Dorchester Heights (1776) – the AWI battle that never was!
Patrick assembled his fine 28mm American War of Independence figures on Friday 6 March at the community centre. Our game was a ‘what if’ scenario based on the planned (but historically cancelled) attack by the British on the Continental positions at Dorchester Heights outside Boston, Massachusetts, in March 1776. We used British Grenadier rules.
Background
Boston in 1775 – Dorchester Heights at bottom right
The American fortification of Dorchester Heights was a decisive action early in the AWI that precipitated the end of the siege of Boston and the withdrawal of British troops from that city. On March 4, 1776, troops from the Continental Army under George Washington’s command occupied Dorchester Heights, a series of low hills with a commanding view of Boston and its harbour and mounted powerful cannons there threatening the city and the Royal Navy ships stationed there. General William Howe, commander of the British forces occupying Boston, planned an attack to dislodge them. However, a snowstorm prevented its execution, so Howe withdrew instead. British forces and Loyalists who had fled to the city during the siege evacuated the city on March 17 and sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Terrain
The table was open apart from one large hill (Dorchester Heights) and a small hill. American fortifications (abattis) were located at the north east (point A – close to the Heights) north west (point B) of the table.
The sea was off table to the rear of the Heights (eastern edge), and to the north of the fortifications. Two marshes were on the southern flank.
The Game
Doug, Paul and I were the Americans. We had 5 second-line infantry battalions and an outsized unit of riflemen consisting of two divisions. The Americans set up with three battalions on the Heights, one each in the fortifications, and the skirmishers in the centre near the back of the table.
Rob, Mark and Alex were the British. Mark and Alex had 5 battalions, and Rob had 3 battalions, a unit of skirmishers, and three 6lb guns. All were initially off table.
Turn one began, with all the American units on hold orders.
The British offshore naval guns fired on abattis A, inflicting 3 hits (3 disruption points).
Alex and Mark landed four infantry battalions, and began to wheel in order to approach the Heights from the flank. The Americans were static, and failed to change orders with a roll of the dice.
On the second turn, the Royal Navy inflicted an additional hit on the American battalion at abattis A.
Rob’s brigade came on, having evaded the American garrison at Dorchester (off table). Unfortunately, this immediately threatened Doug’s riflemen from the rear!
Doug managed to about face, however. But Rob, rolling well for once, rolled 12 on 2d6 for his light infantry in skirmish order, adding 3 hits (disruptions) to Doug’s riflemen.
The Americans again failed to change their orders this turn, so were stuck in position!
On the third turn, Mark and Alex advanced with their brigade of 5 battalions. British naval fire was ineffective.
Rob also advanced against Doug’s units, adding more hits from skirmish fire.
Doug managed to change orders for the American battalion at abattis A, which now turned to face the oncoming British infantry.
One of Doug’s rifle units also repositioned, turning towards Rob’s brigade.
Paul had been unable to advance or retire, and was stuck in position, as were my 3 units on the Heights. This meant we were effectively sitting ducks for the inevitable British onslaught.
As the naval fire hit the infantry at abattis A again, Mark charged one battalion into the unfortunate American unit.
The resulting melee saw Mark roll a 12 on 2d6, while Doug rolled 7. The attacked unit of Americans retreated up the Heights towards my battalions. Mark’s battalion took the ground.
Meanwhile, Rob was firing on Doug’s infantry and inflicting more disruption points.
Doug was not best pleased to be unable to either respond to Rob’s attack or move away! Although a final brigade of American militia was expected to arrive behind Rob’s troops, the Americans were simply unable to manoeuvre owing to orders not changing. Paul summed it up when he said that the American players had been checkmated.
We ended the game at this point, with the British destined to clear the Americans off the table within several more turns.
Conclusion
British threaten the Americans flank at Dorchester Heights
Although frustrating for the Americans, I thought the scenario itself was good and I enjoyed the game, as did others. But if the Continental Army was occupying the Heights with artillery, it seems strange that this British Grenadier scenario did not incorporate any guns into the American order of battle. This made the game more unbalanced than it needed to be, given that the American occupation of the Heights with guns was seen as an existential threat by the British command.
British Grenadier are a ‘solid’ set of rules, but not the quickest! Patrick has indicated that he may try the more straightforward Osprey rules ‘Rebels and Patriots’ by Daniel Mersey and Michael Leck at some point. While no set of rules is perfect, perhaps these will allow for more action to take place to bring a game to a decisive conclusion on a club night. Regardless, Patrick’s sourcing of novel scenarios for the AWI is much appreciated, and we look forward to the next one. At the end of the night we retired to the pub for a drink. Thanks to Patrick for umpiring an eventful and interesting game!
