ColCampbell's Barracks

"What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?" -- Part 2

2012-01-14T14:53:00.002-06:00

While looking through a box of files, the outside of which had been damaged by water at my rented storage facility, I found a document of my father's that I had thought was lost. And I am so pleased that I did find it!!

Commonly known as a "blood chit" (link), this item was used primarily by air crews to aid in escape and evasion if shot down behind enemy lines. My father's blood chit was issued to US Army Air Force flight crews who might fall into Russian hands in order to identify them as Americans. It is in almost perfect condition and included the heavy-duty plastic sleeve with the "dummy cord" still attached.

"Front" of the blood chit with pronunciation guide for "I am an American" and message to contact the American military mission in Moscow.

"Back" of the blood chit with smaller version of front image/phrases and instructions for using the chit. Notice the warning in number 5 and the caveat in number 6.

"Front" of chit in the heavy-duty plastic sleeve, with attached "dummy cord"

"Rear" of chit in heavy-duty plastic sleeve, with attached "dummy cord"

According to the Snyder's Treasure web site (link), these chits were made of very thin dense woven rayon and measured approximately 9-1/2" x 7-1/2" when unfolded. When folded into quarters and put into the plastic sleeve, these chits could be carried in the pocket of the airman's flight suit. Luckily my father never had to use his!

The first part of this series is here: link.

2011 Wrap-Up

2011-12-31T20:12:00.000-06:00

Well, another year is gone! Hurrah! This past year has been not so good to my state what with several tornadoes, including one which almost completely wiped out a small town, and a monster flood on the Mississippi River. I hope the weather is not quite so bad in 2012.

I've played and/or run a large number of games this year -- 28 with my local wargaming group, 1 at the small HUBCON convention in Hattiesburg, 5 at our regional Bayou Wars convention in New Orleans, 4 at the 1st Annual Colonial Barracks convention in New Orleans, 1 rules play test with Lord Sterling, and 1 rules play set with my son. That comes to 40 games!!

I've painted 383 "Olley" points of figures and equipment, plus 8 25/28mm sized buildings, and a number of trees. Figures have included Seven Years War era imagi-nations, French and Indian War, Between the Wars Back of Beyond, Victorian colonial Darkest Africa, African animals, and "Pulp" fiction. It has been a fairly busy painting year with a high in April of 91 points and a low in October of 3 points. By the way, an "Olley" point, for the uninitiated, is one foot figure, one rider, one mount/animal, or one gun or wagon.

Our group's last game of the year was fought today, Saturday, December 31. "Electric" Ed ran an introduction to Uncharted Seas for us. I commanded on of the Orc flotillas. Even though our side lost, by a slim margin, I beat up on my opponent's Dwarf flotilla.

My Orc flotilla - one battleship, one assault battlecruiser, three cruisers, and three frigates

As one of my cruisers rams a dwarf cruiser, the other two bombard him. We sank this one!

After an ineffectual ram, the crew of my battleship boards the dwarf battleship and slaughters the defenders. I scored 13 hits (6s are double hits) on his crew against only his 5 on mine. This prize will be a welcome addition to the Orc fleet, once we can figure out how to operate the infernal machine! No one said orcs were smart!!

There will be a battle report soon on the Jackson Gamers blog. Big John will also be posting pictures on his Nomadic Old School Gamer's blog once he gets back to Arkansas tomorrow.

And to all my readers, I would like to wish you are yours a healthy and prosperous new year. And here are some fireworks to close out the year.

Manmade:

and Natural:

A Fire Rainbow

The Northern Lights

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Newly Painted "Pulp" Figures

2011-12-26T16:08:00.000-06:00

I just finished a batch of various "pulp" era figures. Some of these had been laying around for a while and a few were brand-new arrivals. Without further ado:

A group of four British "bobbies" led by a sergeant. Three of the four are armed with "night sticks" while the fourth has a "new fangled" electric torch. I cannot recall the manufacturer so anyone with an idea, please leave a comment.

Three of these four figures are from Artizan Designs "Knights of the Crescent Moon" pack and are armed with a pistol (2) or a submachinegun (1). But the leader is from a different manufacturer and if anyone can place him, please leave a comment.

Maude, the missionary's wife (left), and Charlotta, her adventurous sister (right), both from the Copplestones "female archaeologists" pack. My good wife provided the fashion advice with the color schemes. As usual, she got them both just right.

But when danger threatens, they immediately assume their "alter ego" guises, armed with high-powered semi-automatic pistols. You just don't fool around with these sisters! They are also from the Copplestones "female archaeologists" pack.

Another look at Maude in her two guises.

And at Charlotta in her two guises.

These three ladies are very dangerous dames. On the left is Elle Woods (from Legally Blonde) in her big game hunting outfit. In the center is "Cara Loft," that well armed and dashing "tomb raider." And on the right is Fiona (Burn Notice) with her high powered rifle, looking for someone to shoot.

And finally we see all of them together, joined by the missionary (center) and the huntress Ruby Maye Loveless. Together they constitute the Justice Union League against International Espionage and Terrorism (JULIET).

I thought I would have a little fun with these rather disparate figures, grouping them into a 1920s/1930s predecessor of such 1960s organizations as CONTROL and U.N.C.L.E. Some of them will see play in my 1930s back of beyond China game for Bayou Wars this summer. Others may appear in other games during the year, maybe even in Bill's and my "Mayan Adventure" game planned for Colonial Barracks in November.

Maybe over the coming year I can obtain some opponents for them, such as a 1920s/1930s CHAOS or THRUSH. Hummmm, some of Copplestones excellent Russian Civil War Soviet character packs would work. We'll just have to see.

Christmas 2011 at the Barracks - Part 2

2011-12-25T14:36:00.000-06:00

On this day, all of us at Col Campbell's Barracks wish you and yours

Very Merry Christmas

and

A Happy and Prosperous New Year !!!

Christmas Tree at Col Campbell's Barracks

Christmas 2011 at the Barracks

2011-12-22T19:42:00.001-06:00

Two years ago, I brought you some scenes from the Christmas activities at the Mississippi Archives where I work.

Christmas Trees:    Antebellum
                             Victorian
                             Depression Era

Trains at the Archives:    Possum Ridge

This year we added a new tree:

And the trains are still running at Possum Ridge, our fictitious Mississippi town:

The lovely Rachel from our Museum division watches as the chief engineer works on an engine.

A young visitor watches the Illinois Central's City of New Orleans as it passes on its way down to the sea. The orange and black three unit train immediately behind the Ice House is the Rebel, a Gulf, Mobile, and Ohio fast passenger train.

The monuments in Possum Ridge's town park, including one (left rear) to the town's namesake. A hobo catches a nap on the park bench.

One of the newer acquisitions to Possum Ridge's economy is a cotton gin on the outskirts of town.

The gin is supplied by one of the many cotton fields prevalent in Mississippi.

Another new "addition" to Possum Ridge's economy is carefully hidden behind a kudzu draped abandoned house located far from prying official eyes.

On the other side of town, members of the local Missionary Baptist Church welcome new members to their flock.

The lovely Rachel tries her hand at steam engine repair under the watchful eye of the chief engineer.

For more information and pictures of the Possum Ridge layout and buildings, please take a visit to our department's blog, A Sense of Place. If you are interested, you may subscribe to notices of new blog postings.

And for a final look at Christmas at the Archives, the tree that is present year round in the work area where I spend my time. This tree is appropriately decorated for other times of the year, such as Mardi Gras, Easter, etc.

Yes, it is sitting in a large trash can since the stand that came with it broke several years ago.

And so once again from all of us at Col. Campbell's Barracks, we wish you a

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

and a

Very Happy and Prosperous New Year !!

Dwarfs at the Barracks!!

2011-12-18T15:57:00.000-06:00

Yes, Col. Campbell has moved towards the dark side, with two 12-figure units of dwarven infantry and a leader-priest dwarf.

Well, just kidding about moving towards the dark. I've had these dwarfs for a number of years. They are from Mega Miniatures USA.

The dwarf leader-priest in his flame outfit. He is holding a sacred lizard.


Der Blauetotenkopfverband (The Blue Death's Head Unit)

Der Grunetotenkopfverband (The Green Death's Head Unit)

Both of the units were used in our wargame group's medieval battle on Saturday, Dec. 17. We used the venerable Rules by Ral and rated the dwarfs as foot knights.

The Blues advanced and attacked an enemy unit of human foot knights. On the advance they took some casualties from archery fire. And my abysmal die rolling resulted in them being beaten by the human knights. The Greens never got in the action as my leader, James the Weak, couldn't roll high enough to "energize" more than 2 or 3 units a turn. Oh well, the game was fun even though our side ended up losing.

A battle report will be forthcoming, either on the Jackson Gamers web sire or the Jackson Gamers blog.

"What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?" -- Part 1

2011-12-02T13:01:00.000-06:00

In response to a question about where our father was stationed during WW2 from my younger brother, I did some more examination of his "flight diary." My father kept a small notepad in which he recorded very basic information about the bombing missions he flew as a flight engineer and top turret gunner of a B-17 assigned to the 731st Bombardment Squadron, 452nd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, from November 24, 1944 through May 6, 1945. They were based at Deopham Green Air Base (link). He flew a total of 29 missions, 27 of them were combat and 2 were humanitarian. The targets were throughout Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden, etc.) and France (German enclaves along Atlantic Coast). The two humanitarian missions were in early May 1945, delivering food to Amsterdam. He called them "chow hound" missions. His plane and crew left England on June 29, 1945, and flew back to the USA via the Azores. They were in the midst of transitioning to B-29s at Sioux Falls Army Air Base, South Dakota, when the Pacific War ended.

In the back of the notepad, my father had drawn his B-17:

The Square L was the tail symbol of the 752nd group

To give you a little better perspective of his in-flight duties, I can highly recommend the movie The Memphis Belle. My father told me one time that, like the crew of the Memphis Belle, he had to crank down the landing gear by hand.

One of the two planes in which he flew (the "Sweet Sue") was shot up on a bombing mission against Darmstadt on December 24. They were extremely low on fuel and had to make an emergency landing at Laon, France, where they spent Christmas before being flown back to their base on December 27.

I will probably be posting more as I do a better examination of his flight diary and compare it to the history of the squadron and group.

And for those who are interested, Ancestry.com is making their WW2 records available free of charge until midnight on December 7. link

Colonial Barracks Report -- Part 4

2011-11-25T19:42:00.001-06:00

Here is the final report of my participation in the First Annual Colonial Barracks All-The Sword and the Flame Convention, held back on Nov. 4-7 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This final group of pictures covers the game I ran on Saturday morning -- The Lion and the Gazelle -- using The Sword in Africa variant of TSATF rules.

And now, without further ado, let us join the trek into Darkest Africa where British led askaris battle rogue bull elephants; white hunters are out for just about any kind of trophy; and Zanzabari slavers try to raid a peaceful village that is protected by the Great Mamubaba, a "witchy" woman.

There is an old African proverb, so I'm told: "When the lion wakes up in the morning, he knows that he must be the fastest runner in order to chase down his prey to eat and survive. When the gazelle wakes up in the morning, he knows that he must be faster than the lion in order to survive. So no matter which you are, lion or gazelle, when the sun comes up you had better be running - fast!"

The peaceful village of Umbangomango slumbers under the tropical sun. The chief, Lolomango, meets with a wandering warrior, Larabebe, and his seven fellow warriors about helping protect the village from the depredations of British tax collectors and Zanzabari slavers.

Meanwhile, a part of Allan Haggard's safari encounters an angry hippopotamus as they try to cross the stream. Can the hunters successfully dispatch the "river horse?"

About the same time, Captain Smedley Bryce-Hopkins, the leader of the askari column protecting the district tax collector, very coolly dispatches a rampaging rogue bull elephant before it can trample some of his askari and himself as well!

Alan Haggard, background, and the second half of his safari party also try to cross the same stream, only to encounter a crocodile. The mighty hunters quickly dispatch him as well. The hippo shot by the first half of the safari floats slowly downstream beyond the party of hunters.

A second rogue bull elephant attacks the British column, this time squashing a couple of askari before thundering off into the bush.

As veteran TSATF gamer (and an original play-tester) Jay Stribling (a native force commander) watches, Eric Teuber positions his Ruga-Ruga mercenaries in support of the Zanzabari slaver raid. In the left foreground, the white hunters advance among the villagers fleeing the slave raid.

Advancing toward the village after learning of the approaching slave raid, Alan Haggard's safari encounters and quickly dispatches two hyenas.

Outside the village, the Zanzabari slave raiders, assisted by their Ruga-Ruga mercenaries, face off against the warriors of the Great Mamubaba. the "witchy woman."

The game quickly drew to a close, with the native warriors repulsing the Zanzabari slave raiders, the British tax collector entering a virtually abandoned village, and the great white hunters scoring some impressive kills and winning the game.

Before the game began, Lori Brom informed me that my game was one of the ones chosen to award a "BC" (Brom Colonial) medal to the player who exemplified the true Victorian gentleman. All of the players enjoyed themselves during the game and all were courteous and very gentlemanly in both adversity and plenty. In true wargamer fashion, we decided that a roll of the die would award the medal. Jay Stribling, a previous winner, graciously withdrew from consideration. I rolled a D6 and the recipient was:

Eric Teuber, shown here with Lori Brom, herself. Eric is an old-time Jackson Gamer and a long time player of The Sword and the Flame.

EDIT: For additional pictures, please see this posting on the Nomadic Old School Gamer's blog. (edit posted on 12/18/2011)

And that was how I viewed Colonial Barracks. I hope that you kind readers have enjoyed the brief peeks at the games and will seriously consider joining us next year on the first weekend of November as the Second Annual Colonial Barracks takes place.

Colonial Barracks Report -- Part 3

2011-11-21T20:20:00.000-06:00

In this part of the report, I will display the pictures I took at the final two games in which I played. The last part of the convention report (Part 4) will be of my game, The Lion and the Gazelle. I will get it posted during the Thanksgiving weekend.

Pirates in the Main was run by Steve Wirth on Friday evening. Steve used The Sword in the Caribbean variant of The Sword and the Flame rules in this game.

Pirates capture a town and Spanish troops have been sent to ransom or rescue the Governor. But has this island been cleared of hostile natives?

The local natives are running the "mess line" with a bunch of English sailor captives.

The gal on the left has a tray of sliced vegetables with which she is flavoring the "long pork" stew while the chief looks on from his throne. This scene is from Old Glory's Cannibal packs in their Pirates range (link and link).

The pirate "king" (Col Campbell, himself) questions the Spanish governor about the location of the town's treasure.

The Spanish ransom for the town and the governor approaches, led by a group of clerics.

The ransom begins to enter the town gates and the pirates swarm over the escort. In the background, unmolested by the pirates, a group of British marines march past, hurrying to rescue the captives from the natives' pot.

But the clerics aren't what they appear and fight back. One monk uses a huge candleholder to brain several pirates.

The British marines are charged by the natives. Will modern firepower prevail? Or will the natives overpower the Royal Navy's finest?

Ummm, the British marines didn't do so good. It appears that the natives have increased their food supply!

The greatly diminished pirates look with fright at the approach of the Spanish relief column, which stormed the town and ended the brief reign of the "pirate king!"

In Nicaragua: 1926 was run by Ken Hafer on Saturday afternoon. Ken used the With Ol' Gimlet Eye variant of The Sword and the Flame rules in this game.

U.S. Marines and Sandinistas decide they must deny this important piece of real estate to one another.

A Marine section with a heavy machine gun team occupies a cluster of palm trees. They have already taken casualties from Sandinista fire.

Part of the Sandinista force is revealed, firing from the each of a large patch of jungle.

We were using hidden movement on maps provided by the game master. Unfortunately the green Marine lieutenant (Col Campbell, himself) had his map oriented upside down and didn't realize it until the game was half over. My fellow gamers razzed me about this for the rest of the game. I can only protest that there was no "north" arrow so I didn't know which end was up (he says with chagrin).

Another Marine section successfully crosses a wide open area and gets ready to plunge into the jungle after a band of Sandinistas they can dimly see ahead of them. Barely visible are the sailors that were with the Marines. They engaged the Sandinistas first, but without a lot of close combat training they didn't do too well.

Although the fight wasn't captured for posterity, the Marines charged in with the bayonet, catching one band of Sandinistas by surprise and sending them reeling bloodily away. Marines attacking with bayonets are +1 on all die rolls over and above their other modifiers (remember, Larry Brom is a Korean War veteran Marine!). But there were more Sandinistas than you could shake a stick at deeper in the jungle and they came to their compatriots aid. The Marines were forced back, carrying their wounded with them.

With our wounded almost equal to our survivors, the Marines and sailors withdrew, leaving the Sandinistas in control of the battlefield. Not a great day for the Corps!

So out of four games in which I played, my record was one win (the French at Matehuala) and three losses (Arab cavalry in the Sudan, Pirates in the Caribbean, and Marines in Nicaragua) -- about par for me, alas.

Veterans Day Sunday at Church

2011-11-13T14:58:00.000-06:00

For this Veteran's Day Sunday at our church, my wife and I took care of the flowers in the sanctuary "in memory and honor of our church's veterans."

The flags across the back are the colors of the U.S. Army (my service), the U.S. Navy, the U.S. marine Corps, and the U.S. Air Force and the POW/MIA flag. The flowers came from our local Kroger Grocery store's flower shop and the pine boughs from my backyard pine tree.

Colonial Barracks Report -- Part 2

2011-11-12T20:12:00.001-06:00

As I stated in my last post, I played in four games and ran one during the Colonial Barracks convention last weekend. This report covers two of the games in which I played.

Midnight in the Oasis was run by Nick Zizo on Friday afternoon.

An Egyptian force is holding an oasis in the Soudan near a Dervish stronghold. They are awaiting a British column in order to make a joint attack on the Dervishes. The Dervishes, unaware of the British column, are planning an attack on the Egyptians. The British column is now a relief column. Will it arrive in time to rescue the Egyptians?

The Egyptians had a camel mounted unit, two infantry units, and a gun. The British had four infantry units, one cavalry unit, and a gun. The Dervishes had ten infantry units and five cavalry units. As one of the Dervish commanders I had three cavalry units. Along with the other cavalry commander, we were to delay the British advance until our infantry could assault the Egyptians in the oasis and destroy them. Then we would all gang up on the British. But unfortunately Nick failed to tell the Egyptians that they had to hold the oasis. So on the first turn, they abandoned the oasis and marched towards the British column. All our infantry could do was try to chase them down - unsuccessfully for the most part. Our cavalry was shot to pieces as we tried to delay the British. The two allies joined forces and the Dervishes beat a hasty retreat.

Ethan Reiff, one of the British commanders, looks over the relief column. In the background, Rudy Nelson of Time Portal Hobbies, one of the dealers, mans his booth.

As the Egyptians abandon the oasis, Bill Hamilton, one of the Dervish infantry commanders, records the cowardly Egyptians for posterity's sake.

The other Dervish infantry commander, Ed Sansing, moves his infantry in a long "stern" chase. Next to him are my three cavalry units.

Two of my cavalry units ride pell mell towards the British cavalry. But the cowardly British withdrew without even a fight. They have no honor!!

The dastardly Egyptian cameleers take advantage of one of my cavalry units and attack it in the flank.

Not liking the odds, I successfully evaded their charge and advanced in another direction.

Quickly reforming they now become my reserve. The other two units force one of the British infantry units into square. In the distance, Jonathan's Dervish cavalry have been shot to pieces by the British and is trying to engage the Egyptians, supported by some of Bill's Dervish infantry. The blue robed infantry unit to the right is Ed's lead unit of his command.

My right hand cavalry unit (from the previous picture) is now retreating after having suffered losses from British rifle fire. The reserve prepares to move forward to continue the assault.

The Egyptian cameleers have withdrawn into the midst of the British column. With only two cavalry units left, I now assault the British square to my front, counting on my ferocious desert warriors to "break the British square!" But the cowardly British commander successfully evaded and withdrew his square just far enough so that my charge fell short.

British artillery fire bursts among Ed's Bedouin infantry. These shell burst markers really added to the game.

Needless to say, the Dervishes abandoned the field after the British and Egyptians linked up. And uncommon in a Sword and the Flame game, there was not a single melee. The combatants either failed to close, failed to stand, of successfully evaded the charge!

Battle of Matehuala was run by Mark Stevens on Sunday morning.

Mexican Republican (Juaristas) forces attempt to drive the hated Imperial forces out of the town of Matehuala before French reinforcements can arrive. Can they succeed?

Three Imperial Mexican units (one was actually the Belgian battalion) and a gun are in hasty defensive positions on a hill some distance from the town. The Juaristas are attacking with seven (I think) infantry units, one light cavalry unit, and one gun. French reinforcements are hurredly marching "to the sound of the guns." I was chosen to be in overall command of the French reinforcements.

Three of the Juarista commanders begin to move their forces against the Imperial defenders.

As the Juaristas advance, Ken Hafer (background), one of the reinforcing French commanders, twirls his moustach and awaits the arrival of his troops.

The Juaristas deploy into battle line and begin their assault.

The Juarista right flank begins to curl around the Imperial defenders, the Belgian battalion. The poor Belgians lost their unit commander and then, one turn later, lost the Imperial brigade commander who had ridden over to direct their defense. They quickly scattered to the rear, running for their lives.

The Juarista left flank (background) begins to attack the right hand Imperial unit.

The French reinforcements arrive! Two battalions of French Foreign Legion infantry and a regular French gun quickly march onto the battlefield. These reinforcements arrived as early as they could (on turn three) and deployed towards the town of Matehuala to deny the Juaristas the important water well there. A fourth unit, French light cavalry, delayed their arrival until turn five (see below).

The Imperial unit in the middle and the gun have withdrawn from the defenses are were attempting to move back to the town. But two units from the Juarista right flank assaulted them. The fighting was fierce!

On the other flank, the Juaristas send two units against the other remaining Imperials. Who will stand and who will not? Notice the Juarista overall commander in the background cowering down the hill and out of the line of fire.

The Juarista light cavalry have now completed their ride around the Imperial left flank and start toward the town. But dust clouds are sighted to their left rear! Who can it be?

Meanwhile back on the hill, the Juaristas are reduced to a small shadow of their strength, but so are the Imperials. Additional Juarista forces soon overpower the last of the Imperials and capture the gun.

The two attacking Juarista units both fail to close and have to fall back and go prone. The next turn the Imperial unit launches a countercharge, but can only muster a paltry 3" of movement. The Imperial commander was so disgusted.

Remember that dust cloud? It was the last of the French reinforcements, my unit of French chasseurs. They charged into the flank and rear of the Juarista cavalry. The ensuing melee resulted in six Juaristas killed, including both the unit officer and sergeant, with no corresponding French casualties. The remaining six leaderless Juarista cavalry quickly fled towards their infantry. I do think I've ever had a melee go so well. Only two of my troopers were forced back.

But this, unfortunately, ended the battle as we had to vacant the ballroom in which the convention was held. The Juaristas had accumulated more points that the Imperials but they had not even threatened the town's defenders - two units of French Foreign Legion and a regular French gun. It would have been a hard nut for the Juaristas to crack.

More pictures of the other games in which I played and of the one I ran are still to come.

Colonial Barracks Report -- Part 1

2011-11-09T20:41:00.001-06:00

This past weekend, November 4, 5, and 6, close to one hundred The Sword and the Flame fanatics gathered in Metarie, Louisiana for the first TSATF gaming convention run by the Brom family - Larry, Lori, and Christy. The following pictures portray over half of the games that were played. All pictures are by Col Campbell himself unless otherwise indicated. Also unless otherwise indicated, all games were played with 25/28mm size figures and with the 20th Anniversary edition of The Sword and the Flame rules.

General Pictures:

Sergeant Brom, himself, the author of The Sword and the Flame.


The "Old Guard" -- Tim Chadwick and Larry Brom (front) and Jim Pitts, Mark Stevens, and Jay Stribling (rear). Picture by Bobbie Chadwick.

Jay, Tim, and I are charter members of the "Jackson Gamers." We were joined by Mark at a later date. Jay and Mark were the heroic play testers as Larry developed The Sword and the Flame.

"The Cabal" throwing around ideas for the next Colonial Barracks.

Lori and Christy are seated behind the table. Arrayed around them are Ed Sansing, Jay Stribling (smiling), Bill Hamilton and Mark and Martha (in "scooter" behind Mark) Stevens.

A Great Queen Is Hard to Find -- was run by Lori Brom on Friday afternoon using The Sword in Africa rules.

Africa, 1895: A European archaeological party is surveying ground for a dig to find the lost mines of Queen Esme. They are threatened by unfriendly tribes led by the Great Mamou, a queen who wants her ancestor's treasure left undisturbed. Wil the archaeologists make it back to the British Museum or will the lost mines stay hidden?

Lori reads from the "holy writ" as the players listen intently. Christy seems to be catching a few winks along the back wall.

The Prisoner -- was run by Tom Anderson on Friday evening.

Friendly Soudanese tribesmen have notified the Anglo-Egyptian headquarters that a gathering of Dervishes encamped some miles distant appear to have a white captive with them. It is suspected that the prisoner might be Lieutenant Hamilton who was reported missing last week from a surveying party. High command has stated that Lt. Hamilton will be rescued at all costs - dead or alive! If not, the mission has failed.

Martha and Mark Stevens maneuver their forces to rescue Lt. Hamilton.

Soudanese askari advance across the desert.

Find the Gun -- was run by Jay Stribling on Friday evening. This game was played with 15mm figures but used the 25mm movement and gunfire range distances.

The British players search for a Boer gun that has been annoying traffic on a vital rail line. Do they find it?

Game Master Jay consults the rules as the game begins.

Tim Chadwick awaits his chance to move his troops.

The Train -- was run by Mark Stevens on Saturday morning.

A train carrying ammunition to a British outpost has derailed. A platoon of Post Office Rifles and a Gatling Gun must defend the valuable supplies until a relief column arrives. This is a scenario from the "Scenario Portfolio 2000" published by Larry Brom.

This game was a real "train wreck!"

The scattered ammunition and supply boxes are paper constructs.

March and/or Die! -- was run by "Old School Gamer" Paul Arceneaux on Saturday morning using 54mm figures some of which are older than many of the gamers present.

The French Foreign Legion takes on various desert tribes.

Paul Arceneaux (right) shuffles the movement deck as Clay Cooper awaits the start of the turn.

Aren't Paul's 54mm figures great looking!!

The Battle of Maiwand: 1880 -- was run Saturday morning and afternoon by Ethan Reiff using a modified 800 Fighting Englishmen. Ethan drove (!!) all the way from Los Angeles with the game boards, troops, and buildings loaded in his wife's car. [Ethan -- she is a definite keeper, letting you borrow her nice car to come half way across the continent to play with little toy soldiers.] Ethan's game was the highlight of the convention. Please visit Ethan's blog -- Maiwand Day -- to read more about his reconstruction of the game and the terrain.

A fuzzy (unfortunately) picture of the 6' x 12' game table with home made terrain boards.

A father and son examine the massed Afghan army.

Ethan even had water bhistis and stretcher bearers!

The game's afoot! Jeff Baumal (Sgt Guinnes on TMP) is on left in green shirt with Ethan directly behind him in the white TSATF shirt. Chick Lewis is right rear with black shirt next to Bill Hamilton of the Jackson Gamers.

British artillery withdraws in the center while a British unit fires down into an Afghan unit in a gulley.

Save the Ladies!: Indian Mutiny, 1857 -- was run by Marc Fluitt and Mark Stevens on Friday afternoon using the Sword in India rules.

Ladies Martha and Carolyn are protected from the mutineers by a loyal Indian merchant in his city compound. This infuriates the mutineers and they rush to assault the compound to take the ladies hostage before the compound can be evacuated by a relief column. Can the ladies be saved?

The magnificent table set-up with a mix of paper and resin buildings. Jay Stribling (left rear) and Ed Sansing (right rear) await their turns to move.

The merchant's compound being assaulted by the mutineers.

A detail of the "slums" surrounding the merchant's compound.

The Wind and the Lion -- was run by Nick Zizo and Jeff Baumal on Saturday night.

The Berber Chieftain El Rasuli is angered that the Sultan is entertaining foreign governments and weakening to their manipulations. In an attempt to embarrass the Sultan, El Raisuli has kidnapped the expatriate Mrs. Eden Pedecaris and her two children and taken them to his stronghold in the Riff Mountains. He then traveled to this small village southwest of Rabat to effect the exchange of his prisoners for gold and rifles. But is has been captured by the German infidels and their lackey dogs. El Raisuli must be freed .... it will please Allah!

With Jeff Baumal (on right in green shirt) watching, Tim Chadwick moves his troops to rescue his chieftain.

The fantastic city scape with a great many Miniature Building Authority buildings. It looked magnificent!!

Close-up of action along part of the front wall.

Another close-up of the city.

I was planning on playing in this game, but a late supper with my wife (who came with me to the convention) coupled with some shopping time with her got me back too late to join in the game. But I did watch for a short time and also took part in "the Cabal" discussions (see picture at start of post). By this time I was almost played out, having run a game Saturday morning and played in three others, two on Friday and one Saturday afternoon (with a record of 0 wins and 3 losses - how "perfect" can you get!).

These were just the games in which I didn't play or run. Those five will be posted later. Please visit Flashcove's Cay and the Nomadic Old School Gamer blogs for additional pictures.

Final Prep for Colonial Barracks

2011-11-02T20:22:00.001-05:00

Last night I completed the last of the figures for my The Sword in Africa game at the Brom's Colonial Barracks All-TSATF convention in New Orleans this weekend. I'll be running my "The Lion and the Gazelle" game on Saturday morning at 9:00 am. The play-test battle report is at the Jackson Gamers blog. I just had a few figures left to do. And here they are:

A last-minute addition to Alan Haggard's hunting party:

The great white huntress Ruby Maye Loveless (named by my wife)

And a few additional animals to inhabit the jungle and offering targets for the hunters and possible opponents for everyone:

"Croc Dundee" lunging for some unsuspecting prey

"Harry the Hippo" just a little angry at being disturbed during his afternoon siesta

A small herd of gemsbok antelope

A small herd of wildebeest antelope

A last, but not least, the game master's figure:

A "Sergeant Brom" look-alike

So my wife and I will depart Friday morning for the convention. I'll post pictures and commentary next week after we return.

Colonial Barracks Convention Game Play Test

2011-10-27T15:33:00.002-05:00

I have finally posted the report of the play test of the game I will run at the Brom's Colonial Barracks TSATF Convention.

The Lion and the Gazelle

Matthew Morgan, the British tax man, is coming!

The convention will run from November 4 through November 6 in New Orleans. My game will be presented on Saturday, November 5 at 9:00 am. Convention link Game schedule link

Jim

Hobby Takes Back Seat

2011-10-16T14:35:00.003-05:00

My wargaming hobby has taken a back seat lately, with "real life" intruding.

First I received word last month that Tropical Storm Lee had dumped excessive rain water on the roof of the StorageMax building in which I had a bunch of stuff stored. After 17 days I was able to have their hired workers (they wouldn't let the unit renters inside) recover my possessions. About six cardboard boxes were wet. But unfortunately they included photographs, negatives, and slides from my late parents house and a batch of old SPI/S&T military board games. I lost a large number of slides. It is amazing what excessive water will do to the emulsion on a color slide. Some of them that had dried out were kept and they looked like a surrealist color painting! As far as the wargames, I only lost three S&T magazines, part of the counters for one game, and all the plastic SPI storage boxes. I lucked out there. I'm still trying to recover the photographs and negatives but it doesn't look good. That has taken a huge bite out of my evening hobby time.

Then last Thursday morning my younger daughter was in an auto wreck as she drove from her home to a local community college to teach a dance class (She is an adjunct instructor there). Traffic on the Interstate highway was heavier than normal causing her to have to slow down. Unfortunately the driver of the pick-up truck behind her evidently wasn't paying attention and hit her. My daughter saw the truck coming, tried to steer out of the way, and, when she realized she would hit, braced herself. She came out of the accident with only bruising and scrapes on her left forearm from the airbag deploying as her car went nose first into a concrete retaining wall/lane divider. But her "baby" - a 2006 Mustang GT - was totaled.

There I was, just cruising on down the road, when I got nailed from the back.

Oh, my poor, aching nose! That concrete was hard!!

"You tink dis looks bad? You shoulda seed de udder guy!"

Finally, a picture of my "good" side.

But there was "ray of sunshine" about her wreck. A lady stopped immediately after it happened and rendered assistance her her, calming her down. A man also stopped and called 911. The driver of the pick-up actually stopped as well, but we won't say much more about her, other than her pick-up received only minor (I think) damage. The local policeman was courteous, caring, and compassionate; the ambulance attendants were very caring and professional; and the emergency room staff where she was taken "just in case" were efficient and professional. Even through the shock and worry of her daddy, I appreciated what they did. The lady who stopped even called back at the end of the day to check on how she was doing.

And to add insult to injury, the standard transmission on my car seized up late Saturday afternoon, forcing me to call both my wife and a tow truck for succor -- my wife to offload my wargaming figures and terrain (after running a game earlier that day) and the tow truck to carry my badly wounded chariot to the repair shop, where he awaits their, hopefully, tender ministrations on Monday morning.

I'll be glad when life returns to a sense of normalcy.

UPDATE: When the mechanic went out to my car Monday morning, he discovered that the gear shift was "miraculously" free and the transmission worked perfectly. We guess that all the jouncing and bouncing the wrecker operator had to do to get the car off his flat-bed wrecker unstuck whatever was stuck in the transmission. So for just a towing charge (reimbursable by my auto insurance), some inconvenience, and a few more gray hairs, I have my car back. Hoorah!!

Sachsen-Wachsenstein Dragoons

2011-09-09T19:53:00.000-05:00

Using a small batch of Miniature Figures Russian SYW cavalry, I've completed the Sachsen-Wachsenstein Horse Regiment by adding a squadron of 12 dragoons. Along with the heavy horse and horse grenadier squadrons, these three squadrons make up the cavalry component of the small army of Sachsen-Wachsenstein.

The Sachsen-Wachsenstein Dragoon Squadron

The figures are actually Russian horse grenadiers but they are so similar to one of the Saxon dragoon regiments that I saw no difficulty in using them for Sachsen-Wachsenstein, a stalwart ally of the Imperium. Their uniform is patterned after the Saxon Bruhl Dragoon Regiment.

Their addition now gives me five squadrons of battlefield cavalry for the Reichsarmeeabteilung Obere-Sachsen.

Forcing the Bridge

2011-08-22T15:56:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday, I participated in a 15mm Seven Years War battle that pitted a French advanced guard trying to force a river crossing in the face of stiff resistance from part of His Britannic Majesty's Army in Germany. Normally I play on the British side in these battles, but this time I chose the French and was in command of the right wing. Here is my report to the advanced guard commander.

Note: A complete battle report will soon be posted on the Jackson Gamers web site and additional pictures can be seen on the Nomadic Old School Gamer's blog.

TO: His Excellency le Vicomte de Florida, Lieutenant-General de France, commander of the advanced guard

FROM: Le Marechal-de-Camp François Lucien, Compte de Merlot, commanding right wing of the advanced guard

Monsieur le Vicomte,

In accordance with your instructions, I advanced my column down the right hand road to wards the bridge over the river. I deployed the Irish brigade along the road, intending to use these elite soldiers to storm the bridge and secure a lodgement. Of the light brigade, I deployed one battalion to scout for additional crossings over the river, alas without success. The other three battalions were employed to the right of the road, anticipating finding a crossing. The 7^th Cavalry Brigade followed in reserve to exploit the crossing secured by the Irish Brigade.

The Irish Brigade is on the right along the road, with the light brigade in the center and the cavalry to the left. Part of the English defensive line can be seen in the foreground.

The Irish advanced with alacrity and courage, enduring heavy fire from the English guns just across the bridge and from their deployed infantry battalions.

Regiment Fitz-James storms across the bridge.

The Regiments Fitz-James and Buckeley suffered severe casualties but screened the dragoons enough that they could get into position to attack the guns.

The dragoon brigade begins its advance to exploit the attack of the Regiment Fitz-James.

The Regiment Schomberg, followed closely by the Regiment Colonel-General, rode down the English batteries, sabering the gunners without mercy.

Regiment Schomberg has just ridden down and sabered the English gunners.

Seeing approaching enemy cavalry, both regiments continued their advance, engaged the English cavalry, and forced them to retire.

Regiments Schomberg (on left) and Colonel-General (on right) engage and defeat the English cavalry.

But the rest of the Irish Brigade and the Light Brigade were not able to follow-up the gallant exploits of the dragoons. The English infantry closed off the bridge with additional troops, isolating the two dragoon regiments on the far side. Both regiments fought stupendously, inflicting many casualties on both the first enemy cavalry brigade and later upon a reserve brigade. But they were doomed without further support.

Regiment Colonel-General has already been rendered hors de combat and the Regiment Schomberg is now surrounded.

I am commending the following regiments for their outstanding efforts in the recent action -- the Irish Regiment Fitz-James and the Dragoon Regiments Colonel-General and Schomberg. Their heroism must be brought to the attention of the army commander and the King.

Regiment Schomberg has repulsed all four English cavalry regiments. But suffering heavy casualties and with blown horses, they are forced to retire down the river to seek another crossing point as the English infantry have closed off the bridge to them.

It is also my sad duty to bring to your attention the abysmal performance of the Grenadier Battalion de Fischer. They were quickly scattered by a single volley of English artillery fire and were of no further use in my attack. I would strongly recommend that the commander be cashiered and the unit be converted to a punishment battalion on the wilds of the Breton coast.

I am, your obedient servant, etc.

François Lucien, Compte de Merlot

Footnote: We used a modified set of rules originally published in MWAN. You can find them on the Jackson Gamers web site - called Quick Tricorne.

Administrators and Warriors

2011-08-16T19:52:00.000-05:00

Trying to get a head start on the figures I'll need for my Colonial Barracks convention (link) game in early November, I just finished a few 28mm figures that I have had for a while.

First up are three Colonial administrators:

On the left is the Colonial Governor's secretary, in the center is a missionary, and on the right is the Colonial tax collector.

To assist the "helpless" native village against both the Colonial tax collector and the Zanzabari slavers are a group of traveling warriors, out to right wrongs and protect the innocent, all for a small remuneration, of course!

The warrior in the center with the multi-colored shield is an old Ral Partha figure. He and the Zulu-style warrior on the far right have been painted for a while. They are joined by the six Foundry native warriors across the rear of the picture. Armed with spears and other hand weapons, their courage and fortitude will have to strengthen them as they will be facing modern Western rifles. But being a "white hat" has never been easy.

I'll be play-testing my modified Lion and Gazelle scenario on October 15. Between now and then, I still have some African animals to paint and some more jungle vegetation to construct.

1st King's Dragoon Guards

2011-07-30T20:06:00.001-05:00

The 1st King's Dragoon Guards joined the Electorishe Armee Thueringen late Friday evening after a forced march. They got their baptism of fire at the Battle of Hesselbach (battle report to follow on the Jackson Gamers blog - see link at lower left). This 12-figure squadron are Dixon Miniatures. These particular figures do not have the "pumpkin heads" that some other Dixons do.

The King's colours are from the Kronoskaf SYW Project web site.

Colonel Bland, the regimental commander, leads the squadron in its evolutions.

These were nice figures to paint, with the details being well defined but not, to my eye, too exaggerated.

Sachsen-Wachsenstein Horse Grenadiers

2011-07-27T15:07:00.000-05:00

Well I got on a tear over last weekend and started on the Horse Grenadier squadron for the Sachsen-Wachsenstein cavalry regiment. And they have now been completed!

The Horse Grenadier Squadron of the Sachsen-Wachsenstein Cavalry Regiment

These are Miniature Figurines "true" 25mm Seven Years War Austrian horse grenadier figures. The squadron has twelve figures - two officers, two buglers, one ensign ("converted" from a regular horse grenadier), and seven horse grenadiers.

They will be deployed with the Heavy Horse squadron (most recent post before this one) and a to-be-painted dragoon squadron.

I've also started work today (a day off from my regular job) on the 1st Squadron, 1st King's Dragoon Guards of the Britannian army. I must finish them by Thursday (tomorrow) evening so they can participate in this Saturday's SYW Imagi-Nation game between the Electorische Armee Thueringen and the Reichsarmeeabteilung Obere-Sachsen.

Sachsen-Wachsenstein Heavy Horse

2011-07-15T10:45:00.003-05:00

The first squadron of the Sachsen-Wachsenstein Cavalry Regiment has been completed and has joined the ranks of the Reichsarmeeabteilung Obere-Sachsen. Composed of a mix of Miniature Figurines Seven Years War French command figures and Austrian cuirassier troopers, the squadron is uniformed in golden yellow coats with medium blue cuffs, lapels, and turnbacks. The buglers wear reversed colors. The regimental commander is Colonel Hans von Schlichternburg.

Oberst Hans von Schlichternburg and his command bugler

The Heavy Horse Squadron in a two-rank line

The Heavy Horse Squadron in a three-deep attack column

Oberst von Schlichternburg leading the Heavy Horse Squadron

They will get their battle inauguration later this month in a fight between the Electorische Armee Thuringen and the Reichsarmeeabteilung Obere-Sachsen, where they will be brigaded with the Courland Dragoon Squadrons Constantine and Mavromichalis.

The Horse Grenadier Squadron is just starting to be equipped and will probably not be ready in time for the coming campaign. There is also a Dragoon Squadron planned for the regiment.

Bayou Wars Pictures - Part 3 (Encounter at Fort Fromage)

2011-07-09T19:21:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally get the pictures of my game at Bayou Wars edited and posted! And I can hear nearly everyone say, "It's about time!"

On Saturday morning (June 11 -- one month ago), I ran the Fourth Annual George Carr, Sr. Memorial Colonial game. This time I set it in the French and Indian War time period with an imaginary encounter between the Gallians (AKA the French) and the Britannians (AKA the British). I use The Sword in the Forest variant of Larry Brom's venerable The Sword and the Flame rules and troops painted by Mark Stevens and me. The trees were courtesy of the Brom family.

The situation pitted small Gallian and Britannian forces intent upon seizing the ruins of the old Gallian Fort Fromage in the Fondue Gap through which ran Cheddar Creek. The Gallians advanced from the north and consisted of the Gallian Regiment Beaujolais (four companies), two companies of Compagnies Gallien, three companies of Canadien militice, two Gallian light guns, and two allied Indian warbands. The Britannians advanced from the south and consisted of the 5th Foot (three companies), a company each of the 15th and 60th Foot, three companies of provincial regulars, two companies of rangers, light infantry, and allied Indians, and two Britannian light guns.

The figures are a mix of 28mm Dixon, Old Glory, Conquest, former London Warroom (now Dayton Painting Consortium), and a mix of other older manufacturers whom I cannot recall. But they all blended very well when committed to the Field of Mars.

And now we'll let the pictures tell the story.. As usual, please click or double click on a picture to get a larger image.

The Britannian commanders: Ed (right wing with Rangers and Light Infantry; Mark (Britannian force commander with Britannian 5^th Foot); Charles (left center with Provincial infantry); and Ken (left wing with Britannian 15^th/60^th Foot).

The Gallian commanders: Bill (right wing with Compagnies Gallien and Beaujolais pickets); Clay (right center with Canadien militice); Martha (Gallian force commander with Regiment Beaujolais); and Phil (Gallian left wing with allied Indians).

The Britannians get into Fort Fromage first. Martha consults her combat tables to determine how many troops to throw against them. Clay and Phil watch as the action develops between Ken and Bill (out of picture to left).

While Charles’ Britannian provincials contest the western hill with Clay’s Canadien militice, Ken’s Britannian infantry begin their long clash with Bill’s Compagnies Gallien.

In the distance, Martha’s Beaujolais infantry assault Mark’s Britannians in the ruins of the fort. In the foreground, Charles moves additional Britannian provincials against the Canadien militice. In the far background the Britannian rangers and light infantry begin their fight against the Gallian allied Indians.

Charles and Ken watch the action as the Gallians and Britannians fight over the ruins of Fort Fromage.

Ed ponders his options as the Britannian right wing commander against the sneaky Gallian Indian chief – Phil the Younger.

While Ken and Charles look on with grins, Bill lobbies his commander, Martha, for a fire card for Clay’s Canadien militice. His infantry are tangled in a melee with Ken’s so he doesn’t require the card.

The action continues and is especially fierce within the ruins of the fort where Britannians and Gallians exchange point-blank range volleys.

While Ed’s rangers and light infantry exchange a volley with Phil’s Indians on the low ground to the left, their other forces fight tomahawk against tomahawk on the wooded hill. Mark’s gun has fired laterally against the Gallian Indians and he has moved his grenadiers up in support.

Ken’s 60^th Royal Americans clash with Bill’s Compagnies Gallien on the other flank while their supporting infantry looks on.

In the foreground, Ed’s command has taken the hill from Phil’s Indians and forced the rest of Phil’s Indians back with several good volleys. In the background however, Martha’s Beaujolais Regiment has pushed her husband’s Britannians out of the ruins of Fort Fromage, quite a coup for the Gallians. Now, can they hold it?

Martha repositions her Beaujolais in the fort, ready to resist any further Britannian attacks. In the background, Ken’s Royal Americans appear to have been beaten by Bill’s Compagnies Gallien. But Ken is ready to carry on the attack with his 15^th Foot. Between the two actions, Charles and Clay continue to trade volleys on the western hill.

A closer look at the action between Ken and Bill (right side of picture) and Charles and Clay (left side of picture).

Martha’s Gallian Regiment Beaujolais is ready for the Britannians, having been reinforced by some of Clay’s Canadien militice with their gun. Charles has redeployed some of his Britannian provincials to bring additional firepower to bear on the Gallians. But do the Britannians have enough force to drive the Beaujolais from the fort?

Ed rearranges his Britannian rangers and allied Indians to consolidate his hold on the eastern hill.

Charles reaches in to reposition some of his Britannian provincials facing Clay’s Canadien militice on the western hill. Clay looks like his troops have the western hill well in their control.

So, who won? Each side's mission was to occupy the site of old Fort Fromage and repulse any attempts by the other side to occupy the area. Additionally each side was to consider occupying one or both of the hills that bordered the pass. The Gallians had occupied the fort ruins and the western hill, plus they had both of their guns still in action. The Britannians only occupied the eastern hill and had one of their two guns still in action. The game master (me, of course) ruled that the Gallians had secured the victory, this time. In an earlier playtest (see ), the Britannians had won. So goes the vagaries of (pretend) war.

Happy Fourth of July!!

2011-07-04T10:59:00.000-05:00

On this, the 235th birthday of the United States of America, I bring you some fireworks to help celebrate.

3rd Squadron, Hapnich Dragoons (Carpania)

2011-07-01T20:36:00.000-05:00

The final squadron of the Carpanian Dragoon Regiment Hapnich has finally been completed. Their uniform is a copy of the Prussian 10th Dragoon Regiment. They are Old Glory figures.

The second image uses the new background that I acquired at Bayou Wars last month. It was an insert in a prepainted 28mm building I bought from Bobe's Hobby Shop. I think it gives the picture a little more realism than the plain blue background I have been using.

In June I also started painting on the first of three squadrons of heavy cavalry for the Duchy of Sachsen-Wachsenstein, using a mix of Austrian and Russian SYW figures from Miniature Figurines. Pictures will be posted soon.

Finally I also began work on some Europeans and natives for my Darkest Africa forces, getting ready to run a game in early November in the inaugural Colonial Barracks convention in New Orleans. This will be an all The Sword and the Flame rules Victorian era Colonial gaming convention. See Larry Brom's webstore, Sergeants3, for more details.

Bayou Wars Pictures - Part 2

2011-06-23T12:44:00.002-05:00

This set of pictures from the Gulf South regional convention will focus on one of the games in which I played.

My friend Bill ran a pulp fiction game using the Two Fat Lardies rules I Ain't Been Shot, Mum that pitted a British column escorting some archaeologists (with their treasures) against some Chinese bandits. Aiding the British was a unit of American rocketeers while a detachment of German Zeppelintruppe were somewhat allied with the Chinese bandits.

The jungle covered terrain traversed by a rough road and a small stream. The various flagged markers are the "blinds" that the players use to initially mark their troop positions.

The British column led by HMAC Ajax, a Rolls Royce armoured car. The archaeologists are beside the Ajax while their "treasure" truck in behind it. The flags are the blinds that the British players used to initially conceal their sections' locations.

The British column consisted of His Majesty's Armoured Car Ajax, two "big" men (to use the rules' parlance), two British infantry sections, a Ghurkha infantry section, and a Vickers machinegun team. They were escorting five archaeologists and their "treasure" truck. Their objective was to proceed across the stream and exit the playing area on the opposite side.

The afternoon sun glints off the stream. The various flagged markers are the blinds each player used to conceal their initial locations and forces.

A closer look at the Ajax and the archaeologists' truck, with one of the British blinds to the right of the truck.

The German blinds in the background have spotted one of the British blinds, revealing an eight man section, one of the "big" men, and the Vickers machinegun team.

The Germans had two or three (I can't remember exactly) sections of Zeppelintruppe that had off-loaded from their Zeppelin which was off the board. Their mission was to "invite" the archaeologists to return to the Fatherland, meet Der Fuehrer, and assist the Reich in their hunt for powerful archaeological relics.

More British forces, some of the Germans, and one of the Chinese sections have been revealed. The Ajax has crossed the stream but has been pinned down by the Chinese bandit ambush.

There were four bands of Chinese bandits. One of them had a heavy machinegun team and another had a heavy mortar. Between those two, they were able to pin the British. The Chinese mission was to block the British column and recover the looted treasures from the archaeologists.

Towards the end of the game with the British still pinned at the stream crossing. The red markers are "wound" indicators which are decrements to the fighting strength of the sections. The American rocketeers are just off the picture to the left. There were three sections of rocketeers whose mission was to aid their British allies. The figure at the rear of the archaeologists' truck is one of the German "big men" who was trying to reach the archaeologists.

The British were unable to complete their mission due to the able emplacement of the ambushes by the Chinese. But the Germans didn't complete their mission either as all the archaeologists remained under British control.

It was a fun little game and my British, Ghurkha, and Chinese troops all saw action together. HMAC Ajax was unfortunately outclassed by the Chinese heavy weapons and really didn't have much impact on the fighting. We'll definitely have more of these games up in Jackson during the coming months.

Bayou Wars Pictures - Part 1

2011-06-20T13:02:00.001-05:00

Our Gulf South regional convention, Bayou Wars, was held June 10-13. I've finally had time to post some of the pictures I took there. Please click on each image for a larger view.

Clay Cooper's Command and Colors Napoleonic game pitted the French against an Anglo-Portuguese force. Clay used his 15mm Napoleonic figures that were based for Napoleon's Battles rules in specially built movement trays on a 4" hex gridded Hotz matt. It was a fun little game.

Larry Reeves' 15mm Napoleonic game, using his home rules, pitted an historical 1813 French force against the Prussian I Korps at the Battle of Wurttemburg. The Prussians had to advance across a stream and its accompanying marshes before we could deploy against the French. Although we didn't finish the game, it was apparent that the Prussians would probably win.

The main French force deploying against the Prussian advance

The Prussian battalions file down the single road and also slog through the marshes

As the leading brigades deploy, the trailing brigades venture into the marshes and more Prussians clog the road

Now all across the stream, the Prussians begin their advance

One of the French commanders (a "Marie Louise") eyes the attacking Prussians

The Prussian and French forces spread out as they maneuver for advantage

Travis Melton's WW2 Microarmor pick-up game:

Mark Stevens' Zulu game using The Sword and the Flame rules:

Martha advances her British towards the objective, a farm stead, while keeping an eye out for the Zulu impis. One of her fellow British commanders watches.

A Zulu unit has been revealed and gets a decent movement towards the invading British.

Travis Melton's WW1 naval game, using his home rules:

Three of my German battlecruisers (foreground) trade fire with British battlecruisers among the rain squalls in the North Sea in this fictional encounter between part of the High Seas Fleet and part of the Home Fleet.

My German command isn't doing so well - one battleship and two battlecruisers are sinking! But I have sunk a pair of British battlecruisers and sent a British battleship home with severe damage.

A second German battleship and a third battlecruiser go to Davey Jones' locker as the British close in for the kill. Only two old German pre-dreadnought battleships were able to escape from my command. My fellow German squadron commanders, each with four battleships, also didn't fare well. It just wasn't a good day to be a German sailor.


A close-up of the 1:2400 scale (we think) ships and the stat cards that Travis prepared for the game.

Jay Stribling's Assyrian vs Egyptian game using his home rules:

"Electric" Ed ponders how his Assyrians can get close enough to beat the fast, but lighter armored Egyptians.

The Assyrians "stole" a march on the Egyptians and get very close as the game starts. Jay (red shirt) is flanked by Larry Brom, author of The Sword and the Flame rules.

That's all for now. I'll post more later.

Flag Day and Army 236th Birthday

2011-06-14T08:48:00.000-05:00

The title and these pictures say it all!!

US Army founded June 14, 1775

And still going strong, June 14, 2011

Between the Wars British and Chinese

2011-05-31T12:50:00.001-05:00

Over the Memorial Day weekend, I completed my Between the Wars British "flying column" and also added some heavy weapons to my Back of Beyond Chinese forces. All of these figures are Copplestone, from their Back of Beyond range. Please click on the pictures for a larger image.

The flying column commander, a major, and his colour sergeant

Another view, showing the hand painted crown and chevrons on the colour sergeant's arm

The 1st Rifle Section, commanded by a captain, with a sergeant, corporal, Lewis gunner and loader, and seven riflemen

The 2nd Rifle Section, commanded by a Second Leftenant, with same other ranks

The machine-gun section with section sergeant and two Vickers .303 water cooled machine guns

The attached Ghurkha Rifle Section, commanded by a First Leftenant with his Ghurkha sergeant and corporal, British Lewis gunner with Ghurkha loader, and seven Ghurkha riflemen

I've had the Chinese heavy weapons for a while after purchasing them from Bobe's Hobby Shop when they were getting rid of many of their historical miniatures. While I was painting the British, I took the opportunity to get them painted as well.

Chinese heavy machine gun team, with team commander, gunner, and loader

Chinese heavy mortar team, with two "active" pose crewmen and a "leader" (?) eating rice

Another view, showing the large mortar shell being held by the loader and the "leader" (?) enjoying his bowl of rice

These figures will see their baptism of fire in my friend Bill's game at Bayou Wars, our Gulf States regional convention. Bill will be running his game at the Jackson Gamers table on Saturday afternoon, June 11.

A Housing Boom

2011-05-19T19:46:00.001-05:00

The past week or so has seen a housing boom at ColCampbell's Barracks. The carpenters, masons, roofers, and painters have been working overtime to get ready for a game on Saturday. Here is what they have produced.

All of these houses are sized for 28mm figures. The roofs of the 2nd and 4th buildings are removable so figures may be placed inside. The other two have non-removable roofs. All were painted using various craft acrylic paints.

With the houses I already possess, I now have the ability to make two medium sized or three small sized villages for future 18th or 19th Century battles.

Two More Leaders

2011-05-07T16:45:00.001-05:00

After my play test game last Saturday, I realized that I really needed two more leaders who were more in keeping with the commands they would be leading. So I dug around in my 18th Century boxes and came up with a Britannian Ranger leader and a Gallian Indian Ally leader.

The Britannian Ranger leader is one of a batch of tricorne wearing figures I bought via eBay. He is a French officer from Front Rank's American Revolution line (French AWF-17). But painted with a green coat, buckskin pants, and deer hide mitasses, he has become the leader on my combined Ranger-Light Infantry-Allied Indian "battalion" for His Britannian Majesty's forces in the 'Murica colonies. Re-purposing with a vengeance!

Another "find" in the 18th Century troops boxes was this Old Glory Indian. He had been purchased as part of a batch of painted figures, so he needed just some touch-ups and selected repainting to become the war chief of the Gallian allied Huron Indian war band.

They will both see action in June at our regional gaming convention - Bayou Wars. My game will be on Saturday morning (see the PEL for details).

Justice Has Been Done!

2011-05-02T14:06:00.000-05:00

Between the Wars British - Part 2

2011-04-24T14:50:00.000-05:00

Continuing my short break from painting mid 1700s figures, I finished the basic painting on ten British riflemen and two heavy machinegun teams yesterday. The riflemen will be joined by their officer and Lewis gunner (pictured in the previous post) to form a 12-figure section usable for either The Sword to Adventure or I Ain't Been Shot, Mum rules in future pulp fiction action with the Jackson gamers.

The 1st Rifle Section of the British Flying Column decked out for action in their "grayback" drill shirts. Notice the assistant Lewis gunner on the front right corner carrying extra ammunition drums slung two on his chest and two on his back. Unfortunately the Copplestone set only came with one of these lads so my other two Lewis gun assistants will not be so accoutremented (Is that a real word?).

The two Vickers .303 heavy machinegun teams. With their section sergeant (pictured in the previous post), they will provide some critical fire support to the rifle sections of the British Flying Column.

Besides the Rolls Royce armoured car, HMAC Ajax (pictured in previous post), the British Flying Column will rely on these three Crossley carriers for getting around the operational area. A local Euopean guide is posed next to them for scale. I have one more vehicle to paint, a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, for the column command car.

And in other news, Col Campbell's Barracks was mentioned by Murphy on the Bongolesia blog as one of his inspirations. You can read the news of Murphy's recent receipt of the Stylish Blogger Award and the mention of Col Campbell's Barracks, among other even more outstanding blogs, here: bongolesia.blogspot.com/2011/04/winner-of-stylish-blogger-award.html Murphy is a good writer and really, in my opinion, captures the romance and inaneness of "banana republics" all over the globe. We should all be so gifted!

The officers and soldiers of the various troops stationed at Col Campbell's Barracks are all aquiver about this mention by the nation of Bongolesia, especially since President for Life Phat Daddee B'wonah is so fulsome in his praise of European colonial masters.

Of course this is just good ole jossing around among the "good ole boys" and we are pleased as punch that Murphy has such a high opinion of our little endeavors here.

Between the Wars British

2011-04-19T20:42:00.001-05:00

Several years ago I took advantage of a sale by Copplestone Miniatures and ordered a batch of his Between the Wars (Back of Beyond) British infantry. After a pulp fiction game several weeks ago, I was envigorated to start painting them. Although my organization is for The Sword to Adventure, a variant of The Sword and the Flame, it is also applicable for the rules we used in the pulp fiction game, I Ain't Been Shot, Mum by Two Fat Lardies.

So here is the start of the British force: four officers (force commander and three section leaders), the force color sergeant, the machinegun section sergeant, and Lewis gunners for each rifle section.

The force commander, a major, is front center with the three rifle section leaders arrayed to his right and the three Lewis gunners to his left. The machinegun section sergeant (kneeling with arm raised) and the force color sergeant (holding rifle) are to the rear.

I have completed the painting but haven't applied the Future sealant, the wash, or the matte glaze.

Here is another angle. I dotted in the officer rank insignia on the shoulder straps -- a crown for the major and the appropriate number of crosses (or pips) for the captain, 1st leftenant, and 2nd leftenant. The two sergeants got their rank insignia painted on their left upper arms. I don't know if the British wore their sergeant's rank insignia on their drill (or "greyback") shirts, but mine will!

Additional figures to be painted will be two British rifle sections, each of a sergeant, a corporal, seven riflemen, and a Lewis gun loader; a Ghurkha rifle section (same composition); and a heavy machinegun section with two Vickers .303 watercooled machineguns, each with a gunner and a loader.

I found the Copplestone figures very easy to paint, especially since I'm basically a "block" painter and don't try to do layers or shading. The wash that I apply later will give the figures some additional definition. They might not look very fancy close up, but they will look very serviceable on the miniature battlefield.

This British command will be teamed with my Rolls Royce armored car (HMAC Ajax) and two (later three) Crossley carriers into a "flying column" for actions anywhere from the sands of Mesopotamia to the plains of the Yellow River.

These figures will be added to about three dozen Chinese infantry of various "flavors" that are already painted (and a Chinese heavy machinegun team and a mortar team still to be painted) as part of my contribution to our pulp fiction/Back of Beyond forces.

Regiment Beaujolais - Final

2011-04-15T13:22:00.000-05:00

The last two divisions of the Regiment Beaujolais have joined and the regiment is now complete.

The grenadier division has an officer (front corner with pistol), a sergeant (rear rank with white lace on his cuffs), and ten grenadiers.

The detachment of picquets also has an officer (center, firing pistol), a sergeant, and ten fusiliers.

The entire regiment has been formally accepted into the service of the Reichsarmeeabteilung Obere-Sachsen in a review by the army commander, Feldzeugmeister Freiherr Bernard von Alderheim, and the Gallian contingent commander, Marechal-de-camp Francois Lucien, Comte de Merlot.

Of course, the first action of these stalwart Gallians will be this Saturday when they are magically transported to 'Murica to provide the backbone for a Gallian expedition against the Britannians and their provincials in the forests of the New World.

Regiment Beaujolais - Part 2

2011-04-09T15:36:00.000-05:00

The color guard and third and fourth divisions of the Regiment Beaujolais have been equipped and posted to their barracks, joining the first and second divisions and their colonel (see previous post).

The color guard - two ensigns carrying the colonel's and regimental colors and two color sergeants armed with halberds.

The third division

The fourth division

The color guard and third and fourth divisions

The grenadiers and the detachment of picquets are currently being equipped and will join the regiment before they march into action against the Rosbifs next Saturday.

Regiment Beaujolais, Part 1

2011-03-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

I finished the first two divisions of my impression of the Gallian Regiment Beaujolais, led by their commander, Colonel Charles, Sieur de Beaujolais.

They are Old Glory F&IW French infantry figures (FIW-06 and FIW-08) and the mounted colonel is from the Wolfe, Montcalm, and mounted colonels pack (FIW-18). As I wrote in my earlier post about these figures, my only real problem with them is that the officer and drummer figures are out-of-step with the sergeant and fusilier figures. A minor problem, I know, but it still grates on my military trained sensibilities. Of course that doesn't mean that this regiment won't be a mainstay of the Gallo-Imperial Reichsarmeeabteilung Obere-Sachsen in its operations against the forces of the Elector.

I've begun work on the color guard and third and fourth divisions. After them will be the grenadiers and picquets for a 76-figure battalion.

This unit will have its initial baptism of fire in a F&IW game in about 2-1/2 weeks.

"Red"Sonja at Margaritaville

2011-03-29T12:40:00.001-05:00

While I was searching for a picture of "Frivolous" Fiona at Margaritaville, I found some of the other pictures that I took at our pirate game Saturday before last. I commanded a band of scurvy cutthroats and ne'er-do-wells whose mission was to raid the Spanish church, capture the priests, and find out (by gentle persuasion, of course!) where the treasure was hidden. My pirates were led by "Red" Sonja, whose sharp saber and sure pistol kept order among her men. Here are a few of the pictures I took at the game. As usual, a click or double click will enlarge these images for your viewing pleasure.

"Red" Sonja, followed by her bat-man carrying a cask of rum, encourages her desperadoes.

The sleepy little town of Margaritaville. Fiona is at the left rear outside the red brick tavern. The governor and his court sit on a balcony overlooking the town square where dandies, dandettes, and townspeople gather. Notice old "Blind" Pew in the center with his back to the camera.

"Red" Sonja and her band of scurvy cut-throats and ne'er-do-wells slip through the brush towards the Spanish church.

Skirting a native village, part of Sonja's crew moves toward the rear of the Spanish church.

Sonja and part of her crew nab the priests outside the church as English Marines, Spanish infantry, and irate townsmen duel amongst each other on the plain below. The other part of Sonja's crew cower in the jungle in the foreground, unwilling to risk crossing the open ground.

With some "friendly" persuasion, the priests tell Sonja where the Cross of Coronado is hidden. With that in her possession, Sonja considers her mission a success. But she and her cutthroats will still have to brave the English Marines, Spanish infantry, and irate townsmen, as well as angry natives boiling out of the jungle, in order to escape.

We stopped the game at this point since several of us had to leave. Sonja and her band would probably not have been able to escape with the Cross of Coronado, but it was fun to be able to pose with it in a picture.

EDIT on 03/31/2010:

For more pictures and a complete report, see the Jackson Gamer's blog.

Fiona at Margaritaville

2011-03-29T10:44:00.001-05:00

The rumors were true! "Frivolous" Fiona McGillicuddy (back to camera, with parasol) was visiting Margaritaville Saturday before last during the pirate raid. Was she just having her "Spring Break" fling or was she there for more devious reasons? Only time (and some creative story writing) will tell.

Photo courtesy of "Big John" (from his blog, Nomadic Old School Gamer)

Stay tuned for more news of Fiona and her favorite "Gentlemen Adventurers" as they continue their journeys through the 'Murican provinces.

Gallian Infantry - WIP

2011-03-17T19:47:00.001-05:00

Last week I began painting the first two 12-figure divisions of a regiment of Gallian (AKA French) infantry for my Imperial army. These figures are of the Regiment Beaujolais (a rather nice French wine, by the way). The figures are all Old Glory French & Indian War figures from packs FIW-06 (French line command) and FIW-08 (French line marching). I also have figures from pack FIW-07 (French line advancing) which will form the next two 12-figure divisions. There will also be a division of 12 grenadiers and a division of 12 picquets, plus a 4-figure color party carrying the colonel's and regimental colors.

The colonel commanding is one of the French mounted officers from pack FIW-18 (Wolf/Montcalm/Colonels mounted). He is Colonel Charles, Sieur de Beaujolais. I still have a little work to do on him, such as shading his face and hands and painting the base.

Colonel Charles, Sieur de Beaujolais

The infantry figures are still being painted. These two pictures are just to show how they are progressing. I used an undercoat of light gray and then did a heavy drybrush of antique white over it to achieve my interpretation of the gris-blanc color of French uniforms.

Fusiliers of Regiment Beaujolais

Additional pictures will be provided when these figures are complete.

Rebellion and Relics

2011-03-12T15:00:00.001-06:00

Saturday morning I participated in the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's Rebellion and Relics program as part of the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. My presentation highlighted the Civil War related items in the various collections we maintain in the Archives and Records Services Division. While I was there, I took some pictures of some of the artifacts that our Museum Division maintains and of a few of the reenactors who were there. All of these activities were held in and around our Old Capitol Museum. I hope that you enjoy these pictures. As usual, please click on each image for a larger picture.

First, some of the artifacts:


The old Mississippi House Chamber where the programs were presented.

Two of the many uniform pieces in the Museum collection. On the right is the butternut wool coat of Lieutenant T. Otis Baker of the 10th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. On the left is a shirt made from brocaded silk curtains looted from the Old Capitol building by a Union soldier in 1863.

These are Jefferson Davis' .44 caliber rifled dueling pistols. They were taken from him when he was captured in 1865, returned to the Davis family in 1914 by the War Department, and then donated to the Department's collection.

Restored flag of the 4th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. If you look carefully, you can see that the "VICKS" in Vicksburg has been replaced during the restoration by slightly larger letters. That was one portion of the flag that was completely missing. The lighter red and blue places are where new material was added (as a backing) to replace material that had been lost over the years.

Flag of the Burt Rifles (Company K, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. This flag has also been carefully restored to its former full-color glory. The tree in the center is a Magnolia tree with its white flowers in full bloom. The leaves and the flowers were painted in great detail by the painter in 1861.

And now a few of the reenactors who set-up outside the main entrance to the Old Capitol:

A Union cavalryman showing some of the guests the flag carried by his regiment and the weapons and accoutrements he carried.

A sailor from the USS Benton talks to a guest about life aboard a Union gunboat on the Mississippi River. This reenactor is also a master model maker and has done many models and dioramas for the Department and the Blue and Gray Naval Museum (in Vicksburg), among others.

Two United States Colored Troops reeanctors. The sergeant on the left is from an infantry regiment while the sergeant on the right is from a heavy artillery regiment. Mississippi contributed some 11 regiments (8 infantry, 1 cavalry, and 2 heavy artillery) of former slaves (some 18,000 men) to the Union cause.

There were, before I left, only two Confederate reenactors present. There was such a crowd around their table that I couldn't get a picture. But I will leave you with a vintage (1976) picture on Confederate Civil War reeanactors:

Two of the five (left and right outside men) are now deceased. The center reenactor is who sent me the picture, which was taken at Asphodel Plantation in Lousiana. All five were college mates of mine.

Gallian Canadien Militia Unit #2 and Pack Animals

2011-03-12T14:26:00.000-06:00

I finally finished the second of my two 20-figure Gallian Canadien militia units. Like the first, it is composed of one officer (Spanish from the old London Warroom, now Dayton Painting Consortium line) and 19 Old Glory Courier de Bouis. These unit has gray shirts for a distinguishing feature.

And here are close-ups of the unit:

Additionally I finally put the finishing touches on two pack camels and two pack mules that have been sitting on my painting desk for ages.

These are Ral Partha pack camels, a generic one on the left and a Medieval one on the right.

And two pack mules, generic on left and Medieval on right. I don't recall manufacturers on these as I bought them on eBay.

Classic Wargames Building Tutorial

2011-02-28T08:55:00.000-06:00

I just discovered this amazing tutorial on making a classic wargames building on the Lead Gardens blog. Littlejohn has done a very detailed but simple to follow tutorial. I hope that my readers get as much use out of it as I plan on doing.

Tutorial link

Jim

Gallian Canadien Militia Unit #1

2011-02-10T11:17:00.000-06:00

After a lengthy period of dabbling, I finally finished the first 20-figure unit of my Gallian Canadien militia for the Gallian (French) and Indian War period. Except for the officer, these are Old Glory Courier de Bouis figures. The officer in a spare Dayton Painting Consortium (ex-London Warroom) Spanish officer. I've glued an extra musket into his hand.

Composed of 1 officer (center), 1 sergeant, and 18 militia.

I also painted the militia commander, Senior Captain Padraig Pelham (named after my late brother, Patrick). He is also a Dayton Painting Consortium Spanish officer.

Waving his hat, Senior Captain Padraig Pelham urges his men forward against the "Rosbifs"

My grand painting scheme - to have all my imagi-nation 18th Century figures painted by May of 2012 - has been derailed by life. When I developed this scheme and reported on it back in November 2010 (link and link), I didn't expect that my wife's second broken leg in five months (first was back in June 2010) would have a significant impact on our family dynamic. Evidently I had forgotten already the trials and tribulations from her first broken leg. I found that my painting time and energy was severely curtailed as I cared for her and shouldered her share of the food preparation and house keeping, as well as continued with my own share. That has only slightly decreased as she has progressed in her recovery. So, to make a long story short, my grand scheme has been completely discombobulated (that's a Southern expression meaning really truly all messed up). I'll continue to follow the order that I established, but the goal of painting 24 infantry or 12 cavalry or their equivalent per week has been blown.

Inspection Report, 36th Mississippi Infantry Regiment

2011-01-26T14:19:00.001-06:00

While checking into the interrupted re-processing of a collection of Confederate quartermaster and ordnance records at the Mississippi State Archives (where I work), I came across an April 1862 inspection report of the 36th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. It gives a snapshot of the arms of the regiment as it joined the Confederate Army shortly after the Battle of Shiloh. But what makes it even more interesting to me is that my great-grandfather, Wesley Washington Pitts, was a private in Company E (Hazlehurst Fencibles) from March 1862 through the end of the siege of Vicksburg (July 4, 1863). I've tried to keep the capitalization and punctuation of the colonel who wrote the report as well as his spelling (which was actually pretty good). I've included a short history note at the end extracted from Dunbar Roland's seminal work, Military History of Mississippi, 1803-1898. I hope that you enjoy this. My additions and editorial comments are in square brackets, thusly [ ] .

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Copy of Inspection Report of the Condition of the 36^th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers, Colonel Drury J. Brown, Commanding]

Rienzi, Miss. Camp Rives

April 21^st, 1862

[To:] Brigadier General. H. Little, commanding

1^st Brigade, West. Army

General,

In obedience to Orders No. 83 directing me to inspect the 36^th Regiment (Miss.) Colonel Brown commanding and to report in writing, etc. I have the honor to report that I have made said inspection and find said Regiment armed as follows, to wit: thirty seven (37) Rifled Muskets - Forty one cartridge boxes - Thirty seven Bayonets and Bayonet scabbards- Thirty seven Waist and Shoulder belts - Thirty seven (37) cap pouches - 25 screwdrivers - one (1) Thumbvice - 360 Altered Rifles - Two hundred and seventy Double barrel Shotguns and Rifles. The altered Rifles I find almost wholly worthless - badly bored out and the locks of the most indifferent kind. The main spring being entirely too weak to explode our Army Gun caps. The rifled Muskets are all excellent also the accoutrements belonging thereto. The doublebarrel Shotguns are some of them, say enough to arm one company, good as they are of the right calibre to carry the B.B. [buck and ball ?] cartridge. The others are either too small or unfit for service - Some being without tubes [!!] and some without hammers [!!]. Upon the whole, taking into consideration the kind of arms and the way they are distributed; with exception of the 46 cartridge boxes and the 37 waist and shoulder belts I find the Regiment without accoutrements - The Regiment has on hand 18,000 G. D. [?] Percuss. Caps, 15,000 Miss Rifle Cartridges, 1,480 Rifle Musket cartridges, all in good order. In camp and garrison equipage, The Regiment has an abundance of Tents all of [extra ?] size and a fly to each. This leaves nothing to be desired so long as they are transported by Railroad but would be cumbersome to transport by waggons - being composed of Osnaburgh [fabric] without the fly they would not keep out the rain. The men are comfortably clad and shod. The Regiment is composed of a fine body of men and properly armed would doubtless do effective service though now laboring under that curse of all new troops the measels [sic]. I would further state that said Regiment is without waggons [?]fore having been transported by rail, and with exception of the want of a few camp kettles leaves nothing to be desired in the way of cooking utensils.

All of which is respectfully submitted

(signed) D. McRae Colonel

Commanding Regt M [?] Vol

[Postscript:]

Headquarters Rienzi Station, Miss.

Camp Rives, April 22d 1862

Respectfully submitted with recommendation that if possible Col Brown be permitted to turn in the Arms and Accoutrements now in his Regiment and draw all of one Kind.

(signed) Henry Little

Brig Genl

Cg [Commanding?] Station

HISTORICAL NOTE: The 36^th Mississippi Infantry Regiment was mustered into Confederate service in March 1862. It was in camp at Meridian, Miss. during the battle of Shiloh (Apr 6-7, 1862). From the above report, it evidently was moved to Rienzi prior to April 21. It was part of the what became the Army of Tennessee at the battles in northeast Mississippi (Famington, Iuka, Jacinto, and Corinth) during the spring, summer, and fall of 1862. In early 1863 it was posted (along with its brigade) to the Vicksburg area and became part of the garrison through the end of the siege, July 4, 1863. It was reconstituted in January 1864 at the camp of paroled and exchanged prisoners in Enterprise, Alabama. It rejoined the Army of Tennessee near Resaca in mid May, 1864 and stayed with the Army through the Battle of Franklin and the “Siege” of Nashville before being transferred to help at the siege of Murfreesboro, returning to Nashville just in time for the Union counteroffensive. After the retreat they were transferred to Mobile and ended the war defending the Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley where most of them were captured in the Union attacks in early April, 1865.

My great-grandfather was paroled after Vicksburg and was recovering at home in Copiah County. He either never saw the notice that he had been paroled and was to report to the camp at Enterprise or he ignored it, deciding that he had enough fighting. Either way his "records" indicate that he was listed as being a deserter from the Enterprise camp. I can't say that I blame him, especially as he married in December 1863 [edit]. If he had been with the 36th during the Nashville campaign, I probably wouldn't be here today!

Britannian Provincial Infantry

2011-01-20T10:01:00.000-06:00

Captain "Red" Green's independent company of provincial infantry has just joined the Britannian army in the 'Murican provinces. This company was raised from "over the mountain" boys who have much expertise in fighting "Injuns and other critters" in the deep woods. As such Captain Green has outfitted them with green hunting shirts and deerskin trousers. The Britannian commander hopes that they will help counter the Gallian woodsmen and Indian allies (link and link). They will be operating in conjunction with the Britannian rangers.

Clicking on the pictures will result in an easier to see larger image.

Here we see them in all their glory, with Captain "Red" Green in the center.

The company is composed of one former-London Warroom (now Dayton Painting Consortium) Spanish non-commissioned officer figure as Captain Green and nineteen Old Glory FIW-13 Courier de Bouis [sic] frontiersmen. These particular figures wear either a cocked hat or a slouch hat. They are all armed with musket, tomahawk, and knife. There are seven distinct poses which are shown below:

Three of the poses plus Captain Green (far right).

The other four poses.

Now that these have joined the Britannian forces, the Gallian commander will start to raise a counter-force of two 20-figure companies of woodsmen (using the Courier de Bouis [sec] figures in soft caps).

5th Foot_Drilling

2011-01-03T14:43:00.001-06:00

Once all elements had closed on ColCampbell's Barracks, Major General Manly-Barton orders the 5th Foot out on the parade field for some drill.

As the divisions march and countermarch, General Manly-Barton rides around the formations watching with an eagle eye for any faults.

But he can spot none, as the Lieutenant Colonel, commanding, has ensured his company officers and sergeants have prepared the men for these exercises. With his being the first of the Britannian regiments to arrive in Carpania, the Lieutenant Colonel, commanding, wanted to make an excellent impression on General Manly-Barton. I think that he has!

2010 in Review

2011-01-02T20:41:00.000-06:00

In 2010, I painted 444 Olley points of figures, with each point being one figure, horse, or gun, divided into:

215 points of 18th Century figures, including American Indians, militia, Gallian provincials, and ship's crews and guns, plus the Britannian 5th Foot and a few guns and crews.

229 points of 19th Century figures, including Egyptians, Royal Navy sailors and guns, and Arab infantry, cavalry, and camelry.

In addition, I painted four 25mm ships (one row galley and three gunboats) for my Capitania General de Florida games and 100 Russo-Japanese War ships, predreadnought battleships, cruisers, and torpedo boat destroyers, to the tune of 48 Japanese ships and 53 Russian ships, for my two RJW naval games.

Finally, there was a batch of terrain items to prepare for my Sudanese Colonial game at Bayou Wars and for my Capitania General de Florida games here in Jackson.

Pictures of all of the above were posted here, on Col Campbell's Shipyard blog, and on the Jackson Gamers blog.

It was a busy year, but 2011 may be even busier as I turn on the steam for a French & Indian War game for Bayou Wars in June and even more 18th Century imagi-nation figures.

Britannian 5th Foot, Part 4

2011-01-02T20:27:00.000-06:00

The color guard of the 5th Britannian Foot has finally joined the regiment, bringing with them newly issued colors.

The lieutenant colonel, commanding, gestures as his ensigns with their color sergeants, march forward with the colors. The flags came from the Kronoskaf Seven Years War Project page of the 5th British Foot. I resized them and printed them on a color laser printer. As with the rest of the 5th Foot, the figures are Dixon.

This completes the 5th Foot, unless I'm able at some point in the future to acquire an additional 12-figure division. Probably tomorrow I'll post some pictures of the entire regiment as it drills at ColCampbell's Barracks.

Britannian 5th Foot, Part 3

2010-12-30T19:51:00.000-06:00

Finally, the third division of the 5th Britannian Regiment of Foot have joined their comrades, marching into the barracks yesterday after completing the issue of their uniforms and weapons.

Major General Manly-Barton reviews the 3rd division, 5th Foot, after they arrive at Col Campbell's Barracks.

The third division, all Dixon figures, is composed of one officer (second from left, front rank), one sergeant (right figure, rear rank), one drummer (in front of sergeant), and nine hatmen. The officer is ordering his men to "Preseeeeent Arms!!" as General Manly-Barton approaches.

The color party, one officer, two ensigns, and two color sergeants, await final finishing details, basing, and attachment of the flags. Their picture should be posted tomorrow as well as a picture of the completed regiment.

Britannian 5th Foot, Part 2

2010-12-24T10:06:00.000-06:00

The Grenadier Company of the Britannian 5th Foot was completed last night and is now safely settled in their barracks for Christmas Eve.

The Grenadier Company is composed of an officer (in cocked hat), a sergeant (with halberd), a drummer, and nine grenadiers, all Dixon figures.

They and the rest of the denizens of Col Campbell's Barracks wish a

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a

HAPPY NEW YEAR

to one and all!!

Britannian 5th Foot, Part 1

2010-12-15T21:30:00.003-06:00

Tonight I completed two divisions of the Britannian 5th Foot Regiment. These 24 Dixon British infantry are the first unit in a brigade that will be commanded by Major General Manly-Barton, Colonel-in-Chief of the 5th Foot. Some of their in-progress pictures were featured in previous posts. This unit is organized for "big battalion" gaming using Bill Protz's rules, Bataille de l'Ancien Regime [link].

The 5th Foot was part of the second reinforcement contingent to His Britannic Majesty's Army in Germania. It is the senior regiment of that six regiment contingent. For additional information on the "real" 5th Foot, see this Kronoskaf link.

As usual, please click on the pictures for larger images.

First, the Colonel-in-Chief, Major General Manly-Barton.

He is a Dixon mounted British officer who continues to wear the regimentals, although the coat has been heavily embellished with silver lace.

The 1st division of the regiment, consisting of one officer (second from left, front rank), one sergeant (far right, rear rank), one drummer (far right, second rank), and nine privates. Notice the sergeant is checking on the alignment of his men. You can almost hear him saying, "You there, Jones, watch your dressing, you slovenly excuse for a soldier of the King!"

The 2nd division of the regiment, with the same composition and placement as the 1st division.

I am painting the 3rd division and the grenadiers, and still have to do the color party.

And a picture of both divisions, 1st on left and 2nd on right, with Major General Manly-Barton in the center.

Britannians - Continuing the Work

2010-12-09T21:41:00.002-06:00

I've done a little more work on the Dixon figures, getting the lace painted on the first 12-figure division, including the drummer.

The drummers were the most intense to paint since each regiment's drummers seem to have worn a different amount of lace. I had to guess on this regiment (the 5th Foot) since I didn't have a picture of its drummer. Here you can see a drummer both before (right) and after (left) the application of the lace, plain white in this regiment. I haven't decided if I want to try to do a replication of the regimental shield (St George killing the dragon) on the front of the drum.

The hatmen of the center companies were a little easier than the drummers although nine of them more than made up for the single drummer. Again, a before (right) and after (left) picture. The belting and muskets haven't been done yet.

Finally a picture of the two officers and two drummers in the first two 12-figure divisions.

More anon.

Britannians - Works in Progress

2010-11-27T20:05:00.001-06:00

After completing the painting and "dipping" on the Screaming Panther Clan, I started on the first two "divisions" of the Britannian 5th Regiment of Foot and a mounted officer. Although this regiment was part of the second contingent sent to fight with His Britannian Majesty's Army in Germania, it will also see double duty fighting the Gallians and Asturians in the 'Murican colonies.

These figures are Dixon, with the classic Dixon "pumpkin head" on the infantry. Up close the heads do look unusual but I think from a distance in an organized unit that the heads will not be so apparent. The figures have been primed with gray Liquidtex gesso before I started painting them with acrylic craft paints. I mount my foot figures on large headed finishing nails and my horses on plastic 2-liter soda bottle caps. As usual, please click or double click on the images for a larger picture.

Britannian mounted officer

Sergeant and nine hatmen

When I complete these figures, I plan on posting a comparison between the various horse and musket manufacturers I have.

Screaming Panther Clan

2010-11-27T19:48:00.001-06:00

I just finished mounting the second of my Gallian allied Indian warbands, the Screaming Panther Clan. These stalwart braves are primarily Old Glory eastern woodland Indians with a few non-Old Glory castings included. These twenty five warriors primarily use a yellow ochre as their distinguishing color.

All of these figures were painted with acrylic craft paints, sealed with straight Future floor polish, brush "dipped" with Ace brand walnut wood stain, and then final sealed with Delta Ceramcoat interior matte glaze. The matte glaze isn't truely matte as it gives a nice satin finish to the figures. The pictures don't capture that finish, showing them much more glossy that they are. I think that the light reflections enhance the satin finish so it looks glossy. As usual. please click or double click on each image to see a larger picture.

The Screaming Panther Clan Chief.

I added a musket to his left hand so that he would be armed as are the rest of his clan.


The Screaming Panther Clan, in all their glory.

The following pictures illustrate all the warriors in the Screaming Panther Clan.

Five warriors in the kneeling, firing pose.

The center figure is not an Old Glory figure, but I don't know who manufactured him. His size mixes well with the Old Glory sculpts.


A group of five standing, firing warriors.

The center figure is not an Old Glory figure.

The final group of five standing, firing figures.

All of these are Old Glory figures. To get a little distinction in the blanket that the center figure is wearing, I painted on two darker blue stripes along both ends. He has also retained the yellow lace on his tricorne since that color is the clan distinction.

A group of six warriors in action poses.

Several of these figures required added muskets. The two figures flanking the center figure (wearing the green shirt around his waist) are not Old Glory sculpts.

The final three warriors.

These three got different colored tunics to distinguish them from each other.

Evil Warning Totem

The warriors who are included in the Screaming Panther Clan were part of a group I purchased on eBay. The lot also contained this "shrunken head" totem which I painted dark brown to represent smoked and dessicated skin. I also "equipped" the head with oversized front teeth to give it a fearsome appearance.

I can also use these figures in my Capitania General de Florida games as Southeastern Indians, either Allied with Britannia or with Asturias.

Two New Officers

2010-11-22T14:04:00.000-06:00

I just added two new officers to my imagi-nation forces.

Marechal-de-Camp Francois Lucien, Comte de Merlot, Commander of the Gallian expeditionary corps to the Imperium's Reichsarmeeabteilung Obere-Sachsen.

He is an Old Glory French and Indian War mounted French officer that I purchased as part of an e-Bay lot.

Oberstleutnant Freiherr Hans von Stuppe is the commander of the Carpanian von Stuppe Hussar Regiment. His uniform is based on the Germanian 8th (later 7th) Hussar Regiment, the "Canaries." He is the older son of General der Infanterie Baron Rolfe von Stuppe, commander of the Carpanian army.

He is a Front Rank figure, Prussian hussar officer in mirleton.

The Project - Figures to be Painted

2010-11-20T16:06:00.001-06:00

Ed of Hesse Fedora asked in the last post how many figures I'll be painting in my project towards a Big Battalions game at the 2012 Bayou Wars convention. I've made up a painting schema so I can track my progress. From that schema I have the following troops and equipment to paint. These figures include some of the figures I'll be painting for the French & Indian Wars game I'll be running at the 2011 Bayou Wars convention.

Britanno-Germanian
        2 mounted officers
     476 infantry
     119 cavalry
       52 gunners, 10 guns, and 8 limbers (each with 1 or 2 horses plus a drover)

Gallo-Imperium
     4 mounted officers
    528 infantry
    120 cavalry
      51 gunners, 6 guns, and 6 limbers ( each with 1 or 2 horses plus a drover)

If I can acquire the appropriate Miniature Figurines Seven Years War figures at not too high a price, I'll paint the following additional forces:

Britanno-Germanian
     2 mounted officers
      24 infantry
      48 cavalry

Gallo-Imperium
      36 cavalry

The Imagi-Nation Project

2010-11-16T21:46:00.000-06:00

In November 2008, I attended the MilleniumCon convention in Round Rock, TX (north of Austin) and participated in the Big Battalions in Texas Seven Years War battle using Bill Protz's Batailles de l'Ancien Regime (BAR) rules. It was a lot of fun. I got to bring some of my imagi-nation troops and commanded part of them in battle against the rules author. Ever since I've wanted to participate in another "big battle" but wasn't able to fit any of them into my schedule even though I ran a couple of small games for my wargames group last year. But after inventorying all my various boxes of unpainted SYW lead I've come to the conclusion that I might have enough infantry and artillery to form a core of an order of battle for a "big battalions" game at our regional convention, Bayou Wars. Now I don't have enough painted for the convention this summer, but might have enough for 2012.

So that's my project -- paint enough of my own troops to form a core around which other gamers can contribute their own forces to conduct an imagi-nation game in Germania (AK Germany) that would pit a Britanno-Germanian army against a Gallo-Imperium army using a scenario based on the 24 June 1762 Battle of Wilhelmsthal. The "official" announcement will be after the 2011 Bayou Wars convention when I'll be able to measure tables and get approval from the Bayou Wars Board of Directors for the game.

And the challenge will be to hold to a schedule of 24 infantry or 12 cavalry or their equivalent per week. Can I do it? Or will I get painter's burn-out? Only time will tell, stay tuned to periodic reports.

The schedule begins with completing my French and Indian War figures first (thankfully some will be used for the 2012 battle), which will occupy me through the end of January 2011. I'll begin the main drive the first of February 2011 with completion aimed at the end of March 2012. An audacious plan but one that I believe I can accomplish.

Now back to the paintbrush.

Gunners and Some Comparisons

2010-11-16T16:12:00.000-06:00

First I have some pictures of the newest additions to my imagi-nation armies, some guns and gunners. Then some comparison pictures of the three manufacturers' gunners. As usual, click or double click on the pictures for larger images.

I've just completed three gun crews and two guns (the third gun having been painted some time ago) for my Britannian, Gallian, and Kreis Obere-Sachsen forces.

First up is a Britannian 6-lbr and its 5 man crew. The gun is a Miniature Figurines (if I remember correctly) model while the gunners are RSM-95 figures. This is the second 6-lbr for my nascent Britannian forces.

Next up is a battalion gun for my Gallian forces. The gun is a "Scruby" (now manufactured by Historifigs) small Napoleonic cannon which will be playing the role of a "Swedish" style 4-lbr. The crewmen are RAFM French gunners painted as two artillerymen (in blue coats) and two artillery laborers (in grey coats).

Last is a battalion gun (another "Scruby") for my nascent Kreis Obere-Sachsen forces (one of the Reichsarmee circles). The gunners are Miniature Figurines SYW French gunner figures. The one of the right rear has been modified by cutting off the lintstock and gluing on a lever. The color scheme comes from a Reichsarmee gunner's uniform posted some time ago by David Linienblatt of the Not by Appointment blog.

I also thought that I would include some side-by-side pictures of the RAFM, RSM, and MiniFig gunners so you could get an idea of their comparative sizes and hefts.

RAFM (left), RSM (center), MiniFig (right)

You can see that while the RSM gunners are a little taller than the other two, they aren't completely out of scale. I cheerfully use many different manufacturers on the battlefield and once the action starts, the differences tend to disappear.

Works in Progress

2010-11-13T10:43:00.000-06:00

I am currently working on some artillery crews for Britannia, Gallia, and Kreis Obere-Sachsen/Asturia, as well as a couple of mounted officers.

The first is a mounted commander for my Gallian and Asturian forces in the New World. He will also be available for operations in Germania. He is an Old Glory mounted French officer who will be getting plenty of gold lace on his uniform coat. In the back ground you can see the other officer.

He is a Front Rank Prussian hussar officer who is being painted to replicate the Prussian 8th (later 7th) Hussar Regiment (the "Canaries"). The 8th fought in Brunswick's His Britannic Majesty's Army in Germany. In my imagi-nation world, he will be the commander of the Carpanian von Stuppe Hussar Regiment.

And here he is a little further along in the painting process. The blue I'm using is a Delta Ceramcoat paint called Ocean Reef Blue. I painted the shabraque white, then yellow. Then I drew in the "hound's tooth" pattern with a pencil and painted on the blue. After this picture was taken I used a 10-0 liner brush to carefully paint the silver piping between the blue and yellow. The rest of the two-squadron regiment should look very nice on the battlefield.

Veterans' Day 2010

2010-11-11T10:07:00.000-06:00

On this Veterans' Day, I thought that I would post some veteran related images. As a veteran myself and the son of a WW2 veteran, this is a special day in which we remember and thank all those who watered the tree of liberty with their blood, sweat, and tears. Enjoy and please click on each picture to get a larger image.

Yesterday the Experimental Aircraft Association brought their B-17 Aluminum Overcast to Hawkins Field here in Jackson. Hawkins Field was the original Jackson main airport and is now used for light planes and other special events. I went out to see there late yesterday afternoon and took these pictures.

Here she is, sitting on the parking apron outside the main airport office. This particular B-17 didn't participate in any combat missions during WW2 and is one of only a few still in flyable condition.

A forward aspect, showing the chin turret and the top turret.

As a point of pride, the top turret was the fighting position of my father, who was also a flight engineer for a B-17 in the 731st Bomb Squadron, 452nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.

Her nose art.

I was standing in the front of the bomb bay looking into the cockpit when I took this picture. The top turret is above the EAA crewman's head.

A few of the "dummy" bombs the EAA has in her bomb bay, which by the way was extremely narrow. I had trouble moving through it and can't imagine the contortions a fully kitted-out crewman would have. The radio position, waist gunners, ball turret, and tail gunner positions are all to the aft of the bomb bay. Forward of it are the pilots, bombadier, navigator, and top turret gunner. In effect, the bomb bay almost isolates each part of the crew from the other.

Looking forward from the waist. I asked the young man to stand there so you could see how restricted the space was. The silver object in the floor just behind his legs is the top of the ball turret. Through the doorway is the radio position.

A rear aspect.

I enjoyed another opportunity to go through a B-17 and hope I have more chances in the future.

Also in Jackson is the War Memorial Building. This edifice was constructed in the 1930s as part of the depression recovery efforts. Originally it housed the Mississippi office of the Selective Service System and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Now it houses various state-level veteran organization offices. The front is decorated with two cast concrete friezes which are pictured below.

To the left is a group of WW1 soldiers and an FT-17 Renault tank as they are girded for war.

To the right, the frieze shows the soldiers transitioning from war to peace and converting their "swords" into "plowshares."

In the center courtyard is the tomb of the "Mississippi Unknown Soldier" by which a U.S. flag always flies at half-mast. In the background you can see part of one of the main doors into the building.

There are three double doors leading into the building made from cast aluminum and decorated with bas reliefs of military emblems. At the top of each door are bas relief battle scenes relating to our Mississippi history. All of these decorations are detailed below.

Above the left door are scenes from the battles of Ackia and Buena Vista.

Above the center door are scenes from the battle of New Orleans and the siege of Vicksburg.

Above the right door are scenes from the battle at San Juan Hill and Belleau Wood.

Each door has bas relief medallions framing each window. All three door pairs are decorated identically. This picture shows the medallions at the top of the door,

and around the middle windows, and

around the bottom windows.

I hope you enjoyed my "veterans' tour" today. And remember, please thank a veteran today!

The Rest of the Baltic Fleet

2010-11-08T13:38:00.001-06:00

The pictures of the rest of the Baltic Fleet have been posted on ColCampbell's Shipyard. Please drop by for a look.

3rd Battle Division, 3rd Pacific Squadron

With all my Russo-Japanese War ships now complete, I can return finally to some 18th Century Imagi-nation wargame preparations with two mounted officers and three gun crews before launching into a 56-figure Britannian (AKA British) infantry battalion followed by a 72-figure Gallian (AKA French) battalion.

The "Small Boys"

2010-10-30T20:14:00.002-05:00

I've just posted descriptions and pictures of the Japanese and Russian destroyers and torpedo boats on my Col Campbell's Shipyard blog. Please stop by for a look.

One of the Russian destroyer bases.

Last of the Japanese Cruisers

2010-10-23T17:01:00.003-05:00

Please see Col Campbell's Shipyard for the last seven of the Japanese cruisers that have joined the battle fleet.

The "most" modern protected cruiser Otowa which was rushed into service in 1905.

Jim

New Desert Tribe Leaders

2010-10-19T06:10:00.001-05:00

After my big Colonial game in June, I traded two older desert tribe cavalrymen to obtain two figures that matched the rest of my desert tribe cavalry. Since then, I've had them on my painting desk. This past week I finally got around to painting them as a break from all the Russo-Japanese War ships.

The riders are Falcon Miniatures Arab cavalry on an unknown (to me, at least) manufacturer's horses. Flags are courtesy of Warflag.com. They will each lead a 12-figure desert tribes cavalry unit in my Victorian Colonial native forces. You can click on the picture to see a larger image.

Japanese Fleet

2010-10-19T06:01:00.001-05:00

Please visit ColCampbell's Shipyard to see the Japanese battle fleet.

Three Japanese Battleships - Mikasa, Asahi, and Shikashima

More Russian Ships

2010-10-16T16:10:00.000-05:00

More Russian ships from the Russo-Japanese War have been posted to Col Campbell's Shipyard blog.

Please stop by to see the:

Independent Cruiser Squadron

Early Reinforcements

Russian Pacific Squadron

2010-10-02T16:09:00.000-05:00

Pictures of the Russian Pacific Squadron's 14 battleships and cruisers has been posted to ColCampbell's Shipyard. Please stop by and have a look.

The 1st Battle Division

WIP - More Gunboats

2010-09-10T10:15:00.001-05:00

A work in progress posting showing the three "Asturian" (Spanish) gunboats is available on my naval blog:

Col Campbell's Shipyard

WIP - Gunboat, Part 1

2010-09-03T12:56:00.002-05:00

Please see ColCampbell's Shipyard blog for the first pictures of one of my three gunboats for the Capitania General de Florida mini-campaign.

Jim

Sailors and Marines

2010-09-02T13:13:00.003-05:00

Last night I completed the sailors and Marines that I had on-hand for my upcoming Capitania General de Florida game which will involve some naval action as well as land action. Some of the figures in the pictures below have been painted for a long number of years and some were just done this month.

As usual, please click on the pictures for a larger image.

These stalwart officers will command the row-galley and some of the gunboats. All four were recently painted. The front three are 25mm Miniature Figurines while the one in the back is a 25mm Abbott figure. The officer in the center is from the old MiniFig Pirate line. The one of the left is from their Napoleonic special wagon set. The one of the right is labeled as an AWI figure but I couldn't find a correlation of his number to the current list.

These armed sailors are also 25mm MiniFigs. The three firing figures are from the AWI line and the three in the rear are from the old Pirate line. I have others of these that I use as New England Continental regimentsin my AWI American army. Three are old figures that have been painted for years and three were just painted.

These 25mm MiniFig sailors are all from the old Pirate line and have been painted for years.

These are RAFM figures from their F&IW line. They are supposed to be SYW era British Marines but the small mitres don't exactly match what was being worn at this time. So I've painted them as grenadiers from the 24th Foot who just happen to have been seconded for naval duty. They will appear again as part of the converged Britannian grenadier battalion in later battles. They were just completed last night.

The galley and the gunboats require gunners to serve their artillery and these 25mm MiniFig Pirate line gunners will fill the bill. One figure (second row, far left) is from the Napoleonic special wagon set. Four of the figures have been modified to hold a lever used to train the guns. All were recently painted.

These are the rest of the gunners who have been painted for several years (or longer in the case of four of them). All but two (center rear) are 25mm MiniFig Pirate gunners. The two that are different are from a manufacturer whose name I have forgotten.

I wish that I had more of the old MiniFig Pirate line figures. They made excellent ship's crew and gunners. But I'll just have to get by with what I have for my game in two weeks. Between now and then I'll be laboring to paint the guns for the ships and get the ships ready, including equipping them with sails.