Baby Brandywine II

This a game that was played at The Salvation Army hall in Gunnedah on April 25, 2013. Most of the players had never played a wargame before, so the rules were simple (but I think quite fun). The rules are my AWI version of 2 by 2 Napoleonics. I call them "3 by 3 Revolution".

This is the hall as we have it set up - plenty of space, plenty of light. We could fit a 12' by 12' table in here quite easily.

Table set up. Dillworth is the village in the front left, the Brandywine stretches across the field.

The forces before deployment - Continentals on the left, British on the right.

The players assemble and prepare to deploy. Andrew and Peter command the Continentals, while John and Adam command the British. Darryl and Laurie stand back as the "brains trust", to give helpful (and not so helpful) suggestions.

Continental deployment complete, the British prepare to march on board.

At the end of the first time, the British have performed their flanking march, much to the consternation and surprise of the Continentals, who have been told the British are coming across the river. Fortunately, the Continentals have deployed in depth, and right across the field, so are ready for any contingency.

His Excellency, Lt. General Lord John, gives some confidential suggestions to Major General Adam, unaware (or perhaps unconcerned) that Continental General Peter has surrecptiously moved into ear-shot. The Continentals are able to use intelligence thus gained to inform future actions.

Adam advances under the watchful eye of John.

The Continentals strike back - or at least move to sure up the line.

Lord all he surveys, John waits for the inevitable outcome.

Confident of sweeping the field, the British charge the hill in the centre, but to no avail.

The field at the end of the battle. The British were on the cusps of victory, sweeping forward on the right. With darkness closing in, and time for a final turn, the Continentals counter-attack - and send the Redcoats running in several places. The Continental left is saved by a desperate charge, and the far right is the scene of repeated charge and counter-charge, which leaves Continental Light Cavalry the only unit of both sides in a position to perform any actions.



The end of the battle leaves the Continentals all smiles, as they have grabbed a draw from the jaws of defeat. The British have taken heavy casualties, and will have to withdraw to Philadelphia. The Continentals have also taken heavy casualties, but held Dillworth and preserved most of the Army.

A Good Night was Had by All.