Battle of God's Acre

 For tha last game of the year here in GHQ Phil and I settled on an AWI game played out using our preferred Black Powder 2 rules. The scenario sees a Crown force of mostly Loyalists with a core Brigade of Regulars under Lord Rawnsley attacking a largely Continental force of Rebel Americans under  the command of General Bykleigh. The Crown's forces have the initiative and in Turn 1 Phil advanced almost recklessly, putting my Rebellious Americans on the back foot! As is customary then, a photomontage follows which I hope will convey a sense of how the action unfolded ~

Lead by Lee's Legion infantry the American Militia brigades advance towards the fence line. Some Disorder is already in evidence as a consequence of the opening artillery duels.

Facing the Militia the Light Infantry make good progress forward despite casualties, though the Loyalist brigade they are covering is tardy in it's advance.

A brigade of Pennsylvanian Continentals moves slowly past God's Acre hoping to hit the Crown's advance in the flank.

Lord Rawnsley observes a second Loyalist brigade lead by Tarleton's Legion infantry move forward steadily to attack the American left.

Covered by Riflemen and a Light Artillery piece the Continental infantry advance cautiously on the American's left flank. The New Jersey Blues will prove stoic under heavy fire, but their own musketry will leave much to be desired.

The rapid advance in the Crown's centre catches the Americans unprepared. The Light Artillery piece is lost! On the Crown's left, the brigade of Loyalist infantry have almost reached the fence line!

Almost, but not quite. The regulars have withdrawn after seeing off the artillery while the American Militias, boosted by the New York Continentals on their left, have managed to deploy along the fence line and pour a volley into the surprised Loyalists!

On the American left the New Jersey Blues shake out into line and prepare to trade lead with the small units of Light troops advancing on them.

In the Centre Tarleton's Legion infantry are almost in the garden while along the road the reformed Regular infantry prepare to go in again against the defending New Yorkers.

On their left the Crown's Loyalist are beaten back in some Disorder, leading the American Militia into an advance which will prove a costly error.

A general view of the situation across the field of battle at the midpoint in the game. The situation looks at the very least to be favourable towards the American rebels.

In the centre Tarleton's Legion infantry occupy the garden area behind the house catching the Pennsylvanians in the open space before the family burial plot.

On the Crown's right the advance is stalled by the stoic resistance of the New Jersey Blues and some Disorder amongst their newly deployed South Carolina infantry.

Back in the Centre, the Americans seem to be holding their position comfortably while the Crowns forces are Shaken by infantry volleys.

But no, despite appearances the New Yorkers' morale collapsed in the face of the bayonet and they flee!

Suddenly a gap has opened in the Centre of the American lines as a second Continental regiment is forced to withdraw!

The intense musketry duel amongst God's Acre continues with neither side looking to give way. Colonel Brecher urges his Pennsylvanians to stay the course!

Unexpectedly the Virginia Militia manage to stabilize the position and beat off the third assault mounted by the Regulars. The fight is looking too close to call at this stage.

At this point in the battle, although battered the American position still seemed a strong one. The Crown's forces were finding it hard to manoeuvre and press home their superiority locally.

s happens in warfare, of a sudden the American right and centre collapse under mounting losses allowing fresh Regular battalions to exploit the gap and get behind the Americans' left.

Although victorious on their right, it has come at too great a cost and the American left cannot be supported as an attack develops in its right rear.

It's all up for General Bykleigh I'm afraid. Three Broken Brigades' from the five means his Army is Broken and sadly he must concede victory to Lord Rawnsley. 

A grand game and company, what more could one ask other than to emerge victorious. Sadly it was not to be as the game ran away from the Americans in Turns 8 and 9. The beauty of Black Powder lies in this very unpredictability and keeps the tension and interest front and centre throughout the battle. 

But that's it now folks for 2023, have a splendid Christmas break with family and friends. I hope to post a review of the year at the end of the month as I usually do, so keep an eye out if you are interested in my ramblings.