Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Hamilton at Yorktown Matrix PBEM, Turns 5, 6, 7(!) and 8

The fight rages on, two minutes at a time. Hamilton's Light Infantry fight hand-to-hand at the parapet of Redoubt 10. The French Deux-Ponts have recoiled from British bayonets at Redoubt 9 and are in the ditch. Spelling, etc. of orders and arguments is as submitted by players.


Turn 5 (8:08 PM)

Hamilton: Order: Continue hand to hand combat
Argument: +1 for Continental morale
1. The Americans see how much they outnumber the Brits
2. The Americans are standing on the parapet over the Brits and have the advantage of height
3. Hamilton is quite inspired in leading his me, seeing glory dance in front of his eyes.
Umpire: argument is rated average.
Die roll 3, argument fails

Redoubt 10:  Orders : Drive them off!
 Arguments 1- Hamilton’s orders to block the rear of the Redout were not followed.
                    2- Cornwallis hearing gun volleys sends reinforcements to Redout 10.
Results : Morale goes up on Parapet.
Umpire: argument rated very weak. Scenario states that the Redoubts cannot be flanked, hence the rear cannot be blocked. The short time this fight lasts makes it unlikely that a messenger from Cornwallis could reach reinforcements before it is over, much less allow time for such troops to make their way in the dark to the fight. This is the 18th century, things move slowly.
Die roll 1, argument fails (if it’s any consolation, a very strong argument would have failed)
Since this argument failed, any further arguments for reinforcements will be rated impossible.

Deux-Ponts: Bah, a minor setback. Charge the parapet again!
We'll have +2 to morale because:
- Christian Graf von Forbach himself is leading the charge, with a rousing monologue cribbed from Shakespeare's "Henry V."
- The success of Hamilton's attack encourages our attack. If these amateur yankees can do it, certainly a bunch of professional soldiers will have no problem.
- Our leader is clearly a genius as evidenced by his idea for us to climb quickly out of the ditch into the redoubt by standing on each others shoulders.
Umpire: Argument rated average, downgraded to weak because of large increase to morale. Argument also rated highly amusing. Umpire tips his hat.
Die roll 4, argument fails

Redoubt 9:   Move: fire at the Deux-Ponts regiment
Argument: +1 modifier to our attack
1-The enemies are still in relatively close range and their movement is restricted by the ditch.
2– my troops’ morale remains high, not only because of the protection provided by the redoubt, but also because we successfully repelled their advanced last turn.
3– visibility of the target remains good because the target is still illuminated by the torches that we threw last turn.
Umpire: argument rated strong.
Die roll 6, argument succeeds, assuming argument is for fire modifier.

Final resolution, Turn 5.

Hamilton and his Light Infantry continue fighting at the parapet. Rumors of British reinforcements evaporate in the night. The Light Infantry melee die roll is 6, the British garrison is 2. Final Melee odds are 3 – 1, modified to 2 – 1 because the British are defending the parapet. Final melee die roll is 2. Each side loses a strength point and the fight continues at the parapet.

Led by their Colonel, the Deux-Ponts charge back up to the parapet through withering musket fire. British musket die roll is 5, modified to 6. The Deux-Ponts lose a strength point and a morale point. French melee die roll is 6, British garrison is 5. Final melee odds are 1 – 1, modified down to 1 – 2 because the British are defending the parapet. Final melee die roll is 5. Each side loses a strength point and the fight rages at the parapet.


Both Redoubts are now embroiled in a desperate hand-to-hand struggle at the parapets. No movement is possible as all are locked into the fight. Arguments for turn 6 (8:10 PM) are due. 

Note: an error by the umpire gave a copy of Hamilton's status report to the British commander of Redoubt 10. That player had recently gave away his unit strength in an argument. I suspect the main import of this latest gaffe will be to show just how badly outnumbered the British are. My apologies to Hamilton. I will strive to avoid repeats of this in the future.


Turn 6 (8:10 PM)

Hamilton: Order: continue hand to hand combat
Argument: the Brits lose the modifier for being behind cover
1.         Hamilton outnumbers the Brits by almost 3-1 and the Americans have spread along the redoubt walls in a single rank thereby extending past where the Brits are stationed and allowing many (but not all Americans) to get to the top of the parapet
2.         Even if the Brits are spread out over the entire parapet and the Americans cannot extend past the Brits, this leave gaps in their ranks and the fighting has been going on for four minutes, which has given many of the Americans the opportunity to get to the top of the parapet.
3.         After four minutes and taking two sets of losses, some of the Brits are becoming terrified that they are outnumbered and are backing away from the parapet in preparation for fleeing or surrendering.
Umpire: argument rated very weak as this is an attempt to bypass the basic melee rules. Win or lose,
Die roll 2, argument fails. This is the last argument that will be allowed to challenge the defensive bonus for the parapet. The proper way to nullify the bonus is to force the garrison back in melee.

Redoubt 10: Orders: Push them back!
Argument: Morale is holding!
Umpire: intriguing, another preventive argument just in case the enemy argues that morale is fading. Argument is rated very strong. But if it fails, morale will drop.
Die roll 6, argument succeeds. Morale remains steady.

Redoubt 9: Move: Charge the Deux-Ponts regiment and engage in hand to hand combat.
Argument: +1 to combat
1. My troops have an uphill advantage.
2. As the fighting moves down the slope, the Deux-Ponts regiment is forced down into the ditch, limiting their mobility.
3. The Deux-Ponts regiment is still reeling from the devastating volley unleashed upon them last turn and thus is putting up less of a fight than they might otherwise have.
Umpire:  the move is impossible as both sides are locked in hand-to-hand fighting. It was stated previously that no move is possible. Since the argument is based on a charge, it is rated impossible.

Deux-Ponts: Orders: Push! Push! Push! Take the parapet down! (+1 to morale)
Arguments:
- We use the torches the british threw at us to light their wall on fire pushing them back from the wall, and creating smoke to cover our advance.
- Our bayonet attacks have been known to terrify Hessians into soiling their lederhosen and surrendering.
- Smelling the blood in the air has inspired the pride and glory of Forbach and he shines as an inspiring image at the front of the attack
Umpire: The earthworks are not flammable. Unlike the reconstructions in the national park, they're not covered with grass because they have only recently been built. Since the argument is based on this fire, it is rated impossible.

Hamilton’s battalion is locked in combat at the parapet. Hamilton’s melee roll is 6, British garrison melee roll is 2. Final odds are 3 – 1, modified to 2 – 1 due to the parapet. Final melee roll is 2, each side loses a strength point and the fight goes on at the parapet.

The Deux-Ponts remain in hand-to-hand combat at the parapet. Deux-Ponts melee roll is 2, garrison melee roll is 5. Final odds 1 – 1, down to 1 – 2 because of the parapet bonus. Final melee roll is 1. The Deux-Ponts lose a strength point, recoil back into the ditch and lose a morale point. The dice gods are cruel to the French.

Hamilton and the Redoubt 10 garrison continue to be locked in combat with no possible move other than continuing. The French have recoiled into the ditch and may charge again. The garrison of Redoubt 9 may charge. If they do, there will be a dice-off to determine if they charge before the French. Only one side may attack. Charging out of the redoubt will lose the parapet bonus.

Turn 7 (8:12)

Hamilton: Order: retreat
Hamilton’s men realize that there is no way to influence the results of this melee and decide to retreat. They see no need to take the Redoubt. It will fall in due course from British supplies being cut off by the French navy. Why die for Hamilton’s glory? Who cares?
Argument: The British do not fire
            1.         The British are so surprised that they gape in amazement.
            2.         Their muskets are not loaded as they have been engaged in hand to hand combat.
            3.         The Americans retreat rapidly and the British captain orders his men to hold fire in order to save ammunition in the event that there is another assault.
Umpire: there is no need for this argument. Units may not fire if they are in contact at the start of a turn, as both sides were this turn. No die roll is needed.

Redoubt 10: Orders: Push them Back! Kill the Rebels !
Argument:  Rebel Morale is weakening in the face of stiff resistance
                    From hardened professionals.
Umpire: argument is rated average.
Die roll 3. Argument fails, no further morale loss for Light Infantry.

Deux-Ponts: Once more into the breach! Charge again!
The British have -1 on their roll as:
- They've been stewing in this malaria infested place and about half of them are unable to fight. (The Americans have lived here long enough that they are unaffected or the sick are not at this battle. And the French/Alsatian troops may become stick later, but their recent arrival and the 30 day incubation period means they are unaffected in this battle.)
- Even after these losses the British at Redoubt 9 are still outnumbered more than 2:1.
- The lack of rest from being shelled all day is manifesting as early fatigue, whereas the French troops were able to prepare by resting before the attack.
Umpire: Argument is rated average. What on earth could inspire this disease-centric argument? The modifier is assumed to be for the British fire die roll.
Die roll is 3, argument fails.

Redoubt 9:  Move: continue hand to hand combat with the Deux-Ponts regiment
Umpire: I assume the garrison will fire as the French charge again.
Argument: +1 combat modifier for my troops
1. My troops are armed with superiorly crafted bayonets and muskets.
2. My troops are battle-hardened, professional soldiers.
3. The Deux-Ponts regiment is still feeling the after-effects of the thrashing we gave them last turn.
Umpire: argument is rated average. I assume the modifier is for the melee.
Die roll 3, argument fails.

Hamilton’s Light Infantry break contact and fall back rapidly, leaving dead and badly wounded around Redoubt 10. The 40 remaining able British troops gape in astonishment until the captain orders them to reload, since the Yanks may be back at any moment. Then they carry off their dead and start tending to their wounded.  In January 2015 Lin-Manuel Miranda’s innovative rap musical “Aaron Burr” opens on Broadway.

The Deux-Ponts charge Redoubt 9 yet again. The garrison fires (die roll 2) a hasty volley and causes no serious damage. The French roll 3 for their melee die, the garrison rolls 3. The odds are 2 – 1, modified to 1 – 1 by parapet. Final die roll is 5.
The French pour over the parapet as the garrison recoils into the Redoubt interior. Each side loses a strength point. Either side may charge next turn. If both do, dice will determine who charges first. If either side does not charge, they may fire.

Hamilton and Redoubt 10 are no longer in the game. Bill (Redoubt 10) is on track to be the British winner, while the French will be the Allied winner if they carry their Redoubt, which looks likely.


Turn 8 (8:14)


Redoubt 9: Move: Charge the Deux-Ponts regiment
Argument: +1 combat modifier for my troops
1. My troops are armed with superiorly crafted bayonets and muskets.
2. My troops are battle-hardened, professional soldiers.
3. My troops pass around some of the “medicinal” brandy before charging to steel themselves for the bloodshed to come.
Umpire: argument is rated average.
Die roll is 5, argument succeeds.

Deux-Ponts: ORDERS: Press the attack! Let's finish this! Charge!
ARGUMENT: The British have -1 to morale.
SUPPORT:
- They're woefully outnumbered.
- They've lost the high ground and the enemy is pouring through their fortifications.
- "This ain't even our home turf! Why do we wanna die over a bunch of pig farms and filthy swamp land filled with dangerous besties and foetid disease?"
Umpire: argument is rated strong.
Die roll is 3, argument succeeds.

British morale sinks 1 point as the French have taken the parapet. But they fight with the courage of despair. Both sides try to charge. British die roll is 5, French die roll is 6. The French get moving forward before the British do. Perhaps that pause for brandy slowed the redcoats down. The French charge into the interior of the redoubt. There’s an engineer’s term for it that I forget.
British melee die roll is 5, modified to 6. French melee die roll is 3. 
Odds are 1 – 1.  Final melee die roll is 2. The French lose one strength point and recoil back to the parapet.

The situation is basically back to where it was at the start of Turn 8, save for the loss of some French troops and British morale.

Orders for Turn 9 (8:16) are due.

2 comments:

Phil said...

Intense turn, especially on the redoubts! Stay safe...

vtsaogames said...

And good health to you, Phil.