So where lies the appeal of the American War Independence (AWI) to the Wargamer? The answer is simple, personalities and possibilities. Minuteman takes a Hessian prisoner. For over seven years the Colonists struggled to wrestle independence from the English Crown, with each sides fortunes varying with the seasons. It is the war of George Washington, of Bunkers Hill, of the Mohawk War Chief Joseph Brant and of Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne. Battles raged from the swamps of the Carolinas to the Northern Wilderness and the Western Frontier beyond. Whilst it started as a "family tiff", the war grew into part of (yet another) struggle for world domination with France, Spain and Holland joining the fight against England. The views of Walt Disney aside, loyalty to the Crown was very strong within America, particularly in New York and the South. For at least 30% of the Colonists there was no need to do a "Benedict Arnold" - they remained staunchly Loyalist throughout the war. [According to some respected contemporary historians, support for Independence was limited at the start of the war; the majority of colonists were 'uncommitted' but this naturally changed as the war progressed and with events like the arrival of the German troops. – Ed.] The loss of Cornwallis' Army at Yorktown in 1781 spelt the end of English operations in the War. However, but for his rash invasion of North Carolina and Virginia, it was probable that the war could have ended in stalemate with much of America still in English hands. With the 'Deep South' as part of the British Commonwealth, the history of the nineteenth century, indeed the world, would have been vastly different. In this my second article on the AWI, I intend to focus on the role of the Hessians in the war. In subsequent articles (editorial tolerance permitting), I propose to write on battles, campaigns, and the war's major personalities. More American War of Independence AWI Hessians: Historical Background AWI Hessians: Hessian Recruitment and Performance AWI Hessians: German Troops in America, by Unit AWI Hessians: Wargamer Introduction AWI Hessians: Miniatures The French Army in the AWI The French Army Organization and Uniforms Battle of Lexington Scenario AWI Lexington: Introduction AWI Lexington: American Player Notes AWI Lexington: British Player Notes AWI Lexington: Referee Summary Back to Table of Contents -- Kriegspieler #6 To Kriegspieler List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1999 by Kriegspieler Publications. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com