The Battle of Pecan Hollow - Battle Report

Introduction

All trees are purely decorative, and serve no function mechanically. 

This is a test run of my Portable American War of Independence rules based on David Barnes' The Portable Horse & Musket Wargame found in the first volume of The Portable Wargame Compendium. I'm not sure I can share them as they are a variation on the entirety of the PNW rule set and could be used without owning the books. Also, these are different rules than the WIP ones posted in the Guilford Courthouse post from a few days ago. That was more of a one-off test.

This is a fictional battle fought during the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. General Cornwallis has pursued Nathanael Greene's force to an idyllic stretch of land known as Pecan Hollow. It is a warm spring day and both sides are itching for a fight. As dawn breaks, both forces array themselves in a battle line straddling the Pinewood Road. 

Armies

British Army (10 SP)

from left to right

• General Cornwallis (6 SP)
• 23rd Light Infantry company (Light Infantry, 3 SP, Average)
• 23rd Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry, 4 SP, Average)
• 33rd Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry, 4 SP, Average)
• 71st (Fraser's Highland) Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry, 5 SP, Superior)
• 1st Guards Battalion (Line Infantry, 4 SP, Superior)
• British Legion Dragoons (Cavalry, 3 SP, Superior)
• Royal Artillery (Artillery, 2 SP, Average)

American Army (10 SP)

from left to right

• General Nathanael Greene (6 SP)
• Morgan's Rifles (Light Infantry w/ rifles, 3 SP, Average)
• 1st Maryland Regiment (Line Infantry, 5 SP, Superior)
• 1st Delaware Regiment (Line Infantry, 4 SP, Superior)
• Continental Artillery (Artillery, 2 SP, Average)
• North Carolina Militia (Militia, 2 SP, Average)
• Virginia Militia (Militia, 2 SP, Inferior)
• South Carolina Militia (Militia, 2 SP, Average)
• Lee's Partisan Legion Dragoons (Cavalry, 3 SP, Average)

The two armies arrayed for battle. The British are on the
southern edge. The Americans are to the north.

Turn 1

The British and American artillery open fire on one another and the British fire hits the American artillery, causing them to withdraw 1 grid area.

British artillery fires on the Americans. Artillery needs a 5+ to hit.
1d6 + 1 (direct fire) = 6.

The British win the initiative roll. On the left, the 23rd Lights advance in Dispersed formation. They open fire on Morgan's Rifles, but at long range their musketry is ineffective.

23rd Light Infantry fires at Morgan's Rifles. Musketry needs a 5+ to hit.
1d6 + 1 (first fire) - 2 (dispersed target, long range) = 3.

The British regiments of foot advance towards the American lines. The dragoons cover the right flank.

The British lines advance.

Now for the American activations. American musketry erupts along the entire front. Morgan's Rifles' precise fire drops several of the light infantrymen. The 1st Maryland's volley smashes into the 23rd's well-dressed ranks, but they continue their advance. Likewise, the 1st Delaware's volley causes casualties in the 33rd's ranks. 

  

Morgan's Rifles fire on the Light Infantry. They lose 1 SP.
1d6 + 2 (first fire, not moved) - 1 (target dispersed) = 5.
1st Maryland fires on the 23rd Foot. They lose 1 SP.
1d6 + 3 (line, first fire, not moved) - 1 (long range) = 8.
1st Delaware fires on the 33rd Foot. They lose 1 SP.
1d6 + 3 (line, first fire, not moved) - 1 (long range) = 7.

On the American left, the NC Militia fires a volley at the 71st Foot, but their fire does not stop the ferocious Highlanders. The VA Militia fires at the 1st Guards, who shrug off the poorly executed volley. The SC Militia is still out of effective range, and holds fire.

NC Militia fires on the 71st Foot. Ineffective.
1d6 + 3 (line, first fire, not moved) - 1 (long range) = 4.
VA Militia fires on the 1st Guards. Ineffective.
1d6 + 3 (line, first fire, not moved) - 1 (long range) = 3.

At the end of the turn, the Americans have 10 SP and the British have 7 SP.

Turn 2

Both Artillery companies are out of range (being light pieces) and so do not fire this turn.

The British win the initiative roll. On the left, the Light Infantry advance quickly in Dispersed formation, form into line, and prepare to charge bayonets. The 23rd Foot delivers a volley into the 1st Maryland, but their fire is ineffective. The 33rd opens fire on the Delaware Line, with equally poor results. The British left's assault is foundering.

23rd Foot fires on the Maryland line. Ineffective.
1d6 + 3 (line, first fire, not moved) - 1 (long range) = 3.
33rd Foot fires on the Delware line. Ineffective.
1d6 + 3 (line, first fire, not moved) - 1 (long range) = 3.

On the British right, the 71st and 1st continue to advance towards the line of Patriot militia. The British Legion moves up to the right-rear of the 1st Guards. General Cornwallis moves to bolster his Regiment of 33rd Foot. 

The British right wing advances steadily towards the enemy.
Please excuse the large body of men in the far
distance, they are merely spectators.

Now for the American activations. General Greene, sensing weakness on the British left, sends the Maryland and Delaware regiments forward. Morgan's Rifles continue to pepper the Light Infantry with rifle fire.

Morgan's Rifles fire on the Light Infantry. They lose 1 SP.
1d6 + 1 (not moved) - 1 (target dispersed) = 5.

On the American left the NC, VA, and SC militias deliver another volley at the Highlanders and Guards. At close range, the volleys are devastating and dozens of Highlanders and Guards litter the field. The American dragoons move up to screen the American left flank. 

NC Militia fires on the 71st Foot. They lose 1 SP.
1d6 + 2 (line, not moved) = 5.
VA Militia fires on the 1st Guards. They lose 1 SP.
1d6 + 2 (line, not moved) = 7.
SC Militia fires on the 1st Guards. They lose 1 SP.
1d6 + 2 (line, not moved) = 5.

At the end of the turn, the Americans have 10 SP and the British have 3 SP.

Also, I moved up both Artillery companies, as I had forgotten to do so during the turn. 

Turn 3

The artillery duel it out once again, and neither is successful in inflicting significant damage on the other.

The artillery hurl round shot at each other down the dusty lane.

The British win the initiative roll (luckily for them 😅). On the left, the Light Infantry give a shout and charge bayonets into Morgan's Rifles who, holding the far right of the American line, bravely hold fast. The Light Infantry prevail, but just barely. 

The Light Infantry charge bayonets into Morgan's Rifles. The rifles lose 1 SP.
Light Infantry: 1d6 + 1 (bayonets) = 4.
Morgan's Rifles: 1d6 -1 (dispersed) = 3. 

Meanwhile, the 23rd and 33rd Foot pour fire into the advancing Maryland and Delaware lines. The 23rd's fire is ineffective, while the Delaware is hammered by the 33rd's volley.

23rd Foot fires on Maryland line. Ineffective.
1d6 + 2 (line, not moved) = 4.
33rd Foot fires on Delaware line. They lose 1 SP.
1d6 + 2 (line, not moved) = 5.

On the British right, the 71st Highlanders charge bayonets into the NC Militia. On their right, the Guards follow suit into the Virginia men. The NC militia takes heavy casualties and is wavering. The Virginia militia falls back with the Guards hot on their heels. The Virginians are on the verge of routing from the field. 

The Highlanders charge the NC militia. They lose 1 SP.
Highlanders: 1d6 + 2 (militia) = 5.
NC Militia: 1d6 - 1 (quality) = 1.
The Guards charge the VA militia. They retreat 1 grid area.
Guards: 1d6 + 2 (militia) = 4.
VA Militia: 1d6 - 1 (quality) = 3.
The Guards pursue the VA militia. They lose 1 SP.
Guards: 1d6 + 2 (militia) - 1 (pursuit) = 7.
VA Militia: 1d6 - 1 (quality) = 1.

The British Legion dragoons charge Lee's Legion dragoons and a swirling cavalry melee begins on the far right flank of the British line. The ferocity of the British dragoons has the Americans reeling.

The dragoons clash on the far end of the battlefield. The Americans lose 1 SP.
British Legion: 1d6 = 5.
Lee's Legion: 1d6 - 1 (quality) = 4.

Now for the American activations. On the American right, Morgan's Rifles retreat and give fire into the Light Infantry, without much result.

Morgan's Rifles retreat and fire at the 23rd Light. Ineffective.
1d6 = 2.

The Maryland and Delaware infantry charge the 23rd and 33rd Foot to their front, with General Greene supporting the Delaware line. Both the 23rd and 33rd take casualties. In the melee, a musket ball strikes General Cornwallis in the arm!

Maryland charges the 23rd Foot. The 23rd loses 1 SP.
Maryland: 1d6 = 5.
23rd Foot: 1d6 - 1 (quality) = 0.
Delaware charges the 33rd Foot. The 33rd loses 1 SP.
Delaware: 1d6 + 1 (commander) = 5.
23rd Foot: 1d6 - 1 (quality) + 1 (commander) = 4.
Gen. Cornwallis is hit in the melee. The British lose 2 SP.
2d6 = 11. Wounded.

On the American left, things aren't looking great. The NC and SC militia retreat to reform the line. The VA militia continues to fall back rather than face the Guards. The dragoon skirmish continues, and the Americans gain the upper hand. Several British horsemen now lay dead on the field.

The Americans are losing ground on their left flank, and now there are large
gaps in the American line.

The dragoon skirmish rages, and the British lose 1 SP.
British Legion: 1d6 = 1.
Lee's Legion: 1d6 - 1 (quality) = 4.

At the end of the turn, the Americans have 5 SP and the British have 0 SP remaining. The British may no longer take aggressive action according to the Exhaustion Point rules. While I kept that rule to be faithful to the spirit of the original Portable Wargame, I find that very frustrating especially as the British. If the British right can finish off the militia and swing left behind the American regulars, it could be catastrophic for the Americans. Therefore, I'm going to make a mid-game ruling: both sides can continue activations normally until BOTH sides have reached their EP. I think that scenario specific rules would be effective for getting around this.

Also, at this point, I believe the dice rolls and modifiers are clear enough, so I'll just be narrating the action.

Turn 4

The artillery opens fire. The Americans fire grapeshot into the lines of Highlanders at close range, devastating their ranks. The British artillery fires at the American guns, with no effect.

Grapeshot rips into the 71st Highlanders as the British guns
attempt to silence the Americans. 

The Americans win the initiative roll. On the American right, the light infantry duel continues. Morgan's Rifles keep up the fire, without much effect. The Maryland and Delaware boys continue their assault. The 23rd Foot gives way, and the Marylanders rush into the flank of the 33rd Foot. The 33rd Foot is staggered by the hit to their flank, losing 1 SP. At the same moment, the Delaware line crashes into the 33rd's front, and the British line collapses (-1 SP). General Cornwallis rushes to the rear. 

The Continentals break the British left flank. Cornwallis races to the rear.
The 23rd rallies after being pushed back.

On the American left, the militia pour fire into the ranks of the Guards. The Guards, in their zeal, have entered a hornet's nest. They retreat while taking a loss of 1 SP. 

The 1st Guards take galling fire from the militia and are forced to
retreat with heavy casualties (-1 SP).

The dragoons continue their battle, neither unit willing to give up the fight. The British inflict another hit on the Americans (-1 SP).

The British Legion slashes away at the Americans.

Now for the British activations. On the British left, the Light Infantry turn their attention to the backs of the Maryland Regiment. But the Light Infantry fire doesn't phase the brave Maryland men. The 23rd Foot continues battle with the Maryland, who in their charge turned their flank towards the 23rd. The Marylanders take 1 SP of damage. 

Melee combat still rages on the British left as the 23rd tries to
stem the tide of Continentals.

On the British right, the Highlanders and Guards see their comrades fleeing to their left-rear. Fearing encirclement, they wisely begin withdrawing. The British Legion continues to take casualties in the melee and lose 1 SP. 

The British right begins an organized withdrawal.
The dragoons' bloody struggle continues.

The Americans now have 3 SP remaining. 

Seeing as the British left has collapsed, the British right is faltering, the dragoon skirmish on a knife's edge, and Cornwallis wounded; now is about the time for the British to sound the retreat. We'll play one more round and see what we can manage. 

Turn 5

The American artillery fires at the Highlanders, who retreat. The British fire grapeshot into the Delaware line, but for some reason, the gun fouls (what luck!). 

The Americans harass the retreating Highland Foot and the British
artillery misfires at the worst possible moment.

The British win the initiative. At this point, the British are close enough to table's edge that I will rule that they swiftly (if not exactly in good-order) retreat. The British left retires from the field (we can imagine the light infantry drawing the attention of the American line as Cornwallis, the 23rd, and the Royal Artillery withdraw). 

On the right, the Highlanders retire from the field, and the 1st Guards are moving swiftly out of range of the militia. The British Legion, however, is routed from the field (-1 SP) having taken heavy losses. The American dragoons are in no shape to pursue them.  

The British withdraw from the field as quickly as their legs
can carry them.

A victory for the Americans!

Thoughts

This scenario, while fictional, was rooted in the feel of the Southern Campaign and offered everything I wanted: dramatic volleys, close melees, militia lines wavering under pressure, and a sudden collapse on the British left that turned the tide. Perhaps the militia held on a bit too firmly, but the alternative is that they melt like butter at the first sight of bayonets. That might be more realistic, but perhaps less enjoyable?I can assign them as Inferior - 1 SP if I want that effect. The first fire modifiers felt potent, and the Exhaustion Point rule, while faithful to the original system, ended up feeling too restrictive. I made a mid-game adjustment allowing both sides to keep fighting until both had reached their EP. That change alone opened up the endgame into a much more satisfying conclusion. Cornwallis was wounded, the Marylanders surged forward, and the British right began a disciplined withdrawal just as their left was crumbling. A clear American victory, but a hard-fought one.

Some Fun Extras

After I had written up the battle report you just read, I thought I'd have some fun seeing what ChatGPT thought of it. I gave the AI the prompt "Please read my battle report, and then rewrite it from the perspective of both generals reporting in letter form to their superiors. Make sure the letters are in the style of each of the generals and accurate to the period." I gave it no further promptings other than a copy of the battle report and was quite pleased and not a little amused with what it produced. I've copied and pasted both "letters" below:

---------------------- Cornwallis' Letter ----------------------

To the Right Honourable Lord George Germain, Secretary of State for the Colonies

From: Lieutenant-General Charles, Earl Cornwallis

Camp near Pecan Hollow, Carolina Backcountry

April, 1781

My Lord,

I have the honour to inform Your Lordship of an engagement which took place on the morning of the 14th instant, at a rural crossroad known locally as Pecan Hollow, whereupon my forces, consisting of elements of His Majesty’s 23rd and 33rd Regiments, the 71st Highlanders, the 1st Battalion of Guards, a light infantry detachment, a company of dragoons from the British Legion, and a section of Royal Artillery, came into contact with the rebel army under Major General Nathanael Greene.

The enemy, emboldened by superior numbers in artillery and supported by several bodies of militia, had drawn up their force upon a ridge straddling the Pinewood Road. I observed among their line the 1st Maryland and Delaware regiments, both of which, I am obliged to confess, exhibited steadiness and discipline in their conduct most uncharacteristic of the general tenor of the rebel soldiery.

At dawn our guns commenced an exchange of fire, during which I ordered an advance of the infantry in line. The light troops engaged the enemy’s rifles upon the wooded right of their position, while the 23rd and 33rd pressed toward the enemy center. Our right wing, composed of the Highlanders and Guards, advanced against the rebel militia. For some time our troops performed with commendable vigour, the Guards driving back the Virginian rabble and the Highlanders forcing the North Carolinians into disorder.

It was at this juncture, however, that our left met with considerable resistance. The rebel regulars advanced with admirable resolve and, supported by fire from their riflemen, inflicted severe loss upon the 23rd Regiment. In the mêlée which ensued, I regret to inform Your Lordship that I sustained a wound to the arm whilst directing the fire of the 33rd. Though not grievous, the injury necessitated a temporary withdrawal from the front.

The enemy's pressure on our left grew insurmountable. The 23rd and 33rd, having suffered considerable casualties, began to fall back under heavy fire. The rebels succeeded in turning the flank, forcing our hand. Meanwhile, our cavalry, engaged with Colonel Lee’s partisan horse, endured losses which ultimately broke their line.

Recognizing the untenable nature of our position, and unwilling to hazard the further loss of His Majesty’s finest troops in a contest now deprived of manoeuvre, I gave orders for a general withdrawal. The Highlanders and Guards executed this retirement with steadiness, though not without further loss. The guns were saved with difficulty.

While I am loath to report a reverse, I cannot but acknowledge the composure and offensive spirit shown by the enemy’s Continental units, particularly those of Maryland and Delaware. Their militia, though largely ineffective, proved troublesome when properly supported. It is evident that Greene has imposed greater discipline upon his troops than hitherto observed.

I shall move to a more defensible position and await reinforcement before resuming the offensive. It remains my firm conviction that perseverance and a prudent economy of force will still secure His Majesty’s objectives in the southern provinces.

I have the honour to remain,

Your Lordship’s most obedient and humble servant,

Cornwallis

---------------------- Greene's Letter ----------------------

Camp near Pecan Hollow

Carolina Backcountry, April 16th, 1781

To His Excellency General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army

Sir,

I take the liberty to report to Your Excellency the particulars of an action fought on the morning of the 14th instant near a place called Pecan Hollow, in the Carolina backcountry, against the forces of Lieutenant-General Earl Cornwallis.

Having received intelligence of the enemy’s movements, and judging it prudent to make a stand before the foe could cross further into the interior, I resolved to array our force along the Pinewood Road and receive them on ground of our own choosing. The troops under my command included the 1st Maryland and Delaware Continental regiments, a company of riflemen under Colonel Morgan, several bodies of militia from North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina, Lee’s Legion dragoons, and a section of artillery.

At dawn the enemy commenced a steady advance. Their right, consisting of Highlanders and the 1st Guards, pushed against our leftmost militia, while their center engaged our regulars with musketry and bayonet. For a time, the British line pressed forward with considerable discipline. The militia on our left, though shaken, stood long enough for our artillery and regulars to go to work.

The British left bore the brunt of our counterstroke. The Maryland and Delaware lines moved forward with bayonets fixed, taking heavy fire but returning it with such effect as to disorder the 23rd and 33rd Regiments. Morgan’s Rifles, posted on the far right, gave an excellent account of themselves in contest with the British light infantry, though ultimately forced back.

In the course of the melee, Lord Cornwallis himself was struck and carried from the field. This disarray, combined with a flanking movement executed by the Marylanders, compelled the British left to give way entirely. The Highlanders and Guards, seeing the danger to their rear, wisely began a withdrawal.

The enemy cavalry, formed of the British Legion dragoons, clashed fiercely with our own horse under Colonel Lee. The engagement was hotly contested, but our men held firm and gradually drove the enemy from the field.

By day’s end, the enemy was in retreat along the Pinewood Road. Our forces, though bloodied and fatigued, remained in the field and in good order. I did not choose to press the pursuit beyond a prudent distance, our supply situation being delicate and the men much worn from the fight.

It is with some satisfaction I report that the militia, though not uniformly dependable, performed better than expected, and the Continental line behaved with the steadiness of seasoned troops. I am persuaded that His Majesty’s forces are not invincible when met with resolve and good ground.

I remain, with the highest esteem,

Your Excellency’s most obedient and humble servant,

Nathanael Greene

And finally, I had it generate a picture of the moment when Cornwallis was wounded during the melee between the 33rd Foot and Delaware Regiment.

Who's the guy with the sword?