Epic 4-Table Brandywine Wargame | Choose Your Own Ending!

This week on Little Wars TV we refight the largest battle of the Revolution--Brandywine--across four custom tabletops with thousands of miniatures. Before the wargame, we'll debate George Washington's generalship at this pivotal moment in the war. Just how badly did Washington bungle the Battle of Brandywine? And then, six players square off in an epic wargame to refight the events of September 11, 1777. Can William Howe and the British crush the American rebels or will the old fox Washington live to fight another day?
And in an exciting, interactive twist, we're going to allow YOU to answer that question. For this wargame, we played the scenario not once, but twice! At a critical moment in the battle, we'll hit "pause" and ask you to make a command decision as George Washington. It's a "choose your own adventure" style ending like you've never seen before.
To SUPPORT SULLIVAN: • Support Sullivan (Bran...
To RETREAT to Dilworth: • Retreat (Brandywine Al...
THIS EPISODE OF LITTLE WARS TV IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY PENDRAKEN MINIATURES. All of the incredible, 10mm miniatures you see in this video are from Pendraken. We own several of their historical ranges and they are top notch miniatures. Check out their extensive range here: www.pendraken....
Next week we'll be back with a video about how the rules in this wargame, "Live Free or Die," function and teach you how to play the game. You can learn more about the rules seen in this video on our website, www.LittleWarsT...
And of course we want to thank our friends at the amazing non-profit American Battlefield Trust. They work to preserve and save American battlefields across the country, INCLUDING ground at Brandywine in Pennsylvania. To learn more about their mission, please visit them at www.battlefield... or on Facebook at / americanbattlefieldtrust

[@BobbleheadGeorge]

It was such an honor for us to collaborate with the guys at Little Wars TV and the G.O.A.T... Garry Adelman from American Battlefield Trust! We had so much fun! Thanks!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Great to have you guys involved in the game!

[@sebastienhardinger4149]

For a future game in a similar theme that incorporates the "fog of war", you might want to consider the Battle of Germantown. A well planned American surprise attack on British positions in (what was at the time) a Philadelphia suburb was thwarted by *literal* fog of war - a freak heavy fog descended on the battlefield, throwing the complex American attack into disarray and allowing the scattered British forces enough time to consolidate a defense

[@smat2899]

Totally agree with that. Awaiting the futur game

[@josesoria2072]

Sounds like a nightmare, it would be great to see it in miniature

[@koeh07]

This is a very cool interactive battle, a hard choice to make, Retreat seems to expose too much the line, so i suppose Suvillian is the choice, wish me luck!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Hope you made the right choice! The two endings play out VERY differently....

[@wayoutwest7]

Beautiful tables. Nice work fellas. Best historical wargaming channel by far.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Much appreciated!

[@andrewdad10]

This is Amazing. Actually doing it on the battlefield adds so much perspective and insight into what those Commanders actually went through. You have my applause!

[@green6horn]

Greg, Miles and the LWTV Team: This is an amazingly done episode in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust and Bobblehead George (which I knew nothing about). I am actually planning a family trip to visit the battlefields of Quatre Bras, Ligny and Waterloo next year under the guidance of Robert Pocock who is the founder of Campaigns and Culture. Thus it is great to be introduced to Eric and Dave's KZbin page to inspire my boys to learn more about the American Revolution. Finally, this episode is a master work and it is clear a lot of thought, passion, time, and coordination was spent to film, play, narrate, research and produce. I am very proud to be a showrunner of LWTV from the very start! Thank you so much for all you do!!! PS: I'm glad I made the right choice (I won't spoil it here) but this was a fun nail biter.

[@BobbleheadGeorge]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Hope that our channel helps to inspire a love of history!

[@packersfanforlife7903]

I know 10mm Pendraken figures when I see them. Looked lovely, the AWI is my most studied and favourite War to learn about. Really been looking forward to this battle and wasn't disappointed. Once again guys, great work! 2nd battle and 2nd correct choice... starting to think I should of been a General, just kidding!

[@LittleWarsTV]

They are INDEED 10mm Pendraken. Fantastic minis. Truly.

[@packersfanforlife7903]

@@LittleWarsTV I started my AWI with 10mm and nearly went to 6mm. But this video has swayed me back to 10mm. 36 British Regiments (3 to a Brigade) of Foot with 5 Artillery batteries, 9 Regiments of Hessians with 1 Attillery Battery and a British Legion with 3 Regiments and 3 Cavalry taking on 48 Continental Regiments (4 Militia Brigades, 6 State Line and 6 Continental Line), x4 batteries, x3 Cavalry with their 6 French Regiments allies and their x2 batteries. With all the Lights and Grenadiers attached over a Campaign map which spans the entire North American AWI Theatre and the West Indies... and this is my first ever project planned and most likely the only one I'll be able to afford but when I say I love the AWI I ain't kidding so I have to go big if it most likely going to be my only project! Literally all this channel inspiring me and now has ruined me forever. Love your Campaigns and battles. Keep up the great work.

[@WargamesTonight]

Great video. I especially enjoyed the schadenfreude you can hear in Greg's narrative as he describes how the fog of war misled Washington.

[@LongShotWargaming]

You guys are the gold standard in wargaming. Great tables, the creeks particularly look great. Garry is always a good addition when he makes an appearance. It is obvious you guys are passionate about the history and the hobby. Thanks for keeping all of us excited about historical wargaming.

[@bigsarge2085]

Absolutely amazing, great job one & all! Greg, your scenarios are a cut above.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Many thanks!

[@radec5437]

I Remember voting for this! For King and country! :D

[@MiniatureAdventuresTV]

Just watched the video and both the alternate endings. Incredibly impressed with the whole experience which was thoroughly enjoyable. Very relieved to say that I chose to support Sullivan but that was more luck than judgement!

[@patangman2117]

This looked like awesome fun. And what a great way to to handle battle intelligence.

[@LittleWarsTV]

...or rather, LACK of intelligence for the rebels!

[@kartchner7]

I love the way you guys game, this is such fun! The history is so wrapped up into it, but it’s still a game not a step by step recreation. Thanks for sharing!!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thanks! We have a blast playing these games and love the historical element in them.

[@ComicBookGuy33]

For the Americans: there should have been an option to cede the creek and concentrate all forces at Dillworth at the start of the battle. Meet the Redcoats as a concentrated body, rather than spread out.

[@LittleWarsTV]

As players in the game, the Americans certainly COULD have chosen this strategy. Would have been interesting to see how that played out. The creek was a fairly good obstacle and making a forward defense to catch the British as they crossed may have worked...if they'd been able to cover all the crossings....

[@stevenrickett4333]

"Live free or die". That doesn't sound biased at all. From a loyalist, subsequently Canadian.

[@Adrokk3]

I just want to say thank you to little wars tv, the way you engage and present your content is inspiring and has our local club very enthused

[@alans3023]

Well if Little Wars TV wasn't already my favourite You Tube wargames channel, it certainly is now. This was a really good presentation. I love the way you explained the battle, the use of viewer choices and the idea of refighting a major battle using a 4-page rule-set. I love compact tules. But what really caught my attention was the use of 4 separate tables and off-road routes to simulate the fog of war. Very creative and a mechanism which I thought worked brilliantly. Thank you. More please.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Appreciate that, Alan. It's tough to do a video recap of a game played across multiple tables at once and we spent quite awhile editing and assembling this one. It's always nice to hear other gamers who feel the effort was worth it!

[@pendrakenYT]

This is a fantastic video and really interesting as well. Great to see our figures on the table, thanks for featuring them!

[@bushyrho1674]

Have you ever looked into King Philips War, I think the game will be great for big skirmishes conflicts. Well thanks for another great episode!

[@matthewspencer3578]

@Little Wars TV Great battle I have really been enjoying this channel. As a side-note I noticed you guys talking about Maryland regiments and if you want to know about a real epic last stand during the American Revolution much like Wayne's (not spoiling lol), look up the Maryland 400 and the fight for the Old Stone House, or if you become really interested I highly recommend the book "Washington's Immortals" which covers their stand at the stone house and their importance in battles across America marching a total of 4,600 miles. Their stand was so crucial that if they didn't succeed it is almost certain that the American Revolution would have ended at the Battle of Brooklyn with a complete encirclement of Washington's forces and the surrender of Washington. In fact Maryland's nickname "The Old Line State" originates from this battle and them holding the line. Let me explain. The Maryland 400 led by Major Mordecai Gist and Lord Stirling was part of the 1st Maryland Regiment. They were anchored on the right flank at the battle of Brooklyn pushing off constant assaults by British General Grant's men. Unbeknownst to them though and practically the rest of the Continental army the main British assault led by General Howe himself accompanied by Generals Clinton, Cornwallis, and 10,000 troops had gone into a major flanking maneuver. During the night they marched dozens of miles around the American left along a road known as the Jamaica Pass which was only guarded by a couple of dozen sentries. Come morning the Continental army found themselves in the worst strategic situation much like the ultimate decision that went badly for the Americans in this video (not going to reveal what that was), and the Continental began a hasty retreat to their fortifications at the Brooklyn Heights. It is here that we turn our attention to the 400. Although most of the American right flank had retreated (albeit hastily) by now. The American center and left (or what used to be the American center and left) were in dire straights being attacked from all sides by Howe, Grant, Cornwallis, Clinton, and Von Heister with their only escape route the Gowanus Creek under serious threat by Howe who by now was in the rear. Stirling ordered all of his troops to retreat. Then along with Gist and his 400 they did the unthinkable. In a desperate yet suicidal attempt to buy time they repeatedly charged the "Old Stone House" which was defended by General Cornwallis commanding 2000 British soldiers and a couple of cannons. In two assaults, Stirling, Gist and their men charged the well defended house pinning down the British buying much needed time for the rest of the Continental Army to escape. This though was at a high price, as Stirling, Gist, and their men soon found themselves completely surrounded by the enemy force, however despite this they still did not want to surrender to the British and decided to break through the enemy lines again only to surrender to the Hessians. The entire regiment was wiped out. Of the around 400 men who initially charged the house, 256 died and 100 were captured including Gist and Stirling, with only a couple dozen managing to retreat to the Heights. Watching the scene atop Cobble Hill, Washington is stated to have said "Good God, what brave fellows I must this day lose". Although a crushing defeat for the Continental Army, these few relatively unknown men prevented complete disaster allowing the Continental Army to then escape to Manhattan under the cover of fog the next day. If it hadn't been for them, many historians agree that the American Revolution would have ended that day as most of the Continental Army would have been forced to surrender, and the positions atop the Brooklyn Heights would have been overrun with key American generals such as Washington and Greene being taken prisoners of war, and any hopes of a revived army being dashed. Anyway I have talked enough though I thought it would only be fair to acknowledge the true heroes of the American revolution and the (spoiler) real Mad Anthony Waynes who saved the Continental Army. Perhaps this may be a good next battle to fight out to see whether indeed the British end the American Revolution that day, whether like history the Continental Army although defeated is for the most part saved to live to fight another day, or very unlike history the Americans successfully defend pushing the British back. I will leave that one up to you guys. As usual though hats off to all of you and your marvelous work in making history enjoyable.

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

My Great Great....Grandfather fought at The Battle Of Brandywine fighting with George Washington and The Continental Army. 🇺🇸 Then was wounded in The Battle Of Germantown the following month.

[@robertmoffitt1336]

Oh wow, I'm visiting the Gettysburg battlefield, and just catching this vid after a full day of exploring seminary ridge and little round top. This looks awesome! Tomorrow is cemetery hill and Culps hill. National cemetery the day after that. 😓 Little Wars TV, you guys are tremendous! Don't ever stop what you guys are doing!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Enjoy Gettysburg! For my money, the best battlefield in the country, if not the world.

[@redmenacetv]

Dudes - Your content is some of the best I've seen - keep up the excellent work!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Appreciate that, Tom. We put a lot of effort into making the best videos we can for a bunch of amateurs who do this in our free time!

[@redmenacetv]

@@LittleWarsTV Absolute legends.

[@philipkelly7369]

Another great video from Little Wars!

[@pepemontuenga3368]

Great game! I have been waiting for this video quite a long time, and it has really been a blast to finally see it! Also, this time I actually picked the best ending. Thanks to Little Wars TV for all your work, and thank you, American Battlefield Trust, for these collaborations! You guys are amazing!

[@rikterandersson3568]

Amazing! Hope the algorithms keep getting the word out there to people, this is such incredible content!

[@TheRendar]

Absolutely awesome episode! Love the choose your own ending . Love the table and terrain and miniatures. What scale ? 15mm ? Keep up the excellent work

[@shockerck4465]

10mm Pendraken

[@johnurbanek94]

Please make more videos like this. It was so much fun to watch!

[@TheSoling27]

One of the larges engagements for the Queen's Rangers under Major John Grave Simcoe -- who played the 1st American Reg't... hmmm -- a true Loyal Army of Americans in the First Civil War. God Save the King, Wm Scott Turrall. UE.

[@deece1482]

God save the king. Rule Britainnia!

[@ericdeutsch6707]

I'm glad you mentioned preserving historical land Mark's I live in Florida but we seem to be bulldozing everything to put up another fast food restaurant an apartment complex for cheap cookie-cutter housing what makes me really laugh at their building these places and swamps and they wonder why when it rains it either floods or they have termites or alligators and water moccasins in their backyard

[@_oldirtyben]

Hell of a Battlefield! Brilliant coverage thanks for that and all the research, as always this is a very entertaining video.

[@tomd2666]

Love this whole production.

[@deathmagnetic300]

This is amazing! I love the multi table asymmetry battle style. The fog of war mechanic was awesome. Did the Americans know the British had more info or was it kept secret? Either way the effort that goes into filming and playing a game..resetting and doing it again is outstanding! Don't ever chamge!

[@theandf]

I loved this! It is a testament to LWTV's awesomeness that they managed to make me emotionally involved with an AWI battle, a topic which along with Napoleonics and ACW, interests me almost nothing. Yet this report and the choice was thrilling. More interactive choices like this! Also: is the guy playing Washington (Garry) the same person who appeared in an ACW video? His enthusiasm is very contagious, I like him and I wish you collaborated on more projects with him.

[@BillsWargameWorld]

Once again the Little Wars battle team makes another incredible video! Miles kicks butt!

[@PeterIsATeacher]

oh that's a great idea for a vid, definitely do this more in the future if possible!

[@doncygan3067]

Great episode -- keep 'em coming!

[@vivianluke3646]

you guy are gerat you should make a battle of kedesh hitties vs egeypt the biggest crarhiot battle in history

[@Gool349]

such a joy to watch, cant wait for more!

[@isaacrobson4192]

I think you were too harsh on the fog of war for the Americans, I’m sure not having the fords on the tables but on the connecting roads effected the deployment decisions. Aside from that this was very well done

[@dillonrinehart8319]

So excited, been waiting for this for months 😆

[@militarywargaming7840]

Great research, preparation and delivery...well done..

[@TaltosVT]

Great looking tables, and a fun video to watch.

[@norm977]

Very well done, lovely presentation and also inspiring for me to push my gaming in a new direction.

[@Xth3Z]

Somehow I am missing the ringwraiths chasing after the hobbits. 😅

[@michaelwedding9077]

These what if games are tremendous! So fun to watch and play...

[@e-4airman124]

very nice show

[@oriole21bird]

That's an impeccable hat, sir!

[@peterfiser]

Fantastic show, folks.

[@111111310]

Another great video; my day just got even better! :D

[@Lt_Fryes]

True story - I got the notification for this video while reading the Declaration of Independence XD

[@SimCityEA1989]

4:28 Did this man really just went tubing in the river? XD

[@robertmclean3951]

Great stuff. I loved it and have since bought the rules in pdf.!

[@philRminiatures]

Sounds great, the table is gorgeous! 😍😍😍

[@seanpchristy]

I reenacted at Brandywine a few times really nostalgic video for me.

[@Shenaldrac]

I feel like the US can afford to lose this battle and keep fighting the war, but if it loses the army it cannot effectively continue to prosecute the war, nor protect the capital. Without knowing the rules of the game, if troops can be sent to aid Sullivan in making an orderly retreat instead of going with the intent of fighting out that battle in its entirety, I think the prudent decision is to withdraw. Let the continental army live to fight another day and remember the overall campaign priorities.

[@Semper_Iratus]

Viva little wars tv.

[@tobyjaramillo1566]

Absolutely amazing

[@framontella]

simply Wonderfull the double option. Great job and very very entertaining. Netflix 0 - Little wars TV 1!!!

[@sagebrother]

Great fun and like the multi board aspect. I’m sure this is mentioned somewhere but what are the figure scale; 10mm? Paul

[@packersfanforlife7903]

I decided yo help Sullivan as it was better to try and save the Army and fight another day than protect a city which could be won back with a bit more cannon and musket another day. Just like when I sent the Old Guard to the left my decision saved the day. Now onto the next...

[@treydelisle3530]

I've been looking forward for a Battle of the Alamo wargame since you did the Alamo walkthrough but sadly nothing has happened yet

[@TheStormbucket]

Love your channel!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Kanakadea]

Link for Bobblehead George channel: kzbin.infovideos

[@zaynevanday142]

You know the spoiling attack may have just dragged the British forces in to fight a pitched battle in the field that would have favoured the Continental Army

[@timgoodchild5330]

Was Tom working with the rebels? I definitely saw him at the rebel briefing.

[@andymoore9977]

15:17 How can the Revolutionaries be 'caught on the back foot'? Surely they never played Cricket? Or maybe they did...... perhaps the whole war could have been decided by a nice polite cricket match long before the French muscled in?

[@jackneverquit1879]

Now that was cool!

[@davefranklin4136]

Always on the lookout for THE set of AWI rules. Tried LFAAS; wasn't that enamored, but maybe the changes you've made for LFOD will make it more appealing. Latest try was using Rebels & Patriots, but treating units as battalions/regiments. My AWI stuff is 25/28mm. Can't really change the ranges due to the dice interaction (e.g. for charges)... My first thought, given my infantry is based 2/stand on 20mm x 40mm bases is to try the game with the rules/ranges as is, but use figures vice stands (I have some singly-based figs so I can do odd numbers). What do you recommend?

[@isaacrobson4192]

If the American players had there centre line fall back, the aggressive British would have put themselves right in a pincer

[@lawrencebasile1778]

After watching the first part I am unable to find the follow-up/conclusion video(s). I searched the channel for Brandywine and did not see any listed. Would be great to get the link(s).

[@iratespartan13]

Great stuff! Not a lot of good choices Washington's boys and Cornwallis picked the right fords.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Washington's army is in a VERY tough spot at Brandywine. It's good defensive ground but just sooooo much ground to cover. And with an inferior army too. A tall task.

[@yaitz3313]

Could you make a video with tips on how to wargame with tiles or printed pieces instead of miniatures for people who want to get into miniature wargaming but who can't get miniatures?

[@dickturpin1964]

I buy Jenga - the tower of blocks game. You get 50+ wooden blocks for little money. I spray paint them the colours I want. Then I use sticky labels with the information on. Cheap and cheerful and can be used until figures are painted!

[@MrTeaLover]

I really wanna know how you make the battlefields, i would pay to get them

[@trevorfilis537]

Does anybody know the music between 9 and 10 minutes? I've heard this track several times used on Neebs Gaming channel but they lost everything but this track.

[@peezebeuponyou3774]

Interesting, but aren't the Americans exercising a little hindsight with their initial dispositions along the Brandywine?

[@timoseppa9124]

Yay, a video!

[@victremblay1523]

i love this !!!!!

[@Morgilson]

was confuse, since when do the hobbits have gunpowder?

[@Wilsontripplets]

Hey can you do any of the battles from the chinese romance of the 3 kingdoms history.

[@rossmac8743]

Love this

[@Broadsword5]

Great stuff! Will your rules be available to download?

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

Yes, I am very interested to know about the rules.

[@gundamace2037]

Aye!! Been waiting for this one for anxiously! Zulu!!

[@cmanningdeal6228]

Um..Might I suggest Monmouth, 28 june, 1778 ?

[@colmhain]

Well, if we've no army left, we can't defend Philly. And if they've no army left, the Brits can't attack it. So, North it is, then!

[@williamrthompsonjr556]

He who tries to defend everything, defends nothing. I would of deployed in a semicircle centered on Dilworth. Birmingham Meeting House Hill would have anchored the North flank. The unnamed stream paralleling the road to Dilworth, could help to protect the Southern flank. Darlington Corner may have been defensible, too, It would have concentrated Washington's forces, and given them interior lines of communication that would have made it easier to shift forces to meet the greatest threat, If necessary, the Colonials could easily retreat through Dilworth, if a rear guard could be formed.

[@marcusalexander7088]

The Ghost of Clausewitz smiles down upon you. Clearly, you understand mass as it applies in the defense. Most only understand offensive mass. Bravo!

[@williamrthompsonjr556]

@@marcusalexander7088 Thank you very much! One of the best compliments I've ever received!

[@maltezimmermann8604]

What if armies meet off table?

[@LittleWarsTV]

We had rules for that! Basically, the side that's outnumbered is driven back, but it could involve a 1, 2 or 3 turn delay depending on the parity of forces. This off table meeting did occur once in our game as the main British column met a small Continental picket force at one of the fords.

[@maltezimmermann8604]

@@LittleWarsTV so manly they are drven back to the next table? But if the continental army had more soldiers they could have driven back the whole british army to table one?

[@davidcooke6800]

What size is this game at? 15mm?

[@LittleWarsTV]

10mm Pendraken!

[@cmanningdeal6228]

Um..Pre von Steuben ?

[@arthurstraker3573]

how about khartoum in a small scale?

[@SteveIsWatching]

Which piece is playing at about 2:40 ?

[@Lt_Fryes]

I believe it to be "A Baroque Letter" by Aaron Kenny

[@SteveIsWatching]

@@Lt_Fryes Cheers friend!

[@Lt_Fryes]

@@SteveIsWatching Glad to help!

[@andreaspersson5639]

Welp, I'm now 2/2 on making the wrong (or at least worse) decision on these... never claimed to be a military genius, but this is starting to get embarrasing...

[@LittleWarsTV]

Don't worry, we'll give you another chance sometime!

[@timkbirchico8542]

Less people in the vid. Good filming of the armies and their movements would be far better. With over chat, but not too much.

[@zaynevanday142]

15mm ?

[@LittleWarsTV]

We played this in 10mm with Pendraken figures

[@zaynevanday142]

CHARGE !!! Oh um er FIX BAYONETS

[@valmid5069]

*Turn to this page to support Sullivan* *Turn to this page to retreat to Dilworth*

[@reglavcor]

This was a cool video. But I'm a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan; so any time I hear the word "Patriots", I get triggered!!

[@LittleWarsTV]

As a Steelers fan, I assure you the triggering is equal.

[@shiro4ever]

Benedict Arnold did not like this video

[@Imaneedmalk]

im the 22,960th veiwer lets gooo