This Thursday we played the 4th battle into the campaign using BP rules. Col. Scott was left behind by Gen. Lee with 7 Militia regiments on the righthand side of the Hudson to defend as long as possible.
Unfortunately Gen. Clinton and Cornwallis were on his heels with the best of the British troops.
It was at the end of October and weather was relatively fine. Admiral Howe had agreed to land a 3rd brigade (Mathews) somewhat south of the village coming at the 4th turn as a reserve to help Gen. Vaughn (played by Bart). Campbell played Gen. Clinton and Cornwallis while Jim stood in for Col. Scott and as his sub-ordinate Bill helped out as Captain Smith to defend the village.
This time it was a tough call for both of the parties as it was a river crossing battle with BUAs, but then it was the last stand of the Northern Militia. I gave the buildings structure points (as I'm against eternal fortress like battles even if village huts are made out of wood). I let Jim dice out the quality of the Militia and oops, none of them were wavering!!!
The battle in itself, progressed quickly, first the British had to establish themselves and then they attacked. Always under fire of the Militia, which due to some very unfortunate dice rolling could have massacred easily some 2 or 3 more regiments. Only Cornwallis (as later it would be clear after a damning report from Gen. Clinton) lost a regiment of Light Infantry! After the British crossed the river, the Militia retreated into the woods of Northern Hill and stood ground for a little longer but was seen off after a famous Bajonet charge of the British.
A sounding victory for the British again, but with a little salt in it, as the 1st British loss of a regiment into the campaign! (yes, dear Cornwallis, unfair the battle of White Plains didn't count ...) which made clear again, how useful even just one BN of artillery can be.
I hope all involved had the same fun as me, and I might add that (I agree veeeery slowly) the campaign comes into its own individualistic shape.
With more interesting stuff surely on the horizont, winter still to come, with rain and snow, the American Enlistments will fade out at end of December 1776, not to talk about spies, economy, traitors, diplomacy etc.
Campaign stats:
Losses (regiments/units): British vs American = 1:9
Victories (battles over brigade size): British vs American = 2:0
Loyality Index (+-5): -3 against the Patriots
Time passed: 4 turns
– October VI 1776
Time left: 20 turns –
March VI 1777
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| Initial Turn and deployment |
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| The defenders of Peekskill and "Kings Bridge" |
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| The Defenders of the Northern Hill |
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| The British right flank, the Death and Glory Boys |
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| The British Grenadier Brigade attacks |
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| And the Palatine imigrants defending it valiant |
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| The British right forms along the river |
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| While Col. Scott retreats onto the Northern Hill |
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| Meanwhile Brigadier Mathews arrived and joins with the Grenadiers |
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| The British cross the bridge |
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| Cornwallis finally under fire moves the Light Infntry BNs over the river |
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| The British Artillery is hauled over the bridge into Peekskill |
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| The final moments of the heroic defense of the Village |
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| Map of Peekskill table |
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| British stats |
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| American stats |
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| The battle of Peekskill |
