Wednesday, February 16, 2022

The Battle of the Four Arms 1814: Introduction

 


  I have noticed I did not play a lot of War of 1812 last year.  Not sure how it happened.  They are one of my favorite armies, and have an incredible toy soldier look and feel to them.  So its time to correct this in justice and put on a game!

Battle of the Four Arms:

   A small force of (British/Canadian) is sent to guard a major cross road.  A larger force (USA) is sent to capture it.  Although the United States forces outnumber the British/Canadian defenders the terrain is not friendly.   A minor stream hinders their deployment. There are a number of fenced in fields that make good positions to defend.  The flanks are protected by woods to the west and a lake to the east.  It will take A few turns to bring superior numbers on to the field.  So the defenders must dig in a fight a delaying action until reinforcements arrive.  Victory goes to the side who holds the cross roads at the end if the game.  


  British/Canadian Army

On the table:

2nd (Light) Brigade: Lt.Col. Parsons

Glengarry Light Infantry. (24) 

Incorporated Militia Upper Canada (24) 

1st Militia Brigade (24) 

2nd Militia Brigade (24)

Mohawk Warriors (12)

Royal Marine Artillery Rocket Battery (light)

19th Light Dragoons


Reinforcements:

at start of game roll 2d6 for turn they enter the game.

3rd Brigade Lt.Col. Morrison

1st Regiment

89th Regiment

100th Regiment

Flank Companies (Light Infantry and Grenadier)

Royal Artillery (medium)

United States Army: Maj.Gen. Brown

Enter on road on south side of table on first turn.  All units in road column.  This is the order of march.

Advanced Corps:

United States Dragons

New York Volunteer Dragons

1st US Rifles 


2nd Brigade: Brig. Gen. Ripley

1st Regiment

21st Regiment

23rd Regiment

5th Regiment

Artillery (medium)


1st Brigade: Brig.Gen. Scott

9th Regiment 

11th Regiment

22nd Regiment

25th Regiment

Artillery (medium)



Rules used are "Mr. Madison's War"

Scale is 25mmm

Game will last 14 turns.

Terrain:  stream is fordable.  Units move up to it and stop.  Next move cross and full move.  

Woods:  Artillery and cavalry can not enter.  Formed units must be at half speed.  Skirmishes move full speed.

Fences provide soft cover.  Takes one move to cross.





14 comments:

  1. I look forward to your game report; it's a period that interests me and looks very gameable with relatively small figures of troops involved. Hope you have fun too! :-)

    Cheers,

    David.

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    1. P.S. Sorry - that should be numbers of troops, not figures, of course! Whoops.

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    2. No problem as you are correct on both counts. For a very reasonable cost I have most of the armies for the Niagara 1814 campaign. its an attractive little army with unusual touches like Native Warriors, rockets and such.

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  2. That is a very nice looking table and scenario. The War of 1812 does seem to be gaining more traction of late which is nice to see, as this side of the pond it tends to be a little gamed conflict.

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    1. Its a fun little period. And if you have a Napoleonic British army you are half way there!

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  3. Looks like it should be a great game.

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  4. Nice table and good to see an older set of rules getting an outing.

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    1. A nice one page set if rules that you can remember let's me play the game rather then the rules.

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  5. A lovely looking set up…
    I looking forward to see how it plays…

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thank you. Your recent painting of the War of 1812 is what goes t me off my duff and playing again. As a thank you I have added your namesake as reinforcement.

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  6. Looks great Mark, just off to read your report too!

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