Michael Krafick - Feb 23, 2005 3:44 pm (#2256 Total: 2270) Fear my 10 Sided Blue Die of Death. (TM) - (Royalties paid to Peter Young) Guilford Battle - Mark vs. Mike (Mark thought it would be a good idea for me to take notes and post our gameplay from last night on consimworld. So I took a crack at explaining what went on - let me know what you think). Last night I had the pleasure of playing Mark for only my 3rd time. Our schedules have prevented us from syncing up in a few weeks - giving me some much needed practice time in solitaire mode. But I learn more in one game with Mark than I do in hours by myself - countless "Ah Ha!" , "Why did I not think of that", "Sneaky little bastard" , and "well, been playing that rule wrong" moments. I pulled out Guilford Courthouse and painstakingly set it up in the war room (also known to my wife as the dining room). Had small discussion with wife that you can't be manly and play war games with flowery tablecloths and a vase of roses on table. After telling her I am the man of the house and will do what I want (or begging "Please hun, don't make me sit next to the vase of flowers" , whichever you prefer) - I had the game ready to go. Then I sacrificed a small chicken and did the war dance to appease whatever deity I needed to play a good game. Then of course, I ordered the pizza. Mark came over and after stuffing ourself senseless with pizza, we sat down to play the campaign game. Mark played the British, while I played the Americans. # * * * * The British, for the most part swung along the north Road (New Garden Road) while Tarelton swung south to see what was around the other side. About 8am, Lee's Vanguard encountered the German Jaegers Battalion accompanied by some Light infantry near the woodsline at Moses Ballinger's home. The Americans were able to get off a pot shot before falling back to warn the rest of the American front. Neither side was seriously wounded. By 10am most of Lee's Vanguard had pulled back past the crossroads to almost Joseph Hoskins home. Yelling back to their men at arms, the Virginia Militia (Lt. Blue Stripe) thought they may be able to scramble from the cover of their treeline across the open field and take station in the treeline near the Hoskins home. Keeping the British back across the creek and allowing quick access through the trees to the pass through road between the north and south routes. Thinking an advantage at hand, The Virginia Militia surged forward in a sprint trying to get into position while the N.C. Militia prepared to act as reinforcements. Green, unsure if the southern route was secure - positioned the State Troops (Dr. Blue Stripe) and 1/2 Maryland in a position to reinforce, or circle behind the British. At 11am the front lines of the British came past Thomas Browns home and down the connecting road between the North and Southern Routes. The Americans were almost in position and were preparing to split off through the light forest with an attempt to pin back the British near the fork in the road. But that is when things got ugly. Mark twisted his handlebar mustache while echoing a eerie "Mu ha ha ha" just before throwing his dice for initiative. (Ok, I made the mustache thing up). I rubbed the tummy of my little American Continental figure for good luck and rolled for my initiative. Mark suddenly cackles, taps his fingers together while saying "egggcellent" in his best Mr. Burns voice. (Ok, I made that part up too). By noon, the British were in full swing, moving faster than the American forces could get set. 1/2 the British force swung down the connecting road while Webster and Leslie lead the other half of the British Army straight at the Lees Vanguard & Captain Kirkwood which were gathered in the field near Joseph Hoskins's home. Not making it to the ridge line in time, the Americans were vulnerable in the field. In the battle that ensued, the first American casualty happened when Kirkwood was killed. (2:1 British Attack, momentum chip used - rolled high enough to gain momentum back). At the bottom half of the hour, the militia was scrambling to form a defensive line. (Americans win initiative - back to back move) By 1pm the militia was not under the cover of tree's but the line would have to do. Green barked orders to send 800 men down the southern route to the pass thru with the intention of cutting back around the British while the NC. Militia (Green Stripe) started to rush forward to reinforce the Virginia line with a few of the continentals in tow. The determined Americans were dug in. It wasn't an ideal place to make a stand - but it was time to fight. At the bottom half of the hour, they felt the brunt of the British attack. Cornwallis leaves the safety of the road to double time it through the forest attacking the tail end of the American line. Webster and Leslie push straight forward and meet the American Line lead by Eaton and Stevens head on. Both sides trade rifle fire - with the German Jaegers Battalion causing part of Lee's Legion to retreat. Not to be outdone, Surrey County Militia return fire, knocking back the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In the impending battle the Americans were starting to be forced back with Lee's Legion falling in the same manner as Kirkwood. At 2pm - The British started to flank the American weak side with O'Hara, knocking back Nottoway and Prince Edward County Militia. While the NC Ind. Volunteers were overrun (4:1 British attack) by Leslie and his troops. However, on the opposite end of the defensive wall, the American Militia threw back Cornwallis and his troops before running back to the tree line for cover. By the end of the hour the Americans were in a bad state with many retreating and some formations falling apart in a disruption. From 2:30-4pm, the battle raged. The Americans were in full retreat back into the woods line they originally held positions in. The retreat was bloody with the killing or capture of many units such as Finley's Battery (cannons), Lees Legion Hrs, and Campbell's Rifle regiment. [Side note: by this time my lines were so broken up that my head was spinning, I had a hard time getting my bearings again]. Green, by sheer will, rallied multiple militia units (giving the fatigued American's much needed morale) and formed a battle line in the forest with some continental reinforcements. Green had one last chance to counter attack and shove the British back out into the open field. So he ordered a 3 prong attack hitting the top, middle, and bottom section of the British line deep within the forest. From 4:30-5pm Greene's counter attack was not only repelled, but rolled over. Cornwallis, O'hara, and Leslie just steam rolled over the American Line. Completely broken, the remaining American Army scattered into the forest and for the safety of nearby homes. # * * * * Well, that was the bulk of the battle, I had a few things working against me (Americans). I underestimated the time needed to sprint to the coverage of the tree line in front of the fields. I got caught with Marks double initiative at the worst possible time, and I was screwing up a few of the basic rules. (I had played by myself so much that I drove the wrong interpretation of a few rules into my head). I have to admit I was pretty frustrated with how poorly I played this one and even packed up the game for the first time in weeks. But after 30 minutes of settling, I realized how much fun I have even when I lose and even put the game box out on the table to play the next day. I did purchase Brandywine from Mark last night and am excited to play it. But after reading some of your posts and talking to Mark - I think I am going to keep working on Eutaw Springs and Guilford Courthouse to get practice and work on some of the basics. Wife is out of town for the next 5 days on business - I may just game the whole time. I can see it now, she comes home to find that I haven't shaved or showered in days, hair all disheveled. While I meticulously move chits around with my +2 tweezers while mumbling to myself.