Marching to Glory...or Not!

For what turns out to be our last game here in GHQ this month I chose a War of 1812 setting and borrowed a scenario loosely from Steve the Wargamer - see his post on Abundance Farm, from the sidebar blog link section. Two equally balanced forces are tasked with capturing abundant supplies located in a farm on the table edge. Both enter down the road on the opposite corners of the table to the farm edge. Phil commanded the American forces and yours truly the Anglo-Canadians. Each side had two Brigades of Foot and were supported by artillery. In addition each side had one unit of cavalry. The rules used were, as is usual for us now a days, Black Powder while the figures were Foundry from my collection. We set the game length at 10 Turns and allocated Victory Points to features on the table, ranging from 1 for the entry point, through to 3 for the hills and for the crossroads, to 6 for the farm itself. As is my wont, a photomontage follows to tell the story of the unfolding game ~

Abundance Farm is occupied by the Paddoquoi war party in Turn 2.

The Anglo-Canadian forces advance on all fronts: the Regular Infantry on the

farm, the Militia and Fencibles on the right flank, supported by the Light 

Dragoons and an RA 6lb gun.

American Light Dragoons are Shaken by fire and nervously await their

supporting Infantry from Scott's Brigade.

The Paddoquoi are joined by the 4th Foot and their combined firepower is too

much for the US Sharp Shooters who fall back Disordered.

The American Light Dragoons are routed and the Infantry forced into square

by the British cavalry. The 2nd US Artillery is left exposed!

The American left flank collapses and the Anglo-Canadians prepare to go on

the attack. Columns of Militia and Fencibles at screened by the Glengarry

Light Infantry.

"Follow Me!" American infantry charge forward but are met with withering

fire from the 4th Foot and the Paddoquoi, while the 10th Royal Veterans are

hurrying to their support.

An overview of the battlefield: the Anglo-Canadians hold the farm while on

the nearby high ground the Glengarry Light Infantry skirmish with elements

of Scott's brigade.

The 10th Royal Veterans advance to take the battle to the retiring Americans.

The American left has collapsed and though the 1th Royal Veterans' attack

has been repulsed, the Anglo-Canadian's grip on Abundance Farm and all its

wealth of supplies is like iron!

The American's concede defeat! Their Regulars fared badly against the Militia

and Fencibles while their own Militia never made it into the fight!

A grand game I thought, perhaps coloured by my victory! It is true that Phil's Command Rolls were frequently poor and mine not much better, but I felt my own tactics more likely to win the game, drawing in his Regulars with my weaker Militia and Fencibles, leaving my own small Regular brigade and Paddoquoi support to seize the objective. No doubt Phil will pop up in due course with a different perspective on the flow of the action!
Next up in GHQ should be a WWII game with Jon, using Rapid Fire!2, on the first Wednesday of October. In the meantime for me its back to painting the 43rd Foot for my AWI collection. Foundry figures of course. Eight finished so far, leaving 13 to do, plus 4 Light Company figures if I get that far this month!