The Forage War 1777, Battle of Millstone : AWI

Wargames Soldiers and Strategy Magazine ran an article back in October 2020 on the Winter fighting in 1777, covering Trenton, Princeton and the small battles which took place known as the Forage War. Having successfully played the first two I used the article in the magazine for our next AWI the Battle of Millstone. Although small these battles with perhaps 500 men or so aside make perfect skirmish battles and lend themselves to Rebels and Patriots.

Having read a little on the internet about the battle I found it hard to rationalise this with the scenario in the Magazine so I have merged to two to create our own scenario. As background the British after their defeat at Princeton are now struggling in winter quarters. Small forces of men are sent out to find supplies, one such force commanded by Lt Colonel Abercromby is sent to a depot outside of the small town of Manville in New Jersey, the depot is actually located close to a Mill owned by one Abraham van Nest. The local area has several militia and continental army units located in the vicinity.

Historically the British succeed in capturing the supplies but are cut off and surprised by the Americans, who having shot the horses of the lead wagon chase the British column back to the river crossing, where only the quick action of Hessian Jaegers with some artillery saves the British troops who are forced to return mainly empty handed. The American forces are commanded by Colonel Philemon Dickson.

So the scene is set….

As mentioned above the set up in the magazine doesn’t seem to tally with other sources, however the key features are the Van Nest Mill, the Millstone River with bridge, the nearby town of Weston. In our setup the British have control of the supplies and must attempt to exit with them over the bridge. The Americans will arrive randomly from the identified locations, but have the opportunity to delay entry to remove locations improving their entry points.

Lt Col Abercromby leading the 37th Foot at the head of the column, they have light infantry at the rear, the wagons activate as a normal unit and have 4 wounds but can only be targeted if the closest unit

At the bridge over the Millstone River the Jaegers and artillery

Seeing the ambush begin the Hessians begin to move across the bridge

The Americans arrive under the command of Colonel Dickson

As to be expected the wagons initially fail to activate but the leading British units form up at the edge of the road

The American forces include skirmishers with hunting rifles making them better shots

American milita also arrive near the rear, but the leading unit takes a volley from the light infantry and are pushed back

The Americans arrive in force and target the forces around the bridge

but the British infantry at the rear are shaken by more militia moving through the town

A volley form the other two companies temporarily halt the skirmishers and one unit quickly flees

As always the battle ebbed and flowed , the British infantry at the rear rolled a terrible double 1 and fled leaving only the light infantry to hold the rear.

But more Americans are arriving all the time and they are able to concentrate their fire on the infantry who need to protect the wagons

Finally the Hessians are across the bridge

The Americans final unit arrives to join the ambush

The battle is still balanced although the British are starting to roll some very poor morale checks !

One of the leading Militia unit flees and all is looking good….until…..

Another terrible morale roll of forces Lt Col Abercromby to flee with his unit.

Bad to worse in a couple of turns another British units is forced back

The British are scattered and in disarray 

The hessians have also been forced back and the wagons are undefended

The militia close in on the supplies….

Roast lamb for the American troops but the British will be cold and hungry 🙁

Another splendid battle, smaller but an entertaining skirmish. Once again the British suffered from some dreadful morale rolls although the scenario felt balanced until the British collapsed. The Americans could easily have gone a turn before but held their nerve. Somehow we recreated history, rather too closely from my liking 🤨

Next up a couple of landscape shots , the weather has allowed several trips out

Mountain biking

Walking Coniston Old Man in the distance in the cloud

We also visited on another walk a small Iron Age fort , little to see but a remarkable remote location

Thanks all for looking, back off the paint some more German Tanks👍

Matt