It's Scruby - tastic! Gaming Thankfulness

http://vintagewargaming.blogspot.com/2011/09/helpful-hints-from-jack-scruby-1962.html [nice blog, btw!]

My very first miniatures game was about 38 years ago with North Penn Wargamers. It was an American Revolution game, and these are the figures from it!  They appear to be mostly Scruby, but there are some others that are different in style that I'll have to figure out over time. I remember being very excited about how it all looked and the prospect of battling it out on the table, but I did get crushed. The player was nice about it, however, and gave me some tips that could prevent that in the future...uncertain I learned them but he tried! 

As they moved around the area the name changed but amazingly most of the main hosts and visitors are still in the group. A few have rolled their final boxcars but one of the original hosts has been paring down his collection and among his offerings were these - now largely unwanted - old school figs. The group replaced them decades ago with nicely detailed and historically accurate [and proportionally sculpted] 15s and they've been collecting dust ever since.  I immediately jumped at the chance to have them, as I've been looking for an old-school project for a while, and it is especially great to have something with fond memories.  So "Thanks Dave" and I wish a wonderful Thanksgiving to all the group.

Well, "enough nostalgia" you are probably thinking, so let's see what is happening with the little loyal lead fellows!

Below is One - Hour Wargames' classic Scenario #4 "Take the High Ground". In this context, I imagine that the far right of the Rebel's line has been flanked, and two regiments of State Line were dispatched to hold the only piece of high ground dominating a road leading to the main army's baggage train. As they hold it, the main army has dispatched two Continental Line regiments, a Rifle regiment, and a 6lb gun to support them against the flanking force, that outnumbers them 3-1. 

How much of the patriot's blood will be spilt upon the Altar of Freedom today?

View from a nearby church tower - PA and NC State Line hold a gentle rise near the road. Gen Washington has sent reinforcements that are about to arrive on table.

Closer view

Rules are a variation on Neil Thomas' Napoleonic rules. Using D10 and the leader intervention and risk rules from Patriots and Loyalists. Argyll Highlanders and Anhalt Zerbst battalions engage the Rebels.

Fire at long range is exchanged.

Loyalists, the Royal Artillery and a composite Light Bn take up positions on the right.

Reinforcements rush to the scene as the State Line sees their flank being turned by the Loyalists.

The reinforcements head to the hill, letting the Lights keep the woods. Hill is the objective.

Fire continues as the rifles and gun secure the State Line's left.

Some intervention from Gen. George is needed to steady the State troops.

Loyalists doing their part - and rolling well!

The Scots fall back in confusion, despite intervention from their charismatic, hard-drinking former clan chief. The Hat Companies of the 105th move to replace them in the battle line with the gun.

Highlander's viewpoint from their disorderly mob.

Turn 4 sees a burst of activity for the Kings Army - they rolled to have more actions than the Rebels.

The lines continue to develop. At top, the Lights threaten the gun while the riflemen hold off the Loyalists. The large German regiment holds the center by itself, as the redcoats move to fill the left. The highlanders have reformed in good time to oppose the oncoming Continental Line unit.

Gen. Washington is pleased to see a burst of activity for the Cause - the water symbol is the "10" on these dice.

As the Lights close in, the gun lets loose a furious barrage of cannister getting four hits. But timely intervention by the British Brigadier steadies the men and they are ready to press on.

And he suffers no wounds, either.

Meanwhile, at the critical point, the Germans close in but lose a stand in the process.

The Battle on turn 6 or so. Loyalists and Lights have closed in against the left, while steady pressure continues against the High Ground, with the Scots having reformed their line. The Royal Artillery skip cannon balls into the flank of the Carolinans, but it is a narrower target than they thought.

Can the Loyalists break the Rifles? Perhaps a bayonet charge is in order?  Or is close range Fire enough? I am contemplating having the Lights overrun the gun, also.

A fully positioned army of rebels makes it unlikely that Gen. Washington's flank will be turned, today. But maybe some more opportunities will arise in the future?

Well, this was fun but I decided I definitely wanted to try out a couple of other sets of rules, including Andy Callan's "Loose Files and American Scramble" and Scott Holder's "Patriots and Loyalists".  It was great to put these guys on the table, and they will occupy it for the holiday weekend at least.

Good gaming from a better time!

So a happy Thanksgiving to all and for all our friends in the occupied zones:

"The Chair is Against the Wall"

"John Has a Long Moustache"