Battle of Granny Creek 1780 Part 1

 Friday 13th.  Not the movie, but game night with the Northern Conspiracy.  And I will be putting on a American Rev War game.  So I have taken a leaving from the painting table to organize and set up my game.  I am very excited as I have not played with my new collection outside my house  so it will be the first time they venture out of the house.

  The game is a historical what if.  All Rev War gamers are familiar with the American disaster at Camden in 1780.  While fascinating it is of very limited tactical options.  Sort of a line them up move forward game.  So I am moving the battle a little up the road.  Historically the Battle was fought where it was as both armies bumped into each other at night and set up where they were.  I am moving the Battle a little off the actual battlefield to more interesting  terrain.  I am also giving Gates a chance to set up as he would rather then following the historical deployment.  From my reading Gates had planned on advancing on the British garrison at Camden and then digging in and waiting the British.  That is what I am having Gates do here.  Perhaps he will have a little better luck.

Armies are in 25mm.  Rules used are my all-time favorite Loose Files and American Scramble.  I have altered the order of Battle to combine smaller units into larger regiments.  But I have kept the ratio of forces.  The Americans have a larger army, but of poorer quality.  The British army is  smaller but more contains more higher quality regiments.

So let's see if quality is its own quantity.


Battle of Granny Creek

Crown Forces:
Lord Cornwallis commanding

Webster's Brigade: (1st class)
Light Infantry (12)
23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers (30)
33rd Regiment of Foot (30)

Rawdon's Brigade: (2nd class)
Volunteers of Ireland (30)
New York Volunteers (30)
British Legion Infantry (24)

Reserve: (2nd class)
71st Highlanders (30)
Royal Artillery (2 x medium guns)

Tarleton's Legion (2nd class)
1st Troop (8)
2nd Troop (8)
3rd Troop (8)
17th  LD (6)
3lbr  gun

American Forces
General Gates commanding

Maryland Brigade (2nd class)
1st Maryland (30)
2nd Maryland (30)

Virginian Brigade (2nd class)
1st Virginian (30)
2nd Virginian (30)

Reserve:
Militia Horse (12) (4th class)
Rifle company (12) (3rd class)
Continental Artillery (2 x medium guns)
(2nd class)

North Carolina Militia Brigade (4th class)
North Carolina Militia (30)
North Carolinia Militia (30)
North Carolina Militia (30)


South Carolina Militia Brigade (4th class)
South Carollina Militia (30)
South Carolina Militia (30)
South Carolina Militia (30)

Camera differences

  I am very sorry about the quality of the pictures in my last two posts.  These were taken on my kindle rather then my phone.  i do almost all the work on this blog on my on my Kindle.  It was only after checking the site that the difference in quality jumped out at me.  Here are some better quality pictures.

Again thank you and sorry for the poor quality.

Down on the farm

 I wanted to spruce up my gaming table this year.  I enjoy the tiny items that many gamers place in the table such as animals and civilians.  I think they really add to the visual effects.  And why play with you soldiers on the table top if not for the visual effect!  I was especially excited to see one table at Cold Wars.  It was a sharp practice game during the American Revolution.  The gamer had civilians, farm animals and all such interesting items scattered about the table.  They my made the table come alive for me.  I also really liked his casualty markers but that is another  project for another time.

So, after that I stopped at the Eureka miniatures booth and picked up the following figures. It includes a woman milking a cow, a young boy with a butter churn and a very happy looking woman with a yoke and two water buckets. The last figure reminds me of the reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth in 1978.  Young ladies such as her with their water buckets save a number of us from the extreme heat that day.  Perhaps you will see the figure doing similar good deeds on my table top!

  They are very nice figures and will look good around my new farm houses.

Militia Horse painted figures

  While at Cold Wars I did something I don't do.  I bought painted figures.  They were very well painted, and at almost unpainted pricep a bargin.  After all when do you see mounted War of 1812 figures for sale.

 And nothing shouts War of 1812 (to me) like hunting shirts and top hats (round hats in the period language).  They represent mounted riflemen from the frontier.  Johnson's mounted rifles at The Thames wore black hunting shirts turned red .  And eventually I want to paint These up.  Knuckleduster does a most excellent figure of These. But these are a nice tan color hunting shirt.  I will use them as generic mounted militia.  The War of 1812 is not known for cavalry actions, but when has that stopped war gamers from fielding and fighting them in battle!

  But for me it is unusual as I have not bought pre painted figures before.  I like painting.  I have a style I like and I feel looks good on the table.  More importantly I have a sense of ownership.  These are mine and I painted them.  So I feel a little different in actually having someone else's work in my  collection.  I think my feelings must be unusual as there is a big business side of the hobby that supplies painted figures.  In the past I have painted figures for other people.   I have painted figures for other people.  So perhaps I am over thinking this.  Perhaps I should just enjoy  the new additions.

Laser cut buildings

  I have been curious about these buildings since they first came out.  They look good, and are less expensive then the cast ones.  So that was a big plus for me;  the frugal wargamer.  At Cold Wars this year I picked up two buildings in the flea markets. At $10 each They were  a bargin. They were wooden buildings that could fit into my Rev War and 1812 games.  Again more bang for my buck.

  The first was by Battlefield Accessories from Australia.  It looked very basic and simple so I choose this one to start with.  I used Arlene's tacky glue to put it together.  Similarly white glue.  The cabin went together quickly and was the definition of simple.  The final project will look good on my table top.

  The cabin from Sally 4th was much more detailed and comprehensive.  Fortunately for me they provided a goid, illustrated set of instructions.  These helped with the construction.  In fact I would have been lost without them.

  As a final improvement i think I will base these buildings.  Add a few items like fences and possibly a tree would provide a neat little mini diorama on my table.  A few civilian figures would be nice also.  Of course then I should add a few farm animals.........

USS Olympia

  While in Philadelphia we went to visit the USS Olympia.  This cruiser from the Spanish American war served as Admiral Dewey's  flagship at Manila Bay.

Because it was off season there were no interpretation on the ship and everything was self guided.  Much of the ship is not available to walk through . Just the main deck inside and a little top side.  But what is open is well maintained and interesting.  Best of all how often do you get a chance to walk the deck of a ship of this time period.  Very inspiring and highly recommend.

Looking forward towards the 8" gun turret

 Looking aft

5" gun

Add caption

Looking down into the engine room

Must be good to be an officer!

Museum of the American Revolution

 In planning my trip to Cold Wars this year I set aside time to visit the new Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.  I am very glad I did.

On entering on the museum there is a delightful diorama of the Battle of Trenton.  Buildings are well done as is the terrain.  The figures are collector type 54mm figures and really nicely painted.

   After paying our admission we looked about to get our bearings.  On The first floor is the book store (more later), a restaurant and a locker room where you can lead your coat and bags.  There is a introduction movie which we skipped due to the large school grouos.  Instead we moved up the stairs to the exhibit halls.

  We started by watching a movie about The history of George Washington 's tent.  It was well done and tied The tent to the museum story.  At the end the curtain lifted and you got to see The tent itself.

   The exhibit hall was well played out and progressed in a logical manner.  The pre war and rise ofrevolution.  How the American colonies went from loyal empire members to fighting for independence.  There are numerous exhibits with portraits and artifacts that complement the text. It then followed the campaigns to the end of the war.

   One outstanding item was the life size dioramas scattered throughout.  The clothing on the models are outstanding and reflex The latest research.  Clothing is well sewed and tailored.

   There are numerous portraits many of which I have never seen. While I have been a serious student of the period and the war during my time with The National Park Service I thought I was well read.   Here I saw numerous portraits and artifacts I had no idea existed.  It blew Me Away.

  One exhibit I found was a panorama painting of the British fleet in New York harbour in 1776.  Especially interesting were the barges landing soldiers.  I had seen this before.  But when blown up the details of the soldiers and The uniforms was amazing.

One of the most dramatic exhibits occurred near the end as you turn a corner.  You are confronted with members of The British Legion riding you down.  Very effective!

  Another interesting items were colors from The period.  The so called Foster flag and The Monmouth color were in display.

The museum store is very well lighted, and items placed with care. There is enough room to move about without feeling crowded. There are evan a few benches to relax on.  Items are chosen to appeal to all ages and tastes.  The selection of books is wide and broad and just outstanding.

If you get the chance to visit the MAR please do so.  The museum is outstanding.  It is well layed out, interesting and a joy to visit.  Exhibit cases are not over stuffed with items. They are carefully chosen and add to your knowledge.  For the long time student of the war there are new and exciting items.  I cannot recommend this museum enough.  It was an exciting experience and I look forward to going again.