Battle of Chippewa - Phase Three
A much delayed report of the final phase of this game.
The British Commander decided that he could not win the battle and capitulated. The moderator was hoping that he would conduct a defensive withdrawal across the Chippewa River. However, a fighting withdrawal is the most difficult tactical undertaking. Still, as the regular infantry of both sides were not engaged it would have been most interesting to see them clash. But it was not to be.
The following photos represent the end state of the battle.
The left of the British line anchored by a howitzer. Then the 1st Foot and the 19th Light Dragoons.
The 24 pounder has lost most its crew (one of the main reasons for the British capitulation) while the 6 pdr causes some damage to the Doodles.
MGen Riall looks over the battlefield while the 8th Foot await a possible American advance.
The 100th Foot are successfully engaging the American Indians. No doubt the 100th will shortly dispatch the Indians with a bayonet charge. The left wing of Scott's brigade is in the background.
LCol Pearson's Light Brigade (Light Coys, Lincoln Flank Coys and Norton's Mohawks) have continually pushed back Porter's militia and Indians.
Now to the extreme U.S. left flank. We see that Porter has rallied the New York Militia and brought them forward to engage Norton's Mohawks (upper left). Could Porters reinforcements turn the tide of battle against the British or will they arrive too late?
The battered and much reduced 5th Pennsylvanians await Porter's reinforcements. They are somewhat comforted by having a regiment of Scott's Brigade on their right flank. It seems Red Jacket's Six Nation warriors are so far holding their ground in a fire fight with the 100th Foot (mid right).
The American 9th and 11th Regiments supporting Red Jacket.
In the foreground left is BG Scott and to the right MGen Brown with the 25th regiment in front of them. The American 6pdr(left) and howitzer (right) have taken a toll of the British 24pdr.
On the American right flank. On the road both the 12pdr and 6pdr continue to cause more casualties particularly to the British 24pdr. The U.S. Light Dragoons take shelter behind a farmhouse. All four American field guns have been in action for a few turns and are causing casualties to the British force.
The British commander is unwilling to commit his infantry to the battle until the American artillery is neutralised. As MGen Riall believes this can't be done he capitulates to MGen Brown.
A great game, particularly for Rod (Pearson's Light Brigade) and Steve (Porter's Militia Brigade) in the woods. The battle in the woods started with a solid American advance and was countered with the arrival of Pearson's combined Light Companies. Person's Brigade drove Porter's almost back to their start point. However the arrival of the New York Volunteers may have turned the battle in the woods.
Our next game is at Paul G.'s and will be a early Peninsular battle.
