By God Those Must Be Regulars - The Battle of Chippawa 1814

 I ran this battle using Carnage and Glory II at Cold Wars last weekend, March 7, 2014. Brigadier General Winfield Scott had spent the winter drilling his brigade and getting them into fighting trim for the summer campaign. After crossing the Niagara River into Canada his troops were leading Major General Jacob Brown's pursuit of Major General Riall's British Right Division as it retreated east towards Niagara destroying the bridges as they went. The US Army logistics were horrible. In fact, the Army had run out of blue dye for its uniforms and were forced to use grey cloth. Scotts troops went into camp on the west side of Streets Creek. After restoring the bridge Scott lead his brigade over to the empty farm fields and began drilling his troops once again. The British, seeing this activity, sent their native allies supported by the 2nd Lincoln Milita into the woods to harrass the Americans while they crossed the Chippawa River and formed up under cover of the woods. Our game includes the earlier clash between each sides native allies and supporting Militias (US 5th Pennsylvania and 386 Native Warriors and British native allies from the Grand River Band 100 and Western Natives 200 supported by the 2nd Lincolnshire Militia). The British and Americans are marching onto the field. The Order of Battle for the Battle of Chippawa 501 MG Riall 502 Colonel Gordon 501 1st Foot 502. 8th Foot 503 LTC Hay 503. 100 th Foot 504 LTC Dickson 504 2nd Lincoln regiment 505 Captain Mclachlane 505 Sheppards Battery 506 Armstrongs Battery 506. Major Leslie 507. 19th Light Dragoons 507 Captain Norton 508 Western Nations 509 Grand River Nations 201. MG Jacob Brown 202 BG Winfield Scott 201 Ninth/twentysecond 202 Eleventh 203 Twentyfifth 204 Twentyfirst 100 men (attached from Ripley's Brigade) 203 BG Ripley 211 Twentyfirst(balance) 209 Twentythird 204 BG Porter 205 Fifth Pennsylvania 205 LTC Granger 206 Native Warriors 206 Major Hindman 207 Ritchies Battery 208 Towsons Battery 207 Captain Harris 210 US Light Dragoons
 

The Battlefield map



The British begin to deploy onto the field.




Scott's Brigade begins to deploy into the field

 

The 5th Pennsylvania Militia move forward across Streets Creek to support their Native Allies




British Form line in the field with a battery along the road



the 100th regiment of foot form the second line



The 9th/11th Regiment form line to meet the British advance.



Native allies support the British advance in the woods and along the fenceline



5th Pennsylvania advances to support the US Line slowly thorugh the woods 



Cannon Fire along the flank



The British advance toward the fence line

 

US Regulars prepare to greet the British line



Exchanging Vollies



Decision Time




Both sides lose one unit.

 

Here they come in the woods



Command Integrity is cautionary, the British can no longer advance.

 

Scotts Brigade also receive a no advance marker



US Native allies advance



Native Allies advance



Woodlands warfarae



The Canadian Milita is sent packing by the Native Warriors



A native warrior prepares to slip across the Chippawa River

The results from this run through of the game were the same we received at Cold Wars, a US pyrric victory. Both sides having a regular line unit disperse along with punishing losses to their remaining colleagues and native allies.  Good fun was had by all.

Crysler's Farm C&G ii (Play test)

One of the great things about using Carnage and Glory II, is the different outcomes that different strategies and different players can produce.  Below you will read about the first play test of Crysler's Farm scenario (War of 1812) historically fought on 11-11-1813.

Great Britain   Morrison’s Corps of Observation                                                   Defend Orders

Corps       501          LTC Morrison                           Active      B+            (1400 paces)           “”

2-in-C      502          LTC Harvey                              Active B   (800 paces)             “”

                503          LTC Plenderleith      Active B   (250 paces)             “”

                                501          49^th Regiment of Foot            0/304      B+ (sk)

                                502          89^th Regiment of Foot            0/240      B+ (sk)

                                505          89^th detachment     0/144      A- (sk)

                504          LTC Pearson The Advance       Active B (225 paces) “”

                                511          49^th Elites                                0/100      A- (sk)

                                512          Canadian Fencibles 0/108      B- (sk)

                506          Major Heriot           Lights      Active B   (225 paces)   “”

                                514          Canadian Voltiguers               0/150    B- 

                                515          Provincial Lt Dragoons            0/25        C+ 

                                516          Mohawk Warriors   0/50        B

                507          Captain Jackson Artillery Active B          (225 paces)  “”

                                517          Royal Artilley (1)     0/50 (2) 6 pounders C+

                                518          Royal Artillery (2)   0/25 (1) 6 pounder C+

519          Yeo’s Sloop                             0/50 (1) 24 pounder C+

Strengths                                Losses/Active

                                                0/1096 Bayonets

                                                0/25        Sabres

                                                0/75        Artillerists

                                                0/3          Cannon

                                                0/1196 Total of All Arms

Victory Conditions:                  Retain five unrouted units on the field (minor)

                                                Cause half of the US forces to route off the field (major)

US   Forces

Wing Boyd                       202 Brigadier General Boyd        Active        C-                    (1100 paces)  Attack orders

1^st Brigade                        210  LTC Coles                                                              Active C+  (500 paces)                      “ “

                                                                        202               12^th US Infantry            0/369          C- (sk)

                                                                        203               13^th US Infantry                                    0/391          D+ (sk)        

3^rd Brigade                       205 BG Covington                              Active C-    (350 paces)  “”

                                                                        207               9^th US Infantry                                       0/468          C- (sk)

                                                                        208               16^th US Infantry                                    0/377          C  (sk)

                                                                        209               25^th US Infantry                                    0/562          C (sk)

4^th Brigade                       206 BG Swartout                                 Active  C+                         (350 paces) “”

                                                                        210               11^th US Infantry                                    0/449 C+ (sk)

                                                                        211               14^th US Infantry                                    0/267 D+ (sk)

                                                                        212               21^st US Infantry                                     0/632 C          (sk)

Boat Guard                      212  LTC Upham                                  Active B     (225 paces)   enroute  with attack order

                                                                        222               Boat Guard                                              0/600 C+ (sk)

                                                                       

Cavalry                                208 Major Woodford                                               Active C-    (175 paces)  enroute

                                                                        218               2^nd US Dragoons           0/150

Artillery                             211 Captain Knox                               Active B     (225 paces) enroute with attack order

                                                                        220               2^nd regiment of artillery  0/78 (3)  C  6 pders

                                                                        221               2^nd regiment of artillery                0/75  (3)  C  6 pders

Strengths                          losses/active

                                                                        0/4115  Bayonets

                                                                        0/150          Sabres

                                                                        0/153          Artillerists

                                                                        0/6                Cannon                                                       0/4418 Total of all arms

Victory Conditions:  Drive the British from the field

Rich Wallace and Scott Monteith eyeing their commands. Note the gulleys and the bridges which crossed them which have been removed.  The same muddy fields and fencing are in play.

The US troops, three brigades, approach the British skirmish line deployed at the first fence line. 

The British initial dispositions along the fenceline with their left on the swamp and their right on the river. Only one artillery unit is being used by the British in the play test. 

The initial British artillery fire targets the 2nd US Dragoons. sending them to the board's edge.

Rob Walters commands the British right flank.

The dragoons had advanced quickly to the second gulley. Attracting the artillery's attention.

Rob ably manuvered his unit of Provincial Dragoons on the flank of the US advance.  The artillery having forced the first unit in the US left brigade to withdraw and put a hurt on the second.  Rob advanced Captain Barnes detachment towards the weakened Americans.  Rob had not read the OOB and did not realize how weak his forces truly were.  Lesson from this trial run, each stand to represent 100 figures. 

The dragoons have stymied the US advance in the middle and Rob has learned to his chagrin how brittle his right flank detachment is.  On the US left flank the British are forced back from the fence line.  The US artillery have arrived and are beginning to tell on the British troops. 

The US forces are pushed forward on their left flank. 

The British attempt to form a new line to their rear.  LTC Plenderleith's command's brigade integrity is effected.

The British unit of detachments routes back to the Farm buildings and attempts to rally.

The provincial dragoons are sent running by the US infantry who turn their flank.

Garrisoning the farmhouse will hopefully assist the units to rally.

The advancing US artillery has other ideas. At this point the British morale falls below 75%.  The US gets a minor victory. 

Mike Paine brought along The Helm, the club award from Huzzah 2012 for most participation by a club.  We have been taking pictures with it wherever club members play during the past year.  Left to Right- Rich Wallace, Scott Monteith, Peter Lowitt, Rob Walters and Mike Paine on camera.

Cryslers Farm 11-11-1813

I ran this game using Carnage and Glory II computer moderated gaming system at Cold Wars (March) and again at Huzzah (May 4, 2013). US General Wilkerson, under pressure from Secretary of War Armstrong, has finally gotten his troops from one side of Lake Ontario to the other and has begun marching along the north side of the St Lawrence River towards Montreal.  He hopes to rendevous with General Hampton who is moving up from Plattsburg to join him.  A British Corps of Observation under Colonel Morrison has moved down from Kingston and is following Wilkerson as he moves east toward Montreal.  Wilkerson is focused on his gout which has him bedridden aboard his headquarters boat while the transport vessels begin to run the first series of rapids along the river.  He orders General Boyd, a political appointee, to turn around and sweep the British aside, after all, he outnumbers them about 4 to 1.  The British are waiting at Cryslers Farm, supported by a few sloops and gun boats attempting to interfere with the US running the rapids.  Its two O'clock in the afternoon.  Snow flurries are beginning to fly.  Why did the Wilkerson wait until November to invade Canada? 

Three US players battled two British and Canadian players.  Historically, the US attack was made in a piecemeal and disjointed manner.  The field of battle itself played a large role in the event. The dark brown area represents muddy fields (poor ground) which I entered into the computer as crossing disruptive terrain.  The St. Lawrence River formed the British side's right flank with a swamp anchoring their left.  The British main line waited behind a fence line for the American advance whilst Mohawks, Canadian Voltigeurs and other skirmish infantry commanded by Major Heriot formed a skirmish line to their front.  The muddy field was bordered and bisected by fences, further slowing down and tiring the US forces. 

Pete Landry, AJ Wright and Ed Stevens move forward the US Forces.  They were all grade C troops facing Grade B British troops. 

The Americans force the skirmisher back.  Methodically using engineering moves to remove fences as they advance.  The British Artillery spit cannister into the advancing troops. 

In order to better reflect the lack of cohesion amongst the US forces I had each brigade commander role a dice.  The lowest die roll was unable to move for that turn.  It worked out pretty well. 

Recent archeological digs on the battlefield site found 24 pound shot which could only have been fired from the naval sloops harrassing the US transport running the rapids.  The wood brown waters of the St. Lawrence contain a British Sloop and cannon which seems to be intimidating the US forces.  You will note the three brown linear marks on the terrain.  These are gulleys running in from the St. Lawrence.  The British had burned the bridges during their withdrawl toward Montreal.  More disruptive terrain.  The 2nd US Dragoons under Major Woodford (Rob Walters) have appeared on the field and are staying out of arc of the sloops guns. 

The US largest unit (each stand represents about 100 men) has been absorbing much of the British artillery and infantry fire.  Their return fire has impact the British left flank command.  Note one US unit has routed to the rear.  Another fresh unit has formed column and is advancing towards the swamp and the Mohawks holding that flank. 

The fire continues hot and heavy on the British right flank.  Brigade integrity has kicked in and the US brigade can no longer advance towards the enemy. 

The high watermark of the American advance. The US infantry  has pushed the Mohawks out of the swamp and Plenderleiths two units have fallen back along with their artillery.  A unit of Canadian fencibles had formed into column and marched over to form on the US infantry's flank.  The large US infantry unit had finally succombed to exhaustion and casualties and has routed from the field.  Two of the three US brigades have brigade integrity issues.   The third is readying to perform a passage of arms to get into the fray and the dragoons are preparing to advance. 

At this stage the US Army morale drops below 75% and the US leaves the field of battle.  A major British victory.  This was the first time the British won this scenario.   Good job done by Richard Wallace and Steve Keyer as the British Commanders.  Thanks to all who played.  The US artillery had yet to make an appearance.  One thought was to hold off on the US assaults until the artillery and cavalry arrived.  Maybe next time....

Stoney Creek, 1813

I attended the Huzzah Wargaming Conference in Portland, Maine last weekend and ran the Battle of Stoney Creek, June 6, 1813 using the Carnage and Glory II computer aided rules.  It came off very well. We had two British and two American gamers involved in this low density night action.

Note wooden US Artillery officer, a gift from my wife.

The action took place in the Niagara penninsula in the early morning of June 6, 1813.  The United States Forces under General Dearborn had just conducted a highly successful combined arms amphibious assault on Fort George, forcing the British to retreat up the peninsula to Burlington Heights.  The battle depicts the US pursuit lead by General Chandler which follows. The US forces camped willy nilly in the Stoney Creek area, without sentries.  A British scouting force lead by Colonel Harvey recommended a night assault on the scattered and sleeping Americans.

The British staring point as they enter from the North. They are heading toward the campfires in the distance.  To better simulate night manuveres I had the British players roll a dice.  Movement was limited to 100 paces during the night. With a 1-2 they veered to the left, 3-4 went straight ahead, 5-6 veered to the right. It took about four turns each representing 15 minutes of real time begining at 2:30 AM to come into contact with the US camp.

The 49th Regiment of foot is about 500 strong in this scenario and split into two units, one representing the light and grenadier companies (49th Elites) and the other representing the reamining 5 companies. It is commanded by Major Plenderleath. The Elites charged into the camp, scattering the cooks who had used the balance of the split rail fences in the area to start their camp fires, and waking Hindman's US lights (Artillerymen trained to fight as light infantry).  Other US troops would soon awaken to the sound of gunfire and stagger disordered and confused from their tents as they formed up to repell the night assault.

On the British right flank the Kings 8th Regiment of Foot, Major Ogilvie commanding, deploys into line supported by Canadian Militia in green uniforms, and native allies.  The native allies cross the creek and fire upon the US Volunteers stationed in the Gage Cabin.

The 8th Foot charges forward against two US units, the 16th and 23rd regiments who have taken post at the top of a 20' rise.  The militia and Native Allies continue to engage the US Volunteers in the Gage Cabin.  One of Towson's two 4 gun batteries has finally been manned.  The other artillerists as still slumbering, perhaps firing all of those 6 pounders have deafened the crews?

The 8th regiment of Foot, supported by a company of the 41st Foot on their left have seen off the two US Regiments from the top of the slope.  Meanwhile the US Volunteers have dispersed the Native Allies and cause the Canadian Militia to fall back 300 paces shaken.  The second artillery battery has been manned and is preparing to receive a close assault from the 41st. The 41st assaults and the guns fail to fire due to the light mist having dampened their powder. One gun is taken in the assault and the rest of the battery heads to the rear.  The balance of the US troops rally and extend their lines in order to combat the 8th Regiment of Foot (King's Regiment).  Their actions are hampered by the having been interpenetrated by their retreating colleagues and the line formation in front of them keeping the troops from firing to full effect.

The 49th, after dispersing Hindman's Lights and taking a few casualties in the process; crosses the creek and engages in a fierce fire fight with the 650 man strong US 25th regiment lead by Major Milton, who falls mortally wounded in the first exchange of gunfire.

The close range firefight proves too much for the exhausted 49th Regiment of Foot, and they quit the field bringing the battle to a conclusion at 8:00 AM.  A minor US victory is declared.  The difference between the actual battle and this recreation being that the US Commanders, Generals Chandler and his second in Command General Winder, were both captured in the night combat. In our game the British lost Major Plenderleath and the US lost Major Milton, which didn't cripple their command structure.  In the real battle, the British lost more troops than the US, but with their leadership in tatters a hastily called council of war decided that retreating to Fort George was the better part of valor.