Captain James McCall's mounted militia 1780

  Captain James McCall had been active an an officer in the South Carolina continental and militia forces.  From 1776 to the end of the war he held various command and was almost always in the field leading soldiers.  His service was typical of numerous militia leaders, with long years of service but little public credit.

   His most memorial achievement was leading two troops of mounted militia.  These were typical militia men who provided their own mounted and equipment.  At the Battle of the Cowpens in January 1781 his men served with Ltd. Col. William Washington and played a dramatic part in the victory against Tarleton.  He and his command continued to serve with the Continental cavalry of both Washington and Lee during the fighting in North Carolina.  They left Greene's army just before Guilford Courthouse and returned to South Carolina where they fought under Pickens and Sumter's command.

Miniatures are from the Perry Brothers American Revolution line.

4th July

A friend sent me this in honour of independence day.
🍻  🍺  🍻

State line regiment 1781

  Enjoyed painting the old RSM miniatures for regiment von Bose.   So I  wanted to paint some more.  Here are the figures they sell which represent a generic Continental or British battalion.  I painted it up in Brown coats faced red. One of my favorite patterns if early war uniforms, and also represented some of the French bounty coats sent in 1778.   This regiment was to represent a state line regiment.  It can be fielded on the table top as a continental line battalion, or a militia type battalion. As such it will fit in with my southern American Army.  A most useful regiment!

Sumter and Pickens

   I have also done a couple command figures for my militia brigades.  These represent Generals Sumter and Pickens. Both men were very different in command styles and personality.   But both did an incredible amount to keep the rebellion alive at its darkest time in South Carolina.

  Sumter, nicknamed "The Carolina Gamecock" was more dramatic and more impulsive.  He gave as good as he got on the battlefield but at times was very easy with his men's lives. Pickens on the other hand cooperated with the continental officers better and was very protective of his men's lives.  One friend said this taciturn individual was so silent  he spoke only after he thought over what he would say and then took the words out of his mouth, examined them and then spoke.

   They are very nicely done figures that painted up quickly.  The hunting shirt wearing officer represents Sumter while Pickens is in his continental line uniform.  Miniatures from Fife and Drum.

Club game night

How does this thing work?

I want to start this by thanking Ed for the generous use of his pictures from his blog.  While I did take some pictures, I deleted them in error!  I have a problem with technology.  He kindly came to my rescue and offered the use of his pictures. So all pictures in this posting are from his blog.  Thank you Ed!  Now on to the story.......

  Friday was club game night at the Northern Conspiracy club.   I participated as a guest of Ed from Ed's Meandering War games ( http://edmwargamemeanderings.blogspot.com)  .  As is usually a wonderful time was held by all and great games were put on in three decades different time periods.  Interestingly all three were in 25mm ( or is it now 28mm?) Scale.  In my past 15mm were very popular but now it's 25mm.  Due to age or eye sight?

  Charlie put on a striking Napoleonic game played to his rules.  A beautiful army of Austrians vs French.  Great looking figures on a wonderfully terrain table.  As Ed played in this game I would suggest a trip to his blog for a write-up of the details.  But from across the room it looked like all were having fun.

AJ, from AJ's blog  (http://ajs-wargaming.blogspot.com) put on a interesting and fast paced WW2 action.  The rules were I believe Iron cross.  I am not a big player for modern type games but it did look interesting and is with all of AJ's games had incredible beautiful terrain and equally beautiful figures.  Please see his blog for a write up.

I played in Peter's game.  This saw the British in the Sudan vs the Madhi.  A column of troops had to March across the blazing sands to relieve a city (rescue Gordon?).  Naturally the forces of the Mahdi were there to stop them.  Rules used were "800 Fighting Englishmen" and figures were 25mm.  It was a fun low stress game and my fellow players Mike, Don and John kept it light hearted and fun.

I was on the British side and commanded the infantry (4 battalions) a screw gun and three Gardner guns.  John took the hussars and camel corp (Guard Camel Corp old boy).  Although we were supposed to March across the table the Madhi and his forces came to us.  Mike threw waves of cavalry and infantry against me.  I formed line and with a clear field of fire mowed down the enemy to my front.  John and Don engaged in an epic mounted battle with every mounted unit thrown at the Guards Camel Corp being routed back!  The Corp was finally done in by advancing across the dervish front and being surprised by hidden units.   At this point the game ended as although the British done well, they had gotten no where near the city. Poor Gordon was not to be rescued yet again.

A very fun night was had by all.

Hunting shirt infantry

Most of my American regulars are in standard uniforms.  But nothing says Rev War like figures in hunting shirts so I just had to paint some.  And I must say they were great fun to paint!  So much so that I intend on doing another regiment like it.

These figures represented  continental or state line infantry.  They could also stand in as militia.  So this is a very useful regiment. I have added some diversity in the look by adding a few figures with non standard equipment or head gear as well as blanket rolls.  A very nice look to a useful regiment.

Figures are all Fife and Drum miniatures.  Flag by the Flag Dude.

17th Light Dragoons

I almost added the 17th light Dragoons  to my blog post about the British Legion.  That was because throughout the southern campaigns a troop of the 17th Light dragoons  was usually attached to the Legion cavalry.  But, I considered this just not right.

   Why? According to tradition, while campaigning the uniforms of the 17th became worn and patched.  Offered replacement green coats like the legion wore the the 17th to a man refused them and clung to their red coats which marked them as regulars.  So I gave them their own post, just to be right!  One item which marked this troop as campaigning down south is the white turban around their helmets.  In the south the usual red one was replaced by a white (sheepskin?) Turban.

  Figures are from Fife and Drum miniatures. And wonderful, easy to paint and dramatic figures they are.

Interestingly, the 17th are one of those regiments I have done for the table top in more then one time period.  I have their grandsons my Crimean army as the 17th Lancers.  I also have the 23rd RWF and 33rd in both Rev War and Crimean.  I am curious how often other gamers do this?