War game afternoon with Jim

In range!

Once a year, my friend Jim has us all over his house for a day of games, grilling food side, watching movies and more games.  It is a fun day and one I look forward to all year.  Many of the folks there I do not most of the years so that makes it doubly special.  It's a nice time to get together with friends and roll dice and play games.

I think we are safe here.....

   This year was a world war affair. Jim is a big buff on the War, with a fantastic book collection and he also does WW1 reenactments. So he is really into this period.   His collection of figures is outstanding with not only British, French and Germans but also Russians, Check legion and Germans in Africa.  He has numerous buildings, trenches, tanks and a armoured train. Jim's games are in 25mms and are big skirmishes.  So when one games with Jim you do not know what or where you will end up. I am not a big fan of skirmish games and especially modern games (anything after 1900) but Jim's games are fun and entertaining.   Unfortunately I was having so much fun I forgot to take pictures until the end so I am only sharing little details.

I fired my mortar at the Germans and ......

There used to be a big group of Germans here.....

The first game consisted of a Russian attack on a Austrian stalled train.  Which just happened to have a Austrian grand duke aboard.  A squad of Germans made an appearance late in the game to help their allies.  The Austrians died almost to a man to save the Duke, who finally got the train moving in time to make his escape!  The second game  was a big battle between French and Germans in a devastated town.  No quarter was asked or given.  Not sure how it ended as there were few troops left on the board at the end!  Throughout the day movies were played in the background including Dawn Patrol, Twelve o'clock high and Gunga Din.  Great fun!

Thanks Jim!  It was a great time and I had a ball.  Look forward to next year.

"Tanks", Jim! 🍻

3rd Continental Light Dragons 1781

When one thinks cavalry during the American Revolution one thinks of Light Horse Harry Lee or Tarleton. This might be because both men write and published their memories after the war.  Both books should be read with caution as both men tended to write about themselves, as Shakespeare said with "advantages."

But to me, the premier commander of cavalry during the War was a more humble man who never put pen to paper or blew his own horn.  William Washington was a humble man, who soldiered on through good and bad times and got the job done.  Not flashy but solid.  He played a important role at Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse and Hobkirk hill.  He worked well with local militia (which many continental offices did not) and no one had a harsh word about him.

 One of my favorite regiments of the period, and judging by how many others have them painted popular with others too.  The white and light blue uniform is very pleasant.  This is based on two period paintings of officer of regiment.  The colors carried were according to legend made for Washington by his fiancee Miss  Jane Elliot from a deep red silk damask curtain.  No matter true or not it is a good story and I have added it to my rendition of the dragoons.

 Figures are by Fife and Drum, and Miss Elliott's flag is courtesy of  GMB flags.

For more information (and an enjoyable read)  I recommend Daniel Murphy's "William Washington American Light Dragoon."  An excellent read With interesting insights.

Southern militia 1781

At the surrender of Charleston South Carolina the entire South Carolina Continental line were taken prisoners.  Local militia were soon adopted into a State line and many battalions saw extensive service for the next two years.  

  Although not uniformed they were reasonably well drilled and equipped. Most wore civilian clothing, or the traditional hunting shirt.  Equipment varied but interestingly both muskets and rifles saw service together (which must have been a quarter masters night mare).  

   On the battlefield they might not have the disciple of regulars but could still give a good accounting of themselves.  Many battalions were in the field for long periods of time so should be thought of a almost regulars, perhaps a level below them. They did have a habit of coming and going, but on the whole they were a valuable addition for Greene's army and a force multiplier. 

Rather then traditional hunting shirts I have my militia in civilian clothing.  Gives a nice look to them.   I have added flags but I have no period documentation for them. As with many things on the table top they are there because they look nice.  

  For an interesting read I would recommend; "True for the Cause of Liberty: The Second Spartan Regiment in the American Revolution." By Oscar and Catherine Gilbert. 

 Figures are all from Fife and Drum miniatures while flags are from Flags of War. 

Loyalist brigade

  Getting ready for my campaign, I have been fiendishly painting and finishing up my Rev War forces.  Number one in my projects have been my loyalist forces.  Often down played in the history books, the various loyalist forces (American Establishment, regulars, militia and refugees) played an incredible role in the south from 1779 to 1783.  Yet, with little and often contradictory information out there they are a misunderstood organization and their uniforms poorly documented.  Because of this there is not much historical documentation for my loyalist brigade, but lots of conjecture. Both of my regiments are long service veterans who are members diverge American Establishment. As one gamer said, they are more British then the British.

New York Volunteers
(3rd American regiment)
One of the very first loyalist fighting regiments.  They served at Long Island although "dressed in rags."  Sent south with Colonel Archibald Campbell in 1779 they fought in Georgia and South Carolina.  After their defense of Rocky Mount their commander Turnball suggested they were given a standard.

My uniform is based on returns in 1782 which suggest they wore red coats faced blue. Prior to that it is very unclear and contradictory.  As part of the American Establishment they received yearly clothing and equipment like British regular regiments from the same sources.  So I have used regular British figures.  The gray round hats is purely fantasy as I like the illustrations in Mollo and McGregor "Uniforms of the American Revolution."  I can find no contemporary source for this and admit it is conjecture. But they were one of my favorite regiments of the period and I wanted to make them stand out.

Volunteers of Ireland
(2nd American regiment)

Here I have flown in the face of conventional wisdom and interpret the volunteer differently.  Most modern depictions suggest the Volunteer of Ireland look like this Trioni illustrations .

This is how the perry brothers have modeled them.  I believe this is due to two items.  One  a contemporary return suggesting caps trimmed silver for sergeants in 1782.  The other is a engraving of Rawdon with a possible drawing of some of his soldiers.  Here is the drawing:

While these interpretation might be true I am not sure.  The coat and illustrations of Rawson were done after this time period.  The illustrations of the soldiers suggest almost grenadier miters caps not the low light  infantry type cap.  I can find no returns before 1780 for the coats suggested.  In fact returns from 1780 and before suggest regular uniforms and equipment issued. As to the caps were they for the Light company?

  So I have painted my version of the Volunteers of Ireland in red coats faced green and given them round hats (much more comfortable in the heat of the south and better documented).

Again, I am saying this is my interpretation.  It is not more right or wrong then what others have done.  It is my interpretation based on the evidence I look at.  As with so much in history please read your source material and draw your opinion.

Royal Marine Artillery Rocket battery 1814

  "And the rockets red glare..."

Come on, how can you do War of 1812 and not have a rocket battery!  It's down right unpatriotic!  Mine comes from Old Glory's Napoleonic line. In Canada they used the tripod rather then the smaller launcher.   I left out the Royal Horse Artillery crew (who might return if I ever do New Orleans)  and substituted Royal Marine Artillery crew who manned in Canada.  These men wore the same uniform as the Royal Artillery but with white, not yellow lace.  These figures are from Knuckleduster miniatures.  Especially love the officer looking up!

For rules I wanted rockets to be dangerous to friend and foe.  And unpredictable.  So when fired they might hit the enemy, they might disappear or they c I had double back and hit the battery.  You roll your dice and takes your chances.  Good luck!

Also, a word of thanks to my mentor in the War of 1812.  Rod Schwagger has patiently guided me pass numerous pitfalls, explained best up to date research and where to get figures. He has suggested books I buy, and one's to stay away from.  He has never laugh at my crazy questions but answered them in a thoughtful manner. It is a pleasure to have met him, if only in the internet.  Thank you sir!  I could not have done this without your help. 

 If you can please visit Rod's blog at http://warof1812war-gaming.blogspot.com/2017/02/battle-of-chippewa-second-session-1st.html

Benedict Arnold and the First battle of Saratoga.

  A great number of years ago I published an article on the role of Benedict Arnold during the first battle of Saratoga.  There is an academic controversy concerning his actual role in the fighting that day.  While most articles I have read concentrated on how historians view this, I approached it a bit differently.  I went back and examined all first person accounts of participants in the Battle.

  If you interested in reading this, here is the link to the article.  But be warned!  It is dry and may cause you to nod off.

file:///data/data/com.amazon.cloud9/app_saved_pages_dir/1741ab5b41-df54-4c31-bb51-f4b1f6c0f96d.mht

View of Breed's Hill after the battle c. 1775

 Original water color by artist Thomas Davis in 1775.  View at base of Breed' hill looking up hill.  The redoubt and breastwork are illustrated.  Remains of various fences scattered about field.  By the officers and soldiers in foreground note plants suggesting wet ground.  This is area where British guns were bogged down.

A brigade order in Boston said the men may cut their hats, in the manner the 4th have done.  These soldiers hats suggest how that should look.   As to the fellow sitting down under the shade of the tree to the left he could be a light infantryman.

https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/96705235-c441-f877-e040-e00a18065df4