Eutaw Springs II via Loose Files AAR

 

My last solo run of this battle got the following comment from Jeffers,

“The Firing rules confuse a lot of people. It is meant to represent long range fire only, basically long-range pot shots. Close Combat is not melee or hand to hand: it includes close range firing. It’s better to get stuck in sometimes as good quality troops will easily shake off this nonsense; close combat has a good chance of causing damage, even if you lose.”

 

It being well over a decade since we last used Loose Files, I decided to try the battle again with this in mind. I also put Pickens and Marion in as unit leaders (a scenario rule), and based on Novack’s OB gave the Americans a section of light artillery. A deployment map was discovered that showed Lee’s Legion foot deployed next to Marion’s militia, so that was done too. A number of events interfered with the game as will be seen below. But Jeffers’ comments were worthy of note.

 

Deployment and opening moves follow. 

Previously I thought Loose Files needed a few house rules. Now I think it needs clarity. Who is in combat, especially when units are different sizes in a game of linear formations? And when more than one per side is involved, what are the losses? In the case below, Marion and Lee’s Legion Foot attacked the 64^th and supporting artillery. Marion’s left was within 4” (combat range) of the Loyalists. So, I included that whole unit, which skewed the odds heavily against Marion and Lee. The result was an easy victory for the Crown, get 1 DP. I gave both infantry units and the artillery section 1 DP each. The defeated loser gets 2 DPs and loses 2 casualties. Applied to both losing units, that was 4 DPs and 4 casualties. I wonder if the winners should get 1 DP only and the losers 2 DPS and casualties only. Hmm.

Pickens was hit but his boys proved that they had what it takes. 

Another lesson: don’t let enemy artillery approach to within canister range. The Loyalists are about to get hosed. 

 

Stuart rallied off some DPs from the Loyalists but the artillery put them right back. The Loyalists were losing troops to the canister fire and had 5 DPs, the maximum. They went about and headed back into the camp looking for a respite.

At the end of the 6^th turn Pickens’ boys finally threw in the towel. Both they and the 3rd Foot were a wreck, with 5 DPs and numerous casualties. If Washington’s Dragoons had been in support instead of wandering around changing formation and such… Williams’ Maryland Continentals were trading long range fire with Marjoribanks’ elite companies and both handing out DPs to each other. Malmedy’s NC Militia attacked the Loyalists from the rear and were held. But later on, I realized that the Loyalists also had two casualties that should have been part of the combat calculation. Instead of a stand-off, it should have been a success or even an easy victory for the militia. An easy victory would have seen the militia 

pursue into the camp and very likely start looting.

 

I had stopped the game after turn 5 to prepare dinner, a grilled ribeye, roasted veggies, Bordeaux and my wife’s company. During turn 6, a dear friend called, upset over the state of the nation. It took a while to calm him. Can’t blame him.

 

That’s my excuse for making the combat error. Looking at it today, I didn’t have the will to figure out what to do about the error to continue and decided to write this up instead. The British center is like Swiss cheese at this point. If Campbell’s Virginia Continentals can double-time without getting too disordered, they could smash the center wide open. Again, if Washington’s Dragoons hadn’t been fiddling around. Would-a, could-a, should-a…

 

I played 6 turns in about 90 minutes or so, not counting the breaks for dinner and phone call. Crown losses so far were 5 stands of regulars, 3 of Loyalists, about 144 troops. Continental losses were 4 regulars, 8 militia and 2 cavalry, about 240. I really have to have a game of this whenever we get back to face to face gaming.

 

Again, I now feel the game needs fewer house rules and more house interpretations of the rules as written. Who is engaged in combat? And how are the penalties shared among multi-unit combats? I’ve already dispensed with orders, since they were mentioned one time and never defined. And threw out the cavalry changing speeds. The infantry doesn’t have to plan a turn in advance to attack, why should the cavalry? As it is, whenever I move cavalry, they roll a 2 and pick up disorder. Nothing in the rules, the dice gods just know.