AWI : Ambush at Brook’s Farm or A long way to Boston

Our third and final game in this mini campaign representing the earliest skirmishes in the American War of Independence. Having been given a bloody nose at South Bridge the British troops are formed into column for the long march back to Boston. Perhaps if they can get home intact the debacle at Concord will be forgotten and reputations maintained ?

The scenario was again written by Jonathan so check out his blog for the details. In simple turns the British must get across the table and will get extra points for units that escape the Colonials are intent on making this as hard as possible and will arrive from random directions. The British are tired it has been a long day . The ambush is set for close to Brook’s Farm where the road crosses a small fordable river.

As the British column, led by two combined units of grenadiers march slowly past the farm they are under close observation, the trees, woods and river make this an ideal location for ambush.

Tired the redcoats keep marching, just keen to get back to their barracks in Boston. Then up ahead the road looks blocked in the trees, their officer sends light troops off to each side of the main column

Suddenly shots ring out from the ploughed field killing several of the light infantry, The trap is well and truly sprung !

You would think they would have learnt their lesson but again the British underestimate the tenacity of the locals

Redcoats exchange fire with militia in the field who are eventually driven back

British skirmishers are sent forward to help clear the woods on the side of the road.

More militia start to fire from by the river at the leading grenadier unit, were they well aimed or lucky shots which ever several grenadiers fall

Despite this they attempt to charge home with their bayonets but they are too fatigued and fail to charge home, then up pop more militia across the river as well !

One good volley from the redcoats by the farm cause the first unit of militia to flee.

Some of the redcoats are so tired they fail several rally tests and slowly pull back rather than pushing forward

And then another volley crashes into the grenadiers across the bridge 

This is desperate fighting the British are regrouping and still have enough troops to push through

But there will be less grenadiers tonight back in Boston as the leading unit is wiped out 😢

The second unit is stuck by the bridge unable to make progress under fire

Even though the skirmishers in the long grass fail repeatedly to activate the militia by the road pour in effective volleys, things are desperate for the British when they roll a double six activation, this allows a random event and they roll up reinforcements and the newly mustered 17th Foot arrive to save the column. After some debate we randomise their location and they arrive from Boston, even better. The American commanding officer lets out an audible groan......

The 17th Foot arrive hotfoot to save the day 👍

Caught from behind, but unbelievably the poorly trained colonials calmly turn and fire two volleys into the new troops. They roll two ridiculously low morale checks and turn and run !!!!!! An audible groan from the British commander if he gets back to Boston alive there will be hell to pay !

The colonials are in charge now and although pushed back they continue to fight hard.

The British skirmishers attempt to pin down the colonials over the river

The rest of the British force is still trying to force a way across the bridge

Forced back and now running out of numbers they start to shift their advance to the left where the woods are more open

The skirmishers are across the river and fight a fierce  battle with American riflemen

The British try once again to cross the river

But they are now heavily out numbered

and finally the only unit across the river is the dwindling final group of grenadiers. As they slink off into the woods they are exhausted, it is not clear whether they make it back to Boston or not, the only certain thing is they are no longer an effective fighting force.

The Colonials then after a very slow start win out in this third battle, this was both tough and very hard fought on both sides, it appeared to be going the way of the British, who then lost heart, then cheered at the reinforcements only to see them run without firing a shot. Well played the Americans !

An excellent series of battles which really gave us a little flavour of these early skirmishes. Next up Breeds Hill ! What could possibly go wrong redcoats marching uphill into a hail of fire and gunshot.

Thanks for looking👍