The battle rages on!
Continued from first part here: https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2022/05/battle-at-dyckmans-mill-part-1.html
Turns 7 & 8:
As the British advance across the open ground they are under fire by the Continental line regiments and Hamilton's guns. The 9th and 11th Continentals are behind cover and the British line are out in the open. Taking serious casualties the British pass their morale tests and continue their advance.
The Hessian Brigade advances up to the ford and prepares to cross. The Virginia and Pennsylvania rifles have contested the advance but casualties are mounting and their firepower is becoming less effective. Both Hessian battalions form column for the crossing.
And the first wagon exists the table!
Turn 9 & 10:
Colonel Rall calls to his regiment to follow him and leads them across the stream. The rifles cause numerous casualties but the Hessian cross and then form up into line. A close range volley clears the pesky skirmishers out of the way. What is left of them fail morale and break.
The British 7th and 63rd advance against the American line. Both regiments take casualties but a devastating round from Hamilton's guns breaks the 7th regiment who fall back. General Beale rides up to rally them and the proud Fusilier get ready to return to the fight.
Now the second wagon is off the table.
Turn 11 & 12:
Colonel Rall leads his Hessian towards the town. General Beale has reformed his line and is now continuing his advance. The Grenadier battalion is advancing slowly but steadily through the woods to flank the American position.
Conclusion:
Afterwards the last wagon exits the table American General Becker looks to withdraw his Continentals. They have held the British better then expected but with the Hessian threatening to take away his line of retreat its time to go. Captain Hamilton fires a few last rounds to keep the British at bay as the Continental fall back off the table and up the road. General Becker can be satisfied that nit on my the vital supply wagons have escaped but he has also seen his valuable Continental line regiment and artillery saved. The great sacrifice of the Pennsylvania and Virginia rifle men helped to make this happen.And they local militia although defeated and their colors lost can be counted in to return to assist later .
The Crown forces follow and quickly occupied the town (to the great joy if the local tavern keeper who now sees hard currency paid for goods). The casualties were relatively low which will please Sir William Howe. Colonel Rall is pleased at the courageous dedicated service of his professional soldiers. Especially his regiment, but also the sacrifice if the jagers who fought twice their number. The British Grenadiers upheld their reputation and a extra mug of beer per msn will be issued to congratulation to them. All in alk many things both sides could be proud of.
Who won? Both sides completed their victory conditions. As with many battles of this war historically the British held the ground and the Americans retreated to fight another day. I will leave the long term to future historians but to me it was a fun and glorious game that in plan on returning to again.
Next post, how the game wss set up and solo play assists....
A great looking game Mark with beautiful figures and terrain, and fir a solo game, you really ask for a better result....both sides won! By tge way, in case you don't return to my SCW post to see my comment, I would thoroughly recommend the British TV Doco on the conflict...just type Granada TV Spanish into the search. Five X one hour episodes...made a long time ago, when participants in the war were still in late middle age and able to tell their own stories...fascinating stuff!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Both for the kind words and the recommendation. Will look for it.
ReplyDeleteI though the results mirrored the war (at least in my opinion). The Crown forces won the battle, the American rebels lived to fight another day. They didn't have to "win" in the traditional sense just outlast the British.
Again, IMHO that the British was able to send such a large army iver, and keep it in tact and supplied through the war was a remarkable accomplishment!
If we are being honest, it's a war the British should have been able to win....but there were missed opportunities, poor decision making, political interference and quite a strong anti war sentiment at home...plus by the end of it, most of Europe was taking the opportunity to have a go at Britain...most obviously the French!
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