The Perfect Captain

"I believe that in four weeks from the time a declaration of war is heard on our
frontier, the whole of Upper Canada and a part of Lower Canada will be in
our power."

- Representative John C. Calhoun, 1812

A Free set of miniatures rules for the War of 1812 and
American Revolution, representing company level
actions of roughly 150-800 men per side, provided with
full colour graphics.

What are these rules about?
Well, these rules are, as already stated, the companion set to our previously published War of 1812 ruleset "Cousin Jonathan", which covered the war at the Battalion/Regiment level. It enabled you to fight any of the famous battles for the period such as Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, Sackett's Harbour, etc. While battles were generally small, (with 6000 participants total considered large), we felt that there was something missing for those interested in even smaller actions of the period. Further, while Cousin Jonathan is by no means a complicated game, it was decided to make a game that could be whipped together and
played in a relatively short time. Thus, John Bull, and ultimately Patriots, the American Revolution variant.

What's different?
Well, for those of you who have played "Spanish Fury, Actions!", not a lot! You'll notice more than a passing similarity between these rulesets. Why? We felt the fun of cattle raiding and prison breaks to be quite diverting. Then we realized, with some modifications (for period flavour), North American warfare, with its forests and swamps, raids and counter-raids would be a perfect setting for this system. The War of 1812 was the obvious era to start with, followed by the American Revolution and a fan-created French and Indian Wars version (Mohican).

Useful graphics ease play
As far as the rules themselves they allow fast but hopefully historical play of smaller actions from the period. The entire northern front is the area we chose to simulate, with Indians, Kentuckians, Light Dragoons, Canadian Fencibles, British & American Regulars (several types), Volunteer Rifles, Turncoat Militia, Voyageurs- you name it, there's a separate card for it. In the Revolution, you'll find Brunswick Dragoons, Veteran Continentals, Tory Legion Infantry, and a pile of other cards. The game is so simple just about everything you need is on the unit card (about the size of a regular playing card; smaller, even). With a few of these in front of you, and the quick reference sheet, you won't be needing the rules after a game or two......

What kind of scenarios?
From Detroit to Montreal, we have TEN scenarios available for 1812 and SIX for the AWI, but have included a random force generator for those with a passion for "Design Your Own". The best part is, you never know what your enemy might be packing... are those "Regulars By G_d?" or are those "mere Militia"? Can I advance truimphantly, or am I walking into a trap? You'll never know until the game's over. The ten scenarios mostly cover actions from historical battles or skirmishes. Those keen on the period will recognize Purdy's advanced guard at Chateauguay, the last charge of Sir Isaac Brock, the beach landing at Little York, and many others.

What about personality......?
What's company level actions without a little extra flavour and some heroics? These gentlemen are "Heroes". In every game, you will have an officer in charge of the entire force, as well as a few "loose cannons" attached to individual companies (or Warbands). Some of these fellows will raise your morale, others lower it. Some can have taught their charges new skills, like Skirmishing and Ranger tactics. Clever officers can second guess their opponents, and get the drop on them. Still others might be the Romantic type of legends, exposing themselves to enemy fire in hopes of becoming legendary themselves.

What about the troops themselves?
You'll recognize all of your favorites- the Glengarries, De Meuron's Foreigners, Forsythe' Rifles, Scott's brigade, Tecumseh's Shawnee. In fact, no two troop types are alike. Some are Hardened, and can face casualties with ease. Some are Careful, and won't stick around when they get shot at. Some perform well in the Open Field, while Rangers prefer the woods. Skirmishers are hard to get a bead on. Some troops fear other, specific units, such as Sedentary Militia being afraid of everything except Sedentary Militia. Others, like British Grenadiers, fear nothing.

What's the scale? How many figs will I need to play?
A stand of three figures is about 25 actual men, and an inch about ten paces.You can play with as few as 20 figures,or as many as one hundred. It's up to you. You won't have to rebase your army to play with these rules, by the way, just about anything will do. And there's no individual figure removal. As per the Captain's secret protocol, there is no record keeping! Burn your pens, pencils, and paper!

Can you give us an idea of the flow of play?
Why, certainly. Each force is divided before play begins into companies, some of which may be led by Heroes. Each turn, players alternate acting with an individual company to move, shoot, hide, rustle sheep, jump into or out of boats, manhandle cannon, stop running away, etc. Some Heroes are Clever. These officers can attempt to preempt an enemy company's actions by performing his own first, thus giving his side a sort of double turn. Otherwise companies keep alternating their actions, getting into firefights, sometimes charging with the bayonet, until the other side has run off or had their army morale shattered. The play is fast and amusing.

Is this related to Cousin Jonathan or Obstinate Beyond Description?
Of course! Every troop type in CJ is present in JB, with simple conversions available. Both of these systems are integrated into our campaign game (Obstinate Beyond Description)

Also, battlefield, uniform, and historic site books printed by:

The Old Fort Niagara Society:

Uniforms and Equipment of the United States Forces in the War Of 1812

War Along the Niagara

The Niagara Historical Society:

The Battle of Queenston Heights

The Battle of Fort George

The Battle of Lundy's Lane

Osprey Books:

The American War, 1812-1814
Wellington's Army

Mackinac State Parks Society:

The British Army at Mackinac

Old Fort York National Historical Site:

The Battle of York

Fort Wellington National Historic Site

How about some Patriots links?

Causes of the American Revolution
A fairly unbiased account of the reasons for the Independence movement.
A rare find.................... (Sorry, the Captain is a Tory!)

The Patriot Resource
A good basic source of info on personalities and general background

Revolutionary War battles
A omprehensive list of engagements from the period

Uniform Guide
Painting up a few units? This will be of inestimable help

Southern Campaign.....
Campaign!
A rival ruleset and campaign system... well done! We think this looks really good.

RevWar Spies!
Check out this page covering the behind the scenes espionage
and the persons involved.
Thanks Sarah!

The British set up first, placing each company roughly where shown on the scenario card. The Plundering rules were in effect, so all Britsh forces start with a humilated maker on every platoon, and are immobile until approached by an enemy within charge reach! The initiative therefore rests with the Americans, who entered where shown on the card.

To win, the British have to evacuate via the boats shown below. Since they are plundering, it is not as easy as it sounds- it will be a desperate rearguard action. The Americans need to overwhelm the British as quickly as possible, since the sooner they reach them, the greater the confusion will be.

The Americans indeed came rushing in near "Fort" Tompkins where the main British force was demolishing the works. Since they were in range the British could begin to slowly gather their troops, represented by removing a single humilated marker from each company as their turn's action. Once the enemy gets too close the humiliated markers become permanent, dragging down morale and effectiveness.

The British near the Fort were fairly shaken up, one company of three platoons getting stuck with two humiliated markers. The other company was in fine form, but now the American's were upon them. Should they run or fight? Counting on superior discipline, Bisshopp called for a charge, but two turns running the 41st wouldn't budge forward. The British plan to give the Yanks a bloody nose and retreat was not working out...

Things went from bad to worse for the British in the Fort. Unable to charge, too disorganized to fire effectively, the Americans fire a volley or two and then charged. One British company tried to stand but was routed, sweeping the other company with them. The retreat became a rout.

The Lights in town were stunned to find Indians rushing into the town from the woods! Dropping their torches they found they were too scattered to resist, even though outnumbering their enemies. They found discretion the better part of valour and ran headlong for the boats, keeping an eye on their pursuers, ready to turn on them if necessary. But with only one effective platoon, it was too risky to stand.

The 41st couldn't get away fast enough! They were pinned against a stream and *gasp* SURRENDERED!
It was looking like the only thing going to save the British were the *gasp* SEDENTARY MILITIA OF UPPER CANADA!!!!!

Seeing the regulars falling back, some in rout (Bisshopp only rallied the 41st on the dock!), the Lincoln militia bowed to the inevitable and retired to the beach under fire. Now it was a race.

Epilogue
Aside from the fact that Colonel Bisshopp escaped unscathed, it was a virtual repeat of history! The British didn't get a shot off the whole battle, and failed almost every morale roll and all of their charge rolls. The Americans might have beaten them to the beach if they hadn't stopped to dress their lines a few times.