Providence part 2

The post last week closed with the British and Hessians in control of what had been the American front line; now they have to push on and breakthrough the American army and reach the defile.
Von Seedorf decided to occupy Providence Chapel with musketeer regiment Mirbach and  concentrate fire on Cooper's men on Prospect Ridge.  Initially, the plan seemed to be working. On Prospect Ridge one of Cooper's militia regiments was driven back and forced to rally, whilst his riflemen sustained such losses that they were forced to leave the field.  Even the continental infantry seemed to be wavering.  When Von Seedorf sent his fusilier battalion through the woods to try and outflank the American right, Cooper was forced to commit his remaining militia battalion to fill the gap.

Desmond and Bell on Green Ridge

Arbuthnot decided that speed was of the essence and that a rapid advance down the road between Green Ridge and Jones' Peak would fracture the American line, opening the way to the defile.  The Light Companies would lead the advance, supported by the 55th Foot.  Their flanks would be "in the air", but if pressure was maintained by the other infantry battalions, no American units would be able to redeploy to threaten the advance.  Matters began well when the 28th foot drove back one of Archer's continental regiments extending the gap in the American line.  Volleys from the Light Companies drove the Americans back again,  almost to the defile itself.  The door seemed to be swinging open.

Arbuthnot's advance

 From Green Ridge, Desmond saw the danger.  Only one reserve remained a single regiment of Continental infantry from Cooper's brigade.  Riding up to the colonel, Desmond said, "The fate of the battle is at hand, follow me!" and led the regiment across the ridge to flank the road threatened by Arbuthnot's advance.  Archer had rallied his riflemen and sent them into the wood flanking the road and they began to fire at the advancing British infantry.  Desmond also commandeered two units of militia and ordered them to block the road near the defile and fire on the advancing British.  Archer had his hands full trying to hold back the grenadiers.  Their steady advance from Jones' Peak threatened to overwhelm his remaining infantry; but two close range volleys stopped the redcoats in their tracks and forced them back to reform.

For Von Seedorf, Providence Chapel was proving to be a poisoned chalice.  Although he held it he could not bring enough fire to bear on the Continental infantry lining the wall by the road, to drive them back.  They meanwhile were bringing their full strength to bear on the Hessian defenders.  His fusiliers finally managed to reach the edge of the wood facing Prospect Ridge, but were met by telling volleys from the militia and they were forced to retreat.  His grenadiers and the Trumbach Musketeer regiment were also driven back by volleys from Prospect Ridge. To cap it all, Mirbach were driven from the church by American volleys, the Hessians were in dire straits.

The militia prepare to drive off the Hessian fusiliers

While Knollys galloped over and helped to rally the Hessian troops, Arbuthnot continued his advance. His Light Companies pushed on down the road with the 55th  in support.  At first they were able to shrug off the American volleys, but as the range shortened, losses increased.  First to flinch were the 55th, who were forced to fall back by fire from the riflemen in the woods.  The loss of the this support was crucial when the Light Companies were swept by two quick volleys from the Continentals on Green Ridge, followed up by two more from the militia further down the road.  It was enough to cause the Light Companies to break and they quickly retreated back down the road away from the defile.  This was not the end of Arbuthnot's woes; the grenadiers were once again driven back over Jone's  Peak by the fire of Archer's men. 

the 55th driven off

The end of the Light Companies advance

For his part Von Seedorf , having rallied his men was willing to try one last attack.  He saw that the number of Americans covering the road between Prospect and Green ridges had been reduced by Desmond as he countered Arbuthnot's attack.  One more push might just be enough.  The fusiliers plodded through the woods once more, fire was directed on Prospect Ridge and the Von Lossberg Musketeer regiment was sent up the road to try and get on the flank of the men defending the lane behind Providence Chapel.  Once again the American volleys caused havoc.  The fusiliers were driven back again with heavy losses; Hessian fire did not suppress the fire from Prospect Ridge and Von Lossberg were scythed down by American volleys.

The fusiliers driven off again

Von Lossberg's fatal advance

With losses in his brigade approaching 75% Von Seedorf felt he could do no more.  Arbuthnot was of the same opinion, his brigade was also severely weakened.  Knollys could only call a halt and a slow withdrawal; perhaps reflecting that a single squadron of cavalry could have made all the difference.

For his part Desmond was relieved that he had managed to hold his position, it had been a close call and losses amongst his best troops, (the continental infantry) had been high.

A really enjoyable scenario from Steve, which could have gone either way.