The Battle of Chippewa 5 July 1814

  Today is the 208th anniversary of the Battle of Chippewa.  Although minor in terms of numbers the Battle is important in the rebuilding of the American army during the War of 1812.  General Winfield Scott 's highly trained brigade is able to stand toe to toe with British regulars.  The brigades gray jackets becomes the stuff of legend in the history of the American regular army.  

  Back in 1985 as part of our honeymoon Janine and I traveled around the Niagara Falls area.  Our visiting the battlefields of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, Forts George and Niagara was the start of a life long fascination with not only the War of 1812 but especially with the Niagara campaign of 1814. It was also the start of my interest in wargaming this campaign.

 

  The battle today is remembered by a number of units of the US Army.   The old  25th Infantry was later combined with the 27th, 29th and 37th Infantry Regiments to form the present day 6th Infantry Regiment. The 6th Infantry's motto is "Regulars, by God" from General Riall's remark about the American regulars during the battle.  A number of present day units of the United States Army trace their lineage to this battle and Scott's brigade.  The 25th US Infantry was later combined with the 27th, 29th and 37th Infantry Regiments to form the 6th Infantry Regiment. The 6th Infantry's motto is "Regulars, by God" from General Riall's remark about the American regulars during the battle.  Ten active regular infantry battalions of the United States Army (1-2 Inf, 2-2 Inf, 1-3 Inf, 2-3 Inf, 4-3 Inf, 1-5 Inf, 2-5 Inf, 1-6 Inf, 2-6 Inf and 4-6 Inf) perpetuate the lineages of American infantry regiments (the old 9th, 11th, 19th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd Infantry Regiments) that fought at the Battle of Chippawa.

  The Corps of Cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point wear gray parade uniforms, but the assertion that they were adopted in commemoration of Scott's troops at Chippawa appears to be a legend, possibly started by General Scott himself.  There were a number of reasons given in 1815 for its selection. Gray wool jackets simply wore well and were considerably cheaper than the regulation blue coat.  Also, the Secretary of War disliked Scott and sent gray jackets (usually associated with militia) for his Brigade as an insult.

  The actual battlefield is preserved as the Chippawa Battlefield Park, a unit of the Niagara Parks Commission.  For a tour of the battlefield check this post from my blog: "A Visit to the Chippewa Battlefield";   https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2018/07/visit-to-chippawa-battlefield-chippawa.htm

  Lastly, if you are interested in reading about the battle I highly recommend "Red Coats and Grey Jackets" by Donald E. Graves.  Outstanding!

 If you are thinking of building a War of 1812 army this is a perfect place to start.  You can, for a very reasonable amount of money build both sides.  Because of the colorful and varied collection of troops its a great way to start your new army.  It is how I started mine.

July 4th

 

            

                                Hope you have a happy and safe 4th July today

 And a salute to the troops of the American colonies.

Our Noble Foes

 

  Before I do my usual 4th July posting commemorating our national holiday I wanted to give a moment to the other side.  The crown forces from Great Britain, the Germanic states and of course those Americans who disagreed with the rebellion and stayed loyal.  During the course of the war these same soldiers fought with great courage and skill and deserve our respect.  

"Liberty"

 

  A late Father's day present from my son Nathaniel is the book  Liberty  by the artist Don Troiani.  Its a collection  of some of his battle and soldier paintings.  A nice coffee style book its perfect for relaxing with a cup if coffee and being inspired to paint or set up your next battle.  Each section has a different author writing about the event or battle and these are all well done and interesting.  I was especially delighted to see an old friend from my Park Service days, Anthony Wayne Tommell who wrote the section on the second battle of Saratoga.  I had worked on details with Tony at both Saratoga and Fort Stanwix. He us an outstanding authority on the campaign and over the years I had learn a lot from him.  So its especially great to see he us still doing great work.

Spare your reserves: The Battle for The Farm

 

Turn 1 & 2

Both sides march onto the table.  

The American 1st Brigade will flank the farm while the 2nd Brigade marches in column towards the farm.  The 1st and 2nd US Rifles will race to secure the farm.

The British brigades march onto the table in column heading towards the farm.

Turn 3:

The American 1st Brigade and British 2nd Brigade both deploy into line.  The 1st US Rifles fire at the advancing redcoats but draw heavy fire on themselves and they retreat shaken.

The 2nd US Rifles charge over the walls into the farm buildings.  They are met by the GLI who they chase out of the enclosure.  

Meanwhile both sides bring up the regulars for the next round of fighting.

(Neither side calls for reinforcements) 

Turn 4:

The Americans 1st Brigade closes with the British 2nd Brigade.  Both sides exchange heavy fire with the 22nd US shaken and the 25th US steady but with heavy casualties.  In the return fire the 8th Regiment of foot is shaken taking both musket cannister . 

 General Morrison, riding up to steady them is shot and killed!

In the farm enclosure the 1US advances over the stone wall but us treated by heavy fire from the 89th Regiment of foot.  

And on the other side of the farm the 21st US marches steadily unto the combined fire of the Royal Artillery and the 1st Regiment of Foot.  The US Artillery dashes to assist but is too late, as are the Rifles.

Turn 5:

The British commander Lord Drummond races over to take command of the 2nd British Brigade.  He feeds some skirmishes into the line to give additional fire power.

The US  1st Brigade is decimated by the heavy fire from the British line.  The 22nd US breaks and rout while the US25 goes shaken as dies the US Artillery.  

On the far side of the farm some US Rifles and Artillery arrive to help but it us too little too late.  The 21US us barley holding on.

The Americans call for reinforcements.  But they will not arrive until turn 8!

Turn 6:

Disaster!  The British 2nd Brigade sweeps the remnants of the US 1st Brigade off the field!  The 25th and  22nd US break and rout while the Artillery is overrun.  The 41st, 49th and 8th Regiments of Foot advance forward!

On the far flank both the 1st Regiment of Foot and the 21st US retreat with broken morale.  But the 100th Regiment of Foot advances to secure the front.

In the farm the 1st US is broken and routs from a hard fight with the 89th Regiment.

At this point the game is called.  Although the Americans hold the farm both flanks are gone and reinforcements will not arrive in time to save the day. I could add up points but why bother rubbing it in.

Conclusion:

  This proved a fun and challenging game.  Although reinforcements could have effected the outcomes they didn't because they would have arrived too late.  The game translated well to another time period.  I cut the number if regiments back due to the smaller size of my table and using 25mm figures.

  In the rules I use each side rolls initiative every turn.  High side decide if they move first and fire second or fire first move second.  This works great for solo play.  I used a d6 roll to see if a side called for reinforcements.  1-3 no, 4-6 yes.  Simple.

 I highly recommend this game.  Its fun and fast and adapted well for other time periods within the Horse and Musket period.  

Thank you my friend for you recommendation!

Spare your reserves

  Recently, on the Fife and Drum miniature forum I complemented fellow member "Dinthedin " on a great and very interesting game he put on.  Each side has the same forces.  They are to capture a walled farmed building in the center of the table.  Both sides have possible reinforcements they can call on.  But, calling on reinforcements will negatively impact your chances of winning.  You have been criticized for calling for help too many times.   And reserves are needed for future battles.  What do you do?   Do you try and win with what you have on the table?  Or bring in extra troops to swing the balance in your favor but negatively effect the campaign?  Its all up to you.  Interesting and frustrating.  

After complimenting Dinthedin, he sent a message to me;  "Thank you!  As it can be played with any rule set and for any Horse and Musket period, I would be extremely glad if you ever gave it a try!  Cheers!"

Ok Dinthedin!  Here is my  take on your game. I am transferring your Seven Years War battle to the Niagara frontier during the War of 1812.  So there will be a slight change in the possible reinforcements.  Hope you like it!

Game Scenario:

Each side has the same troops and possible reinforcements.  Each side enters the table on opposite side of the table on the road.  

Order of Battle:

First Infantry Brigade

3xLine Infantry

1xLight Artillery

Second Infantry Brigade

3xLine Infantry

1xLight Artillery

Independent: 

2 x Light Troops

Possible reinforcements - these reserves may enter only if you call for them:

Foot Brigade:

1xMilitia

1xMedium Artillery

OR

Horse Brigade: 

2xCavalry

Reinforcements can only be call for on turn number 3 or turn number 5.  The player must decide which Brigade (Foot or Horse) to call on.  To bring them onto the table roll D6.  On a 1 or 2 enter on turn +1;  3 or 4 turn +2; 5 or 6 turn +3.  

Example: on turn 3 you call for reinforcements and roll a 4 so that brigade enters the table on turn 3 + 2 = turn 5.

Infantry enter the table, in column on the road your side entered the table from. Easy!  For the cavalry, they are wondering about b the countryside.  To see where they arrive roll a d6 to see where they enter the table.  Note the markers on the map numbered 1 - 6.  That tells you where they arrive on to the table.

Victory! Or how to win:

At the end of each turn count your victory penalties points.  IF a player has 7 victory penalties points then they have lost the game.   If by turn 12  neither side has 7 points, the side that has the least victory penalties points wins a marginal victory.

Points:

Each unit lost lose 1 VP

Each unit reforming (shaken or routed) lose  .5 VP

Holding farm buildings at end of turn 12 win 2 VP

Asking for Foot reinforcement turn 3 lose 1.5 VP

Asking for Horse reinforcement turn 3 lose 2 VP

Asking for Foot reinforcement turn 4 lose .5 VP

Asking for Horse reinforcement turn 4 lose 1 VP