Battle of Chippewa Phase Two

 

 

Riall's left flank. A RA 5.5 inch howitzer engages and American 6pdr down the lake shore road. To the rear the 19th L.D are in support. To the right of the house is 1st Foot 'Royal Scots.

 

On the left the big 24pdr gun and 6 pdr blast the American gun and infantry. The Americans take some casualties.

In the woods Pearson's Light Brigade are steadily pushing back the American Indians and Militia.

The Lincoln Militia Flank Companies are forcing back the Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The reverse view with Norton's Mohawks giving the American Volunteers flanking fire.

 

Scott's Brigade taking casualties fro the British guns.

 While the British are content to hold their present position and engage in an artillery duel, MGen Brown orders up the L.D. and divisional artillery.

Brigadier-General Porter arrives at the American camp in the hope of rallying the N.Y Volunteers to join the remaining elements of his brigade who are heavily engaged with Pearson's Light brigade.

 

In summary the main part of the battlefield has settled down to an artillery duel while Pearson's Light Brigade has been steadily pushing back Porter's Indians and Volunteers. It remains to be seen if Porter can rally his remaining militia units and perhaps go on the offensive against Pearson's Light Brigade.

The Battle of Chippewa

Battle of Chippewa, 5 July, 1814

 

After a sojourn of three weeks since the Battle of Vimeiro we started the Battle of Chippewa using General de Brigade Rules with a War 1812 addendum.

 

The Situation

 

On the British/Canadian side Paul M. as Major-General Riall commanding the main force of 1st Foot, 8th Foot, 19th L.D. and artillery consisting of a 6 pdr, 24 pdr and a howitzer (an unidentified unit is in reserve) and Rod as LCol Pearson commanding the Light Brigade consisting of combined Light companies of the 1st, 8th and 100th; 2nd Lincoln Militia, Grand River Indians and Norton's Mohawks.

 

On the American side Paul G takes the role of Major-General Brown and First Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Scott while Steve is Brigadier-General Porter commanding the New York Volunteers and a large Seven Nations warriors horde led by Red Jacket.

 

This battle started with Porter's Brigade (actually half the brigade the rest are in camp)  pushing back and engaging the 2nd Lincoln Militia and Grand River Indians in the wooded areas. After a few turns Pearson's Light brigade joins this fire fight in the woods.

 

While the engagement in the woods is developing, Riall sent his brigade across the Chippewa River with the aim of attacking Scott's Brigade, which is hopefully still encamped on the south side of Street's creek. At the same time MGen Brown has been observing the progress of Porter's Brigade mopping up the annoying Canadian Militia and Indians. From his position on the lake shore road, Brown is surprised to observe a significant British force coming down the road toward him. Brown immediately dispatches his aide to bring forward Scott's Brigade without delay.

 

After about ten fast turns the following photos represent the Phase One end state.

 

 

Riall's left flank on the shore road with a 6pdr and howitzer on the road. In front of the guns is (l to r)the 1st Foot, 24 pdr and 19th L.D. In the distance Scott's Brigade is deploying.

In the woods to the right of Riall's main force, is Pearson's Light Brigade. From left to right; Grand River Indians, Light Companies, 2nd Lincoln and mid upper right is Norton's Mohawks working around Porter's left flank.

In center the 8th Foot is formed in line along the fence marking the edge of the woods. The 8th can hear a lot of musketry and so appear to be protecting Riall's right flank. To the right Porter's and Pearson's brigades are heavily engaged.

Brown's aide having already passed the commander's orders to Scott, appears to ordering more unnamed units forward.

No Man's Land. Looking west, the British to the left and the American's to the right.

Looking north-east; Porter's and Pearson's brigades are heavily engaged. Bottom left, Norton's Mohawks are working their way around Porter's left flank. However, the N.Y. Volunteers have wheeled left to receive the Mohawks.

 

Ropes' coy (21st) are still by the house while an American howitzer and six pounder unlimber near the lake. At the same time the 11th regiment is marching along the fence line while the 25th is crossing Street's Creek. To the left Scott and Brown Observe.

Another look at the same area with American Light Dragoons to the left of Scott and Brown.

 

Summary

Porter's and Pearson's brigades remain heavily engaged in the woods. The main British force under Riall looks  prepared to unleash its guns at Scott's brigade as it moves into position along the rail fence. In support, the American 6pdr and howitzer are about fire on the British.

Phase Two bodes well for a major clash between the two main brigades. 

Until next time, which will no doubt be sustained by beer and pretzels.

Queenston Heights Redux - Final Moves

The game started at twilight with visibility reduced to 24 inches for two turns and a final turn at dark with the visibility down to 12 inches. Clearly the American forces are holding/clinging on to the heights but the British/Canadian Brigades under Brock had increased the pressure and it was matter of perhaps four to six turns with good visibility that Americans may have been forced off the heights. As it was the Americans managed to hold on to most of the heights and the British held on to Queenston. So, as the objectives achieved were a draw, it came down to casualties. As the Americans suffered more than a 10% differential, the British/Canadian forces were declared the winner.

The following photos represent the end state at dark.

 

Holcroft's battery moves closer/canister range to the remains American Seventh Brigade, which is at the redan.

The American Seventh N.Y. militia Brigade flanks the 18 pdr gun.

The 49th Flank Coys slowly move up the escarpment in an attempt to outflank the American regular brigade with what is left of the Light Artillery Infantry Battalion. In the center, the Lincoln and York Flank Coys move up to engage the LA Inf frontally while the Mohawks keep the 2nd Artillery Infantry and the 13th Inf pinned.

A couple more turns and this situation could turned for and American disaster as both the U.S. 13th and 23rd Inf were in a FALTER. This is one the few situations when Indians can attack a formed infantry unit. In the center bottom The 1st/4th Lincoln and Runchey's militias support MGen Shaeffe's engagement while the 41st (bottom right) takes heavy casualties from the American 6 pdr.

Crowther's 3 pdr is supported by the Cayuga's are anchoring MGen Sahaeffe's right flank.

Another view of the U.S. 6pdr that is anchoring the Regular brigade's right flank on the edge of the woods.

As a result of fierce fire fight with the Chippewa Brigade, Hopkins's Rifle volunteers suffered more than 50% casualties and they failed a morale check and routed, which necessitated a brigade morale check. The Sixth Brigade of N.Y. Volunteers failed their brigade morale check and were forced to retreat as a broken brigade.

As a result of the aforementioned fire fight the Lincoln Flank Coys routed causing morale checks for the remaining units. The 41st remain firm, however....

The Kent Militia Rifles are FALTERD.

A view of the Redan and the U.S. Seventh Brigade N.Y. Militia looking toward Holcroft's battery on the move.

Sadly, I must now de-construct the battlefield.

Next time we are conducting the peninsular Battle of Vimeiro.

 

Queenston Heights Redux - Session Four

Session Four photos represent the end state at 1620 hours several turns after sunset and a turn before evening twilight. The visibility is reduced to 36" .

 

 

Obeying orders to withdraw, the much weakened and fragile Seventh Brigade has retreated to the Redan under the protection of its 18 pdr.

Capt. Crowther's battery has forced the U.S. Seventh Brigade to retreat inflicting some casualties on the Americans.

Norton's Mohawks have inflicted casualties on the American Light Artillery infantry and have forced them into a retreat state.

 The 41st with support from the Lincoln Flank Coys are engaging the American 13th and 23rd regiments. The 41st has suffered some casualties and the Americans are holding the line in the woods.

Despite MGen Shaeffes urging, the Cayugas are unwilling to advance in the face of the American artillery, which they cannot yet see but can hear. And they don't like it one bit!

To the right of the Cayuga's, the Lincoln 3pdr keeps the American 6pdr occupied.

Another look at the 41st and U.S. 13th & 23rd with the American Light Artillery 6 pdr firing.

On the left the U.S. Sixth brigade of N.Y Volunteers with Hopkins's Rifles screening, are engaging the Chippewa Brigade's 41st foot and 1st Kent Rifles (right foreground) and above the 41st the 2nd Lincoln Flank Coys.

A close up of the Cayugas with the 1st/4th Lincoln Flank Coys in the distance.

A close up of LCol. Clarke's 41st and 2nd Lincoln Flank Coy.

Another close up with LCol Clarke in command.

 

With three turns left  before dark and the visibility dropping to 24" it looks like the American's may be to hold on by their finger nails. Will units of the American regular Brigade be able to survive an impending morale check caused by a unit retreat?  Will this battle end in a draw with the casualty count the deciding factor? Stay tuned.

Queenston Heights Redux - Session Three

The following photos represent the end state at turn 1520 hours.

 

 

After a short hiatus in Queenston village, Brock has moved up to the scene of the action.

After a series of charges, melees and pursuits, the Provincial Light Dragoons have driven the 20th Regiment of the Seventh N.Y Militia Brigade to the Niagara River ultimately destroying it. Is there no seeming end to the string of victories by this amateur cavalry unit?

The remnants of the remaining two U.S. Regiments of the Seventh brigade fall back towards the Redan.  The 20th heads towards the dragoons at the river.

A close up of the 1st Lincoln Militia's 3 pdr crew (Crowther's) protecting the right flank of Shaeffe's Brigade.

The 41st engages the American Regular Brigade and Lincoln Flank Coys move up to the 41st right flank while Runchey's militia Coy is in support (bottom left).

One of brock's aides heads out with orders for the Chippewa Brigade.

 The U.S. Sixth Brigade fell back to support the left flank of the Regular Brigade.

 Some of the brigade man the farmhouse while Hopkins's New York Rifles screen the brigade from the Chippewa brigade.



The Chippewa brigade engages the U.S. Sixth Brigade.

A much depleted mortar battery engages the Chippewa brigade at the extreme left of the American line.

At the conclusion of this session the Americans have withdrawn slightly and realigned their front on a north south axis while the British and Canadians are still maneuvering to fully engage the enemy. The Chippewa brigade appears static but Brock's orders are on the way. There is only twenty minutes until sunset and reduced visibility. Will the Americans be able to hold on until darkness in the face of an overwhelming British/Canadian division led by the aggressive General Brock? Stay tuned!

Queenston Height Redux - Session Two - Fri 3 Jan 2014

 

After a long holiday hiatus we resumed on a cold Friday afternoon in the New Year. The following represents the end state after our second session.

 

 

General Brock gave orders to move all brigades towards the St David's road with a view to attack the American left flank

The U.S. Seventh N.Y. Militia Brigade takes heavy casualties while engaging a British six pounder. However, the militia has killed two gunners.

The Cayuga's (bottom right) position themselves to support their fellow Mohawks (upper centre).

 The provincial Light Dragoons (bottom right) are basking in glory having recently surprised and destroyed an American gun crew (upper right abandoned gun) while the rest of Shaeffe's brigade moves up the heights to attack the exposed American left flank.

A close up of Shaeffe's brigade moving to attack the Yanks. In the foreground right Crowther's 3 pdr, center the 41st, right center the Lincoln Flank Coys and top left the 49th Flank Coys engaging the American regulars.

Another look at Lincoln Flank Coys trying to get around the American left flank.

The Americans bring up a six pounder to protect its left flank and counter Shaeffe's flanking move.

The Chippewa brigade led by LCol. Clarke has arrived and is engaged with the U.S. Sixth brigade of New York Volunteers.

A close up of the aforementioned engagement.

It appears that the arrival of the Chippewa Brigade will change the balance significantly, although the 6th brigade was prepared for their arrival. The question is whether or not Shaeffe's Brigade will be able to completely turn the American flank.

Stay tuned!