Saratoga Campaign:American push on Sword's House, September 17, 1777

In this action, Gates, sends his army to push Burgoyne's Army back into the Hudson river.

The Americans quickly push off the British and American artillery occupy the redoubts which are in turn overrun by British Light Infantry 

British and Brunswick troops assault on mass

 The Americans attempt to form lines 

which keep being blown apart by concentrated musketry

in the end, the Americans are driven off. The British camp is saved

Saratoga Campaign 1777: Battle of Freeman's Farm

American army begins advance on the British Army, far left

centre position of both armies

American right

New Hampshire Regiment

The British Army advances

Pickets of the 21st mixed in with Loyalists

Canadian Militia, RAFM figures

New York Regiments

The Battle begins

The Americans decided to try and smash the Crown forces in one battle. The American right advanced quickly to block the crossroads while the American left attempted to flank the Crown right. The American centre then advanced straight at the British and Loyalist troops in the centre.

The Canadien milice were initally scattered, but recovered and with Loyalist support, used their old tactics to smash apart the American lines. The Brunswick troops pushed down on the American left and were able to surround General Arnold! 

Despite their best efforts, Morgan's Rifles were unable to push back the Loyalist Rangers, or Canadien milice. The Mohawks, gave a half hearted attack due to the fact they still were low on supplies from their attack at Fort Stanwix and Oriskany. 

The Battle ended with the Crown sweeping around the American left flanking the entire Patriot line. Seeing that they would be unable to push ahead, the Americans withdrew, but not before smashing the British regulars.

So a historical replay, not by plan, I was actually trying to see if the Americans could win.

Finally after 6 weeks I might be back on rotation

I've been extremely busy with work. I was covering the other officers position.
As well, life throws its usual amount of difficulties, which make hobbys the last of life's priorities.
I do hope to get back on track with my Saratoga Campaign.

Saratoga Campaign: Battle of Bennington 1777

Burgoyne has sent his Brunswick troops towards New Hampshire to forage and disruption of the Patriots.

The battle began with the Brunswickers taking positions on the field. The main last stand was upon the hill, the baggage at the bottom covered by a gun, another position covered by another gun on a slight rise, two houses held by Canadian militia, and an earthwork held by Jessup's Corps. Amerindians held a small position on the Brunswicker's left flank.

The Americans under Stark begin their attack.

The first obstacle is to cross the bridge which proves to be difficult. Eventually, the Americans ignore the fire coming from the small hill to the left and sending their rangers to take out both houses, and a militia brigade to skirt to the right of the lower right cabin begin to flank the Loyalists position.

The Mohawks attempt to drive back the American Assault but are in turn shot down in droves. they break and run.

The Loyalists in the centre hold their ground until the main American line flanks them on the left. 

The Brunswick Grenadiers holding the baggage park, see the line beginning to crumble and prepare to fall back.

The position on the hill soon becomes untenable and they flee.

The Queens Rangers also fail their moral and fall back.

The Americans under Stark, advanced straight on, taking the bridge head on, which meant all the defenders fire concentrated on that position. Consequently, an entire militia brigade was destroyed.
The next attempt was for the Americans to try and assault the houses, which cost them time and casualties, but they persevered.

After clearing the first position, the Americans then had to contend with the Loyalists and main Brunswick position.

The Americans win their first victory in the campaign.

Saratoga Campaign: The Siege of Fort Stanwix

The next action for the campaign, the attack on Fort Stanwix

The Americans hold their fort with Militia, Rangers and a few regulars

A battalion of the King's Royal Regiment of New York begin to deploy

RA batteries begin to lay their guns to bombard the fort.

Amerindians allied to the British prepare to take vengence against the Yankees who are stealing their hunting grounds

Their yells and cries add to the Americans panic.

The Loyalists began to fire on the fort, driving in the Americans to shelter from their fire. Eventually, an all out assault occured which drove the Americans in half the fort to surrender.
With the rest of the fort holding what was left of the American command, it would take some time to pry them out, perhaps hot shot from the Royal Artillery?

With a furious amount of musketry and a final bombardment, the American garrison surrenders. The British continue their steamroll advance to crush the rebellion of their deluded colonists.

Saratoga Campaign: Battle of Oriskany August 6, 1777

Kings Royal Regiment of New York and Brant's Mohawks prepare to spring an ambush

Herkermers force is about to be hammered by musketry

The Iroquois begin to fire

Queen's Rangers begin to fire

The Royal Yorkers begin to fire and move

The first volley destroyed two militia brigades. American Riflemen seeing the militia fall have begun to panic and are halting the advance. 

The battle continued with the Mohawks charging the American militia who surprisingly stood their ground and fought back! With the Mohawk casualties adding up, the Loyalists began to use fire and advance on the Americans, who eventually fell back under withering fire.

Johnson's men held the field.

Saratoga Campaign 1777: Battle of Hubbardton July 6

Crown Forces:
Fraser's Advanced Corps
Loyalists and Amerindians
24th Foot
Germans:
Jaegers
Pickets
Grenadier Battalion

Light Infantry Battalion

Grenadier Battalion

Light Battalion

American Forces:
2nd New Hampshire
Massachusetts Militia X2

The Americans forces.

Two battalions of militia backed up by the New Hampshire Regiment  

The Lights begin to engage the American left flank 

While the Brunswickers engage the right

The Artillery holds their ground to possibly add fire support

A birds eye view of the actioin

2nd Continental Light Dragoons, in Nova Scotia, 1992 for Mary Sillimans War filming

Brunswickers on the left continue to engage the American right

The militia beat off the Lights attack.

The battle continued with several volleys of musketry, however, when the British closed with the American left, a bayonet charge scattered one battalion while the other stood its ground and was annihilated in a melee.

The British and Brunswickers suffered some large casualties but will recover. The Americans still have scores of militia. Thus the first action goes to the Crown. Huzzah! God Save the King.

Spring and Summer campaign kits

I arrived home to find my birthday presents arrived. Two kits for my Bolt Action on Grampies War blog, two boxes of Prussia troops and

My first order of hobby kits from amazon

Hat Spanish guerillas

Saratoga Campaign 1777: Crown Forces

The British troops which took part in the campaign consisted of the

 1st Brigade: 9th, 47th and the 53rd

2nd Brigade: 20th, 21st and the 62nd

Royal Artillery: 1st and 3rd Battalions

Gunner, Royal Regiment of Artillery, 1777 Burgoyne expedition

Before General Burgoyne's 1777 expedition started south from Canada, the British troops modified their uniforms to make them more suitable for fighting in North America. This gunner of the Royal Regiment of Artillery wears the resulting uniform. Coats had their tails cut off short. Separate breeches and gaiters were replaced by one-piece gaiter-trousers. The felt tricorne hat was cut down to make a cap, which was given a crest of horse hair dyed red. A period drawing by Friedrich von Germann, a German officer with Burgoyne’s army, shows all of these details. Visible in the background is a howitzer on a Congreve pattern field carriage. Reconstruction by Gerald A. Embleton. (Parks Canada)


Royal Irish Artillery: 1 company

I shall add my own images of my troops in the coming weeks.

From www.cmhg.gc.ca


Throughout the summer of 1776, British reinforcements continued to arrive. Dozens of ships reached the docks of Quebec to unload tons of provisions, dozens of brass field cannon and thousands of soldiers from Europe. The 9th, 20th, 21st 24th, 47th, 53rd and 62nd regiments arrived, as well as the grenadiers of the 29th, 31st and 34th, accompanied by 500 artillerymen of the Royal Artillery.