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

Club game night

  Last night was club game night.  Ed and George invited me, and I was excited to go again.  It had been a difficult night at work the night before (flight crews timed out and medical emergency so I did not leave work till after midnight) and it is always great fun to see and game with old friends.

  As is usual there were three outstanding beautiful games.  Mike put on a scaled down version of Trafalgar with Sails of glory.  A great fun, and very beautiful game. Have to look into it more.   Ralph staged a firefight of Cannane.  Beautiful terrain and incredibly well done troops.  A superb game as only Ralph can do. Both looked great and from the sounds of it all of the players had a great time.

  I was fortunate to play in Ed's game of The Battle of Dybboll (May 28, 1849).  The was during the First Schleswig-Holstein War 1848-49.  Troops (Denmark, Prussian and German Federation) are all pretty much equal.  The Prussians are not the army of the needlegun nor von Molkle.  In fact they are quite average.  It is a very colorful and evan fight, which historical Denmark won.  The rules used were Volley and Bayonet.  Ed put an incredible amount of work into this with amazing figure conversions and outstanding game devices to record losses and brigade status.  Just really first rate!

   For more on the game I would recommend you check out Ed's blog (Ed M's Wargame Meanderings) here http://edmwargamemeanderings.blogspot.com/2017/05/danish-delight-battle-of-dybbol-5-june.html

or AJ's blog for a write up of a game test here http://ajs-wargaming.blogspot.com/2017/05/battle-of-duppel-28-may-1849.html.  Both will give a better understanding of the game then I can.

Prussian Hussars capture the battery

Over running the Infantry

Some of Ed's beautifully done troops.

Prussian brigade advancing

Fire fight while the Guards move towards the woods

From my point of view the game was great fun.  Bob's Dannish cavalry caused no end of damage and mischief, destroying George's artillery before they could come into action.  I returned the favor by reenacting "von Bedlow's Death Ride" against Bob's artillery and infantry.  Who said cavalry is useless!  I managed to out flank the Dannish line through the woods with my guards brigade while my line held his attention.  Alas, it was too little to late as the Dannish forces held on to win the game.

  A great night was had by all!  Beautiful painted figures, on excellent terrain and great camaraderie with friends.  It does not get any better then this!

Cheers 🍺

British Order of Battle Guilford Courthouse Campaign

British Southern Army:  December 1780 to March 1781

Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis

Webster’s Brigade: Colonel James Webster
7th Regiment of Foot (24)
23rd Regiment of Foot. (30)
33rd Regiment of Foot. (30)

 Brigade of Guards: General Charles O'Hara
Guards Light Infantry Company (12)
Guards Grenadier Company (12)
1st Guards Battalion (30)
2nd Guards Battalion (30)

Reserve Brigade: Major General Leslie
1st Bn/71st Highland Regiment (24)
2nd Bn/71st Highland Regiment (24)
von Bose Regiment (Trumbach)  (30)

Unbrigaded:
British Light Infantry battalion (12)
 Jaeger company (9)
Royal Artillery ( 6-pdr & 3-per)

British Legion: Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarelton
British Legion Dragoons
1st Squadron/British Legion Dragoons: (8)
2nd Squadron/British Legion Dragoons: (8)
3rd Squadron/British Legion Dragoons: (8)
British Legion Infantry (24)
British Legion Artillery (3-pdr)
 17th Light Dragoon (6)

Camden Brigade:
 Lt. Colonel Lord Rawdon
Royal North Carolina Regiment (30)
Volunteers of Ireland Regiment (30)
New York Volunteers Regiment (24)
South Carolina Royalist (24)
Coffin's Dragoons (6)
Camden District Loyalist Militia (30)
Royal Artillery (6 pdr)

Ninety-Six, South Carolina
Cruger's Loyalist Brigade:
Lieutenant Colonel John Harris Cruger
1st Bn/Delancey's (18)
3rd Bn/New Jersey Volunteers (24)
South Carolina Royalists (30)
Loyalist Artillery (2 x 3-pdr)
96th District South Carolina Loyalist Militia Brigade:
Brigadier Robert Cunningham
King's Long Cane Loyalist Militia (24)
Cunningham's Little River Loyalist Militia (24)
Stevens Creek Loyalist Militia (24)
Dunlap's Loyalist Dragoons (6)

Note:  For March into North Carolina against Greene's army Cornwalis may take with him Webster's Brigade, Guard's brigade, Reserve Brigade, British Legion , unbrigaded troops and North Carolina Loyalist regiment.