The Battle of Fort Ann July 1777 : American War Independence

After far too long the weekend saw us return to our AWI campaign. We are now in July 1777 and the small battle of Fort Ann. During the early part of the Saratoga campaign the British had forced the Americans out of fort Ticonderoga, but the pursuit was slightly disorganised. As a column of the 9th Foot marched towards Fort Ann under the command of General John Hill the Americans under Pierse Long sought to catch them in ambush.

The location of Fort Ann

The ‘official’ map of the battlefield, historically the Americans sent the Albany Militia across the river to get behind the British whilst the New Hampshire troops moved to block the road.

A small encounter perfect for Rebels and Patriots. The whole area is wooded and will be difficult to move through and provide cover unless units are on the road.

The 9th Regiment of Foot marching along the road, they have some Native American warriors in support but they may not arrive in time ?

The Albany Militia get behind the column

But the British quickly form into line and give them a volley. Unfortunately the militia prove much tougher than expected

Some of the Albany militia are attacking from across the creek. These woodsmen are better than the average shots !

The British are facing enemy all around

With the regular New Hampshire continentals arriving in force to block the road

The British who are classed as veterans try to face in all directions

They have some success pushing the woodsmen back from the river out of range

But despite heavy volleys the Albany militia won’t break, the British had hoped to finish them off quickly and then face the larger force

Gradually the British are being whittled down their superior morale keeps them in the battle but eventually they will break 

After three failed activations the native contingent finally arrives through the woods but is it too late 

The British force is dwindling quickly and are in danger of being overrun

From bad to worse the Americans roll a double six activation and get another FREE unit yet more Albany militia arrive just when I thought they had been finished off

After another couple of frustrating failed activations the natives finally get into the action,  whilst they are poor at shooting they are ferocious fighters. They catch the unit which includes the American officer, they sweep through the whole unit. Long is killed and the rest of the unit flees back to the fort.

The Americans take a collective morale check but pass, the British are continuing to fight the newly arrived militia 

ThenNative contingent activates again next turn and despite being shot at charge into the second unit of New Hampshire boys who are similarly scalped and despatched, suddenly the battle has turned, by virtue of the majority of the British regulars still being on the table they are now close to pulling of a memorable victory.

The last New Hampshire regiment are also forced to pull back by musket fire form on the hill , all that remains is for the natives to do their stuff, they activate !!!!!! Arghhhh a double 1 blunder failing their charge they choose instead to flee the field. By now both sides are pretty exhausted and with the loss of the natives the British sue for a draw which is granted. Technically the British are slightly ahead but all of their units are well below half strength. So a draw seemed a fair result.

A really fun return to the AWI and shows how well the rules work at this skirmish scale. The forces were unbalanced but technically the same points, but rather than an attack defend as some of our previous battles both  sides were straight into the combat. The British struggled to get rid of the militia and the natives arrived a bit late, given this and the fact that the Americans manage to get reinforcements the British did pretty well. 

And to finish some more sunny shots of the Lake District 

That’s is for now I will be attending CLAYMORE wargame show this weekend so if anybody who follows is attending and wants to say hello let me know would be great to catch up. I will be easily recognisable as I’ll hopefully be carrying lots of loot 🙂

Thanks as always , hopefully some more Naples photos next time

Matt