Thursday 17 October 2013

Queenston Heights - Session Eight - 10 October 2013

The following is a snapshot of the end state of our eighth gaming session that ended at 1400 hours Queenston time.

Generals Brock and Shaeffe look on as the 41st and to their right Lincoln Flank Companies engage the N.Y. volunteers who are sheltering behind the stone wall.

Meanwhile back at Vrooman's point the Lincoln 24 pounder gun after having inflicted casualties on an American militia battalion on the beach heading into Queenston has switched to targeting the boats.

A view from the north end of Queenston looking towards the American line with Holcroft's battery on the left.

Both Crowther's Lincoln Artillery three pounder and the Provincial Light Dragoons have suffered casualties from American artillery on the Heights. The dragoons have been forced to retreat.

The Cayuga natives are at the base of the heights near St Davids in a westerly/long route away from the American guns, are rushing to reinforce their Mohawk brethren. Little do they know that Norton's Mohawks have been defeated and dispersed.

Reinforcements from Chippewa (41st line & grenadier Coy, 2nd Lincoln Flank Coys and 1st Kent 5th coy of rifles) under LCol Clarke are manoeuvering to engage American militia of Brigadier-General Wadworth's Seventh brigade

A view of the Kent rifles towards the distant 18th U.S. Militia Regiment.

While Wadsworth and the 18th take cover behind the split rail fence the 19th regiment can be seen advancing to their support. It looks like a significant battle will take place to secure the heights.

While LCol Clarkes force maneuvers to engage the U.S. Seventh brigade the Fort Gray 18 pounder fires at long range from across the Niagara River in support of their American comrades. However, so far the 18 pounder round shot misses Clarkes force.

While American the U.S. guns (2 x 6pdr & 1 8" mortar) fire at the Canadian/British line, the 20th U.S. militia battalion advances up the Queenston slope.
 

The Redan 18 pdr remains spiked and unattended while the American artillery battery fires at the enemy.
 
 
The N.Y. Volunteers of BGen Millers Sixth Brigade take cover behind the stone wall in the face of horrendous artillery fire from Holcroft's battery.

At the opposite side of the stone wall, Holcroft's Battery protects the British left flank. 
 
The battle has developed into a two front engagement; Shaeffe's brigade is engaged with the Brigadier-General Millers U.S. Sixth Militia brigade and Fenwick's Regular Brigade consisting mostly of artillery;  and on the Heights,  a second front is developing between Brigadier-General Wadswoth's Seventh Militia Brigade and LCol Clarkes small Chippewa Brigade.

 


Wednesday 9 October 2013

Queenston Heights - Session Seven - 3 October 2013

Another short game as we spent some considerable time discussing the rules as it relate to very small units, their ability to skirmish, whether or not the double six rule and how to rationalize combat from buildings. These were very worthwhile discussions and hopefully our host will resolve the issues by the next session. The following represent the end state at the conclusion of the 1310 hrs. turn.

Holcroft's 5" howitzer has recovered from its Retreat to a Faltered state while the 6 pdr. continues to cause more American casualties.

The 1st Lincoln 3 pdr. team rushes to secure the British right flank.

Between Holcroft's 6 pdr and the 41st they have driven off the New York gunners and a rifle unit.

The N.Y. Volunteers try to hold their position despite loosing their gunners and the fire of the 41st.

The American hold onto the southern portion of Queenston is made somewhat easier by the retreat of the remnants of the Queenston Group.

The U.S. regular Brigade has recovered from its retreat and is now in Hold status as it reorganizes.

Norton's Mohawks continue to suffer casualties from Fort Gray's 18 pdr. and American militia. As it is below 50% it must conduct a morale check every turn.

Monday 7 October 2013

Queenston Heights - Session Six - 26 September 2013

 
Another short evening as we only completed six turns. The following represents the end state at 1210 hours.
 
In the left foreground Captain Crowther of the 1st Lincoln Artillery are leading Cayuga natives to the fighting in Queenston.

Captain Holcroft's howitzer and gun are causing canister casualties to N.Y. militia gunners manning the former Canadian 9 pounder gun. General Brock is directing more troops to the action.

The 41st center companies move to the right of Holcroft's guns while the Provincial Light Dragoons move to secure Brock's right flank.

An American mortar and six pounder prepare to engage the British/Canadians in and around Queenston from the lower heights. A militia battalion of BGen Wadsworth's Seventh Brigade is supporting the guns.

The 18th regiment of BGen Wadsworth's Seventh Brigade continues to engage Norton's Mohawks with supporting artillery fire from Fort Gray, which causes more native casualties. As the Mohawks are below 50% they must conduct a morale check every turn, which causes them to falter frquently.

In the foreground MGen Van Rensselaer observes the action and is reasonably satisfied as his army has secured the beachhead, the heights and half the buildings of Queenston. The impetus favours the American Army but can they exploit this advantage before the full weight of British and Canadian reinforcements is effected.