The Battle of Haw River

After Action Report: 1-26-13

The Battle of Haw River

Colonel Wolfe received intelligence from his cavalry scout. The Americans have a stockpile of supplies at Regal Tavern across the Haw River. General Cornwallis had said to destroy all supply depots. There was only a company of soldiers guarding the supplies.

General Cornwallis sent Colonel Wolfe with a battalion of infantry to gather the supplies and destroy what cannot be carried away. Gather the boats you need and report back with further details of the enemy.

Colonel Wolfe was able to pick his highland company. Two German companies, one grenadier the other musketeer and Roger’s rangers were recouping in town along with a British light company with one 6-lb cannon. He made arrangements for 2 sloops and 4 rowboats to meet them at Yadkin Ferry. Unfortunately, the battalion would have to be carried across the river in 2 waves. Marching to Yadkin ford he made good time getting to know his company commanders. They camped the night to start off early the next morning.

The plan of attack:

1^st wave - the rangers would capture the beach and with the faster moving rowboats. The sloops would follow the rangers. The German commander and his company would take the cannon across the river to the other side and meet up with Indians that would guide them to the bridge. The light infantry would form behind the rangers. These companies would hold the beachhead so the last three companies could form up.

2^nd Wave would follow with the grenadiers in the rowboats and the line and highland companies in the sloops.

The German musketeers and Indians with the cannon would pin down forces around the bridge. The other 4 companies would capture the town.

The British Landing

The 1^st wave took off. Colonel Wolfe stewed waiting to go with the 2^nd wave. The 1^st wave hit the beach. A company of militia surprised the landing but only fired upon. The light infantry landed and formed up. Cannon made pot shots, so much for intelligence. The town was held in force. With the rangers and light company they drove off the militia company. In the meantime the Germans had trouble unloading the cannon. The Indians moved off toward the bridge. The Germans followed slowly.



The American Setup



By the time the 2^nd waved arrived the companies were all spread out. The sloop carrying the colonel arrived behind the trees and the grenadiers made good time up the river. One boat was sunk in the advance, fortunately the company commander survived. It was getting desperate. The Rangers and light infantry after failed attempts at charging finally succeeded in routing off the militia. German infantry, along with the Indians, were making the American militia company holding the bridge uncomfortable. The British cannon was still not in place. The light infantry and rangers were still getting pinged by the American cannon. Losses were starting to mount. Finally the grenadiers landed and the line company was forming. The highland company was going toward the dock.  A firefight broke out between the American companies near the hill closest to the town. At the same time a firefight intensified at the bridge. And still no cannon. Wonders of wonders the American militia broke at the bridge. The American line company broke at the hill. It looked like there were still two companies investing the town. On the initiative of the company commanders they advanced forward without waiting for reinforcements to be in place. The American cannon was creating many casualties. It looked like the town was ready to collapse.



The Haw River



The German grenadiers worked toward the docks. The fire from two remaining American line companies meted out devastating fire. The cannon kept up a hot fire. The American line company that had routed was able to reform and come back into line. The militia fell back to the middle of town before it was able to reform. The delays in getting formed at the beach stalled the British advance. Colonel Wolfe thought if he could just get his companies to form up and get a coordinated attack the town would be ours. Where was the stupid British cannon? The Americans were being led well as they fought with such determination. The American fire was galling. The highlanders landed finally. The Indians and German musketeers failed and fell away from the bridge as the German musketeers rushed across. The last American line company interceded and the fire broke the German musketeer company. With the bridge safe all the American line and militia held the town. The British fell back to the river to lick their wounds. It was a near run battle for both sides.



1st British Landing

Conclusion: The fire by the American line was extremely accurate. The cannon were effective holding the center of the field of fire. Even though the militia company was sacrificed it held up the British advance causing casualties. The British captured the beach easily but getting formed up and moving out proved difficult. Getting the 2^nd wave in and forward was hard. The British commander should have been patient and let all the companies form up before

The British Advance