How was the march conducted?

 One of the most  influential military books of the 18th Century was “A Treatise of Military Discipline” by Colonel Humphrey Bland.   Officers learned how to be a commander by reading text books.  This book shows up in the libraries of numerous officers in the British and also American  Army officers libraries at the start of the American Revolution;   including George Washington;  who's personal library included Humphrey Bland "A Treatise of Military Discipline (9th ed., London, 1762)"; Lancelot Théodore, comte de Turpin de Crissé, "An Essay on the Art of War, translated by Capt. Joseph Otway" (London, 1761); Roger Stevenson, "Military Instructions for Officers Detached in the Field" (Philadelphia, 1775); Captaine de Jeney, "The Partisan: or, The Art of Making War in Detachment," translated by J. Berkenhout (London, 1760); and William Young, Manœuvres, or Practical Observations on the Art of War "(London, 1771).

  What did these books tell us in how to conduct a march?  Let us quotes from Bland who had a chapter entitled “…Marching of a Regiment of Foot, or a Detachment of Men, where there is a Possibility of their being Attacked by the Enemy.”  He suggested forming a strong "van guard" and a "rear guard." The purpose of the van-guard was “to reconnoiter, or view, every place where any number of men can lie concealed, such as woods, copses, ditches, hollow ways, straggling houses, or villages, through which you are to march or pass near…” The rear-guard was “to take up all the soldiers who shall fall behind the regiment” and to provide security for the rear of the column and prevent it from “being fallen upon (attacked) in the rear, before they have notice to prepare for their defense.”  In addition “small parties, commanded by sergeants, marching on the flanks (sides) of the battalion with orders to examine all the hedges, ditches and copses which lie near the road…" 

  Lt. Col. Smith organized his march to Concord with the combined  ten Light Infantry companies* first followed by the eleven Grenadier ** companies.  As they got closer to Lexington he detected six Light Infantry companies to march ahead of the column and capture the bridges in Concord.  

  It is known from the statement of private James Marr 4th light company that there was a "advanced guard of a sergeant and six or eight men."   In addition a number of volunteers who went out with the march joined the advanced guard as we know from the account of  Lt. William Sutherland.   

  Within the column how did the individual companies form?  According to  Captain William Souter who commanded the Marine light company;  "our companies were not able to march more then half of its  front on the open road, or more properly speaking, in two platoons, the second in the rear of the first."

   Brigadier General Hugh Earl Percy who led the reinforcements  that afternoon had been commanding his Brigade for over a year now.  On a number if occasions he marched the entire Brigade out if Boston into the countryside for exercise.   Lt. Frederick MacKenzie of the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers, who marched with Percy, wrote that the brigade “… marched in the following order, Advanced guard of a captain and 50 men; 2 six-pounders, 4th Reg’t, 47th Reg’t, 1st Bttn of Marines; 23rd Reg’t, Rear guard of a Captain and 50 men.” This tactic was straight out of Bland’s Treatise.  In the Lord Percy papers there is a drawing of a march by the 1st Brigade.  The drawing is a brilliant illusion of how to conduct a march with advanced guards and flankers. 

 

* light infantry companies- 4th, 5th, 10th, 23rd, 38th, 43rd, 47th, 52nd,  59th and  Marines.

** Grenadier companies - 4th, 5th, 10th, 18th, 23rd, 38th, 43rd, 47th,52nd,  59th and Marines.

North Bridge Fight Game for 250th Event

 

Doolittle print done in May 1775 of the Bridge fight.

  Want to play out a part of the 19 April battle for the 250th anniversary?  Here is my suggestion for a fun game based loosely on the events at the North Bridge in Concord.  Thus works well for two to four players.

   I worked for thirty years for the National Park Service.  The majority of that time was at Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord and Lexington.  Although I had not thought about a miniature wargame  involving the fight at the North Bridge two things recently changed my mind.  This was inspired  by the article in  Wargames Illustrated "Battle at the North Bridge"  (#291 January 2012) and the post on how he fought this out on the blog "Steve's Painting Shed."  Steve's blog is always a fun visit and full of great ideas if you are interested in the America Rev War.  Highly recommend and one of my first stops in the blogging world.

What really happened:

  The game concerns the action around the North Bridge in  Concord on 19 April 1775.  Historically,  after arriving Concord that morning  Lt.Col. Francis Smith sent seven companies of light infantry (about 32-36 men per company) to the North bridge.  Four light companies under Captain Lawrence Parsons      ( from the 5th, 38th, 23rd and 52nd) crossed the bridge and marched two miles further to Colonel James Barrett's farm to search for cannon. Three light infantry companies (4th, 10th 43rd) under Captain Walter Laurie stayed to guard the bridge.  The remainder of the British force stayed in Concord and searched for supplies. 

View from hillside over looking bridge held by Militia and Minute companies

  During this time various Minute and Militia companies from the surrounding towns gathered on the hillside by Major John Buttrick's house overlooking the bridge.  The town of Concord was just visible in the distance.  They numbered about 400 men and were divided into a Militia battalion under Colonel Barrett and a Minute Man battalion under Major John Buttrick.   

The bridge from the British side.

  When the Militia and Minute Men saw smoke rising over the town they assumed the British were burning their homes.  They marched down to cross the bridge and exchanged fire with the Light Infantry at the bridge and drove them away. The British broke and retreated back towards town leaving two dead at the bridge. Part of the militia returned up the hill they had just come down from carrying there two dead and wounded.   The minute men crossed the bridge.  Buttrick placed them behind a stone wall by the Jones house and they and the Grenadiers with Smith cautiously eye balled each other for a few minutes until Smith counter marched back to town. The Minute companies soon discovered the town was not being burned!  A fire set to burn some cannon carriges were the source of the smoke.  When some worried towns folks complained the fire could spread to the town buildings the British put out the fire.  

 

Diorama of the North Bridge fight.

  Undecided what to do now the various Minute companies moved to the ridge overlooking the town to keep an eye on the British.  Some companies marched to take position further up the road for when the British started their return march to Boston. There they were joined by other companies from further away towns.

   When Captain Parson's light companies return later they found the bridge deserted and two dead British soldiers nearby!  

The game:

Excellent map from obscure battle site blog

  The table is set up to represent the area by the bridge very loosely.  I am looking for an interesting game not a historical recreation. Unlike the actual events both sides are eager to a fight!   The British must hold the bridge long enough to allow the detachment to return to town.  The Americans want to capture the bridge and prevent this. There will be blood!  The British have better trained and disciplines troops but the Americans have more men.

  Captain Laurie's detachment (4th, 10th and 43rd)  is by the bridge while  Captain Parson's  detachment (5th, 23rd, 38th and 52nd)is off-table and is expected to return soon. Reinforcements from Concord are in the form of a battalion of  Grenadiers and Lt.Col.Smith.

 The British at the bridge can call for reinforcements.  Roll a d6 and the battalion of Grenadiers arrive on the road from town on that turn.  

  Parson's force  attempt to enter the table beginning on turn 10. On this turn roll a d10 and they require 1-6 to enter. If they fail then they roll again on turn 11 needing 1-9. If they fail then they automatically enter on turn 12.

  Colonel Barrett and Major Buttrick are on the hillside overlooking g the bridge.  Their object is to capture the bridge and prevent the British forces returning to town.  To represent the hesitation on the part of company commanders to march down and confront the British each militia/minute group must pass a morale check.  If more then half the group fails they will stay in the hill to talk it over some more.  If more then half pass then enough talking its time for action.

Order of Battle:

Lt.Col. Francis Smith commanding: 

in town with Grenadiers.

Captain Laurie's  light infantry detachment at the bridge:

(30 figures/ regular)

Captain Parson's  light infantry at Colonel Barrett's farm:

(30 figures/ regular)

British Grenadier battalion: in Concord

(30 figures/ Elite)

  I have rated the Light infantry as regulars and not elite.  This is because of their erratic performance throughout the day.  At Lexington green they fired against orders and lost all control and at the North Bridge they again fell apart (although I personally think it was more Laurie fault). Light companies were still relatively new (added to the establishment in 1770), and this was the very first time in Boston they had been brigaded worked together.  I think poor command and control plus no standard light infantry drill manual were the problems that day and later at Bunker Hill.  These would be corrected later under General William Howe.  On the other hand the Grenadiers lived up to their reputation that day so they stay elite.

Colonel James Barrett commanding: on hillside overlooking bridge.

Concord-Acton Militia battalion

(30 figures/militia)

Bedford- Lincoln Militia battalion

(30 figures/militia)

Acton-Concord  Minute battalion

(30 figures/militia)

Bedford-Lincoln Minute battalion

(30 figures/militia)

  I have rated all the Americans as militia.  Minute Man companies trained more often so in theory they we're better discipline.  But in looking over the performance of both groups I see historically little difference that day.  I am giving them more units as they did seriously outnumber the British throughout the day.

 

British Intelligence Letter on Supplies at Concord

 

 The first in a series of post to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the fight at Lexington and Concord on 19 April 1775

How prepared were the British for the raid on Concord on April 19, 1775?  I though that this item has a really good insight into British intelligence.  While the actual orders General Thomas Gage gave to Lieutenant Francis Smith have been repeated and republished numerous times the actual draft of the orders have not.  They are much more detailed about the items they were sent to destroy, where they were hidden and how to dispose of them.  I thought some of the readers here may be interested in reading this document so I transcribed it From the original in the Gage Papers at the University of Michigan.

   From the draft of Gate's orders to Smith:

"Sir, a quantity of ammunition and provision together as number of cannon and small arms having been collected at Concord for the avowed purpose of raising a rebellion against his Majesty 's Government, you will match with the corps of Grenadiers and Light Infantry put under your command with the utmost expedition and secrecy to Concord, and where you will seize and destroy all the artillery and ammunition, provisions, tents and all other military stores you can find you will knock off one trunnion at least of each of the iron guns and destroy the carriages and beat in the muzzles of the brass ones so as to render them useless. The powder and flour may be shaken out of the barrels into the water, the tents burnt and the men may put the balls and lead into their ( knapsacks crossed out)  pockets throwing  them away by degrees as they go into fields and ditches ponds and etc. (When you shall crossed out) you have a plan (a return crossed out)  Which is marked off the places where the artillery and ammunition is reported to be lodged, and after destroying the same you will return, and if your men appear much fatigued you may lodge them at Lexington or Cambridge and let them rest in barns or other outbuildings and may (get crossed out) hire waggons at Lexington for weak and fatigued men.  If any body of men dares to  (attack is crossed out) oppose you with arms you will warn them to disperse (and crossed out) or attack them.

 Four brass cannon and two mortors or cohorn with a number of small arms in the cellar or out houses of Mr Barrett a little on the other side of the bridge where is also lodged a quantity of powder and lead.

Ten iron cannon before the town house and two within it which town house is in the center of the town.  The ammunition for said guns within the house.

Three guns of 24 pounders lodged in the prison yard with a quantity of cartridges and provision.

A quantity of provisions and ammunition in other places, the principal deposits are the houses of Mr Hubbard, near the meeting Butler, Jones the tailor near the Hubbard's, two men of the rear of (ineligible) Bonds, and particularly at the entrance of the town, at a house plaisteted white a small fence in front and divergence a large quantity of powder and ball is reported to be deposited in his store adjoining the house.

Cannon hid in the wood a mile and half from the center of the village between the river and Malden pond.  The wood thick, a good deal of Underwood. The ground no little wet but not a marsh. Three guns still mounted, the rest dismounted and carefully hid and even buried.   In the same place some boxes of arms hid like the cannon.

The medicine chests and powder barrels, tents and etc distributed in the chief  houses, particularly Mr Barrett's, Captain Wheeler's , Mr Hubbard's stores and the two Bonds.  The three guns in the prison court remain their beside many different articles. "

  To give a better idea of what Gage was worried about the country was not only organising an army but equipping it as well.  According to the records of the Provincial Congress it showed that returns of warlike stores were received from almost all towns in Massachusetts and Maine dated 14 April 1775. (From Journals of each Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. Compiled by William Lincoln (Biston, 1838), p. 756)

Firearms - 21,549

Pounds of powder. - 17,444

Pounds of lead balls. - 22,191

Number of flints - 144,699

Number of bayonets. - 10,108

Number of pouches - 11,979

With all of this you could supply a good sized army!

Historical Presentations

 

  Last year I started giving historical talks to local museums and senior centers.  What started out as a one off presentation blossomed as more groups wrote or called me to do a presentation for them.  This year my calender has filled with a good number of talks.

Massachusetts Connections to the Titanic

April 15, 2025 (113th anniversary)

Harvard MA senior center

Although not well known these were a great number of residents of Massachusetts who sailed on the Titanic.  They included businessman returning from sales trips, families on tour of Europe, immigrants looking forward to joining families already in America and a best selling author.  

The Sudbury Fight

April 22, 2025 (349th anniversary)

University of Massachusetts at Lowell

On April 21, 1676 over five hundred Wampanoag, Nipmuc, and Narragansett warriors attacked the frontier settlements of Sudbury (today Sudbury and Wayland) in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Various companies of English militiamen from nearby settlements marched to that town's defense and were drawn into ambushes and suffered heavy losses. The battle was the largest fight and the last major Native American victory in King Philip's War before their final defeat in southern New England in August 1676. All but forgotten today, the sites and stories of this battle are still there to be found by the curious who look for them.

April 19, 1775: The British View Point

April 19, 2025 (250th anniversary)

Fort Devens Museum 1:00 PM

Although the events and story of Lexington and Concord are well known, the British side is too often dismissed or ignored. What did the British know about the supplies at Concord and the countryside? How was the march to Boston conducted? This presentation will explore the British side through the use of first person documents and accounts to provide a new and complimentary account of the days events.

Battle of Bunker Hill: A Tactical View

May17, 2025 1:00

Fort Devens Musem

The Battle of Bunker’s Hill is a milestone in American history; but also a terribly misunderstood battle. Far too often folklore and myth have replaced fact so that today most narratives are confused and misleading. Why didn’t the British outflank the Americans on Charlestown neck? Were there really three frontal assaults? Did the British outnumber the Americans? And did the Americans really only lose the battle because they ran out of ammunition?

This presentation will look at why the leaders made the decisions they did based on facts at the time. Rather than British arrogance and American inexperience, most decisions were based on sound reasoning at the moment.

Some Silly Humor

 Here is some very silly humor for today.  Have fun taking the test!

Suggestions for fighting Guilford Courthouse

 

  Guilford Courthouse is one of the most refought battles of the American Revolution.  Back in 1997 I decided to fight the battle as my contribution to the club's convention Tricon.  This was a all 18th century miniature gaming day put on by our club the northern conspiracy.  

  As part of the game I wanted the British player to experience the surprise and frustration of there counter parts at the actual battle.  Surprise in that each time they pushed away a line if Americans a new line appeared.  The woods had blocked there view so they could not see what was ahead of them.  Frustration in that the Americans just kept appearing and fighting.

  In my game the set up was the first line and only the first line.  Once the British players broke the American militia I stoped the game and gave everyone a mandatory break if ten minutes.  When they returned the table had been cleared off and now the second American line was set up.  Only those British units that had advanced a certain distance were set up.  The others were struggling and arrived in a turn or two.  The reaction was surprise.  Apprehension was the feeling when I called a break after the second line broke.  More frustration when they arrived back to see the third American line set up.  

  Victory conditions were different for each side.  Naturally the British had to break each line and force the Americans to retreat off the boards.  The Americans had to preserve the Continental line at all cost.  They lost points for heavy Continental casualties.  This replicated nicely Greene's withdrawal just as it looked like they might win.  Militia casualties did not count towards victory points!

  The final result was a fun game which both players won.  It modeled the battle rather well and both sides had a fun time.  Which after all is the mist important thing.

Battle of Guilford Courthouse 15 March 1781

 

.

"Come on my brave Fusiliers!"

  " As at Camden, the British went forward as soon as they were in line. Captain Peter led the 23rd on as acting commanding officer, with the regiment effectively in two wings under captains Saumarez and Champagne. As they went forward, one of them noticed the ‘field lately ploughed, which was wet and muddy from the rains which had recently fallen’.

On they trudged towards the fence that marked the end of Hoskins’ cornfield and the beginning of the woods to the fore, observing as they grew closer that the rails were lined with men. MacLeod’s cannon opened fire, sending their ball whooshing into the American lines. Colonel Webster, on horseback, trotted to the front of his brigade and called out so that all could hear, ‘Charge!’ The men began jogging forward, bayonets fixed and muskets levelled towards the enemy. A crackling fire from their left, Kirkwood’s riflemen, began knocking down a redcoat here or there, but did nothing to check their impetus.

North Carolina militia

When the British line was little more than 50 yards from the North Carolina militia everything seemed to stop for Serjeant Lamb: … it was perceived the whole of their force had their arms presented, and resting on a rail fence … they were taking aim with the nicest precision. At this awful period a general pause took place; both parties surveyed each other for the moment with the most anxious suspense … Colonel Webster spurred his horse to the head of the 23rd and bellowed out, ‘Come on my brave Fusiliers!’ Some of the Americans started to run, but most held on for a moment; there was a rippling crash of American musketry when the redcoats were at optimum range, 40 to 50 yards away. Dozens of Webster’s men went down as the musket balls cut legs from under them or smashed into their chests. Lieutenant Calvert worried for an instant how his men might react to such a heavy fire: ‘They instantly returned it and did not give the enemy time to repeat their fire but rushed on them with bayonets.’ Captain Saumarez noted with pride, ‘No troops could behave better than the regiment … they never returned the enemy’s fire but by word of command and marched on with the most undaunted courage.’..."

Quote from;

Fusiliers:  The saga of a British Redcoat Regiment in the American Revolution  by Mark Urban

WuFun miniatures

 

  Question for those out in the blogging world.  Have any of you bought or gamed with the WuFun figures?  They look interesting and could make a cheap, easy way into the hobby. Also a nice way to try out a new period.  I am just curious how they workout on the table top.  They remind me of early gamers who played with flats.

In addition to the figures they have now released many of  the rules sets as a free PDF.  You just go to the site and under rules put them in a cart and"buy"them for free.  Its much easier then it sounds.  Here is a link;

https://wofungames.com/

When on the home page s roll down to the free rules.  I picked up a couple and am very impressed by them. A quality looking publication with nice pictures and some diagrams.  The rules are written by Andy Callan.  I have always looked his rules.  They are easy to learn but a you have to read they carefully.  I will be doing a in-depth revuew if his American Revolution set next post.

Continental line gun carriages

 

  What color should you paint your Continental line cannon carriages?  The answer is a surprising depends.  Depends on the year and they type of carriages.  Gray, red brown and finally blue are all correct, depending on the date and type of carriage.

  According to Harold Peterson's "Book of the Continental Soldier" iron guns and all other iron were to be painted black. This was to prevent rust.  At the start of the war gun carriges were painted grey similar to the British Royal Artillery.  Returns from quarter masters suggest the actual shade of grey varied depending on the paints available.  

  In Charles Wilson Peale painting of Washington at Princeton the cannon is painted a grey color.  

  In the Battle of Princeton painting by William Mercer in the first-round there is a grey carriges gun.  Off to its left there is also a red brown carriges on another gun.  Perhaps thus was a French Valliere system carriges as these were usually painted red brown in French service.

  After 1780 there are many returns for blue paint.  We see many carriges are now painted blue.  These are carried forward to the post war years and is standard practice for the army during the war of 1812.

  What about waggons?  For military service waggons there are returns for grey and also red brown waggons.   Interestingly an Hessian office from Stirn's Brigade on Long Island mentions using captured waggons to carry tents and baggag; "little chariots painted red."

Sailing

 Today I am off sailing in the lake.  In the video my ship is dead, #99.  I definitely have a lot to learn about sailing but it is great fun and very relaxing.  

Saint David's Day and The Royal Welch Fusiliers

 

1st March 1775;  This being St. David's Day the officers of the 23rd Regiment, or Royal Welch Fusiliers, dinned together according to the custom.  All the General & Staff Officers, the Admiral, and several other person's were invited to dine with the Regiment...."

From the diary of Lieutenant Frederick MacKenzie.

The "custom" was on each Saint Daivid's Day following dinner the regimental goat with the drummers and fifers are led around the mess table.  The drum major has a silver plate with raw leeks and the mess sergeant carries a loving cup filled with champagne. They halt by the newest joined officer who then stands on his chair with his left foot and places his right foot on the table and eats a leek while the drummers play a continuous roll.  Once he has consumed the leek he is handed the loving cup and before drinking toasts "And Saint David!"  All present who have not eaten a leek, including guests are expected to do so. Similar ceremonies occurs in the sergeants and the other ranks mess.  This custom, described as "ancient" in 1775  is still observed in peace and during war time up to the present time.

To all today I wish a Happy Saint David's Day to the Welch, and to all Royal Welch Fusiliers both past and present!

Chatterton Hill October 1776 Game

 

 

Slowly putting together a game based on the Battle of White Plains, in particular the fighting around Chatterton Hill on 28 October 1776.  Sadly there is a tremendous amount of misinformation about the battle and its been interesting researching and trying to figure out who was where and who was involved.  I will be doing a future post on what I can put together about the battle based on primary (first person) accounts later.

  First off here is the order of battle I put together based both on first person accounts and casualties returns per regiment.  Part of the problem here is there were two British columns and two separate American delaying forces.  One retired back to Chatterton hill while the second fell back to the main American line.   Most wargames scenario books have a number of units that did not take part in the fighting on Chatterton hill.  One unit never mentioned was the Independent Loyalists companies that became  The New York Volunteers.  Two companies were assigned to each column. They definitely suffered casualties so might gave been there at the battle.  If I do add them they will be dressed in the loyalist uniform British were just sending;  green coats with white facing's and round hats.  I have most of the figures ready except for the Hessian Grenadier battalions.  RSM Ltd miniatures have castings which are very decently priced.

Crown Forces:

Hessian Line Brigade:  Colonel Rall

Rall Grenadier Regiment (Dk blue coat, red cuff no lapel)

Knyphausen Fusilier Regiment (Dk Blue coat, Black cuff, black lapel)

Lossburg Fusilier Regiment:  (Dk Blue coat Orange cuff,  Orange lapel)

Lieb Musketeer Regiment  (Dk Blue coat, Yellow cuffs Yellow lapels)

2nd British Brigade: General Leslie

5th Regiment of Foot (Gosling Green facings)

28th Regiment of Foot (Yellow facings)

35th Regiment of Foot. (Orange Facings)

49th Regiment of Foot (Green Facings)

Hessian Grenadier Brigade: Colonel von Donop

Grenadier Battalion von Linsing

H-C Lieb (Dk Blue coat, Yellow cuffs Yellow lapels)

 H-C Mirbach M. (Dk Blue coat,  Red cuff, Red lapel)

H-H 2nd Lieb Gren Rgt (Dk Blue coat,  Red cuff, Red lapel)

H-H 3rd Lieb Gren Rgt (Dk Blue coat, Red cuff, Red lapel)

Grenadier Battalion von Block

H-C Wutgenau M. (Dk Blue coat, Red cuff no lapel)

 H-C Prinz Karl M. (Dk Blue coat, Red cuff, Red cuff)

 H-C Trumbach M. (Dk Blue coat, White cuff,  White lapel)

H-C Donop M. (Dk Blue coat,  Straw cuff, Straw lapel)

Grenadier Battalion von Minnigerode

 H-C Erb Prinz F (Dk Blue coat Rose cuffs,  Rose lapel)

H-C Ditfurth F. (Dk Blue coat,  Yellow cuff, Yellow lapel)

H-C Knyphausen F. (Dk Blue coat, Black cuff, Black lapel)

H-C Losberg F. (Dk Blue coat Orange cuff,  Orange lapel)

American Forces:

Here are the American forces who fought on the hill.  I have used faculty returns as well as first person accounts to determine who I think were there.

Ordered to fortify Chatterton hill Washington sent Brook's and Graham's Massachsetts Militia regiments out.  Using fences and stone walls they created a good position for themselves.  Colonel Haslet was then sent out with his Delaware regiment and two guns from Hamilton's New York Artillery company to support them.

Earlier Washington had sent a number of regiments out to harass the two advancing British coloumns.  From Colonel Douglas's brigade the 1st  and 2nd Connecticut State regiments  harassed the left column under General von Heister.  He detached Colonel Rall with his regiment, the Knyphausen and Lieb regiments to push them back.  

Finally Washington sent Brigadier McDougall's brigade to support the hill.  The Brigade was made up of the Smallwood's Maryland regiment, 19th Continental, 1st and 3rd New York regiments.

Haslet's Brigade:

Delaware Regiment

Mosley's Massachusetts Militia

Brook's Massachusetts Militia

New York Artillery

Spencer's Brigade:

1st Connecticut State Regt.

5th Connecticut State Regt.

Skirmishers

McDougall's Brigade:

Maryland Regiment

19th Continental Regt.

1st New York Regt.

3rd New York Regt.

Finaly;  if anyone out there has done convention type games in the past and have advice please feel free to pass this on to me.

Park Service cuts 1,000 jobs

 

 "The U.S. Forest Service is firing around 3,400 hires while the National Park Service is terminating about 1,000 under Trump's push to cut federal spending.

The cuts represent 10% percent of the U.S. Forest Service workforce and 5% of Park Service employees.  They are part of  Elon Musk's campaign to radically cut back the U.S. bureaucracy.”

This year when parks are opened for limited hours or most programs are cut back you know why  

Update:  time to fight back!!

Breaking Down Xavier della Gatta's Battle of Germantown Painting

 

Follow up to the post in the Paoli action.  Germantown is a fascinating battle  Washington plan something similar to Trenton with a number if converging columns   That it did not work is due to a too ambitious plan, the fig and a very spirited defense by the Light Infantry battalions and the 40th holding the Chew house.  One continental love brigadier drinking too much didn’t help!!!

A fascinating action and here are some details to make it more interesting  

1. Washington's Army

Regiments from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware led the attack at Germantown. Washington’s total assault force included about 8,000 Continental Army troops and 3,000 militiamen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey.

2. Lieutenant Richard St. George and Corporal George Peacock

Corporal George Peacock is rescuing the wounded Richard St. George from the battlefield. For his heroic effort, St. George presented Peacock with 50 guineas (gold coins), the equivalent of three years’ pay for a corporal.

3. General Sir William Howe

This officer on horseback is believed to be General Sir William Howe. According to Martin Hunter, when General Howe saw the British light infantry retreating from Washington’s army, he exclaimed “For shame, Light Infantry! I never saw you retreat before!” Howe eventually rallied his 8,000 troops, called up reinforcements from Philadelphia, and forced the American Army to retreat.

4. Beggarstown

Northwest of Germantown is the village of Beggarstown (now the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia). Washington’s army attacked the British on Oct. 4 on the main road that connected Beggarstown and Germantown, now called Germantown Avenue.

5. African American Trumpeter

This light infantry trumpeter may be a man who ran away from slavery to follow the British Army. Many enslaved men and women saw the British Army as a path to freedom. Those who followed the army worked in various positions, including officers’ servants, laundresses, and wagon drivers (shown above to the right). A few men served as musicians, such as this trumpeter, to help the British Army communicate its orders in camp and on the battlefield.

6. British Wounded

This wagon driver of African descent is evacuating British light infantrymen to Philadelphia for medical treatment. After being rescued from the battlefield at Germantown, Richard St. George was also carted into the city. Eyewitnesses reported that it took 200 wagonloads to bring the casualties from Germantown to the makeshift hospitals in Philadelphia.

7. Cliveden

This brick building is Xavier della Gatta’s representation of Cliveden, the home of Philadelphia lawyer Benjamin Chew. In reality, Cliveden (which is now a historic site, shown in the photograph below) is made of stone and is much larger. Della Gatta’s painting shows the 40th Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Musgrave entering the mansion and preparing to defend it. The 40th Regiment defended the house from intense artillery fire and 10 infantry assaults over a span of about two hours. One observer said the “Englishmen fought like lions.”

Based on Stephen Gilbert's article:

"An analysis of the Xavier della Gatta paintings of the Battles of Paoli and Germantown 1777" part 1

https://www.academia.edu/44087628/_The_Battle_of_Paoli_Stephen_R_Gilbert_An_Analysis_of_the_Xavier_della_Gatta_Paintings_of_the_Battles_of_Paoli_and_Germantown_1777_Part_I_Military_Collector_and_Historian_vol_XLVI_no_3_Fall_1994_98_108

500,000 Visits

 Guess this is a milestone for the humble blog.   Over 500,000 visits to the blog.  Who would have guessed?   Thank you all very much for the support over the years.  I greatly appreciate it.  Thank you all very much!

Breaking Down Xavier della Gatta's Battle of Paoli Painting

 

"On the night of Sept. 20-21, 1777, a column of British soldiers launched a surprise attack on Continental Army troops encamped in a field near modern-day Malvern, Pennsylvania. In the ensuing struggle, known as the Battle of Paoli, British light infantrymen and light dragoons inflicted heavy casualties on Pennsylvania Brigadier General Anthony Wayne's fleeing troops. British Army light infantry Lieutenant Richard St. George Mansergh St. George, an Irish artist and veteran of the battle, commissioned this painting by Italian artist Xavier della Gatta in 1782 to remember the violence and trauma he experienced at Paoli.". Museum of the American Revolution

1. British Light Dragoons

These four British soldiers on horseback are members of the 16th Light Dragoons. They used their long steel sabers to devastating effect at Paoli. The dragoon on the right is raising his saber to cut down a Pennsylvania soldier.

2. Lieutenant Martin Hunter

Martin Hunter, St. George’s friend, is wrapping his wounded hand with a bandage. In his memoir, Hunter recalled the close combat at Paoli: “I received a shot in my right hand soon after we entered the camp. I saw the fellow present at me, and was running up to him when he fired. He was immediately put to death.”

3. Ferguson’s Riflemen

Wearing green coats and carrying their breechloading rifles with 25-inch long bayonets, a group of Captain Patrick Ferguson’s riflemen helped to lead the attack at Paoli.

4. Captain William Wolfe

Captain William Wolfe, the Irish commander of the 40th Regiment’s light company, died leading his troops at Paoli. He was remembered as “a most brave and attentive officer.”

5. Pennsylvania Troops

Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s troops scrambled to defend their camp at Paoli. The Pennsylvanians fired their muskets, which made it easier for the British to find and attack them in the dark. Wayne withdrew his troops in a fighting retreat to save them from total defeat. The Battle of Paoli became known as the “Paoli Massacre” or “Wayne’s Affair.”

6. Brush Huts

Instead of tents, Wayne’s troops constructed brush huts, also called “wigwams” or “booths,“ in their camp along a woodline (which still exists today, right). These huts provided some protection from the wind and rain. Both Washington’s and Howe’s armies built temporary brush hut camps during the Philadelphia Campaign when baggage wagons carrying tents were not close by.

7. Artist’s Signature

Italian artist Xavier della Gatta signed and dated his painting in the bottom right corner: “Xav d Gatta 1782.” Richard St. George traveled to Italy after his wartime service and provided Xavier della Gatta with the eyewitness testimony needed to create this painting. Della Gatta also painted the Battle of Germantown.

All information based on Stephen Gilbert's article:

"An analysis of the Xavier della Gotta paintings of the Battles of Paoli and Germantown 1777 " part 2

https://www.academia.edu/43998778/_The_Battle_of_Germantown_Stephen_R_Gilbert_An_Analysis_of_the_Xavier_della_Gatta_Paintings_of_the_Battles_of_Paoli_and_Germantown_1777_Part_II_

Historicon is a Go

 

George dealing with the reservation line.

   Saddle up the horses and pack the buggy we are going to Historicon again!  

  My friend George spent the time and energy staying on the phone and dealing with reservations.  He was successful in booking us a room for 16 through the 19 July.  Last year we arrived late on Thursday and missed a bunch of stuff.  So this year we added the extra day and will arrive Wednesday.

  I know its early but who else is going? I am thinking I might put on a game this year if I can get organized.

The Wargame Companion - A Review

 

When I go in vacation I usually take a Wargames related book for me.  This is for light reading by the pool or on the balcony.  I usually like to bring  my copy of "The Wargame Companion" by Charles S. Grant.  I have his second edition in hardback as I wore out my original copy.  Plus I like the new color pictures of games.  The book is a fun read and can be started anywhere.  Its kind of a personal memoir of his war gaming experiences over the decades.

The  stories about CS Grant playing in wargames with his father, Charles Grant, and Peter Young, as well as other snippets about people like Edward Suren  are worth the price of the book to me.   Grant provides a lot of the "back story" to the hows and whys of the rules, and the fictional 18th century armies that they all used, and much, much more.  It’s like a class in miniature Wargames history.  A few of if my favorite parts:

"The Early Years and the ACW."  Providing background on the Grant family's introduction to wargaming and the birth of the rules, for ACW use, that eventual evolved into The Wargame rules.  Fascinating to see the old article and black and white pictures .  Some good background to create games.

"The Wargame Revisited.". This chapter covers the personalities, both real and fictional; plus background on the armies of the Grand Duchy of Lorraine, the Vereinigte Frei Stadt, and Teutoburg-Althaufen.  Interesting how the personalities molded the fictional armies.  I never got into imagination nations because I just did not have the imagination to do so.  Yet I am in admiration if those who can..

Scenarios,;  including the original game and a new try out of it for Sawmill Village, the Wagon Train, and Lobositz.    He also adds a new Guilford Courthouse scenario for the readers.I was less impressed by this one just because Guilford has been so over done by gamers.  These are fun games I have fought in many different periods over the years  

A chapter on  how to construct buildings like  those seen in The Wargame, with the lift-off buildings/ruined buildings underneath is interesting.  But I am much to happy with my Things From The Basement houses to bother.  

There is set of The Wargame rules in easy to read chart form, done by Henry Hyde,. He has also taken color pictures of the flags and standard bearers for each unit in the Grant family's Vereingte Freistadt army along with pictures from the collections of John Ray, Phil Olley, Angus Konstamm and others.  Finally, Mr. Grant laments that time and age have taken a toll on his plastic Spencer Smith figures. They are slowly in the process of being replaced by new metal armies os Staddens, Surens, Mindens and others.i

My highest recommendation!

A little Humor

 

Visit to the Dade Battlefield

 

 On Sunday Janine and I visited the Dade Battlefield park.  The battle marked the start of the Second Seminole War.  The Dade Battle or  massacre, was a  defeat for the United States Army in 1835.  On 28 December 1835 two U.S. Infantry companies numbering 103 men under the command of Major Francis L. Dade were ambushed by approximately 180 Seminole and Black Seminole warriors as they marched from Fort Brooke on Tampa Bay to reinforce Fort King in Ocala.  The battle took place in a pine forest and swampy area and was a one-sided Seminole victory. All but three American soldiers were killed at the cost of only six Seminole warriors. The defeat sparked the Second Seminole War which lasted until 1842. The Seminole wars are little known and usually ignored in most history text books.  They comprise the longest Indian war in US history.

 The park has a number of walking trails, and a nice visitor center.  There are markers for the troop locations and a replica of the breast work set up by the soldiers.  In the visitor center were excellent displays outline the reasons for the conflict and the course of the war.  In addition there are two life size figures in replica uniform and native clothing.  

  The day we visited the park hosted a historical reenactment of the battle.  There were small camps set up and various weapons firing and other demonstrations.  It all concluded with a mock battle.