The Battle of Germantown 4th October 1777 (Refight Gallery)

At the end of my last post I dug out a photo of my last AWI game, namely the Battle of Germantown, which we played in December 2009.  Sadly I don’t remember too much about the game (it was played over two days and I had to go to work on the second day), but the photos are pretty good, so thought I’d share them here.  It was played in Martin’s shed, using the excellent British Grenadier! rules by my good friend ‘Eclaireur’ and using the Germantown scenario from his 2nd scenario book.  The models are from the collections of Anthony Oakley, Jase Evans, Andy James, Martin Small and myself.

As mentioned last time, Andy James and I are going to be digging out the old models again next week for a small game (the Battle of White Plains scenario from the 1st scenario book) to re-acquaint ourselves with the period and the rules.  I’ve also ordered some bits and pieces from Perry Miniatures to fill some gaps in my collection (namely the British 2nd Light Infantry Battalion and some American generals) as well as some new flags from GMB to replace the most faded and tatty of my flags.  I’ve already made a start with these Hessians:

Anyway, onto the Germantown photos…

Above:  The British army viewed from their right flank.  Facing us is Major General James Grant’s Brigade, consisting of the 1st Light Infantry Battalion, 4th, 5th, 49th & 55th Regiments of Foot and the Queen’s Rangers.

Above:  Another view of Grant’s Brigade.  The green-coated Queen’s Rangers have deployed into skirmish order, but the regimental cadre, with the colours, remains formed to their rear as a rallying-point.

Above:  Grant’s Brigade seen from the opposite flank.  In the foreground are the 1st Light Infantry and in the distance is Mathew’s Foot Guards Brigade.

Above:  The vital crossroads is held by the brigades of Major General Charles Grey (15th, 17th & 44th Regiments of Foot) and Major General Agnew (33rd, 37th, 46th & 64th Regiments of Foot).  In front of them is positioned a large battery of guns and the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir William Howe.

Above:  Having spotted the approach of General Greene’s rebel division, Grant wheels his brigade to the left, seemingly unconcerned by another column of rebels approaching his right flank.  The large house in the distance is the ‘Chew’ or ‘Cleveden’ House; a solid, stone-build construction that is presently garrisoned by a detachment of the 40th Foot.  The remainder of the 40th under Lieutenant Colonel Musgrave (who also has the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion and a detachment of artillery under command), are fighting a delaying action against Washington’s approaching rebel division.

Above:  As Grant wheels to the left, Mathew’s Foot Guards (along with one of Grant’s battalions), advance to screen the right flank from Smallwood’s approaching column of Maryland and New Jersey Militia regiments.

Above:  The small Hussar detachment of the Queen’s Rangers (here represented by the 17th Light Dragoons) remain in reserve at the crossroads.

Above:  The large British battery remains silent, as its front is still masked by the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion.  Unfortunately we didn’t have any hills available on the day of the game, so you’ll have to imagine that the guns are on a rise, while Musgrave’s detachment (visible just beyond the fence-line) are on another rise.  The skirmishers and limber are in a shallow valley between the two.

Above:  Grant’s brigade has begun to engage Greene’s rebels.

Above:  However, Grant suddenly realises that he is significantly outnumbered!  Greene’s column consists of Muhlenberg’s, Weedon’s and Woodford’s Virginia Brigades and McDougal’s Connecticut Brigade, as well as Smallwood’s militia brigade on the flank!

Above:  Mathew’s Guards are ordered to deal with Smallwood’s militia as quickly as possibly and then wheel to engage Greene’s main force.

Above:  At last, Musgrave finally pulls his detachment back into the valley, exposing the advancing rebels to the full power of the Royal Artillery!

Above:  On the other side of the town, Washington’s left flank (Hampton’s 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade) has begun to engage Grant’s left flank (49th Foot & 1st Light Infantry).  The 40th Foot are also taking pot-shots at the passing rebels from the Chew House.

Above:  As the British guns pour fire into Washington’s leading battalions, Grey and and Agnew move forward on either flank.

Above:  Conway’s 3rd Pennsylvania Brigade is crushed by the intense artillery fire, as well as from the 2nd Light Infantry, who are still at close range.  Conway rides forward to steady them and is soon joined by Washington himself, but to little avail.

Above:  Hartley’s 1st Pennsylvania Brigade moves up to provide support for Conway’s crumbling battalions.

Above:  On the other side of Germantown, Hampton’s 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade bypasses the Chew House, leaving that strongpoint for Maxwell’s New Jersey Brigade to deal with.  However, Hampton’s advance is disrupted by fire from the 40th Foot occupying the house.  In response, Maxwell deploys his artillery to suppress the defenders before his assault.

Above:  On the American left, Green’s lead battalions are now heavily engaged with Grant’s brigade.

Above:  At the head of Green’s column, the riflemen of the 14th Virginia Regiment are bested by the Queen’s Rangers and fall back behind the formed lines of Weedon’s brigade.

Above:  Another view, looking along the line of Grant’s brigade toward Germantown.

Above:  Grant’s brigade is fighting hard, but Green keeps throwing ever-increasing numbers of troops into the battle.  Unable to maintain their skirmish line in this increasingly unequal battle, the Queen’s Rangers fall back behind Grant’s line.

Above:  Hampton’s 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade charges the British line at Germantown!

Above:  Although things seem to be going well for Greene on the eastern side of Germantown, on the western side, Washington is facing stiff resistance from increasing numbers of British infantry, backed up by very strong artillery.  Two of Conway’s Pennsylvanian regiments have already been broken and the rest are being hammered by British fire.  However, Washington still has another two brigades uncommitted to the battle, including his best troops, the Maryland and Delaware Continentals.

Above:  The view from the British side.  Musgrave’s detachment is still managing to hold its ground in the centre, while Grey’s brigade in the foreground, moves to cross the stream and outflank Washington’s column.  In the distance, Agnew’s Brigade moves forward through Germantown, aiming to relieve the detachment of the 40th Foot, who are still holding out at the Chew House, despite the best efforts of Maxwell’s New Jersey Brigade.

Above:  On the eastern side of Germantown, Grant is spread very thin, as his left flank is now assaulted by Hampton’s Pennsylvanians, while his right is simultaneously attacked by Greene’s Virginians.

Above:  The Queen’s Rangers Hussars (represented by the 17th Light Dragoons) move to support the threatened right flank.  Howe also rides over to assess the situation for himself.

Above:  As the Queen’s Rangers’ skirmish line falls back, the 55th Foot desperately cling onto possession of a small copse on Grant’s right flank.  However, they are taking heavy losses and can’t hope to hold on much longer against these odds.  The rest of Grant’s brigade is now taken under fire by newly-arrived American artillery.

Above:  On the extreme right flank, Mathew’s Foot Guards Brigade has successfully broken and thrown back Smallwood’s militia, but is now at risk of being outflanked and cut off from the rest of the army.

Above:  Despite heavy losses in his leading brigade, Greene’s column still has plenty of fresh troops to spare and continues its inexorable advance.  In front of him, Grant’s redcoats are starting to crumble.  But with Washington struggling at Germantown, will this be enough to roll up the British right wing and save the day?

Sadly, this is where I had to leave the game… 🙁

This is definitely a battle to revisit sometime soon, once I’ve refurbished and re-flagged my troops…