The following is the playtest write up for the years 1781-1782, authored primarily by William Outzen.
Chairman James Sullivan immediately faced a decision about who to nominate to replace the disgraced General Moultrie. Crossing party lines, he chose Daniel Morgan, a move supported by media across the fledgling nation. The Congress then received incredible news: Ambassador to France Benjamin Franklin convinced the French to join the war, finally giving aid to the rebelling colonies. With international support they couldn’t lose. The colonies celebrated, though their celebrations were cut short by a slave rebellion encouraged by the English crown. North Carolina Governor Cornelius Hackett was killed in the chaos. Behind the scenes, Governors of both parties worked to send funds to the Congress to support the war. Some were successful, but most failed.
On the battlefield, they had little success. General Wayne once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, outsmarted by the British forces at the Battle of Hubbardton. In the Battle of Blue Licks, Wayne was once again defeated, as a sharpshooter’s bullet connected, instantly killing him. His army in disarray, the colony’s attempts to secure Kentucky failed. While the armies in the North and West Collapsed, General Artemis Ward once again defended Charleston at the Battle of Sullivan Island. Ward’s name continues to be celebrated throughout the colonies. But this victory was tempered by defeat, as General George Washington failed to defend Philadelphia, as he suffered defeat at the Battle of White Marsh. The Continental Congress was forced to flee, with several being captured and hanged. Senior General Ward quickly moved North to counter the surging British, but was ambushed by a group of Iroquis, who delivered a devastating defeat. Reeling after the Battle of Newtown, Ward withdrew to lick his wounds, effectively ceding New England to the British. Following these disasters, Chairman James Sullivan relieved Washington of his position, and nominated Charles Coatesworth Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry to assume leadership. Gerry however refused his nomination, preferring to remain as Governor (albeit in hiding)of Massachusetts.
Reconvening in Princeton, New Jersey, the Continental Congress was battered and despondent. Their generals were consistently failing, and they still faced several crises. They focused economically, requesting more assistance from the states, and privatizing the Bank of North America.
In the following Governor elections, the Red Party maintained a 8-5 lead in the states, allowing them to stack the Continental Congress in their favor. Benjamin Franklin and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander McDougal resigned their positions to return to the Continental Congress, believing that they could do more there.