They've Still Got It!

Excerpt from "The Defended Border" by H. MacDuff. 

"When Major Saur  offered to raise and equip a squadron of cavalry recruited exclusively from retired British veteran cavalrymen, there was some skepticism about the value of old parade soldiers on the modern battlefield but the action at Round Lake Narrow put an end to that!"

General Byrd being taken during the pursuit by an officer who turned out to be a distant cousin.

"Early on the morning of the 7th of June a dense fog hung over Round Lake blocking the view but scouts reported that while the enemy had erected a formidable abatis along the edge of the woods to the East, rendering it effectively impenetrable to the Canadians, there was a clear path to the West of the Lake leading to the open enemy flank."

Some fanciful participants claim that the fog on the lake looked like the silhouette of a giant cat.

" General Douglas' plan was to pound the invaders with his artillery, use his Highanders to mask the woods and form a reserve, flank him with his cavalry and then push up the center with the Hochelaga Fusiliers and the Foot Guards."

"As happens all too often with volunteers, the men and their officers were too eager to get to grips with the enemy despite the General's plan. Soon the Highlanders were stung by accurate rifle fire to throw themselves upon the abatis and attempt to drive off the enemy. It earned them a short reprieve but at a heavy cost in casualties.

In the centre the Guards, impatient with the apparent lack of effect from the artillery barrage pushed forward with out orders and ran into a hail of cannister and rifle fire. The Douglas was forced to order his cavalry to charge in hopes of relieving the pressure on the infantry."

"The first charge, by the Governor General's Bodyguard, was repulsed  but the Queen's Pensioners, breastplates shining, smashed the enemy line scattering one unit and driving the other back."

"Elated by the sight of this success,the infantry pushed forward in the centre.The Highlanders, having learned their lesson edged away from the woods and pressed forward to support the remnants of the Fusiliers."

"The invaders stood their ground and continued to pour a murderous fire into their assailants  but were unable to resist the impetuous onslaught of the cavalry from the flank and before the sunset the pass had been secured."

A Little Trade Dispute

It occurred to me that this is June 6th, DDay that was and that I have no WWII armies for a commemorative invasion game and that what amphibious forces I may have for other "periods" are in refit. Still  I've been itching to get some kind of game set up.

Softwood lumber tariffs are always a good excuse for a spat.

"There is your enemy!"

Apparently there are still some One Hour Wagame scenarios that I haven't played yet. This one is #24 Bottleneck.

Overview of the table. Each sq=3 inches on the OHW map so there are 2 "companies" for each OHW  6 inch wide "unit". The artillery is still one gun for one gun.

I am pleased to announce the arrival in Canada of a squadron of her Majesty's Life Guards. (The Scarlet coated, armoured, cavalry in the bottom right corner of the picture.) These are part of a generous donation by a friend and I am doubly pleased to get them. Some of the Lifeguards are old figures, pre-1952 at least but some are from one of the Coronation  sets (according to Rose's guide). More importantly, I had the small set of these Lifeguards in the 60's and converted them during my "Military Miniature" phase. He was reconverted a few years ago and now leads the US cavalry so I am MOST pleased to have one of this figure in his original uniform again.

The Lifeguard Officer on the left  is how US General Byrd started life. 

My intent was just to play the Square Brigadier with bigger figures but in light of my re-dedication  to having each collection provide a different gaming experience beyond different figures, I'm hastily adjusting the Tin Army using similar principles but at a different scale and some slightly different mechanisms for a mid-19thC Small Wars  feel.

Of course there isn't actually time to play today but a battle report is only a day or two away.

1813: Spring Training Underway

I find to hard to believe but its been five years (!!) since my last liquid rtv mould  of an original figure. ( see getting-mold-y) 

First sample casting of an early War of 1812 US Infantry man.

Well, this lad has been a while in the making. The head was originally done in 2005  to convert Sash & Saber British into Americans, the naked dolly was done around the same time, the musket just 5 years ago. One of the dollies was dressed and given head and uniform just a year or so again and now, at last, they are ready.

I was just going to paint him straight up in regulation blue faced with red but I've painted enough of that uniform in 54mm and in chunky 40mm and wanted something different. Since I like the grey or drab uniforms I went for that.

The 1813 period of the war saw some of my favourite engagements but the new tombstone shako was being introduced during 1813 and troops along the  Niagara front and at Sackets Harbour  seemed to have gotten it first so I'm pegging this lot as one of those who were stationed on Lake Champlain and fought at Chateauguay.

Of course, his regiment  will have to fight when and where they are told regardless of their hats.

Mould with figure.