Hobkirk’s Hill

On Saturday September 29th the Jackson Gamers played a game at Fondren Presbyterian Church. This was the battle of Hobkirk's hill from the American Revolution.

The Battle lines


This is a battle report by the gamemaster Steve Haller who also wrote the rules that we used, and painted the lovely "true 25mm" figures that we used.

As happened during the historical battle, the American skirmish line of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia light infantry delayed and harassed the British advance. The American artillery unmasked on turn 2 on the hill and began inflicting additional casualties. William Washington's dragoons rode around the British left flank through a woods over a small ford, scattering their skirmishers and threatening that flank and their rear. Coffin's NY Dragoons rode hard over from the British right, and with support of the single 6-pounder now coming out from Log Town, defeated and routed Washington's dragoons. The large infantry battle raged as the Virginia and Maryland Continental brigades came down off the hill supported by their 2 guns and also the NC Riflemen and Militia on their left flank. Although outnumbered and suffering heavy losses, the mainly Loyalist regulars and the 63rd British Foot gave as good as they received, soon sending a Maryland and a Virginia regiment back.


The battle ended with the Americans still holding their original position on Hobkirk's Hill, but suffering over 53% casualties and missing. The losses were  heaviest among both Maryland regiments, the Delaware light infantry and Washington's dragoons; a Virginia regiment also routed. The British suffered heavier losses at 66% casualties and missing, especially among the infantry of 63rd Foot, King's American Regiment, SC Loyalist Regiment and Loyalist light infantry. The fortunes of war shifted a couple of times, but the final result was in a Marginal American Victory according tothe Whites of Their Eyesrules.

William Washington's dragoon (in white) make a doomed charge against the British Loyalist cavalry who are supported by a small gun and the fire of riflemen (at bottom of image).