The Battle of Bunker's Hill · Web viewThe Battle of Bunker's Hill. A Black Powder scenario, experimentally fought as a board game. Having fought with the Black Powder rules once

The Battle of Bunker's HillA Black Powder scenario, experimentally fought as a board game.Having fought with the Black Powder rules once in a multi-player representation of Blenheim at the Wargames Holiday Centre, I thought I would try adapting the rules to a hexagon grid system.Having obtained the "Rebellion" supplement to the rules on the same weekend, I planned to play the scenarios in sequence, starting with Bunker's Hill.

For a tabletop I used the Battle Cry (ACW game) board, as being representative of American terrain.The board is 13 hexagons by 9 hexagons, measuring 72cm x 45cm.The scenario expects a table of 8 feet x 4 feet (96x48 inches, or about 240x120 cm).I make no apology for mixing imperial and metric measurements because all will be converted to hexagons.The simplest ratio is one hexagon to six inches, making rule conversion fairly simple.All rule adaptations to hexagon play are indicated in the following battle report in italic type.

I made my own counters using 19mm square plastic tokens and reduced scale top-down troops from www.juniorgeneral.org.I prepared sufficient counters so that a standard unit would be four counters, a large unit five, a small unit three and a tiny unit two. The armies are depicted below.

One hexagon will hold three counters across flat-to-flat. If a standard unit in line is expected to cover a frontage of about six inches, then it made more sense to reduce all the unit sizes by one. This would also equate in general to the normal stamina levels, making it easier to play.

Turn 1General Pigot ordered his brigade to advance on the left flank. Rolling a four, the brigade advanced three moves. The six-inch spacing for a brigade move translates to a need for units to occupy adjacent hexagons.The brigade advanced in line with the 38th, 43rd and combined grenadier companies in the front line and the 47th and 1st Marine battalions in the second line.Pigot followed behind the second line.The triple move brought them to the edge of the hill.

General Howe issued a similar order and was lucky enough to roll two.His brigade advanced with the combined grenadiers on the right, combined light companies on the left and the 52nd Foot between them.In the second line (left to right) were the 5th Foot, the Howitzer battery and the 12 pounder battery, both still limbered.

I ruled that, although not depicted by counters at this stage in testing, a battery would occupy an entire hexagon with all their impedimenta.

General Prescott rolled for reinforcements. None arrived.

The 4 pounderr battery opened fire at the British grenadiers. The arc of fire using hexagons is 60°. Infantry in line and deployed artillery must face the point of the hexagon. Troops in column and limbered artillery face the edge of the hexagon.Using first fire they scored one hit, which the Grenadiers shrugged off.

The Connecticut regiment, with only half the unit able to bring fire on the grenadiers, held their fire.The 1st Massachusetts shot at the combined light companies. They scored three hits and using the scenario "Sharpshooter" rule, re-rolled the fourth which missed again. No casualties were caused.

Turn 2Pigot ordered his brigade to wheel to the right, pivoting on the right wing and advance. On the left flank the 38th halted at the foot of the hill.(The standard move is two hexagons, halved on the hills. Having used one hexagon move to reach the hill, they had to stop.)

Howe ordered his infantry to advance, obliquely to the left as they climbed the hill. Facing the points of hexagons, troops in line must move slightly left or right as they advance.Three moves were allowed but after one move the brigade contacted the enemy breastworks.

Shooting, from left to right:43rd Foot shooting at 1st Massachusetts at 2 hexagons, behind earthworks. Two hits were scored but

no casualties.The combined flank companies also shot at the 1st Massachusetts, but the target was partially

masked by Howe's first line. No hits.Howe's Light companies fired at close range at the same target. Three hits, no casualties, but the unit

was disordered.The 52nd were able to shoot at the flank of the Connecticut regiment. Three hits, 1 casualty, marked

with a small counter.Note: For the future I will probably create some counter labels depicting disorganised units with casualties for the reverse side of the standard counters. In the meantime I used a selection of LEGO brick caps as various indicators during this game.

The Grenadiers now fired at the front of the Connecticut regiment. Two hits, two casualties and disordered.The artillery opened fire on the New Hampshire Regiment lining the fence on the Rebel left flank. The Howitzers scored two hits causing one casualty and the 12 pounders one hit and disorder.

BRIGHT RED MARKERS INDICATE CASUALTIES. DARK RED INDICATE DISORDER

Prescott rolled for re-inforcements. One company arrived.Shooting, left to right.4 pounder battery shooting at the grenadier companies at normal range, but partially obscured. They missed.Connecticut Regiment (disorganised) shooting at the grenadiers. Only half the regiment could bring their muskets to bear. 1 hit scored and 1 casualty.1st Massachusetts (disorganised) shooting at the light companies at close range. two hits and one casualty.Half the 2nd Massechusetts fired at the 43rd Battalion. 1 hit, no casualties, but disordered.

FOR NO APPARENT REASON I HAVE ADDED WHITE MARKERS FOR TROOPS WHO HAVE FIRED.

Turn 3Pigot failed to order his front line to charge, but was able to get the 38th Foot to rejoin the left of the line.

Howe, who had neglected to move forward to join his brigade, ordered the front line to charge. The order was received and the three battalions moved to contact.Rule: Charging units will move as far as possible into the hexagon occupied by the defender.

Shooting.38th Foot against 2nd Massachusetts. 2 hits, disorder but no casualties.43rd Foot (disordered) against 2nd Massachusetts. 1 hit, 1 casualty.Artillery shooting at New Hampshire. Howitzers 1 hit, no casualties. 12 pounders no hits.

American closing fire.1st Massachusetts. Half against Light companies, half against 52nd.Shooting disordered, at close range, as sharpshooters. Light companies take two casualties and are disordered? 52nd take one hit but no casualties.Connecticut, disordered, at close range and as sharpshooters. Grenadiers take one hit and one casualty.

Close combat.Light Companies and 52nd against 1st Massachusetts. 1st Massachusetts suffer four hits and three casualties. The British are not hit at all.Break test. 1st Massachusetts fails the break test and retreats disordered.The British advanced into the redoubt.Grenadiers against Connecticut. Connecticut take three hits and one casualty. The British take three hits and two casualties.Both sides have reached their stamina level and must take a break test. The Connecticut Regiment fails their test and cannot make a full move backward without leaving the board.Grenadiers pass their test but must stand.

I have now added green counters for troops who hav not used the "first fire" option

Prescott called for reinforcements. None arrived.The newly arrived company of 4th Massachusetts were ordered to charge the British Grenadiers. They hastily formed line and made the charge as ordered.2nd Massachusetts were ordered to reform and attack to their left in column against the disordered light companies. They were disordered and unable to comply.1st Massachusetts were ordered to rally and did so.

Shooting.2nd Massachusetts shooting, disordered, at 38th Foot. Three hits, two casualties and disorder.4 pounder battery against the enemy 12 pounders. One hit, one casualty.

Close Combat.British grenadiers closing fire. Two hits, one casualty and disorder.Combat. 4th Massachusetts charging. One hit, no casualties. Grenadiers defending. Three hits, two casualties. The attack was repulsed and the Rebel company destroyed.

Turn 4Pigot ordered the 47th and marines to move to the left in column and reform the line to the left of the front line.The flank companies were ordered forwards. That order failed.

Howe ordered the 52nd to charge to pursue the 1st Massacusetts.He then ordered the light companies to rally.

Shooting, left to right.47th Foot against a detachment of 3rd Massachusetts in Charleston. First fire against an unclear target at close range. Three hits, two casualties and disorder. Break test. Destroyed.Royal Marines against a detachment of 3rd Massachusetts in Charleston. One hit, 1 casualty and disorder. Break test passed.38th against 2nd Massachusetts. 1 hit, 1 casualty and disorder.Light Companies (disordered) against 2nd Massachusetts. One hit, no casualties.Artillery against New Hampshire. Howitzers 1 hit, no casualties. 12 pounders missed.

Close combat.52nd charging. Two hits, two casualties against 1st Massachusetts.1st Massachusetts. Two hits, two casualties against the 52nd.Rebels take a break test and pass with flying colours. The fight will continue.

Prescott called for reinforcements and failed to receive any.He ordered 1st Massachusetts to rally and was successful.

Shooting, left to right.Artillery enfilade fire against the British grenadiers at two hexes.Two hits, 1 casualty. Break test passed. The Grenadiers stand.2nd Massachusetts vs 38th Foot at two hexes, disordered but with sharpshooter rule. Three hits, one casualty and disorder.Detachments of 3rd Massachusetts in Charleston vs Royal Marines. No hits.

Close combat1st Massachusetts vs 52nd.52nd 1 hit, no casualties.Rebels 3 hits, 2 casualties.1st Massachusetts break test and hold.

Turn 5Pigot orders the 47th and Marines to move right in line and if possible charge the rebels. They face and begin to ascend the hill.He then orders the 43rd forwards, obliquely left to charge the enemy position.He rolls a blunder and the 43rd moves to take position behind the flank companies on their right.

Howe orders the 5th forwards. They move into the redoubt to give support to the 52nd. He then orders the Grenadier companies to rally, but fails.

Shooting, left to right.47th against 2nd Massachusetts. Three hits, 1 casualty.Royal Marines against 2nd Massachusetts. 2 hits, no casualties.38th disordered against 2nd Massachusetts. No hits.Light companies enfiladed against 2nd Massachusetts. 3 hits, 2 casualties. Break test. They hold, just.Artillery against New Hampshires. 2 hiits, 2 casualties from Howitzers, 1 hit, 1 casualty from 12 prs. Break test. Lost. Destroyed.Prescott's brigade is broken and the British win.

On the whole, I think the rules are easily adapted to hexagon based games, either as board games or with miniatures.

This game was won mainly due to the British commanders’ ability to roll incredibly low for command. Howe rolled three double-ones in five turns!