Freeman's Farm 1777

At the Seven Years War Con I got to enjoy a 15mm game of Freeman's Farm in 1777 using Guns of Liberty.  The game host, Michael Wedding, had a copy of 3rd edition which is still a work in progress (as we learned).  Since I was wearing my GR cap with the Raven's Foot, I naturally took a brigade in the Crown Forces.  Sorry for some fuzzy pictures, I didn't know till I got to look at them on a big screen.

Opening positions, Crown forces on the left.

The rebels were on the march as well.

I just sat down in the open chair and was told to "take the right."  As it turns out it was a fine command, with British converged grenadiers, the 21st RoF, Butler's Rangers and a mob of natives.  So I got to enjoy great firepower and shock capacity, along with tactical flexibility.

Both sides wasted no time getting in close.

In Guns of Liberty you both move, there is artillery fire, a chance for opportunity fire, and then the mutual exchange of musketry.  Easy to calculate modifiers are typical for horse and musket rules.

The center is promising as a cannon is snuck into position.

Getting ready for a big push as the rebels form up.

All across the field the battle is joined and British
musketry and discipline begin to tell.

Cotton puffs indicate a unit has used their opening volley.

My natives charged and routed a militia unit but were in
turn thrown back shaken.  Butler's are in dire morale straits.

British lights from another brigade threaten the rebel
flank in front of me, forcing them into a deadly formation.

Sharp volleys followed by sound charges have the 
Continentals falling back everywhere.

Charges are a but unusual in GoL.  Instead of getting a charge move bonus to reach the enemy, you must start your charge within 3" (for infantry).  This is contrary to the norm in rules but seems to work well.

  

The grenadiers charge and route two rebel units, ending
up shaken and disordered, but more Crown units are coming.

Endgame on the Crown left and center.  

Then came the coup de grace.  Singing "Ein Schifflein Sah Ich Fahren" as they marched (reportedly composed by the German troops on their way to America) the Hessians belatedly arrived on the Continental right flank.  All the players knew they were coming, only this time the troops they were supposed to hit were already in retreat.

We were done with actual play in about two hours and everyone seemed to have a very good time, be they veteran with the rules or newcomer.  Well organized and planned, and we collectively worked through a couple of contractions where elements of 2nd edition hadn't been updated in the copy of 3rd the author shared.  A great start to my first game at the convention.