The Battle of Plattsburg - The Wargame- Second Session - 2nd August 2021

Despite everyone being on time or early for the 09:30 start, we did not start gaming until well after 10:00. There was a good deal of wargame banter, which is a good thing and most enjoyable. I did not feel there was a reason to crack the whip and get gaming as I thought the massive gathering of British units around the the three American forts followed by an assault would easily wrap up the game in a few hours. I thought the game would end in time for lunch. Was I ever wrong!

The game began at 0810 hours. The British had to wait until 0810 to activate the command of Major General de Watteville who replaced the inept Lt-Gen Prevost. A muffled cheer is heard throughout the army of British and Canadian regiments.

The 8th Foot 'King's' moves up to support the skirmish line.

The most effective American artillery the two 24pdrs and one 18pdr  garrison guns. Although they did not always have target opportunities.

Several British regiments of the Second brigade move out from the woods and the area around Pike's Ford road toward the American forts.

Having wiped out the six-pounder battery in Fort Brown, Major Gordon's guns of the First Brigade Artillery aided by the Division's 24pdr continue causing many casualties on American regulars in the fort's trenches.

The 27th Inniskillings (foreground)  hold behind the abandoned center redoubt with the 5th and the 58th (middle top) of the Third Brigade.

The Voltigeurs have changed into open order formation from their previous skirmish stance. Will they attack the forts?

No doubt seeking protection from American gun fire the inexorable British line, led by the 49th,  march along the lee side of the a ridge line south of the forts.

Major General de Watteville, now in command (right center), gives the long awaited orders to First Brigade to Assault and capture Fort Brown. 

The Mohawks secure the farmstead.

The remnants of the N.Y militia by the lake before their brigade fails a brigade morale check and disperses south to Salmon river.

The American Light Dragoons make a valiant but unsuccessful charge against the deploying units of Second brigade. Second Brigade Artillery commanded by Captain Green gave supporting fire that caused a dragoon casualty, which reduced the possibility of continuing the charge. 

In fact the dragoons were forced to halt at the half way point of the charge and took further fire from guns and infantry. This caused further casualties that reduced the dragoons to 50%which necessitated a morale checks. Ultimately the dragoons failed their morale check and routed/dispersed.

Despite the valiant but vain efforts of the New York and Vermont militia, who suffered a retreat and ultimately a failed Brigade morale check,  are driven from the field.

The valiant but vain efforts of the New York and Vermont militia coupled with the charge of the Light Dragoons have nonetheless slowed the cautious and methodical advance of the British Second Brigade.

At long last Major General Brisbane get his order from major General de Watteville for Second Brigade to assault the forts.

The divisional wagons partially distribute ladders to the 39th regiment for the impending assault. The second wagon remains ready to distribute ladders but to who?

To their surprise the 39th merely climbed the ladders and entered the Fort Brown with no opposition except some musket fire .

However, those sneaky Americans of the 6th Regiment led by their Brigade Commander Colonel Smith have successfully charged the Veteran 39th in the flank. The 39th attempted to refuse their flank with one company but failed their formation change test. The American's pressed home their melee charge into the exposed flank of the 39th and win the melee. The 39th must must retreat back down the ladders in the compulsory phase.

The U.S. 6th triumphantly occupy Fort Brown cheered on by Colonel Smith. In tow is an American 18pdr filed gun being slowly prolonged into the fort.

Undaunted, the 39th Dorsetshires will surely rally and will again assault up the ladders at the American 6th.  Perhaps they will attack in concert with the 88th off to their right.

Meanwhile from left to right the Canadian Chasseurs, the de Meuron Regiment, the 8th King's and the 49th prepare to assault forts brown and Scott.

The following photos represent the end state at 17:30 real time  (10:10 game time)  when we had to conclude the game.

Coming very late to dance is the 8inch heavy mortar from Ilse Aux Noix enters the northern fringes of the town.

Militia and regular riflemen managed to hold the western blockhouse but for how long, because....

…the British Divisional Pioneers having completed the first span of the northern bridge and has started the rebuilding of the second span.

The 5th Northumberland Foot stand ready to charge over the northern bridge, supported by the 58th, 27th Foot, and the guns of captain Jackson's battery,  as soon as the pioneers complete the last span.

Now that the Americans have regained Fort Brown, Major Gordon's guns recommenced their firing on the newly available American target (6th U.S.).

While the 39th are recovering from their retreat, the 24pdr carronade also recommences firing this time on the 6th in Fort Brown or optionally American infantry in the death trenches.

There seems to be a hold up in the distribution of ladders to the 88th Connaught Foot!?

The 19th Light Dragoons, one of the last units to arrive on the field, eagerly await their chance to enter the fray. I expect they will not be needed.

The Mohawks have taken over the farmstead but surprisingly are well behaved while the secure the area.

Ah ha! They have killed a cow and are about to have a feast.

It looks like the right wing of the British Second Brigade is getting ready to assault Forts Brown and Scott.

The American artillery in Fort Scott, who are largely un scathed, continue to give support to their infantry brethren in the trenches.

How long will the 6th be able to hold off the assaults of much more numerous British infantry regiments. Not too much longer I fear.

Belatedly the American's use the hot shot limber to move an 18pdr field gun to area between Forts Brown and Scott. However, it will likely be in potion too late to prevent a major British assault.

The bright spot in the American defence are the two 24pdrs and one 18pdr garrison guns of Fort Moreau, which are defending the northern peninsula from the inevitable British assault across the northern bridge.

These last photos give an overview of the Plattsburg battlefield at the end of the game.

A view from north to south along the peninsula from the almost completed north bridge (bottom center) to the heavy guns in Fort Moreau (top left of center). Except for two rifle companies in the stone mill there are no Americans between the bridge and Fort Moreau. First Brigade with the support of two artillery batteries (north and center) should easily overcome the mill and empty block houses and eventually overcome Fort Moreau.

After a slow but methodical approach the well screened Third Brigade (the apparent intent is to slowly pick off the American regulars)  is poised to assault Fort Scott (upper right) and still have extra troops to perhaps assist the First Brigade with its assault on Fort Brown. Note; on the inevitable capture of Fort Scott, the rear of Fort Moreau is incomplete making the guns within an easy target for an infantry assault. 

On the the southern edge of the Plattsburg peninsula  and eastern edge near the lake, the Canadian Chasseurs, de Meuron, 8th King's and 49th regiments screened by the Voltigeurs and Chasseur skirmishers are poised to finally assault Fort Scott. Again note how open Fort Moreau is from the south (top right of center).

Again, the 39th is regrouping to re-assault Fort brown while....

being supported by Major Gordon's guns.

Conclusion.

In about another one to two hours of gaming the American forts would certainly have been overrun from both north and south directions. Also, as the Americans would surely and steadily loose units and victory objectives, they would quickly face an Army Break Point Test that would be difficult to pass.
It is a shame we did not have more time to finish the assaults and that is the hosts fault for not cracking the whip a bit more. Still, I believe a great time was had by all. Special kudos to Bruce for undertaking an impossible task of defending the Plattsburg Peninsula and conducting a good defence. I truly thought that the Americans would succumb much earlier than they did.
My thanks to Bruce, Paul and Eric for a most enjoyable game.