Pvt. Gene Nix vs. Pvt. Al Amos, 1st US Dragoons (1812 Regulars) 

Same-side maneuver, ADF On

Started: 12 May 2001, Completed: 27 May 2001; encryption: none

51 pts "Draw", turn 20 of 20, 1605 game time, 17 Sep 1814

Summary:

1430 (turn 1): While no objective hexes are designated, the onus of attack in on the American; the map is expansive, but the battle appears to be confined to the NE corner.

American Turn 4

British Turn 4

1450 (turn 5): The battle is getting out of hand, with three separate forces unable to effectively cooperate, and each enduring difficulties. the 9th and 19th US Infantry regiments comprise the center in the woods near the British siege lines, and are under attack by de Watteville's regiment and the 82nd Foot on their front, with the 89th Foot descending upon their right and rear. The left wing, comprised of parts of 2nd and 3rd brigades, have collided with 1st Foot Grenadiers near the edge of the woods in closing with the center, and stand to be severely attacked next turn. The right, advancing along the clearings by the Lake Erie shore, have managed to over-run a gun, and to push back the British line there. Score: 14

1500 (turn 7): Start: My opponent is making heavy use of marching columns to head-butt his way through my thinning lines as the battle further deteriorates from the original plan. The left wing continues to form into line of battle, and appears to represent the best hope of the day. The center seems to be falling apart. The right wing attack on the entrenched line seems stalled. I doubt we will be assaulting the siege lines today, as the British appear to be on the attack in two of the three fronts. Finish: Some progress on the right, having finally breached a hole in the line which may unhinge the position if enough of my people stay in line. Score: 24; strength: 1906, 53%

1505 (turn 8): Some little progress in the score, indicating I'm inflicting casualties at a slightly greater rate than Mr. Amos, despite continuing to lose ground on the left and center. This is no doubt the drawback of persistent column tactics. And on the left, his attacks have the effect of driving my people back on their reinforcements. The center is in grave danger of disappearing altogether, and is already in an advanced state of deterioration. Better times on the right, as the American line is actually driving the British back, and may distract him from developments elsewhere. Score: 33; 1832, 26%

1525 (turn 15): "Old fashioned cudgel work," to turn a phrase. The British continue to melee their way through the center, which is mostly routed and very near total disastrous collapse and possibly the loss of dozens of routed units when the last defenders finally give way. The left is in battered shape, and barely holding its own, and is also in danger of sudden collapse. Only the right retains some semblance of control, and gives better than it takes; they are holding their ground rather than drive the British on the shore closer to their supports, and thereby exposing the local left flank to the British in the woods. Even so, the score remains close, even slightly in the Americans' favor. Score: 39; 1548, 41%. Leavenworth continues to retain unit integrity in the center, and has stood off disaster for some time. On the left, the British are falling back, but not under any particular duress. As I suspect they are trying to slip away to attack the center, I continue to press them, although gaining nothing in casualties. On the right, it is necessary to pull 21st Regiment out of the line to tend to the weakened center, especially as his corresponding left has collapsed, and is held by a scratch force. Score: 40; 1460, 43%

1555 (turn 18): Major Leavenworth was killed in action in the center; otherwise the battle seems to be balanced with neither side gaining any significant advantage. The three separate actions have actually coalesced into something of a continuous if ragged line, perpendicular to the shore and extending from the water's edge to forest's edge at the British siege lines, well north of Fort Erie. Score: 41; 1380, 35%

1605 (turn 20): The American line continues to thicken and consolidate, as the British begin to melt away. With 20 more turns I might turn this to account, but must settle for possession of the disputed ground, and a better casualty figure. Score: 52, 1297 men, 47% order. The British pressed the line in several places on the last turn of the battle. Score: 51

Casualties: 

British: 1037 Inf, 0 Cav, 1 Art, 0 Ldrs; Strength: 1192; Order: 53%

American: 921 Inf, 0 Cav, 0 Art, 2 Ldrs; Strength: 1285; Order: 47%

Observations and comments:

1. The British attacked early, often, and aggressively wherever they could make contact. To maximize speed and minimize disrupting, British units in the woods attacked in marching column, using melee attacks to make their point. A drawback to this approach is that a very large portion of their force is fixed in the siege lines, so that they ultimately fight at a numerical disadvantage. Drawing the Americans farther north and east would involve more British units in the fight, and release many more of the fixed companies.

2. Defensive fire is brutal; one unit fired 7 (!) times.

3. Considering the large number of "D" and "E" units, the American forces acquitted themselves rather well. (A German observation from World War Two was that US forces routed relatively easily, but had the disconcerting habit of reforming quickly.)

4. Due to the "soft ZOC" feature, there were very few of the total unit eliminations that are typical of the BG ACW games. This feature kept the center intact despite repeated American defeats in melee.

5. The geography is odd, in that the battle is confined to the NE corner of the very large map, and in that no objective hex or scoring bias exists to inform the Americans that they are the attacking force (the score begins as a tie).

British reply to above:

I figured that you would not advance up to the main lines, no objectives to take and therefore would not release my fixed units. I also did not figure the third brigade of troops being there, hehehe ... Where are my Indian scouts when I need them.

Firing in woods is so laborious I was hoping to 'push' through your center with the bayonet, and nearly did so! Three different turns you won melees where the odds were against you. Had you lost any of these the fate of 70-100 men would have been sealed.