French Landing in Virginia (Dominion Wargame)

With the French fleet off Virginia, ferrying seventeen military units, an attack somewhere in the Chesapeake Bay was very likely. Although the most probable objective was Washington, the French Command decided otherwise. Their aim was to neutralise Norfolk, and to establish their own naval base. Towards this end, a landing would be made at Virginia Beach.

The US army was unable to oppose this landing with a sufficient force, so they decided to form a protective line on the likely French approach, comprising twelve military units. The French actually landed fifteen, keeping two onboard their fleet, which now sought to engage the American fleet in the Chesapeake.

THE BATTLE

The Americans chose their position with care, and even had time to construct some fortifications. MOVE ONE the French advanced. MOVE TWO three American guns opened fire. MOVE three the French guns returned fire, and had some real success when they knocked out an American gun. At this point, the American commander realised that three potential guns were too far to the rear-left, and were unable to assist because of the range! MOVE FOUR saw the American 'roving' cannon and cavalry on their far left advance forward. Here are some photos.

MOVE FIVE saw some accurate fire from the US howitzer battery, two D6, with two crew on the French Roving Cannon taken out. And it ceased to advance further. But that battery now came under fire from several guns during MOVE SIX and SEVEN, their losses obliged a morale check, and they broke, as did the neighbouring infantry regiment.  MOVE EIGHT was strange. The US roving cannon entered into melee with French Marines.The result was not in doubt, but the French commander was able to score a good hit from one of his guns. Down to half strength, the last crew member surrendered!

In MOVE NINE the Americans were withdrawing from the field, but a cavalry regiment sought to delay the French, by declaring a charge. A counter charge by a Cuirassier regiment produced a melee which concluded in something quite odd. The Cuirassiers wiped out the American cavalry, but were forced to test their morale having fallen below half strength. They routed (D3). The nearby second regiment of Cuirassiers witnessed this, and they too scattered (D1), followed by a nearby infantry regiment (D1). At this point, I simply called it a draw.

MGB

LOSSES American: 13 casualties, 15 routing, 1 captured. Also, Roving Cannon captured, one gun destroyed. French: 14 casualties, 19 routing. RESULT: both the American and French right had collapsed.