I don't have my 28mm AWI collection ready yet (c. 400 unpainted figs!), so I decided to use my 6mm 1812 figs instead. I wasn't gaming out an 1812 battle, however; simply using 1812 figs to fight an AWI battle.
I've long thought about re-staging Saratoga since reading about it in the Peter Young's 1972 classic The Wargame: Ten Great Battles Recreated from History, (well, that book is how I first got into miniature gaming, really!). The scenario details were taken from Black Powder. The figures are all 6mm Irregulars. The playing area is 36" x 30" and fit nicely on my gaming table, with room to spare.
I won't boor you with the historical outline, which you can read about here.
As far as my solo game went; in brief: The British left (Hamilton's brigade, under 'Gentleman Johnny' Burgoyne) attacked the American line, pushing it back in spite of taking fearsome casualties inflicted by Morgan's Riflemen. Counterattacks by Poor's brigade, led by the American C-in-C on the day Arnold, recoiled the British. The great departure from the actual battle was the attack of the British right, under Gen. Fraser, which totally caved in the Americans under Learned. With the American flank turned Burgoyne resumed his attacks, and the Rebels were sent packing.
Below is some eye candy from the game. The rules use a lot of markers, and the ones I have are functional rather than aesthetically pleasing, which may offend the sensibilities of some (sorry, Doug!). That being said, they worked well.
Note: clicking on images to enlarge them helps a lot.
Burgoyne's left hits the American line, with rebels taking shelter in the woods.
Gentleman Johnny urges Hamilton's Brigade on.
An event from mid-battle: The 62nd Foot (Wiltshires) wait in reserve while the battle rages in front of them.
British Pickets defend Freeman's Farm. Note 'dead guy' marker.
The 2nd Mass. lie in wait.
The 1st New Hampshire hit the 9th Foot (East Norfolk Regt.), so the Royal Artillery blast them in the flank.
Burgoyne desperately tries to rally the 20th Foot (East Devonshires), but the 'dead guy' markers pile up!
Relief comes to the British on their right, as Fraser's column moves up.
" 'oozah, the British Grenadiers!" as they turn the American left.
No help from these fellows, though. Fraser's native allies take shelter behind the western woods, and refuse to move for the rest of the battle. Fraser tried to motivate them with such encouragements as, "Get forward, you filthy devils! Miserable cowards!" to no avail.
Burgoyne renews his attacks. The 21st Foot (North British Fusiliers), right, are down to less than 70 men. The Americans, however, have fled.
The field at the end of play.
If it looks like most of these camera shots favour the British, it's simply because the American table edge was blocked off by the wall!
I liked the way the rules played. They flowed nicely, yet still had a natural and realistic feel to them --but you really have to keep on top of those markers. It seems to me that they might be better suited to either solo play or a small game with a couple of guys who know the rules. Not sure if they would work well as a multi-player game on a club night. Fun, though!
Commanders are really important, as their 'command points' control the action, rally troops, etc.
Leader casualties were heavy in this game, and that had a great effect on the outcome. British Gen. Hamilton was seriously wounded by a musket ball on turn one and out of the action, while the famous American leader Dan Morgan was killed by British pickets on the same turn (no more 'turkey calls' from him, and just before Thanksgiving, too). Gen. Poor was slightly wounded mid-game, which affected his command ability. Gentleman Johnny, himself, was also slightly wounded, and, on the last turn of the game, Benedict Arnold was blasted to pieces by a cannon ball (at 300 yards) while attempting rally fleeing troops!
I can always tell I had an enjoyable game when I get into the nitty-gritty of stats-taking at the end. Using my 40/30/30 percent ratio (KIA/seriously wounded/lightly wounded), the British suffered 740 (20% loses) KIA & seriously wounded (out of action for campaign purposes) while the Americans 1132 (32% loses). So, pretty much the reverse of the real thing.
Cheers.
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