10mm ACW Project on Review

With no activity seen coming from the 10mm ACW project in 2015, time to pull the figures from the boxes and assess the project's current status.  By no activity, I mean neither a game nor any newly painted and fielded units.  About 50 dismounted cavalry are presently on the painting desk but doubtful they can make it off the desk before year-end.  

Pulling the figures from boxes and arranging them as if on the parade ground, the photo below provides a high-level overview of the project.

The two armies appear to be in roughly equal proportion.  Checking the database shows counts as,

• Federal Infantry                                  = 1,060
• Confederate Infantry                           = 1,080
• Federal Cavalry (w/mtd officers)         = 28
• Confederate Cavalry (w/mtd officers)  = 33 
• Federal Artillery                                  = 15 guns, 12 limbers/teams
• Confederate Artillery                           = 15 guns, 12 limbers/teams

Yep, the sides are about equal.  Looking at the overview photo, three limbers and teams each need to be fielded to provide mobility for the guns without limbers.

When the collection was first fielded, each infantry brigade was based on one base holding 20 figures to fight larger "full battle" actions under Republic.  Later when Regimental Fire and Fury captured my attention, all figures were rebased to allow play under both rules' systems.  The rebasing essentially broke each 20 figure stand into two 10 figure stands.  In Republic, two infantry stands represent about 1,000 men in one Maneuver Unit.  In RFF, each infantry stand represents about 80 men with multiple stands comprising one Maneuver Unit.  Best of both worlds in that large and small scale battles can be refought using the same figures.

When wishing to fight large ACW battles, 10mm makes a great deal of sense.  Of course, the figure detailing is not as fine in the 10s as in the 25s but a lot of figures can be deployed onto the battlefield.

For this project, Old Glory began as the source for all of the figures and I have attempted to keep it solely an Old Glory force.  The 10mm Old Glory infantry come in blocks of five men each rather than individual figures.  Blocks of figures vs individual figures is a choice to consider when considering 10mm.  I have seen comments touting the pros and cons of both.  I like the way in which Old Glory presents infantry in blocks of five.  Of course, YMMV.

Once the dismounted cavalry are completed, these two forces will be ready for more table top action.  More mounted cavalry could be pressed into service but, perhaps, not many more.  Perhaps adding in a few more guns too?  Thoughts of an ACW campaign have been mulling over in my head.  Whatever the decision, I should make an effort to get these fine troops back into battle in 2016.