Pictures of Crimean War Regiments

 

Based on the last post I thought I would head off into the Crimean war.  While I am getting the table ready for a game I thought I would post a few pictures from past games.

Russian cavalry

33rd Regiment of Foot

7th Royal Fusiliers

Royal Welch Fusiliers

Russian command stands

French Infantry regiments

masses of Russian infantry!

Russians vs French

French Infantry

Inspiration

 

  Another trip down memory lane.  The cover picture from Wargamers Illustrated inspired me years ago to start my Crimean War collection.  Seeing just released Wargamer Foundry figures blew me away and I knew I just had to do this period.

I think its time to get this army out and play a game soon!

General Charles Lee

   General Charles Lee was one of those characters I think the Muses added to help make things interesting for historians. Charles Lee had a long history of military service with both the army of Great Britain as well as other European services. Believing he had not been recognized for his achievements and superior ability he emigrated to the colonies and later he threw his lot in with the "rebels."  Considered second only to Washington in the early stages of the war he was admired and held in high regard. This of course fed his enormous ego and he insisted on explaining how to do things correctly to everyone,  no matter if they were listening or not.  While he did add a number of important administrative suggestions his actual military accomplishments were few and very questionable.  One point no one questioned was his erratic behavior and his ability to alienate almost everyone he came in contact with.  He was always followed by a pack of dogs who's company he said he preferred to people.

   During the New York campaign he started to criticize Washington's actions. On  the race across New Jersey he not only kept his command separated from Washington's army but continued to ignore Washington orders. This came to a head on the afternoon of 2 December 1776 when Lee yet again ignored Washington's order to march his army to unite the commands. Instead he went to a tavern about three miles outside his lines near Morristown NJ. He stayed that evening at the Widow White’s Tavern (named after Ebenezer White’s wife Mary Brown White). With him, he took his aide, Major William Bradford, two French volunteer officers, and fifteen guards who situated themselves around the building. Latter that evening, Major James Wilkinson, General Horatio Gates’s aide, rode to White’s Tavern with a dispatch for Lee from his superior. Curiously James Wilkinson was later strangely silent about the following events.  The question if why Charles Lee felt the need to go and stay at the Widow White's tavern, three mikes outside his troops lines with such a minor guard has perplexed and confounded historians to thus day.

  

  

 While this was happening Lieutenant Colonel William Harcourt, Cornet Banastre Tarleton, and thirty dragoons of the 16th Light Dragoons had left General Charles Cornwallis’s headquarters  and rode to Hillsborough on a intelligence gathering mission. There they either captured a dispatch rider or were informed by a local Tory that General Lee was nearby. Galloping to the White Tavern Harcourt surrounded the building while Tarleton captured the guard. They called on Lee to surrender. While this was going on Lee was finishing breakfast and dictating a response to Wilkinson for Gates. His response was an attack on Washington: “… entre nous [between us], a certain great man is damnably deficient—He has thrown me into a situation where I have my choice of difficulties—if I stay in this Province [New Jersey] I risk myself and army and if I do not stay the Province is lost forever … unless something which I do not expect turns up we are lost—our counsels have been weak to the last degree….”

  Early on the morning of 3 December 1776  his breakfast and letter writing was interrupted by gun shots.  Bradford, Wilkinson, and one of the Frenchmen made their escape during the confusion. Lee, however, would not be so fortunate. After surrendering himself to Harcourt, he was taken to New York City for confinement. He would not be paroled and returned to the Continental Army for nearly sixteen months.  In one of history's interesting twists Lee had served as an officer in the 16th Light Dragons during the Seven Years War.  One of his subordinates was  William Harcourt.

During that time There was great debate within the British high command over Lee's status. Had he resigned his half pay British commission? Was he to be treated as a prisoner or a turn coat? It was later decided to just ignore it. While confided Lee drew up and submitted a plan to General Howe with advice on how to defeat  the rebel colonists!! While debated by historians on how serious this was it was typical Lee. He was later exchanged for British General Prescott and returned to Washington in early 1779.

  The army he returned to was much different then and Lee was no longer considered second only to Washington. His conduct during the Monmouth campaign is much debated to this day. For his actions that day he demanded a Court Marshall to clear his name.  Instead he was found guilty of misconduct. Lee was suspended from the army for a year. 

  

Lee continued to argue his case and rage against Washington to anyone who would listen. This prompted both Lieutenant Colonel John Lauren and Steuben to challenge him to a duel. Only the duel with Laurens actually transpired, during which Lee was wounded. In 1780, Lee sent such a insulting  letter to Congress that it terminated his service with the army. After some travels and finding himself in debt he was forced to sell what properties he owned. While visiting Philadelphia he was stricken with fever and died in an inn on 2 October 1782.

  Contrarian to the end his will denounced religion and forbade burial near a church or religious meeting house. Against these instructions his remains were taken to the City Tavern for friends and dignitaries to pay their respects, A small military escort took his remains to Christ Church, where after a brief Anglican service, Lee was buried in the churchyard in an unmarked grave. Thus ends the curious tale of Charles Lee.

  My command figure of General goes with his division of  McDougal' s and Glover's brigades in 1776.  The future us from Brigade Games miniatures.  Like his period engraving Lee wears a round hat rather then the standard military cocked hat.  His uniform us blue coat faced buff in imitation if the uniform Washington wore.  His rank us marked by the pink ribbon across his chest.  His ADC is marked by a green ribbon.  Surrounding him us his ever present dogs.

Knuckleduster Miniatures Moves On

 

As I have mentioned here numerous times I really like the Knuckleduster War of 1812 miniatures.  They are wonderful figures and a complete line.  Forrest obviously liked them as there were a lot of heart, soul and research put into them.  In addition the regimental packs provided a gamer with ready to go regSiments at a great price.

 So it was with a heavy heart that I recently read Forrest has sold off the War of 1812 line to Wee Wolf Miniatures.  There will be a time lag while everything is transferred before the become available to the public.  I do not know how or if  the regimental packs or pricing will change.  I hope for the best and will share information as soon as I get any.  I know nothing about Wee Wolf Miniatures and hope they get the line if figures available as soon as possible.

From the site itself;

Our War of 1812 product line has been sold to Wee Wolf Miniatures! We're in the process of transferring molds, masters, and paperwork and they will be preparing their shopping cart and facility to recieve it and begin production. As of today the product line is no longer available through Knuckledster Miniatures and will be out of production for approximately 90 days while the transfer is completed.

The new owner is Don Hauser, who will be familiar to the gaming community as an old hand at producing minis; the line is in safe hands!

In 2011 I began sculpting our 1812 product line to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the American War of 1812. Over the next several years, the product line grew to over 150 packs covering the major American, Canadian and British troop types in the war. Once I began digitally sculpting the Gunfighter's Ball miniatures, I lost interest in continuing to develop new figures for 1812.

I thank all of you who bought these miniatures over the years. I think this will ultimately benefit collectors of these figures since Wee Wolf is very keen to produce new codes using the armatures and equipment I'm sending with the masters.

All the best,

Forrest Harris

Knuckleduster Miniatures

Victory or Death: A Wargamer's Guide to the American Revolution, 1775-1782

 

  There are a number of  good authors who write about the American Revolution.  One of my favorites is David Bonk.   I have a number of his books ("Men who are determined to be free", "Trenton and Princeton" and "Continental vs Red Coat").  All are well written and show great research which sets them apart from too much that is published today.  So it was with a little surprise (I had not heard of this yet) and a great delight that I saw this at On Military Matters and quickly scooped it up.  If you are gaming the period, interested in the period or just need to be inspired please do yourself a favour and check out this book.

  The book is hefty and good sized.  Its packed with a lot of information.  In some ways it can be a one stop shopping for the American Rev War gamer or buff.  There is a very handy guide to uniforms to assist you in painting your miniatures.  Not only the unusual American and British either.  Americans are broken up for uniforms in 1775, 1776 and 1778.  Really good stuff here.  There is information for your various German states, some loyalists and also the often neglected Spanish.  Where it really shines is for the French explaining the various uniform regulations and what was probably worn when.  You don't get this information in too many places unless you seriously dig and here it us at your finger tips.  In addition there is handy guides about tactics and weapons which should answer any questions you have.  Finally a number of very well thought out scenarios are added for you to play.  Did I mention pictures?  Lots and lots of pictures to inspire you and make you want to up your game in the table top.

  In addition to guides for the war by years I was especially impressed by his strategic over views.  Once the French and Spanish entered the war it became a global conflict.  Britain's war effort and resources were stretched thin and its remarkable they were able to hold to what they did.  This part of the war us often overlooked or ignored by too many authors and David deserves great credit for including it.

 My favorite chapter is on terrain.  How to set up your table and what is North American terrain.  He breaks thus up by geographic locations. Brilliant!  What is true for New England is not true for South Carolina.  How were farms later out, what types if fences and fields were command and buildings are all explained.  This is backed up by outstanding pictures if his award winning table top games.  I wish more guides included things like this.  

  I am very glad I picked this up and have greatly enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures.  

  

General Wayne's Pennysivannia Division1777

  

  Finally finished up my Pennsylvania Division!  Two brigades of four battalions each and command stands.  As I mentioned it was made up from extra figures I had and re painting some half finished figures or adding new facing colors.  I also broke from my usual habit of a standard size unit.  I went with more historical numbers but rounded them up or down to fit with 20 or 24 figure battalion.

Historically the division was very active from 1777 to the end of the war.  In addition to the Pennsylvania campaign battles (Brandywin, Germantown and Paoli) it also fought through the war in Virginia at Green springs and Yorktown and then South Carolina in 1781.  A hard fight command.

 Commanding his division is Anthony Wayne.  Ambitious and aggressive commander he would command this division from 1777 all the way through to the end of the war.  Nickname "Old Tony"  or "Mad Anthony.". In addition to his service during the American Revolution he later came out of retirement to organize and commanded the American Legion during the campaign and battle of Fallen Timber.

The 1st Pennsylvania Brigade commanded by Brigade Thomas Hartley made up of the 1st, 2nd, 7th,  and 10th Pennsylvania regiments.  

The 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade  Commanded by Brigadier Richard Humpton and made up of the  4th, 5th, 8th and 11th Pennsylvania regiments.

  On a personal note this is my salute not only to Wayne and the Pennsylvania troops. But especially to  my friends in the recreated 2nd Pennsylvania regiment from my reenactment days, the Morristown NHP crew and my on line friends from Pennsylvania.

Painting Mojo back

 

Somehow I have regained my painting mojo.  I am still having difficulty coordinating my hand and eye but I am enjoying it much more.  After doing the Pennsylvania division I have been doing a few command figures as well as civilian figures.  As I said before not my best work but I am enjoying it much more and my frustration factor us diminishing.

Figures of General Charles Lee's command stand.  He was noted for always being followed by a pack of dogs so I am adding a few.  

Civilian figures from the vanguard miniature line to liven up my backgrounds.

And lots of continental line soldiers for the Pennsylvania Division 1777!!