The Battle of Barren Hill
May 20, 1778
Historical Background: Historically, the Marquis de Layette with a single brigade of Continental Infantry took up a position of observation outside Philadelphia in mid May of 1778. From his position at Barren Hill, Lafayette, covered by Pennsylvania militia and some light troops were to determine whether the Crown forces were preparing to evacuate that city.
Sir William Howe as his last act as CinC of Crown forces in American sent two major columns out of the city in an attempt to "bag" the Marquis and bring him back to the city as a prisoner. Howe went so far as to plan for a dinner with the young Frenchman as the guest of honor after which he planned to return to England with the young Marquis as his "guest".
Though Howe's flanking column scattered the covering Pennsylvania militia, who failed to alert Lafayette of his danger, the Crown forces failed to trap the young Frenchman. Covered by a force of McLane's Partisans and a small group of Oneida Native Americans, and relying on their new training by von Steuben, Lafayette managed to get form up his Continentals and march them back across the Schuylkill River to safety. Howe returned to Philadelphia without his "guest", and returned home to England.
Game Background: Our local club has fought the battle of Mt. Airy (Germantown) and Whitemarsh earlier this year, and Washington's Army did better then it did historically. Accordingly for our refight of Barren Hill it was determined that Lafayette would take up position on Barren Hill with two Continental Brigades, serving as bait for Howe while the remainder of the American Army moved in support . The American plan was to allow the British to move out of the Philadelphia defenses in the hopes that they could catch them in the open. The Crown side was given Lafayette's position, as well as the option to trap him by bringing in a column behind his lines. In should be remembered that in our game world Howe had been given a bloody nose at Whitemarsh back in December of 1777 hence he would be more interested in defeating the Americans before he departed their shore.
The stage was set for a refight of the battle.
The Battlefield: The battlefield was set up covering an area 6' by 24" or 1 mile by 4 miles in terms of the rules we use Volley and Bayonet wing level. The terrain was based roughly on the historical area modified for game purposes.
The south edge (narrow width) was oriented towards Philadelphia, with the Schuylkill River running along the western board edge the river looped on and off the table. The only two points to cross the Schuylkill were at Matson's Ford about two miles up the river and Swede's Ford a mile past that point. About a mile north of the southern edge, Oak Run cut across the table from west to east. Bear Creek ran across the table about three miles north of the southern edge between Matson's Ford and Swede's Ford. Turkey Run ran across the northern edge of the board. The runs and creeks were passable by infantry with mounted units and artillery limited to a number of marked crossing points.
Two major roads ran the length of the game from the south edge to the north. The River Road ran more or less one foot east of the Schuylkill River edge, while the York Pike ran about one foot west of the east board edge. South of Oak Creek, Schoolhouse Lane connected the River Road and York Pike. At the eastern edge of Schoolhouse Lane, where it joined with the York Pike stood Harris' Mill, a collection of stone buildings.
On the far side of Oak Run stood Barren Hill with the LeBegue House on the western end and the Meeting House on the eastern. Edge The Matson's Ford Road clipped the eastern edge of the hill and ran northwest towards Matson's Ford Tavern and Matson's Ford. At Matson's Ford was the Matson's Ford Tavern. All three of these structures were surrounded by either stone or brick walls, giving in effect ready made works for any troops within them.
Further north a pair of roads entered the board about three miles from the southern edge. The Ridge Road ran southwest back toward Matson's Ferry, while the Swede's Ford Road ran slightly northwest towards Swede's Ford. The hamlet of Spitz's Store stood at the intersection of the Swede's Ford Road and the York Pike.
The overall terrain has a mixture of fields with stone and wood fences, other farm yards and structures, woodlots and orchards (open woods), forest (dense woods), with a swamp or two and other rough ground. With a ground scale of 1" = 25 yards, it was difficult to find firing lanes for long range artillery fire or areas were cavalry could be useful.
Game Designers Note: My troops are organized by "brigades" for V&B Wing Scale based on units I have painted. Most of my troops were based on Greene's Southern Campaigns but I have been moving north and adding new units. I realize a number of units that are in my OB are not historical but I like my troops. For the Record M = Morale (high is better) ss = sharpshooters, SK is shock best in offensive melee, PT is poorly trained, mi is real militia (very bad) and si is slow infantry.
The British Plan: Lord Howe divided his command into four columns as follows. Knyphausen would advance up the River Road, while Lord Percy would advance up the York Pike. Cornwallis would enter on the Swede's Ford Road near Spitz's Store, while Clinton would enter on the Ridge Road and head back toward Matson's Ford. Cornwallis and Clinton's entry would be trigger by a die roll, modified by the troops under their command ie fast moving troops Light Infantry, Highlanders had a better chance of arriving then line infantry.
Crown Forces: Lieutenant General Sir William Howe, KGB
Knyphausen's Column totals 5,050 infantry, 50 horse and 10 field guns, enters on the River Road
Lieutenant General Wilhelm Knyphausen CC
Jaeger Korps
Colonel von Wurmb DC
Von Wurmb's Detachment ss r 50 horse
200 foot
Ewald's Detachment ss r 200 foot
Brunswick Jaegers ss r 150 men
Hessian Musketeer Brigade
Major General von Stirn DC
von Bose Musketeer Battalion M5 450 men
von Ditfurth Fusilier Battalion M5 si 600 men
1st Regiment, Anspach-Beyreuth M5 si 600 men
Hessian Artillery 2 6# field gun
Hessian Grenadier Brigade
Colonel von Donop DC
Lengerke Grenadier Battalion M5 SK si 400 men
Linsing Grenadier Battalion M5 SK si 400 men
Minnigerode Grenadier Battalion M5 SK si600 men
Hessian Artillery 2 6#, 2 3# field guns
Brunswick Musketeer Brigade
Major General von Specht DC
von Riedesel Musketeer Battalion M6 600 men
von Rhetz Musketeer Battalion M5 600 men
Prinz Ludwig Dragoons (Dismounted) M5 250 men
Brunswick Artillery 2 6#, 2 3# field guns
Percy's Column 2.900 infantry, 300 horse, and 6 field guns enters on the York Pike
Major General the Earl of Percy
Loyalist Brigade
Colonel Lord Rawdon DC
American Volunteers M5 ss 300 men
New York Volunteers M5 SK 300 men
Royal North Carolina Volunteers M4 PT 300 men
Royal Regiment of New York M5 450 men
Royal Artillery 2 3# field guns
Grenadier Brigade
Brigadier General Matthew DC
Fergusson's Rifle's M6 ss r 200 men
1st Grenadier Battalion M6 SK 600 men 2 6# guns
2nd Grenadier Battalion M6 SK 600 men 2 6# guns 16th Light Dragoons M6 150 horse
150 foot
Clinton's Column 3,900 infantry, 6 field guns, will enter on the Ridge Road
Lieutenant General Henry Clinton CC
1st British Brigade
Colonel Webster DC
7th Regiment of Foot M5 300 men
9th Regiment of Foot M5 300 men
23rd Regiment of Foot M6 300 men
43rd Regiment of Foot M5 450 men
Royal Artillery 2 6# field guns
2nd British Brigade
Colonel Stuart DC
27th Regiment of Foot M6 450 men
63rd Regiment of Foot M5 300 men
64th Regiment of Foot M5 300 men
Fraser's Corps of Marksmen M5 s 150 men
Royal Artillery 2 6# field guns
3rd British Brigade
Brigadier General Pigott DC
4th Regiment of Foot M5 450 men
5th Regiment of Foot M6 450 men
38th Regiment of Foot M5 450 men
Royal Artillery 2 6# field guns
Cornwallis' Column 4,600 infantry, 250 horse and 14 field guns, will enter on the Swede's Ford Road
Major General Charles Earl of Cornwallis CC
Brigade of Guards
Major General O'Hara DC
1st Battalion, Brigade of Guards M6 SK 350 men
2nd Battalion, Brigade of Guards M6 SK 350 men
33rd Regiment of Foot M6 450 men
Royal Artillery 4 6# field guns
Light Infantry Brigade
Major General Grey DC
1st Grenadier Battalion M6 SK 600 men 2 3# guns
2nd Grenadier Battalion M6 SK 600 men 2 3# guns
Highland Brigade
Brigadier General Leslie DC
1st Battalion, 42nd Regiment of Foot M6 SK 450 men
2nd Battalion, 42nd Regiment of Foot M6 SK 450 men
Grenadiers, 42nd & 71st Regiment of Foot M6 SK 150
1st Battalion, 71st Regiment of Foot M5 SK 350 men
2nd Battalion, 71st Regiment of Foot M5 SK 350 men
Royal Artillery 4 3# field guns
Queen's American Rangers
Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe
Infantry M5 500 men
Horse M6 250 men
Artillery 2 3# field guns
Total Crown Forces
Infantry 16,400
Horse 450
Artiller 36 guns
The American Plan: Lafayette took up position on Barren Hill with the Pennsylvania Brigade encamped at the Meeting House, and the Maryland Delaware Brigade at the LeBegue House. McLane's Partisan's and the Oneida picketed the River Road. Caswell's Militia Brigade was camped about Harris's Mill where it could cover the York Pike and the Matson's Ford Road where they expected the British forces to arrive.
Greene would enter with reinforcements crossing the Schuylkill River at Swede's Ford, while Lord Stirling would bring additional troops south on the River Road. Gates was given charge of the troops which were to enter on the York Pike. So convinced where the Americans that Matson's Road was the point of danger, that Herkimer's Militia Brigade started the game scattered in road column along the road from Spitz's Store back to Swede's Ford so that they could move off as quickly as possible to Lafayette's assistance.
American Forces
Lieutenant General George Washington, AC
Lafayette's Division totals 2600 Continental infantry, 1240 militia,120 Native Americans and 6 guns located on and about Barren Hill
Major General Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette CC
Maryland Delaware Brigade
Brigadier General Smallwood DC
Delaware Continentals M6, SK 450 men
1st Maryland M6 450 men
2nd Maryland M5 450 men
1st Continental Artillery 2 6#, 2 3# field guns
Pennsylvania Brigade
Brigadier General Anthony Wayne DC
1st Pennsylvania Battalion M5 400 men
2nd Pennsylvania Battalion M5 350 men
3rd Pennsylvania Battalion M5 300 men
4th Continental Artillery 2 6# Field Guns
McLane's Partisan Corps
Major McLane DC
Partisan Corps (50 horse, 100 foot) 150 men
Onieda Native Americans 100 men
Pennsylvania Militia Brigade
Brigadier General Caswell DC
Dover County Militia M4 PT 360 men
Ulster County Militia M4 PT 240 men
Dublin County Militia M4 PT MI 240 men
Glasgow Country Militia M4 PT MI 240 men
Tryon County Militia M4 PT 160 men
Greene's Division – totals 3600 Continental infantry, and 10 guns enters across Swede's Ford
Major General Greene CC
1st Virginia Brigade
Brigadier General Hugar DC
4th Virginia Regiment M5 400 men
5th Virginia Regiment M5 350 men
1st North Carolina Regiment M5 300 men
1st Continental Artillery 2 6#, 2 3# field guns
2nd Virginia Brigade
Brigadier General Muhlenberg DC
3rd Virginia Regiment M5 450 men
Virginia State Regiment M5 300 men
Crockett's Western Infantry M5 300 men
1st Continental Artillery 2 6# field guns
2nd New England Brigade
Brigadier General Poor DC
2nd New Hampshire M5 350 men
3rd Massachusetts's Regiment M5 450 men
1st Battalion, 2nd Canadian M6 300 men
2nd Battalion, 2nd Canadian M6 300 men
2nd Continental Artillery 4 6# field guns
Lord Stirling's Division totals 1150 Continental infantry, 1200 militia, 400 Continental Light Dragoons and 2 guns enters on the River Road
Major General Alexander (Lord Stirling) CC
Northern Continental Brigade
Brigadier General Clinton DC
14th Continental Regiment M6 400 men
1st New Jersey Regiment M5 400 men
1st New York Regiment M5 350 men
2nd Continental Artillery 2 6# field guns
Continental Light Dragoon Brigade
Brigadier General Count Pulaski DC
3rd Continental Light Dragoons M5 160 men
4th Continental Light Dragoons 240 men
Pennsylvania Militia Brigade
Brigadier General Herkimer DC
Cumberland County Militia M4 PT 240 men
Newark County Militia M4 PT 240 men
Princess Anne County Militia M4 PT MI 240 men
Bristol Country Militia M4 PT MI 240 men
York County Militia M4 PT 240 men
Gates' Division totals 4.000 Continental infantry, 8 guns enters on the York Pike
Major General Gates CC
Corps of Light Troops
Colonel Morgan DC
Maryland Light Infantry Battalion M6 SK 450 men
Tate's Rifle Battalion M5 ss r 200 men
Shelby's Rifle Battalion M5 ss r 200 men
Campbell's Rifle Battalion M5 ss r 200 men
Dearborn's Light Infantry Battalion 300 men
1st New England Brigade
Brigadier General Varun DC
Warner's Additional Regiment M5 350 men
Webb's Additional Regiment M5 350 men
1st Rhode Island Regiment M6 350 men
14th Continental Regiment M6 400 men
2nd Continental Artillery 2 3# field guns
Southern Brigade
Brigadier General Moultrie DC
2nd South Carolina M5 300 men
5th South Carolina M5 300 men
The Georgia "Brigade"M5 350 men
Continental Marine Battalion M5 250 men
4th South Carolina Artillery 2 6#, 2 3# field guns
Total American Forces
Continental Infantry 11,300
Continental Light Dragoons 300
Artillery 26 guns
Militia 2,440
Native Americans 100
Total 14,140 men & 26 field guns
Opening Moves
The action started with Knyphausen advancing up the River Road with von Stirn's Musketeer Brigade followed by his Grenadier Brigade. (His Jaeger's were left behind due to his impatience to close with the enemy). Lord Percy entered on the York Pike with his Loyalist Brigade first, followed by the British Grenadiers. On the Swede's Ford Road, the light horse of the Queen's American Rangers arrived and road down the American Militia found there, destroying the Cumberland County Militia before they could even form up.
The American reaction was to fail all of their reinforcement rolls, while Herkimer hurried attempted to reform his militia to block the Swede's Ford Road. Caswell sent his militia forward to contest Percy's and Knyphausen's advance but Lafayette sat tight and awaited results.
The Crown advance north toward Barren Hill continued slowly with Knyphausen sending his musketeers down School House Lane towards Harris Mill, while his Grenadiers continued to advance down the River Road. Percy pressed his Loyalists forward, and started a firefight with the Caswell's militia. At Spitz's Store, the Earl of Cornwallis sent the Queen's American Rangers infantry forward to support their horse, and took what he hoped was a decisive step. He diverted the Highland Brigade in road march from the Swede's Ford Road to the Ridge Road with orders to secure it as soon as possible for Clinton future arrival..
The American response allowed Greene to enter the game at Swede's Ford with the 1st Virginia Regiment, and Gates to enter on the York Pike with the Corps of Light Troops. Herkimer sent some of his militia forward to contest the hamlet of Spitz's Store, but kept a line of troops covering Swede's Ford. Lafayette continued to stand fast allowing Caswell's militia to blunt the British advance about Harris's Mill
On the following turn events shifted the game in unexpected ways for both sides. Clinton showed up at last, and sent his 2nd Brigade down the Ridge Road in road march under the protection of the Highland Brigade. Cornwallis continued to build up his strength at Spitz's Store, while Percy and Knyphausen continued to push the American militia out of the Harris Mill area. On the River Road Knyphausen found himself facing a bottleneck as the River Road crossed Oak Run in a area bounded by forest on their side. The Hessian Grenadiers were ordered to sweep the forest, with their commander accepting the fact that his troops would be disordered while doing so but he wished to push forward as soon as possible.
For the first time Crown troops were closer to Matson's Ford then where American troops and Lafayette started to shift troops to cover his rear. However the drive of the Hessian Grenadiers came to an abrupt halt as he found McLane's Partisans as well as the Oneida with the Oneida charging the Hessians from the flank and routing both battalions back across Oak Run in disorder. (The Jaeger back picnicking in the rear would have been ideal troops for this mission.) Greene brought the 2nd New England Brigade across Swede's Ford and started to engage the Highlanders covering the Ridge Road while and Stirling showed up to the north of Greene with another Continental Brigade. Gates supported the Corps of Light Troops with the 1st New England Brigade and started to put pressure on Cornwallis troops holding a blocking position along Turkey Run. Herkimer's militia began to punish the Queen's American Rangers infantry by having more militia then Rangers.
As we pressed we ran into a problem. We had ended up short one British player so Cornwallis and Clinton were handled by the same player with mixed resulted. On the following turn he continued to build up his strength about Spitz's Store but was content to hold this sector though it held some of the best British troops both battalions of Light Infantry, the Guards Brigade and the 33rd as well as the Queens American Rangers. The Crown player concentrated his efforts on Clinton's Column sending the 3rd Infantry Brigade to follow up on the heels of the 2nd Brigade. The 2nd Brigade pushed on past Matson's Tavern sealing off any escape route for Lafayette and deployed to take Barren Hill from the rear by attacking the Pennsylvania Brigade at the Meeting House. However the Hessian advance down the River Road had been halted and Percy was still fighting his way up the York Pike about Harris's Mill.
In the American phase Greene began to fight against the Highlanders in the battle for the Ridge Road, while north of Spitz's Store Morgan's lads started to inflict the death of 1,000 cuts on the British Light infantry. His riflemen deployed along Turkey Creek with Continentals in close support with other riflemen moved about to the west of the store again covered by Continentals. Count Pulaski showed up with a brigade of two small regiments of light dragoons, but had trouble deploying them. The Americans now had built up their strength, but had trouble pushing it forward. In fact Green forgot that he had a brigade of reinforcements still waiting to cross at Swede's Ford, and left them on the far side of the river while searching for units to reinforce his line.
On the following turn Clinton attacked the Meeting House with the 2nd Brigade, and moved the 3rd Brigade up towards LeBegue's House. His 1st Infantry Brigade arrived and started down the York Pike in an attempt to link up with Lord Percy. The troops about Spitz's store took additional losses but held their ground. On the River Road McLane and the Oneida held the road closed on the far side of Oak Run, while Percy and the Hessian musketeers cleared the Harris's Mill of the Pennsylvania Militia. Unsupported , Clinton's attacks failed to carry the Meeting House area, and his troops fell back in disorder.
Lafayette now counterattacked with his best two units sending the 1st Delaware down to engage the 3rd British Brigade and the 1st Maryland against the 2nd British Brigade. The Delaware Regiment was one of the only two shock units in the Continental Army and destroyed the 38th Foot in a single attack and sending its remains falling back through the 5th Foot behind it. The 1st Maryland went after the 2nd British Brigade, elements of which were disordered and drove it back as well. Gates and Stirling kept up their pressure on Cornwallis' forces near Spitz's Store and Count Pulaski tried to bring the 1st Continental Dragoons up to support the troops there. Due to the terrain his command was forced to move through a narrow area in column. Green used his New Englanders to help keep the pressure up on the 42nd Foot , and the American numbers were starting to have an effect in the firefight. The tide of battle had shifted for one being a British victory to one whose outcome was in doubt.
The next started with a series of attacks by the Crown forces to regain the tide of battle. The 42nd Foot charged Greene's line the 5th Foot attempted to stop the Delaware Regiment by charging into their ranks the light horse of the Queens American Rangers charged the 1st Continental Light Dragoons while the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion charged into Morgan's Corps of Light Troops. Knyphausen was still tied up on the River Road while his Musketeers crossed Oak Run and attempted to attack Barren Hill. Lord Percy brought up his Grenadiers toward the Meeting House.
The net effect of the turn was one of disaster the 42nd drove elements of Greene's troops back, but went exhausted and collapsed in the process. The 5th Foot was driven back by the Delaware Regiment while the 1st Maryland stood as well. The Queens American Rangers Light Horse failed as well even though the 1st Continental Light Dragoons were in disorder and while the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion gained ground it ended up surrounded by American troops on three sides.
The American counterattack was swift and deadly the 1st Continental Light Dragoons rallied and charged into the now disordered Light Horse of the Queens American Rangers. They broke and routed through a battalion of the Guards Brigade and carried them away in turn. The 2nd Light Infantry was shot down where they stood. Near Matson's Tavern the Delaware Regiment hit the disordered 5th Foot and drove it from the field. The 1st Maryland drove off the remains of the 2nd British Brigade, Greene now had an open road to Matson's Tavern as the remains of the 42nd were shot down though both of Greene's Brigade were exhausted in the process,
At this point the game ended for the day with plans to pick it up on the following Friday. Interesting enough, while Knyphausen had forgotten about his reinforcements so had Greene forgotten about one of his brigades.
On Friday we picked up the fight, short one additional British player so Percy ended up moving to take command of Cornwallis' and Clinton's forces. The Crown position was such that Knyphausen was still attempting to push down the River Road while Percy was in position to toss his grenadiers at Wayne's Pennsylvanians at the Meeting House. Clinton was holding the Ridge Road open by gathering what guns he could find as well as scattered bits and pieces while the remains of the 3rd and 2nd British Brigade fell back on his position. Cornwallis was starting to fight a delaying action as he fell back across Bear Creek to a better defensive position planning to leave Spitz's Store and the crossroads to the rebels.
For Washington, the crisis has passed. There now was a path open to Barren Hill, though Greene's command was unable to push on any further. Stirling and Gates were keeping their pressure up on Cornwallis, trying to cut off as many units as possible before they could take up their new defensive positions.
As the game resumed Knyphausen was slowly pushing through the bottleneck. The 1st Regiment, Anspach-Beyreuth and von Bose attacked the front of Barren Hill, while the 1st Battalion of Grenadiers went after the Meeting House area. Cornwallis started his pull back while the 1st Brigade of Regulars moved back to support Clinton. Knyphausen's attack failed yet again, with a Anspach-Beyreuth Regiment walking into a firestorm of fire from the 2nd Maryland and attached artillery that unit was exhausted and collapsed in a single turn as the Marylanders hit with 80% of their total dice!! The 2nd Grenadiers grabbed a toehold on Barren Hill supported by rifle fire from Fergusson's Corps.
For the American turn, Greene started to bring his missing brigade across Swede's Ford, but was unable to push Clinton back. Stirling and Gates continued to push forward but the nature of the ground made pursuit difficult. In fact the next several turns followed the same format – the British gaining ground in the Meeting House area while building up a new line along Bear Creek and the Ridge Road. The Americans in turn pushed on Cornwallis and brought troops up to hold open the River Road to Matson's Tavern. Knyphausen was putting enough pressure on the River Road that Lafayette was unable to send Wayne any help and both sides troops were generally becoming exhausted.
In fact both sides at this stage of the game launched cavalry charges in less then optimum conditions in the hopes of doing something. The 3rd Continental Light Dragoons charged the 71st Foot with no success, while the 16th Light Dragoons charged Barren Hill without success. Only near Spitz's Store was there any success as the 1st Continental Light Dragoons charged down the shot up 1st Light Infantry Battalion and destroyed its remains but was unable to cross Bear Creek and exploit its victory.
The final results of the battle were a tactical British victory as they did manage to carry Barren Hill, though their losses were heavier then those suffered by Washington's Army. It was a case though of "another such victory would ruin us" as it meant that the flower of the British Army bled out the Light Infantry and 42nd Foot destroyed (two battalions each), while the Grenadiers, Hessian Musketeers and Grenadiers, and 2nd and 3rd Line Brigades shot up while Washington's lost a brigade of militia and had four Continental Brigades hurt 2nd Virginia, 2nd New England, Corps of Light Troops and Pennsylvania.
What made the battle most interesting was the fact that the commanders on both sides made their plans with an imperfect understanding of their opponent's options. The American deployments were based on their idea that the British would be advancing down the River Road and the York Pike as well as having to deal with a flanking column entering on the Matson's Ford Road. The idea of a deep thrust by the British did not enter into their plans, though they recovered quickly helped by the fact that Cornwallis did not continue to thrust toward Swede's Ford.
For the Crown side, their plan fixated on the need to trap Lafayette by sealing him off from the Matson's Ford and any possible reinforcements. Clinton did his job, but the troops that needed to fix Lafayette in place just where not in position when he launched his attack. The American militia in and about Harris's Mills managed to delay Percy and Knyphausen's attack long enough to allow Lafayette time to respond to Clinton. The failure of Knyphausen to use his Jaegers to cover his advance was costly as McLane and his little command held up the battle on the River Road for far longer then they should have been expected to do so.
In fact the terrain as a whole had an interesting effect on the game their were very few areas that were open for any great distance as the average field of fire was far less then 24". Cover was abundant in terms of fields, woods, fences, house lots so it was an infantry man's fight. All in all a rather great game.
