This Sharp Practice game was based upon the above which took place on 7th July 1777, the only battle of the AWI which took place in what is now Vermont.
American Colonel Ebenezer Frazer has been tasked with extracting two gun batteries before the British under Brigadier Simon Fraser catch up with them.
Steve Clarke won the toss and elected to be the British attacker. We scaled the forces down to work for Sharp Practice so he had a group of Loyalist Rangers & a group of Indian Allies commanded by Lt.Col. John Peters, two groups of Grenadiers under Major John Acland.
Major General Reidesel with Brunswick Jaegers and Advance Guard is further down the road also two groups of 24th Foot and more Brunswickers.
This is the view from beyond the American position. The guns have to exit from one of these roads.
The British coming down the road with Rangers and Indians already on the high ground either side of the road.
American skirmishers are spread out in front of their guns and formed troops comprising Warner's Additional Continentals (two groups under Col. Seth Warner), 2nd New Hampshire (two groups under Col. Nathan Hale) and 11th Massachussets (two groups under Major Stevens)
The guns commanded by Captain Brook trundle down the road
Two 6 pounders & two 12 pounders.
First fire - The Indians hit the American skirmishers
and the American sergeant is one of the casualties - stunned not dead.
This encourages the guns to move along a bit !
They decide to take the right fork, covered by the infantry
Major Acland's Grenadiers move up
and the American skirmish line retreats
The first gun enters the road fork
The Indians rush the Americans
as the Grenadiers step out
Colonel Francis holds his Continentals in position for now
The guns get another move putting them in sight of the exit point
Reidesel now arrives with the Brunswickers, just behind the Grenadiers
Light troops still firing from the high ground
joined by Jaegers
With Loyalists alongside, the Grenadiers push on
Francis decides to concede ground as the guns are making good progress
The terrifying Indians give chase as the American skirmishers decide they do not wish to tackle their tomahawks !
The Indians are indeed well ahead of the main force
and they are pretty good shots - this American skirmish group is finished !
Pushing on through the trees, Acland hears the 24th Foot coming up in support
The Indians charge ahead again trying to create panic in the American lines
Which back off steadily towards the road fork
The first of the guns has now exited. Brook is doing a good job.
Just as well, because the pressure on the Continentals is now immense - The 11th Massachussets are on the road and are ready to march off
Warner's men are trying to hold off the British as long as they can
Now the Loyalist Rangers rush forwards towards Nathan Hale's New Hampshires
The Grenadiers & 24th Foot advance side by side
as the Indians keep up the pressure on their left
Backs to the road junction, extracting all the troops is going to be a challenge for Francis
But at least the guns have gone - his main purpose.
Jaegers skirmish from amongst the trees
as the Brunswick line troops march on
Warner's troops are taking casualties now from the combined fire power of the Grenadiers and 24th Foot
as the Indians make for the fence line where two American units are attempting to escape
Controlled volleys by the British are very effective
The Indians are now into the woods nearest the rail fencing
With the Massachussets boys having exited, Warner' poor boys are getting hit from all directions and the Indians are itching to get to grips with them
They break with heavy losses - an ironic wave from Nathan Hale whose horse has gone lame and he is therefore the last to leave the battlefield
Colonel Francis having chosen the other fork and accompanied the New Hampshires in their retreat
Another great game of Sharp Practice with better understanding and use of the Command Flags.
Frustrating for Steve as for all the British aggression, all the Americans had to do was get the guns away - and this they did thanks to use of the bonus moves when four "flags" have been accumulated - those of you playing SP will know what this means, those that don't - why aren't you playing Sharp Practice yet !!!
Steve Clarke won the toss and elected to be the British attacker. We scaled the forces down to work for Sharp Practice so he had a group of Loyalist Rangers & a group of Indian Allies commanded by Lt.Col. John Peters, two groups of Grenadiers under Major John Acland.
Major General Reidesel with Brunswick Jaegers and Advance Guard is further down the road also two groups of 24th Foot and more Brunswickers.
This is the view from beyond the American position. The guns have to exit from one of these roads.
The British coming down the road with Rangers and Indians already on the high ground either side of the road.
American skirmishers are spread out in front of their guns and formed troops comprising Warner's Additional Continentals (two groups under Col. Seth Warner), 2nd New Hampshire (two groups under Col. Nathan Hale) and 11th Massachussets (two groups under Major Stevens)
The guns commanded by Captain Brook trundle down the road
Two 6 pounders & two 12 pounders.
First fire - The Indians hit the American skirmishers
and the American sergeant is one of the casualties - stunned not dead.
This encourages the guns to move along a bit !
They decide to take the right fork, covered by the infantry
Major Acland's Grenadiers move up
and the American skirmish line retreats
The first gun enters the road fork
The Indians rush the Americans
as the Grenadiers step out
Colonel Francis holds his Continentals in position for now
The guns get another move putting them in sight of the exit point
Reidesel now arrives with the Brunswickers, just behind the Grenadiers
Light troops still firing from the high ground
joined by Jaegers
With Loyalists alongside, the Grenadiers push on
Francis decides to concede ground as the guns are making good progress
The terrifying Indians give chase as the American skirmishers decide they do not wish to tackle their tomahawks !
The Indians are indeed well ahead of the main force
and they are pretty good shots - this American skirmish group is finished !
Pushing on through the trees, Acland hears the 24th Foot coming up in support
The Indians charge ahead again trying to create panic in the American lines
Which back off steadily towards the road fork
The first of the guns has now exited. Brook is doing a good job.
Just as well, because the pressure on the Continentals is now immense - The 11th Massachussets are on the road and are ready to march off
Warner's men are trying to hold off the British as long as they can
Now the Loyalist Rangers rush forwards towards Nathan Hale's New Hampshires
The Grenadiers & 24th Foot advance side by side
as the Indians keep up the pressure on their left
Backs to the road junction, extracting all the troops is going to be a challenge for Francis
But at least the guns have gone - his main purpose.
Jaegers skirmish from amongst the trees
as the Brunswick line troops march on
Warner's troops are taking casualties now from the combined fire power of the Grenadiers and 24th Foot
as the Indians make for the fence line where two American units are attempting to escape
Controlled volleys by the British are very effective
The Indians are now into the woods nearest the rail fencing
With the Massachussets boys having exited, Warner' poor boys are getting hit from all directions and the Indians are itching to get to grips with them
They break with heavy losses - an ironic wave from Nathan Hale whose horse has gone lame and he is therefore the last to leave the battlefield
Colonel Francis having chosen the other fork and accompanied the New Hampshires in their retreat
Another great game of Sharp Practice with better understanding and use of the Command Flags.
Frustrating for Steve as for all the British aggression, all the Americans had to do was get the guns away - and this they did thanks to use of the bonus moves when four "flags" have been accumulated - those of you playing SP will know what this means, those that don't - why aren't you playing Sharp Practice yet !!!
Splendid report, Stephen! Looks like a terrific game!
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