Saratoga Campaign Little Wars 2016

This past weekend I attended HMGS Midwest Little Wars in Lombard, IL along with Phil Cook.  We signed up to run/judge three games of Black Powder.  The First two were American War of Independence (AWI) focused on the Saratoga campaign battles of Freeman's farm and Bemis Heights.

We have been planing for months for this event and I am pleased to report that the convention and our games were a huge success.

Our first battle was Freeman's Farm on Friday evening straight out of the main Black Powder rule book by Warlord games.  We ended up with 8 players which worked out well with 4 on each side with one player assuming the role of overall Commander.

Freeman's Farm is an excellent scenario for a convention as it is very evenly matched and a great scenario to learn Black Powder if one has not played before.  That certainly proved to be the case at Little Wars as all had a great time when a knock down drag out fight ensued.

Set up a display to show case Black Powder

Freeman's Farm Overall view

Hamilton's Brigade deployed in column

British did well on early command roles advancing across the field

Fraser deploying on the right

Hamilton quickly deploys into line only opposed by Morgan's command

Americans had a hard time getting on the field, but eventually made it in force

Hamilton and Learned squared off in a evenly matched brawl

Poor came on in force to challenge Fraser and Breyman

Canadians caught in the flank by Poor's lead elements

Quickly dispatched in hand to hand

British Marksman succumb to galling fire

Americans take advantage of a British unit caught in skirmish formation

Hessians soon found the Americans out of position driving a regiment from the field

Americans were able to reform to face the onslaught

Two American commands were broke with one British command broke

The Americans had a chance to break Fraser's command, but came up one short resulting in a minor British victory as the Americans could not rally disordered units and the turn ended with two of the three American brigades broken and 1 of three British Brigades broken with a second only a unit away.

On to Bemis Heights:

The second game, Bemis Heights, was played Saturday morning.  This battle was the follow-up to Freeman's Farm from the Black Powder "Rebellion" supplement.

At this point the British are reduced and more fragile with a reduced stamina, but can still pack a punch.  The Americans have greater numbers, but the British and Hessian forces hold two key redoubts which can prove difficult to take.

Fraser's command deployed forward

Hessian command holds the center of the advance force

Phillips small command holds the left

Phillips redoubt

Breyman's redoubt commanding the field

Phil orientates the players to Bemis Heights

British commanders

American Commanders

Learned advances onto the field

Poor challenges Reisdel

Fraser wisely withdraws to the fence line to oppose Morgan's advance

A crucial set back when Phillips Grenadiers charge American Arty and break with one hit

Hessian's cannot withdraw due to disorder and soon break under fire

Jaegers fair no better 

Arnold takes direct command on New Yorkers and Connecticut troops 

Fraser finds himself now pressed by two brigades

Dearborn's light infantry pours it into the Brits

By this point in the battle the Americans had technically secured a victory by breaking two of the British commands.  With plenty of time left we decided to let the battle rage to see if the Americans could capitalize and take a redoubt.

Fraser's command continues to crumble under strain of pressure

Arnold presses home and attack on Phillips redoubt

Desperate melee ensues  

The British behind fortification proves to much as the 4th NY breaks and the rest fall back

Now caught in the open the Americans begin to falter under a deadly cross fire

Realizing the taking a redoubt was not going to happen anytime soon the Americans decide to count their blessings of a victory and leave the redoubts in British hands.

While Freeman's Farm is a great convention scenario Bemis Heights is probably not as ideal.  In order for the Crown to have a chance they must fall back early and take advantage of the redoubts.  Only an experienced commander will immediately recognize this and  begin to execute before it s to late.  Despite the British disadvantage both sides had a great time and the British were able to claim a moral victory by not giving up the redoubts.

Both games were very well received by the players and the convention staff.  In fact, we were recognized for third best for all the games run on Friday.

Phil and I really enjoy the AWI period and how well Black Powder represents this period.  We look forward to running more AWI event sin the future and showing others how simple and fun Black Powder can be for this period.

Thanks to all the players who joined us for these two battles.  We hope to see you on the field of combat again.


Until next time.........