So Irregular....

I know and I am sorry ok.... my blogging is poor as ever. I am currently painting up a load of French Napoleonics from Perry and these should be on soon but first of all I thought I had update you on the next big project...Brandywine. Brandywine as you may or not know was the largest single engagement of the AWI and I have big plans to run the game over two tables sometime in July. I promise to add my Hessian contingent (once they are finished) along with other updates along the way. This will be my biggest project to date and the photo's will be much, much better....

Battle of Germantown - 4th October 1777

Sorry for the delay regarding new posts but I have recently moved house and have been preparing for the Germantown battle. I have scrath built nearly all of the terrain and trees for the fight and painted all the miniatures myself. Due to the size of the engagement there are one or two units masquerading as something else in the photos but my collection wasnt quite big enough to compensate for everything.

As you may or may not know, I have been playing AWI games for quite a few years now and my preferred set of rules is Eclaireu's fantastic British Grenadier! We have played some smaller and mid sized battles with the rules and found little irregularity and we thought a larger game would allow us to see how the rules played for bigger engagements. We had some reservations with the scenario as depicted in the American War of Independence Scenario's 2 book (also by Eclaireur) but we decided to play it as written.

Below is a brief battle report that suprised us greatly in outcome but was immensely enjoyble.

The battle began, as the scenario dictates with Musgrave and the 40th and Light Infantry battalions reeling backwards after a brief slap with american forces. The fog meant order changes and firefights were at the bare minimum but as the Americans advanced the British formed a semblance of a line and began to pour on the fire. In the confusion a flurry of friendly fire saw one Continental battalion break to the rear and despite some casualties from the elite infantry to their front the remainder stood firm and traded volleys with the light infantry as the 40th dallied on their left flank trying to form a firing line of their own. In the thick fog the continentals poured down the road towards Chew House. A company of detahced skimishers raced ahead of the enemy desperately trying to reach the safety of the stone structure but the fog and enemy harrassment meant that by the time they got there they were heavily disrupted (three DP's). Some have even mentioned that looting might have been in eveidence.

As the Continentals continued to advance through the fog the 1st Light infantry seemed stoic in their defence of the fence line until out of the mist to their right a continental regiment unleashed a furious volley into their flank. This coupled with the firing to their front was too much for them to take and Light Infantry followed closely by the 40th began their retreat. The guns also limbered up and moved on. At Chew house a single battalion peeled off to deal with the threat of the 6 figures firing at them from the windows. This is one area I find the rules a little confusing. Fighting in BUA's (Built Up Areas) is an after thought both in the rules and in scenario. I think the rules for figting in fortifications stand up to scrutiny but it was difficult to see how 6 figures could hold out in Chew house when the rules dictate that normally BUA's can hold one battalion or two battalions dependent on size. We played the rules to the letter and Musgraves men were sent packing out the back (with candleabra's in hand no doubt). Greene's forces now started to emerge on the battlefield and the British line assembled near the camp began to move. agnew moved his forces towards Musgraves retreating men and Howe lead Mathews Guards, Grants men and Greys Brigade towards Greenes attempt to turn their flank. The British formed two lines and advanced straight at McDougals forces but the fog limited actual combat.

On the American right Washingtons men continued in road column to flood on to the battlefield and Greenes forces massed for their first attack with McDougal and Muhlenberg attacking in two waves. As the battlions advanced the British musket line fired and Greenes first casualties ocurred but the Americans weathered the storm and Mcdougal took the 1st Connecticut directly to the 49th. With shrill scream the Continentals charged, the British stood, fired and met the charge, but the sheer ferocity of the Americans bowled the british back and Grant was wounded in the fighting.

Seeing the victory in the centre morale surged through McDougals men and the Continentals vaulted the fences to bear down on the enemy. Casulaties were now mounting up on both sides as the fog began to clear. On the right flank the light infantry fleeing from the tide of Americans broke under the strain and dispersed the gun was abandoned and the 40th and Musgrave with the remnants of his command holed up in one of the small town houses on the main street. The huge battery on the hill now had some targets and began to disrupt the American line as they broke through the trees. On the right the American breakthrough floundered as the British found some backbone and began to fight back. The 1st Connecticut began to take heavy casulaties and was soon reeling. The Britsh recaptured the fence line and a fierce firefight ensued with both sides taking casualties. Charges from both sides had limited success but on the whole while the British stood firm, they took extremely heavy casualties whilst the Americans fled consistently but their preponderence of Brigadiers meant that many rejoined the fight non the worse for wear.

The right flank saw the Guards charge and cause several units to flee. The American guns were taken, but once again the returning units first isolated and then destroyed each British successful counter attack. The Guards, although effectively stopping the American breakthrough, bled to death and eventually retired to the rear with on of two units dispersing and the second well below half strength. The fighting was so fierce on the British right that several British battalions were nearing half strength and Agnew had been shot from the saddle. Muhlenberg men sttod firm and acted as a pivot point fpor Washington as he advanced and eventually the Americans formeda line of troops across the table. Agnew went to aid Musgrave with Grey and again the British formed line. And again the American numbers proved too much and line began to retire. Mclanes cavalry led by Washington himself charged the fleeing british and cut 44th infantry down, dispersing them in the process. He returned to his lines with huge cheers filling his ears. If the left was broken the right was still contested. Weedon's Brigade broke and fled the field and the British began to advance. The Queens Rangers and the Light Infantry With other regiments in support began to slowly push the Americans back as they reverted to a defensive stance. But the casulaties were still mounting. The British were now beginning to think twice when it came to charging the enemy and two or three charges failed to hit home. The previously retreating Americans on the British right had now rallied and returned to the fray almost completely fresh and in good order and Washington had also sent reinforcements across to quell the lack lustre British counter attack. When the battery unlimbered and began to fire Howe ordered the retreat.

Overall the battle was absolute fun. The problem with the scenario is the fact that the fog is not as demoralising for the Yanks as perhaps it should be and the huge amount of brigadiers means that rallying was fairly easy. After discussion we felt a better alternative would be to make the sub divisions of Sullivan etc that was ommitted from the scenario into the command level for the game and to ommit the brigadiers entirely from the game. This makes DP's harder for the Americans to lose adn also limits the amount of leaders around to rally. Having Chew House fall early probably made the game more entertaining in a way but I think that rules for fights in buildings need to be clarified. Finally we found a problem in Brigade morale as their is little distinction in quality in brigade morale when it comes to dispersing. We have now ammended this rule to include a Retire order implementation and also for retreating units to rout instead of disperse. We have said that all militia or levy will disperse if the brigade roll is failed whilst Elite Brigagdes will only retreat or retire. We have also added that Line units and above can self rally and do not need a leader present to do so.

I hope you enjoy the photo's (sorry about the quality).

Skirmishers and Generals

It thought today I would post some of the skirmish models and leaders I have painted. The models featured are Lee's Legion Foot, British Light Infantry, riflemen and an assortment of continental and British Officers. I have also included photo's of one of my generic continental battalions in a mixture of coat colours. At the end is also a picture of an almost finished curassier for my Quatre Bras French...just as a sample.

British Light Infantry

These figures are from Foundry's British Light Infantry pack. They are dressed in the midified field unform worn by the British from 1776 onwards. Although some regiments only cut down their coats, others, like the light infantry tended to modify their coats into roundabouts. These jackets lack the lace, lapels and tails of the earlier uniforms. This is a very simple uniform but it still looks fairly smart and practical to me. These figures are based in pairs to assist in calculating musketry in British Grenadier!

Lee's Legion Foot

These figures originally started life as left overs from my 23rd Fusilier regiment. I had to do some quite extensive conversions, as I did with the horse. Again I had to trim off the lapels, cuffs and headwear. I built up the headwear with green modelling putty and added the turban and crest. The purple uniform is somewhat strange but seems to fit in with deserter descriptions.

The Legion fought extensively but earned its reputation during the southern campaigns, fighting well at Guilford Courthouse especially.

Riflemen

These rifle figures are again from the Perry range of figures and are extremely good figures. I have quite a few of these. I have formed a whole battalion (which I will show later) and have the same amount in skirmish order. They were orginally painted to represent the Virginian riflemen in the GCH campaign but I have used them as Morgans and Fergusons rifles as well.

Painting these figures is a challenge. I usually start with a tope base and give it several light washes of brown ink. This is then highlighted up to a bone colouration.

Generic Continental Battalion

This battalion has been formed round a core of brown coats with a few blue coats throw in for good measure. I think regiments of continentals should always contain a mixture of different coat colours and forms, including hunting shirts, shirt sleeves and civilean dress. Nearly all my battalions are formed this way. Very often new recruits to a regiment were dressed in the offical regimental uniform whilst veteran soldiers had to make do with the original coats they were issued with. I would never form a battalion of perfectly uniformed brown or blue coated soldiers as I dont believe there was ever a period where this level uniformity was achieved.

The flag is the Continental Standard first seen at Brandywine in 1777.

Brigade and Army Generals

These figures are a mixture of Perry Miniatures and Foundry. Painting up leaders and horses especially is one of my pet hates and for many moons we had to endure stand in figures or even markers to act as brigadiers!! I really am that lazy. I have recently gone through a painting frenzy with the officers (and still have about 20 more to paint). These are just a few examples of the generals I have completed. I particularly like the officer in the hunting shirt who has masqueraded as Morgan on more than one occasion. I hope you like them.

I love this model. Bit of a sad attempt at a dappled grey..more like a grey with white slodges.

I normally use this base as Greene or Washington.

Grasshopper Gun

Strangely this is one of my favourite models. It is really well scuplted and the movement of the horse being a bit of a pain as the handler reaches for his bridle is superb. The little gun was painted to represent one of the smaller 3pdr guns used by Cornwallis in the Carolina's. I dont normally go for painting my guns cornflower blue and usually paint my carriages a neutral wooden colour so that I can use them for both sides. Not historically accurate but much, much cheaper!!!

...sorry this picture is a bit dark!!

Not AWI but....

This is a quick picture of my "on the workbench" napoleonics which will be posted as they are completed. As you cas see this is a French Curassier Officer. I will be posting some line infantry, generals, chevaux-legers Lanciers and more curassiers soon!!!

Lee's Legion Standard

I thought I would just show you the flag for Lee's Dragoons. It was first carried at Guilford Courthouse and was carried until 1782. It has been mentioned that the term US was not in common usage at the time and it may be possible that the motto should read "Lee's Dragoons". However, by this stage of the war US was a fairly common term.

I have been asked to remove this image from my website but it can be viewed at the Sons of the revolution website. http://www.vssr.org/flags_4.htm

I was asked to remove it as they needed special permission to have it on their website. I have had many remarks made that this flag was unlikely to have been carried by Lee's Legion and more likely to be an 1812 flag.

7th and 23rd Fusiliers

The next two regiments, both present during the cmapaigns in the southern theatre are the fusilier regiments. Both of these regiments are made up from Perry Miniatures and work convincingly as light infantry or loyalist regiments as well when needed. Although the 7th have both the Kings Colour and their regimental standard I made the conscious decision to limited the standards carried to one and not two. First of all colour were generally not carried in the field because of contempt for the enemy (having it nicked would have had serious implications) and also because in the terrain of north America they were simply not practical. However, I do love the look of standards and I feel the Kings Colour has more impact.

7th Royal Fusliers

This unit took me a weekend to paint from beginning to end. The 7th Royal Fusiliers originally came to America in the shortened version of the grenadiers bearskin hat. However, it is almost certain that none of the fusilier or even the grenadiers used these in the field. I couldnt resist sticking with the bearskin for my Grenadiers however, but with the fusiliers I decided to stick with realism (besides, Perry only had fusiliers in the slouch hat).

Therefore, strictly speaking the basic uniform of the fusilier, compared to normal line regiments was no different. I have used Perrys line infantry in roundabouts marching stoicly towards the enemy.

The regiment had had a varied history up until its involvement in the Carolinas. It had not had much active field experience and I believe when it first encountered the enemy in the Guilford Courthouse campaign, especially at Cowpens, it was lacking in the necessary combat awareness to be fully effective. It was destroyed almost totally at Cowpens.

23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers

The 23rd had a bigger and more successful part to play in the war than the 7th and fought valiantly at Guilford Courthouse. The 23rd fought in almost every major engagement of the war (except Saratoga). They distinguished themselves in almost every engagement and even had the honour of serving as marines during '77 abd '78.

As you can see I used figures in the firing position for this regiment. I normally dont ike this pose as it looks rigid and unrealistic. However, the Perry's have managed to get some movement into the figures and you can imagine the men reaching for cartridges in a well disciplined and drilled way. I think they are great figures. I have added a Grenadier regiment to most of my units which givesw me the option to field a 20 strong regiment or to combine the grenadier companies into converged grenadier battalions.

1/71st Highland Regiment and Lee's Legion Horse

As I have already spent the last few years putting together and painting my still unfinished AWI collection I thought I would slowly share it with you all. I will be photographing and adding notes on the various regiments I have already painted. I will also give you some notes on the uniform details and standards I have painted as well as giving tips on painting and modelling.

1/71st Highland Regiment

I have always had a thing for the celtic element of the British armed forces and feel that the celtic impetous and ferocity combined with the Germanic efficiency of the army is what has lead us from victory to victory in the field. I was looking forward to painting the highland regiments with kilts and tartan everywhere. My intial collection was to be put together to represent the armies partaking in the Carolina campaign during 1780-81. The problem was that after careful research I found that the kilt was ditched in favour of good old fashioned trews. This regiment took me a couple of days to put together and I was pleased with its outcome (even though tartan was scarce). I undercoat all my models in black and mainly use the layering method when painting. However I do use inks, washes and glazes where I need to. The flag was made from A4 paper painted and glued to the pole. I then bent it to shape and covered the lot in watered down PV in three coats. This makes the flag go rigid. I also spray varnished the models once they were mounted on the bases. The bases were covered in pva and sand and then painted black and dry brushed.

Lee's Legion Horse

I had problems when putting together this unit as there were no models (of sufficient quality) on the market. After researching the uniform I found it was similar to the British Legion. Although I like the Front Rank models I dont feel they fit in with Perry's very well as they do tend to be slightly more chunky in appearance. I decided that instead I would take the US Dragoon models from Foundry and use green stuff and a modelling knife to try and get the appearance I was looking for. I first trimmed the facings and cuffs from the model and used green stuff smooth out the jeackets. I then removed most of the helmet, just leaving a skull cap on the figure. I then added a turban and crest. I think they came out quite well. Unfortunately the Perry brothers then released the BL cavalry!!! Nevermind. Still, at least they are fairly unique...

My American War of Independence Collection

My First Post - What is this all about???The purpose of this blog is for me to show all those who are interated a glimpse of my painting techniques, the miniatures I paint, the history I study and the wargames I play. I have been gaming for nearly twenty years and I play all kinds of games from fantasy to historical. My main love is the horse and musket era born out of the love of the bravery such men showed, the birth of national pride and the uniforms the soldiers wore.The first army I am going to show is my American War of Independence force, my real love and the conflict I study above all others. As this collection is almost complete I think most of the painting updates and new photo's will be of my Napoleonic Quatre Bras collection. This will be made up of units from both sides and will grow slowly using Perry Minitures. Perry Miniatures are my figures of choice although my AWI collection uses figures from Foundry as well. There are also cameo appearances from the odd Conquest and Front Rank miniatures and several packs of Eueka's excellent ragged continentals.My Napoleonic collection will be made up exclusively from Perry miniatures. I am also painting this army to a higher standard than my AWI collection. Having painted for many years both as a collector and semi professionally I have gradual built up my painting reportoire. My AWI figures were painted to a decent wargames standard but I have decided to take my time and try and get a collectors standard throughout my new Napoleonic army. My French Line are being painted in stages and I will show the gradual painting process of these as I go.A final note, I am happy to have anyone email for advice painting or even if they wish to participate in one of my organised games which will appear on this blog from time to time.