The Battle of Queenston Heights - Opening Moves -18 July 2013

The Battle of Queenston Heights - Opening Moves -18 July 2013

After much too much terrain building we finally started the Battle of Queenston Heights seven months after its two hundredth anniversary. The scale is 28mm using figures from Knuckleduster, Front Rank, Perry metal/plastic, Victrix metal/plastic, Hinchliffe and Redoubt.

The rules are General de Brigade with a steadily building War of 1812 addendum.

Here are some photos of the battlefield and environs;

This is Queenston Heights looking across the Niagara River towards the American redoubt called Fort Gray, which contains an 18 pounder gun.

The village of Queenston with two flank companies of Lincoln and York Militia by the church.

A different view - beyond the church the 49th Grenadier Coy and a glimpse of the First Lincoln 9 pounder garrison gun facing the beach.

Looking north along the Niagara at the American embarkation area with boats at the ready and a glimpse of the 8 inch mortar nearby. On the left, the entrance of the ravine hat leads up behind the redan.

Looking south on the American embarkation area with the 8 inch mortar at the top left.

Looking south with embarkation area left and Queenston and the beach are to the right and beyond the heights and the redan.

Some sedentary militia 3rd York guard the dock at the Hamilton house

The first casualties - all 40 Americans are wiped out by the 9 pounder...the boat crew manage to get the dead and dying back to New York shore.

The U.S. 13th lands on the narrow shore ledge in the dark, which forces them into skirmish order while the 49th Light Coy pour fire into the Americans from high above.

Major Lovett directs fire from Fort Gray's 18 pounder.

Left - the U.S. 23rd lands in the redan dead zone while the rest of the regiment embarks. The American 8 inch mortar provides supporting fire.

The U.S. 23rd advancing up the heights in the dead zone below the redan while to the left at the ravine the 13th suffers more casualties from the 48ths Light Company.

The Lincoln 9 pounder fires into the American landing force from behind a stone wall while the Lincoln and York Flank Companies guard the buildings.

Major-General Van Rensalaer and LCol Fenwick inspire the 23rd Infantry as they embark.

However, Brigadier General Wadsworth's Seventh brigade of New York Militia is frustrated as they have not been issued their ammo supply and it is unlikely to arrive until 0730.

The U.S. 13th is forced to retreat and is annihilated by combination of earlier fire from the garrison 9 pounder and a charge from the 49th.

The 13th's retreat affects other Regular Brigade units and ultimately leads to Brigade morale failure and the invasion stalls temporarily.

On the completion of the 49th Gren Coy charge it fails a formation test and falters. There is a temporary tactical pause below the heights.

Both sides recover and recommence the battle.

The 23rd regroups in the dead zone below the Redan's 18 pounder while the 49th prepares to repulse the American advance yet again.

With morning twilight about to change into a sunrise at 0620 the Americans feel like they are re-starting the invasion again. They have suffered heavy casualties and have lost a boat that they can't afford to lose. However, the British and Canadian Militia have lost men too. Men that they can't afford to lose as re-enforcements are unlikely for hours yet.

With only three turns left, we met to decide the final outcome of the Battle of Rolica on Tuesday night.  By 1620, Loisin seemed to be in a good position to roll up the entire British right flank.  But while he had plenty of cavalry to hand, the three infantry battalions that he had for the task were already much fatigued and depleted from their earlier battles.  The freshest battalion (the 3/58eme) attempted to catch yet another British battalion in square but was repulsed!?  In the background, Steve (in the background) finds it impossible to contain his emotion.

 On the other flank, Delaborde has almost destroyed the Portuguese but the British remain in control of the village, while Brennier remains rooted on the hill.

 For the next two turns, little changed as both exhausted armies attempted to solidify their lines.

By the end of the game, it was clear that the British would not be able to exit a formed unit off the southern end of the battlefield.  In this case, it would come down to casualties.  These broke down as follows:

The French

Delaborde's Division
-Thomieres Brigade - 780
-Brennier's Brigade - 360
-Artillery - 60 (all in the train company)
Total:  1440

Loisin's Division
-Solignac's Brigade - 1020
-Artillery - 60
Total:  1080

Reserve Cavalry
-Margaron's Brigade - 360
-Maransin's Brigade - 60
Total:  420

French Total:  2940

The British

-20th Light Dragoons - all 180 were wiped out
-Hill's Brigade - 1470 (the 1/5th Foot was wiped out)
-Ferguson's Brigade - 630
-Nightingall's Brigade - 660
-Bowes Brigade - 480
-Crauford's Brigade - 480
-Fane's Brigade - 480
-Portuguese - 1080
-Reserve Artillery - 30 (the crew of the single 9lb were wiped out)

British Total:  5490

Given that almost one-in-three of the Allies was lost in the battle, this version of Rolica represents a tactical victory for the French.  But with Junot still not in sight (apparently it was two for one at the mess the night before they left Lisbon...) and rumours abounding that the British were about to land troops at Vimiero in their rear, Delaborde got cold feet and gave the order to withdraw during the night.  Wellesley was thus able to link up with his two remaining brigades.  Meanwhile Junot, angered by Delaborde's unnecessary withdrawal from Rolica, would seek to strike back at the British quickly before the rest of Portugal rose up in revolt.

Another week and another night of Rolica.  The first turn started at 1520hrs, but I didn't remember to take any photos.  So, let's move on to 1540hrs.  During this turn, the Loisin and Kellerman continued to utilize their combined arms advantage to press in the British right flank.  One after another, the British squares and their supporting artillery fell to a combination of artillery fire, cavalry charge or infantry melee. 



On the other flank, Delaborde continued to hold on by his finger nails to Rolica Hill, while the British re-took the rest of the town, effectively cutting the French division in half.

By 1600 hrs, Delaborde had pushed further across the stream bed north of Rolica and was starting to lap around the British left flank. 

Back on the other flank, events had see-sawed back as the British continued to show their sting, forcing back two battalions of French infantry with their fire.  Two other battalions, though, failed to form square and were attacked by French cavalry.  One managed to obtain an engaged result but the other was destroyed.

Their is only one more hour to go until mutual exhaustion sets in.  Casualties are mounting on both sides but the questions remains:  can the British hold on to their gains or will they be beaten back even further.  An Amber Alert has been issued for General Junot and the rest of the French Army who appear to be taking their sweet time making it to the battlefield.

After a long hiatus, we finally got back to our Battle of Rolica.  The time was now 1420hrs with less than three hours left before the arbitrary end of the battle due to ammunition consumption and fatigue. 

On the right flank, the French have massed their cavalry forcing the British into square.  The latter are now terribly vulnerable to infantry and the lone remaining French battalion takes advantage of this to charge into the British battalion at the corner.  They are forced to retreat and a hole suddenly develops in the British line.

On the left flank, Delaborde's troops and the British under Ferguson continue to grind each other down in a real battle of attrition.  Not only are the French hanging on, they have even managed to re-occupy part of Rolica village, itself. 

By 1440hrs, the French have forced back yet another British battalion but their casualties and fatigue are rapidly mounting.

On the other flank, Delaborde has pushed the Portuguese back across the stream bed but have lost their toe-hold in the village with two British battalions bearing down from the south.

There is still no sign of Junot and Reserve after all these hours of battle (did they stop for croissants along the way?)!  Will the British survive until sunset or will they break under the continued pressure from the combined arms attack of the French?  With two hours left, it is going to be close.

Another night of gaming beginning at 1340hrs, but I only took photos after the turn of 1400hrs (I really should stop drinking during the games... nah!).  On the left flank, Ferguson continued to try and cut Delaborde off, pushing the Portuguese left of the village and his own brigade around the right and up Rolica Hill.  As in past turns, the French held on and even managed to rout the 2/95th who drew a battalion of the Portuguese with them before they were rallied.



To the north, the cavalry of Kellerman that had just arrived threatened the far right flank of the British army but, with half of its infantry support retreating out of fire, was left impotent in front of the "Rosbifs'" squares.

The French are starting to run out of infantry, but trhe British are running out of time with only three hours left in which to attain their victory conditions.  Can either side turn events to their favour before both sides run out of ammunition?

Everybody was back at it again this week.  We got three turns in this last week, but I forgot to take pictures after the first turn (1220 hrs).  So we go to 1240 hrs.  Loisin and Hill remain stalemated across the stream bed, while Margaron in the previous turn had annihilated the remaining British cavalry and was now manoeuvering to outflank the British line that had partially gone into square.

 

Meanwhile, the Portuguese under Fraser tried to push around the left of Rolica, but were stymied by the 3/4e Legere who even managed to wipe out the crew of the Reserve Artillery 9lber.  Their casualties continued to mount, though, raising the question of just how long they can hold on under such pressure. 

 

It's now 1300 hrs and bad news for the British as Kellerman arrives with, yet, more cavalry.

 The pressure continues to mount in front of Rolica and around the hill, but the French continue to hold on, even launching a couple of local counter-attacks.

With their extra cavalry, can the French beat back the British or will superior numbers prevail in time?

 





We were back at the battle after a week off this last Wednesday. It was now 1140 hrs and General Hill was threatening to capture Rolica Hill and the 4lb battery stationed there when disaster struck. The 1/50th charged in upon the rear of the French but were themselves counter-charged by 2/70th. The former closed with the French but lost the melee and routed!, just to add insult to injury. This had the unexpected effect of taking two nearby battalions with them and saving what was left of Brennier's Brigade from being terribly mauled if not captured. Loisin's Division continued to move up in support of Delaborde, as well, hoping to re-open communications with the embattled commander.

 

 Nearer to the town, the Fane's Brigade remained stuck at the edge of the hill, while the Portuguesse attempted to push up the eastern side. The brave Portuguese cavalry even attempted to catch a the 1/70th in the open, but the latter formed square just in time and annihilated the former! The sight of their supporting cavalry being driven back was too much for what was essentially militia and they retired out of range to reconsider the whole allied relationship.

By 1200 hrs, Loisin had driven the British back across the stream bed and fully linked up with Delaborde.

Delaborde's situation had also stabilized as Thomiere's Brigade, now relieved of defending his depth by Loisin, moved up to secure his right flank. 

Has the momentum of the battle changed, or are the British just pausing before renewing their attack to cut the French off? I guess we'll see in the next few turns.