Black Powder: Battle of Chippawa BatRep
By Ron Winkler
As the Covid 19 quarantine continues, I decided it was time for another solo game using the rules. Continuing with the War of 1812, I selected the Battle of Chippawa as a game scenario. Again, I used my 15mm figures and Osprey’s excellent Niagara 1814 book as a reference for forces and battlefield maps.
Based on information in the book I rated regular units on both sides equal in quality in terms of Special qualities having First Fire, Elite 4+, and Reliable ratings. However, two of the regular US units 25th Infantry and a single Company of the 21st Infantry as small and tiny respectively because of their size which of course affected their Stamina rating. The other regulars on both sides were standard in size. US and British artillery had equal qualities as did the Light Dragoons on both sides. Both cavalry units were tiny in size.
Regarding militia units present, the Canadian 2nd Lincoln Militia and 5th Pennsylvania were of equal size and had First Fire and Skirmish capabilities. However, the US Canadians Volunteers were a tiny unit with skirmish ability. Finally, US and British Indian allies were of equal size skirmish and tough fighters.
As a test, I went back to the first edition of Black Powder and used the suggested point system to see how the forces balanced and found they were fairly even.
The real difference was in Command. Looking at the original OB’s, the US had Major General Jacob Brown and two Brigadiers Scott and Porter present. In contrast, only Major General Phineas Riall was present on the British side. Looking at their respective histories, Brown was one of the most successful US generals in the war and Scott a solid regular attentive to detail and drill but a bit impulsive. Porter also seemed solid.
General Riall had some limited combat/command experience but nothing like officers transferred from Spain after Napoleon’s defeat. After some thought, I rated Brown and Scott’s command values at 9+, Porter’s at 8+, and Riall’s at 8+. If one applied the command points, totals really were skewered toward the US but again the British had only one general officer on the field. The forces involved included:
US Left Division
CIC Maj. Gen. Jacob Brown.
1st Brigade BG Winfield Scott
9th/22nd US Infantry
11th US Infantry
25th US Infantry
1 company 21st US Infantry
3rd (Militia) Brigade BG Peter Porter
5th Pennsylvania Militia
Canadian Volunteers and Native Warriors
Detachment US Dragoons and 1 US gun model
British
CIC Maj. Gen. Phineas Riall
Squadron 19th Light Dragoons
5 companies Royal Scots
1st Battalion 8th Foot
100th Foot
2nd Lincoln Militia Regiment
Royal Artillery 1gun model
Native Warriors
Porter’s Brigade with the US 21st Infantry move into the woods on the American left flank
To engage British light infantry, Canadian Militia, and Indian Allies. While below Scott’s Brigade with US Cavalry and Artillery advance and deploy to engage British.
As can be seen from the two above pictures Scott’s Brigade, the US Dragoons and Artillery advanced rapidly and deployed as the British advanced in columns which crossed the Chippawa River. The US movement was quicker than in the actual battle because of favorable command die rolls versus less successful rolls for the British forces. In the woods, the terrain limitations caused both sides to slowly move toward engagement. The fact that the US had three general officers on the field was also of benefit to their movement.
Although Scott’s Brigade was able to form line and fire into the advancing British columns together with the US Artillery little damage was done.
The British Foot Regiments and Artillery deploy and begin a firefight with Scott’s Brigade. Not shown in the picture, the 14th Light Dragoons on the British left flank attempt to charge the US Artillery but fall short. In the prior picture, one can see the US Artillery with their Light Dragoons in support.
In the actual battle, the 14th Light Dragoons charge a line of US Infantry which fired a steady volley into the Dragoons then withdrew to a farmhouse cause the Dragoons to withdraw after losing 4 men and 8 horses.
As the opposing lines of infantry continue to hammer each other, the US Dragoons charge the 14th Light Dragoons driving the British cavalry from the field after a fierce melee. In the woods, the opposing skirmishers continue their own firefight with minimal casualties.
Shown here is the melee between the US and British Light Dragoons while a portion of Scott’s Brigade advances concentrating their fire on the British artillery and the 1st Foot.
Following the loss of the 14th Light Dragoons, concentrated US volleys cause the British artillery and 1st Foot to break and leave the field. The US dragoons fall back and are joined by MG Brown making a successful rally order to remove a casualty. Meanwhile, the US artillery and 25th Infantry advance facing the British 8th Foot as Scott pivots the 11th US infantry onto the flank of the unfortunate 8th Foot. Left in an untenable position the British concede the battle.
The final scene, the unfortunate British 8th Foot is in a pickle.
Lessons Learned
Re-fighting historical Battles be it with actual opponents or solo should be “what if affairs.” I don’t think any player wants to be part of a game with a predetermined result. What player wishes to raise their hand and say I want to be the loser. That is does the battle scenario and rules allow a player to change the course of history.
Doing some research on a historical battle is worth the effort. As I noted above, I had to assign command ratings for the generals involved. Although it was a judgment call on my part, I did base it on research of the historical characters.
Rules versus Reality is another consideration. Although my recreation of the Battle of Chippawa was an American victory the game did not go exactly like the real engagement. For example, favorable command dice rolls allowed Scott’s Brigade to advance and deploy much quicker then I believed occurred in the actual battle. Likewise, the game battle provided an opportunity for the 14th Light Dragoons to charge the US artillery but a poor command roll caused them to fall short. Further, the US and British dragoons never face each other in the actual battle.
Finally, the command leadership in this battle was 180 degrees from my earlier AAR on the Battle of North Point where the US had one commander versus three British brigade commanders. My observation is that the lack of additional commanders is not as important if one side is in a static defensive position. However, when the engagement requires movement on both sides a single commander can be a detrimental limitation.
In any event, it was a fun afternoon of solo gaming.
Nice AAR Ron. Keep them coming!