The fictitious battle of Shipman's Corner, 1814

The fictitious Battle of Shipman's Corner - 1814

A 25mm War of 1812 wargame fought on Saturday, January 9, 2010

Up in the Niagara area, the British-held Fort George is beseiged by American forces. A British relief column is intercepted in this "what if" wargame. Have a look at the photos, below, to see how it turned out.

The battle was fought by the Gourmet Wargaming Club with 25mm figures, using the Age of Eagles rule set.

Click here to download a PDF containing the order of battle and scenario rules.

The battlefield, as seen from the British entry side. The two building models in the center represent the town of Shipman's Corner on 12-Mile Creek.

American defensive positions along 12-Mile Creek as the battle commences.

Another American Brigade begins the battle marching forward alongside the Decou Estate.

The British line (right) forms up quickly. Note the majority of the artillery is reinforcing the British left from the start.

The entire British line moves up to within artillery range of the defenders.

American reinforcements continue their move toward Shipman's Corner.

British Artillery on the left flank (bottom) is unmasked by the infantry. The cannonades begin.

An American officer in red watches the rapt die rolling of a couple of British brothers in arms.

A U.S. officer puts a disorder cap on his tiny infantry. The bite of the enemy artillery is worse than its bark.

The British left flank advances to 12-Mile Creek.

Suddenly a group of Indians attacks the far right American flank from the woods near Martindale Pond. All native warriors involved in the battle were British allies.

The British right flank (top) moves to the edge of the creek as infantry masses in attack column on the left. Note the rocket battery deployed in the center of the line.

The Indians were roughly treated, and were forced back across the creek to the other bank of Martindale Pond.

Canadian militia and British regulars hit the Americans in attack column after the artillery battery was damaged by counter-battery fire.

Musket fire and taunts are hurled across 12-Mile Creek on the British right.

The American line holds beside Shipman's Corner: the attacking infantry are thrown back. More American units stretch across to bolster the town's defenses.

And suddenly, again, more Indians arrive on the scene, paddling furiously across Martindale Pond to the far bank of 12-Mile Creek.

They quickly disembark and form up behind the furthest infantry regiment on the American right flank. A combined attack with British troops on the opposite bank would smash the enemy.

Emerging from the forest with their British allies, the Indians crash into another enemy infantry regiment.

Simultaneously, the British force their way across the creek a second time and draw abreast with the town.

Much to ponder: will I survive this day of battle and have a nice piece of cake?

The U.S. commander, cunningly disguised as a Frenchman with his jaunty scarf, dresses the line.

The bird's-eye-view of the British drive on the left.

The heaviest infantry fighting takes place adjacent to the town, with a kilted Highland regiment (with green flag) putting the fear in the enemy. Bagpipes do that.

The American right flank reels back, uncovering Shipman's Corner. Cavalry on both sides is maneuvering to make the most of their sabers. The British right makes a push across the creek (top left).

U.S. troops continue to lose ground near the town.

The British are across the creek on the right.

The American right flank (center left) has congealed in front of Dick's Creek. The American left peels back to refuse the flank (top right).

U.S. cavalry counter-attacks the Highlanders beside the town, but the Scots will not cede ground.

The American left is struck again, and falls back farther.

A quick cavalry thrust into the last of the American infantry in front of Shipman's Corner has mixed results. But the defenders are forced to fall back to join the rest of the force in front of Dick's Creek.

Highlanders redeploy into Shipman's Corner. The tired cavalry in front of them must fall back or be raked with musket fire.

The final dispositions as the battle ends in a minor British victory. A very hard-fought battle, with good performances by both sides. Some officers dare to believe that the curse on their die rolling has been lifted.

Chocolate pudding pie heals all wounds. But be sure to have regular dental checkups.

The battlefield, as seen from the British entry side. The two building models in the center represent the town of Shipman's Corner on 12-Mile Creek.	American defensive positions along 12-Mile Creek as the battle commences.	Another American Brigade begins the battle marching forward alongside the Decou Estate.	The British line (right) forms up quickly. Note the majority of the artillery is reinforcing the British left from the start.	The entire British line moves up to within artillery range of the defenders.
American reinforcements continue their move toward Shipman's Corner.	British Artillery on the left flank (bottom) is unmasked by the infantry. The cannonades begin.	An American officer in red watches the rapt die rolling of a couple of British brothers in arms.	A U.S. officer puts a disorder cap on his tiny infantry. The bite of the enemy artillery is worse than its bark.	The British left flank advances to 12-Mile Creek.
Suddenly a group of Indians attacks the far right American flank from the woods near Martindale Pond. All native warriors involved in the battle were British allies.	The British right flank (top) moves to the edge of the creek as infantry masses in attack column on the left. Note the rocket battery deployed in the center of the line.	The Indians were roughly treated, and were forced back across the creek to the other bank of Martindale Pond.	Canadian militia and British regulars hit the Americans in attack column after the artillery battery was damaged by counter-battery fire.	Musket fire and taunts are hurled across 12-Mile Creek on the British right.
The American line holds beside Shipman's Corner: the attacking infantry are thrown back. More American units stretch across to bolster the town's defenses.	And suddenly, again, more Indians arrive on the scene, paddling furiously across Martindale Pond to the far bank of 12-Mile Creek.	They quickly disembark and form up behind the furthest infantry regiment on the American right flank. A combined attack with British troops on the opposite bank would smash the enemy.	Emerging from the forest with their British allies, the Indians crash into another enemy infantry regiment.	Simultaneously, the British force their way across the creek a second time and draw abreast with the town.
Much to ponder: will I survive this day of battle and have a nice piece of cake?	The U.S. commander, cunningly disguised as a Frenchman with his jaunty scarf, dresses the line.	The bird's-eye-view of the British drive on the left.	The heaviest infantry fighting takes place adjacent to the town, with a kilted Highland regiment (with green flag) putting the fear in the enemy. Bagpipes do that.	The American right flank reels back, uncovering Shipman's Corner. Cavalry on both sides is maneuvering to make the most of their sabers. The British right makes a push across the creek (top left).
U.S. troops continue to lose ground near the town.	The British are across the creek on the right.	The American right flank (center left) has congealed in front of Dick's Creek. The American left peels back to refuse the flank (top right).	U.S. cavalry counter-attacks the Highlanders beside the town, but the Scots will not cede ground.	The American left is struck again, and falls back farther.
A quick cavalry thrust into the last of the American infantry in front of Shipman's Corner has mixed results. But the defenders are forced to fall back to join the rest of the force in front of Dick's Creek.	Highlanders redeploy into Shipman's Corner. The tired cavalry in front of them must fall back or be raked with musket fire.	The final dispositions as the battle ends in a minor British victory. A very hard-fought battle, with good performances by both sides. Some officers dare to believe that the curse on their die rolling has been lifted.	Chocolate pudding pie heals all wounds. But be sure to have regular dental checkups.