By tradition, the December game night closest to Christmas is dedicated to a variation of the fictional "Battle of Reading town". This year's premise is that in retaliation for the American's victory at the "Battle of Trenton" (December 26, 1776). A force of Hessians, under British command, embark on an assault on Reading (PA) town in an effort to free Hessian prisoners being held captive in an area of the town known as "Hessian Camp". We experimented with an Order of Battle using "Horde of the Things" as the rules set, instead of the usual DBA rules.
British and Hessian troops (top) advance on the Continental defenders in Reading (PA) town (bottom).
British/Hessian forces (top) deploy for battle.
The dreaded Von Rall Grenadiers (bottom, right) prepare their attack on Continental Militia (Reading Militia). While British loyalists take casulties from the American artillery in the center.
Mirbach's Musketeers join Von Rall in their assault on the Hessian Left. Cannon exchange fire in the center.
British Lights, Line and Dragoons battle back and forth with Continental Line and Dragoons on the British/Hessian Right Flank. While Mirbach's Musketeers and Von Ralls Grenadiers battle on the German Left Flank.
The Grenadiers and Musketeers clear their Left Flank in hand to hand combat. Their right flank continues to engage in a back and forth battle with the "plucky" Colonials. However, the British cannon begin to take their toll in the center, supported by Prince Frederick's troops.
After a series of engagements, with their Right Flank turned and with their Commanding Officers forced off the board as the British artillery continued to out dice the Continentals. The final tally was made. The British/Hessians lost one stand of British line troops (on their Right Flank) but the Loyalist who were chased by the early cannon fire had reorganized and returned to fight. The Americans had lost a line troop, a stand of lights, and 2 militia and their General was off board. The Hessians had the advantage in Movement rolls all evening which allowed them to bring Grenadiers to a militia fight (or "bring a gun to a fist fight"). I wonder what the Reading militia would have thought when they first saw those pretty conical caps and waxed moustaches approaching ?
All that's left to say is "Frohe Weihnachten" (Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year) to all my gaming friends, old and new, and their families.
