Battle of Germantown 2012 The Conclusion

The game is over, and it looks like history repeated itself.  Last year's simulation followed the course of the battle in terms of where the engagements took place.  This year's fight reflected different tactical choices, but the outcome more closely reflected the historical battle.  A few local American successes were negated once the British got their act together and destroyed the prongs of the Colonial attack.  I'm glad we played one more day.  It led to a decisive outcome, and the papers the students will write as part of their debriefing will be able to take the consequences of their choices fully into account.  

The Black Powder rules worked well, and the raw beginners were running turns themselves towards the end.    I'm glad I was there to referee, though, and I think an umpire would be a great addition even when experienced players are engaged to make snap calls and move things along.

Here on the eastern side of the battlefield, one Continental brigade entirely disintegrated on the last turn.  After a blunder, a beleaguered US regiment found itself surrounded on three sides and went down in a blaze of glory.  Or musketballs.  A militia brigade in support took some early hits and never fully rejoined the fight.

On the west side, the British troops formed an angle and warded off any American attacks.  one militia brigade (the "Mel Gibsons") in the center were never able to bring their muskets to bear, stalling out in the center.  The girls who led the attacks on the flanks did a lot of damage to their British counterparts, but the red line stood firm, having redeployed the British elites from one side of the battlefield to the other.

All in all, what a great way to apply what we've learned.  We lost a few days to Hurricane Sandy, but spirits were high on both sides after this lame effort to engage in my hobby and get paid for it!