Battle of Fundy's Lane

 

    As I have mentioned in the previous post my game at game day was a last minute addition.  Dave, who had been working incredibly hard on his Seminole war game came down with Covid.  Fortunately he and his wife Pam are doing much better.  I quickly volunteered to put on a game in his place.  

  Having a short period of time to put something together I decided to do a War of 1812 game.  Since I had been working on the Battle of Lundy's Lane that was what I would go with.  I had the order of battle and troops ready, I had the terrain ready.  But since I was still struggling with the night fighting I decided to ignore that part of the battle.  I would play it out as a daylight action.  Scott's Brigade would be exposed for one turn only in my game rather then the almost two hours in real life.  Reinforcements would arrive by d6 roll;  1-3 = turn 2, 4-6 = turn 3 for Americans and 1-2 = turn 2, 3-4 = turn 3 and 5-6 = turn 4 for British.  A medium size group of Native Warriors were historically near the field but did not take part in the fighting.  I decided to let the British play roll for their possible arrival each turn; a 1 on a 10D let them join the fight. All of which was to make the game more playable and translate into a fun afternoon game.  One member of the club, Allen Wright (AJ) said "So we are fighting the battle of Fundy's Lane;" and the name stuck!  Rules used were "Mr Madison's War" from Fife and Drum miniatures and figures are 25mm from Knuckleduster miniatures.  George and Warren took the Americans while AJ and I were the British/Canadians.  Let the game begin!

 

British/Canadian forces on the right and American forces on the left.

   Our game starts with Pearson's and Morrison's British/Canadian brigades placed on the high ground along Fundy's lane.  Winfield Scott's American Brigade is deployed along a narrow country road outside musket range but with artillery range of the British.  Woods cover the British/Canadian left flank.  Otherwise its open ground.  In the upper right of the picture Captain John Norton is concerning with his Native Warriors to see if he can convince them to join the white mans fight.

Scott's Brigade deployed behind worm fence.

 

Scott's Brigade, deployed behind a worm fence consists of the 9th, 11th and 22nd US Infantry regiments in their famous gray jackets and Captain Towson's artillery.    Unknown to the other side he has sent Major Jesup with his 25th US infantry regiment and Captain Ketchum's light infantry company to out flank the enemy line.  They will emerge out of the woods on turn two.  Each regiment is made up of six stands of four figures, and the light company is two stands of four figures on split stands so they can skirmish.  

British/Canadian position at start of game.

 On Fundy's lane the Crown forces are made up of (from left to right); 19th Light Dragoons,   Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada (IMUC) , 8th and 41st light companies, 1st Regiment of Foot, the Glengarry Light Infantry (GLI), and just off the ridge the Canadian  1st Militia Brigade.  The 89th Regiment of Foot is in reserve. In the center is a battery of a heavy gun, a medium gun and a rocket battery.  Reinforcements are expected to arrive on the road at the top of the picture.  

 The game started with a surprisingly aggressive move on the part of the Americans.  In the rules you roll to see who gets to either move first and fire second or move second and fire first.  There are advantages and disadvantage to both and it makes each turn interesting.  Warren, choosing to move first advanced the Americans towards the British/Canadian line!  Obviously he was challenging the spirit of Scott!  For the next couple moves he advanced boldly towards the guns.  Which of course returned fire....

On turn two not only did American reinforcements start to arrive along their side if the table but the 25th US Infantry and Ketchum's light company arrived on the flank of the British position.   The UMUC and 19th LD turned to face the enemy.

And the American infantry continued their advance as the Royal Artillery continued hitting them with long range fire.  The British cheered when AJ rolled seven dice for possible hits and all seven dice scored a hit each!

  Due to casualties the 9th and 22nd US Infantry fell back shaken, and later routed off the table.  The 11th continued and charged the 89th Regiment.

  The 25th US and IMUC engaged in a close range musket duel;  the 19th LD charged the light infantry who calmly stood their ground and shot the cavalry to pieces.  The poor 41st/8th light companies tried to charge Towson's gun but misjudged the distance and failed to connect.  The gunners blasted them with canister and sent the survivor running for cover.

  In the close combat on the hill the 22nd US was driven back by the 89th.  At this same time Captain Norton convinced his braves to enter the fight.  They raced forward  and fired at the 22nd US as they were attempting to rally.  This sent them routing off the board.

  But on the flank the 25th US charged forward and routed the IMUC.  The GLI attempted to plug the gap but they too were driven back.  Things looked grim on the flank.  Now, if the Americans could just feed in additional troops perhaps they could break the British line.

  In the race to feed reinforcements it was the British who won.  They additional British regiments finely arrived.  Colonel Hercules Scott (isn't that a great name for an officer!) Arrived with the 1st, 8th and 103rd regiments, the flank companies of the 104th, the 2nd Militia Brigade and an additional battery. One Regiment was hurried along the ridge to support the 89th and artillery while the rest marched to flank the Americans.

 Although the 2nd Brigade (1st, 21st and 23rd US infantry and two batteries) and 3rd Brigade (Pennsylvania volunteers, New York volunteers and Canadian volunteers) had marched into the table they were experiencing traffic control problems.   Attempting to sort out the infantry became a problem as Norton's warriors harassed them and caused all types of mischief!

Because of this, the American side threw in the towel and conceded the game.  It was felt they could not rally and reorganize the regiments before being hit by the advancing red coats.

   I feel this was a fun scenario and one that will be played again.  The  various reinforcements helped swing the game first one way then the other.  The early advance by Scott's brigade was bold and threw the brutish side off there game first a couple turns.  That and the out flanking by Jesup's regiment.   Unfortunately due to traffic issues they could not feed more troops forward.  I think I will look into that to see what I can do to fix it.

  On the British/Canadian side they played a conservative game and did well.  All agreed the  not knowing if the warriors would join the fight and the rolling for when reinforcements could arrive added suspence.  All agreed the rules worked well and provided a easy to learn and fun game.  

 Thank you to AJ, George and especially Warren for playing g in the game and making it such a fun experience.

  

 

  

Club game day

 

  On Saturday we held our monthly club meeting.  While most game nights are held once a month on a  Friday night in October we hold a game day .  thus gives us the opportunity to play games in the morning, take a lunch break then play more games in the afternoon.  Sometimes one very large multi player game is held.  What did we play this year?

  Ed, from Ed M's War game Meanderings blog put on his excellent Jousting game.  This is not your usual miniature game.  There are gigantic figures, excellent graphics and very, very clever rules.  It is really outstanding and I have never seen anything like it.  I know Ed will be doing a write up so I will leave it to him to better describe the game. 

  Mike Bailey put on his 28mm Pirate vs Royal Navy sail ships game.  Rules used were "Blue Waters, Bloody Pirates.". Again a beautiful looking game and great fun.  The players in it sounded like they were having a great time. Mike does a lot if sailing ship games and they are always fun.

  Lastly, I put in a War of 1812 battle.  It was based on Lundy's Lane with the topography and order of battle the same.  I changed some parts to make a better game.  Scott's Brigade did not have to stand under artillery fire for two hours, and the battle occurred during daylight so we didn't have to worry about night time rules and those complications.  Because of this one if the players  AJ said we must be fighting the  Battle of Fundy's Lane.  I like that and so that us what I will call it.  Next post a mire detailed account if the battle.

McDougall's Brigade 1776

General Alexander McDougall 's brigade during the campaign around New York city and Westchester county.  The brigades  main action was 28 October 1776 at the battle of White Plains New York.   The brigade was made up of the 1st and 3rd New York Regiments, Smallwood's Maryland Regiment and the 19th Continental Regiment.

 

Hussars and Lancers and Infantry

 

  Moving along with the project,  I just finished the stands for Lauzun's Legion.  This included the two squadrons of Hussars and Lancers as well as the infantry element.  Thus was the force put together from two legions under Lauzun's command that was sent to America.

  I think the uniforms of the Legion are some of the most attractive during the war.  As such they make a great table top addition.

         And of course you cannot forget the commander himself!

The Cornwallis Division

 

  During the various campaigns of the American Revolution Lord Cornwallis would be found commanding the elite regiments of the British Army.  These usually included the Grenadier and Light Infantry regiments.  The Brigade of Guards on American service would also be found near him.  And his own regiment, the 33rd often followed him.  At Brandywine his division or wing included the Grenadiers (both British and Hessian) the light infantry and jagers, the Guards and few regular infantry.  Poor Knyphausen gets the line, both Hessian and British. 

  In many ways Cornwallis reminds me of many miniature war gamers I have meet and played with over the years.  The type that has to have the best while you get the left overs.  We have all meet that type of gamer.  Ok, poor attempt at humor on my part but you get the idea.

 So here is Cornwallis' command.  Both Grenadier battalions and the Brigade of Guards, including their flank companies the Light Infantry and the 71st Highlanders.

Back on line

 

  Technical difficulties have befuddled me.  My Kindle Fire 8 died.  Unfortunately for me this is my life line to the internet world.  While we do have a lap top computer that is Janine's domain.  She used it for work, up to her retirement and now uses it for her duties on various town boards.  Plus it confused me.  Up to now I have done all my work on my little Kindle tablet.  I can read books, surf the internet and write.  You would be surprised how much you cab get done on this little table and its small enough it can go anywhere.   Unfortunately after six years it up and stopped working.   I attempted to share the lap top.  But that wasn't working for various reasons.  Mostly how uncomfortable I was using it.  So I have faced facts and ordered a new Kindle.  I found a refurbish Kindle 10 for a very reasonable price.  Its bigger, which is much better for my eye sight and pudgy fingers.  It took me a while to transfer files and drafts to it, as well as back up everything on memory sticks.  So I hope I am back in business now.

The new Kindle 10 in all its glory.

  Hobby wise I am still slowly slogging through rebasing.  While most of my infantry and artillery are done I still have my cavalry and mounted generals to finish off.  The bases for mounted generals have been dine my my friend and fellow club member AJ (thank you!) and I will be picking them up at game day later this month.  

 Cavalry are all mounted on stands now.  I have painted each stand green and will be flocking them with static grass to match my table cloth.  I realize its unfashionable to not super detail the bases with ground and various vegetation but that is my choice.  I admire how how it looks and many gamers do a truly fantastic job creating miniature works if art.  But I personally like plain bases.  Ones that match my table cloth and have the units blend into it rather then jump out.  Perhaps in many ways i  muss the plain painted greet bases from my youth.  Oh well its just a personal preference and each to their own.

Grenadiers and Guards

  I am also doing a little bit of painting.  I find it not a easy as I once did and still have trouble coordinating my brush, fingers and the figure.  But I am working through it and trying.  Adding a few extra individual figures to round out regiments.

Also getting the table ready for a small game and perhaps a review of the new troops.