Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Armies in Review: War of 1812 Potter's 3rd Brigade


  Porter's 3rd American Brigade was made up of volunteer or militia battalions.  A battalion from New York and Pennsylvania served with a group of turn coat Canadians in  battalion called the Canadian Volunteers.  To round out the command I added a battalion of militia in hunting shirts and round hats.




General Porter with his brigade.  A nice smug figure of a volunteer or militia commander.


   New York Volunteers in dress uniforms with a mixture of civilian clothing throughout the battalion.



 A militia regiment dressed in round hats and hunting shirts.  Officers are dressed in full dress uniform of blue coat faced yellow. A nice different type of regimental dress.  Figures are from the new Brigade Miniatures War of 1812 line of figures.  They mix in very well with the Knuckleduster miniature figures.  The flags are New York militia flags.


  The infamous Canadian Volunteers.  They are dressed in a variety of clothing and uniforms ranging from regulation United States uniforms, to gray jackets and civilian clothing.  A mixed looking lot!


Monday, July 22, 2019

Armies in Review: War of 1812 Scott's 1st Brigade


Winfield Scott 's 1st Brigade of General Brown's army in the Niagara in 1814 is the stuff of legends.  Today a number of regiments in the United States Army trace their observatory and traditions to these regiments.   The Brigade made up of the 9th, 11th 22nd and 25th United States Infantry Regiments and Captain Nathaniel Towson's artillery battery.



 The man himself leading his brigade in a suitably dramatic pose.



  Dressed in gray jackets as opposed to the blue regulation uniform.


Musicians in reversed colors.



Many officers, who had purchased their own uniforms wore regulation blue.








Captain Towson's battery had a high reputation within the army for professionalism and steadiness under fire.  American guns during the War used iron tubes as opposed to brass ones.

All figures are from the outstanding War of 1812 line by Knuckleduster miniatures in 25mm.  Regimental colors by Flags of War.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

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!

Monday, July 15, 2019

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.


Monday, July 8, 2019

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.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

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.

Friday, July 5, 2019

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