The Battle of Mt. Airy (aka Germantown) October 4th, 1777
This game was a thinly disguised battle of Germantown based on the troops in my 28mm AWI figure collection. I use the Volley and Bayonet wing level rules, as they are a personal favorite – with some special rules designed to better introduce the flavor of the AWI. (OK I helped author them). While most of my troops are from the Southern campaigns, I tend to build units by "brigades" made up of several regiments that may or may not have served together – but which I find interesting. Hence the 1st British Brigade has the 7th Foot, the 23rd Foot and the 43rd Foot, while the 2nd British Brigade has the 27th Foot, the 63rd Foot, and the 64th Foot. On the American side the Pennsylvania Brigade has the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of 1781, while the Northern Continental Brigade has the 1st New York, Warner's Regiment, and the 14th Continental – Glover's Marbleheaders in the their sailor rig. My American Militia Brigades are organized under "common" names that might have been found in any state, so one finds the "Lancaster County Regiment", the "Orange County Regiment" etc. I have renamed units for games in the past – but find that I am just as comfortable tossing the Georgia Continentals into action in New England rather then taking the time to print new labels and continually reorganize them.
As I mentioned, I used Volley and Bayonet wing scale for the rules. This uses a ground scale of 1' = 25 yards, with regiments being made up of one to three stands, with stands representing from 100 to 250 men, with smaller units having half stands of 50 men each. The vast majority of the American troops were considered as being "poorly trained", giving them less ability to move and maneuver, a reduction in combat power, and generally being harder units to fight.
The table was 6' wide and 24' feet long, ( a scale 1 mile by 4 miles) with the terrain laid out as follows. On the far west edge was the Schuylkill River, which since it was considered as unfordable served as an anchor for the British left. Wissahickon Creek ran down the center of the board towards the village of Mt. Airy – breaking into two branches in front of the village. Mt. Airy itself sat on a hill. East of Mt. Airy, the Gresheim Creek was a second stream that ran on a northwest – southwest basis through this area, also breaking into two branches.
The road net consisted of the following main routes:
the River Road – which run on a north – south line along the banks of the Schuylkill;
the Shippack Road, which runs due south into Mt. Airy from the north edge of the board, about a mile east of the River Road, exiting the Board to the south;
the Bethlehem Pike, which runs southwest into Mt. Airy, entering the Board about a mile east of the Shippack Road and connecting with the Shippack Road;
the Meeting House Road – which runs south into the York Pike another mile east of the Bethlehem Pike;
the Old York Pike, which ran from the midpoint of the east board edge southwest into Mt. Airy and the Shippack road
Church Lane connected the River Road and the Shippack Road south of Wissahickon Creek, while Schoolhouse Lane connected the Bethlehem Pike and the Old York Pike east.
The Nicetown Road – which connected the Old York Pike to the southeast board edge,
The Chestnut Hills were along the northern board edge between the River Road and the Shippack Road, the Shippack Road and the Bethlehem Pike, and the Bethlehem Pike and the Meeting House Road. They were treated as rough terrain, open only to light troops, which in effect forced the American to funnel onto the battlefield along the road net at widely separated points.
The terrain was generally open though broken with hedges and stone walls, with a few wooden fences left along the turnpikes. (The majority of the other wooden fences were noted as having disappeared into the campfires of the British forces.)There were a number of farmsteads, wood lots, orchards, fields and hills across the area providing some cover.
The British troops were deployed as follows: The left wing was under General Knyphausen and was anchored on the Schuylkill River. The German Brigade was deployed from that point eastward covering the River Road, and had the Brunswick Brigade on its right. East of that brigade the two battalions of the 71st Foot and two battalions of the 42nd Foot continued the British line towards Mt. Airy. Two small battalions of Hesse Cassel Jaegers covered the front of the wing, and a third small battalion of Brunswick Jaegers was held in reserve with the Brunswick Brigade
From Mt. Airy eastward General Grant commanded the British right. The 1st British Brigade was camped in front of Mt. Airy on the Skipjack Road, while the Guards Brigade, reinforced by the 33rd Foot, was encamped on the Bethlehem Pike. The 2nd British Brigade was encamped to the left of the Guards. East of that point the 16th Light Dragoons covered the British right flank, while the Queen's American Rangers were deployed further to the east at Lucken's Mill.
The two battalions of Light Infantry served as the forward line of Grant's wing. The 1st Light Infantry Battalion was deployed forward on the Skipjack Road about the Carter House, while the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion held a position at the Chew House, a substantial brick estate located on a hill between the Bethlehem Pike and the Meeting House Road. Both of these battalions operated as two separate wings, and ensured that the Americans could not close on the British line without giving advance warning.
General Howe's headquarters was located in Mt. Airy, with the result that he took over the center of the British line. He ordered up reinforcements from Philadelphia under Lord Cornwallis – with that person to bring up the two Battalions of British Grenadiers up the Skipjack Road – while a German Grenadier Brigade was to move up the Nicetown Road with a goal of turning the American flank. The British Grenadier Battalions each fought as two wings, so effectively Cornwallis was bringing to the battlefield the equal of two strong brigades of shock infantry.
On the American side, General Washington's plan was to engage the entire British plan with the hopes of driving the British back on their heels before the British reinforcements arrived. Victory points were awarded for each of the British and German camps so the Americans needed to overrun as many camps as possible prior to Cornwallis' arrival. Each British or Hessian brigade counted as two camp points, which each smaller unit (Light Infantry, QAR, etc) counted as one camp point. General Howe's headquarters counted as an additional two camps, for a total of 19 possible points.
The vast majority of the American troops, whether Continentals or militia were considered as PT (Poorly Trained). This meant that these stands lacked the free change of facing, moved at a rate of 12" instead of 16", and fought with a base allotment of 2 dice instead of the normal 3 dice of a regular infantry stand. A few select American regiments were not considered as PT, but the majority of the American stands found themselves unable to effectively maneuver in the face of their British foe.
Washington divided his command into four columns. The first which advanced down the River Road under the command of General Greene and consisted of two brigades of Pennsylvania militia, reinforced by a brigade of New England Continentals and a pair of rifle battalions. Washington himself commanded the Skipjack Road column, which was made up of two brigades of Virginia Continentals, as well as the Maryland/Delaware Continental Brigade. A small train of additional artillery under Colonel Knox was with this column as well. On the Bethlehem Road, General Lincoln had three brigades of Continentals, one each from Pennsylvania, the Southern States, and the Northern States. On the far American left General Sullivan had a small brigade of Continental Light Dragoons (two regiment) under Casmir Pulaski, a rifle battalion, and a brigade of Maryland militia.
On the River Road, Greene was able to drive in the Jaeger outpost line and overrun its camp on Penn Hill, leading with his riflemen and his militia, but backing them up with his Continentals. Knyphausen counterattacked across Wissahickon Creek in the hopes of driving the militia back but they stood (great die rolling!!) – and they decimated his two attacking regiments as they waded the creek. Greene pushed his riflemen across in turn, but was driven back by the von Difurth Fusilier Battalion at the point of the bayonet, breaking the battalion at a single stroke. At this point however Knyphausen found that the troops he was counting on to help hold his position had vanished. Under orders from General Howe, both the 71st Foot and the 42nd Foot had been ordered to Mt. Airy leaving a major gap between Knyphausen and Howe, a gap noticed by General Greene.
Along the Skipjack Road, Washington sent in his Continentals with the two Virginia Brigades in the lead, while holding his best brigade – the Maryland – Delaware Line in the rear. Howe ordered the 1st Battalion of Light Infantry to stand fast about the Carter House and "die hard" to purchase time, and they did, savaging the 2nd Virginia Brigade in the process. However the 1st Light Battalion was destroyed, with its 3lb gun section and camp both falling into American hands.
Howe brought up the 1st British Brigade and the 71st Foot to build up a defensive line along the Wissahickon Creek, effectively preventing the Americans from crossing the stream. The 42nd Foot was concentrated as a reserve in Mt. Airy. Howe's one mistake was his massing of his weapons of the Royal Artillery – a pair of 3lb gun sections from the Highlanders, as well as the 6lb section of the 1st Brigade – back on the slopes of Mt. Airy where they could fire over the heads of his infantry line at long range. By contrast, Knox pushed the brigade guns (three 6lb gun sections) of the American Continentals forward, and reinforced the line with an 8lb gun section and a howitzer section. Staying outside of British musket range, but within short range of the American gun line, the American gunners ripped gaps in the British infantry along the creek.
On the Bethlehem Pike, Lincoln advanced his troops down it – sending off the Southern Continentals to threaten the Chew House. Grant advanced the 33rd Foot, which engaged the Pennsylvania Brigade and drove it back in disorder, while sending the 2nd British Brigade to counter the Southern Continentals. Lincoln tossed in his Northern Brigade and a murderous firefight began about the grounds of Spencer's Ordinary. Here too the British Artillery was placed back behind the British lines firing overhead in support – while the Americans pushed their guns, including a sections of 12lbers forward to blast the British infantry.
The last American column under Sullivan arrived somewhat belatedly on the Meeting House Road and found itself skirmishing against the Queen's American Rangers and the 16th Light Dragoons. With an infantry force made up entirely of militia, stiffened with two regiments of Continental Light Dragoons, Sullivan moved slowly but steadily against the British right and began to overlap it. The fact that the Queens American Rangers were also considered as PT (poorly trained) which made it difficult to fall back in the face of the American advance. A counterattack of the Queen's American Rangers cleared the American militia out of the Nelson Farm, but suffered serious losses as it attempted to hold its ground. An attempt by the 16th Light Dragoons to drive the Continental Light Dragoons back failed when the terrain disordered their ranks on their charge home – so that the Americans were able to hold their ground.
Two hours into the battle (8 turns) the situation began to become critical for the British forces. The 1st Battalion of the 42nd Foot was sent to the left of Mt. Airy in an attempt to plug the gap between Knyphausen and Howe commands – while the 2nd battalion was ordered to the far right British flank to help hold the line extending towards the Chew House. The 2nd Light Infantry Battalion continued to hold that estate, and even launched a counterattack against the Southern Continentals which drove them back in disorder. However with the arrival of Sullivan's column – that bastion found itself under attack from three sides.
General Knyphausen managed to hold along the River Road, and throughout the battle used his artillery to discourage the American militia from crossing the lower Wissahickon Creek, but was unable to keep contract with the British forces about Mt. Airy. As the battle progressed, Washington and Greene's columns managed to link up – a skillful use of a Fog of War card allowed the 2nd Maryland Regiment to cross Wissahickon Creek quicker then the British anticipated and provided a screening force that Greene was able to use to push militia across the creek without fear of a British counterattack. Realizing the damage that the American guns were doing to his infantry, Howe finally pushed his guns forward, but the 1st Infantry Brigade had become exhausted while attempting to hold Wissahickon Creek, and started to fall back.
On the American left, the Chew House fell to a combined attack from Sullivan's and Lincoln's column with the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion going down under a combination of a charge of the Warner's Additional Regiment, and fire from the militia. The remains of the 2nd British Brigade, as well as those of the 42nd and the Guards Brigade rallied for a last stand about Mt. Airy, and hoped for the arrival of Cornwallis.
(As a aside, Cornwallis needed to roll a 15 or better to arrive on the Shippack Road, and the Hessian Grenadiers needed a 18 or better to arrive on the Nicetown Road. They got 1 die to roll on turns 1-4, 2 dice on turns 5-8, 3 dice on turns 9-12, etc. The Americans did not when how the British reinforcements would be triggered or on what road they would arrive – only that sooner or later British reinforcements would arrive. Had the reinforcements been directed up the River Road, only a 12 would have been needed.)
At this point in time the Americans had overrun the majority of the British camps, though the majority of the Continental regiments were exhausted, and the militia regiments would be able to stand against the grenadiers. Having accomplished his victory objectives, Washington ordered a withdrawal of his forces. Two turns later Cornwallis entered Mt. Airy and pushed north, while two turns after that the head of the Hessian Grenadier column showed up on the Nicetown Road. However Washington's troops had already started their retreat, and so Cornwallis once again failed to "bag the fox".
POST MORTUEM
The American's did everything right – they had a plan that called for engaging the British line along its entire length – and used their artillery to give the supporting fire they needed to make up for their PT infantry. Greene's use of militia was very skillful – using it to extend his line and exploit the gap between Knyphasuen and Howe. They also withdrew in time before Cornwallis could reach the battlefield.
The British fought three separate battles, with each commander concentrating on the threat that they faced. Their use of artillery early on hurt their cause, as they lost the morale effects from the guns as well as the damage done at close range. (The fact that two of the British commanders were primary WWII gamers may have helped influence their decision.)
Crown Forces
–Mt. Airy, October 4, 1777
Lieutenant General Sir William Howe, AC
Left Wing: Major general Van Knyphasuen WC
Strength
Jaeger Detachment Ewald 250
UC
Horse Jaegers 1 x 1-5
Foot Jaegers 4 x 1-5 ss, r
Jaeger Detachment von Wulmuch 200
UC
Foot Jaegers 4 x 1-5 ss, r
Infantry Brigade von Stirn, CC
von Bose Musketeer Battalion, UC, 3 x 3-5 450
von Difurth Fusilier Battalion, UC 3 x 4-5 si 600
1st Regiment Anspach-Beyreuth, UC 3 x 4-5 si 600
Hessian Artillery 1 x 1-5 Field 2 6# guns
Brunswick Infantry Brigade
Hinrich's Jaeger detachment, UC 3 x 1-5 ss, r 150
von Riedesel Musketeer Battalion, UC 3 x 4-5 600
von Rhetx Musketeer Battalion UC 3 x 4-5 600
Brunswick Artillery 1 x 2-5 Field, 1 x 2-5 Light 2 6# guns, 2 3# guns
42nd Regiment of Foot – "the Black Watch"
1st Battalion UC, 3 x 3-6 Shock 450
2nd Battalion UC 3 x 3-6 Shock 450
Royal Artillery 1 x 2-6 Lt 2 3# guns
71st Regiment of Foot – "Fraser's Highlanders"
1st Battalion UC, 2 x 3-5 Shock, 1 x 1-5 ss 350
2nd Battalion UC, 2 x 3-5 Shock, 1 x 1-5 ss 350
Royal Artillery 1 x 2-6 Lt 2 3# guns
Left Wing 5,050 infantry
10 guns
4 – 6# guns (field)
6 – 3# guns (light)
Right Wing: Major General Grant, WC
1st British Infantry Brigade – Webster CC
7th Regiment of Foot, UC, 2 x 3-5 300
23rd Regiment of Foot UC, 2 x 3-6 300
43rd Regiment of Foot, UC, 3 x 3-5 450
Royal Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Field 2 6# guns
2nd British Infantry Brigade – Stuart CC
27th Regiment of Foot 3 x 3-6 450
63rd Regiment of Foot 2 x 3-5 300
64th regiment of Foot 2 x 3-5 300
Royal Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Field 2 6# guns
Brigade of Guards – O'Hara, CC
1st Battalion, Brigade of Guards UC, 2 x 3-6 Shock, 1 x 1-6 ss 350
2nd Battalion, Brigade of Guards UC 2 x 3-6 Shock, 1 x 1-6 ss 350
33rd Regiment of Foot , UC 3 x 3-6 450
Royal Artillery, 2 x 2-6 Field 4 6# guns
1st Light Infantry Battalion
Right Wing, 1st L. I. Battalion UC, 2 x 2-6 Shock, 2 x 1-6 ss 300
Left Wing, 1st L. I. Battalion UC, 2 x 2-6 Shock, 2 x 1-6 ss 300
Royal Artillery 1 x 2-6 Lt 2 3# guns
2nd Light Infantry Battalion
Right Wing, 2nd L. I. Battalion UC 2 x 2-6 Shock, 2 x 1-6 ss 300
Left Wing, 2ndt L. I. Battalion UC 2 x 2-6 Shock, 2 x 1-6 ss 300
Royal Artillery 1 x 2-6 Lt 2 3# guns
16th Light Dragoons
3 Squadrons, each of 2 x 1-6 Light Horse, UC 300
Queen's American Rangers
Simcoe – UC
Hussars 2 x 1-5 Light Horse 100
Infantry 2 x 3-5 PT, 1 x 1-5 ss. R 350
Total Strength Right Wing 4,450 infantry
450 light horse
12 guns
(8 – 6# (field), 4 -3# (light)
Total strength at start 9,600 infantry
450 light horse
22 guns
(12 6# guns, 10 3# guns)
Possible reinforcements
Earl of Cornwallis, WC
1st Grenadier Battalion
Right Wing, 1st Grenadier Battalion UC, 2 x 3-6 Shock, 300
Right Wing, 1st Grenadier Battalion UC, 2 x 3-6 Shock, 300
Royal Artillery 1 x 2-6 Field 2 6# guns
2nd Grenadier Battalion
Right Wing, 2nd Grenadier Battalion UC, 2 x 3-6 Shock, 300
Right Wing, 2nd Grenadier Battalion UC, 2 x 3-6 Shock, 300
Royal Artillery 1 x 2-6 Field 2 6# guns
Hessian Grenadier Brigade: von Donop CC
Lenerke Grenadier Battalion, UC, 2 x 4-5 Shock, Si 400
Linsing Grenadier Battalion, UC, 2 x 4-5 Shock, Si 400
Minnigerode Grenadier Battalion, UC, 3 x 4-5 Shock, Si 600
Hessian Artillery 1 x 2-5 Field, 1 x 2-5 Light 2 – 6# guns, 2 – 3# guns
Reinforcements 2,800 infantry
8 field guns
6 – 6# guns
2 – 3# guns
The Continental Army
General George Washington, AC
(River Road Column
Major General Nathaniel Greene, WC
Campbell's Rifle Battalion, UC, 4 x 1-5 ss, r 200
Sheby's Rifle Battalion, UC, 4 x 1-5 ss, r 200
2nd Militia Brigade ; Lawson, CC
Prince George Co Militia, UC, 3 x 3-5 PT 450
Gloucester County Militia, UC 2 x 3-4 PT 300
Henrico County Militia, 2 x 3-4 PT, Militia 300
Lancaster County Militia, 2 x 2-4 PT Militia 300
Augustus County rifle Battalion, UC, 4 x 1-5 ss r 200
Virginia State Artillery Regiment, 2 – 5 Field 2 6# guns
3rd Militia Brigade,Caswell, CC
Dover County Militia, UC 3 x 3-4 PT 450
Ulster County Militia, UC, 2 x 3-4 PT 300
Dublin County Militia, 2 x 3-4 PT Militia 300
Glasgow County Militia, 2 x 3-5 PT,Militia 300
Tryon County Militia, UC, 4 x 1-4 200
2nd New England Continental Brigade – Lafayette, CC
4th Connecticut, UC 2 x 3-5 PT, 1 x 2-5 PT 400
8th Massachusetts, UC, 3 x 3-5 PT 450
1st Rhode Island , UC, 1 x 3-6, 2 x 2-6 350
2nd Continental Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Light 2 3# guns
3,700 infanty
4 guns
2 – 6# guns
2 – 3# guns
Skipjack Road Column – George Washington AC
1st Virginia Brigade – Hugar, CC
4th Virginia, UC 2 x 3-5 PT 300
5th Virginia, UC, 2 x 3-5 PT 300
1st North Carolina, UC, 3 x 3-5 PT 450
1st Continental Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Field 2 – 6# guns
2nd Virginia Brigade – Steuben, CC
Virginia State, UC 2 x 3-5 PT 300
Crockett's Western Battalion, UC, 2 x 3-5 PT 300
3rd Virginia, UC, 3 x 3-5 PT 450
1st Continental Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Field 2 – 6# guns
Maryland – Delaware Brigade – Williams CC
Delaware – UC 2 x 3-6 Shock, 1 x 2-6 Shock 400
1st Maryland, UC, 3 x 3-6 450
2nd Maryland, UC, 2 x 3-5, 1 x 2-5 400
1st Continental Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Field 2 – 6# guns
3rd Continental Artillery – Knox UC Artillery only
1 x 2-5 Field, 1 x 2-5 Howitzer 2 – 8# guns, 2 6" howitzers
Skipjack Road Column 3,350 infantry
10 guns
6 – 6# field guns
2 – 8# field guns
2 – 6" howitzers
Bethlehem Pike Column – Stirling, WC
Northern Continental Brigade – Clinton, CC
14th Continental, UC UC, 2 x 3-6, 1 x 2-6 400
Warner's Additional Regiment, UC 3 x 3-5 PT 450
1st New York, UC, 1 x 3-5 PT, 2 x 2-5 PT 350
3rd Continental Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Field 2 6# guns
Pennsylvania Brigade – Wayne CC
1st Pennsylvania Battalion, UC, 2 x 3-5 PT, 1 x 2-5 PT 400
2nd Pennsylvania Battalion, UC, 1 x 3-5 PT, 2 x 2-5 PT 350
3rd Pennsylvania Battalion, UC, 2 x 3-5 PT, 300
4th Continental Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Field 2 6# guns
Southern Continental Brigade – Moultrie CC
2nd South Carolina, UC, 2 x 3-5 PT 300
5th South Carolina, UC, 2 x 3-5 PT 300
Georgia "Brigade", UC 2 x 3-5 PT, 1 x 1-5 ss 350
Continental Marines, UC, 1 x 3-5, 2 x 1-5 ss 250
4th South Carolina Artillery, 1 x 2-5 Field, 1 x 2-5 Light 2 6# guns. 2 3# guns
Bethlehem Pike Column
3,450 infantry
12 guns
4 – 3 / 4 # guns (light)
6 – 6# guns (field)
2 – 12# guns (heavy)
Meeting House Road Column – Sullivan CC
Continental Cavalry – Pulaski – CC Cavalry only
1st Continental Light Dragoons
3 Squadrons, each of 2 x 1-5 Light Horse, UC 300
4th Continental Light Dragoons
3 Squadrons, each of 2 x 1-5 Light Horse, UC 300
Tate's Rifle Battalion, UC, 4 x 1-5 ss, r 200
1st Militia Brigade ; Stevens, CC
Prince William Co Militia, UC, 2 x 3-5 PT 300
Middlesex County Militia, UC 2 x 3-4 PT 300
Orange County Militia, 2 x 3-4 PT, Militia 300
Halifax County Militia, 2 x 2-4 PT Militia 300
Culpepper County Rifle Battalion, UC, 4 x 1-5 ss r 200
Virginia State Artillery Regiment, 2 – 5 Field 2 6# guns
Meeting House Road Column
1600 Infantry
600 Light Horse
2 guns
2 – 6# guns (field)
Total strength at start 12,100 infantry
600 light horse
28 guns
(2 12# guns, 2 8# guns, 2 howitzers, (16 6# guns, 6 3# guns)
Abbreviations
ss = sharpshooters
r = rifle
PT = Poorly Trained
Si = slow infantry
AC = Army Commander
WC = Wing Commander
CC = Brigade Commander
UC = Unit Commander
Regulars all have UC's – not all militia units have UC's
is a big fan of the Age of Sail, and these ships really speak to him - he loves transitional eras, and the Anglo-Dutch Wars was one of those.
