Saturday, August 14, 2021

Club game Night: Friday 13 August



  Once again time marches on and its time for yet another club game night.  As always three games are hosted and club members and guests can join whichever one they like.   

Here are tonight's games and a write up about them from their host.


Dr. Dick – Petticoat Junction
Rules: Fire and Fury Regimental, 15 mm, 5-7 Players

It is spring of 1865 and Sherman has turned north to close in on Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. On the North Carolina-Virginia border there is a rail line vital to sending supplies to the beleaguered Lee. One last train is trying to get through, and, with the bone-dry weather, it’s last supply of water to get up steam is a water tower in Petticoat Junction.
The Union scouts have found no good area to make any Sherman’s bowties, so reported back that the water tower is ripe for destruction.
The local beauties, Billy-Jo, Betty-Jo and Bobby-Jo (who use the tower as a swimmin’-hole) entertained the scouts for the night. They then sent word to the Confederate troops (apparently they go both ways…). As has happened before, what could have been a small affair has blossomed into a multi-division fracas to destroy or save the water tower.











Ralph Gero – Pacific 1942 Dogfight
Rules: Axis 

 

Angels 20/Bandits High WW2 aircraft rules appeal to me very much.  They are fun; rich enough to include climbing, diving, evading and tailing but, not burdened with mind-numbing chart after chart.  Each pilot has to recognize his airplane’s advantages and play to those advantages.  Friday’s scenario will pit the USN Wildcat fighter vs. the IJN Zero fighter.  While the airplanes are very different, they are equally capable.  USN pilots can be almost assured of victory in an old west style gunfight but, they better not let a Zero get position on their tail.







Mark Nichipor – The Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill April 1781 25mm American Revolution
Rules: “Whites of Their Eyes” by Stephen Haller

After the Battle of Guildford Courthouse (March 1781) American General Nathaniel Greene moves his army south to South Carolina to drive out the British occupation forces. While Cornwallis marched to Virginia, Lord Rawdon is left with a mainly loyalist force to defend the colony. In April Greene takes position outside the British post at Camden with his main army of Continental regiments while his light troops raid smaller outposts. Rawdon, although outnumbered decides to attack Greene before he can call in militia support.




A full report on the Battle of Hobkirk Hill will be in the next post.  Please stay tuned!

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Monday morning gamers: Battle of Fraysers Farm Conclusion



   Monday we concluded the Battle of Fraysers Farm with a V
ictory for the Union.   The game started with the rebels having 28 stands  'Hors de combat"versus about 14 for the Union but that didnt deter the Gray backs at all with the flanks pressing there attacks with vigor. The Union right looked in a precarious position as the confederate pressed home after overrunning a Union battery and defeating a supporting brigade. But the union came back and after a grueling melee that lasted a total of 4 rounds the Southern attack was broken as the grey units were now failing the maneuver checks after reaching there heavy and greater casualty limit . 

















Saturday, August 7, 2021

The monday morning gamers: Battle of Frasers Farm 1862


  Last Monday (August 2)  we fought on the Virginia Peninsula 1862 with  the Battle of Fraysers Farm."  It was a hard pressed battle with the Confederate attacking the defending Union on both flanks and the Union holding strong in the center.   Although the Confederate were pushing back the Union Right flank, the Confederate attack on the Union left flank was grinding to a hold with the attacking division decimated.  We left the action still in doubt.  Both sides were getting reinforcements  and more artillery are on the way.

We will be continuing this battle on  Monday August 9th.  We are extremely lucky that that John can keep the tables set up.in his garage so we can continue the game where we left off.    Stay tuned for more!
















Thursday, August 5, 2021

Metacomet's Warriors and allies

 

Finished the Brigade miniatures Wampanoag warriors and Metacomet (King Philip) figure for a total of 16 figures.  I mounted them on round MDF bases and they are ready to play.




To assist them I rebased my other Native warriors from my War of 1812 collection by Knuckleduster minuatures.  They are dressed very much like the Brigade figures and will fit in with them as allies.  I know both groups will find service fighting in American Rev War and 1812 as well as KPW so these will become super useful troops.





Monday, August 2, 2021

New England Militia of King Philips War

 


 I completed the Brigade game miniatures militia figures.  These were fun figures to paint and a break from my usual uniformed troops.  While they can field as any militia type troops I expect to use them as Captain Samuel Mosley's  men due to their ball bag and cartridge pouch.  His orders were to use these rather then powder flasks (i.e. twelve apostles) to aid in faster loading and making less noise.  I think these figures also capture the look of Mosley's men who were made up of ex privateers, pardoned convicts, ex sailors, and other riff raff drafted from undesirables in town.

 Mosley was an ex merchant ship captain who had fought privateers and pirates and disliked native Indians.  He was involved in a number of questionable actions so his marriage to the governor's daughter probably kept him out of trouble.  He did not get along with Captain Benjamin Church, who refused to mention him at all in his history of the war.  Which is possibly why he is not well known today.  Captain Mosely's company took part in numerous fights and always gave a good accounting of themselves.  At Bloody Brook when they tried to rescue Captain Lathrop's men the Indians recognized them and called out, "Come on Mosely, come on! You want Indians?  Here are enough Indians for you!"

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  In addition I have been painting up the warfare Miniatures armed civilians.  These figures have the twelve apostles and are walking (I hesitate to say marching) in a very relaxed manner.  Perfect for local militia walking into an ambush or escorting supply wagons.




And a few more pictures of how things will look on the table top.