Those Are Regulars!

Those Are Regulars!
Scott Leading the First Brigade

Monday 2 September 2019

The Battle of Chateauguay -

PROLOGUE

Note: this update of 1 June, 2021 adds the research, OOBs, maps and game timeline.

It has been quite awhile since I last posted partly because I was trying to build more American battalions for a 'What If' Plattsburg battle. The rationale for a what if battle is my belief that the historical representation of the battle would certainly be an easy victory for the British and Canadian troops (as it should have been in the real campaign). 

I am not sure how the naval component of the game will be featured. I have purchased the Old Dominion's Post Captain rules to possibly game the naval action separately. Nonetheless, it is my opinion that the Crown's forces could have easily won the investment of Plattsburg and beyond with a more assertive leader with or without the naval component. More of this naval gazing later in the Plattsburg game development.

So, this what if battle represents a plausible scenario where Izard throws away his cautious nature and uses his own initiative to act on the operational imperative rather than an outdated directive from the Secretary of War, Armstrong to move his army to Sackett's harbor and then on to the Niagara to assist the American Left Division.. This imperative was based on good intelligence that the British had gathered a large army in the Richelieu Valley and surrounding area with the objective of attacking Plattsburg. Instead, Izard realizing that Armstrong's directive is now superseded by recent events, moves his army to the border area to confront the British/Canadian army. More of this scenario in a future blog.

In the meantime, I had underestimated the number of American regular battalions needed for Izard's army. So, I am  still painting additional units. However, I did have just enough units of regulars to make up Hampton's army for the Battle of Chateauguay. Fortunately, I had completed some previous research on this unique battle, which was fought entirely by Canadian units. Also, I recently completed several needed sedentary and embodied Canadian militia.

Research - Orders of Battle

Research[i] - Battle Of Chateauguay, 26 October, 1813

US Order of Battle and Strength[ii]

U.S. Right Division  -Commanding Officer – Maj- Gen Hampton (P)

Brigade

Regiment

M

F

Strength

Ratio

COs & Uniform Details

First Bde

 Colonel  Robert Purdy[iii] (A)

Light Bn.

Combined Light Coys

L[iv]

L

Est 350[v]

18+2=20

Maj J. Snelling

4th Inf.

 

2L

2L

591

30-2=28

LCol J. Darrington

33rd Inf.

 

2L

2L

321

16+4=20

Col. Isaac Lane

Militia

Maine & New Hampshire V.

C

C

415

20

Col. Denny McCobb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Bde.

Brigadier-General George Izard[vi] (A) Aide: LCol O.D. Cooper

 

10th Inf.

 

2L

2L

250

12+8=20

Maj. William S. Hamilton

11/29th Inf.

 

2L

2L

762

38-2=36

Col. Melancthon Smith

30/31st Inf.

 

2L

2L

700

35-3=32

Col. Daniel Dana

N.Y. Militia

New York State Volunteers

C

C

?[vii]

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cavalry

Light Dragoons

 

200[viii]

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artillery[ix]

Six pounders

V

V

6

3

 

 

51/2” howitzer[x]

V

V

2

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engineers

Pioneer Company

V

V

?

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



[i] Main References: Filed of Glory, D. Graves; Operational History of The American Army of the War of 1812, Robert Quimby; The Battle of Chateauguay, Victor Suthren, The Battle of Chateauguay by Victor J.H. Suthren, an extract from: Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional papers in Archeology and History No. 11, Published by Historic Sites Division of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Ottawa, Cat No. RG1-2/1-11, Pub No. QS-1390-000-EE-AI, Library of Congress Cat No. 70-102875; Information Canada, Ottawa, 1974. Pgs. 96-151.

[ii] The primary reference for the U.S. Order of battle is from Appendix Seven of Field of Glory by Donald Graves.

[iii] A twenty-year regular.

[iv] This quote sums the poor state of American morale and training; “Although the troops belonged to the regular army, they were newly enlisted in recently created regiments. The whole body of each regiment was green—both officers and enlisted men. There were no cadres of either. The men were ignorant of the principles of discipline. The officers were ignorant of their duties and there was almost no one to instruct them.”

[v] Order of battle and Strength: Hampton’s Division, App. B of Field of Glory, Donald Graves.

[vi] A well-educated officer but very cautious.

[vii] In the absence of confirmed numbers, 12 figures are added, which reflects those added to the British OOB numbers.

[viii] Quimby, p 327.

[ix] By 12 September 1813, Hampton surprisingly complained of not having enough artillery to prosecute the campaign. However, he did have 12 six pounders and howitzers, plus 2 18 pounders. Ref: The U.S. Army in the War of 1812 by Quimby, p. 323. However, the heavy artillery was deemed problematic because of the muddy roads. So, they were left behind at the staging area.

[x] There was a twelve pounder and a howitzer, however, the twelve pounder was left behind re the bad roads. So, the American howitzer count will be raised to two to take into account the twelve pounder.

 American Right Division - Order of Battle for The Battle of Chateauguay 26 October, 1813

Officer Commanding – Major-General Hampton (P) [5]

 

Regiment

V.P.

Morale

Fir

Str

Details

First Brigade

Colonel Robert Purdy(A)                                      1

Light Inf.

Combined Light Infantry Companies

3

L

L

20

(SK) Major J. Snelling

4th

Infantry Regiment

3

2L

2L

28

LCol J. Darrington

33rd

Infantry Regiment

3

2L

L

20

LCol Isaac Lane

Militia

Maine & New Hampshire Volunteers

3

C

C

20

LCol Denny McCobb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Brigade

Brigadier-General George Izard (A)                      1

10th

Infantry Regiment

3

2L

2L

20

 Maj William S. Hamilton

11/29th

Infantry Regiment

3

2L

2L

36

Col. Melancthon Smith

30/31st

Infantry Regiment

3

2L

2L

32

Col. Daniel Dana

Militia

New York State Volunteers

3

C

C

20

 

 

Divisional Units

Artillery

Six Pounders

3

V

V

3

LCol William Carberry

 

51/2 Howitzer

1

L

L

1

 

Cavalry

2nd Light Dragoons

2

L

L

10

 

Pioneers

 

1

V

V

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Army Falter Point:    38 x 25% =  10 VPs        

Army Break Point:    38 x 50% =  19 VPs

 


Research - Chateauguay -26 October, 1813[i]

British Order of Battle and Strength[ii]

Officer Commanding Major-General De Watteville (A) {La Forche}

Field Officer Commanding – LCol Charles de Salaberry Deputy Commanding Officer – LCol Macdonell

Brigade

Regiment

M

F

Strength

Ratio 20:1

Uniform Details

1st   Light Brigade (forward positions) – LCol de Salaberry (E)

Voltigeurs

Four companies[iii]

V

V

220

11+5=16

SK Captain Duchesnay[iv]

S.E.M.

Flank Coys of  1st & 3rd Bns

L

L

129

7 +1=8

SK 1st blue facings – 3rd yellow facings

S.M.

2nd Bn Beauharnois ‘axe men’

C

2L

75

4

SK Chasseurs de Chateauguay[v] green facings? Captain Brugiere[vi]

Mohawks

Caugnawana

L

L

172[vii]

9+1=10

Captain Joseph-Maurice Lamothe[viii] may be used as pioneers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Brigade – (rearward positions) LCol Macdonell (E)

Can Fenc.

Light Company

V

V

72

4

SK Captain George Ferguson

S.E.M.

2nd Battalion S.E.M.

L

L

556

28

F.C. SK LCol Pierre Ignace Malhiot – light green facings[ix]

S.E.M.

5th Battalion S.E.M.

L

L

156

8+12=20

F.C. SK Captain William B. Berczy[x] - black facings[xi]

S.M.

1st Bn Boucherville

C

C

397

20

LCol Louis Chaussegros de lery - light green facings[xii]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reinforcement from La Forche[xiii]? Major-General de Watteville

Artillery

24pdr

E

E

2

1

 

 

3pdr

V

V

2

1

 

Infantry

3rd Battalion S.E.M.

L

L

 

12

4 coys[xiv]

 

1st Battalion S.E.M.

L

L

 

12

4 Coys[xv]

Cavalry

Troop 19th L.Ds.

E

E

?

3

 

 

Troop Militia L.Ds.

2L

2L

?

3

Watson’s Troop

 



[i] The battle commenced at approximately 1400.

[ii] See the full OOB in Appendix Six of Field of Glory by Donald Graves. Defend and Hold: the battle of Chateauguay

[iii] In the actual OOB there were two companies forward and two companies rearward. I am not sure why this was done; perhaps to have the fencibles stiffen the resolve of the SEM and sedentary militias.

[iv] The four captains are Michel-Louis Juchereau-Duchesnay, Narcisse Antoine Juchereau-Duchesnay, Benjamin Ecuyer and Jean-Baptiste Hertel de Rouville.

[v] No information on this unit. However, I expect that like most SM units, the uniform issue was likely haphazard. Hence the bucket and stove pipe shakos mix. Also, no info on the facings, so conjecture that they would have green facings as per the other units of the Montreal/Chateauguay regions.

[vi] This may be referred to as the Chasseurs d’Elite de Chateauguay, ref. The Battle of Chateauguay Extract p. 120.

[vii] There were 22 in the forward positions and 150 in the rearward positions. I have amalgamated both into one unit in the forward position. Quimby p 327, states that these were Abenaki warriors.

[viii] The second captain was Dominique Ducharme.

[ix] A Scarlet Coat; p. 126.

[x] The second captain was Marc-Antoine-Louis Levesque.

[xi] A Scarlet Coat; p. 126.

[xii] 1812-early 1813 most Montreal Battalions had sky blue facings, which were subsequently changed to light green. So, barring further evidence, light green facings will be used for the officers and NCOs of the command group for Montreal Sedentary militia.

[xiii][xiii] MGen. Sheaffe, the commander of the Montreal district, called up 3,000 sedentary militia in response to Hampton’s crossing of the frontier. This was followed by Prevost’s increase to 8,000), which included embodied militia. Ref: The U.S. Army in the War of 1812 by Quimby, p. 326. So, as the battlefield was only 32 miles from Montreal there were plenty of militia to reinforce de Salaberry. Need to ascertain if additional troops (particularly regulars) were available upon Prevost’s arrival shortly after the battle’s conclusion.

[xiv] This unit and the artillery were part of the reserve that was ordered along with the Canadian Fencibles and the artillery to Caughnawaga; ref. The Battle of Chateauguay Extract, p107. My assumption is that this was the reserve force that was at Major-General De Watteville’s HQ at la Forche. In the face of confirmation of Hampton’s invasion force on the Chateauguay River, there were likely more units gathered at La Forche.

[xv] The Battle of Chateauguay Extract, Pg. 107.

Battle of Chateauguay -26 October, 1813

Canadian Order of Battle and Strength

Commanding Officer – M-Gen. De Watteville (A) [5]

Field Officer – Lt.Col.  De Salaberry (E)

Brigade

Regiment

V.P.

M. + F.

Strength

Details

1st  Brigade – LtCol De Salaberry (E)                              1

Light Inf.

Voltigeurs

3

V

16

(Sk)

S.E.M.

1st & 3rd Flank Companies

3

E

8

(Sk)

S.M.

2nd Beauharnois ‘axe men’

1

2L

4

(SK)

Indians

Caugnawana Mohawks

2

L

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Brigade –     LtCol Macdonnel (E)                            1

Light Inf.

Canadian Fencibles - Light Comany

1

V

4

(SK)

S.E.M.

2nd Battalion

3

L

28

 

S.E.M.

5th Battalion

3

L

20

 

S.M.

1st Boucherville Battalion

3

C

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve at La Fourche – M-Gen. De Watteville (A)

RA

3  pdr brass field gun

1

E

1

 

RA

24 pdr brass field gun

1

E

1

 

19th L.D.

Troop

1

E

3

 

Mil L.D,

Watson’s Troop

1

2L

3

 

S.E.M.

3rd Battalion S.E.M.

3

L

12

 

S.E.M.

1st Battalion S.E.M.

3

L

12

 

RE

Pioneers

1

V

4

 

 


Battle of Chateauguay -American Scenario Objective, Restraints and Options       `

 1. The American objective is to defeat both Canadian Brigades (Major Victory) en route to Montreal.

 2.      Force one Canadian Brigade to break (Minor Victory).

 3.      American Brigades may enter on either bank of the Chateauguay River.

4.   The Chateauguay River may not be crossed except at the ford.

5.    Divisional assets may be under the direct command of General Hampton (default) or allocated to the brigades (must be declared to the Game-master before game start).

6.      The order of march for each brigade (including whether on the east or west bank of the Chateauguay river) must be declared to the Game Master in a written note before the game start.

 7.     Double One: If a unit rolls an unmodified double one (firing or melee) there is a risk to its Colonel (use Risk to General Table). If battalion/regiment colonel is killed the figure is removed and unit morale drops one level.

8.      Indians in combat; see addendum.

 

9.      Abattis : has defensive modifier of -1 as a target.

 

a.       Cavalry and artillery can’t cross abatis.

b.      Formed infantry may cross at a cost = 1 turn = unformed.

c.       Skirmishers may cross at a cost = 1 turn and remained formed.

d.      Abatis may be removed by troops at the following rate 1 coy inf = 3 turns, Pioneers = 1 turn.

e.       Abatis may be destroyed by artillery (3dp).

 

Significant Rule Notes (detailed information in the addendum):

 

a.       All creeks are fordable by cavalry and infantry.

b.       Chateauguay river is only cross able at the ford.

c.       Artillery must use bridges to cross streams.

d.       Cavalry and Artillery may not traverse swamp terrain.

e.       Cavalry can’t charge in heavy heavy woods (become unformed in HW).

f.        American conscript militia must conduct a formation test prior to changing formation.

g.       American conscript militia are subject to a morale test (-2 modifier) within 12” of Indians.

h.       American 2L regulars are subject to a morale test (-1 modifier) within 12” of Indians.

i.        The GdeB addendum rule on conscript firing is waived for this game (it is tough enough as it is for the conscripts).

j.        American infantry receive  +1 for firing at effective range ‘buck and ball’.

k.       Bushes and trees along the river provide light cover = -1 as a target.

l.        Fences and low walls provide light cover = -1 as a target.

m.     Visibility through light woods is 6 inches.

n.       Visibility through heavy woods (dark green) is 3 inches.

o.       Artillery and cavalry are UNFORMED when moving through the woods.

p.       Movement through light woods and cultivated fields = -1”.

q.       Movement through heavy woods = half a movement rate (normal rate for skirmishers).

r.        Movement through swamps = 3” for all formations – troops become UNFORMED.

s.        Building Capacity: Large Barns =12, med house = 8, small house = 4, blockhouse 4 100% or 8 50%.

t.        Defensive Capacity: abattis 2dp, log revetment 4dp, wooden building 4dp, block house 6dp.

Battle of Chateauguay - British Scenario Objective, Options and Restraints:

1.       An optional (ONE) Canadian objective is to prevent the American Army from reaching the ford without using the reserves (Major Victory).

2.       An optional (TWO) Canadian objective is to prevent the American Army from reaching the ford without using the reserves (Victory).

3.       After assessing the scenario and ORBAT the Canadian leader must select victory option One or Two and declare it to the Game-master before the game start.

 4.       Canadian advance reconnaissance units (two companies) may be placed no closer than three feet from the southern board edge.

5.       Canadian Brigades may be place anywhere north of the six foot line from the southern edge. Units placed in heavy woods (within 3” of wood edge) are deemed to be hidden. Hidden unit positions should be marked on the Game-master’s map prior to the game start.

 6.   Indian Hidden Movement; the Canadian player may hide his Indian horde in any heavily wooded area outside of three feet from the southern board edge. The hidden position must be noted to the Game-master before the game start.

7.       The Chateauguay River may not be crossed except at the ford.

8.       Double One: If a unit rolls an unmodified double one (firing or melee) there is a risk to its Colonel (use Risk to General Table). If battalion/regiment colonel is killed the figure is removed and unit morale drops one level.

9.       Abattis and log defences; the present positions are historical. However, the Canadian player is free to reposition any and all abattis and log defences anywhere north of the southern most historical position.

 10.   Abattis:

a.       Cavalry, infantry and artillery can’t cross an abattis.

b.       Skirmishers may cross at a cost of 1 turn.

c.       Abattis may be removed by troops at the following rate 1 coy inf = 3 turns, Pioneers = 1 turn per abatis section.

d.       Abattis may be destroyed by artillery (3dp).

Significant Rule Notes:(detailed information in the addendum):

 

a.        All creeks are fordable by cavalry and infantry.

b.       Chateauguay river is only cross able at the ford.

c.        Artillery must use bridges to cross streams.

d.       Cavalry and Artillery may not traverse swamp terrain.

e.        Cavalry can’t charge in heavy heavy woods (become unformed in HW).

f.        American conscript militia must conduct a formation test prior to changing formation.

g.       American conscript militia are subject to a morale test (-2 modifier) within 12” of Indians.

h.       American 2L regulars are subject to a morale test (-1 modifier) within 12” of Indians.

i.         The GdeB addendum rule on conscript firing is waived for this game (it is tough enough as it is for the conscripts).

j.         American infantry get +1 for firing at effective range ‘buck and ball’.

k.       Bushes and trees along the river provide light cover = -1 as a target.

l.         Fences and low walls provide light cover = -1 as a target.

m.     Visibility through light woods is 6 inches.

n.       Visibility through heavy woods (dark green) is 3 inches.

o.       Movement through light woods and cultivated fields = -1”.

p.       Movement through heavy woods = half a movement rate (normal rate for skirmishers).

q.       Artillery and cavalry are UNFORMED when moving through the woods.

r.        Movement through swamps = 3” for all formations – troops become UNFORMED.

s.        Building Capacity: Large Barns =12, med house = 8, small house = 4, blockhouse 4 100% or 8 50%.

Defensive Capacity: abattis 2dp, log revetment 4dp, wooden buildings. Blockhouse 6dp,


TimeLine

1400

1530* roll D 4, 5 or 6 for reserves.

1730

1410

1540

1740

1420

1550

1750

1430

1600* roll D 3, 4, 5 or 6 for reserves.

1800

1440

1610

1810

1450

1620

1820 Dusk Vis reduced to 36”

1500* roll D 5 or 6 for reserves.

1640* reserves arrive.

1830

1510

1650

1840

1520

1700

1850

 

1710

1900 Night vis 12” - end of turn end of Game

 

1720

 



Wargaming The Battle of Chateauguay

31 August, 2019

Unlike previous posts this report is in in a somewhat of a reverse order. Normally, I produce the research material; references, maps, uniform info, topography, orders of battle, scenario etc.; prior to reporting on the game. However, due to time constraints this report starts with the game report and the briefest of photo summaries. As I acquire time, I will convert my research documents into JPG files for uploading to this blog. As with all of my posts, constructive criticism and compliments are welcome  to improve my knowledge and hopefully the reader's knowledge of this most interesting epoch.


As with all my games we use General de Brigade Deluxe with an ever growing addendum to add granularity to War of 1812 tactical aspects of Napoleonic warfare. The figure ratio is 1:20 and the ground scale is 1 inch equals 23 yards. The latter figure is ideally 1" = 20 yds but is sometimes adjusted to fit the battlefield map to the confines of six by seventeen foot table.



Preparing the terrain about ten days prior to the game. I use 2 ft squaure floor foam (colour side down) that gives a consistent layer above the folding table surfaces. Then I roll out two or more green  felt cloths.



I use duct tape to join the seams....a difficult process to keep both edges even across the tape. My hope is to eventually buy a 7 x 18' cloth to obviate this issue.


Adding the rivers, which are floor tiles shaped with a jig saw and textured banks using pumice gel coloured/mixed thoroughly with brown acrylic paint. The banks are dry brushed with hauser medium green and then hauser light green, then bushes, branches and rocks are glued.


Here is a copy of a map of the battle made shortly after the battle. You can discern the outlines of the table dimensions drawn onto the map in red. The red markings are distances that are converted from yards to inches as per 1" = 23 yds.


Using the above map, all topographical points were converted, plotted and then placed onto the terrain mat with the aim of portraying the battlefield terrain as accurately as possible. Note the 25' measuring tape that used as a base line to plot terrain features. No time to build abattis models so bocage/dense bush was used as a substitute.


My intent was to show the river and roads development, then trees, buildings, bridges etc. but forgot in the rush to get things done while dealing with some family demands. Instead, here is a photo of the early part of the game. The is from the south looking north towards La Fourche (De Watteville's HQ and beyond Montreal. 

Note the Chateauguay river running up the middle that is not fordable except at the very northern end of the table. Heavy woods border both sides of the battlefield with a large swamp bisecting the woods on the right. More terrain detail and specific terrain rules are contained in the scenario docs to be published.

Game Objectives

The respective scenarios allowed both combatant sides different options to prosecute the battle. The Canadian victory options were to fight with the historical troops available to both LCols de Salaberry (Bruce) and Macdonnel (Ed) with a view to claiming a Major Victory. Or; take the cautious but perhaps sensible option of calling on reserves from De Watteville's HQ at la Fourche, which is about an hours march (roll a D5 or 6 for an arrival). Courageously, Bruce (representing de Salaberry) chose not to accept the reserves in the hope of gaining a major victory. Incidentally, that was the actual decision de Salaberry made.

The Canadians were allowed to place the defences (step log revetments and abattis) where ever they pleased respecting a six foot southern boundary.  


The American objectives were to destroy one Canadian brigade = Minor Victory or destroy two brigades = Major Victory on the way to Montreal. Although not written in the scenario; if the Americans controlled the ford it was a minor victory, along with a destroyed brigade = a major victory.

Most interestingly and with a surprise to me and eventually the Americans, Eric and Howard chose to put all of their units on the left bank of the river.

The game started at 1400 with 10 minute turns lasting until dark at 1900 or ending if any side met one of their victory conditions.

The combined light companies (right center) of the American Right Division lead Hampton's army. They are engaged in a firefight with a company of the 2nd Beauharnois sedentary militia (the axe men). In the early stages of the American advance this unit and two flank companies of embodied militia inflicted several casualties on the American lights culminating in a double six result of a FALTER and eventually a RETREAT. Initially, it looked like the Canadians were holding up the American advance.


Here are the U.S. light companies (recovered after their retreat) with the Infantry in rear support. A column of N.Y Volunteers is moving up the right side of Colonel Purdy's (Eric) First Brigade. Also we see some the American artillery finally moving up to support the First Brigade.



Two guns of the four gun battery are waiting by the road side. We know not why?

In the meantime a six pounder began pounding the blockhouse at long range in the hopes of destroying it and the company inside.



Izard's Second Brigade (Howard who also played Hampton) slowlllllly making its way to the action. Will it ever get to the front?



Ah...this a photo of the American light companies forced to ROUT . Incredibly, it had one chance to recover its morale or be dispersed and Eric rolled a double six giving the lights a UNFORMED result and a return ticket to battle. A very resilient unit!


After a much firing around the blockhouse and melees around the Canadian revetments the N.Y. Volunteers cross the stream and conduct an end run up the road to bypass the Canadian front line. But where is the support?



Here is a view from the east side of the field looking west. The American Volunteers (top center) have scattered the Canadian skirmishers and fortunately they have the regular pioneers now supporting them. In the distance (top center slightly left) are the Voltigeurs who along with the rest of de Salaberry's brigade were forced to retire. The Mohawks (just visible lower left corner) who have suffered losses by american artillery fire are forced to watch from the opposite shore;. the Canadians begin to fall apart. The end is nigh!

Indeed Bruce on behalf of himself and ED (departed early) conceded victory to the Americans (Eric and Howard) at 1740 game time leaving only eight ten minute turns to dark and end game. Also, the Gameaster should have calculated that De Salaberry's army had reached its FALTER point.

The following photos represent the end state at the the Canadian capitulation.


The American victory came at a price. The Maine and New Hampshire Volunteers (bottom center left) have FALTERED and the U.S. 4th regiment has ROUTED, which if time permitted could have caused a significant brigade morale check for the First Brigade. To the right the dragoons are sauntering up the road at a leisurely pace.

A view west to east of Izard's brigade advancing and about to cross the vacated Canadian revetments.

The Voltigeurs look on in vain as they have received a RETIRE order.


One of the few intact canadian units holding the second revetment line, the First Boucherville battalion.

The N.Y. Volunteers leading the American army is awarded the Unit of Distinction commendation.


The Mohawks led by and Indian Department Captain look on with dismay. BTW, these are excellent figures are from the Brigade Games War of 1812 collection.


LCOl Macdonnel encourages the Canadian Fencible light company who are manning the blockhouse.


A view from the south at the American artillery lead by the light dragoons heading up the road



Looking east to west, Izard's fresh Second Brigade advances to cross the vacated Canadian revetment. The First brigade has repaired the bridge to allow the cavalry and artillery to catch up with the advance. To the left center the dragoons having finished their tea break are finally trotting up the road to belatedly support  the American breakthrough, which was led by the N.Y. Volunteers.

A Major Victory to the Americans. Congratulations to Eric and Howard. A big thanks to Bruce for speeding up the the play with his sound knowledge of the General de Brigade rules.