AWI: Lexington and Concord 19th April 1775 (6mm). Introduction

This is the second outing of this action. The first, hard to believe now, was 10 years ago in 10mm using British Grenadier rules. A report was published on the blog in May 2018 and can be found under the AWI Battles label on the right.

I will be breaking the AAR down into digestible segments starting with this introduction to the game before the battle proper starts.

The reasons for revisiting this action are twofold. 1. It is one of those battles that fired my imagination when discovering it in the school library. I recreated it on the tabletop using Airfix Highlanders representing the redcoats and Airfix WW1 Americans the militia! All manner of bits and bobs were strewn across the board for terrain. 2. I am curious as to how it will play out using Black Powder rules and 6mm figures. 

I will be doubling up on the number of figures used with minor adjustments to suit the rules.

The following summary is copied from my first post - it saves more typing!

During the early part of 1775 tensions rose sharply between the American colonists and British troops. While orators debated the legitimacy of 'taxation without representation' or the 'rights of man', the climate between soldiers and inhabitants grew steadily more tense. The British CinC, General Thomas Gage, suspecting matters were coming to a head, began sending brigades of troops on marches through the countryside surrounding his main base, Boston. In these rural settlements people were overwhelmingly hostile to the British Government. They had been conducting a training programme of their own, regularly assembling their village militias for drill. Thousands of highly motivated volunteers stood ready to answer the rebel leaders call.

Matters came to a head late at night on 18th April, when General Gage finally decided to take a military initiative against the militias. He tasked Colonel Francis Smith to march to the village of Concord, some 17 miles from Boston, to destroy cannon and other warlike stores that he believed were being assembled there.

Smith's troops were assembled at night, arriving in the village of Lexington, a couple of miles short of Concord, on the morning of the 19th April to find their way barred by American militia. Shots were fired and the war began.

The game starts with Smith's approach towards Lexington.

Continued -

Table Size: 6' x 3'.

Orders of Battle:

British Forces

Commander – Col Francis Smith; replaced by Brig Earl Percy on arrival.

Col Smith (SR8)          

• 2 small units of Grenadiers

Major Pitcairn (SR8)      

• 2 small units of Light Infantry (1 initially deployed as skirmishers)

Reinforcements (Turn 12 dice for arrival)

Brig Earl Percy (SR9)

All large units

• 4th Foot 
• 23rd Foot
• 47th Foot
• 1st bn Royal Marines
• Artillery section. Ammo 6 ball only. 

American Forces

Commander – Col James Barrett and Col David Green.

Col Thomas Gardner (SR8)

Middlesex Militia Regiment

• 3 tiny units Lexington company
• 1 unit Cambridge and Newton companies

Turn 5 Reinforcements  

Col Barrett (SR8)

Middlesex Militia Regiment

• 1 unit Concord company
• 1 unit Acton & Bedford companies
• 1 small unit Lincoln company

Turn 8 Reinforcements   (A on map)

Col Pierce (SR8)

Middlesex Minutemen

• 1 small unit Sudbury & Framingham Companies
• 1 unit Acton & Bedford Companies

Dr Joseph Warren (SR8: Has no command but stirs up the militia with religious fervour. Can perform 1 rally action per turn).  (B on map).

Turn 10 Reinforcements   (B on map)

Col Green  (SR8)

Middlesex Militia Regt

• 2 units
• 1 x small unit

Mission

• British: To destroy the stores at Concord, returning via Lexington to rendezvous with Percy's column. (A cannon and two small carts are placed in Concord representing the stores. A British unit needs to be stationary beside each of these objects for a full turn to destroy it. 1 unit = 1 base of figures).
• American: To destroy Smith's force.

The map depicted on the tabletop with Concord at the bottom of the photo. 

Lexington.

The Lexington company of the Middlesex Militia meet on the village green responding to a call-to-arms.

Elsewhere the good folk of Lexington go about their daily business not paying any attention to the gathering of their company. They have more important business to attend to!

Dotted around the countryside are various farms.

'Grandpa' seeks to calm his daughter who is getting a little concerned about the rumours circulating of redcoats in the vicinity.

In Concord, Colonel Thomas Gardner assembles his Cambridge and Newton militia companies.

As at Lexington, the population are fairly sanguine about the militia activity feeling sure should any action occur, it will safely pass them by.

The view towards Lexington from Concord through the peaceful countryside.

NEXT TURN: THE BRITISH ARE COMING!