combined smaller units while keeping the ratio of forces historical. The Americans still outnumber Rawdon's army.   This is for the appearance of the game.  I dislike tiny regiments on my table top.  The terrain of the battle is very simple so easy to transport and set up.

American Order of Battle:

General Nathaniel Greene commanding

Reserve:

Continental Artillery  (2 x 6#'s)

North Carolina Militia battalion (30)

North Carolina Rifle men  (12)

Washington's Dragoons (10)

Main Line:

Maryland Brigade: Col. Otho Williams

1st Maryland. (30)

2nd Maryland. (30)

Virginia Brigade: Col. Isaac Huger

1st Virginia. (30)

2nd Virginia  (30)

Skirmishers Line: Capt. Kirkwood

Delaware Light Infantry company (18)

Maryland & Virginia light infantry companies (18)

British Order of Battle

Lord Rawdon commanding

Main line: Lt.Col. Campbell

Rifles, convalescent and Volunteer of Ireland light infantry company (18)

63rd Regiment of Foot (30)

King's American Regiment (30)

New York Volunteers  (30)

Reserve: Major Campbell

Royal Artillery (6#)

Coffin's Dragoons (8)

South Carolina Royalists (30)

Volunteers of Ireland (30)

The table set up.  In the fore ground Rawdon's forces marching towards Greene's line.  Crown Forces are  skirmishers out front, followed by 63rd Regiment and New York Volunteers.  Second line Volunteers of Ireland and King's American and Royal Artillery.  Reserve are South Carolina Royalists and Coffins Loyalist Dragoons.

Greene's army in distance.  Light Infantry skirmish ing in front are Maryland and Virginia light companies and Kirkwood's Delaware.  On ridge line from viewer to left are 2nd Maryland, 1st Maryland, 4th Virginia and 5th  Virginia Continental regiments.  In reserve are Lt. Col. Washington's dragoons, two Continental Artillery guns and a North Carolina militia regiment with some attached Rifle men.

Greene's line is on a long ridge.  A single road heading to the town of Camden divides the table.  There are two streams on the side of table which are cross able by infantry and cavalry (at a penalty) but not artillery.  There are scattered Pine trees but a very open growth which does not give cover or block sight.

Crown Forces advancing on Continental as line.  Greene orders his light troops to hold off the enemy while his regulars form up and his artillery unlimbers.

Kirkwood's Delaware  and the Marylanders light infantry companies fire and retire giving Greene time to organize his line and causing casualties among the advancing loyalists.

            Just hold them off a little long boys!

Falling back to the ridge line the lights fire and fall back.  

  In the rules "Whites of Their Eyes" light troops can use a split move.  They can use part if their movement, fire and move the remainder of their movement allowance.  This gives them a elusive nature.

 
Tired of taking hits from the Light Infantry Rawdon orders Coffins' Loyalists Dragoons to charge home and sweep the Rebel light infantry off the field.  The light infantry cannot out run the cavalry so they stand and fight....

          and send the dragoons back the way they came.

  Greene orders Lt. Col. Washington to charge the 63rd.  They are met by a volley of musketry.  Although they charge home the steady British regiment easily sees them off.  Looks like its not a good day for any mounted forces.

Rawdon orders the Volunteers of Ireland to march to the right of the 63rd and try and out flank the Continental line.

By this time the Continental Artillery is in unlimbered and opens fire on the New York Volunteers and lights causing heavy casualties and both units fall back.

The Maryland Brigade charges down the ridge at the advancing enemy.  The 1st Maryland hits the New York Volunteers whole the 2nd Maryland hits the 63rd Regiment.

In the close combat the New Yorkers are defeated and retreat back. They fail their  morale check  and retreat back.

The 63rd defeats the 2nd Maryland who also retreat .  thus opens the Greene's flank and the Volunteers if Ireland and 63rd move up onto the ridge.  

The Royal Artillery opens fire with case shot at close range and Coffins Dragoons ride in for the kill as the Marylanders are swept from the field.

On the opposite flank the Virginia Brigade moves down to engage the King's American regiment and the South Carolina Royalists.

Desperate to hold the flank Greene throws the North Carolina militia at the 63rd and Volunteers of Ireland.  But the militia breaks and cannot be rallied as they flee off the field.

At this point both sides agree its time to end the game.  Greene's army has suffered twice the casualties of the Crown forces so he decided to withdraw off the field.  With his own flank about to be turned Rawdon is happy to see him go.

So ends the refight of Hobkirk Hill.  I had planned, if we had two more players to add possible reinforcements.  Historically Rawdon expected the force chasing Marion's partisans to join him.  And Greene had hoped either Sumter's militia or Lee's Legion and Marion's partisan might join him.  But for four players this proved enough units to push about the table.  The rules provided a fun fast game that was accurate to the time period.  New players picked it up quickly and were running their units without help by the third turn (we played 14 turns BTW). In fact, John liked the rules so much he asked me to put on a Rev War game for our monday morning getting together.  But that us another story as they say.