Game 2 and a tighter tussle with the British succeeding 8-3 but coming close. The British again cleared the American left of Light Infantry and Militia but just when victory looked academic, General Porterfield led the Armand Legion Light Dragoons forward with a Cavalry Charge with what was the only American unit left on that flank. It almost worked, causing casualties and a retreat but the British Regular infantry unit survived the Retreats and hits with one block, forcing the dragoons back. The British full-strength Light Infantry accompanied by General Webster turned their muskets on the dragoons and blew them away in successive volleys. The British Left charged in with first Provincial Infantry and then followed it up with Highlanders and Tarleton's Dragoons, led by Tarleton himself. It all met with a mixed response with the Provincials only just surviving with a block eah but causing some damage and then a Left Flank card enabled the Provincials to be moved into support positions and the Highlanders and Dragoons crash through. Despite some brave Marylanders being wiped out by the Highlanders' successive attacks the Dragoons also reduced the second Marylander infantry to one block but just couldn't finish them off or, as often happens with one-block unit, it passed every rout test! The Americans managed to finish off both Provincial and the Highlanders but Tarleton's Dragoons took the sensible option and retreated to rally with the aid of bonus rally dice. The British left now looked thinned out and was holding with only the North Carolina Tory Militia Unit, damaged dragoons, a roadside Regular Infantry unit and two generals. However, the British Right had been active and had swept into the central woods clearing it of Militia and winning the game. Even at long range a Line Volley gave each of the full-strength British units 3 dice shooting into the woods and the Militia and now supporting Regulars were taking hits and, worse for them, multiple retreats, which non-Light infantry cannot ignore. Concentration of fire from 5 units cleared 2 American units from the woods in rout and it was a full-scale American retreat, with at least the Marylander and Delaware Regular Infantry coming out with considerable credit and reputations enhanced.
A very historical outcome.
The Americans are in a bad position to start with and have to make the most of their Artillery and even pulling back their left before it becomes overwhelmed. If the first British move is a Line Volley it is very deadly for the American left. For the British it's a matter of being patient whilst their right wing dismantles the American left. The British right wing just has to soak up the American artillery fire. Constant pressure on the American left should minimise this.
All good fun!
