Lundy's Lane Redux - Session Six - 15 October, 2015

Just when most of thought that the American left flank was about to be rolled up ending the game, a series of surprises occurred that kept American hopes alive. It was a most interesting evening of war gaming.

 On the American left flank, Scott's First Brigade defend the north-south road with the 103rd Foot's light company harassing the American Ninth Regiment. The rest of Scott's brigade is lined up and ready to receive the rest of the 103rd.

The 103rd advances on the 11th and 9th American regiments. 

 Ripley's Second Brigade has withdrawn down the slope in the face of a threatening 19th Dragoon troop on its flank. 

A little bit of discussion ensued regarding the efficacy of cavalry being able to to jump over a stout five foot rail fence as part of a cavalry charge. The GdeB rules state that both cavalry and infantry can 'cross a wall or stream, etc.' using up half a turn. However, it is believed the intent of the rules was to represent the average European wall or fence, which is arguably about three to a maximum of four feet in height. The host ruled that these formidable fences were not jump-able/cross-able and certainly not part of a charge sequence. Subsequently, the host validated his decision through Graves account of the Lundy's lane. Around Lundy's and throughout most of Upper Canada, the fence "was required by law to be at least five feet high with fours rails or logs sufficiently well made." Ref Graves LL p. 126.

 Left center, the 1st Royal Scots advance down the LL slope to engage the 21st regiment of Ripley;s Second brigade. Right bottom, the 1st regiment advances on the flank of the 89th Foot.

 Left bottom, the 1st regiment; to its right the American engineers and the Pennsylvania Volunteers all pour fire onto the 89th Foot.

On the American right flank Porter's Third Brigade's New York Volunteers has secured the Queenston road and is engaged with the British pioneer company in the house and the GLI. This engagement will undoubtedly prove pivotal.

Center, the dreaded infernal rocket battery begins its deadly launches but so far misses. In the meantime the American players vainly hope that a volley of rockets will turn on itself or least hit a British unit....for a change.

 The British/Canadian left flank with the GLI left bottom and the NY Volunteers mid center and the pioneers company defending the house..

 A view of the rocket battery on LL heights with the 49th LC in the LL Church.

 A view of LCol Morrison (left) and LGen Drummond behind him and the 1st Foot ahead engaging Ripley's Brigade.

Having successfully intimidated Ripley's brigade to withdraw, the 19th LDs lurk behind some friendly skirmishers waiting for an opportunity to pounce.

It sounds repetitive but we are indeed reaching another possible decision point. Can Scott's First brigade hold back the onslaught of the British 1st brigade? Can the Ripley's maintain its line versus the threat of cavalry and the Royal Scots. Can Porter's brigade hold its position or even advance against the 89th and the GLI. We shall soon see.

Lundy's Lane Redux Session Five - 1st October 2015

This Fifth Session includes the ten minute turns from 0720 to 0830. The following photos represent the end state at 0830.

Another upset occurred on the British right flank; the 19th LDs were again subject to a push back. The remaining three battalions and howitzer of Scott's Brigade have withdrawn intact in the face of a steady advance by LCol Scott's 1st British brigade.

 The 103rd Foot advances north to south on the 11th and 22nd U.S. regiments.

 The light company of  8th Foot in skirmish order are harassing the 9th Regiment in the woods on the extreme right flank of the British line.

A rear view of the the 11th and 22nd U.S. regiments with Towson's howitzer on the lower right. 

 The British 24pdr, the howitzer and the American 18pdr have steadily lost gunners to point that they have variously failed their morale checks and routed from the filed. With no artillery on Lundy's Lane heights, MGen Brown orders Ripley to advance his Second brigade.

 The First Regiment is taking the Portage road towards Lundy's Lane heights.

 Porter's brigade of Volunteers has turned the British/Canadian flank having routed the IMUC and 1st Canadian Militia battalion.

 The Second Brigade has failed its morale check and must retire on its next compulsory move.

 Oh No! That dreaded infernal rocket machine is slowly making its way up the reverse side of the Lundy's Lane heights.

LGen Drummond still seems quite confident observing the battle to the rear of the 1st Foot The Royal Scots on top of Lundy's Lane heights.

The steady withdrawal of First brigade in the face of a very strong British 1st brigade advance coupled with the cavalry repulse has staved off what was a possible disaster on the American left flank.

On the American right flank Porter's Brigade has forced the British 1st Brigade to retire and exposing the left flank flank of the British line. Can Porter's Volunteers capitalize on this situation? We shall see next time.

Lundy's Lane Redux - Session Four

The fourth session got underway after a long summer hiatus on Thursday 24th September, 2015.

 After many set backs Scott's brigade is holding its ground  on the Army's left flank but faces significant British opposition.

 The 19th LDs versus the U.S, LDs came to a surprising result. The 19th were pushed back to their own start line. This provided some much needed breathing space for Scott's First Brigade.

 Ripley's Second brigade holds the line just outside the British 24pdr's canister range. The U.S. 18 pdr battles' it out with the British 5.5 howitzer and 24pdr. Ripley is content to wait it out while the big guns attrit each other hopefully with American guns the last standing. 

 On the right of Second Brigade the 18 pdr left and the destroyed 12pdr on the road. It does not look good for the American guns.

 It was a brave attempt of the 12 pdr crew to get within canister range of the British (12 o'clock to the 12pdr). To the right of 12pdr remains, is the American combat engineers getting into postion to support Porter's brigade.

 The only successful American brigade is Porter's New York and Pennsylvania volunteers. The continually pushed back the British/Canadian left flank.

 A view looking north down the left flank of the British/Canadian.

A view of the left center of the British/Canadian left center. Yes, they are holding onto the Lundy's Lane heights.

Will Scott be ba able to hold off the British on slot on the American left flank? Which side will win the crucial gun duel in the center? Can Porter's Volunteers continue their successful advance?

Stay tuned to Session Five.

Lundy's Lane Redux - Session Three - Thursday 13 August, 2015

Even though we started a half hour late this evening we managed to complete five turns. The session covered the period 0550 to 0630, which included an increase of visibility from 24" to 36" at 0610.

The following photos represent the end state at 0630.

 A view of the left flank of Scott's First brigade,  The are holding their own, however, ominous clouds of dust are observed on the other side of the ridge ahead.

 Looking at the right flank of the First Brigade. An American skirmish line has held off the British skirmishers. However, the 25th US Inf  (left foreground--the remainder of First brigade is top left) ) has suffered a retreat but recovered to an unformed state.Will the 25th and its skirmish screen be able to hold off the 1st Royal Scots? Can the First brigade hold off an unseen enemy?

In the center a view of Ripley's Second Brigade and the divisional artillery. Finally, Norton's Mohawks have been wiped out by 12 pdr canister fire. They have managed to thwart Second Brigade's advance in concert with British artillery.

That infernal rocket unit has scored yet another double six, causing casualties and a forced rout hence dispersal of Capt Ritchie's battery. This is significant blow to Brown's  artillery capability to say nothing about Second Brigade's capability to advance.

Meanwhile on the American right flank Porter's brigade has steadily advanced against the Canadian militia. 

However, the Canadian militia skirmishers have a slight edge in the skirmish fire fight in the woods. 

 Although the IMUC has been driven back by Porter's brigade, specifically the 5th Pennsylvanians, it is now screened by a detachment of GLI in skirmish order. In reserve is the 1st Militia Bde Battalion.

 The British center with the 89th Foot, 5.5" howitzer, 24 pdr and that infernal rocket detachment dominating the the hill.

A close up of the 19th LDs protecting the British right flank (sorry, yet another photo of them but this my favorite unit). 

A view of the 1st Foot Royal Scots facing off Scott's First Brigade.

The American American has reached another significant battlefield milestone. Can it contunue the offensive? Or will it be forced into a defensive stance, particularly in view of its loss of artillery from First and Second brigades?

Find out in Session Four.

Lundy's Lane Redux - Session Two - Tuesday 4th August 2015

Session Two consisted of the ten minute turns from 0520 to 0540. Unfortunately we did not start until about 1945 and finished at about 2145 hence only three turns. Nonetheless, they were momentous turns with significant impact on the American tactical plan.

Also, the 0530 turn D6 throw for the Grand River Indians resulted in a D1 = disperse., which gave the American forces some comfort. Note that the visibility increased to 24" at dawn 0530. This increase had a significant impact on the U.S. Second Brigade's advance in the face of British guns on LL hill top.

The following photos represent the situation at the end of 0540 turn:

 A view of the American left flank. Note the gap in the middle of Scott's brigade. That is where the U.S. 25th stood. It was routed and subsequently dispersed by the Provincial Light Dragoons supported the 19th LD. Previously, the 19th LDs charged the US LD and won the melee, which resulted in a PUSH BACK for the US LDs

On the right the US 22nd are engaged with the 1st Foot (Royal Scots). The 1st concentrated their fire on Towson's 6pdr (left of the 22nd), eventually wiping out the crew.

Another view of left portion of the First Brigade. Both sides cavalry have withdrawn to their respective lines. 

 Another view of the right flank of the First brigade. Note the remnants of Towson's 6 pdr.

NTF. some debate ensued re "opportunity fire" from American artillery versus pursuing British cavalry. GdeB only provides for "Support Fire" by artillery during the charge phase when the enemy cavalry is at the half-way point. Nonetheless, I have posed the issue to the GdeB forum in hope of receiving some clarification. The following is what I posted:

Greetings Gents,

In our last week’s session of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane we came across an unique situation regarding the possible use of “Opportunity Fire” from artillery.

The term “Opportunity Fire” comes from a derivative of “Battles for Empire “that we use for very large battles. Basically, it is meant to cover situations where an enemy unit (usually cavalry) wonders across the frontage/arc of a friendly artillery battery or an infantry battalion, in a movement or charge turn (sometimes in pursuit of a friendly unit). So, while not in the firing phase the friendly artillery unit could declare “opportunity fire” within certain distance parameters.

The closest GdeB rule that I have read that might address this situation, somewhat is 7.8 (3) SUPPORT FIRE. At the half way point artillery could fire on the enemy charger but not from long range.

However, in our Lundy’s Lane situation the enemy cavalry was pursuing friendly cavalry (subsequent to a charge—ie pursuit) and at one point came within the firing arc of a friendly artillery unit. The artillery player declared opportunity fire and I reluctantly ruled no as there did not seem to a GdeB rule to cover this type of situation.

Also, I was aware of 10.29B - FRIENDLY UNITS ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE ENEMY RULE, which states that friendly artillery can’t fire on enemy units that are within 6” of a friendly unit.

Did I make the right ruling?

Should there be an “Opportunity Fire” rule option as part of GdeB rules.

Your comments are gratefully appreciated.

 A view of Ripley's Second Brigade facing off against the British artillery with the 89th Foot in support. The American plan to close with British guns in darkness has failed and with the increased visibility the American infantry is taking heavy casualties from canister fire. Ritchie's battery has taken some casualties from the behemoth 24 pdr and those infernal rockets! 

Ripley has recovered from his light wound and has returned to the Second brigade to re-evaluate his tactical plan.

A view of the right flank of Second Brigade with Porter's 5th Pennsylvania bottom center. Incredibly, Norton's Mohawks are still in the building despite being at 50% manning (morale checks every turn) and being fired upon by engineers. Bottom right; the Canadian militia are engaged skirmish style with the Canadian (American) Volunteers  in the woods.

A view from the British/Canadian left flank looking north up LL road. Center foreground left are the IMUC and beyond up the slope are the GLI. To the right is the 1st Canadian Militia Brigade (actually a battalion).

 Another view of the British right flank looking south up LL. Mid left top--top to bottom....an unknown British unit, the remnant of the PLDs and the 19th LDs to the left and US LDs, Towson's howitzer and the 9th Infantry.

 A close up of the command troop of the 19th Light Dragoons.

 A close up of those infernal rockets.

A close up of the behemoth 24 pdr firing canister at the American Second brigade.

As stated despite a mere five turns, significant and possibly game changing events have occurred. Will Scott's brigade now have withdraw in the face of significant losses. What will Ripley's brigade now do in the face of withering fire from the hill top British guns?

Stay tuned for Session Three.

Battle of Lundy's Lane (redux) 26 July, 1814

There was a consensus that we should reply Lundy's Lane with the participants exchanging armies.

The Scenario

In this redux scenario, Scott wisely chooses not to immediately engage (blunder in-to a firefight as in the actual battle) the British on Lundy's Lane hill top, particularly as he is outnumbered. He waits outside of British cannon range and is soon is conversing with Major General Brown. Brown wisely orders Scott to maintain his position and orders up the other two brigades and additional artillery. During the night all three brigades will advance as close as possible to the British lines while avoiding a skirmish between pickets. The U.S. left Division will attack in the darkness just prior to dawn of an early morning...26 July, 1814.

The Game Mechanics

At first, I considered using a curtain across the middle of the table so that each side could place their units in secret. However, the logistics of a dividing curtain was going to be problematic. Instead the following  method using battle table maps for the American players was utilized. players 

The British players, Paul G. and Steve, set up their defensive positions of their brigade units by using red colored unit markers of various sizes not necessarily representative of the size of the unit depicted...fog of war. The markers were showed blank side up with the unit designation on the obverse -hidden. The unit figures were placed on the battlefield when it was been spotted by an enemy unit. 

In the mean time Paul M and Rod go upstairs to plan their attack (Rod has a cunning plan). They mutually agree that Rod will command (Brown) and Paul M. will control Scott's First Brigade along with all of the meager American cavalry. After agreeing on a plan of attack both players mark the positions of all of their units on two prepared maps. Coincidentally, the British players state their readiness to start just as Rod and Paul M. finish plotting all of the American units onto the maps...good timing. The American players head down to the war room and plot their blue unit marker sheets onto the battlefield table. The system worked well as it led to a few surprises and certainly added an air of unpredictability to the respective offensive and defensive positions.

The Time Line -Victory Conditions - Orders of Battle

The following tables show the time line of ten minute turns using General de Brigade rules with its growing addendum of War of 1812 specific subsets, the victory conditions and special rules regarding night movement and use/or non use of the Grand River Indians; the American OOB and lastly the British/Canadian OOB.

The first three turns take place in darkness, so visibility is only 12".

 This is a view looking down Lundy's Lane from west to east. Most  of the following shots were taken at the end of turn two. Scott's First Brigade is on the right moving up the slope to attack the 1st Foot on Lundy's lane.center left.

On the bottom of this photo the PLD and 19th LD.

 On the American right flank in the woods, the Canadian Volunteers are skirmishing with the Grand River Indians. The GR Indians have inflicted a casualty. Hmm re the dice roll rules the GRN are not supposed to be engaged. I must correct this on our next evening.

 Again on the right flank the Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers center have been in a fire fight with the IMUC - center top. The 5th together with Capt Biddles's 12 pdr (left of 5th) have inflicted heavy casualties on the IMUC forcing them to withdraw.

 To the left of the 5th Penn, Biddles 12 pdr and the Sappers are engaged with Norton's Mohawks in the building. The Mohawks put a good fight but are down to 50% (2 figures) --still they pass their morale test and hold onto the building.

Capt Douglas and his 18 pdr (bottom left) has caused casualties to the GLI (top center) forcing it to skillfully withdraw to avoid possible annihilation.

 To add insult to injury Norton's Mohawks roll Double D6 when firing into the flank of the U.S.21st. forcing it to FALTER. Also, BGen Ripley (bottom right) is lightly wounded goes to rear to get medical attention.

To the left of the 21st, the 23rd is marching up the hill when out of the darkness the flash of a 24 pdr canister salvo rips into it, causing four casualties. Nonetheless, the 23rd passes its morale test.

The advance of the American Second brigade is blunted.

 A view from the British left flank. A decimated IMUC has wisely withdrawn in the face of the 5th Penn and Capt Biddle's 12 pdr fire.

 To the right of the IMUC Capt Machlachlane's 6 pdr supports the right flank of the IMUC while to its right the GLI are withdrawing.

 At the west end of the battlefield on LL, the 19th LD square of with the amalgamated American LDs while Scott's Brigade (right) looks on.

On the American left flank, Scott's Brigade advances up the hill. The 1st Royal Scots fore at the American 22nd.

For the next session there will be one more turn of darkness then the dawn will increase the visibility to 24 inches. The guns will become deadly.