Battle for Widow Creek Bridge : American War of Independence

Back in lockdown so more virtual gaming this week. Having previously broken the proverbial transatlantic ice with Jonathan, we arranged another AWI scenario using Rebels and Patriots. Subtle enough to give a good representative game but not too complex for virtual gaming. Despite this I did manage to confuse myself with the rules but we cleared it up as we went along. 

After the previous game the British were obviously retreating and having abandoned their artillery are looking to hold back the Rebels/Patriots at Widow Creek, the scenario is straight from the rule book although our forces were I think one unit or so larger than in the book the Patriots being 32 points rather than 24.

I won’t describe in detail the scenario as it is in the book suffice to say. The river is only crossable at the bridge, the British have created two defensive breastworks which they can position two units at from the start. A major victory for the Patriots to take the bridge, if they take the breastworks it will depend on the casualties inflicted.

So onto the action....

The British breastworks have been hurriedly constructed and manned by the British Guards they will be a tough nut to crack if the Patriots want to get to the bridge. They are supported by a unit of native skirmishers

The sizeable American force coming on down the road from the South a mixture of line units, Virginian sharpshooters and Militia , oh and a 6lb cannon and limber

The Loyalist relief force running through the town of Widow Creek itself, the river is only crossable at the bridge.

The guards stand to and form a close firing line, their discipline means they will hold their first explosive volley till the last moment

At the double...........British line and Light infantry

If they want the bridge the breastworks must be taken and that is going to require a head on assault, the leading Patriot unit is cut down but inevitably the Defenders are being weakened, partly due to effective artillery fire from the road, (an excellent weapon for breaking the defensive position)

Some of the British light infantry swing towards the river to fire into the advancing Rebels this sends at least some of the militia scurrying away

The fast moving lights make the bridge but in the distance the remnants of the British guards are being forced back under the pressure of the assault

Long range fire from across the river is annoying but apart from the militia it isn’t very effective

The guards are final forced away, leaving a tiny force of the Native Trackers holding the breastworks

Eventually they are wiped out to a man and the breastworks are taken, but the British are at the bridge in force and forming up for a battle

They start to pour heavy fire across the river......

And when the light infantry push onto the bridge the Americans, knowing that darkness is about to fall (the end of the game was determined by a dice roll but was getting closer and closer) pull back to the breastworks content to hold the ground that was so hard won.

According to the scenario this gave a minor victory to the British, as they had inflicted higher casualties on the Americans and had held the bridge.

A splendid game, the scenario worked well and despite my confusion we are feeling more confident with the rules or at least the gaps in the rules. I do think they work well at this scale as they give skirmish units a real purpose. We have pondered how the Americans may have been more aggressive but that is for another day. It has certainly given me the impetus to get more figures painted and shows the real opportunity provided by internet gaming.

To underline this point I also played a remote game hosted by Martin using his 15mm figures where my Pontic army (mainly my heavy pike phalanx) ran a complete mock 😀 again an enjoyable hour of gaming and it is easier to have a beer when you don’t have to move the figures about.

Keep busy, keep painting and will be back soon Matt