Battle for Blue House Pike : AWI

 Not a historical setting but a chance to get the AWI figures on the battlefield. Another virtual game using Zoom. So we kept it fairly small using Rebels and Patriots. The forces were of equal size 24 points each but were suitably different. The Patriots (or Rebels depending on your point of view) have three regular infantry units, a unit of Virginia sharpshooters and two units of green poorly disciplined Militia. The British as to be expected are a smaller force of light infantry and veterans, no doubt over confident, they also have a small Artillery piece and a unit of native Skirmishers. The objective in this simple scenario was for both sides to take and hold the main road known locally as Blue House Pike. The winner would be the force holding the pike when one side was forced to retreat. I didn’t take too many photos but hopefully enough to represent the battle as it unfolded.

American regular units advancing towards the road. Already formed up into close order to maximise their fire power. Their commanding officer is attached to the closest unit. The Pike runs away into the distance beyond the Blue House.

Closer to the Blue House more infantry supported here by Militia who were initially reluctant to advance

The Redcoats advance to the sound of regular drum beats, the corn fields class as difficult terrain so it is slow going and they are still in open order, in the distance the British light infantry are able to make quicker progress across the ploughed field

Native ‘skirmishers’ are sent towards the left to hold the church yard

It’s going to be tough to dislodge the redcoats now as they start to form up, the Colonel waves his hat and one of the units advances a little too far towards the Rebels !

Despite their lack of training and lower discipline the Rebels know how to shoot (the nearest unit had been upgraded to veteran status through the good fortune of a double 6 activation roll !) The Virginian sharpshooters having initially advanced to the road have now pulled back into line and join the rolling barrage of musket fire

The Natives who had clearly not been adequately paid, had been reluctant to move up from the start finally move through the church yard let off a single volley and then flee !!

The Rebel line is well formed and although the British fire back they are getting the worse of it

The light infantry are in a great position opposite the blue house but can’t seem to make an impact

Finally though a lucky shot and the American commanding officer is shot dead and falls from the

saddle.........

This immediately causes a ripple of anxiety along the Rebel line and the unit on the road turn tail, ha surely the redcoats have it now other nearby units will have to test their morale

But no the Rebel line is holding in the centre and they have forced the British light infantry back from the fence. They suddenly begin to realise the Rebels are tougher than they thought and much to their disgrace they retreat.

The British Regular infantry have taken everything  that has been thrown at them and sadly died to a man, we can only assume it is poor generalship keeping them to the front when they should pull back. The native mercenaries have returned but I suspect this is to watch their pay masters get defeated and to changed sides !

With only one very weakened infantry unit in play the colonel finally removes his hat again and orders the unit to retire in order. They will be back to teach these rebels a lesson

........ across the road a cheer goes up hoorah the American Revolution has started for real.

A splendid run out of the AWI figures, you’ll note I didn’t manage to get a picture of the British artillery which spent much of the battle at the rear and out of range. We seemed to roll an enormous number of double 1’ and double 6’s. This was Jonathan’s first try with a virtual game and with the rules so well done to him. The fun bit as we chatted after the game was to reflect that this might just be one of the few benefits of the pandemic situation. Who would have thought we would have been virtual gaming linked up live across roughly 4500 miles. The IT seemed to work fine and it was great to catch up with another enthusiast. We will definitely be arranging another battle soon. Perhaps even a modest campaign....which would encourage me to crack on with the painting , if nothing else I need another Rebel officer ! 😀