Each August Old Sturbridge Village holds a Revolutionary War event called Rebels and Redcoats. Its a fun weekend to come out, visit the village and see the various reenactment groups. Its also a chance to see old friends from my days in that hobby.
This year was especially outstanding for me as I got to see two old friends I have not seen in almost twenty years; Carl Becker from the 1st Rhode Island and Roy Najecki from the light company if the 40th Regiment.
I was very excited to see a couple of miniature Wargames groups set up displays of games. So excited that I forgot to take any pictures! What is wrong with me! Old Colony Wargamers was the group years ago which got me into the hobby through their magazine The Courier. I got to meet Tom Desmond and Alan Coughlin. Tom's name was very familiar to me through The Courier. Alan I knew through posts on his excellent blog Der Resin Kavalier (https://derresinkavalier.blogspot.com) which I highly recommend. I also saw Bill Zona who I always fun to talk with. He has a talent for putting on excellent looking games a that are fun and exciting.
Part of the museum has various antique cars on display. Here is a few pictures:
And some excellent aircraft which I will be going back to see fly in September:
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| Bleriot XI |
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| Wright Flyer model B |
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| Nieuport 28 |
And some of the reenactors I talked with:
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| War of 1812 US Marine |
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| Spanish American War US Infantry |
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| Colin Rixon himself |
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| Zulu War British Infantryman |
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| WW1 Signal Corps |
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| Roman Legion |
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| Steve Ames and his wife |
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| Imperial Russian infantry WW1 |
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| US Paratroopers and display |
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Got the paint and brushes out and have been painting some of the civilian figures I got at Historicon. I like to set up little vignettes on my battle fields to liven things up. Animals like cats chasing mice, dogs, or foxes in the woods. Geese causing mischief. And of course civilians going about their business. Or tying to.....
These figures are from Venture miniatures. As I mentioned before they have a Edward Suren/Willie feel to them. Great fun to paint up.
Gentlemen and lady in a riding habit
Minister
Farmers
We needed a game for our Monday morning get together. Since we have been playing a lot of the "Fire & Fury" Civil War and Seven Years War rules I volunteered to set up something else.
I still had my figures and terrain from Chippewa earlier in the month packed so that was what I would go with. Rules used were the Fife & Drum miniature rules for the American Rev War with some changes for the theater.
The game starts with the Pennsylvania and New York volunteers and Red jackets Six Nations warriors advancing through the woods against the Canadian militia and Norton's Mohawks. The Americans outnumbered the Canadians 3:2. The fight went back and forth with first one side then the other retiring and the other.
On the second turn both sides regulars entered the battlefield in road column. Quickly marching down the road both sides deployed into line. The Americans along a snake rail fence and the British in the plain.
In the woods Norton's Mohawks routed Red Jackets warriors (although they rallied and returned in another move. A reinforcement of three British light companies joined the fight but not before the Canadian militia were routed.
In the plain the Americans (9/11th , 22nd and 25th US Infantry) decided to advance against the British (1st, 8th 100th Regiments). After clearing the fence line, they charged forward.
The 25th US on the right misjudged the distance and failed to make contact with 100th Foot and both regiments got into a major fire fight. The 9/11th US contacted the 1st Foot while the 22nd US fought the 8th Foot. In the melee both the 9/11th and 22nd were beaten and retired shaken.
During this time both sides cavalry got unto a tussel. The US Dragoons were sent back shaken. Not a good start for the US side!
In the woods the Six Nations warriors returned to the fight and help rout the Canadian militia off the board. For the rest of the game the British light companies continued a gallant fight against high odds.
With the artillery to their flank and the 100th Foot in front of them the 25th US failed it morale and routed. Although he managed to rally his remaining regulars the entire British line were too much and forced the Americans off the Plains in retreat.
At this point with the Americans winning in the woods and the British victorious on the plain we called the game. Both sides felt the Americans in the woods would have retired back to camp so victory was awarded to the British. This was remarkable as its the very first time the British have won this battle on the table top. All agreed it was great fun and four hours past very quickly. Thank you for John, Paul, Phil, Warren and Art for playing in the game and providing a fun day.
I am back, had a chance to recover and get a few things done around the house. Historicon is in my rear view mirror and here is a chance to wrap it up. How was it? What was best?
A big surprise was finding this picture of me in Jim's Khartoum game in his blog!
Considering it was put together at the very last minute everything sent smoothly. The drive down and back were good (except for traffic in Connecticut). We stayed off site from the Convention Center and the hotel was clean and ok. Plenty of food options around us. We used Uber and Lyft to get back and forth and again it went most smoothly with a single huccup. The new (to me) center was very large and very open with plenty of room for lots of games. In some rooms the lighting was poor, but on the whole they were very good areas. Plenty of room and good solid tables. Unfortunately the flea market (or I believe its called bring and buy on the other side of the pond) had odd hours and was terribly crowded and noisy with much pushing, shoving and trampling. After a moment I abandoned ship and avoided it. I am sure there were bargains to be had but it was not worth it for me.
There was also a really nice lobby with plenty of seating. This was a really big plus for me as from time to time noise and crowds got to me and caused a terrible headache. Here is could sit for a moment, close my eyes and reboot and then I was feeling normal. This help dramatically and made a huge difference.
Eric and Jim's games were outstanding and well worth the trip down. Not much to say that I have already said except to once again thank both of them for playing in their games. They were both a experience I will not soon forget.
I did buy a few things. A batch of civilians from Venture Miniatures. Never can have too few people to decorate and add interest to your games and background.
The Osprey book US Soldier vs British Soldier War of 1812. I have this on my Kindle but found a very good used copy and had to pick it up. A most useful and good guide to the two sides. Highly recommend.
I also picked up the revised hardback edition of Charles S. Grant's The War Game Companion. My paperback copy is falling apart from use and this will be an excellent replacement. One of my favorite miniature wargame books.
My truly favorite part of the convention was meeting old and new friends. I have been corresponding with Eric and Roger on the Fife and Drum forum for years but this was first we all met. I hope thus will be the first of many meetings. I had met Jim Purky while doing a battlefield tour way back in 1997 and I was delighted the remembered. I borrowed a picture from his blog of me playing in his game! And every convention I look for my old friend Robert Mulligan from my days in the Brigade of the American Revolution. I was delighted to find him within my first hour there. I was especially happy to met in person Joerg Bender from "Things From The Basement.". Joerg makes the wonderful MDF buildings you see on my table. Many of these are from Minute Man National Park where I worked. Lastly thank you to my friend George for all the driving and the companionship.
So there you have it. A great time and a wonderful experience.
On Saturday I got to play in an outstanding game of the Battle of Qeenston Heights. You do not see too many War of 1812 in North America games and having walked the battlefield I just had to play in this one. Best of all it was put on by Eric Turner who is on the Fife and Drum minuatures forum. Before the game Eric, Roger Boschetti and I got a chance to met and talk. We have known each other on the forum for a number of years; but finally got a chance to actually met and talk in person. Huzzar!
All figures and terrain were made by Eric. The game board has the heights and village of Queenstown Canada which is across the Niagara river from the United States. Atop the heights is a heavy gun battery in a redoubt.
Historically the invading American army of mixed regulars and militia were to cross the river in a number of waves, land and capture the battery and town. A small force of British regulars and Canadian militia defended while more troops were in the area and could march to the sound of the guns as reinforcements. Historically nothing went right for with boats being swept down river, others landing in the wrong spot and most of the New York militia declaring crossing to Canada would violate their constitutional rights and refused to cross the Niagara river!
To represent this each turn the American player could load four boats with a company of Infantry. They could pick US Regulars, New York Militia or US Artillery crews without guns for passengers. Each boat then rolled a D6. A 3-6 the boat crossed the mighty Niagara River and landed the soldiers. A 1or 2 it got swept down the river! For those unfortunate boats swept down river subsequent rolls could return it to the US shore and they could try try again. If the boat had Militia As passengers they first had to roll to see if they voted to cross! Simple, but eloquent system as were all the game rules.
On the first turn the Americans managed to land three of four boats on the Canadian shore. Advancing up the cliff musket fire was exchanged. Unfortunately for me my two companies failed their checks and retired back down the beach. There they stayed for the next three turns! Morale is simple in the game. You roll 2D6 and have to roll the number of figures in your company or less. If you fail they stay where they are and lose a figure. By turn five my companies had disappeared. Hardly a good start for me.
During this time one boat missed its landing spot, went down river and landed by Hamilton Cove. This represented Lt.Col. John Fenwick who actually did land there. Historically he was quickly surrounded and captured. In our game he avoided this fate and instead marched to attack the village of Queenston!!
By turn six more US regulars had landed and launched an attack to capture the village. With Fenwick's help the Canadian militia were driven back and the village taken. An attack on the redoubt by a company of US Infantry was driven back and more British reinforcements were arriving all the time. Buildings in the village went back and forth in close combat.
Feeling sorry for me I was given a new company of the 13th US Infantry as well as the US artillery crews without guns. As British troops were drawn off the fight to help over at the village I marched up the hills, drove off the Grenadier company of the 41st, and advanced towards the redoubt. Busy firing at troops in another direction I charged the redoubt and drove off the Royal Artillery gunners! Huzzar! My moment of glory as I captured the redoubt. ( Please note in the future the number of schools and base ball fields that will be named in my honor 😊)
Alas, all glory is fleeting. More and more British regulars and artillery were arriving. In addition the New York militia held a vote and refused to cross to a man. A small company did land but the war cries of the Mohawks caused them to high tail it to the boats and return to New York!
As the game ended what was left of the US regulars were being driven out of the village and masses of troops were marching towards the redoubt. The game was call for a British and Canadian victory which surprisingly mirrored the historical events very well!
A outstanding game by Eric. He kept the game running smoothly. His rules were simple yet eloquent. Best of all his humor and historical comments enlighted and entertained us. It was a pleasure to play in the game. Thank you!
