Black Powder - Freeman's Farm

Few days ago we started new gaming era in our Club when the first American War of Independence battle took place. The preparations for this gaming started early this year, when friend of mine ordered Death or Liberty -boxed set from Warlord games and asked who would joint the deal. Well I did and became owner of new Continental rebel army, which I had to paint. I left this to be for a while and then during April I labored hard and painted all 130 plus miniatures in one month. The some additional ones just to bolster ranks. Now we started gaming and tested the armies with a scenario Freeman's farm from Black Powder rulebook. After preparing a table and gathering the appropriate troops for the fight both armies were ready to meet on remote farm.

The fight was part of the Saratoga campaign where British troops were led by general Burgoyne, who was marching towards rebel positions in three different columns separately. Americans were well entrenched and ready, but General Arnold decided to march to meet the approaching British and attack the British while they were marching divided. British had three different brigades and the Hessian one took long route and wasn't able to join the fight at start.

The fight started by British brigade entering the table in marching column in the centre. Column had sent light infantry picket forward to scout. Just after first brigade another British brigade was following on right flank. It had also sent some Canadians and Indians as advance guard.

 British pickets move past the apparently empty farm and the brigade follows still in columns.

 Morgans light infantry and riflemen had been watching the approach in hidden position. Then they open the long range rifle fire to British advance troopers. And surprise redcoats some what. When the first shots have been fired British commanders order their battalions change to line formation and advance rapidly ready to engage the enemy.

 Fierce firefight erupts between British light infantry and American riflemen and behind that British battle lines prepare for the fight. At the same time more Americans started marching in. A brigade of American militia moved swiftly in and formed also a line and started firing approaching British.

 Other American brigade was late to arrive, so British troops had good time to form long line and advance even further in the centre. Light troops continued their exchange of shots.

Then rest of the Americans managed to enter the battlefield this time from British left. Strong rebel brigade advanced rapidly and formed lines preparing to engage.

 Americans on British right fire British lines causing some casualties.

 And British line answer is alike. Now there is intense linear musketry going on right side of the farm. Classical stuff.

Poor Indians have been advanced a bit too deep and get in crossfire and are almost annihilated as a result.

British troops in the centre are locked in fight with American light troops, but they are so well in cover of the woods that hitting them is difficult.

While British are occupied in the centre and leave their left flank vulnerable to American flanking move.

Which they do and move three battalions around British left flank preparing for attack. The lonely British battery is holding the flank.

Other four American battalions keep fighting British around the farm locking British left and preventing them to react the flanking move.

On the right flank British commander orders his brigade to assault American line and hard fighting starts around the fence.

Eventually British break American line which retires from the fence. And redcoats consolidate by the fence. British left flank is not doing so well and it is still getting fire from American light troops and battalions from left. After some assaults and even more firefight British brigade gets broken and is forced to disengage from the fight.

When the fight had been raging already quite some time, last British brigade, or actually Hessian, joins the fight. The fight is now turning for Americans when strong British brigade is withdrawing from the fight. Now the late arrival of the Hessians proves to be fortunate since their arrival is protecting wavering British centre and withdrawing brigade.

In a situation where one British Brigade was leaving the field and another badly mauled in the fight British high command orders the army to retire from the field. Americans watched British leaving the field reluctant to follow since there was quite heavy casualties on their side too and they had won after all.

First game of AWI period with brad new miniatures and nice one too. I really liked the game and all those colorful uniforms and flags made the table a true spectacle.