This year's tournament was a great deal of fun. We began with 20 players a little down from last years 26; however, I felt that it was a good turnout. I was hoping that being in the Iron Man tournament as well this time would boost our numbers. This year I asked players to fill out a survey to help me run a better tournament.

We used a random draw for sides. Last year the US won 68% of the time. However, the British had won more than 60% the year before. It was my decision not to include any bidding. I have always felt that this was a pretty evenly matched game. This year the results seemed to bear that out: of the 19 games played the US won ten.

Player commentary generated some good quotes. Jonathan Price wrote, "the British attack at Prescott was bludgeoned on a wall of American Steel". Dennis Culhane was more succint in describing his victory against Phil Barcafer as "Blood Bath". Charles Hickok tells of the "dry gunpowder" he had against Scott Bowling's redcoats. Overall, it seems that most players had a good time.

The finals came down to David Metzger's redcoats vs Dennis Culhane. David was gracious enough to pen his thoughts of the final:

The first year was characterized by a series of mishaps and poorly coordinated attacks by both sides. The British began 1812 with a lightning strike for Detroit in an attempt to gain their Indian allies and sweep the Western portion of the map. However, the British field commanders badly managed their troops and after a disastrous defeat, in which they took eight casualties while only inflicting one on the Americans, were forced to retreat back into Canada. The Americans immediately attempted to capitalize on their successful defense of Detroit by moving into Canada with six strength points to attack the remaining three British. Unfortunately for the Americans one of their militia units refused to enter Canada, which enabled the British to turn the tables and completely destroy the American offensive.

The Americans then attempted to move into Central Canada but once again, two of their three units refused to march, which enabled the British to completely destroy the American unit that crossed the border. Both sides then settled down for the rest of 1812 to lick their wounds and hopefully enhance the quality of their field commanders.

1813 began with a two-pronged British offensive in both the east and west. The British obviously learned from their tactical blunders in Detroit and successfully captured the city and gained their Indian allies. In the East, a huge engagement was fought between 18 British factors and 15 Americans. While the battle went back and forth between the two sides, nether army was willing to retreat and the British ultimately triumphed and destroyed the entire American eastern army. With the entire eastern US open to British capture, the Americans began a series of lightning raids with their dragoons and one militia unit into Montreal in order to stop British replacements, tie up British troops, and buy time for reinforcements to arrive from the West.

While the American strategy was partially successful, the British ultimately forced back the American incursion and it cost the Americans another precious infantry unit. Both sides then began a series of strategic maneuvers and feints in an attempt to lure their opponents into a vulnerable position, but neither side fell into their opponent's trap. However, by the end of 1813, the British were in a position to take full control of most of Eastern and Western US and the Americans were forced into a desperation attack against the main British Army to keep from losing the war. While the attack was valiant, the 15 factors of Americans were no match for 21 high quality defending British regulars, and the bulk of the American army was finally destroyed.

I want to thank Columbia Games for their support of the 1812 tournament. They graciously donated gift certificates for the top four places again this year. I am looking forward to next year as well.