Victory on the Niagara

 

 We needed a game for our Monday morning get together.  Since we have been playing a lot of the "Fire & Fury" Civil War and Seven Years War rules I volunteered to set up something else.

  I still had my figures and terrain from Chippewa earlier in the month packed so that was what I would go with.  Rules used were the Fife & Drum miniature rules for the American Rev War with some changes for the theater.

  The game starts with the Pennsylvania and New York volunteers and Red jackets Six Nations warriors advancing through the woods against the Canadian militia and Norton's Mohawks.  The Americans outnumbered the Canadians 3:2.  The fight went back and forth with first one side then the other retiring and the other.  

  On the second turn both sides regulars entered the battlefield in road column.  Quickly marching down the road both sides deployed into line.  The Americans along a snake rail fence and the British in the plain.  

  In the woods Norton's Mohawks routed Red Jackets warriors (although they rallied and returned in another move.  A reinforcement of three British light companies joined the fight but not before the Canadian militia were routed.

  In the plain the Americans (9/11th , 22nd and 25th US Infantry) decided to advance against the British (1st, 8th 100th Regiments).  After clearing the fence line, they charged forward.  

  The 25th US on the right misjudged the distance and failed to make contact with 100th Foot and both regiments got into a major fire fight.  The 9/11th US contacted the 1st Foot while the 22nd US fought the 8th Foot.  In the melee both the 9/11th and 22nd were beaten and retired shaken.

  During this time both sides cavalry got unto a tussel.  The US Dragoons were sent back shaken.  Not a good start for the US side!

 In the woods the Six Nations warriors returned to the fight and help rout the Canadian militia off the board.  For the rest of the game the British light companies continued a gallant fight against high odds.

  With the artillery to their flank and the 100th Foot in front of them the 25th US failed it morale and routed.  Although he managed to rally his remaining regulars the entire British line were too much and forced the Americans off the Plains in retreat.  

  At this point with the Americans winning in the woods and the British victorious on the plain we called the game.  Both sides felt the Americans in the woods would have retired back to camp so victory was awarded to the British.  This was remarkable as its the very first time the British have won this battle on the table top.  All agreed it was great fun and four hours past very quickly.  Thank you for John, Paul, Phil, Warren and Art for playing in the game and providing a fun day.