Picking My Battles: The Battle of Queenston Heights

Here is the first of four battles I am considering to form the core of my War of 1812 wargame collection. I want to create an interesting scenario that also tells some of the history of the war.

October 13th, 1812. A mixed American force tries to cross the Niagara below the falls at Queenston. The flank companies of the 49th Foot and a flank company of the 2nd Regiment of York Militia oppose the landings hoping for reinforcements. Isaac Brock arrives, tries to organize the defence but brings the Light Company of the 49th Foot off the heights just as the Americans, formerly trapped on a beach at the foot of the heights, find a route up and capture the British 18lb gun firing on the American boats crossing the river. General Brock is killed trying to regain the heights. There is a lull in the fighting as both sides bring up reinforcements, the American’s planning to fortify the heights and General Sheaffe taking command on the British

Isaac Brock leading a counter-attack up the heights above Queenston. Copyright information.

General Sheaffe climbs the heights significantly west of the American position and marches on them in line. The Americans, thoroughly demoralized by the presence of Mohawk skirmishers under John Norton and John Brant and with no hope of reinforcement from the American side of the river, break and surrender.

Pros:

This battle featured very few combatants. The Americans land roughly 1000 men on the Canadian side of the river while the final British attack featured about 800. This would be easy to collect at a 1:10 or even 1:5 ratio. With Victrix offering boxes of British flank companies finding the appropriate miniatures would be easy.

I’ve visited Queenston Heights and while the battlefield is mostly obscured by trees it is still accessible. This is the first battle I’ve read about and I have an emotional attachment to it. Since I’ve read about it so long I have a clear understanding of the events of the battle.

The battle includes Runchey’s Company of Coloured Men, a company composed of black other ranks and white officers. It would form a unique looking unit and maybe stir up some interest in Canada’s black history, something I admit I don’t know much about.

Cons:

A 10-20 figure flank company would only be useful in this battle. For general games of the period a battalion with the proper ratio would result in 80 figure battalions. This isn’t impossible, but can be a bigger project than I can handle.

The terrain involved is hard to model. Do I include the heights or abstract their effects on bring over American Reinforcements. This may mean the British player loses some control over whether or not to leave the Light Company of the 49th Foot on the heights.

Like many battles before 1814 the quality of the American troops and commanders is so poor as to give an unsatisfying game for the American player. The War of 1812 is in many ways a proof in the belief that training and discipline can defeat bravery and determination in the open field. While I am unabashedly biased towards the British/Canadian side I want a game without an inevitable ending. There is just no way that 125 ill-trained regulars and 800 militia with their backs against a cliff are going to withstand General Schaeffe’s 400+ trained regulars and an equal number of militia while being demoralized by Mohawk skirmishers.

How I Would Do It

If I chose the Battle of Queenston Heights I might ask what if the American’s had moved more reinforcements over the river before General Sheaffe showed up. Let’s say the mere presence of First Nations warriors didn’t cause them to flatly refuse to cross over. This would become the Battle of Queenston Heights as seen by General Sheaffe. Not really the Queenston Heights most would recognize.

Another option is to focus more on the two landing sites above and below Queenston. Bring up the morale of the Americans so that more cross over. Make the discovery of the path up the heights a random event. The British player may leave his troops on the heights to prevent a mere possibility at the risk of the troops on the beachheads being overwhelmed.

Although I’m currently painting 28mm this scenario may be better served by 6-10mm figures. The smaller groundscale may allow the heights, town and surrounding area to be included.

Next time, Crysler’s Farm.

Tyler