The Ruin of his Hopes

With America in mourning for 250 years of not being British a game using my AWI collection seemed appropriate for Paul's first visit to GHQ since April! I bought my first figures for this project from Front Rank at Salute, when it was still held at Kensington Town Hall! They were being sold I think as a 'special' offer, a small force in a box. Although I can't recall the exact contents I'm pretty confident there were a few 12 figure infantry groups, a gun and crew, a general and a few riflemen in the American box, with the British box being much the same. In time I added to these, along with new units, all from Front Rank. The collection reached a satisfactory size and was 'finished' to my mind. Over the following years it appeared in occasional games, with ever longer intervals inbetween. I retired in 2002 and in 2004 welcomed my first Wargames Room with a permanent tabletop battlefield- GHQ Mk1 as I recall it now the location has moved into our converted garage. The two factors happily combined to see not just new projects undertaken, but older ones revisited and added to. For the AWI collection new Hessian units and old hands reflagged and rebased. Front Rank have been augmented with Wargames Foundry and Perry Miniatures figures, with even a few Eureka Miniatures finding their way into the collection! So, here they are, old and newer units in a meeting engagement around the Robinson House, so recently added to the terrain options! Paul, as Lord Gornal, took command of the Crown's forces while yours truly commanded the Rebellious Colonials as Ol' Independence or Death Bykleigh. All the following pictures in the anotated photomontage were taken by Paul ~

Seizing the initiative the American infantry surge forward eagerly, that is two moves!

More troops are marching steadily towards the developing action. In the distance British Light Dragoons crest the rise and are surprised to find no enemy has yet reached the fence line. Could there be an opportunity here for Glory?

The American infantry shake out into firing lines in the face of the mounting number of the Crown's forces to their front. Boys from New York and New Jersey prepare to fire a first volley!

In the centre waves of enemy infantry are steadily advancing unopposed! The American left wing is finding the going hard ~ poor command dice of course! 

The Hessians are advancing steadily to threaten the hesitant American centre-left. Militia cavalry are hurried forward to stem the advance. A master stroke or a grave error?

In the centre the Crown's forces are steadily closing on the American front line. Will numbers tell or will American firepower win the day?

In a desperate move Ol' Independence or Death sends a brigade of Militia around the Crown's left flank. Despite largely ineffective sniping by native Americans the Militia press on to attack the guns playing havoc with the American centre.

Von Rall's grenadiers are thrown back by a combination of fire from the Jersey Blues and a whiff of cannister at close range! The sacrifice of the Militia horse has allowed more American infantry to reach the fence line. It looks as if the Light Dragoons have missed their opportunity!

American losses are mounting despite localised success at times. Disorder is a major handicap to Ol' Independence or Death's planning.

In close quarter fighting men exchange volleys and cannister thins the American ranks! The weight of numbers is beginning to tell on the hard pressed Americans.

Hessian infantry fire has thrown back the rash Militia horse! The American left is held mainly by Continental Dragoons supported by Militia and Volunteer horse. In the face of Hessian numbers will they hold?

In the rear of the Hessian Infantry Tarleton holds his Legion and Volunteer horse in readiness to exploit any opportunities that might present themselves as American ranks thin and lines crumble.

Close quarters volleys crash out all along the battle line. Men fall to rise no more but neither side gives way!

As fighting rages in the centre British infantry emerge from the woods in an attempt to turn the American flank and roll up the line! Militia are the only unit available to thwart the move!

Meanwhile the American militia tasked with taking the guns have reached their goal. Despite losses one gun is lost but its comrade is proving another matter. The Marylanders are halted Shaken and take galling casualties from cannister fire!

Unable to withstand their losses any longer the American right collapses as its morale crumbles!

It has not been all one sided though. Serious losses and disorder have hampered Lord Gornal's efforts to dislodge the outnumbered colonials! Even the converged grenadiers have faltered!

The Americans find their right flank being pressed back ever more tightly. The centre finds itself being flanked as well as hard pressed along it's front. Surely it cannot hold its position in the face of such developments?

The hard pressed centre is clinging on. But losses are ever mounting and morale is crumbling. Hessian volleys are wreaking destruction all along the American line!

The army has ceased to be a coherent force as morale loss reaches and then exceeds the critical point. Units head for safety in the rear without awaiting orders. It's all up for Ol' Independence or Death Bykleigh  as he heads for his coach and safety just like his command!

Darkness falls early across the battlefield. That is to say that after Turn 6 the American army morale collapsed due to mounting losses and the number of Shaken units. The 'Dice Gods' were somewhat less unkind to Paul than to myself, though neither of us had outstanding results! Nevertheless a closely contested action fought in just the right spirit of friendly opposition. Just what we strive for in every game here in GHQ. 

A Little Distraction

Paul and I played an AWI encounter last Thursday. While I was getting sorted beforehand I played around with some of the bits and pieces, ephemera if you will, which I've accumulated over time and took a few pictures for interest. I thought you might like to see them ~

An C18th coach and horses which Phil painted for me a few years back now. The lady and gentleman greeting the occupant are from Perry Miniatures,  while the field worker you can just make out is from a Eureka set.

A better view of the coach and horses set. If I recall accurately its by either Westphalia or Black Hussar. The driver is a Foundry figure I think.

A camp scene from Perry Miniatures. Various camp detritus in resin, from lord knows where or when! The Robinson House from Hovels, acquired as is for £5.00 last Sunday at the Tabletop Sale held at Aldersley Leisure Village. 

An alternate viewpoint of the vignette. Its cleverly done so it can feature for both the Crown and the Rebels. I was going to repaint the house but I don't think I'll bother now.

"Gotta pick a bit o' cotton!" Cotton plants sourced on the web from Vietnam, really model railroad scenics. Made of wire and paper balls if you fancy a bash at your own. Female field hands from Eureka Miniatures UK. Dan got cold feet I think when I submitted a short piece about the representation of slavery and of Colored troops in ACW gaming Illustrated by this piece. It was very positively received though on my blog.

When Paul has found time to process the pictures there will be an AAR of the game. Pop back later in the week for that. Meanwhile Tuesday sees GHQ in action again, with a SYW game with Phil. Then it'll be time for some R&R for Sue and I towards the end of the month.

🎼🎵🎶There is nothing like a Dane!

 I painted my first figure for this retro-nostalgia project in early July, starting with figures from Wargames Foundry representing Danes in the service of the Maritime Powers 1702-1704. This part of the project has now reached its conclusion so I thought that I would celebrate the first milestone with this post. As ever your comments are very welcome ~

Figures by Wargames Foundry, bar the mortar which is from Warfare Miniatures; bases from Warbases; flags and standards from David Morffit's wonderful blog Not By Appointment. On to the second element next, the British, with Infantry from Ebor Miniatures and Horse from Warfare Miniatures. As yet I've not settled on which will be the prefered source for their artillery, as I want to complete the planned purchase of the infantry arm first.

Meandering along in The Valley, 1862

A return to the ACW for the most recent game here in GHQ and another tussle for advantage in the loose campaign of connected battles set in The Valley. Once more Ol' Useless S Bykleigh attempts to improve his faltering reputation and overcome his Reb nemesis, "Railfence Robinson"! The dramatis personae ~

"Railfence Robinson" scourge of the Union!

Useless S Bykleigh, hero of many a defeat!

The tabletop battlefield here in GHQ: the Rebs advance from nearest the camera: with two brigades of infantry and a supporting battery of Napoleons; the Union from the far side, again with two brigades of infantry and a supporting battery, of Whitworth rifled artillery pieces in their case. Both sides have reserves expected to arrive sometime after Turn 3. The game length is set at 12 Turns using Black Powder Mk2 rules with some additions from the Glory Hallelujah supplement.  On to the unfolding action through means of the usual annotated photomontage ~

Looking along the Rebel lines, the Turnpike in the distance giving the Rebs an opportunity for a rapid advance. Their supporting battery poised to pound any foolhardy Union advance!

The Union disposition is more compact, relying on the wooded terrain to cover their right as they advance to deny the Rebs control of the Turnpike.

The Union advance is slower than Ol' Useless desired in Turn 1...

...while the Rebs make good use of the firm going along the Turnpike!

Plans seldom survive first contact with the enemy! In Turn 2 the Union brigade on their left encounters Rebs advancing smartly down the Turnpike before all the regiments are in position. The brigade on their right is diverted to cover a threat they had not expected. Confusion of orders slows down their redeployment. 

The Rebs have advanced confidently on their left, maintaining the brigade's cohesion. The leading regiment on the Turnpike runs into the advancing Union before they can deploy into line. A brisk but uneven firefight sees the Rebs shaken by losses.

Their supporting regiments in the brigade are not able to immediately offer support, being some distance in their rear. Perhaps they stopped to draw water from the old well?

Turn 3 sees the battle lines shaking out. Both sides are getting into position to engage the enemy all along the front line, though the Rebs on their left are not yet fully deployed. Coming under fire their ranks are somewhat depleted and disordered.

Union troops pour volleys into the advancing Rebs on their left. Losses and disorder have hampered the Rebs getting into firing lines.

The 55th New York hammer the Rebs' leading column on the Turnpike. Losses are severe and they break, retiring  to the rear Whipped! First blood to the Union!

The expected reinforcements for neither side arrived in Turn 4! In Turn 5 the Union gained three regiments, arriving on their left flank where they might be able to add weight to the Union's efforts to throw back the Rebs.

As firefights errupt all along the lines you can see in the far distance only one Reb regiment from their expected reinforcements has arrived in Turn 4! In this portion of the battlefield Ol' Useless feels he may be getting the upper hand.

Despite losses and disorder though the Rebs are steadily shaking out into line and begining to hurt the Union troops in their turn. Where are the reinforcements though is their most urgent question?

Neither side has gained a decisive advantage, despite exchanging repeated volleys at close range. Both armies are suffering far fewer losses than expected, prolonging the firefights and detering either side from closing with the cold steel!

The Union battery of rifled pieces roars out time and again causing some disorder but inflicting no losses on the enemy!

The Reb battery of Napoleons answers back, again to little effect. Retraining must be high on the agenda of both formations when the battle is done!

The Rebs are unable to shake the resolve of the boys in blue, despite trading volley for volley with them. Losses mount for both sides but neither gives way.

Union regiments on their right emerge from the woods to surprise the Rebs and threaten to turn their flank. They respond by refusing their flank as the Union take too long to close and loose the element of surprise. 

Union losses are mounting and one regiment breaks, falling back Whipped for two moves and exposing a gap in the lines as a result. Can the Rebs take advantage of this Turn of events?

Fighting is at Close quarters on the Reb right. Their volleys have the desired effect in halting the Union advance in its tracks!

On the Reb right more reinforcements have arrived and waves of troops stand ready to close with the thin Union line where the boys are clinging on despite losses!

The thin blue line! The Union left is under great pressure but stubbornly clings to the fence lines, trading volley for volley with the enemy! Another regiment can hold its position no longer, falling back Whipped. Where are the reinforcements needed to shore up the line?

They are arriving in the nick of time in Turn 9 is the answer! Volleys crash out from both sides of the fence line. Shells soar over the masses of troops, but neither side will flinch and give way to the enemy.

The Union advance on their right has forfeited the element of surprise and allowed the Rebs to reform and reposition their flanking regiments.

In the Union centre the Rebs finally drive back the regiments which have clung on so tenacious. In Turn 10 it seems that the tide of fortune has switched to the Reb cause...

They are unable to exploit the yawning gap due to the disorder and losses in their ranks. Ol' Useless rushes to plug the line and the opportunity is lost. Turn 11 sees no sign of either side breaking, though losses have mounted steadily and disorder is widespread.

Turn 12 sees night falling on the exhausted men in the ranks of both armies. The Union can claim a very narrow win in the end as the Turn concludes with two Reb brigades retiring Whipped to one Union brigade. 

A hard fought encounter and a highly enjoyable way to spend a few hours with a friend. Not to mention the excellent lunch laid on by Sue. Next up should be an AWI game with Paul providing the opposition on Thursday week. Meanwhile, back to painting more Württemberg-Oels Dragoons for the Danes in the War of the Spanish Succession project.