The Wargame Companion - A Review

 

When I go in vacation I usually take a Wargames related book for me.  This is for light reading by the pool or on the balcony.  I usually like to bring  my copy of "The Wargame Companion" by Charles S. Grant.  I have his second edition in hardback as I wore out my original copy.  Plus I like the new color pictures of games.  The book is a fun read and can be started anywhere.  Its kind of a personal memoir of his war gaming experiences over the decades.

The  stories about CS Grant playing in wargames with his father, Charles Grant, and Peter Young, as well as other snippets about people like Edward Suren  are worth the price of the book to me.   Grant provides a lot of the "back story" to the hows and whys of the rules, and the fictional 18th century armies that they all used, and much, much more.  It’s like a class in miniature Wargames history.  A few of if my favorite parts:

"The Early Years and the ACW."  Providing background on the Grant family's introduction to wargaming and the birth of the rules, for ACW use, that eventual evolved into The Wargame rules.  Fascinating to see the old article and black and white pictures .  Some good background to create games.

"The Wargame Revisited.". This chapter covers the personalities, both real and fictional; plus background on the armies of the Grand Duchy of Lorraine, the Vereinigte Frei Stadt, and Teutoburg-Althaufen.  Interesting how the personalities molded the fictional armies.  I never got into imagination nations because I just did not have the imagination to do so.  Yet I am in admiration if those who can..

Scenarios,;  including the original game and a new try out of it for Sawmill Village, the Wagon Train, and Lobositz.    He also adds a new Guilford Courthouse scenario for the readers.I was less impressed by this one just because Guilford has been so over done by gamers.  These are fun games I have fought in many different periods over the years  

A chapter on  how to construct buildings like  those seen in The Wargame, with the lift-off buildings/ruined buildings underneath is interesting.  But I am much to happy with my Things From The Basement houses to bother.  

There is set of The Wargame rules in easy to read chart form, done by Henry Hyde,. He has also taken color pictures of the flags and standard bearers for each unit in the Grant family's Vereingte Freistadt army along with pictures from the collections of John Ray, Phil Olley, Angus Konstamm and others.  Finally, Mr. Grant laments that time and age have taken a toll on his plastic Spencer Smith figures. They are slowly in the process of being replaced by new metal armies os Staddens, Surens, Mindens and others.i

My highest recommendation!

A little Humor

 

Visit to the Dade Battlefield

 

 On Sunday Janine and I visited the Dade Battlefield park.  The battle marked the start of the Second Seminole War.  The Dade Battle or  massacre, was a  defeat for the United States Army in 1835.  On 28 December 1835 two U.S. Infantry companies numbering 103 men under the command of Major Francis L. Dade were ambushed by approximately 180 Seminole and Black Seminole warriors as they marched from Fort Brooke on Tampa Bay to reinforce Fort King in Ocala.  The battle took place in a pine forest and swampy area and was a one-sided Seminole victory. All but three American soldiers were killed at the cost of only six Seminole warriors. The defeat sparked the Second Seminole War which lasted until 1842. The Seminole wars are little known and usually ignored in most history text books.  They comprise the longest Indian war in US history.

 The park has a number of walking trails, and a nice visitor center.  There are markers for the troop locations and a replica of the breast work set up by the soldiers.  In the visitor center were excellent displays outline the reasons for the conflict and the course of the war.  In addition there are two life size figures in replica uniform and native clothing.  

  The day we visited the park hosted a historical reenactment of the battle.  There were small camps set up and various weapons firing and other demonstrations.  It all concluded with a mock battle.

Toy Soldier Monument

   This sculpture by Canadian artist Douglas Coupland is titled "Monument To The War Of 1812" and it is located about a block from Fort York. It was installed in 2008 in front of a condominium complex as part of the city's art requirement for new development. The "two abandoned toy soldiers pay tribute to Toronto's history" and Fort York's part in the Canadian victory in the war of 1812.

2024; A Year In Review

 

  "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."  Yes, it's time for the yearly year in review.  I do like reading these types of post as it tends to put what happened into a nice neat box that you can then throw out.   First off a strange mixed year for yours truly.  I was formally retired and am now still adjusting to retirement.  Its strange and unusual to not have to get up at odd hours and go to work.   But I am adjusting.  Slowly.

 

On the miniature gaming front a most interesting year.  The club and friends provided a great number of games, many of them periods I do not usually game in or have an interest in.  High on my list would be Mark D's Pikemen's lament game "Ambush at Black Rock."   Also the outstanding "Hunting Moby Dick game.". And of course Adam's truly outstanding sailing ship games.  All were wonderful and fun and I appreciate the time and effort they put into them.  Thank you!

Great time at the Huzzah convention in Maine. Best thing was meeting up, in person with Vincent from  The Corlears Hook Fencibles who's blog I have followed for a long time.  Here I am with Mr Ed and Vincent as the bloggers three!

Going to Historicon was definitely which point.  A few days away from life to see friends, play games and be with friends.  Again the high point for me was playing in Jim's Picket's Charge game.  Great fun and exciting.  

Lastly our club's game day in October.  Played in AJ's Battle of Rhode Island game which was outstanding.  I usually do not care for computer driven miniature games but his was different and great fun.  Also in Mr Ed's outstanding Jousting game.  Very well done a barrels of fun.

Not too much on my painting front.  I did rebase my American Rev War figures.  And added another division for my American armies.   Also added a few civilians to liven up the table top.

Next year?  Planning on working on a small portable game to tale on my travels.  Also really need to get out and put on more games.  And I have a few research articles I plan on posting here.

Thank you all for following!  I wish you all a most happy and healthy New Years.