Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777

  A week ago Mark, Mike and I gathered in my basement for a playtest game of the Brandywine Scenario I will be running twice at Historicon in about a month. Rules were slightly modified Field of Battle, 3rd edition, by Brent Oman, including period specific changes, mostly but not all as suggested in the section of the rules dealing with the American Revolutionary War. The British had 36 units in 11 commands, whilst the Americans had 33 units in 9 commands. The average quality of the British/Hessian units was better than the Americans, and their Leader quality somewhat better overall as well. Both Howe and Washington wound up being LD 10 Leaders. 

View of the Northern 2/3 of the battlefield, looking East. The British and Hessians will be entering from he near table edge.

Looking South; the Americana s will be deployed to contest the crossing of the Brandywine creek, which can only be done at the five Fords

View from the South. From near to far the fords are Pyle's Ford (which is opposite an impassable cliff), Chad's Ford along the main road to Philadelphia where Washington is expecting the main attack, Brinton's Ford, James Ford, and Wistar's Ford. The Brirtish secretly allocated their forces to the various approaches, and then the Americans deployed their defending troops with no British on the table to start. 

Americans deploy.

Closer view of the forces opposite Pyle's, Chads, and James Fords.

Chads, James, and Wistar Fords

My shot of the table, with British commander Mike

Another shot with Mike and Hessian Commander von Mark.

Lord Howe won the initiative for * impetus, and handed to the Americans (as there was little if anything they could do with it until the enemy appeared)! I'll change that so that the British will go first to start the battle regardless of who wins the first initiative. 

The British lose little time after that - here is a Highland Brigade backed by Simcoe's Rangers and some cavalry at Wistar Ford.

General Alexander's Brigade appeared opposite James Ford

Von Stirn's Hessian Brigade emerged opposite Brintons Ford, supported by Smith's British.

Grant's Brigade emerged opposite Chads Ford, supported by some British Grenadiers. 

Same from the American viewpoint - Wistar Ford

James Ford

Brintons Ford

Chads Ford. As in the actual battle, the British ignored Pyle's Ford, which was guarded by a small brigade of indifferent Pennsylvania Militia, seen off in the upper left of the picture..

First shots are fired by both sides. 

The Battle becomes general. The British must cross the Fords in March Column or skirmish - this pretty much means they have to drive off the defenders with musket and/or cannon fire first! Washington dispatches the Orange Brigade under his best leader ("Mad" Anthony Wayne, who rolled up as LD 12+1, as good as it gets) towards the North, as the enemy has sent more troops to the Northern fords than expected. . 

Uh oh!  Lord Howe is at the head of a column of British troops heading down the Birmingham Road!

Amidst heavy fighting, Washington also sends Pulaski's cavalry to the Noth as well. 

Things are going well for the Patriots at Chad's Ford.

British troops are routed by American musket, rifle, and artillery fire. 

To the North, though, the Highlanders have forced Wistar Ford!

Hessians are sent to support the assault on Chads Ford.

Lead elements of Wayn'e Division arrive just as the British approach Birmingham meetinghouse. 

The American position at James Ford is looking very shaky indeed!

Trading volleys near Birmingham meetinghouse. 

British light Infantry threaten the rear of the James Ford position. 

Hessians force the Brintons Ford position!

Washington sends in reserves under the drunk [variable die roll for Leader Quality - wound up LD 8, worst possible] General Stephens.

Chad's Ford still holds - the D12+1 Patriot battery in the works atop the ridge plays no small part in that!

Patriot Cavalry threaten to charge the skirmishing British Light Infantry in the rear!

British Guards are forced back by Patriot firepower... and the remainder of the original forces at Wistar's Ford are now in their rear!!

More British and Hessians are across the Brandywine at James Ford!

Chad's Ford remains a tough nut to crack!

British Light Infantry extricates itself from a very vulnerable position. Shortly thereafter, their fire will empty a great many patriot saddles.

Although not apparent from the photos, the Americans have been hemorrhaging Moral points, and have been paying them out to the British at an alarming rate. Not long after this, Washington failed his Army Morale, check, and the Americans withdrew for the field in dome disorder. The British had more Morale Points than they had started with (!), securing a Major Victory for Lord Howe and company.