AWI ~ Battle of Paddock's Bend

I've played two AWI Battles this week in GHQ, or to be more precise, I've played the same game twice ~ against Phil on Monday and Jon on Thursday. Although the scenario was the same in both games they both played out very differently, even though I ended up loosing both of them. The action centred on the seizing and holding of a strategic crossroads. The British and their Loyalist allies advanced from their encampment at the west edge of the table, while the Americans entered the table along two roads at the southern and eastern edge. The rules we used were Black Powder, with differing Command values for the Brigade Commanders in each army.   The report and photos which follow reflect Monday's game, with Phil commanding the British and their Loyalist allies and with myself taking on the American command...

                                                                                                                                               

The Americans entering from the Eastern edge made their Command Roll successfully and rushed towards the crossroads, the Dragoons engaging the flank of a Loyalist unit...

The British Regulars made short work of the American infantry and the Loyalist Infantry beat off the flanking attack of the American Dragoons...

On the southern approach the Americans were finding it hard to meet their role of  6 in order to enter the table, although one unit was able to cross the bridge and threaten the other flank of the South Carolina Loyalists...

However, before they could close with the Loyalists, they were themselves subjected to a flank charge by British Regulars...

By now it was becoming clear that the Americans, finding it hard to get units onto the table or to move with any vigour, were facing a crushing defeat...

Even the success of the C-in-C in leading a charge to repulse British Regulars now to the east of the crossroads could not delay the inevitable...

With his one Brigade unable to cross the river in the face of the Regulars' firepower and finding himself flanked by superior numbers the American C-in-C calls it a day and retires to fight again...

When we refought the game on Thursday the Americans were more aggressive and successful but lost eventually in Turn 8 when they failed an Army Morale check, having taken just too many losses in vicious close fighting around the crossroads. The figures are from my AWI collection, mostly Front Rank with some Perry Miniatures. The Chew House and the tented encampment were from Architectural Heritage, all created by my good friend 'across the pond', Dave Paddock. The bridge is the base of the Battleground covered bridge, the trees are by The Last Valley, while Phil and I made the fences back in the day...