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Mosborough and District present
The Battle of Harlem Heights
16th September 1776
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Background – General Washington having driven the British out of New England moves his 20,000 men to fortify New York City, his plan simple – to break General Howe’s Redcoats on its defences. Howe however having received re-enforcements from England and with the heavy casualties of Bunker Hill still fresh in his mind, was in no hurry to give Washington his chance.
With clever use of the Royal Navy, landing in New York, he constantly outflanked the American positions forcing them back to new defensive works and refused to commit to the frontal assault Washington so badly wanted.
One such engagement was Harlem Heights – having taken the southern half of Manhattan Island, Howe ordered Clinton to take command of an Advance Guard to determine the strength and dispositions of the rebels to the north. Washington similarly planned to send some light infantry units to hopefully draw the British Army onto his semi-fortified position on Harlem Heights. The two forces met and skirmishing commenced, both sides committed re-enforcements but once Howe determined what Washington was trying to achieve he ordered the advance broken off and withdrew his forces.
The Americans claimed a victory, after all the British had withdrawn, but they were soon withdrawing themselves when Howe outflanked them a few days later.
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But “what if” Howe had pressed the attack, forcing another Bunker Hill?? Could he have ended the war at this point??, the whole American Army was close by and he could have destroyed it, many argued he should have done so and indeed Howe has been criticised for not wanting to “handle the Colonists to roughly” at this stage.
Our Battle we will present at Partizan represents precisely this ”what if”, with the British pressing the attack – figures used are either Wargames Foundry, Perry Miniatures or Front Rank and the battle is fought on standard club terrain boards. Rules used are our own adaptation of Fire & Fury Regimental level which we find give a swift moving game.
American Order of Battle – Harlem Heights September 1776
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C in C – General George Washington
Heath’s Advance Guard Division – Major General William Heath
Mifflin’s “Scouting” Brigade – Brigadier General Mifflin
3rd Pennsylvania(5 stds – skirmish)
5th Pennsylvania(6 stds – skirmish)
Talcot’s Connecticut Militia Rgt(6 stds)
1 x Light “grasshopper” gun
Nixon’s Brigade – Brigadier General Nixon
4th Continentals(6 stds)
9th Continentals(6 stds – Green)
Seldon’s Connecticut Militia Rgt(6 stds)
1 x 9pdr Field Gun
1 x 24pdr Heavy Gun
Chesters Brigade – Colonel John Chester
12th Continentals(6 stds)
23rd Continentals(6 stds – Green)
Pitkin’s Connecticut Militia Rgt(6 stds)
1 x 6pdr Field Gun
Sargent’s Brigade – Colonel Paul Sargent
16th Continentals(5 stds)
Baldwin’s New York Militia Rgt(4 stds)
1 x 3pdr Light Gun
McDougall’s Brigade
7th Continentals(6 stds)
10th Continentals(6 stds)
22nd Continentals(6 stds – Green)
Nicholl’s New York Militia Rgt(6 stds)
1 x 9pdr Field Gun
1 x 24pdr Heavy Gun
Notes:-
Unless stated Green the Pennsylvania and Continental Rgts/Guns are rated as Line class
All Brigades are deployed on Tabletop with exception of Sargent’s – arrives Turn 3
British Order of Battle at Harlem Heights – Sept 1776
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C in C – General Sir William Howe
Advance Guard – Earl of Cornwallis
1st Battalion Light Infantry(4 stds - Skirmish)
2nd Battalion Light Infantry(4 stds - Skirmish)
1st Battalion Grenadiers(6 stds)
42nd Foot(8 stds)
1 x RA 3pdr Light Gun
16th Light Dragoons(6 stds)
Main Body – Lt General Clinton
2nd Brigade – Major General Grant
40th Foot(4 stds)
44th Foot(4 stds)
55th Foot(4 stds)
1 x RA 6pdr Field Gun
Royal Regiment of New York - Johnson’s Greens(3 stds)
3rd Brigade – Major General Jones
2nd Battalion Light Infantry(4 stds)
3rd Battalion Light Infantry(4 stds)
5th Foot(4 stds)
33rd Foot(4 stds)
37th Foot(4 stds)
1 x RA 6pdr Field Gun
4th Brigade – Major General Leslie
10th Foot(4 stds)
23rd Foot(4 stds)
60th Foot(4 stds)
1 x RA 3pdr Light Gun
1st Battalion De Lanceys Brigade(6 stds)
Notes:-
With exception of Advance Guard all troops arrive on table in March column
Regular Regiments/guns are rated as Line class, Grenadiers and Light Infantry as Veteran and Loyalists as Green
Who are we:-
A small group of gamers who meet 3 times a month, every 2nd Tuesday and 1 Saturday at Eckington village near Chesterfield
Please feel free to ask any questions about the game, rules or club and visit our club website:- http://mysite.com/m.a.d.wargamesclub
Please remember to mention Wargames Forum when contacting traders!
