SETUP British: If there are two players on the British side one of them should control COL von Donop, his Hessian Brigade, and the 17 Light Dragoons, while the other player takes BG Leslie and all remaining units. Units of the British side designated to set up at Reference Point E do so in Column formation, facing NW, the column extending back at even intervals to Point F. Likewise, the group of units designated to set up at F extends backward to the edge of the table at Point G. The two remaining British units enter the game as reinforcements. COL von Donop sets up within 3" of any Hessian unit. BG Leslie sets up within 3" of any starting unit on the British side. Patriots: If there are two Patriot players (recommended) one of them should control COL McDougall, his Brigade, and either of the two regiments from Putnam's Division. The other player takes Haslet and all remaining units. Patriot units starting the game on Chatterton's Hill set up in a continuous Line, each occupying the section of Hasty Works shown for it on the Patriot Unit Roster. Likewise, the two units defending the village of White Plains set up in Line formation within their own works. Both Patriot leaders set up on Chatterton's Hill, within 1" of any unit of McDougall's Brigade or the Right Wing, respectively. The Patriots set up first. The British move first (see Special Rules, below). REINFORCEMENTS British: On Turn 1 the 5 and 49 Regiments of Foot enter the table, in Column formation, at Point G. Patriots: None. SPECIAL RULES Patriot Turn I Restriction. Only units of the British side can move on Turn 1; both sides may fire normally. Bayonets. The following Patriot foot units are assumed to have no bayonets in this scenario: both militia regiments, and the 1 NY and 26 CT Continental Infantry Regiments. Patriot Morale. The least-experienced Patriot units on this field were psychologically wedded to their entrenchments: they were acutely aware of their isolation from Washington's main army, and it soon became clear that the enemy would direct his main effort at Chatterton's Hill. Such dependence only increased these units' inherent fragility. To reflect this fact, and as a game-balancing mechanism, the following Special Rules are in effect: Patriot units of Class 4 or below are treated as one level lower in quality for all purposes if they do not occupy Hasty- or Field Works at the moment the morale check, fire, etc., is conducted. This penalty is in addition to the forfeiture of any morale, Resting Fire, or other bonuses normally imparted by works in the rules you use. Any Patriot unit is eliminatedif it is forced off Chatterton's Hill as a result of an adverse morale check. The same restriction applies to Patriot units which are forced to evacuate Field Works on the White Plains section of the front. VICTORY DETERMINATION British The British wanted to seize Chatterton's Hill to turn the right flank of Washington's army and (as they thought) soften him up for a subsequent frontal assault by the balance of Howe's force. A significant amount of British and Hessian military prestige--not to mention the personal reputations of the commanders honored with making the assault-was on the line. Had the Hill held out it would have been accounted a signal defeat for the King's arms, notwithstanding advantages gained elsewhere. On the other hand, Howe's operational objectives could have been met even more completely had the rebels on Chatterton's Hill been enveloped and trapped there, instead of simply being pushed off. The British side wins by having at least one full-strength infantry or dragoon stand occupy the upper level of Chatterton's Hill at the end of Turn 10, while no Patriot infantry figure does. Alternatively, the British win if no rebel unit on Chatterton's Hill at the end of Turn 10 is able to trace a Line of Retreat [8] to the north edge of the table west of the Bronx River. Goings-on elsewhere on the table (including the Hill) are immaterial to victory. [9] Patriots The Patriots win by avoiding both British victory conditions. VARIANTS: None. HINTS ON PLAY British Screen the rebels holding White Plains proper with a single foot regiment, while you close in on Chatterton's Hill with the rest of your force. Station your dragoons immediately behind the small hill, to support either contingent. Howe's historical two-axis attack is probably best. Hit the rebel right and left flanks simultaneously with infantry, while allowing your artillery a wide field of fire in the center. A key point is to exploit the "dead zone" created by the woods on the lower slopes of Chatterton's Hill with respect to fire originating at a higher level(s). It is important to enter this zone as soon as possible in order to minimize the time you will be exposed to the rebels' generally superior musketry. If the enemy can be kept out of the woods on the forward slope of the Hill, you will find (as the British did historically) that you can traverse their front, even on the road (!), in relative safety. The benefit of the doubt with respect to how to reinforce your converging attacks should probably go to the one on the rebel right. Once the rebels begin to crack, quickly build up the advantaged side with local reserves. Your artillery should begin firing not later than Turn 2: it is probably not worth the sacrifice in time (and, potentially, in gun crew) to hold fire until your guns are significantly farther forward. Concentrate them on a single regiment in the enemy's right or right-center; have an infantry unit nearby to exploit the gap once it breaks. Your troops' superior quality should tell in a stand-up fight, especially given the rebels' lack of bayonets. Don't worry about a pre-emptive rebel sortie off the Hill: it cannot last long. Rebels in the woods on the lower hill slopes, though, eliminate the "dead zone" and thus spell potential trouble; such units should become priority targets for your artillery. Patriots Have your forwardmost units hunker down in their entrenchments while a reserve consisting of one good regiment stands ready, in cover behind the hillcrest, to replace waverers. Should British efforts against your relatively vulnerable right flank look formidable, have the militia pull straight back to higher ground, shortening the line. More Battle of White Plains: 28 October 1776 Introduction, Terrain, Units Set Up, Special Rules, Hints on Play Historical Outcome Key Concepts Back to MWAN #106 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2000 Hal Thinglum 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