AWI in plastic

My collection of AWI is in its third incarnation. The first was old Minifig true 25s.  The next was, and still but only with my AWI French,  Front Rank.  And finally now Perry metals - for the most part.

 But I finally broke down to buy a box of Perry plastic Continentals while I await a Perry metal order  delayed due to Covid.  I thought they would be compatible.  Surprisingly for Perrys they sort of aren't; at least to my old eyes.  The plastics are much thinner and a bit taller.  Really nice, Beautiful. Would have liked shooting poses but as marching, nice.  Now of course seeing the transformation of the Perry sculpting to this much better human proportions, better proportioned weapons particularly in plastics compared to their early lines which included their AWI range, I probably should have been patient and await them*.   I nevertheless painted 6 for a small Loyalist unit 'King's Loyal Americans' which accompanied Burgoyne into the Albany Valley to Saratoga .  The remainder must stay in the box for now.  Should I later get excited about a Southern campaign I might be led to create a large unit of South Carolinian continentals - the spare hats included in the box have that distinctive cap worn by those colonialist. Or more probable, get traded or sold....the usual.

I picked up a base of the unit and took this quick pic. I hate the macro lens as it shows off all the minor issues of the painting when a more steady hand, better eye (or use of the mag lens ) and certainly more patience would be useful. They are not "El Mercenario" standard ( examples of his painting ) however for about 21 minutes per, OK for the table.... but I really need a longer arm!

edit*  Funnily enough the day after composing this post --they came in the mail!

Oriskany , a AWI game

Battle of Oriskany, 1777

Considered part of the overall “Saratoga Campaign”, St. Leger’s advance down the Mohawk Valley to join Burgoyne’s army was halted to besiege Fort Stanwix.  A relieving column of Patriot militia was ambushed near Oriskany and the battle proved to be one of the most deadly of the Revolutionary War.

In this engagement, the British allied Natives lined the military road and caught the Americans unaware but who fought back desperately having nowhere to retreat.

With that as a basis, I set up my version with the troops I have available including my newly rebased Old Glory Woodland Indians repurposed for my burgeoning AWI collection.  Thus four groups of small units of militia escorted the wagon train as three small groups of natives were, by a dice roll, placed along the route.  It was to be short range musket fire and hand-to-hand fighting in this solo game (obviously in this COVID era...) of “Rebels and Patriots” of 12 points apiece

The natives ignored the lead militia unit having targeted the second unit from both sides of the path.  Shattered by gunfire from the woods and unable to respond in kind, the Americans were charged by one band of natives wiping them out. This band, now in the open, were in turn charged by the officered unit who were successful in forcing those natives to retire from the fight.

While this was occurring, to the rear of the column, the militia, who moved to protect the wagons, or ran to hide behind - you can make your own judgement! -  and the natives exchanged musket fire, slowly whittling away at each other’s willpower.  The natives broke first and disengaged, leaving the militia a shattered force holding the field with over a third as casualties.

Saratoga’s Battle of Long’s Redoubt

the Brunswick array moving to positions towards the American log emplacements

This is a fictional and solo affair using my newly reconstituted “Saratoga Campaign” Brunswick Germans (and units of historically attached Hesse-Hanau) against American opposition.
In this case my entire German force will be assaulting the Americans behind formidable log emplacements.  I place the units almost by random, looking for natural start positions for each side THEN decide what might happen.  In most of my readings of historical battles, I don’t think the actual Generals did things much differently….

Turn 1, Brunswicker
The very first activation rolls a double-six!. So with that bonus, the Brunswick dismounted dragoons earn better discipline for the battle (spoiler: it really does not help) Next the Light Infantry advance.  Then, of course, I roll the opposite of bonus, double ones, which consulting the chart has the Rhetz Regiment commit friendly fire upon the backs of the Lights causing disorder. The other Brunswick units advance without incident however the artillery is bogged down in the rear.

The Brunswick Dismounted Dragoons 

Turn 1, Americans
The American heavy gun opens up on the advancing Germans and while causing casualties, the Germans would continue their forward progression.

The American position

The German advance

Turn 2, Brunswicker
Despite their increased discipline the dismounted dragoons were still occupied on patting themselves on the back to move this turn.  The Lights continued to advance even with their disorder and the rest of the Brunswick army continued their advance - - except for the artillery no well to the rear.  Must be a broken wheel perhaps.

Turn 2, Americans
The the Lights now in range, the American light artillery on their right end of the line fired at short range causing more casualties but again the Lights shrugged them off. The heavy gun in the middle was apparently reloading and the light gun on the far left was still out of range. But now the American militia opened fire as did the 2nd NY Regiment and this proved too much for the Lights who bolted.

Turn 3, Brunswicker
Again the Dismounted Dragoons rolled double-sixes for the activation (its either really good or really bad with these guys!) causing unknown fire upon the American right but this did not faze that militia unit (rolling 11 for morale!)
While the rest of the Brunswick force marched in steady line to the final fence to cross, the artillery again fails to move. It will be relegated to the rear for the upcoming battle as it cannot now be of any support to the assault.

Turn 3, Americans
Some of the American artillery again fires and while causing more casualties, the German morale survives.

Turn 4, Brunswicker
During this turn the majority of the army readied themselves forming up in close-order while the Hesse-Hanau unit moved to the left.

The heroic Hesse-Hanau Regiment

Turn 4, Americans
While the American artillery took advantage of the tighter German formation and causing significant casualties, Brunswick morale is high.

Turn 5, Brunswicker
All units (!) begin their advance through the open area cleared by the Americans in front of their log defences.

Turn 5, American
Militia fire forced the Dismounted Dragoons to retreat.  Now in range of the skirmish rated militia units (at only 12 inches) and the lone regular unit of the 2nd NY, the Riedesel and Rhetz Regiments were taking particular punishment and both are now under 50%. But morale continues to be good.

The large Brunswick units showing their casualties even at this early time of the battle.

Turn 6, Brunswicker
While the Rhetz unit stopped to doff its disorder (at 50% it will now ALWAYS be disordered to some degree) the Riedesel Regiment rolled double sixes (my dice in solo games always seem to be hot or cold) thus earning itself two activations so with that went at the double at the American position. Unfortunately being at half strength it failed to make much impact (only 3 dice) .  Not all was bad for the Brunswickers as the Hesse-Hanau charged and got into the American position.

Riedesel's failed assault

Turn 6, American
Not all was good for the cheering Hessians as the displaced militia responded with shooting and the light artillery pivoted in place.

Turn 7, Brunswicker
Seeing the units in his immediate area at half-strength or unwilling to move (both full strength units failed to activate) the Brunswick commander contemplated ordering a retreat while some of his army was still in tact but continued failures in activation and the lateness of the day had him/me give up on the assault.  While the main army was to retreat the Hessians took the American light gun without casualties.

Turn 7, Americans
The units around the Hessians all failed to activate and even the heavy artillery could not load a round against the retreating Germans.

Turn 8, (Darkness)
The lone fighting unit for the Germans - the heroic Hesse-Hanau finally wore out and also failed to rouse themselves to further action.  That would make seven, yes 7 failed activation rolls in a row!  I think the dice gods are telling me to go to bed.  Thus the Brunswick direct assault on Long’s Redoubt failed with heavy casualties.

The pink colours of the Hessian showing their position inside the American defences

I used the “Rebels and Patriots” rules which follow the “Rampanty” style of play including activation.  Great for solo play as the units absolutely will not follow orders and do their own thing which is great for the narrative, probably realistic in a way, and certainly does not allow favouritism for one side or the other <grin>

Saratoga, here I come!

Finally had the time…and mental momentum….to finish my American contingent for my certain portion of the American Revolutionary War Saratoga campaign.  The battles to come will be a contrast in tactics.  I have certainly taken the mythical view so thusly the Americans will have good-shooting small skirmish militia units, some as veterans, with (for now) only a small Continental regiment and with artillery support verses very large but timid Brunswick Germans units.  The latter formed a large portion of the British army descending the Hudson River Valley in 1777.

I have taken the narrative of the historical campaign battles and thus will have fictional scenarios involving the Brunswickers attacking across open fields with the Americans firing into their ranks (an aggressive commander [Gen. B. Arnold?] leading);  the Germans attacking American defences well defended by artillery (allowing for American commander ‘Granny’ Gates’ “let ‘em come to us” plan if came to pass);  or reversing the latter scenario and having the Germans defend their built defenses against the American assault per the Breymann’s Redoubt engagement

'Benedict' encouraging the troops

In any case, the rules will be Osprey’s Rebels and Patriots [thus the mixed basing styles].  Speaking of which, the reader will have noted that the Germans (mostly Brunswick but there was attached a unit of Hessian infantry with accompanying artillery unit -  as those figures were slightly different posed and I had knowledge of that unit's flag!) have a ranked look while the Americans are on round bases either in group or larger singles.  This was deliberate as to convey the difference in fighting style (using the traditional view).

The militia form up behind the log emplacements 

One of the 'heavy' guns and another unit of militia skirmishers holding the right of the camp

The American figures are mostly Perry “Southern Militia” re-purposed [ obviously MY battles will be fought on exceptionally pleasant October days for the boys to be in shirts only! ] The Germans are old Foundry SYW Prussians (the 1777 German uniform continued to be virtually a copy or close enough….)  The Americans happen also to be artillery heavy but they did have a fair amount of guns in their encampments historically so.  Guns are points expensive in RaP so it might be fun to play out a scenario in which the American camp is defended primarily only by artillery and see if the firepower is enough to stop the German advance.

Part of the much more numerous German force

For once, I actually had a plan for the collection before ( ! ) painting/basing - not before having the  figures but 2 of 3 in the planning is good for me!  Other than perhaps another Continental unit to make it a bit more historical in composition, I have enough in size to conduct the battles I wish to run and the historical context to provide the scenario inspirations I will enjoy.