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.