Lexington Training Band Fall Tactical 2009
Oak Grove Farm, Millis, MA
October 24th 2009
Barton’s Campaign
Lt. Colonel William Barton of Tiverton, RI
Historical Setting for the Tactical: The scenario is October, 1777. For about three years during the Revolution, when the British held Aquidneck Island, Tiverton was an asylum for Americans fleeing from British occupation, and the town became a mustering point for Colonial forces who gathered together to drive the British off the island.
When the British captured Newport in December 1776, it was well understood by the Continentals that the English might attempt to enlarge their sphere of occupation in the direction of either Providence or Boston. The shortest water distance between the Island of Aquidneck and the mainland, and therefore the most logical point for troop crossing, was at Howland’s Ferry, Tiverton. The Massachusetts General Court agreed to aid the State of Rhode Island in erecting fortifications on commanding ground overlooking this narrow strait, thus establishing a vital defense at this key site. On 28 June 1777, TIVERTON HEIGHTS FORT was commissioned.
The following week - July 1777 - Lt. Col. William Barton and forty picked men from the Tiverton fort consummated one of the most daring exploits in the records of the American military. Through contacts on Aquidneck, Barton had learned that the commanding general of the British Newport garrison was spending much of his summer at the home of a Mr. Overing, about halfway down the island. Embarking Tiverton in five whale boats, and hugging the west shore of Prudence Island to avoid detection by the British ships patrolling upper Narragansett Bay, Barton’s raiders landed on the western shore of Portsmouth. Pressing inland by following the course of a brook known to flow adjacent to the Overing House, the Americans soon came upon the general’s lair.
In rapid order, the Continentals over-powered the sentries, broke into the house, battered down the bedroom door of the entrapped Prescott, and took captive a bewildered English Army general. The Continental Congress fittingly noted the event and voiced appreciation to Barton and his men, presenting the Colonel an elaborately engraved sword. Like a sunrise ushering in a new day . . . with new hope . . . the success of this coup de main was of tremendous import in boosting the low morale of the American people at that particular time in the war. It was most appropriate that the fort in Tiverton be named in honor of this soldier with outstanding patriotism and bravery: FORT BARTON.
Many thousands of men were gathered at FORT BARTON in the summer and fall of that year - 1777 - for an October invasion of Aquidneck. However, because of the allowance of insufficient time for the amassing of materiel, the inexperience of the officer-in-charge, and the accompanying bad weather at the designated times of invasion, two half-hearted attempts to establish beachheads across Howland’s Ferry were thwarted.
The tactical scenarios will focus on Militia and Continental Troops being regularly dispatched on various missions to acquire necessary supplies, scout the enemy positions and identify possible beachheads in the area of Howland's Ferry for a landing force. At the same time, British forces stationed in and around Newport are routinely deployed on foraging missions, raids and patrols of territory between Fort Barton and Newport.
Scenarios:
1. TACTICAL NUMBER 1: PROBE THE LINES!! (9:00 AM - 10:30 AM) - 30 Points
The objective of this tactical is to send out patrols to scout enemy positions and troop strengths. Patrols will be responsible to map the tactical site as accurately as possible, as well as describe troop positions, numbers and type (militia, lights, etc.) The goal of this tactical is to AVOID detection by the enemy, conduct an operation of observation and obtain accurate intelligence on the enemy. The sending out of piquet lines to protect established posts is strongly encouraged! Prolonged engagements are allowed but are discouraged so as to avoid a 90 minute slug fest. If you get into a fire fight, the objective should be to get the heck out of there unless you believe you can quickly overwhelm the opponent.
2. TACTICAL NUMBER 2: FORAGE (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM) - 30 Points
British raiding parties have been dispatched from Aquidneck into the Tiverton area to forage for supplies. Five supply depots have been identified by the raiding parties as ideal targets. All five sites will be placed at neutral locations between both starting points. British raiding parties must assault these targets, retrieve the forage materials and return to their base camp. American forces must intercept the raiding parties and prevent the forage materials from falling into enemy hands. Six points for each supply seized.
3. TACTICAL NUMBER 3: SPY!! (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM) - 30 Points
American forces have been contacted by a spy who has valuable information on British troop positions around Howland's Ferry. American forces must enter British held territory, locate and extract the spy and return him to Fort Barton. British forces must locate and seize the spy first. The objective is to get in and get out without engaging in combat! You don't want your spy dead...do you???
4. TACTICAL NUMBER 4: ASSAULT ON HOWLAND'S FERRY (3:30 PM - 4:00 PM) - 10 POINTS
British forces must dig in...the rebels are coming!!! It's an all out slug fest and attempt to seize Howland's Ferry. Who will be the victor at the end of the day?? Unscripted battle. The Americans have one hour to seize Howland's Ferry. All the British have to do is hold on...
Interested units please contact LTB 1st Sgt. Alex Cain at mass1775@msn.com
Directions
TACTICAL RULES
1. No Walk-ons will be permitted at this event. All participants must belong to a fully insured unit affiliated with the Continental Line, British Brigade or Brigade of the American Revolution or been invited by the host unit.
2. Edged weapons may be carried, but not drawn during tactical engagements. Edges weapons may be used, if appropriate, to set up camp, collect brush for fires and/or prepare food for lunch.
3. All participants are required to read, sign and submit a waiver of personal liability form. Forms shall be provided by event planners at least two weeks prior to the tactical.
4. Cartridges must be carried in cartridge boxes, tin canisters and/or hunting pouches. All cartridges must contain no more than 110 grains of black powder. Cartridges are NOT to be sealed with glue, staples or tape.
5. Fires are permitted during lunch, but must be supervised at all times. All cartridges are to remain at a safe distance from any fires.
6. Alcohol shall NOT be consumed prior to or during the tactical.
7. Unit commanders are responsible for conducting an inspection of arms prior to the commencement of each tactical. Said commanders are also responsible for securing firelocks at the conclusion of each tactical exercise.
8. The tactical shall commence at 9:00 AM with a safety inspection of all participants. The event shall continue until 5:00 PM.
9. Participants are responsible for appropriate dress and gear. Participants should ensure they dress according to weather conditions.
10. All participants must carry a canteen filled with water.
11. All participants are responsible for their own lunches.
12. The American and British commanders shall each carry a cell phone to be used to coordinate the start of each tactical scenario and to address any emergencies that may arise.
13. American and British forces shall designate one (1) person from each side to keep a first aid kit in their haversack or knapsack in the event of an emergency.
14. There will be NO hand to hand combat.
15. A hat placed on top of a sword or musket or a verbal “cease fire” shall be the universal signals to cease fire.
16. Opposing parties shall not exchange musket and/or rifle fire at a range closer than twenty yards.
17. Taking “hits”: the honor system commands!
a. If the “target” is out in the open and is thirty yards or less to the shooter, then the target has been hit. The target is to stop moving, retire 100 yards back and away from the engagement, order his firelock, remove his hat and count to 300.
b. If the “target” is behind an obstacle (fortification, brush, wall, tree, etc.), the shooter is thirty yards or less to the target and the target observes smoke and/or flame exit the muzzle of the barrel, the target has been hit. The target is to stop moving, retire 100 yards back and away from the engagement, order his firelock, remove his hat and count to 300.
i. Exception: The only exception to this rule is if the “target” is behind a solid obstacle (wall, rock, fortification, etc.) and no part of his body is exposed OR the target is behind a tree or obstacle one foot in diameter or great. In such instances, if observes the shooter from this position, he is deemed safe.
18. Unit/Volley Fire
a. In the event five or more muskets fire volleys in battalion formation at a target also in battalion formation, the following rules apply:
i. If a volley is fired within a short range of 30 yards or less, the target battalion shall suffer 2 casualties. The casualties shall retire 100 yards behind their company, order their musket, remove their hats and count to 300.
ii. If the volley is fired within a range of 35 to 50 yards, the target battalion shall suffer 1 casualty. The casualties shall retire 100 yards behind their company, order their musket, remove their hats and count to 300.
iii. NOTE: Rifles fired in battalion formation with muskets SHALL BE TREATED as muskets.
iv. Rule 16(b) apples to cover and terrain.
19. Artillery Rules
a. No artillery piece will be discharged within 100 feet of a person down range.
b. If an opposing unit closes to within 100 feet of a loaded artillery piece, the gun’s crew will immediately cross the rammer and sponge above the top of the gun’s muzzle to signal the opposing unit to STOP until the gun has been discharged.
c. If an artillery piece fires at an opponent, the following rules applies regarding “hits”:
i. Swivel Guns: Maximum range 75 yards. The same requirements of taking hits as outlined in 16(a) apply to the discharge of swivel guns.
aa. Open field with no obstacles: two men must take hits.
bb. Opponent in woods, behind fortifications or in open order: one man must take hit.
ii. Cannon: Maximum Range 200 yards. The same requirements of taking hits as outlined in 16(a) also apply to the discharge of artillery.
aa. Open field with no obstacles: six men must take hits.
bb. Opponent in woods, behind fortifications or in open order: two men must take hits.
20. Rifle Rules
a. Rifles may be used by either side.
b. The maximum range of rifles is 100 yards.
c. Rifles may only be fired once every two minutes.
d. The same requirements of taking hits as outlined in 16(a) also apply to the discharge of rifles.
21. Flanking and Retreat:
a. If a party flanks its opponent, the opponent MUST withdraw from its position. If the opponent fails to do so, it has deemed to have been surrounded and must surrender.
b. If an opponent withdraws or retreats from an engagement, the party may pursue the opponent for five additional minutes in an effort to flank and surround the opponent. At the conclusion of the five minutes, if the party fails to capture its opponent, it must cease pursuit and withdraw back to the initial engagement site. After an additional five minutes, the party may reinitiate its patrol.
22. Variables: Both sides may receive envelopes which must be opened at certain times. The envelopes may include instructions which may or may not be favorable to the party and will affect its performance during the tactical. For example, such instructions might include the following:
a. Desertion of troops
b. Expiration of enlistment
c. Starvation
d. Assistance from local loyalists
e. Reinforcements
23. Patrols cannot be smaller than three (3) men per party. Individual or two person patrols and/or scouting parties are prohibited.
a. Exception: Patrols and scouting parties may post an individual ahead of a patrol to serve as a “point person”.
24. Bug repellant is STRONGLY encouraged. Ticks and other insects are everywhere on the site. Please take necessary precautions to ensure you have an enjoyable time!
25. Participants are permitted (and encouraged) to construct redoubts, barricades and other defensive positions. HOWEVER, participants are prohibited from extensive digging on site. (In other words, no massive earth works) Any defensive works erected MUST be taken down at the end of the day.
26. The 4th Foot is prohibited from raping the fields, the LTB is excluded from pillaging the women and the Somersetters are absolutely prohibited from having “relations” with any livestock. Have fun!
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