Battle of Brambleton; an AWI scenario for Patriots and Loyalists

This week's battle returns to the AWI.  Steve had drawn up a scenario around an attempt by the rebel army to seize a supply column in the town of Brambleton.

The view from behind Brambleton.  Beyond East Ridge lies William Nelson's Farm and the Colne River.  This has two crossings, though infantry and cavalry can cross elsewhere at the cost of becoming disordered and needing to rally before moving off.  Von Stalheim's Hessian brigade, (a grenadier battalion, 2 musketeer battalions and a jaeger battalion), is camped around Nelson's Farm.  The jaeger have picquets at the crossings over the Colne.  Stewart, who commands the Loyalist force is in Brambleton together with the brigades of Bedford, (a grenadier battalion, a line battalion, a unit of rifles, a squadron of light dragoons and a light gun) and Courtney, (3 line battalions, a unit of converged light companies and a light gun).
The Hessian brigade will be alerted once one of the picquets fires at the enemy.  The jaeger battalion will form up at once, the remainder will each need to pass a rally test to form up.  Once a whole unit volley has been fired the British brigades can be activated by the same mechanism as used for the Hessians.

Bush's troops begin their advance

Approaching Brambleton is a rebel force of three brigades led by General Deadwood.  In the centre is the brigade of Brigadier Bush, (2 line battalions, 2 militia battalions, a unit of rifles and a light gun).  On Bush's right is Adam's brigade, which has the same composition as Bush's brigade.  To Bush's left is Cleveland's brigade, (1 line battalion, 2 militia battalions, a unit of rifles, a squadron of dragoons and a light gun).

As the rebels approached the Colne the early morning mist still cloaked the pastures lining the river bank.  At the ford, the Hessian jaeger spotted Cleveland's advance guard and fired a warning shot.  The rebel riflemen replied and then advanced on the ford.  Cleveland's other units moved forward and on the extreme left of the rebel line a unit of militia and the dragoons began to cross the Colne.  There was some delay as they attempted to form up, but once they did, the militia moved into Palmer's Copse on the Hessian right.  At the ford the riflemen moved aside and a column of line infantry charged forward.  As ordered, the Hessians fell back to Nelson's Farm to rejoin their battalion, which was now lining the fence facing the river.  The rebel column deployed into line on the Brambleton side of the river, but before they could advance any further they were hit by a volley from the Mayerbach Musketeer battalion which had formed up very quickly following the first shots at the river.  A second volley proved too much for the rebels and they fell back across the Colne to reform

First clash at the ford

On the rebel right, Adams was making better progress.  He faced no opposition, but he had to ford the river so all his units would need to rally once across.  However, none suffered any major delays and soon the lead elements (his rifles) were pushing through Green Wood, totally unaware that the Hessian grenadiers were camped on the other side near Church Ridge.  In the centre, Bush was moving with caution through the mist.  Leading the way was one of his line battalions, which had orders to push aside any picquets,  advance up the road and  secure Nelson's Farm.  This would enable the bulk of the brigade to move quickly towards Brambleton.  The first task was achieved, with the Hessain jaeger firing a few warning shots and then falling back to their parent unit.  Having secured the bridge, the infantry continued up the road in column, as speed was required.  Before they could deploy they were swept by fire from the farm.  Musketeer battalion Lossfeld was ready to meet them and further volleys persuaded the rebels to fall back.  In their place, a militia battalion also tried to advance, but it too was forced back by fire from the farm.  By now Bush had deployed his riflemen to oppose the jaeger and the rebel fire forced the Hessians to fall back, giving space for Bush's men to cross the Colne. 

Mayerbach and jaeger at Nelson's Farm

Bush's attack on Nelson's Farm

Cleveland's men forming up on the Brambleton bank of the Colne

Mayerbach block Cleveland's advance

 At the ford Cleveland eventually managed to get a battalion across the river and forward far enough to give room for more to cross in column and then deploy in support.  The fire from the rebels, plus the dragoons hovering menacingly by Palmer's Copse, persuaded Mayerbach to fall back a short distance towards East Ridge.  This retrograde movement stopped when the first battalions from Courtney's brigade appeared on East Ridge and a little to the right on Prospect Ridge.

Adam's men ready to advance on Church Ridge

The Hessian grenadiers

Adams men were now emerging from Green Wood and discovered the Hessian grenadiers waiting for them.  First one battalion and then two concentrated their fire on the grenadiers.  They stood and gave a good account of themselves, but when Adams' riflemen worked round their flank and added their fire, it proved too much and the grenadiers fell back, looking for support.  The riflemen from Bedford's brigade were on their way and also the grenadier battalion.  The Hessian officers tried to rally the grenadiers, but when Adams' artillery fired on them they retreated again, seeking sanctuary in Brambleton.  Adams sent his riflemen forward to contain Bedford's riflemen and began to redeploy to advance towards Church Ridge.   He was surprised to see his riflemen retreating over the crest and then saw the British grenadiers advancing on his still manoeuvring troops.

The British grenadiers line the crest of Church Ridge

Bedford prepares to defend Brambleton

Courtney's men on Prospect Ridge

It was at this point that we had to finish for the day.  Adams had made good progress, but was now faced with the grenadiers and riflemen; Bush had got bogged down trying to secure Nelson's Farm and Cleveland was making slow progress.  Things for Deadwood would only become more difficult as more British units moved forward.