Guilford's Courthouse (RFF AWI Variant) Part 1

The last two weeks at Mark's the group has been engaged in the re fight of Guilford's Courthouse battle which took place March 15, 1781.  We are using the Regimental Fire and Fury rule system.  Rich, the author of RFF, was kind enough to share a rough draft of his take on the battle for us to test play.

Mark as usual was our gracious host and we are using his figures and terrain.  As always he set up a beautiful display and the armies are top notch.




Guilford Courthouse Scenario Map

Mark has arrayed the terrain a troops pretty close to the scenario map provided by Rich and had everything set for us when the crew arrived.  The first week we had a total of 6 players, so we divided 3 and 3.  I sided with Brian and Robert on the American side and took overall command and the 3rd line knowing we would not get that far, so I could observe and document the results.  Mark oversaw the British effort along with curt and Rob.

American First Line

American 2nd Line

Continentals in the 3rd Line with Greene

British forces und Cornwallis

The battle started out as it did historically with the American first line delivering some well placed shots and then falling back before the British could engage them in hand to hand.

The following turns then seemed to follow the pattern of the British moving up into range the Americans getting a shot off before falling back out of close combat range.

After receiving some sharp fire the Kings troops drop back out of range

Militia begin to fall back, but leave the gun exposed

British pounce and capture the Artillery

2nd Line of Militia Stands ready to engage

Militia continue to fall back after firing faster than the British can fire

Hotly engaged in an exchange of musketry

The American plan was working well with the exception that when the 1st line reached the 2nd American line instead of filing around the flanks the withdrawing militia choose to perform a passage of lines.  As they were Raw troops this immediately disordered both lines, as well as prevented the 2nd line from directly engaging the pursuing Red Coats with maximum fire power.

One last volley

General Green immediately recognized the error and sent our messengers to his subordinates not to attempt this maneuver when the reached the 3rd line or they would learn what "friendly fire" meant.

Continentals stand ready to face the oncoming British

This is where the action wrapped up the first night with the Militia in full retreat and the Red Coats hot on their tale with casualties mounting on both sides.

King's men are motivated, but the real challenge lies ahead

Week two saw the battle rejoin missing Rob and Robert, but we were joined by Stan and Brian and Scott.  Stan and Brian C. swore their allegiance to the Americans and Brian C. took over Roberts Command opposite Brian P. and Stan took command of the Delaware half the 3rd line with myself.

British drive the Militia before them

This is where things started to get pretty rough for the Americans.  As casualties mounted in the first and 2nd lines while they withdrew the small units quickly went from Fresh to worn and were soon in Heavy Casualties as well as Greater losses.  This resulted in many missed commands.

Militia do not fare well in hand to hand with the King's troops

The British adeptly saw their opportunity and pounced on the confused Militia engaging them in close combat when ever possible causing even more casualties and many units to break and run.

Few militia make it out of the woods

The surviving Militia commanders were directed to clear the fields of fire and reform on the flanks of the 3rd line.  It was time for the backbone of Greene's army, The continentals to bear the load and deliver the crushing blow to the approaching British.
The problem was the surviving militia were having difficulty disengaging the Brits once engaged in close combat.  When they did disengage it was usually because they had broke and run.  I was only a precious few survivors that  that were able to take up position on the flanks.

The Hessian are coming

As the last of the militia were pouring out of the woods the British artillery began to chip away at the Continental position causing some casualties early while the lone American gun attempted to counter battery fire until the militia could move out of the field and clear the lanes of fire.

Dress the lines

As the large Hessian command came out of the woods on the Americans left along with a few smaller elite British units.

Steady Boys!

As the Hessian attempted to charge the last of the American dragoons counter charged, but were dispatched handily by the Germans who proceeded to hit the militia line.  The Militia wavered, but did not break.

Failed Counter charge

Seeing that the left was holding a One of the Delaware regiments struck out on the offense and eliminated a British unit in hand to hand, but left itself exposed.

Here they come.....steady aim

On the right the militia did not do well at all.  All the remaining militia were destroyed or fled in the face of the oncoming Brits.  Greene thinking his right flank was secure was greatly surprised when an small unit of Tarleton's Legion dragoons suddenly charged the Virginians flank.  In a very controversial attack the Continentals held and the cavalry fell back.

Where did that cavalry come from?

At this point the battle is very much undecided.  The British have definitely inflicted greater losses on the Americans, but are close to heavy casualties themselves.  The Continentals are still in good shape and nowhere near heavy casualties and still firmly hold the key objective.

It will be a close run affair

The time was getting late, despite some desire to move forward we relented to leaving for the evening.  We all agreed it was to close to call and decided to leave the game in place until Mark returns from his Florida respite in a couple weeks.

More Americans on the casualty board then remain on the field.

Truly will be interesting to see how this one turns out.  It is a 1-1 draw right now for scenario points.  The British will likely take some more losses pushing them into heavy casualties.   This will force them to get a unit on to the key position by turn 14 in order to force a draw.  They would have to outright eliminate a Continental unit to force the 3rd line into heavy casualties to get the win.


It will be a nail bitter when we return......maybe Cornwallis will have to turn his guns on his own troops again to achieve the tactical victory.


More to come...........