Live Free or Die is a fast-playing, 4-page set of wargaming rules designed by the guys from Little Wars TV. If you have not watched their videos you are missing out!

The rules allow players to fight battles of the American War of Independence, where the regiment is the basic tactical element, and the “role played by heroic leaders is emphasized“.

All four of us were new to the game with only two of the four having read the rules. The rules are clear and concise and we picked it up very quickly. What was surprising was whenever we had a question the four page rules had the answer. We played ten turns in an evening with lots of time for a drink or three and a natter on anything that took our fancy!

The Battle of Princeton

On the night of January 2, 1777, George Washington’s army repulsed a British attack at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek in Trenton (also known as the Second Battle of Trenton). That night, General Washington evacuated his army of about 5,000 men from its position, circled around the flank of General Lord Cornwallis’ army, and went to attack the British 4th Brigade garrisoned at Princeton and under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood.

 American troops charging the British Line at Princeton

As Washington approached Princeton from the southeast he did not realize that Mawhood had been given orders to reinforce Cornwallis still in Trenton and was leading a column on the Trenton to Princeton Road.  From a hill on this road just south of  Stony Brook, Mahwood spotted the Continentals approaching the Princeton garrison.  He reversed his column, and engaged the center of the American army’s left flank at sunrise on January 3, 1777 one mile south of Princeton on the Quaker farms of William Clarke and his brother Thomas. At first the British gained the advantage against General Hugh Mercer’s Virginia brigade, and Washington sent militia units under Brigadier General John Cadwalader in support.

The militia, on seeing the flight of Mercer’s men, also began to flee. Washington rode up with reinforcements and rallied the fleeing militia, personally leading a counterattack on Mawhood’s troops that placed him directly in the field of fire. Washington’s counterattack resulted in an organic double envelope maneuver and  Mawhood’s 17th Regiment of about 450 men was nearly surrounded.  Mawhood  gave the order for a general retreat, scattering the British to the north, south and west.  Princeton Battlefield Society

The game begins at 7AM and lasts for ten turns, until mid morning. The British earn victory if the maintain control of both road exits Y or Z and inflict higher causalities than they receive. Any other result is an American victory.

Mercer’s advance guard of the 1st Maryland rifles shoot at the Scottish 71st foot

The Philadelphia Militia and and the Delaware Militia moves past Clarke farm to engage the British 17th Foot on the hill.

George Washington with a 3-lber light gun and the Philadelphia Associators advance.

The 6-lber artillery of Hitchcock’s Brigade open fire

Hitchcock’s Brigade arrive on turn 3 and attempt to turn the left flank of Mawhhod’s 4th Brigade.

The Philadelphia Militia charge the elite 17th Foot Regiment and are promptly routed. The combat factors favour better troops and given there was a three level difference in quality the result was fairly decisive.

Washington tries to rally the Delaware Militia but the fire from the British 17th Regiment causes a wound and drops his rating from level 3 to level 2 (a roll of a 1 followed by another roll of a 1)

The wounded George Washington.

Hitchcock’s Brigade attempting to turn the British left flank.

The 17th British foot volley fire and firmly hold their position.

The British combined grenadiers and light troops unleash a devastating charge on the Philadelphia Associators.

Having been forced back the Philadelphia Associators are now being threatened by the 16th Queens Dragoons on their flank.

The 17th Foot are charged by the Massachusetts Militia led personally by George Washington.

The charge of the British 17th Foot at Princeton.

The British Dragoons charge in an attempt to keep the Americans away from the hill line.

The 71st foot are finally forced of the battlefield due to the continues fire from the Mercer’s Maryland rifles and the German regiment.

Finally, with the arrival of Miffin’s Brigade at the Quaker Meeting House, the bulk of the American forces are on the field. Unfortunately they will be unable to effect the outcome. We felt that this was a scenario defect as an arrival at turn 7 of a 10 turn game means that even with maximum movement the would not reach the British line in order to have any impact. They need to arrive earlier or not at all. We will adjust this for future replays.

The 16th Queens dragoons break the Philadelphia Associators assuring victory for the British.

The British 17th foot advance on the faltering American line.

The 1st Pennsylvanian rifles were able to take control of the road to Trenton “Z” but the Americans were unable to capture the road to Princeton “Y”. With the British inflicting significantly more losses than they received it meant that Washington’s objectives were not achieved, and Cornwallis would be able to react in time to prevent a retreat to New York.

A wounded George Washington must retreat to lick his wounds.

Washington leading the charge at Princeton

This was a great game and the rules were excellent. They are likely to become our AWI default set.