28mm AWI BLACK POWDER: BREEDS HILL 17TH JUNE 1775

Last Monday Colin Jack and Ray Neal visited for a game and I decided to start my long term project of playing all the scenarios in the Black Powder Rebellion Supplement with Breeds Hill 17^th June 1775.  Better known to history as the Battle of Bunker Hill which is actually the next hill along the Charlestown Peninsula.

Howe's brigade closes on the rebel redoubt

We used the troop ratings and rules suggested in the scenario except for one change in that I reduced the stamina of the British Line units to the standard value of 3.  The rebels in the redoubt have a +2 morale modifier, ignore retire results and count as sharpshooters when shooting downhill.  All the British infantry are Superbly Drilled whilst the Elites are also Elite 4+.  We used full scale ranges but as suggested due to the rough terrain reduced infantry moves to 8”.   We used the alternate turn sequence.

Bunker under ineffective howitzer fire - militia are steady

The long struggle for Charlestown

Colin and I commanded the British while Mr Ray commanded the Patriots as he is from Connecticut.  The Patriots deployed as per the scenario with the 4 large militia units and their gun  holding the defences and the 3 tiny detachments deployed in the 3 building elements representing Charlestown.  My brigade Howe’s deployed on the British right to attack the left front of the redoubt.  Colin deployed 2 of Pigot’s battalions to attack Charlestown whilst the others were to move on the right front of the redoubt.  My brigade made good headway up the hill but Colin’s command never got more than a single move in its command rolls.  His units attacking Charlestown got bogged down in a long melee attempting to take the first built up area from its tiny unit of defenders. 

First British assault goes in - wins next round!

Mr Ray considers the worsening situation at the redoubt

Meanwhile my command had closed with the redoubt and my first unit charged in – it drew with the defenders - but next turn the militia broke and fled.   Mr Ray had to move the unit defending the fence line to face the breakthrough.  The broke the British unit which had entered the redoubt but the redcoats had then flanked another defending unit which also broke.  Colin’s units advancing on the left front of the redoubt had finally got into action and shook the militia facing them.  Mr Ray’s rolls for reinforcements were very poor and only a single unit arrived to support the redoubt.  His command was broken and he conceded the game.  The British lost 2 units in the battle.

End situation at the redoubt - rebels shaken and disordered

The Patriots were extremely limited in their manoeuvrability/flexibility due to their large units once the British broke into the redoubt.  I think it would be better if they had 4 standard units and 2 small units   

Here is the OB for the game

REBEL FORCES

COL WILLIAM PRESCOTT 8

BREEDS HILL

Connecticut Militia                 1 Regiment
Massachusetts Militia              2 Regiments
New Hampshire Militia           1 Regiment
Massachusetts Artillery           1 Light gun

CHARLESTOWN

Massachusetts Militia              3 detachments

REINFORCEMENTS

Massachusetts Militia              5 companies

CROWN FORCES

MAJ GEN HOWE C-IN-C  7
2 Elite Battalions
2 Line Battalions
Field gun
Howitzer

BRIG GEN PIGOT 7

1 Elite Battalion

4 Line Battalions

REINFORCEMENTS

MAJ GEN CLINTON 7
2 Line Battalions

TROOP RATINGS

PATRIOT UNITS	ARMAMENT	H TO H	SHOOTING	MORALE	STAMINA	SPECIAL
Militia Regt	Musket	4	4	5+	4	Large Unit
Militia Btn	Musket	3	3	5+	3	Standard Unit
Militia Coy	Musket	2	2	5+	2	Small Unit
Militia Det	Musket	1	1	5+	1	Tiny Unit
Lt Artillery	smoothbore	1	2-1-1	4+	2	--
BRITISH UNITS	ARMAMENT	H TO H	SHOOTING	MORALE	STAMINA	SPECIAL
Elite infantry	Musket	6	3	4+	4	Elite 4+, Superbly Drilled
Regular Infantry	Musket	6	3	4+	3	Superbly Drilled
Artillery	smoothbore	1	3-2-1	4+	2	--
Howitzer	smoothbore	1	2-2-2	4+	2	--
Elite 4+	Roll of Disorder at start of turn
Superbly Drilled	One action if order is failed