Independence Day Battles

On my old blog, it was something of a tradition to play a Revolutionary War battle on July 4th. I decided to follow that tradition here, but using Dominion of Patriots and Redcoats.

Previously, I played a semi-fictional invasion of East Florida that saw the new United States annex the British colony. For my latest campaign, I decided to play Galvez's invasion of West Florida.

Using Dominion of, I was able to complete a couple of battles in just minutes.

Background

It is 1779 and the Spanish have just allied themselves with the American rebels. The governor of Spanish New Orleans, Bernardo de Galvez, decides to take action against British forces in West Florida (at the time, Florida stretched all the way to the Mississippi River).

Fort Bute

Galvez gathers his forces and marches on Fort New Richmond (Baton Rouge). On the way, he must deal with a British garrison at Fort Bute.

Notes: 

• This is a fictional take on the battle. In reality, only 23 Waldeck grenadiers garrisoned the fort. To make the scenario more interesting, I gave them some reinforcements.
• Point are not equal. Too bad

Fort Bute (top) is garrisoned by some Waldeck grenadiers (elite line) and British artillery in defenses. Native allies (tomahawks) operate outside the fort.

Galvez has 2 battalions each of militia (skirmishers) and line infantry. An artillery battery and some native allies round out the army.

As Galvez begins preparing for a siege, the British artillery fires. Galvez's artillery responds, and knocks out its counterpart. Meanwhile, the British native allies charge the militia, which blasts them with a volley.

The grenadiers take up positions on the fort's walls. Their volley disperses the artillery. However, the militia flanks the grenadiers. A hot fire forces the grenadiers to surrender.

The remaining native allies flee. Galvez has taken Fort Bute.

Fort New Richmond (Baton Rouge)

Galvez (bottom) approached Fort New Richmond with the same force as at Fort Bute: 2 battalions each of militia (skirmishers) and line infantry, an artillery battery, and some native allies.

The British fort is much stronger than Bute. Behind the bulwarks are 2 line infantry battalions, an artillery battery, and some militia.

Once again, the Spanish artillery wipes out its counterpart. Meanwhile, the Spanish native allies charge, only to be routed by the militia.

A British line infantry battalion reinforces the walls. The British unleash a devastating volley that disperses some militia and artillery.

The opposing militias clash, rendering each other hors de combat.

The same thing occurs with the line infantry in the center. The battle comes down to the left wing. The Spanish charge but the British line pours fire into the enemy. The Spanish break.

Fort New Richmond holds. Galvez must regroup for a new attack.

Note

As I write this, I just realized that I did not use the rally rule. I keep forgetting!

What's Next?

I plan to reserve Galvez's campaign to July 4th games, but I'm tempted to try again soon. We'll see.

There is also another scenario from this part of the campaign. There was a small naval battle (just 2 ships) on Lake Pontchartrain. Sounds like a fun scenario. I don't really have rules for small naval skirmishes, but I have some ideas. I may try them out soon.