The Battle of Harlem Heights, 16th September 1776

Our old club-deserter Jase was back in town from New Zealand recently and naturally, we agreed that we’d try to have a game in between his holiday and family commitments.  The only available day was 4th July, so it was somewhat inevitable that we’d end up commemorating Ungrateful Colonial Treasonous Tax-Dodgers’ Day with an American War of Independence game, particularly as Jase left me with his own AWI collection when he had to flee to New Zealand (he doesn’t like to talk about it and it was never proved, anyway…).

As for which scenario to do… Well it had to be a 1776 battle and there was one that I hadn’t previously played; the Battle of Harlem Heights, which took place on 16th September 1776.  The game was adapted from my good mate Brendan Morrissey’s scenario of the battle, which can be found in the 3rd British Grenadier! scenario book (along with my Fishguard 1797 scenarios 🙂 ).

The rough background is that following the British victory at the Battle of Brooklyn (or ‘Long Island’) on 27th August 1776, General Howe managed to pin Washington’s army inside the fortifications on Brooklyn Heights, with his back trapped against the East River.  However, on 29th August, Washington managed to successfully evacuate his army across to Manhattan.

There was then a two-week operational pause, but on 15th September, Howe launched an amphibious assault across the East River, landing his army at Kip’s Bay, which is roughly at the mid-way point on the eastern shore of of Manhattan Island.  Instead of defending the shoreline, the defending troops immediately fled, allowing Howe’s army to land unhindered.  This meant that the rebel troops stationed in New York at the southern end of the island were immediately trapped and cut off from Washington’s main fortified position on the Harlem Heights, at the north tip of the island.  However, Howe failed to exploit this advantage and the New York garrison was able to retreat along the western shore unmolested.

On 16th August and with the British having occupied New York, Washington sent a small detachment of rangers under Lt Col Thomas Knowlton to reconnoitre the British lines.  However, this small recce force soon became embroiled in a sharp skirmish with elements of the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion from Major General Alexander Leslie’s Light Infantry Brigade.  As the 3rd Light Infantry Battalion joined the fight and other units were seen marching to the scene, Knowlton was forced to withdraw.  The skirmish became a running battle as they pulled back to the ‘Hollow Way’; a wide valley cutting across the otherwise hilly landscape from the Harlem Plain to the marsh of ‘Martye Davit’s Flye’ and the Hudson River.

Watching from the heights, Washington realised that he had a chance to trap the rash British Light Infantry.  He ordered a detachment of volunteers under one Major Crary supported by Nixon’s Continental brigade, to advance and engage the British Light Infantry in the Hollow Way.  In the meantime, Knowlton’s Rangers, reinforced by Virginian Riflemen under Major Andrew Leitsch, would circle back through the wooded Morningside Heights to attack the Light Infantry from the rear.

However, Knowlton and Leitsch were mis-directed and instead of attacking the British rear, instead attacked their right flank.  The British quickly adapted to the situation and during the firefight, Knowlton was killed, while Leitch was mortally wounded and would die a few days later.

The British fell back to a fenced buckwheat field on the northern slope of the valley and there received reinforcements in the form of the 42nd Royal Highlanders (with a pair of manhandled 3-pounder guns), elements of Emil von Donop’s Hessian Grenadier Brigade, Earl Cornwallis’ 33rd Foot and all four battalions of Sir John Vaughan’s Grenadier Brigade.  Although Washington’s forces still outnumbered the British, they couldn’t break them.  However, the British force was eventually forced to withdraw as it ran out of ammunition.

Casualties had been light on both sides, but this unintended battle handed Washington a victory and the Continental Army a massive morale-boost.  However, it would be followed soon after by the defeats at Pell’s Point and White Plains and the rebel withdrawal from Manhattan.  It also cost Washington the loss of one of his most talented officers, Thomas Knowlton, one of the heroes of Bunker Hill.

So this is an interesting little battle and modest in size, so easy to do in a single day.  However, in trying to translate this engagement on to the tabletop, there are some ‘issues’ with Brendan’s scenario map.  Something was clearly lost in translation between Brendan and whoever did the graphical version for the scenario book.  I just couldn’t understand the map, so in frustration I went for a good Bonk.  Nothing beats a good Bonk and David C. Bonk’s Atlas of the American Revolution was just what I needed to enable me to draw my own map.  I must confess however, that the vertical scale of the map is compressed by approximately 20%; the table is 8′ x 6′, but should be more like 10′ x 6′ to fit all these features on the table; it’s a long, rather narrow battlefield.  Note that the north (right-hand) edge of the map is delineated by the shoreline of the Hudson River and the southern (left-hand) edge of the map follows the line of the densely-wooded scarp, where the heights drop down to the plain.

Above:  Our table, for once orientated with the map.  You’ll notice that because I don’t have any suitable fences, I’ve used hedgerows to mark the fields.  Kirk very kindly provided the buildings and the white picket fence around the orchard.  However, the sharp-eyed will also notice that a couple of the map-features are not quite where they should be and one field at the top of the map is missing entirely (this would be added mid-game)! 🙂

Above:  Nixon’s Continentals advance into the Hollow Way, where Crary’s Volunteers are getting the worst of the battle with the 2nd & 3rd Light Infantry Battalions, who have deployed into skirmish-order.  Of Nixon’s Continentals, the two regiments (9th & 11th) from Rhode Island are rated as ‘Line’ along with Crary’s Volunteers, while the three Massachusetts regiments (4th, 12th & 23rd) are rated as ‘2nd Line’.  The Rhode Islanders are deployed on the flanks.

Above:  Nixon’s line is becoming rather ragged as he advances to contact.  The Marylander 12th Continentals here are lagging well behind the Rhone Islander 11th Continentals on the left and have already suffered some considerable disorder even before reaching the bad terrain and enemy.

Above:  George Washington observes the opening stages of the battle from Rocky Point.

Above:  Knowlton’s Rangers trot out on the far left flank, aiming for the bridge at Hoaglandt’s Farm, in an effort to disrupt any British reinforcements coming down the Bloomingdale Road.  On their right Leitsch’s Virginia Riflemen engage the right flank of the 2nd Light Infantry.

Above:  Knowlton doesn’t have long to wait, as Lt Col Thomas Stirling’s 42nd Royal Highlanders soon appear at the bridge.

[In most AWI games, anyone wearing a skirt and torturing a cat will automatically be classed as ‘Elite’, but in this instance Brendan has classed the Highlanders as ‘Line’.  Note that after a gap of some 20 years, I finally painted my last eight Highlanders for this game!  No more tartan for me!  Hurrah!  No Jase, I am NOT going to wargame the Jacobite Rebellions!]

Above:  The 42nd are a very large regiment, so have been split by Stirling into two tactical ‘wings’ or ‘battalions’.

[As an aside, I’ve read contradicting descriptions of this unit; some say that the regiment had two actual battalions present in American and would therefore have a double-set of companies and two sets of colours (like the 71st Highlanders), while others say that this was a local modification to the organisation of the very strong and rather unwieldy 1st Battalion, which was split into two wings for tactical purposes.  I’d be interested to know the truth of the matter, if anyone can assist?]

Above:  One of the Highlander Light Company officers points out the approaching danger posed by Knowlton’s Rangers.  Lt Col Stirling on this occasion has eschewed Highland dress for something a little more practical.

Above:  Major General Leslie looks on as the 2nd Light Infantry deploy into skirmish order.  The battalion’s right wing has suddenly come under fire from Leitsch’s Virginian Rifles and turns about to engage the ambushers.  [Again, British Light Infantry would normally be classed as ‘Elite’ in most scenarios, but here Brendan has classed them as ‘Line’ due to a mixture of their historical over-confidence and the near-complete lack of direction and leadership shown by Leslie on the day (who is rated ‘Poor’)]

Above:  The return-fire from the British skirmishers is devastating; Leitsch is killed along with around a quarter of his men and the unit flees back into the woods of the Morningside Heights!

Above:  Nixon urges his brigade on into the fields and damn the consequences!  “But shouldn’t we pause to re-order our ranks, sir?”  “Ranks?!  You let me worry about ranks!  On to New York!  Hurrah!”

Above:  The 9th Continentals on the right flank of Nixon’s brigade don’t fancy getting their britches wet in Martye Davit’s Flye, so re-deploy to the left flank.

Above:  Ignoring the crack of rifle-bullets from Knowlton’s Rangers, the 42nd press on over the stream.

Above:  Nixon’s brigade has for the most part, successfully negotiated the first field and the swamp of Martye Davit’s Flye, but is in considerable disorder.  The swarms of British skirmishers are now starting to pick off the rebels as they desperately attempt to dress their ranks.

Above:  The 23rd Continentals steadily push the skirmishers of the 3rd Light Infantry back off the wooded Claremont Hill, but are suffering a steady trickle of casualties.

Above:  As the 1st Battalion of the 42nd Highlanders deploys in the buckwheat field, Stirling shouts across to Leslie, “The 42nd are here, Sir!  Rally on us!”

Above:  The 2nd Battalion of the 42nd marches to form up on the right of the 1st Battalion, followed by the section of manhandled 3-pounders.  Knowlton’s Rangers, disheartened by the disappearance of the Virginian Rifles on the right, have pulled back into the woods, so the Highlanders and Royal Artillery carry out their deployment unmolested.

Above:  More ‘British’ reinforcements arrive at the Jones House.  As General Howe watches from the heights on the left of the picture, Colonel Emil von Donop marches past with the Hesse-Cassel ‘Von Linsing’ Grenadier Battalion and the Feldjäger-Corps.

Above:  Another view of Emil von Donop and his Hessian grenadiers.  In the actual battle, Donop had armed himself with a Jäger rifle and, having spotted a Virginian rifleman taking aim at him, he quickly drew the rifle and snap-shot, shooting the rifleman dead!

Above:  With Leitsch dead and the Virginian Riflemen having fled the field, Knowlton thankfully manages to halt the retreat of his Rangers.

Above:  It will take some time to restore the Rangers’ confidence, but Knowlton remains determined to re-engage the enemy.

Above:  Having cleared the Light Infantry from the first field and Claremont Hill, Nixon, instead of pausing to re-dress his ranks, instead pushes on with maximum aggression!  “On!  On to New York!  Hurrah!”

Above:  At the buckwheat field in Nixon’s centre, the 12th Continentals soon become embroiled in a bitter short-range firefight with the 1st Battalion of the 42nd and the rebels quickly get the worst of it.

Above:  On Nixon’s left, Crary’s Volunteers are forced to fall back to reorganise, leaving the 11th Continentals to face a storm of skirmisher fire.  Worse is to come as the 2nd Battalion of the 42nd and the 3-pounder detachment deploy behind the skirmish-screen.

Above:  However, as the rebel attack begins to stall, reinforcements arrive!

Above:  Brigadier General Paul Sargent’s brigade is on the right flank and consists of Ward’s Continental Regiment from Connecticut [here represented by the riflemen in hunting-shirts] and the Marylanders of the 16th Continentals [I actually have this regiment, dressed in green coats with black facings, in my collection].  Both regiments are classed as ‘2nd Line’.

Above:  On the left, Washington’s aide-de-camp, Colonel Joseph Reed, has formed an ad hoc brigade from various unattached units; Weedon’s Regiment of Virginian Continentals [rated as ‘Line’ and here represented by the red-coated unit], the Connecticut 5th State Levy Regiment [rated ‘2nd Line’ and represented by the grey-coated unit], a Battalion of Detachments [the large unit in hunting-shirts, rated ‘Militia’] and a section of Continental Artillery, armed with 6-pounders.

Above:  While Sargent’s brigade supports the right flank at Claremont Hill, Reed’s brigade marches to the left flank.

Above:  General Washington rides over to Morningside Heights and gives fresh heart to Knowlton’s Rangers.

Above:  Screened by the 2nd Light Infantry, the 2nd Battalion of the 42nd and the 3-pounder section deploy on the British right flank.

Above:  Nixon’s right wing is close to collapse, though Reed arrives in the nick of time with Weedon’s Regiment and the 6-pounders.

Above:  Their fighting-spirit restored, Knowlton’s Rangers advance to the edge of the woodland and rejoin the fight.

Above:  As if the British didn’t already have enough skirmishers, the Hessian Feldjäger arrive at the head of Von Donop’s column.  Howe directs Donop to take post on the left flank, between the buckwheat field and the Hudson River.

Above:  More British reinforcements arrive in the form of Major General Earl Cornwallis and his own regiment, the 33rd Foot.  Many regard this regiment as the finest infantry regiment in North America, if not the British Army [and is therefore rated ‘Elite’].

Above:  Nixon’s brigade has marched straight into a firestorm and staggers to a halt in the face of the British firepower.  The Marylanders of the 12th Continentals are first to break, being pounded by the disciplined, close-range volleys of the 1st Battalion of the 42nd Highlanders.  However, they manage to rally behind the 9th Continentals.  Then, as the British skirmishers fall back, the 2nd Battalion of the 42nd pour fire into the 11th Continentals.  The Rhode Islanders’ misery is compounded by whiffs of canister fire from the newly-arrived section of 3-pounders.  Nixon rides over to steady them, but the fire reaches a fresh crescendo as the 3-pounders find the range.  [i.e. The British rolled the dreaded double-six…]

Above:  Nixon’s martial ardour is suddenly cooled by the horror around him!  The 11th Continentals are completely crushed by fire and the pitiful, bloodied survivors stagger back to the relative safety of the following battalions.  Horrified, Nixon spurs his horse and flees from the field, shouting at men to run for their lives!  Nixon would eventually be found hiding in a tavern and after a brief court-martial would be shot in front of the army.

Above:  As the Feldjäger struggle to find a gap in the skirmish-line in which to insert themselves, the magnificent ‘Von Linsing’ Grenadiers (consisting mainly of companies drawn from the Hessian Foot Guards) deploy into line behind them as if on the parade-ground.

Above:  Although they have the high-ground, the 4th Continentals don’t much fancy their chances…

Above:  As the first line breaks and falls back, a new line forms along the line of the fields, consisting of two good Continental regiments, the 9th and Weedon’s, along with the Continental 6-pounders.

Above:  As Reed’s brigade, led by the large Battalion of detachments, marches to the left flank, Washington rides over to steady Nixon’s shaken brigade.

Above:  Although massively outnumbered, Knowlton’s Rangers, holding the wooded crest of the Morningside Heights, hold their own against the 2nd Light Infantry and successfully keep them out of the main battle being fought at the buckwheat field.

Above:  Weedon’s Regiment immediately attracts a heavy amount of fire from the British lines (perhaps they’re angered by the looted red coats?), but Reed rides over to steady them and the Continental 6-pounders repay the compliment, successfully suppressing the Royal Artillery for a time.

Above:  Crary’s Volunteers once again are forced to fall back behind friendly lines to rally.

Above:  Washington rides the lines to the cheers of his Continentals.  However, despite the arrival of General Greene to take direct command of Nixon’s men, their morale is extremely fragile.

Above:  Meanwhile, even more rebel reinforcements arrive in the form of Major General Rezen Beall’s amusingly-named ‘Flying Camp’.  This large formation of Maryland Militia battalions moves into a reserve position on the wooded ridge of Rocky Point.

Above:  Greene arrives to take direct command of Nixon’s command.  He quickly realises that he needs some means to counter the strong British skirmish-line, so sets to work in rallying Crary’s Volunteers.

Above:  Seeing the rebel lines wavering, Howe sends new orders to Emil von Donop; he is to attack at once, to seize Claremont Hill and from there roll up the rebel right flank.

Above:  The centre of the battlefield settles down into a desultory long-range firefight.  Stirling waits to see what develops, but if the Hessians are successful, he will take the 42nd forward in a supporting attack.

Above:  In Washington’s centre, the Continentals exchange fairly ineffective long-range musketry with the 42nd Highlanders and wait nervously to see what happens next.

Above:  Having rallied Crary’s Volunteers, Reed rides over to steady Weedon’s Regiment, which has been under constant 3-pounder canister fire since they moved into the line.  However, both sides have to confess that they’re a little bit disappointed and relieved in equal measure, with how little effect the tiny artillery contingents are having on the course of the battle.

Above:  The 4th Continentals on Claremont Hill, wait nervously as the Hessian grenadiers cross the valley.  As the rippling wall of bayonets closes with the Continentals fire a ragged volley but fire high, causing no damage whatsoever to the seemingly-unstoppable wall of Hessians!

Above:  At last, the Hessians charge their bayonets and advance up the slope to close with the 4th Continentals!

Above:  In the distance, a truly magnificent sight can be seen snaking along the Bloomingdale Road; Major General Sir John Vaughan’s Grenadier Brigade.

Above:  Vaughan’s brigade consists of four battalions of grenadiers, the fur-capped elite of Howe’s infantry.  [The 1st to 3rd Grenadier Battalions are classed as ‘Elite’, but the 4th (Highland) Grenadier Battalion is suffering from various issues, so is classed as ‘Line’]

Above:  Cornwallis’ 33rd Foot continue their march to outflank Knowlton.

Above:  The 2nd Light Infantry are still locked in a desultory firefight with Knowlton.  Knowlton isn’t doing much damage, but he is successfully keeping one of Howe’s largest battalions busy.

Above:  At last, Reed’s Battalion of Detachments deploys into line on the left flank.  However, they are extremely disordered, so will need to dress their ranks and round up the stragglers before they can even contemplate advancing.  Reed rides over to assist in the task.

Above:  The Connecticut 5th State Levy follow Reed, planning to also form up on the left of the army and threaten the British right flank.

Above:  Rezen’s ‘Flying Camp’ arrives on the Rocky Point Heights.

Above:  The 4th Continentals never really stood a chance against the ‘Von Linsing’ Grenadiers and are slaughtered.  The remnants flee for their lives through the line of Ward’s Regiment.  Brigadier General Sargent attempts to steady them, but the Hessians are continuing to advance, seemingly without breaking step!

Above:  The defeat of the 4th Continentals has severe consequences for Washington’s army!  First, the 16th Continentals of Sargent’s brigade break and run without even seeing the enemy!  Sargent manages to hold Ward’s Regiment in its position, but Greene completely loses control of the shattered remnants of Nixon’s brigade; the 9th, 12th and 23rd Continentals, as well as Crary’s Volunteers, all fall back to the Hollow Way, while the broken 4th Continentals flee the field completely!

Above:  Even Washington’s personal example couldn’t keep the shattered Continentals in the line and he suddenly finds himself very vulnerable, alone on Claremont Hill!

Above:  As Von Donop’s grenadiers crest the hill, General Sargent suddenly finds that he has urgent business to attend to in the rear… He claims that he has to try to rally the 16th Continentals, but Colonel Ward isn’t convinced.  Unlike their comrades of the 4th Continentals, Ward’s Regiment waits calmly and then delivers an effective volley, which drops many Hessians.

Above:  However, the Hessians are unmoved and as they level their bayonets for the second time, Ward’s Regiment breaks and runs for safety!

Above:  The British Grenadiers continue their march past Hoaglandt’s Farm.  The column seems to stretch for miles!

Above:  As they approach the battle, they grenadiers can see some desultory skirmishing on the Morningside Heights, but the main action is happening beyond the hills in front of them.

Above:  Earl Cornwallis and the 33rd Foot finally reach the Vandewaters House and continue their march around the Morningside Heights.

Above:  On their left, the seemingly never-ending firefight between Knowlton’s Rangers and the 2nd Light Infantry continues.

Above:  Rezen’s ‘Flying Camp’ have finally reached the Rocky Point Redoubt and form a line along the wooded ridge.

Above:  Greene manages to rally the remaining units of Nixon’s broken Continental brigade, but he now receives new orders to retreat to prepared fortifications.  Washington has conceded defeat.

Above:  With their front now largely clear of the enemy, the 1st Battalion of the 42nd Highlanders advance from the buckwheat field, screened by the Hessian Jäger.

Above:  Stirling watches as his ‘Devils in Skirts’ advance.

Above:  Not to be outdone, the 2nd Battalion of the 42nd dress their ranks and prepare to join the advance once the gunners cease fire.

Above:  As the Continental Artillery frantically limber their 6-pounders, Weedon’s Regiment waits nervously for the gunners to complete their work.  Reed’s attempted flank-attack has been called off and his brigade will now form the rearguard for the entire army.

And that was where we had to leave the Battle of Harlem Heights.  Howe had turned the tables on the ambush and had inflicted yet another humiliating defeat on Washington’s army, largely due to their own hubris and the undoubted effect of large numbers of British skirmishers; almost like Concorde and Lexington in reverse!

All in all, another great game and my thanks to Jase, Kirk, Dave and Andy for a great day.  Particular thanks to Kirk for providing troops, scenery and his excellent rules-knowledge and to Jase for leaving his troops in my care all those years ago! 🙂

I must confess that I am well behind on my blogging, so there are still lots of freshly-painted 15mm Napoleonic units to profile, as well as some new 28mm AWI Highlanders and artillery (as seen above) and the continuing delve into Core Space.  We also recently played a small Seven Years War game, focusing on the battle for the Dürren-Berg (below) during the larger Battle of Strehla, so more of that soon.