Skirmish at Barrett’s Farm April 1775

You will hopefully have seen the teaser photo in my last post of Barrett’s Farm a quiet and peaceful location. We agreed that Jonathan would write and develop the scenario and I would run the games. Do visit his blog if you haven’t to see the details of this first battle http://palousewargamingjournal.blogspot.com/

I have copied straight from there the background to go with the photos here of the battle.

Scenario 1: Caching in the Farm or the Action at Barrett's Farm
Determined to deny the colonials much needed weapons and supplies, the British set off from Boston Common on April 19, 1775.  The target of this expedition was the town of Concord where supplies were rumored to be stored.  Included in the search of Concord was Barrett’s Farm a few miles beyond Concord where small arms and cannon were reportedly stockpiled. 

The British expedition was composed mainly of flank companies from a number of regiments.  Some Loyalist militia were included to lead the way.  After brushing aside little resistance at Lexington, the British column pressed on to its objective at Concord. 

Having arrived in Concord, reports were made suggesting that Barrett’s Farm was still an arsenal which included three cannon.  Elements of the British column set off to Barrett’s Farm, crossing the North Bridge on their way out of town.  Thus far, resistance had been little as colonial militia maintained a watchful eye on the procession as it made its way out of Concord.  As the column continued toward Barrett's Farm, reports continued to stream in suggesting that colonial militia were converging upon the Farm from other nearby towns to put up a show of force. 

As the head of the British column approached the fields of the farm, one unit of militia was seen drawing up at the farm house.  Would the militia fall back upon the column’s approach or make a stand?  Could the woods to the south of the farm be harboring more militia?  The colonel of the column had orders to not fire upon the colonials first unless provoked.  Could these orders be maintained in the face of mounting resistance? 

Barrett’s Farm , you can see Mr Barrett who appears to have been busy digging ! I wonder why ?

The Concord Militia have stationed themselves at the Farm and have lined up in an aggressive way, are they really keen to start a fight with the most powerful nation in the world ?

The Redcoats arrive tired from their march from Concord but eager to search for the hidden armaments, it is a small force of skirmishers, very smartly dressed grenadiers and some  Loyalist Militia, they aren’t really expecting much trouble !

....and then from nowhere the crash of muskets, the Revolution has started as a group of Militia appear from the woods and immediately open fire ! A number of Loyalist Militia are killed the British are temporarily stunned at the outrage !

Then the Concord Militia also open fire from the farm cutting down the leading British skirmishers, these rebels clearly mean business 

Arriving at the back of the British column a unit of combined Light Infantry immediately open fire across the ploughed fields and with a volley from the angered loyalists the militia are driven back, they won’t be seen again any time soon

Realising that the rebels are genuinely intent on a fight the British begin to line up and open up an accurate fire on the Farm

What.......more scraggy  minutemen appear from the woods and cut down more British skirmishers....this is not gentlemanly !

Outraged by the assault on his troops the British officer throws caution and restraint to the wind the order is shouted out “Give them Cold Steel lads” the grenadiers need no encouragement and they advance into the farm applying British steel to the rebels

Not surprisingly their courage in the face of the cream of the British army vanishes and they are either killed or sent scurrying away

Another unit of minutemen who are also on the edge of the farm also take a pot shot, killing another Grenadier

They are soon chased away as well.

Meanwhile a series of volleys are being exchanged by the British Loyalist militia

“Fire” the grenadiers now open fire across the small track way at the Lincoln Riflemen killing at least one.

The rebels are not defeated yet and start to pour fire into the farm.

In fact the battle is ranging all over now and the British lights open fire as well. They also in passing have a change to search one of the hidden caches which by a real fluke of luck turns out to be a hidden cannon.

Having found the cannon their orders are complete but enraged the Redcoats won’t be happy if they haven’t driven of the rebels, perhaps if they give them a good bloody nose now the rebellion can be quashed straight away ?

The two last rebel units continue to fire into the farm

Until they too are driven back .....

The riflemen are the last to turn and run realising they have been left on their own.

The Grenadiers put up a cheer as the rebels turn and run, but it is muted by the loss of their comrades and the realisation that even though they have found what they came for, the rebels put up a stiff fight and they are a long way from home and safety. Their officer laughs nervously....”well we won’t see them again soon”

A splendid first scenario, hard fought, the Rebels struggled with several early failed activations which reduced their numerical superiority, they were obviously reluctant to engage. When things did kick off the British morale was very superior and the grenadiers proved decisive in hand to hand combat. I suspect the march back to Concord may not be as straight forward as hoped ?

Thanks Jonathan for the engaging scenario and don’t be too harsh on the British in the next one 😀

Keep well all, Matt