Last weekend the lads from our club played another great game of Sharp Practice set during the American War for Independence. Our forces were evenly match (point wise) with the following troops per side:
Rebellious Colonist Forces (including Leaders):
3 x units of Rebel Militia 1778 onwards
2 x units of Rebel Militia Skirmishers
2 x units of Continental Line 1778 onwards
1 x unit of Continental Light Infantry Skirmishers
British & Allies
2 x units of British Light Infantry in Line 1778 onwards
2 x units of Loyalist Ranger Skirmishers
1 x unit of Hessian Jager Skirmishers
1 x Tribe of Indian Allies
The scenario for our game was based on one the various violent raids conducted by Butler’s Rangers that characterised the northern frontier of the American Revolutionary War. Butler and his mixed force were to capture supplies and burn as many farm buildings as possible before substantial forces could be brought down on him. The Rebellious Colonist Forces mission was to stop the raid and save as many farms as possible.
Our game started with a small unit of British Light Infantry deploying well forward of their own supporting troops only to receive heavy musket fire from various Rebel Militia troops rushing in from their deployment point and harass the British raiders. Though the Light Infantry would sustain few casualties they did, however, sustain several points of shock which would eventually force them to withdraw and play no further part in the battle.
American Rebel forces would soon deploy all eight commands in the first two turns but were slow to take advantage of their over whelming numbers. The British eventually deployed all their units by the end of the third turn but were not able to push past the first three farm building and across the creek due to the rapid deployment of rebel forces. The British commander thus went to work and gathered as many supplies as he could and would eventually set fire to all three farm buildings under his control.
Whilst the British regulars and Rangers torched the building the Hessian Jagers and Allied Indians moved forward to counter the Rebel movements in hope of delaying them long enough for the remaining British troops to withdraw. However, the Indian Allies overextended themselves by charging forward into the unit of Continental Regulars. The Continentals stood firm and easily defeated the attack causing 50% casualties on the Indians and forces them to break from the field.
Unfortunately, this small victory was too little too late and the British raiders were successful in their mission burning three farm building and capturing a small hoard of supplies. Well, done to Brian (British Commander) in gain victory on the day and for David (Rebellious Colonist Commander) for playing a very challenging game. Thanks to John also for loaning his excellent AWI collection.
Regards
Nathan
Hello my name is Jeff Whetstone and I am from Chicago, IL U.S.A. I found your blog while searching for AWI 28mm figures for my dioramas. I am a historian of American revolution and it’s not easy setting up accurate battle representations with limited samples of the various colonies militia’s and continentals which is hard to find here, Your figures are amazing. Do you paint these your selves? Is there a source where I can purchase painted AWI 28mm? Thanks Jeff Whetstone email: j.whetstone@comcast.net phone 630-244-3476.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for the great comments and I agree it is quite hard to find accurate details especially for uniforms. I painted the majority of figures in my AWI collections and have tried to represent the uniforms of the units that fought in the campaigns I am most interested in. The figures are mainly purchased from either Perry Miniatures or Wargames Foundry Miniatures. Both are easily accessed through the internet and in the USA. There are numerous painters but the best cane be found in the UK. Pro-Painted by Eye by Ian Clarke is one of the painters I have used in the past.
Regards
Nathan