AWI Campaign ‘Old Molly’ Part 2

The scene was set for the second instalment of our Old Molly AWI campaign. The Rebels have capture the famous siege weapon and now need to transport it to safety. The British Commander Colonel Archibald Watts is reluctant to allow the valuable artillery piece to fall so easily into the enemies hands. Despite a bloody nose from the first encounter he has hatched a plan to recapture the gun knowing the likely route of escape he has led a small force of light troops to set an ambush. On route, to bolster his force, he has hired some local natives, promising them payment from the King’s purse for each Rebel scalp taken.....

The scenario in brief. Ambush scenarios can be difficult when the enemy is expecting the attack. To create some sense of unexpected challenge I set two random factors. Firstly the Rebels who were strung out on the road would randomly select the order of March. With variable troops qualities and the cannon itself to contend with this would increase that sense of  disorder as the ambush kicks off. Secondly the British who had a smaller, but more mobile force would also have random entry points, rolled for as each unit entered play. The scene was set. The Americans need to get the cannon off the table ! But will also get points for units which escape.

The initial setup, green tokens show the random set up order prior to placing of the American forces. The black markers show the kick off points for the British and Native force. The wooded areas are all light woods so give cover but don’t restrict movement, no cover on the road, the stream is difficult terrain slowing movement but not for skirmishers etc. We had upgraded a couple of the Rebel units and downgraded the Delaware unit which had carried out the friendly fire unit in the previous battle, it seemed fair they would be reluctant to make the same mistake again.

When Jessop randomly deploys his column of march he is quite lucky, the trusty 1st Virginian Sharpshooters are at the front followed by the now Veteran 1st Delaware Regiment

The slow moving cannon (it will move 6” each turn on an activation roll only stopping on a double1) the rear of the Rebel column has his less dependable Regiments

The trap is sprung British light troops are blocking the way , Colonel Archibald waves his hat “Up and at em boys”

The British allied Native s arrived as planned but then seem reluctant to get into combat possibly they are not sure yet where their loyalties lie ?

Whilst in the distance more British troops emerge from the woods the Rebel column pushes on over the bridge to clear a path

A fierce firefight ensues with the British Lights pouring a heavy fire towards the exposed bridge

Finally hearing the shots ring out the Natives begin to move forward 

More British light infantry in the woods but they are not suited to this sort of warfare...most ungentlemenly

The 2nd Delaware head off into the woods to clear the rebel left flank, others units continue down the road....

Can’t they see what is coming through the woods !

Perhaps Major Jessop is just too intent on his prize he pushes forward over the bridge

In a scene reminiscent of the last of the Mohicans the first native group urges onto the road, wetting their tomahawks in the blood of the bluecoats, the remainder of the 3rd Delaware scamper back down the road, too bloody to show here th natives then charge again into the skirmishers dealing them a similar fate 

Over the bridge the Rebels are getting pinned down by concentrated British fire, they have no choice but to push through as quickly as they can

The scenario is on a knife edge, when the second unit of natives cross the stream and attack from the right

Jessop has no choice but to meet the new attack head on he forces his unit through the fence and grapples hand to hand with the screaming natives

His regiment of Delaware boys take several casualties but manage to hold their nerve as they withdraw from the battlefield n good order with the gun. Dash it .......

Shortly after the battle Colonel Archibald dispatched the following note to his commanding officer.

Another excellent game, which worked well it was touch and go from the start for both sides the British suffered some poor activation rolls early on and at key moments which would have done for the rebels. The native were brutal in combat but failed to get into combat early enough. The British should have used the bridge more as the pinch point but this was hard with their random set up.

Looking forward to the next encounter.