"British Marines at North Point" Topic

I am organizing my 15mm War of 1812 collection for the Battle of North Point using Black Powder rules. Black Powder classifies the Marine and Royal Navy landing parties as skirmishers. I never really thought about it, but I have a difficult time imagining the Marines and sailors skirmishing like trained light infantry. I also have a hard time imagining them marching in close order, especially the sailors. Can anyone point me to naval landing party drill and tactics in 1814?

I do believe (from memory) that a Battalion (3 in total) could be made up of between six and ten companies ( between about 500-odd to 1,000 for the 3rd Battalion. To make things even more complicated the 3rd was split up in America to reform the 2nd Battalion and form a new 3rd Marine/Colonial Battalion) They would have acted like a line-Light infantry battalion. They could act as well in the open order, by companies or as a line battalion. they were a very flexible arm indeed.

In 1794 Sailors on the West Indies expedition were trained with pikes to fight as close order infantry.

The Royal Marines were organized similar to army line infantry battalions with flank companies. The Second Battalion RMs, the Third Battalion (composite of 3rd RMs and Colonial marines) plus the Provisional Battalion of RMs (composed of marines from the various fleet's ships) fought in close order at North Point.

The sailors also fought in two close order battalions at North Point. Fighting as infantry was part of their training and they were used during many landing party raids throughout the Chesapeake area plus the Peninsula and Mediterranean area.

For some research on these and other units (plus wargaming tips) at North Point, see my blog link

IronDuke596, thank you very much! Your site is pure gold for those of use wishing to put the War of 1812 onto the game table.

Thank you that is most kind of you.

Interesting blog Iron Duke

Regards

J