Using The British are Coming, Miniature Rules for the American Revolution, 1775 - 1783 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW General Brown’s American army advanced north all the way to Fort George after the Battle of Chippawa (See Courier 56, Wargaming the Second War of American Independence, Jim Birdsey). However, without the cooperation of the Navy and faced by increasing British numbers, he was forced to fall back to Chippawa. General Gordon Drummond, the senior British commander in the Niagara region, tried to force Brown to fall back even further by ordering some of his forces at Fort Niagara to move against the American supply depots in upper New York. Meanwhile he kept the majority of his forces on the Canadian side of the river under General Riall. Brown countered the British feint against his supply depots by advancing his 1st Brigade north on the Canadian side of the river. Scott’s 1st Brigade ran head on into Riall’s units at Lundy’s Lane at about 7:15 P.M. on the 25th of July, 1814. Drummond joined Riall at Lundy’s Lane and assumed tactical control of the British field forces. He deployed his units along Lundy’s Lane with his artillery positioned near the meeting house and cemetery. Scott formed his brigade west of the Portage Road with Towson’s Battery unlimbered on the road. Scott recognized he was heavily outnumbered and that a frontal assault against the hill would probably fail. However his pride would not permit him to retreat. He stubbornly held his ground and sent word back to Brown that he desperately needed reinforcements. Scott tried to maintain the initiative by ordering Major Jesup to move against the British left flank with the 25th U.S. Infantry. Jesup’s attack forced the British 8th Foot and Incorporated Militia to fall back and form and new line to the west of the portage road. However, Scott , in the center, was unable to reply effectively to the British artillery fire so he ordered an advance on the hill, but canceled the move when Drummond sent the Glengarry Light and 1st Foot against the American flank. Brown arrived on the field with Brigadier General Ripley’s and Porter’s Brigades at about 8:30 PM. Ripley, using the darkness to hide his movements, formed his brigade in front of the hill. General Brown ordered the 1st U.S. Infantry to mount a demonstration against the right flank of the British guns, while the 21st U.S., under Ripley, moved against the left flank. Ripley’s attack overran and captured all the British guns. General Drummond immediately mounted several unsuccessful counterattacks using the 1st, 41st, and 89th Foot. At about 9:45 P.M, General Drummond reformed his troops in a single long line. He used Hercules Scott’s recently arrived brigade to form the right portion of his line. The American’s formed with Porter’s brigade on the left, Ripley’s brigade on the right and Scott’s brigade in reserve. Brown positioned Biddle’s Ritchie’s and Towson’s batteries to support the American line. The British mounted a series of unsuccessful attacks to recapture the artillery. At one point, Winfield Scott executed column attack against the British center. Scott’s attack failed because he didn’t coordinate the move with his fellow American commanders and took heavy fire from both the British and Americans lines. Drummond continued his unsuccessful attacks until after midnight and at that point decided to withdraw. He hoped to regroup and continue the battle at daylight. Jacob Brown in one of his rare moments of indecision (possibly due to his serious wounds) also decided to withdraw back to Chippawa. In the confusion the American’s failed to carry off the captured British artillery. Drummond cautiously advanced the next morning to find the American’s gone and regained possession of his artillery. The battle was debatably a tactical and morale victory for the Americans, but a definite strategic victory for the British. Brown no longer had the strength to continue with his invasion of Upper Canada. RULES We used The British are Coming, Miniature Rules for the American Revolution, 1775 - 1783 (TBAC) by Tactical Conflict Systems, INC. As stated in the title these rules are actually intended to fight the battles of the American Revolution War (ARW). Basic Rules Overview Measurement System: All distances are measure in inches. Figures: 1 figure = 25 men or 1 gun and associated gunners. Ground Scale: 15mm; 1 inch = 29.33 yards Turn Length: 1 turn = 10 minutes of real time. Sequence of Play: TBAC is played in a series of game-turns. Each game-turn is further divided into a number of phases. The phases within a game-turn are sequential, and must take place in the order specified. When all the phases listed have been completed , the game-turn ends, and the next game-turn begins. This sequence is repeated each game-turn until the game is completed. Turn Sequence: 1. Command Phase. a. First move determination b. Remove markers c. Leader Movement d. Rallying e. Rout movement f. Activation 2. Side one movement phase 3. Side two movement phase 4. Fire phase 5. Charge and melee phase Rule Changes: The rules are easily modified to fit the American War of 1812. Only minor technological advances in weaponry have been made from 1783 to 1812 (primarily in artillery). 1. TBAC reflects the civilian limbers and drivers used with artillery in the ARW. The rules state that limbered batteries may never approach closer than 6.1” to the nearest enemy unit during friendly movement and if enemy approaches within 6.1” the limbers automatically abandon the guns. We felt these were excellent rules for the ARW but did not reflect the use of military limbers in 1812 and therefore deleted these two requirements. We also increased the artillery ammunition by about 25%. 2. TBAC reflects the use of small groups of guns and does not allow the formation of batteries. We allowed adjacent gun stands to combine their fire to simulate the massing of the British guns on Lundy’s Lane hill. 3. TBAC does not allow the use of attack columns. We allowed the Americans to form attack columns. Winfield Scott was enamored with French tactics and trained the U.S. Left Division accordingly. 4. TBAC uses a time scale of each turn representing 10mins. Due to the historical length of this battle (7PM to 12PM) we changed the time scale for each turn from 10 minutes to 15minutes. Players: Even though this is one of the larger field battles during the War of 1812, the actual forces engaged are relatively small at a 1 to 25 scale. One American player and one British player can easily handle the battle. However, if more players are available you could have three to four participants on each side. Special Rules: Drummond’s Caution: Due to the American victory at Chippawa, Drummond believed his army was greatly outnumbered and that the defense was his only option. Whereas he actually had the opportunity to crush Scott’s small brigade. To reflect his hesitation to attack, the British may only advance the Glenngarry Light Infantry (GLI) and the unit directly to the left of the GLI south of the deployment line. This restriction is lifted after turn 6. Scott’s Vanity: Scott’s was unable to advance against the strong British position, but he also refused to fallback and held his brigade in place under punishing artillery fire for the first phase of the battle. Scott’s units (minus the 25th U.S. Infantry, cavalry and artillery) must at a minimum advance to position between points D and E (they may advance past this position). If they fall back voluntarily from this position prior to turn 5 then the three-infantry units drop in morale by 2 points and Scott becomes a Class [C] commander. Battlefield Terrain: The cabins and building are for visual effect only. They do not block line of sight and can not be occupied. The woods are light, and the rail fences provide soft cover. Night Rules: Beginning on turn 5 use the following night rules. Movement is not affected. Allow fire combat is restricted to a maximum of 12”. Victory Conditions: The side that holds Lundy’s Lane Hill (point V for victory) at the end of 20 turns wins the battle. ORDER OF BATTLE At first glance the Americans with only 2700 men appear to be drastically outnumbered by 3500 British. However, Lundy’s Lane is unusual in that unlike most American versus British actions, it is the British who must contend with a large percentage of poorly trained and equipped militia (1/4 of the available force). Also the bulk of the British 3rd Brigade does not arrive till late in the battle and is fatigued due to their forced marched to the sound of the guns. British Order of Battle Right Division, British Army of Canada Army Commander: Lt. Gen. Gordan Drummond (Div CMDR [C Class (average)] {figures 141 = 3525men} Light Brigade: LTC Pearson [C] Training Morale Figures Men 19th Light Dragoons Light Dragoons 9 4 95 Canadian Provisional Light Dragoons Light Dragoons 7 2 30 Glengarry Light Infantry Regular Light 10 15 376 Incorporated Militia Regular Line 7 12 336 Lincoln Regiment Militia Militia Line 5 12 300 Armstrong’s Battery Artillery 9 3 20 (2 x 6 pdr Guns & 1 x 5.5” Howitzer) Morrison’s Brigade: LTC. Joseph Morrison [B Class (above average)] Training Morale Figures Men 1st Foot (3 companies) Regular Line 10 6 171 Composite Flank Battalion ( 1 co 8th Foot and 1 co 41st Foot) Regular Light 11 6 125 89th Foot Regular Line 10 18 425 Maclachlane’s Battery Artillery 9 3 40 (2 x 24 pdr Howitzers & 1 rocket section) 3rd Brigade: Col. Hercules Scott [C] Training Morale* Figures Men 8th Foot (5 companies) Regular Line 8 12 275 103rd Foot (right wing) Regular Line 7 12 320 103rd Foot (left wing) Regular Line 7 12 320 104th Foot (composite flank battalion) Regular Line 9 6 120 1st Foot (7 companies) Regular Line 8 15 400 Norfolk Essex & Middlesex Militia Militia Line 3 9 250 Mackonochie’s Battery Artillery 8 9 40 (3 x 6 pdr guns) * These units morale have been lowered to reflect their fatigue. American Order of Battle: Left Division, U.S. Army Army Commander: MG J. Brown (Div CMDR [B Class (above average)] {figures 108 = 2700 men} Training Morale Figures Men 2nd U.S. Light Dragoons (includes 30 Provisional Light Dragoons) Light Dragoons 10 3 70 1st Brigade: BG Winfield Scott [B] Training Morale Figures Men 9th U.S Infantry Regular Line 10 9 200 22nd U.S Infantry Regular Line 10 12 300 11th U.S Infantry Regular Line 10 9 200 25th U.S Infantry Regular Light 11 15 380 2nd Brigade: BG Eleazar Ripley [B] Training Morale Figures Men 1st U.S Infantry Regular Line 9 6 150 21st U.S Infantry Regular Line 11 18 432 23rd U.S Infantry Regular Line 10 12 300 3rd Brigade: BG Peter Porter [C] Training Morale Figures Men 5th Pennsylvania Volunteers Volunteer Line 7 12 246 New York Volunteers Volunteer Line 7 12 3001 Artillery Battalion Training Morale Figures Men Towson’s Battery Artillery 9 3 60 (2 x 6 pdr guns & 1 x 5.5 Howitzer) Ritchie’s Battery Artillery 9 3 60 (2 x 6 pdr guns & 1 x 5.5 Howitzer) Biddle’s Battery Artillery 9 3 80 (3x 12 pdr guns) William’s Battery (Not engaged during the battle) (3 x 18 pdr guns) 1 Includes 50 Canadian Volunteers Set Up British: Generals Drummond plus Pearson’s and Morrison’s brigades must set up between points A, V and B. British set up first and move second. The Glengarry Light Infantry must set up on the British right flank. The first unit of Hercules Scott’s Brigade enters at point C beginning on: turn 5: 3 or less on 1D6 turn 6: 4or less on 1D6 turn 7: 5 or less on 1D6 turn 8: automatic (Hercules Scott’s order of march is 1st turn: 104th Foot & Mackonochie’s Battery; 2nd turn 103rd Foot; 3rd turn 8th & 1st Foot, 4th turn Norfolk Essex & Middlesex Militia) Americans Scott’s Brigade (possibly minus the 25th U.S. Infantry) with Towson’s Battery and the Dragoons enters in column at point G on turn 1. The 25th U.S. Infantry may enter at point F on turn 1. Brown with Ritchie’s and Biddle’s artillery enters at point G on turn 4 Ripley’s Brigade enters at point G. turn 5: 4 or less on 1D6 turn 6: 5 or less on 1D6 turn 7: automatic Porter’ Brigade enters at point G on the turn following Ripley’s Brigade. THE GAME My good friend Jeff Leser (See The Courier #63, Russo - Japanese War) and I played this scenario on a 4’ by 4’ set-up using 15mm figures. Jeff commanded the Americans (mostly 15mm Frontier) and I played the British (a mix of 15mm Frontier and Essex British). This was our 3rd game using TBAC. We had used the rules for two ARW battles and were very happy with the rules. We then used them to game the Battle of Chippawa and agreed that they worked just fine for the War of 1812 (a major American victory for Jeff). The Americans opened the battle with a strong attack against the British left flank. His attack would have probably resulted in an early collapse of the British flank except that we had included in our original scenario 500 Indians. Historically these Indians were present but played no role in the battle. We gave the Indians a morale of 4 hoping that they would be as ineffective as their historical brethren. However, in our game they held their own for several turns against the elite 25th U.S. Infantry. This greatly slowed down the American turning movement against the British left flank. Meanwhile, Winfield Scott’s 1st Brigade beat off a flank attack from the Glengarry Light Infantry but took a severe pounding from the British guns on the hill. The die rolls continued to go against the Americans with all the American reinforcements arriving late and all the British arriving on time Eventually the Americans did push back the British left flank. The British were in serious danger of loosing the hill to Ripley’s U.S. Brigade. However, an American attempt to storm the hill and capture the guns failed. The British then switched over to the offense with the arrival of Hercules Scott’s Brigade. At this point we called the battle with the British in firm control of the hill. Overall we had played 16 turns in about 4 hours. In our analysis of the game we felt the amazingly good luck of the Indians had been crucial to the British defense. The required British set-up between points A,V and B; and the special rule that prevents British offensive movement in the first 6 turns creates the vulnerable British flank we wanted for the scenario. The 25th U.S. attacking from point F should have been able to easily drive through the Indians and threaten the hill from the flank. However the Indians delayed this attack for two turns. Without this delay the Americans probably would have taken the hill before the arrival of Hercules Scott’s Brigade. The Americans could have then switched over to the defense and tried to hold the hill against the larger British Army. Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #80 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2000 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. 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