In late May of 1781, Tory Colonel Thomas Browne was forced to evacuate
his 650-man garrison at Augusta, Georgia in an attempt to slip southeastto
Savannah past converging Patriot forces. Although the Patriots had not yet
combined their forces, Light Horse Harry Lee's 610 regulars, Andrew Pickens'
730 Carolina militia, and Thomas Clark's 560 Georgians constituted a serious
threat to the British hold on Georgia. Tory Colonel Clarke held Savannah with a
strong force of 1,500 Hessians, Loyalists, and British; however, little
assistance could be hoped for from Balfour in Charleston. To make matters
worse for the British, a detachment of de Grasse's fleet war rumored to be
nearing the Georgia coast. Browne's garrison of Loyalists and Creek Indians
raced down the Augusta Road for Savannah when night fell on May 19.
In the tabletop battle resulting from the preceeding scenario, Browne (180 Rifle Rangers, 180 Creek Indians, and 270 S.C. Loyalist Infantry) would enter on turn one along the Augusta Road at the NW corner of the table. Clarke 0 gun/Royal Artillery, 1 gun/Royal Navy, 160 Royal Marines and Sailors, 330 Hessian Grenadiers von Rall, 330 men of the Hessian Garfison Regiment von Wissenbach, and a 270-man battalion of Georgia Loyalist Infantry) was posted within the works of Savannah. He was permitted to send the complete Naval detachment to the Plantation on a turn rolled by one die (1-6) unknown to the patriots. Colonel Balfour could send a small relief from Charlestown 0 gun/Royal Artillery, 100 S.C. Dragoons, 180 S.C. Light Infantry, and the 2nd Battalion/84th Highlanders) to arrive at Savannah on a turn rolled on one die (1-6) unknown to the Patriots.
The Patriot forces pursuing Browne would enter as follows: Clark (McCall's 100 Mounted Militia, Twiggs' 180 Riflemen, and a 270-man Militia Infantry battalion) on turn 1-3 (die roll) at the NW edge of the table; Pickens (180 Over- the-Mountain Riflemen, 270 S.C. Militia Infantry, and 270 N.C. Militia Infantry) at the NW edge of the table on turn 1-6 (die roll); Lee (1 gun Cont'l Artillery, 140 Legion Dragoons, 180 Legion Light Infantry, and a 270-man N.C. Cont'l Infantry Battalion) along the west edge near the Twin Forks on turn 1-6 (die roll). De Grasse could land his 1,000-man force (2 naval guns, 1 field gun, and the entire Regiment d'Agenais - 2 fusilier battalions, a chasseur company, and a grenadier company) along the west edge of the table south of the Twin Forks on turn 1-6 (die roll).
PRELIMINARY ROUND
As Browne's troops moved along the Augusta Road in the early morning mist on May 20, his Creek scouts informed him that Clark's vengeful Georgians were still an hour behind them (to enter on turn three).
However, another scouting party returning from Savannah brought distressing news that "many hundreds of whitecoats" were marching on the city from the west. Browne decided to leave the road and make for the Plantation by way of the woods and crossing the Branch, thus hoping to avoid the French. Clarke, meanwhile, was preparing to march the entire Savannah garrison to Browne's rescue if needed. He also dispatched the Naval detachment to the Plantation.
Rifle fire erupted at 7 a.m. in the woods north of the northernmost fork; Clark's Georgia rifles had attacked the rear elements of the Creeks and Tory Rangers. While the Patriots were being delayed by stiff fighting, Browne started the S.C. Regiment across the Branch where it divides. Suddenly green-coated dragoons were among the hapless infantry, sabering without mercy. Lee's Legion Dragoons had sprung from the swampy area between the forks (having rolled to enter on turn three and taking a charge move on turn four). The Tories were severely mauled and sent running across the stream. Lee hesitated to cross immediately without infantry support; the rest of the Rangers had begun an effective fire on his rear. He withdrew to the swampy area from whence he came as suddenly as he had appeared.
Clarke marched the entire Savannah garrison out in battle order at the sound of Browne's fighting. Much to his dismay, the French Agenais Regiment swung into view just ahead of his left flank (south of the southern fork, having rolled to enter on turn three also). Clarke decided to quickly strike the lead French fusilier battalion, hoping his initiative might stun the French.
THE BATTLE WIDENS
After regrouping his dragoons, Lee sent his Legion Light Infantry and the N.C. Continentals supported by a four-pounder to cut off the Loyalist S.C. Regiment on the south side of the Branch. Browne rallied the Tories and with the support of the Creeks put up a fierce resistance in the woods west of the Plantation. The remainder of Clark's Georgians (all militia) came up to support the Rifle's attack on the Rangers. The latter put up such a deadly fire that McCall's Mounted Militia fled into the swamp in complete disorder. The Georgia Militia Infantry became paralized with poor morale at this sight, although they did not quit the field. Clark desperately wished for the arrival of the tardy Pickens (who rolled to enter on turn six). Lee's infantry assault bogged down near the Plantation when the Sailors sallied forth in support of Browne.
Balfour's flying relief column arrived at the edge of Savannah on turn six, almost too late to pull Clarke from his defeat at the hands of the French. All was not lost, however. After watching the defeat of the Hessian grenadiers by its sister battalion, the second French fusilier battalion advanced arrogantly on the Hessian Garrison Regiment von Wissenbach. The stubborn Hessians met this reckless act with afire and charge, soundly defeating the French and sending them into retreat. At this same time, Balfour threw the S.C. Dragoons and Light Infantry into the fray.
Only the gallant French flank companies prevented a complete collapse, although one gun was captured. The S.C. Light Infantry routed under Grapeshot fire, causing the 84th Highlanders to stall as well. Thus, ruin returned to the British left and center. By this time (turn nine), Pickens' troops had arrived in supporting positions; the Over-the-Mountain Riflemen cleared the remainder of the Tory Rangers from the area north of the Branch. The riflemen surprised a small Marine detachment holding the Plantation; deadly accurate fire killed most of the redcoats.
THE FINAL PHASE
Pickens' two militia infantry regiments crossed the two forks in time to reinforce both Lee an the French. A clash between Lee's Dragoons and Fraser's S.C. Dragoons proved indecisive. Clarke and Balfour pulled their battered forces into the safety of the works of Savannah. The Sailors evacuated the Plantation under renewed pressure from the Patriot riflemen, leaving Browne's meager forces to fend for themselves.
Under the victory conditions in the rules, the battle was a marginal Patriot victory; the British lost over 60% to the Patriots' 50%. Moreover, Browne had little chance to reach Savannah with more than stragglers. The battle represents the units actually available in the area in May, 1781. Although the French were somewhat remote, their presence added some realistic variety to the scenario. The tabletop measured six feet by ten feet; 25mm figures were deployed on a 1:10 ratio. Six Dayton-area wargamers fought this battle using the author's rules - "The White of Their Eyes".
Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #56
To Courier List of Issues
To MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1991 by The Courier Publishing Company.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com