1781 on two hills near Catawba, 28mm Black Powder

It was time for some AWI action again, after a long dry spell, so Angus and me spilled some painted lead (me the Rebels and him the Lobster backs). The Scenario was a "Heavy Metal" version of Cowpens, as the Americans had better quality troops and some artillery. And the British had real guns (not just some grass hoppers) and amplified numbers and qualities as well.

The British were played by Angus (who commanded the Highlander brigade) and the CinC Bart who played Tarlton and the rest.

The American General in Command was Dougie (playing the 3rd line brigade), Alisdair played the second and me the first, the Militia‘s who should hold the line for two volleys. And thats just what I did, Sir!

The Brits didn‘t missed a beat and came crawling up the hill faster than I could sip at my lager ... The Militia served them more than two volleys and hold them up for 6 turns and then broke. A bit different from Cowpens as you can't rally in BP when you break with low dice numbers!!! And I did that more than once.

Then It came to the second line and the British attack somewhat stalled ... the fire duels had taken their tolls and most units  even the Brits lost their fancy "useful" markers, like First Fire, Steady etc. ... but our troops were suffering as well.

Then the Highlanders advanced on the second line ... and broke as they were shot at from all sides and even attacked by Dragoons in a textbook attack courtesy of Dougie.

After that the Brits stopped and just continued to "amuse" our lines with volleys. We had to break up at that point and thanks to the victory conditions, only the units on the table in the second half (that with the two hills) counted ... and the rebels lost by one.

It was avery good game and the tactic of the Americans showed that Brits just cannot advance ad infinitum. But I can see now the reason why they kept reserves in these days. An intact reserve (on both sides) would just have made the difference and decided the battle for good. But being the ruthless tin soldier butcher we are, we like to commit all our lead right at the start.

For more read Angus blog:
http://www.edinburghwargames.com/the-battle-of-catawba-1781/

Or Barts blog:
http://asienieboje.blogspot.com/2018/06/catawba-1781.html

The initial set up with the "American" CinC looking up for some sort of strategy

The 3rd  American line

The Second American line (the NY 3rd)

The  1st line already under attack by the Crown forces

Redcoats everywhere!

Barts Brits were the first to breach the 1st line! 

Then the Hill became almost untenable

Retreat! Don‘t fall into their bayonets!

The last Militia shortly before they broke 

The rifle men were the only survivors from the 1st Brigade

Washington‘s 3rd Dragoons 

The guns on the last hill firing more or less uselessly over our troops

The 71st Highlanders shortly before they break (vs Horse artillery, 3rd Dragoons AND Haslets Chickens)

The british Advance came to an halt

Both sides were  showings signs of attrition

The initial map