In our hypothetical 1812 campaign, the British attack Plattsburgh with the aid of seige artillery. The Americans have the advantage of naval fire support from victorious gunboats on Lake Champlain. Scroll down to see if the boys in blue were able to hold off the redcoats. 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, with the ruined town of Plattsburgh seen in the center of the photo (marked by smashed building foundations).	British forces advance upon American defensive positions across the Saranac River to the south.	The British right flank is comprised of 3rd Brigade.	Elements of British 1st Brigade move into a position to threaten the ford in the center. American cannon behind light works will make this a difficult proposition.	The bulk of British 1st Brigade in the center, just south of the ruins of Plattsburgh.
2nd Brigade as the British left flank. The large regiment in line at the shore of the Saranac River is screening the main force from gunboat fire from Cumberland Bay, Lake Champlain.	Our referee explodes.	The British center deploys its guns and trades fire with the American troops in the redoubt near the shore.	British 19th Light Dragoons enter from the north.	The first element of British siege artillery follows the light dragoons.
The British right flank deploys and blasts away at the Americans. The enemy return fire with gusto.	British regiments of the right flank maneuver to be ready to ford the Saranac River at the crossing point.	In the center, the lone British regiment still trades fire with the enemy.	The battle so far. A large British attack is massing at Plattsburg (the east end of the line). Note the lone American rifle regiment (center left) in green uniforms inside blockhouse terrain.	A British commander moves his troops to cross the Saranac--watched closely by a couple of doubting Americans (left) and the British CO (right).
The British make it across to the enemy fortifications, but are hit by a withering wall of fire in the process.	The British left flank surges forward, taking artillery fire from the American trenches (top left). Their goal is to silence the American rifle troops, then move in for the kill.	The first stand of British seige artillery moves up just behind the left flank.	A second stand of British seige artillery enters the battlefield on the north road.	The British center (1st Brigade) now makes a full attack to gain the narrow ford. Another withering curtain of ball greets them.
On the British right, opposing units line up to fire across the Saranac.	The west ford is still under control of the Americans. The British attempt to soften them up a little more before another round of assault.	A view of the two small battles going simultaneously.	The British left flank (2nd Brigade) makes its move, destroying the enemy riflemen and moving out to threaten the works by the shore of Cumberland Bay. American gunboat fire harries them all the way.	The British light dragoons move into position to exploit a breakthrough of the American right flank. This, sadly, will not take place.
American forces at the central ford have very effectively held off the attackers.	The British left flank swarms into the American trenches.	More elements of the British left move up to open a breach or exploit one. One stand of siege artillery is finally in position.	The American right flank is--only temporarily--breached. A weak backstop of a regiment plus a damaged artillery battery is enough to halt the British advance, especially when the gunboat fire is added in.	American reinforcing regiments rush to plug the breakthrough.
The British keep battering the small ford in the center, but to no avail.	The British right flank has been almost shattered by repeated assaults in the face of considerable enemy firepower. Our battle concludes with a clear American victory. Heads will roll in London!	The cast of this enjoyable little production, minus our referee. If you want to identify the teams, here's a hint: all the American players are smiling. It's funny 'cause it's true.	Chocolate acts as a rich, creamy salve that repairs all broken flesh and bruised egos. And it reminds us that we are gourmet warriors, not just brutes. Civilization!