Burning down the Houses: The War of 1812

[Narwhal]

As is to be expected from Narwhal, a bold and aggressive plan. I like it, and we've already seen the first part implemented. I look forward to seeing how loki responds.

I am quite happy with my first moves, truth be said, but Loki100 has his own bold moves and surprised me on one front...

Is dissapointed to see that the first engagement of the war (the seizing of Fort Mackinac) is not covered in the game. Does the fort even exist on the map?

I am not familiar with the War of 1812 so I had to look it up. The Fort is there, but not the action to seize it, which is not possible in June with the forces available.

The good thing about AGEOD games is that if you propose "change" in the scenario to improve it, there is an high chance (though it is of course not certain) that they change the scenarios. Ask General_Hoth, who had a key feiture of the FIW implemented in the latest patch (1.09 - the one we are using) just by a couple backed-up posts on the forum. Go mention it on the AGEOD forum.

This war is shaping up well, do the French Canadians ever revolt against the English?

Nope Same remark though. It might as well. The French Canadians assistance to the Americans in early War of Independance is in the War of Independance campaign (provided the rebel player reaches Canada), so it would be quite easy to represent in game with current tools(I believe it was circa 500 French Canadians who joined the Americans - which given the scale of the war was significant - am I wrong ?). Moreover, it would balance an English buff-up to take Fort Mackinac.

Not in the game, no. The Hartford Convention is not included, either.

Also, the attack on Oswego was a daring move! The Americans will have to deal with it, but the Brits in Fort Erie are weak.

Hartford Convention => Oh boy - do I learn about the era thanks to you (and Wikipedia).
As for Fort Erie weakness, my good friend Loki will try to exploit this...

 

[Narwhal]

Note : I added a picture in my AAR (third one). I forget to put it. My strategy makes more sense with it.

 

[loki100]

I am quite happy with my first moves, truth be said, but Loki100 has his own bold moves and surprised me on one front...

As for Fort Erie weakness, my good friend Loki will try to exploit this...

As a general comment, I gambled a fair bit in 1812 that Narwhal would assume I'd be ultra-cautious as I was in the Seven Years War game. Thus I hoped he'd over-commit and that I might be able to gain some useful strategic ground as a result (or get horribly beaten ... always a possibility)

 

[loki100]

August 1812, Shuffling Northwards with no particular haste

Having sent Dearhorn's army north to Champlain, the US command ordered a mixed militia force to Albany. This combined with the garrison forces already in that area should be enough to hold off any further English incursions.



Dearhorn in the meantime was expected to reach Fort Ticonderoga by the end of the month and join up with some more militia and the skirmishers. Although late in the season, the US plan called for an immediate strike at La Colle with the goal of ensuring that all the Lake Champlain ports were in US hands. This would hopefully stop any British forces being able to move down towards Albany to supplement the units now in action at Oswego.



At the same time a militia battalion moved north to scout out the English strength around Mont Royal.



With the fall of Oswego, it was assumed the English would move towards Albany, but at the moment their army was badly disrupted by their assault on the fort.



To supplement this move, Perry was to take several battalions north to capture La Gallete in concert with the force already at La Presentation this would effectively sever overland communications between Mont Royal and Kingston. Since the US fleet on the lake was now larger than the English, the expectation was that the English units at Oswego would be increasingly isolated and unable to move inland for fear of an attack from the rear.



However, even as some warlike preparations were being made on the Ontario-Champlain front, around Lake Eire, an eerie silence reigned. The US forces at Niagara and Buffalo remained asleep and Hull decided it was as good a time as any to have another long lunch enjoying the quiet rural delights of Detroit. Fortunately at sea, Decatur became bored chasing merchant ships and decided to engage the RN squadron off Cape Sable



Even if this unit, rather cowardly, slipped away, elsewhere the USN won a remarkable victory



and in Europe, a small skirmish of no particular importance took place.

 

[Narwhal]

As a general comment, I gambled a fair bit in 1812 that Narwhal would assume I'd be ultra-cautious as I was in the Seven Years War game. Thus I hoped he'd over-commit and that I might be able to gain some useful strategic ground as a result (or get horribly beaten ... always a possibility)

It is exactly what happened (I over-committed and you gained some useful ground). Even though I did not expect you to be ultra-cautious, I believed you would use your Albany force to reopen the Albany- Mohawk - Oswego route. Which you did not.

It is always extra-nice to forecast its opponent moves by experience. I should be wary now, I start to get predictable.

 

[Narwhal]

On the 1st of July, 1812


To Our King, George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
From Sir John Prevost, by your grace Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the English forces in the America,

Majesty,
I am happy to report you that our plan worked perfectly. Sir James Yeo chased the enemy from the Lake Ontario, opening the way to our landing force ! Here is a map of what happened :

CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE

The most peculiar event happened at Oswego, and I cannot say yet if it was good or bad fortune. From what I can make out of the uncohesive and often contradictory testimonies I have of the battle, while our landing troops started skirmishing against the Americans, John Brant’s war party was passing by the city of Oswego. Hearing gunfires and other warcries, his natives came to him and claimed that the white men were keeping them deliberately away from the battle, as to keep all the glory for them. They became like rabid animasl, and John Brant had no other choice but to follow them on the battle, hoping at least to take the Yankees from the back, and this against my strict orders. Unfortunately, most Americans were not engaged yet, and the Natives received quite a beating, before fleeing in disarray. John Brant was himself wounded.

Seeing the Indians retreat, the good Bourgeois milita of Oswego, a bit short on Christian values when offered an opportunity to kill, pursued the Natives and manage to kill or wound most of them, and instilling fear unto the others so badly I believe they will never serve the Union Jack again. But our glorious troops could thus enter the city unopposed, and Oswego is not ours without any siege or assault. It is of good fortune, but without Natives I have now lost my eyes and will advance in the fog!

I now command Oswego. The good bourgeois of this fine city are still around, by the edge of the forest, hoping we depart. We will not. I am now waiting for Sir Isaac Brook force to land as well. Sir James Yeo, I understand, will carry on patrolling back and forth the lake, as Brook’s transports will be unescorted. Let me show you on this map:

I expect the Americans to attack Fort Erie, but this would be a good opportunity for us to attack Niagara.



More on the West, the Americans brutally assaulted the Ottawa village. This, I gather, will infuriate Tecumseh. I planned to use him in defense of Amherstburg, and I can only hope that the American foolish action does not prompt him into a mistake.

Yours gracefully,

Sir John Prevost

 

[Narwhal]

On the 4th of August, 1812

To Our King, George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

From Sir John Prevost, by your grace Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the English forces in the America,

My King ! Everythis is still according to plan :

Sir Isaac Brook landed with his forces :

Tecumseh came to us as expected.

Since the Yankees are surprisingly passives, I ordered your forces to gather at Fort Erie, threatening Niagara enough they don’t try to take Oswego from behind my force. Sir Isaac Brook will command them :

As for me, I have already started the march toward Albany. Hopefully, we should reach Dayton before the end of the month. I have enough supply to hold several month, not least because I know how to organize supply consumption in a group, a talent handy in the wilderness of the colonies.

Yours gracefully,

Sir John Prevost

 

[Narwhal]

On the 1st of September, 1812

To Our King, George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
From Sir John Prevost, by your grace Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the English forces in the America,


My King, I am now sieging the Fort Stanwix on the Mohawk valley. I know quite a few tricks in the art of siege and the Fort should fall soon.

The Americans have still not reacted to our offensive, which obviously kept them stunned and powerless. As you can see, our moves are unopposed :

I destroyed the rebellious bourgeois of Oswego on my way to Fort Stanwix, which stopped my advance. This was not a great feat I admit :

Also, I have received your reinforcements. They will be useful and are moving toward Montréal as I speak.

Some guns, though, could help prove the Americans there are defeated ? Could you spare a few from your European campaigns ? As you can see, our attack threw them into disarray. We do not need much more to decisively defeat them.

As I told your Majesty, my plan is to siege and capture Fort Stanwix :

Since I have been stopped at Fort Stanwix, I believe I don’t need to threaten the American soldiers of Fort Niagara any more – I can personaly defend Oswego. Thus, I am sending the force I had grouped in Erie toward Detroit. Its defenders will either join our prison camps, or will be thrown in the wilderness, in the middle of winter. They don’t have a chance !

I believe 1813 will see the triumph of our arms !

Yours gracefully,

 

[Narwhal]

October 1812, the 10th
To Our King, George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
From Sir John Prevost, by your grace Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the English forces in the America,

My King, once again, the Americans collapse in front of our victorious troops. Fort Stanwix surrendered, before we even finished the preparation for the siege !

My troops are getting ready to attack Fort Detroit. The Americans are starting to react – much too late in the season to be any threat. I feel compelled, though, to announce you that a significant force has landed on the North of the Lake Champlain, and that the small and defenseless town of Prescott has been occupied by the Yankees. Their skill at war is decent when they are fighting civilians. This is not worrying, my King, as Montréal is well protected, even without the guns that you sent us and which should arrive anytime soon.

After the fall of Fort Stanwix, I wish I could move toward Albany. Unfortunately, the passes to Albany are taken by the snow, so I decide to settle for the Sackett’s harbor, the last American port on the Ontario after Fort Niagara. I do not doubt the Americans will surrender without much combat.

At Amherstburg, my troops will attack. I trust Sir Isaac Brock will choose the best strategy to win the battle of Fort Erié.

Finally, I trust that Montréal is safe and that the American bold landing will end in a rout. Supplies are scare in the North, and it is much too late to start campaigning. Lest they assault Saint John, I gave the order to Sir Gordon Drummond to defend it with a significant force.

Yours gracefully,

 

[loki100]

mmmhh ... it does seem as if the total defeat of the Americans is to hand?

 

[Narwhal]

I think November 1812 was the last turn when everything went according to plan. Then, it started to go downhill...

 

[loki100]

September 1812

According to his despatches to France, Le Comte Henri was at Niagara in the early Autumn having given up on his earlier plans to spend the New Year in Mont Royal. He apparently convinced the US command in the region that Smyth's corps would be ideal to use to spearhead a drive to gain control over the North side of the lake, either to seize one of the small ports and set up a base for future operation, or, in combination with the Detroit forces, to seize the main English port at Amherstburg.



The main flaw to this plan was that Henri had never met Smyth. If he had, then it may have occured to him that a less ambitious scheme would have been more suited to that individual's rather singular talents



[1]

In the meantime the US plan to seize control of the regions south of Mont Royal were put into operation. The first prong would seize Prescott and the Gananoque Depot cutting communications to Kingston.



and on the Champlain Dearborn prepared a raid on La Colle and to join up with the battalion scouting in the region.



The gamble in this move was to ignore the English force pressing down the Mohawk valley. Instead, the plan was to isolate this force and destroy it a later stage after gaining control over the Ontario region.

In the south, the siege of Mobile was reinforced



and defeat a small annoying group of Indians



At sea, Decatur is back out hunting merchant shipping [2], as the cowardly British navy ran away



& beat the English fleet off Newfoundland



[1] – its always a good idea to double check a commander's traits, especially before you let them out on their own.
[2] – this actually proved to be a very useful gambit over time and done in force.

 

[loki100]

October 1812

At Champlain, Dearborn seized La Colle



but unfortunately the naval squadron was driven off when the panic filled English sailors fled the port



But the fall of Gananoque completed a very sucessful set of American operations. With winter coming, the English forces were effectively trapped around Mont Royal, leaving their forces on Ontario and Eire isolated.



From this perspective, the failed English attempt to take Sackett's Harbour was but a small source of additional pleasure.



So it was, with the first hints of winter in the air, the US command put into operation, Henri's masterplan to take complete control of the Eire region, driving the English into the wilderness where, unfortunately, it was expected that many would perish before the Spring.

Von Rennselaer led his large force across the Niagara to seize the English Fort Eire, to cement control of the NE end of the lake, only to be forced to withdraw due to the English cowardly use of terrain and fortifications.



and Smyth landed at Amhertsburg



unfortunately he survived the engagement, unlike the rest of his men

and Chaucey's flotilla was driven off



and Hull, was just finishing his pre-march lunch when the English arrived at Detroit



As far as can be understood, by the time this set of disasters occured, Henri was back in Washington, certainly the surviving dispatches make no mention of his role in these events. Instead he mentions the Champlain operations and strongly suggests that the Tricoleur will soon fly over Mont Royal (which he suggests renaming Ville de la Republique, or, in a private letter to Astride, Enfer.)

At sea, Decatur, came back to port to resupply.



[1] - not sure if its the latest patch or as a result of a different scenario, but in the French and Indian Wars Eire and Ontario are separate areas of naval operations (ie your fleet can't transfer), in this game it can sail cheerfully up & down the Niagara rivulets ... I didn't realise this till 1813.

 

[TheExecuter]

[1] - not sure if its the latest patch or as a result of a different scenario, but in the French and Indian Wars Eire and Ontario are separate areas of naval operations (ie your fleet can't transfer), in this game it can sail cheerfully up & down the Niagara rivulets ... I didn't realise this till 1813.

Most lake ships of the time were small enough to be portaged around the falls. I.e., they were small enough to be disassembled and reassembled on the river.

Looks like the war is going historically. I don't suppose you lose much by your failures in the Detroit / Erie region...

 

[loki100]

Most lake ships of the time were small enough to be portaged around the falls. I.e., they were small enough to be disassembled and reassembled on the river.

Looks like the war is going historically. I don't suppose you lose much by your failures in the Detroit / Erie region...

Thanks, that makes sense in terms of cross-shipping but there is no delay at all which makes me suspect its not quite right (but is damn handy) as represented in game.

Strategically the only thing in the west of any value is Valenciennes (which is very valuable but also a long way away). So on balance, you're right, I'd have rather not taken those losses around Eire but I can live with it. But I've given Narwhal a rather fun puzzle to solve around Mont Royal which keeps us both very busy throughout 1813

 

[Stuyvesant]

There's a lot to digest after a few days away, but while loki wins the prize for most useless commanders, Narwhal wins in the 'most cutting remark' for this gem:

Their skill at war is decent when they are fighting civilians.

Ouch.

 

[Narwhal]

November 1812, the 4th
To Our King, George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
From Sir John Prevost, by your grace Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the English forces in the America,

My King,

It looks like the Americans waked up, and attacked on all fronts. Fortunately, they attacked as an noisy mob, not as an army. Let me tell you about their so-called “offensive”, which is actually more an offense to military arts.

A couple weeks ago, I have received news that they attacked Amherstburg by trying to land on the ufortified back of your city, thus imitating – or trying to imitate – our daring landing at Minorca 20 years ago.
Unfortunately for them, our fleet attacked them as they were trying to land. Their so-called navy did not stand long, and withdrew in disorder, letting the infantry on its own. Meanwhile, our whole army had been warned and picked their soldiers up one after the other. This coordination between our army and our navy was beautiful to see, and I believe no other country can pride itself in such an efficiency in naval matters :

We captured several guns and supply wagons, items which were lacking to your Western garrisons. We also captured the American commander, but then let him go ; and I hope they give him a command again !

After this victory, Sir Isaac Brock and his men now highly spirited assaulted the enemy position at Fort Détroit. Your soldiers, my King, were fighting at 2 against 3, but they were above and beyond their duty, and the enemy retreated in disarray. We lost less than two hundred men, while Sir Isaac Brock claims he killed, captured or maimed more than 1 200 men.

The enemy was so confused that he fled in the wilderness North of Fort Détroit, far away from any supply he might reach before winter sets in.

Our enemies also attacked Fort Erié, but yet again, outgunned, outnumbered, 500 of your soldiers stopped 4000 of their, sending the survivors back to Fort Niagara, which they should have never leaved.

Finally, I just received the news that more than 3000 Americans assaulted La Colle, an insignificant fishermen village North of the Champlain. Our fleet could leave on time, and the few douzains of defenders left in the village fought at 1 against 20, killed or incapacited a great deal of their attackers before running out of powder and being killed by the rebels in a last, dashing charge.

Such a “feat”, surely, proves once more that the Americans can only win when they are against civilians, 20 against 1 or helped by the French [even though I fail to see the interest of the French in having such lousy allies, as I don't see the Americans being of any help to them in the coming two hundred years].

Meanwhile, our fleet, even though it was evacuating the port of La Colle in the greatest confusion, won the battle on the Champlain :

As for me, I am as I told you sieging the city of Sackett Harbor, where I met an unexpected opposition : more than two thousands of the most elite American soldiers, well-entrenched behind the heaviest guns I have ever seen in the New World. The battle is won, even though as I write an handful of Americans are still skirmishing in the harbor. Once again, this proves my intuition was good and this place is decisive for the American war “effort”.

Let me sum up all those informations on a map :

In other news, there have been some sort of elections in the United States of America, and you will not be surprised that the former President of the United States has been voted out :

If our philosophers want yet another example of why the head of a nation should never be elected, the United States should be added to the list, right next to Poland, and France.

From what I understand from Sir Isaac Brock, he decided to split his force : all his light troops (including the natives), under his personal command, will move toward the American fort of Miami to block the way of the defeated army of William Hull, thus hoping that this army gets destroyed by winter. Meanwhile, the heavier forces, which would have slowed down Sir Isaac Brock anyway, will carry on the siege of Fort Detroit, lest the Americans attack it (which is highly unlikely given their state of disorder and their performances so far).

Meanwhile, I will quell the last resistance in Sackett’s harbor. No further action is needed against the pointless American raid on La Colle, I don’t believe they will have enough supply to hold the whole winter.

I believe I will send some more excellent news very soon !

Yours gracefully,

Sir John Prevost


[OOC]

 

[Narwhal]

December 1812, the 5th
To Our King, George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
From Sir John Prevost, by your grace Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the English forces in the America,

My King,

Not much change to the situation here, due to winter. I must reckon, though, that the Americans in La Colle built a depot, and brought bateaux to build more, so I must assume they intend to keep their position :

The very last resistance of the harbor I am sieging will fall tomorrow, as I give the assault. I will then use the same way I used in May to command the attack on La Colle. We cannot keep an enemy force so close to Quebec.

Finally, Sir Isaac Brock is in position South of Fort Détroit. Fort Détroit should be ours as you receive this mail.

Yours gracefully,

 

[loki100]

Just to add (& of course most of the above is pure propaganda as will be shortly revealed), it does seem that this game revolves very much around control of the VP cities more than anything else. There's an (old) AAR on the AGEOD boards were the writer didn't plan around this and lost despite probably 'winning' the war. The result is holding a given city for a month or more longer is often worth the loss of a brigade when it finally falls. Also you only have 3 campaign seasons, so as Narwhal has just done, you can't do what you tend to in the French and Indian wars and sleep all winter, at least some activity needs to be undertaken.

Also note - we have different VP cities:



(something I've only realised at the start of 1814).

Also you gain VPs when a complete army surrenders - which may make my advice about hanging on to some locations a little bit less sensible

 

[Narwhal]

December 1812,


To Our King, George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
From Sir John Prevost, by your grace Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of the English forces in the America,

My King,

I want to bring to your attention the fact that Sir Brock has failed to find and destroy the enemy force, and thus to exploit his victory. Failing to seize such an opportunity is a major blunder that casts shadow on its capacity to be your commander-in-chief in the Americas :

I gave him the firm order to retreat to Fort Détroit, but to engage the enemy if he finds them.

As for me, I am going to chase the Americans from the outskirts of Montréal. I am outnumbered and the weather is extremely cold, but I trust my military excellence – and the total lack of discipline of the American militias :

Yours gracefully,



As a side note, I am going to do an important mistake for a psychological reason in the following turns :

Sackett’s harbor has some fixed guns. The place is, apart from this, not very interesting. I don’t want to let Loki have the guns, so I am going to commit much more troops in defense to this city even though it has no value whatsoever. I will under-protect Oswego on the other hand, which is much more strategic.