Saturday 14 May 2016

The Battle at Peekskill Oct VI 1776 - Wintercampaign

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 turnsOctober VI 1776
Time left: 20 turns – March VI 1777


Initial Turn and deployment
The defenders of Peekskill and "Kings Bridge" 
The Defenders of the Northern Hill
The British right flank, the Death and Glory Boys 
The British Grenadier Brigade attacks
And the Palatine imigrants defending it valiant
The British right forms along the river
While Col. Scott retreats onto the Northern Hill
Meanwhile Brigadier Mathews arrived and joins with the Grenadiers 
The British cross the bridge  
Cornwallis finally  under fire moves the Light Infntry BNs over the river

The British Artillery is hauled over the bridge into Peekskill
The final moments of the heroic defense of the Village

Map of Peekskill table
British stats
American stats


The battle of Peekskill

6 comments:

  1. It was great game Michael. I was close to loose few battalions too, however Bill decided to roll his dice in my favour. I am going to u se your map in my relation on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bart! Yep, I agree, but it wouldn‘t have changed the final out come of the battle. Not a problem, you can use the map, of course.

      Delete
  2. What a great looking battle, British Grenadier Brigade seems to be very impressive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Phil! Oh well, I experienced some critique as of the allocation of the extra skills of these fellas (from the opponents side of course). In the end they are a tough nut to crack and not for nothing did Cornwallis put them into one brigade. ;)

      Delete