Armies in Review 2019

  Once a year I like to review my armies. It gives me a chance to see what I have done, what I need to do for next year and admire what I have.  There is a feeling of accomplishment when looking over your collection.  And anticipation of when next they will take the field in a table top battle.

  My first review was to be my Rev War armies.  On a short day from work I placed  a couple of tables outside and set up the Crown Forces then the American Rebels.  Only when I had taken it down and out away the terrain and figures did I review the pictures.  They were blurry and washed out.  I was most disappointed and post a couple of the better ones to show this.  A bit of a waste of effort.

  My next attempt was indoors and with my War of 1812 collection.  This time I decided to photograph them by brigades.  A small amount of figures at a time but better for the space and picture quality.  Most of my armies have been organized by brigades as they tend to be what a player commands for a table top battle. Usually these to four battalions per brigade.  Since most games have two to four players per side an army of three brigades is very good.  Also, this lets me concentrate on which regiments make up the Brigade.  Usually these are based on a historical order of battle.  The individual regiments are very  important to me as I am fascinated by their histories and stories.  Also, occasionally they are to honour or remember a friend or my time with a reenactment unit.  There have been times in the past where the game goes out the window and we go out of our way to four Frank's or George's old regiment.  Great fun!

  So, I hope you enjoy the next series of posts and my mini review of my collection of fugures.  Thank you for stopping by!

More Jagers

Fife and Drum Miniatures have done a correct figure of a Hessian Jager during the American Revolution.  The differences from the European figure sold in the Seven Years War listings are minor but noticeable.  I now have both sets and intend to field them as two separate companies.

 For basing I will be using a wider then normal stand.  I am experimenting with two or three figures per stand.  It is a visual thing really. 

  If you have an opinion I would like to hear it.

Lord Cornwallis

Similar to the command stand for Greene here is the one for Lord Cornwallis.  Like Greene he can serve as division commander under Howe's main army. Or as independent army commander in the south.  With Howe, Cornwallis commands the elite of the army;  Grenadiers, Light Infantry and the Guard's brigade.

 With Cornwallis I have added a officer in a general's uniform. All figures are from Fife and Drum miniatures.  The figure of Cornwallis does resemble his portrait.  Like all figures from this manufacturer these are a joy to paint.

General Nathaniel Greene

  Here is my command stand for General Nathaniel Greene.  It is a small size stand then a army command;  but larger then brigade commanders.  This fits in with Greene's role as division commander with the main army under Washington.  But as a army commander for the smaller independent army down south.

Again, all figures are from Fife and Drum miniatures.  Rather then a general officer in continental line uniform I placed a officer in a hunting shirt.  This could be a militia type officer down south advising Greene.  I thought I sent with the figure of Greene.  All in all I am very happy how it turned out.

Battle of Chippawa

July 5, 1814 the anniversary of the Battle of Chippawa.  Possibly one of the more interesting battles of the War of 1812.  From a tactical view point of view.   It is also a battle which has fascinated me and a battlefield I have visited multiple times.

From a wargamer point of view it is fun battle to refight on the table top.  The terrain is Interesting, and both armies evenly balanced. Very colorful uniforms and troop types.  I highly recommend it!

Here, for the anniversary are some pictures from past games I have hosted.  In addition big you are interested in visiting this well preserved battlefield here is my review of my tour last year.

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2018/07/visit-to-chippawa-battlefield-chippawa.html

British Army Command Stand

  Sir William Howe, conversing with his staff and being distracted by Mrs Loring.  Can there be a better command stand for my British army?

I have always liked Sir William, he is my favorite British General from the American Revolution.  It is hard to tell why he captured my attention.  Possibly after reading Thomas Fleming's book "Now We are Enemies" about Bunker Hill.  His description of Howe standing all alone after the second attack with his battle plan wreaked and his staff all shot down around him has always stayed with me.

 His abilities as a tactician is often forgotten.  His Light Infantry discipline and school of instruction was a first of its kind.  He also built his army into a powerful fighting force.  That he often pulled his punches and allowed the American army to escape to fight another day is often pointed out.  Could this be because of his sympathetic feelings toward the American Colonists? One things I do know is after Bunker hill he was very careful of the lives of his men and seldom threw them away in pointless actions.

When one reads of his going away party, the "Mischianza" it is hard to imagine the officers of Wellingtons army throwing him a similar one.

Very little is known about Elizabeth Loring.  Not even a painting of her exists.  But her presence was noticed and her effect on Howe commented on.  As a contemporary wrote of them:

Sir William he,
Snug as a flea,
Lay all this time a snoring,
Not dreamed of harm
As he lay warm, 
In bed with Mrs. Loring.

Again, figures from the great and wonderful Fife and Drum miniatures.  The figure of Howe is new as is the Highland officer.  In my last order Jim very kind to sent me the Highlander figure as A bonus.  I am glad he did as it added to this colorful group.   A fantastic variety of figures in a beautiful range for the American Revolution War.

Continental Army Command Stand

  Here is the finished command stand for my American Revolution Army.  All figures are from Fife And Drum, and they are mounted on a oversized stand.  Washington's command flag is from GMB flags.

Washington sits center stage, flanked by a general officer and a ADC.  The command flag is carried by a trooper from the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons.  I picked this regiment both because of their close association with Washington and the beautiful uniform.