103 Brandywine - British Flank Attack (11 September 1777)

Details
Written by: Alessandro Crespi
Category: Philadelphia Campaign (1777-1778)
Hits: 3244
Victory Results:
 35 %
Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  65 %
Total plays 23 - Last reported by ozzie on 2026-02-18 10:52:01

Historical Background

Around 2:30 on the 11th, Howe’s plan was carried out. Cornwallis was in position and shook his column out into line near Osborne’s hill, resting his troops for an hour, and then advanced toward the Birmingham Meeting House. Washington, now very aware of Cornwallis’ movement, ordered Sterling and Stephan to move to Birmingham Hill to protect his flank. The two divisions arrived just in time to meet the British advance head on. Stephen’s troops, however, could not stand the British attack and broke. Sullivan then arrived on the scene, but the Continental units could not hold against the steady attack of Cornwallis’ men. Greene was also ordered to pull his division away from Chadds Ford to reinforce the right. Greene quickly moved and deployed his line, which allowed the shaken troops of Sterling, Stephan and Sullivan divisions to pass through his ranks to  rally.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history?

Empty Board

Battle Notes

Continental Army
• Commander: Washington
• 5 Command Cards & 5 Combat Cards

British Army
• Commander: Knyphausen
• 5 Command Cards & 5 Combat Cards
• Move First

Victory

7 Victory Banners

Special Rules

• Opening Carronade rules are in effect.
• The Birmingham Meeting House is a last to occupy Victory Banner Objective worth 1 banner to the side that is the last to occupy. At the start of the battle, place a victory banner in the hex with the Continental side face up.
• The British player gains 1 Temporary Victory Banner at the start of his turn for each Birmingham Hill hex occupied by a British unit. Place a British Victory Banner on the hex at the start of the turn when occupied.

SUPPOSITION
• Brandywine River is impassable

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Posts in discussion: 103 Brandywine - British Flank Attack (11 September 1777)
ozzie replied the topic:
#1041
2 months 9 hours ago
Two British wins, 7-4 and 7-6, but both hard fought.

Game one saw the British come on with bayonet charges and double moves a-plenty. The Americans faced a frontal onslaught with Generals Sullivan and Stirling being overwhelmed by Guards and Grenadiers respectively. The Americans managed to destroy a one unit each of Guards, Grenadiers (routed on a 7-dice rally test!), Light Infantry and Regulars, but one unit of Guards swept the hills and achieved the extra victory tokens needed.

Game two could not have been more different with the British bogged down through a long haul of slow moving cards, indeed being0-4 down before they destroyed their first American unit. The Americans withdrew damaged units behind the hills so the British artillery could not finish them off. The British heavy artillery showed itself incapable of hitting the side of a barn! Finally the Hessian Grenadiers and a unit of Guards with supporting artillery got into action on the British right to start causing casualties. All 3 units of Grenadiers were destroyed and General Clinton cut down plus a unit of Light Infantry shot down and Regulars assaulting the hills. But the 1st Foot Guards proved their worth, securing a hill and destroying 3 American units single-handedly to turn a 3-6 deficit into a 7-6 win.

A very good scenario.
Mark-McG replied the topic:
#1039
3 months 1 week ago

Note that the two "Grenadier" units on the British right are actually Guards, not grenadiers.
now fixed.. thanks
ozzie replied the topic:
#1038
3 months 1 week ago
Note that the two "Grenadier" units on the British right are actually Guards, not grenadiers.
ozzie replied the topic:
#832
1 year 6 months ago
That is also why it is a fun evening to play and swap players around. The pressure is all on the British to win, the Americans have nothing to lose. So, it's a matter of how well can you do? I very much enjoy this scenario.
Hawkmoon replied the topic:
#831
1 year 7 months ago
A very unbalanced scenario :
7-0 ; 7-2 for the British side.
The presence of the entire Elite Infantry of the Crown side offers a hard challenge to the Continental side.
apergis1@verizon.net replied the topic:
#642
4 years 9 months ago
My wife and I played this for the first time and we feel it is one of the best American Revolution Scenarios we have played and it appears to be very balanced.
mirkobruner replied the topic:
#368
5 years 8 months ago
You're right Mark! Sorry My Bad!
Mark-McG replied the topic:
#367
5 years 8 months ago
so on the win loss record it shows 2 Continental victories and 0 British victories, and the last recorded result was from Mirko. So i suspect this should have been recorded as a British win, and in the greater scheme of results won't matter much, but please pay attention to which side (top or bottom) won when recording results. Recording the wrong side is worse than not recording at all.

Data is only as good as the input!
magooF15 replied the topic:
#365
5 years 8 months ago
Funny, that’s pretty much how the actual battle transpired as well. The Continental left caved in under an assault from the Guards. Always amazes me that such a simple game system can mirror history quite well.
mirkobruner replied the topic:
#364
5 years 8 months ago
Just had a game with Jim. Brits won 7-Nil. The Elite on the Right did Massive Damage to the Continental Troops because of two unexpected Bayonet Attacks. Great Game is Tricorne. Always Fun.
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