First turn (8 PM).
Hamilton: Order - Move
to the abatis.
Argument: The night is cloudy
and the British do not see the advance.
Umpire: argument is rated weak since the garrison is aware
that infantry attacks usually follow the lifting of artillery barrages. This
argument clashes with both British arguments.
Die roll 2, argument fails.
Smithersby Redoubt 10: Order- Fire
Argument: in spite of their
efforts, hundreds of Continentals are heard and seen approaching our abatis.
Umpire: Argument is rated very strong, since the lifting of
the artillery bombardment is a pretty clear sign that the infantry attack is
next. The garrison would be on a heightened alert. There normally does not need
to be an argument to fire, but Smithersby is leaving nothing to chance. In this
case the Americans have argued that they can approach without being fired on,
the arguments will clash. Hamilton’s argument also clashes that by Smythe of
Redoubt 9.
Die roll 3, argument
succeeds. British fire without modifiers,
Deux-Ponts: My move is to advance to the abatis.
My argument is that my
defence against attack will be increased because sunset was at 5:36pm on that
day.
Umpire: Argument is rated average, No modifier to die roll is
specified, default is 1.
Die roll 6, argument
succeeds, British fire at -1 this turn.
Smythe Redoubt 9: Order - My troops fire at the advancing Deux-Ponts
regiment.
Argument: They do so with
increased accuracy (+2) because:
1- their blue uniforms make
them an easier target
2- my troops’ morale is good
because of the safety provided by the redoubt
3- It is a clear, moonlit night
Umpire: This is rated average, downrated to weak because of
the +2 modifier. A +2 or -2 modifier on a six-sided die roll is quite powerful.
This argument is directly opposed by Hamilton’s argument. I nearly rated it up
because it is in formal matrix format, even if the first point is dubious.
Die roll 3, argument fails.
Hamilton’s battalion advances
to the abatis. The British in Redoubt 10 fire (scoring a 3) and the Continental
Light Infantry lose a morale point as bullets fly by.
Deux-Ponts advance to the
abatis. The British fire (score 1, modified to zero) but aim high.
Both attacking battalions have
advanced to the abatis, Hamilton’s have lost some of their elan.
Second turn (8:02 PM).
Hamilton: Order-sappeurs attack the abates. I assume that it
cannot be moved through without being first destroyed, Rest of battalion fire
at the English. (Note from rules: Each has an abatis, a sharpened wood tangle
that must have a gap cut through with axes before it can be passed).
Argument: the smoke from the
battalion firing plus it being nighttime makes the English firing less than
normally accurate, minus 1 on the die roll.
Umpire: argument rated average, it is opposed by the British
redoubt 10 argument.
Die roll 4, tie, roll again 6,
tie, roll again 4, tie, roll again 6, argument succeeds
Redoubt 10: Order- Fire
Argument: with increased
accuracy +1 because
1- Continentals are closer
2- They are bunched up and some exposing themselves trying to
climb over and thru
3- Some are crouched down trying to get under, so shots high
and low have increased chance of a hit also.
Umpire: Argument rated average, it is opposed by Hamilton’s
argument.
Die roll 5, a tie, roll again
6, tie, roll again 5, tie roll again 3, argument fails
Redoubt 9: Move = Fire at
the Deux-Ponts regiment
Argument = my troops receive
a +1 modifier when doing so because:
1- the blue uniforms of the
Deux-Pont regiment make them an easier target
2- my troops’ morale is good
because of the safety provided by the redoubt
3- the Deux-Ponts regiment is
now in closer range than they were last turn
Umpire: Argument is rated strong.
Die roll 6, argument
succeeds.
Deux-Ponts: Order - While my sappers cut through the abatis, the
rest of my troops fire at the british to drive them off the parapet. (Rules
note: The redoubts are proof against musket fire)
Argument - Using the abatis
for cover both protects the troops and allows them to steady their weapons for
more careful shots.
Umpire: Argument rated weak, as a well-designed abatis would
not provide cover from fire. If the argument succeeds, perhaps the abatis was
poorly designed or executed.
Die roll 2, argument fails
Axes hack a gap in the
abatis. Hamilton’s troops are obscured by smoke and the British in Redoubt 10
get -1 to their fire die. Die roll is 5, modified to 4. Hamilton loses another
morale point.
Sappers clear a gap in the
abatis in front of Redoubt 9. At close range, the British fire with +1. Die
roll 5 modified to 6. A hail of bullets; Deux-Ponts lose a strength point and a
morale point.
Gaps have been cleared in the
abatis before both redoubts.
Turn 3 (8:04 PM)
Redoubt 10: order:
Fire - with + 2 modifier
1- it’s a double salvo. Or
rather 4 salvos of 35 each. That will give a pause to these brave Continentals.
2- my 70 troops have been
divided into two platoons of 35 each. The have practiced this firing tactic.
3-due to desertions we have
extra muskets that have been pre loaded and stacked near each fusilier. Platoon
1 is ordered to Fire, then they bend over and pick up another Musket while they are doing that Platoon 2 is
ordered to Fire then the fist ones Fire
again and then the final salvo is given
(It’s only an extra 70 muskets for my troops, And there were certainly
more deserters than that.
4- this gives the impression
that there are more defenders than there are, Which gives some pause to the
attackers.
5-the Fire is also effective
because of the close range.
6- at no time are my troops
absent from the Parapet.
Umpire: argument is rated average, down rated to weak due to
-2 modifier, conflicts with Hamilton.
Not affecting the rating,
there are some issues with the order and arguments. The order should be to fire
and desired modifiers part of the argument. This argument lets the enemy know
how big the garrison is. There is no need for more than three argument points,
therefore points 4, 5 and 6 are ignored. Please follow
the format: simple order, argument and desired result, up to three points.
Die roll 6, tie as both
succeed, reroll 4, fails
Hamilton: Assuming that
I have gapped the abatis, I move to the ditch.
Umpire: I neglected to
explicitly state that it takes sappers one turn to gap abatis unless an
argument slows them down. The abatis has been gapped. Another rules
clarification is needed.
Argument: The British fire
with a -1
The night makes it difficult for the British to see the
Americans
The British are demoralized after being shot at by siege
artillery
The British colonel has had too much port and is unable
to give effective orders
as he is so sad
that his redbout does not have paisley sandbags, just bring tan and brown ones
Umpire: argument is rated average, conflicts with redoubt 10.
Correction: the British CO is just a captain.
Die roll 5, tie as both
succeed, reroll 4, succeeds.
Deux-Ponts: Order - My troops rush the trench.
Argument - Even though we're
in their "kill zone" the British have a harder time than usual
hitting us because:
- Washington chose a moonless
night for this attack
- Redoubt 9 is manned
partially by Hessian (German) mercenaries rather than British soldiers. There's
no dying to protect home and family even for the British troops. But at this
point the mercenaries can really see the writing on the wall about how this war
will end and lack motivation.
- The blue jackets, while
they may make our soldiers easier to spot in broad daylight, in dim light where
color distinction is lost, reflect even less light than the typical light gray,
or the red of the British.
Umpire: Argument is rated average, conflicts with Redoubt. No
modifier specified, default is 1.
Die roll 5, tie as both
succeed, reroll 2, tie as both fail, reroll 4, argument succeeds.
Redoubt 9: Move for turn 3—fire at the Deux-Pont regiment
Argument—my troops shoot with
a +1 modifier because:
1- the enemy is closer than
last turn
2- the enemy’s movement is
limited because of the relatively confined space they’re left in after hacking
through the abatis and facing the ditch ahead
3- my troops still maintain
positive morale because of the safety provided by the redoubt and the ditch
Umpire: Argument is rated strong, conflicts with French
argument.
Die roll 4, tie as both
succeed, reroll 2, tie as both fail, reroll 2, argument fails.
Hamilton’s battalion rushes
into the ditch, which is placed behind the abatis in an unusual departure from
military practice. The complex British firing routine breaks down under the
stress of combat and they fire with a -1 modifier. The die roll is 5, modified
down to 4, Hamilton’s battalion loses a morale point.
The Deux-Ponts descend into
the ditch. British fire modified -1 due to the moonless night, etc. The die
roll is 1, modified to zero. The shots pass harmlessly overhead.
At the end of turn 3, both
battalions are in the ditch, ready to move into close combat. The defenders may
fire at troops who are charging them. Once units start the turn in close
combat, firing is no longer possible.
Turn 4 (8:06 PM)
Hamilton: order - My troops charge the redoubt
Argument: The morale of the
battalion recovers one point
A British deserter has
informed Hamilton that there are only 70 men in the redoubt and he has informed
his men who are encouraged to hear how few lobster backs face them
The men in the battalion know
that they face only one more volley before they close with the enemy
Hamilton is leading from the
front and shouting for his men to follow
Umpire: Argument is rated average.
Die roll 2, argument fails
Redoubt 10: Order: Fire
Proposal: +1 to fire
Argument: 1 - close proximity
of enemy
Umpire: argument is rated strong. As before, please follow the
format: simple order, argument and desired result, up to three points.
Die roll 1, argument fails
Deux-Ponts: Orders: It's finally time! We're through the worst of
it. Now is our moment of glory. Charge the parapet!
Argument: The British have -1
because...
- the British know there is
no resupply and the enemy is at the door now
- the attacking soldiers call
out in their native German, causing confusion and further doubt among the
Hessian/German mercenaries hired by the British
- the British are still
disoriented by the heavy shelling they endured up until only a few minutes ago
Umpire: argument
is rated average, directly opposes Redoubt 9 argument. I assume the modifier is
to British fire rather than the melee that follows.
Die roll 6, tie as both
succeed, reroll 2, tie as both fail, reroll 2, tie as both fail, reroll 2, argument
fails
Redoubt 9: Move: toss
torches (see below) and fire at deux ponts regiment
Argument: +1 modifier to
firing because
1-they’re even closer than
last turn
2-they’re in a ditch, which
impedes their mobility, thereby making them an easier target
3-immediately prior to my
unit shooting, one soldier from my unit tosses two lit torches into the ditch
to illuminate the deux ponts regiment, thereby making them an easier target
Umpire: argument rated strong, directly opposes Deux-Ponts argument.
Die roll 3, tie as both
succeed, reroll 2, tie as both fail, reroll 1, tie as both fail, reroll 3,
argument succeeds
Hamilton tells his troops the
enemy is only 70 strong and leads the attack into the parapet. His voice is drowned out bymusket fire but the troops follow him. The British get no positive
modifier. Their musket fire die is 3, another morale hit against Hamilton’s
Light Infantry. Hamilton’s die roll for melee score is 4, the Redoubt’s die
roll for melee score is 3. Odds are 2 – 1, modified to 1 – 1. Final die roll is
3. Each side loses a strength point (~10 troops) and the bayonet fight rages on
at the parapet.
The Deux-Ponts charge up to the
parapet through a hail of bullets. The British fire die is 5. The Deux-Ponts
lose a morale point and a strength point. Deux-Ponts melee score die is 4, the Redoubt
is 5. Odds are 2 – 1, modified down to 1 – 1 because the British are behind the
parapet. Final die roll is 2. The British force the Deux-Ponts to recoil back
into the ditch, leaving a number of dead and wounded behind (1 strength point).
At the start of Turn 5 (8:08
PM) The Continental Light Infantry are at the parapet in a furious close combat
with the British garrison. No musket fire or movement is possible.
The French are in the ditch
and can charge again. The British in Redoubt 9 may fire again.
Note to players: you may
argue to modify your melee score, but not the final die roll once odds have been
determined. That’s up to the dice gods. Perhaps sacrificing a small animal
might help…
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