The Battle of Queenston Heights

The Battle of Queenston Heights; October 13th, 1812

The most well known painting of the battle shows all troop movements at once. 

An accurate depiction of the attack up the heights when Brock was shot.  The soldiers have the wrong shakos however. They should have stovepipe shakos. 

A view from the heights showing how it would have looked at the time. Queenston would be just out of sight to the lower left. The American side of the river is on the right. 

A map from "The Call to Arms" showing the repeated attacks of the natives. 

A second map showing Sheaffe's attack while militia and natives attack the flanks. 

1 Man = 5    1 Cannon = 1

The Battle of Queenston Heights

Stage 1; American Forces land at Queenston and push back the small groups of defenders. They capture the heights and the 2 British guns but spike the cannons.   

Stage 2; In the darkness, General Brock attempts to frontally attack the much larger force. He is killed and the British retreat.

Stage 3; Brock's Aide McDonnell attempts to take the heights a second time and is also killed. 

*This scenario starts here.

Stage 4; Norton leads his 160 Mohawks in a route around the flank of the Americans. When the natives hear of the British retreat half leave the battle. A group of 80 to 100 natives engage the Americans. Lt.Col.Winfield Scott attempts to drive them off but they just evade and continue to harass the Americans from the tree line for several hours. In addition, two 6 pounders are positioned at Vrooman's point and begin firing at the Americans boats. Hearing the yells of the natives just across the river, and under fire from the guns, all remaining American troops (mostly militia) refuse to cross for the rest of the battle.

Stage 5; General Sheaffe arrives in force. He sends his militia and 3 cannons to drive the Americans out of Queenston. He circles around with his regulars and two 3 pounders to the rear of the American position. He then awaits more troops from Fort Chippewa. When they attack, the entire American army routs, is killed, or captured.

British / Canadian Scenario Rules

Victory Conditions; The British have to occupy the heights. No unbroken American units can be on the heights. 

1. British Infantry Shooting in Line Bonus; British / Canadian infantry get +1 to shooting rolls when in line. Militia and Indians do not get this bonus.

Total British Forces

General Isaac Brock *Killed in Action

Major General Sheaffe (Average)

Mohawks *Independent Unit

John Norton (Excellent)

Grand River Mohawks (100 men) x21 (Enthusiastic Conscripts)

Classed as an open order horde

Move up to half and fire

Can change direction freely

Cannot be unformed (they are already)

Move normally through difficult terrain

Can only charge the front of close order units if they are unformed or faltering

-2 open order modifier

May evade as skirmishers

Ignore brigade morale

If routed immediately disperse

0 Open order melee modifier

Fire as conscripts (-2_with just the front rank of figures

May deploy entirely as skirmishers; 2nd Rate Skirmishers (Roll 2D6 per 8 figures)

Upper Canada Militia *Start at Vrooman's Point

Major Thomas Merritt (Average)

5th Lincoln Flank Co. (80 men) x30 (Second Line)

2nd York Flank Co. (40 men)

Raunchy's Coloured Corps (38 men) 

-1 morale

1st and 4th Lincoln, plus 1st York (150 men) x30 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-1 firing modifier

2nd York Militia (40 men) x21 (Conscript)

3rd Lincoln Militia (30 men)

Merritt's Niagara Light Dragoons (25 men) 

*Fought dismounted

-1 morale

-1 melee

-1 firing modifier

Royal Artillery Holcroft's 2 6 Pounders, 1 Howitzer (Veteran)

*advances to the landing

+1 morale

Regulars 

Regulars (Average Command)

49th (Hertfordshire) Foot (184 men) x36 (Veteran)

Grenadier and Light Cos.

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

*Up to half this formation can skirmish 

41st (The Welsh) Foot (234 men) x48 (Line)

3 Cos.

+1 to shooting in line

Artillery

Crowther's 2 3 Pounders x2 Cannons (Veteran)

+1 morale

Forces From Fort Chippewa; Arrive at the Heights at 2:00 PM

Captain Richard Bullock, 41st (Average)

41st Foot (156 men) x30 (Line)

2 cos.

+1 to shooting in line

Militia (100 men) x18

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

American Scenario Rules

Victory Conditions; The Americans have to keep the British from capturing the heights.

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. Reinforcements; The Americans had thousands of troops that refused to cross the river. They roll 2 dice each turn to see if more milita have crossed. New reinforcements arrive at Queenston. If there are British troops within 8 inches of the landing at Queenston reinforcements arrive at the foot of the bluff instead.

Roll 2 D6s at the end of each turn to see if more reinforcements have landed.

12; Unbroken Indians AND cannons deployed in Queenston. 

10+; Unbroken Indians OR cannons deployed in Queenston. 

7+; No unbroken Indians AND no cannons deployed in Queenston. 

On a Successful Roll;

D6 models arrive (rounded up to the nearest base).They join an existing unit of militia. If there are enough bases, a new unit of militia can be formed. For example; Rolling 1,2,3 would be 3 or 4 models. 4,5,6 would be 6 or 8 models.

American Forces

Overall Command; Brigadier General Wadworth (Poor)

Regulars 

(Average Command)

6th (100 men) x24 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

13th (130 men) x24 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

13th (130 men) x24 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

26th (215 men) x40 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

Captain Gibson's Light Artillery 1 6 Pounder (2nd Line)

-1 morale

Artillerymen (Fighting as Infantry)

Lt.Col.Winfield Scott

2nd Artillery (100 men) x24 (2nd Line)

Light Artillery (25 men)

-1 morale

Round down half casualties (at long range only)

3rd Artillery (100 men) x24 (2nd Line)

Light Artillery (35 men)

-1 morale

Round down half casualties (at long range only)

NY Militia

Average Command

16th NY Militia (200 men) x36 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

17th NY Militia (140 men) x30 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

18th NY Militia (200 men) x36 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

20th NY Militia (100 men) x30 (Conscript)

19th NY Militia (25 men)

NY Volunteers (40 men)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

NY Rifles (50 men) x9 (Enthusiastic Conscripts)

-1 melee

-1 firing modifier

Fort Gray; Lewiston Heights *Can hit Queenston Heights at Long Range

Foot Artillery 2 18 pounders (Second Line)

-1 morale

From Lewiston Heights *Can hit Queenston at Long Range

Foot Artillery 2 18 pounders (Second Line)

-1 morale

The Plattsburgh Campaign; Uniforms

British and Canadian Forces

American Forces

Line

Some regulars may have had the same uniform as Scott's Brigade.

Militia

The majority of the 2400 Vermont Militia had no uniforms, but they put sprigs in their hard to identify them. The third figure from the left would be typical. Other common clothing colours; blue, black, green. There were 96 Volunteer Vermont Rifles at the battle, their uniform is above, white with dark green fringe. 

The 7th NY Dragoons, visible above were at the battle. The most likely uniform of the 680 NY militia is the uniform second from the left. There were 20 NY rifles as well, the most common NY Rifles Uniform is third from the right,

The Battle of Plattsburgh; Scenario Rules and Order of Battle

The Battle of Plattsburgh, September 11th, 1814; Order of Battle and Scenario Rules
Updated and Corrected April 9th, 2017
*Note that since the land battle of Plattsburgh was called off, this is a "What if?" scenario. What if the British had started their attacks earlier?

I had errors in my original version of this scenario. All maps I have found which show troop movements do not show the main British attack which took place 4km upriver. Also, in "Land of the Free" they made a similar error. The first and third brigade as well as two cannons were crossing at Pike's Ford when the attack was called off. They would have appeared behind the American forts.

This map is from the Plattsburgh Museum, it shows British attempting to cross the river near the mouth of the river. They did attempt it, but the current was to strong. It does not show the main British attack, but it does show most of the troops' positions. The three forts had about half of their guns facing forwards, the other half covered the rear angles of the forts, they did not however, seem to cover the ends of the forts.

Here is a complete map without showing troop movements. The first and third British brigades were crossing at Pike's Ford when the attack was called off. The second brigade was preparing to attack the Lower Bridge when the attack was called off.

Here you can see the naval battle with the American defensive positions to the left. Prevost should have attacked earlier to help the fleet. In addition, better communication with the British fleet may have given them an edge. This shows the forested area in which the British first and third brigades would have emerged from. Note that the forts are not shown accurately in this map.

1 Man =20  1 Gun = 2

*Rounded Up

British / Canadian Scenario Rules

Victory Conditions; The British have to capture the 3 forts before George Downie's fleet arrives. If the forts are captured, the British are assumed to shell the anchored American fleet from shore.

1. British Infantry Shooting in Line Bonus; British / Canadian infantry get +1 to shooting rolls when in line. Militia and Indians do not get this bonus.

2. Crossing the River; The Americans took the boards off of both bridges as they withdrew. A unit which does not move at the edge of a bridge can fix half of a bridge a turn (figures from the unit not touching the bridge can still shoot).  The British had repaired the lower bridge (at the mouth of the river) right before the battle so it does not need boards added. 

3. Artillery Defence; All British artillery starts deployed behind earthworks. Gives them -2 to be hit.

British Army; Left Division

Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost (Poor)

1st Brigade *Crossed At the Pike's Ford, Deployed at the Treeline Behind the American Forts 

Major-General F.P. Robinson (Average)

The 1st Brigade Starts in Column, the Converged Light Infantry can Start in Any Formation

Converged Light Infantry x27 (Veteran) *Starts with D3 Casualties

1st Brigade Light Companies (230 men) 

Includes 88th and 39th Light Cos. 

3rd Brigade Light Companies (308 men)  (Veteran)

*All British lights were converged into battalions for the campaign

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

*Up to 50% can skirmish

Can form open order

27th (Inniskilling) 3rd Bat. (505 men) x24 (Line)

+1 to shooting in line

76th Regiment of Foot (550 men) x30 (Line)

+1 to shooting in line

3rd Brigade *Crossed At the Pike's Ford, Deployed at the Treeline Behind the American Forts 

Major-General Manley Power (Excellent) 

The 3rd Brigade Starts in Column

3rd (The Buffs) Foot (766 men) x40 (Veteran) 

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

5th (Northumberland) Foot (836 men) x42 (Veteran)

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

27th (Inniskilling) Foot 1st Bat. (455 men) x24 (Veteran)

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

58th (Rutlandshire) Foot (714 men) x36 (Line)

+1 to shooting in line

Captain Green; Royal Artillery Section (Veteran) x1 6 Pound Guns

*This section accompanied the brigades crossing the ford.

2 6 Pounders

+1 Morale

2nd Brigade *Was to Attack Lower Bridge

*The Lower Bridge Starts repaired.

*The Upper Bridge can be repaired if a unit moves up to it for two turns.

Major-General Thomas Brisbane (Excellent)

This brigade and the two independent units can start at either bridge or deployed in line to shoot at the units across the river.

2nd Brigade Light Companies (158 men) x9 (Veteran)

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

*Entire formation can skirmish 

Can form open order

8th (King's) Foot (450 men) x24 (Veteran) 

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

13th (1st Somersetshire) Foot (750 men) x36 (Line)

+1 to shooting in line

49th (Hertfordshire) Foot (270 men) x30 (Line)

De Meuron's Regiment (315 men) 

+1 to shooting in line

Independent Unit *Technically Part of Second Brigade

Major Heriot (Average)

*Chooses its own "Hidden Strategy" (See 2nd Brigade Above)

Canadian Voltigeurs (600 men) x48 (Veteran)

Canadian Chasseurs (360 men)

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

Can Form Open Order

Up to Half the Unit can Skirmish

2 Batteries Across From Lower Bridge (At the River Mouth)

Major John Sinclair Artillery Commander (Average)

Includes Captain Henry Jackson's Battery

*Artillery Commander Deployed

Royal Artillery Seige Battery (3 Cannons) x3 24 Pound Guns (Veteran)

Royal Artillery Seige Battery (3 24 pounders) 

+1 Morale

Royal Marine Artillery (Rocket Detachment) X1 Rocket (Veteran)

+1 Morale

Rocket Rules

Range of 48 inches, must have line of sight, may fire overhead

Roll 2 D6

12 Direct and devastating hit. Six casualties. Consult double six table

11 – 9 Target unit lose 1 casulty and falters BUA’s set alight.

8-4 Miss

3 The nearest friendly unit to the rocket battery is hit by stray rockets and loses two casulties.

2 Rockets double back and strike ammunition. Rocket battery completely destroyed. (Rout)

3 Batteries Opposite the Forts

*Starts with Artillery Commander

Maj. William Gordon's Comp. (6 Guns and Rocket Section) (Veteran) x3 6 Pound Guns

*2 Mortars, 1 Howitzer, 3 Cannons (probably 6 Pounders)

+1 Morale

Royal Marine Artillery (Rocket Detachment) X1 Rocket (Veteran)

+1 Morale

Rocket Rules

Range of 48 inches, must have line of sight, may fire overhead.

Roll 2 D6

12 Direct and devastating hit. Six casualties. Consult double six table

11 – 9 Target unit lose 1 casulty and falters BUA’s set alight.

8-4 Miss

3 The nearest friendly unit to the rocket battery is hit by stray rockets and loses two casulties.

2 Rockets double back and strike ammunition. Rocket battery completely destroyed. (Rout)

Cavalry *Independent Unit

Lieutenant Colonel John O Neil (Average)

Starts deployed to the rear of the British positions. 

19th Light Dragoons (266 men 2 squadrons) x14 (Line)

Protecting Road Back to Quebec *Not Present at Plattsburgh

Part of First Brigade

88th (Connaught Rangers) Foot (540 men) x30 (Veteran)

*At Champlain (Except Light Co.)

This Irish unit was also known as the "Devil's Own" for being undisciplined but also excellent with the bayonet 

+1 melee

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

39th (Dorsetshire) Foot (540 men) x30 (Veteran)

*At Chazy (Except Light Co.)

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

18 Pounder Battery (6 18 Pounders) x2 18 Pound Guns (Veterans)

*At Chazy Landing

+1 Morale

6 Pounder Battery (5 6 pounders, 1 5.5 inch how.) (Veteran) x2 6 Pound Guns

*At Chazy with 39th

+1 Morale

American Scenario Rules

Victory Conditions; The Americans have to keep the British from capturing their forts and turning their own guns on the anchored American fleet awaiting the British fleet.

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. *For this scenario, units in forts or blockhouses do not have "Ammunition Problems".

4. Chosen Men; Up to 12 men may be 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.

5. Fort Defence; Each Fort has 24 models plus 3 or 4 cannons. The extra troops listed in the army list are combined in a unit outside the forts. Troops moving through the earthworks require ladders to climb the sides of forts and move at half speed charging through the earthworks (all British units are assumed to have ladders). Troops attempting to break a gate roll a D6 each turn they are touching the gate; on a 4,5 or 6 they have taken a hit point off the gate. A gate has two hit points, after that it is removed. Units defending forts and blockhouses get +2 morale, and -2 target modifier (General De Brigade Rules). Troops defending earthworks get +4 to melee, if defending a charge through a broken gate they get +1 to melee. Troops charging defensive positions receive no charging bonus. Up to 12 fort defenders can shoot out of any one side of the fort. If no cannons are in position to fire at oncoming troops, one cannon can be moved to the undefended side. 

Forts can't be damaged by cannon fire. 

*British Brigades can use "Sapper Rules" pg 120 in General de Brigade Rules

American Army

Brigadier-General Alexander Macomb (Excellent)

Main Bridge (Right Brigade)

Major J. Sproull 13th Infantry (Average)

*The Americans constructed breastworks to the right and left of the main bridge (just wide enough for these units). Counts as cover, -2 to hit for the two line units and gun. 

13th Regiment (200) x24 (Line)

15th (50), 29th (100), and 6th (80) 

+1 to shooting at close range

3rd Vermont Regiment (400 men) x24 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

Light Artillery (2 6 Pounders) 1 Gun (Line)

*Counts as Horse Artillery

Militia Rifles x6 (Enthusiastic Conscripts)

NY Volunteers Aiken's and Flagg's Teenage Volunteers (20 men)

Farnsworth's Vermont Volunteer Rifles (96 men)

*At the Stone Mill, beside main bridge

-1 melee

-2nd Rate Skirmishers

*This Whole Formation can Skirmish

The Forts

*These were not forts but earthworks with ditches around them. The largest, Fort Moreau, had 4 buildings inside. Guns were set up individually with space for infantry between. Each fort counts as a brigade with average command. The guns for the first two had half facing forward, the other facing backwards. Fort Scott had more of its guns facing the water I suggest that each brigade commander takes a fort to control. Each fort counts as their own brigade.

Fort Moreau *Estimate 100m by 60m

Col. Melancton Smith

6th and 29th (800 men) x24 (Line)

+1 to shooting at close range

Artillery Corps (4 Guns forward, 4 Back)  4 24 Pound Guns Forward (Line) 

2 X 24 Pounders Facing Forward 2 X 1 24 Pounders Facing to the Rear

Fort Brown *Estimate 80m by 50m

Lt.Col. H. Storrs

30th and 31st (700 men) x24 (Second Line)

-1 morale

*Round down half casualties at long range only

Artillery Corps (4 Guns forward, 4 Back)  4 18 Pounders (Line) 

2 X 24 Pounders Facing Forward 2 X 1 24 Pounders Facing to the Rear

Fort Scott *Estimate 40m by 40m

Lt.Col. T. Vinson

33rd  and 34th (550 men) x24 (Second Line)

-1 morale

*Round down half casualties at long range only

Artillery Corps (6 24 Pounders)  3 24 Pound Guns (Line) 

1 X 24 Pounder Facing Forward, 2 X 24 Pounders Facing the Water

Blockhouses (Centre Brigade)

Major-General Benjaminn Mooers (Average)

1st Vermont Regiment (896 men) x40 (Conscript)

*In Reserve in the Area of the Blockhouses

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

Blockhouses

*Counts as part of Right Brigade but Independent Units. Units in block houses are -4 to hit by shooting. If their doors are broken troops inside get +1 to melee. They get +2 to morale. 

Lt-Col. Daniel Appling, 1st Rifle Battalion (Average)

*Their well known previous commander, Major Benjamin Forsyth had died months before

Left Blockhouse

1st Rifles (150 men) X9 (Veteran)
*Chosen Men; 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.

Right Blockhouse

Light Artillerymen Invalids (estimate 50 men) x6 (Line)

4th Rifles Invalids (estimate 50 men)

*This unit can't leave the blockhouse except to retreat. Their numbers are not part of the lists of "effectives"

*Entire formation can skirmish

At the Upper Bridge / Behind the Forts (Left Brigade)

Major General Samuel Strong (Average)

Line Detachments Outside Forts x30 (Second Line)

*Part of Fort Numbers

-1 morale

*Round down half casualties at long range only

New York Militia (340) x36 (Conscript)

2nd Vermont Regiment (460 men)  (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

New York Militia (340 men) x36 (Conscript) *Starts with D3 Casualties

4th Vermont Regiment (400 men) (Conscript)
*This includes the 300 New York and Vermont Militia that had Harassed the First and Third Brigades From Pike's Ford to the Fort

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

Light Artillery (1 4 Pounder) 1 Gun (Line) *Starts Limbered

*This gun was part of the harassing force

*Counts as Horse Artillery

Cavalry *Independent Unit, Starts behind the Forts

*Not counted as part of troops present but definitely in the vicinity. 

Average Command

7th New York Dragoons (133 men) x7 (Conscript)

-1 Morale

-1 Melee

Invalids / Sick

Invalids (803 men) x40 noncombatants or manned defences and guns

Light Artillery, Light Dragoons, 4th, 5th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 45th

*Regular Army Sick and Wounded; Evacuated to the Rear or to Crab Island where they Manned Cannons. Others were not on the lists as "able bodied" but took part in the defence.