Bemis Heights (1) British OOB

Final update 20th October 08

Basic data comes from a number of sources, including Boatner, Ketchum, Morrisey, Novak, etc.

The British force that marched out on 7th October 1777 was very much a reconnaissance in force rather than the full scale offensive that Burgogne had originally proposed to his council of war.

The OOB is for my rules notes are shown as (#)

Right flank - Fraser

• Light Infantry #1 5sp OO (1)
• Light Infantry #2 5sp OO (1)
• Royal Artillery (medium guns) 3sp
• 24th Foot 5sp

Centre - Riedesel (2)

• Brunswick Grenadiers 5sp
• Von Specht 5sp
• Von Rhetz 5sp
• Hesse Hanau Artillery (medium guns) 3sp
• Royal Artillery (heavy guns) 3sp

Left - Acland

• British Grenadiers 5sp
• Royal Artillery (medium guns) 2 @ 3sp

Other forces:
Breyman redoubt (3) - Breyman (8)

• Breymann d3+2sp (4)
• Hesse Hanau Artillery (medium guns) 3sp

Balcarres redoubt (5) - Phillips

• Royal Artillery (medium guns?) #1 5sp
• Royal Artillery (medium guns?) #2 5sp
• 20th Foot d3+2sp (4)
• 63rd Foot d3+2sp (4)

"Cabins" (6)

• Canadians 3sp, Militia

Optionally in the woods on the British right - Indians/Canadians 5sp OO.

Optionally in front of the Balcarres redoubt an outwork with a piquette of 1sp

(1) Could be combined as a single close order unit 5sp
(2) The exact German units involved is not clear in the sources I've checked so far, I've used the two regiments from my collection
(3) Just fortified at the front and side, nothing at the rear 200m long with 2 guns defenses commander by Colonel Breymann
(4) The exact strengths of the defenders is unclear and there is some mention of some losses due to troops being dispatched to assist the forces in the open. To determine the exact number. roll a d6 1,2 - 3sp; 3,4 - 4sp; 5,6 - 5sp
(5) A large substantial work with abbatis in front 500m long with 8 guns
(6) Just considered as cover (loop holed palisade)
(7) The artillery that marched out was 12 guns = 15 sp, rather than create 3 powerful full strength units I have shown them as 5 weaker 3sp units so they can be more accurately dispersed across the frontage. This also makes them less effective and better reflect their performance in the battle.
(8) Optional - Breyman was a tyrant and some sources suggest he was shot by his own men, so when he tests for "risk to general" add 2 to the die roll.
(9) Optional - Fraser was deliberately shot by one of Morgans riflemen while rallying his troops. To reflect his inspiring leadership he has a +2 morale bonus, but he tests for "risk to general" whenever any of the units under his command lose a casualty(sp) from rifle fire.

Will