A Visit to Guilford Courthouse

Finally having the right mix of players and figure owners available we undertook a refight of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse from the American Revolution in March of 1781.  The table was a close to the historic and our stash of "stuff" and geo-hex would allow.  Both sides deployed very close to the historical.

Rules were "Guns of Liberty" 2nd edition.  Figure ratio is 20:1 and each artilleryman equals one crew.  The American militia it was suggested, should get the opening volley modifier usually reserved for regulars since history talks of the "carefully loaded" shots.  The broken terrain forced both sides to utilize the open order (not skirmish) to avoid some potentially serious movement penalties.  The British goal was to break the rebels while limiting their casualties to less than 25%.  If the British took over 50% losses they lost, no matter what else happened.  The Americans were broken and forced to retreat if they had >60% of their force in rout status.  Both Greene and Cornwallis were in good form so both were +2 leaders.

And so to the game.  Click to "big-up" the pictures.  Your comments and suggestions are welcomed.  Oh, purists will note that there are a lot of stand-ins for the Crown Forces, like the Black Watch F&I version for the 71st, but you go with what you have on hand.

Lord Cornwallis and an aide.

The indomitable rascal, General Greene.

Starting position from the rebel view, two lines of militia deployed.

The British view, with the Continental regulars on the far left.

Figures in two ranks represent close order, while a single rank
is open order.  Close order could be significantly slowed by terrain.

The Guards brigade advances very slowly as the tardy Tarleton
is ordered to the right flank.

As Cornwallis it appeared to me that the only place where we might achieve a fast break-through was on our right.  Cornwallis had a few units under his direct control so I sent the cavalry off to make mischief.

Provincials, Hessians and Highlanders on our right.

Quality regular line against militia.

The Guard combined grenadiers and 1st and 2nd battalions offer
morale support.

We have routed several militia units so the Guard combined lights
go in on the left.

Tarleton's cavalry breaks one militia unit and carries on to a second.

Nice orderly lines, advancing steadily, with our prize in clear sight.

The result of the charge and melee.

In the historic action Greene asked his militia to "give them two or three volleys" and then they could skedaddle.  In our game the rebels were crowing that they were holding us longer, which is true.  But we were routing the militia, who are nigh unto impossible to rally, whereas Greene was able to get a sizeable number into the fray supporting his regulars.  So in my opinion the desire to improve on the historic actually hurt them in the long run.

Some rebel riflemen with enemy to either flank and the front.

Cornwallis can be pleased with the progress.

As the American lines recoiled, they disordered themselves and
units behind them.

Rebel view of the late stage by Paul Alaniz.

Another view by Paul after the Highland charge.

The Highland charge has swept to the very base of the American
position.  Kind of an "oops" place to be.

Having accomplished a fair bit, Tarleton's dragoons rest.

I guess that is what you call "man-handling" a gun.

At this point, with 11 of 18 American units routed, we called the game.  Greene would be required to start to pull off.  British casualties were at 22% so if they didn't press they would win a decisive victory, but that doesn't sound like Cornwallis to me.  The Continental regulars all had their opening volleys available, as did the British Guard grenadiers and "hat" battalions.  Only the Combined Lights had fired.  So a bloodbath was likely with the British pushed past their 25% threshold. 

Honors/honours to both sides and kudos for keeping it all in perspective.  On to Yorktown?