War of 1812 Wargaming Blog: January 2015

Saturday, 31 January 2015

The Battle of Chippawa Wargame

Our battle of Chippawa scenario ended very similarly to the real battle. The British were outflanked, and both sides took heavy casualties. The British lines were breaking and outflanked on both sides when the game was called. I played the Americans in the woods plus the late arriving 25th US infantry, and the very small unit of 2nd Light Dragoons in this battle. This battle is perfect for a two on two.

Initial deployment. Instead of fighting a long skirmish in the woods, we opted to have all the units involved in the long skirmish take D3 casualties to represent the long battle for the woods. This is where they were when the main British force arrived. Historically, the Britsh Light infantry in the centre of this photo routed Porter's American Indians and militia when they attacked at this point. In our battle they did make them retreat, but they rallied again.

Starting positions at the British end of the table. Norton's Mohawks, Western Natives as well as the Lincoln militia face off against Porter's militia and Indian brigade. The British Regular light companies (they were detached from the regiments) tip the balance in favour of the British.

Porter's brigade breaks when Porter is killed, but rallies.

Winfield Scott's brigade quickly deploys as the 19th Light Dragoons attempt to charge.

The race for deployment.

The 19th Light Dragoons fail their charge morale roll and fall back to the British lines.

My American forces; my armies are a mix of Perry, Brigade Games, Knuckleduster, Old Glory and some Victrix (the Perry and Victrix are conversions). My army represents 1813, so most of the line infantry is wrong for 1814. The majority of British troops (and some Hanovarians) used in our scenarios belong to two of the guys that have been playing the battles. So far my British and Canadian troops consists of Canadian troops and specific British units for the War of 1812; 19th Light Dragoons, Voltigeurs, Embodied Militia, rockets, artillery...

The American skirmishers and indians keep getting pushed back by the British lights. Casualties mount in the forest battle.

Both sides jockey for position. The British continue to push back the Americans in the woods. The British 24 pounders unlimber on the road (upper right), but end up being blocked by their own troops for most of the battle.

The 8th Regiment of foot deploys on the American flank, they attempt to charge, but fail their morale check. Probably the game turning point, as a successful charge may have rolled up the a American line.

Both sides have all their artillery and infantry deployed. Units on both sides take heavy casualties from musketry and canister. Towson's battery fires cannister almost point blank into the flank of the 100th Foot.

Jesup's 25th Infantry shoots the 8th foot on the flank as the 1st Foot attempts to charge the British centre. The 2nd US light Dragoons threaten the British right.

The 1st Foot fail their charge as does the 8th, both units take heavy casualties. The 1st Foot retreats and the 8th Foot falters. Both the two American units on the flank do lots of damage to the remaining unit.

The end of the battle. More American guns come down the bridge. The 1st Foot is in retreat and has already taken very heavy casualties. The 8th Foot on the right is isolated and outflanked. On the left the American guns prepare to shoot more canister down the flank of the 100th Foot. At this point the game is called, within a turn or two the British would have routed.

The battle in the woods has remained an even battle. It resulted in the loss of just one British unit, but most of the units on both sides have taken close to 50% casualties.

Sunday, 25 January 2015

The Battle of Montreal 1813; A What If? Scenario and Order of Battle

The Battle of Montreal; A What If? Scenario

November 14th, 1813

What if the Battle of Crysler's Farm did not Happen?

Montreal looking East in 1812. The battle will take part on the fields visible in this painting, between the mountain and the walls of Montreal.

A map of Montreal from 1750's, the top of the map faces West. Montreal was by the largest centre in Canada with 16 000 people. It would have been more developed by 1812.

Isle of Montreal 1824

A zoomed in version of the 1824 map. The battle will take place here.

The historical route of Wilkinsin's flotilla. At number 19 you can see where the Americans crossed back into New York. They were a day or two from Montreal.

Another map of the Island of Montreal. The American flotilla probably intended to land somewhere on the shore of Lake St. Louis. The flotilla was 2 days from Montreal when a much smaller force caught up with them and routed half their army at Crysler's Farm. The American troops fled back onto the New York side of the St. Lawrence River after the battle.

The Americans were caught unprepared, were missing some of their best leaders and a lot of their best troops. The British commander, Colonel Morrison, had been ordered to return to Kingston, he ignored the order based on circumstances, and attacked and routed an American force three times his size.

What if... Morrison had stopped following the American force? If Crysler's Farm had not happened (or even been lost), the Americans had a clear path to Montreal. The British and French were prepared, and a larger battle would have ensued.

A bigger "What if?" Could include Wade Hampton's army which the French force defeated at Chateauguay. I don't think it is realistic to include them, because Chateaguay was fairly small but it was enough to turn them back.

The Battle of Montreal
November 14th, 1813

American Scenario Rule

1. Linear Tactics; Whole brigades have to have the same formation except to go around terrain and other units.

2. Buck and Ball; American Regulars used “Buck and Ball”; a round shot with 3 buck shots, they get +1 to hit at close range.

3. Ammunition Problems; American troops carried less ammunition than their British counter parts, and had logistical problems becoming resupplied during battles. Any American infantry unit which rolls a double one for their shooting roll in any turn but their first turn is at half ammunition (inflicts half casualties). A unit will be at full ammunition that does not move or fire for one turn.

4. Chosen Men; Up to 12 men maybe deployed as Chosen Men (Rifles). They roll 2D6 per 4 figures. They can form part of the skirmish screen or operate independently. They do not need to stay within 18 inches of close order units. This unit has a range of 17 inches.

American Order of Battle
Overall Command; Major General James Wilkinson (poor)

*These numbers are based on Donald Graves' order of battle from "Fields of Glory". They have been adjusted down 20% based on the sickness and desertion rates reported in the book during this campaign. The first number for each unit is the number of troops, the second my number of models I am representing them with (at 1 = 15); in many cases I am combining similar small units in the same brigade.

Total American Forces
5190 Infantry

390 Cavalry

24 Field Guns

18 Seige Guns

1st Brigade; 1030 men

2nd in Command; Brigadier General John Boyd (Average)

*Backup Command; Colonel Isaac Coles (Average)

5th Regiment; 420 men X 30 (2nd Line)

-1 morale