Sash & Saber Federal Infantry in 28mm

Today sees the mustering out of the last regiment for my one-off, ACW Federal brigade in 28mm.  The brigade is a one-off in the sense that I have no plan to expand the project beyond this one brigade.  When called up for duty, my force can muster 4x24 figure infantry regiments, four guns and crew, and two mounted officers. Figures are the very animated Sash & Saber.

Years ago when Sash & Saber offered up a half price sale, I bought several regimental packs of Federal troops with thoughts of augmenting Scott's growing ACW project.  Since Scott quickly painted enough figures to field armies for both sides, the urgency to field my own force was diminished.  With this regiment, I manage to finish off the last of my infantry for this sub-project.  To fill out the ranks, I needed to beg a few leftovers from Scott's stockpile which he unselfishly offered. 

My brigade has seen limited action in one battle (I think) but do not remember which one.  Will they see action in the future or are these fine Blue Bellies destined for retirement in the storage bin?  Time will tell.  Still, good to wrap up a small project that has been lingering for years.

Speaking of Sash & Saber, I have yet to push any of the FIW figures into the painting queue to see how they look painted.  I ought to correct this oversight.

Next time, I put the finishing touches on another project.   

Battle of Second Winchester, 1863

A glimpse of Scott's beautiful 28mm Federal troops

Kevin hosted an ACW game featuring three firsts:

• First time my 28mm ACW Sash & Saber Federal brigade saw action on the table
• First time Scott's extensive 28mm ACW collection saw action on the table
• First time the rules, Pickett's Charge, saw action on the gaming table

At start deployments

Since this would be our first trial of the game, Scott picked a straight forward clash recreating the Second Battle of Winchester where Union General Milroy attempted to breakout from the trap in which he found his command.

The line of battle from behind the Federal lines

Having a brigade of Federals to put into the game, Scott placed me in the shoes of the poor commander, Milroy.  With three full infantry brigades, one small reserve brigade, and three, six gun batteries, the Federal task was to either exit the opposite end of the table or die trying.  Stopping the Federal troops from their breakout was Rhodes' Confederate division.  The Rebel regiments were smaller than their Federal counterparts but many of their regiments were classified as "Elite" while almost all Federal regiments were classed as "Green." 

Federal right advances upon the enemy

After a preparatory artillery duel which managed to knock out one of the two Confederate batteries, the Federal right stepped off towards the enemy positions.

Federal right on the approach

While the Federal right began its advance after silencing one of the Rebel batteries, the Confederate cavalry swung around the flank in an attempt to outflank the Federal right.  The Federal battery buttressing the right flank poured a steady fire into the advancing Confederate cavalry.  Milroy repeatedly sent two ADCs to the rightmost guns to ensure a hot time was shown those enemy horsemen.  With artillery fire becoming too hot, the cavalry were forced to dismount.

Reb cavalry try to outflank the Federal troops

Seeing the wavering cavalry dismount, two Federal regiments set off to engage.  Unfortunately, the green Federal troops were too impetuous and took face fulls of lead on the approach.  Even though the Reb cavalry were dishing out great punishment, the Federal right was now screened.  The main Federal attack proceeded to march towards their objective knowing their flank was, for now, covered.

Federal troops advance calmly towards their destruction

As the Federals marched down the gently sloping hill towards the Confederate line, musketry and cannon fire increased.  The lead Federal regiment began to take heavy casualties.

Two Federal regiments redeploy to the right of the battle line

Thus far, Milroy maintained the initiative and was able to bring that advantage to bear by firing upon the enemy first in each turn.

Federals prepare to close

Just as the Federal right advanced into effective musketry range, initiative shifted over to the Confederates.  Oh my!  Caught in the open within effective range of the elite Confederate infantry.  Rather than take the expected devastating Rebel fire, Milroy ordered a charge and closed with the Confederate line. 

Despite having the advantage in numbers, the smaller elite Rebels regiments poured withering fire into the green Union troops.  Disaster among the Federal ranks!  All four regiments on the right were repulsed with heavy casualties.  Lead Federal regiments taking the most fire recoiled into their supports driving all before them.

Federals repulsed!

With the Federal right in disarray and unable to mount another attack, Milroy called off the attack and sent an ADC over to the Confederate HQ to discuss terms of surrender.  A dismal outing for Milroy and his Federal division.

With the Federal right repulsed, Milroy surrenders.

While a stinging defeat for Milroy, at least the Federal commander could take solace in a hearty lunch, good company, and beautiful troops.

What of the rules, Pickett's Charge?  I will save my first impressions for another post.

28mm ACW Project Brigade Review

Here is my little Federal brigade comprising three foot regiments, four gun sections, and more than its fair share of commanders.  The brigade is ready for action!

Infantry and one command stand are Sash & Saber.  Guns, crew and two command stands are Old Glory.  Left in The Lead Pile are a handful of infantry, not enough to field a fourth regiment, and an Old Glory Federal camp scene.  The latter was picked up as an Old Glory Army Card bonus from several years ago.  To paraphrase Walter Brennan, "One of these days I'm gonna climb that mountain."  The Lead Mountain, that is.

Four Federal gun sections

140th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment

10th New York National Zouaves

114th Pennsylvania Rgt Collis' Zouaves

10th NY National Zouaves

The third regiment in my 28mm Federal brigade marches off from the painting desk.  That regiment is the 10th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment or the National Guard Zouaves.

Figures are the last of the Sash & Saber Zouaves I picked up years ago.  While the sculpting is generally quite good on Sash & Saber figures, I found many of these Zouaves to have a number of misshapen faces.  No matter, from eye to table distance these ugly mugs will not be noticed.

With their colorful and flamboyant uniform, these recruits will brighten up the typically dreary ACW battlefield.  Having two Zouave regiments in my brigade, they may not find glory on the battlefield but will look smart trying!

With three infantry regiments and four guns in the brigade, I think it time to pull all of the troops out for a parade review.  That parade review will be coming up soon. 

28mm ACW Federal Guns

As the year draws to a close, pushing a few units into the painting queue to reach a project milestone is often considered.  Such is the situation with my very limited scope 28mm ACW project.  Several years ago, a few regimental packs of Sash & Saber figures along with a quartet of Old Glory Federal guns and crew were purchased.  The goal was to build a small brigade-sized force to throw into battle in one of Scott's ACW games.  Even though Scott has a large collection, I always enjoy being able to contribute figures for the table.  Will I be able to keep the project at a token force?  I think so. 

The first step towards that goal was to field the 114th Pennsylvania Regiment (see: Collis' Zouaves) about a year ago.  The second regiment mustered was the 140th NY Volunteer Infantry Regiment (see: 140th NY) this past summer.  Today, four Federal guns and crew are called up for service. 

One more infantry regiment remains to deploy to complete the brigade.  Despite the progressive rarity of Zouave units as the war wore on, the third regiment will be a second Zouave regiment.  Perhaps a bit anachronistic but I am drawn to the colorful Zouave uniform.  That Zouave regiment will be mustering out shortly.

140th NY Volunteer Infantry Rgt

In a radical and unexpected change of pace from recent painting efforts, two dozen Sash & Saber Federal troops were pushed into the painting queue.  Sash & Saber 28mm ACW range is a wonderful range with each figure showing great variety and character.  An entire army composed of these figures would be an impressive and attention drawing sight.

These figures muster out as the 140th New York and join the only other unit in this orphan project, Collis' Zouaves (see Collis' Zouaves).  The 28mm ACW project is orphaned in the sense that I had no real plan for a large collection.  At the outset, my goal was to field a small formation to fight alongside Scott's beautiful ACW project.

Picked up years ago when S&S offered a 40% discount, these figures represented a true bargain.  Although cast and sold by Old Glory, S&S figures do not fall under the Old Glory Army Card 40% discount.  Too bad!  What remains of these wonderful Sash & Saber figures in The Lead Pile?  Well, enough figures remain to field a second 24 figure Zouave regiment.  Still undecided on which unit to field and when to put the figures into the painting queue.

With the ease in painting, the second Zouave regiment should not linger in The Lead Pile for too long.

114th Pennsylvania (Collis' Zouave) Regiment

As noted in the most recent State of the Painting Desk post, on the painting desk was the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment or Collis' Zouaves.  These 24 Sash & Saber figures mark my entry into 28mm ACW.

The 114th Penn. saw action at Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Petersburg.  What a battle history!

What color! 

If more Zouave regiments saw action in the ACW perhaps, I would consider ACW projects in more than one scale?  Nah, 10mm ACW is enough (for now).

Many more Sash & Saber figures remain in The Lead Pile.  I ought to consider pulling a Federal regiment outfitted in the Regular Army uniform to see how quickly they paint.

State of the Painting Desk

I have been traveling for a week.  To help remind me of what is currently in work on the painting desk, I snapped this WiP photo before my departure.

On the painting desk awaiting my return are two works in progress.  The first WiP on the left are the horses for four Russian hussars for the The Great Game project.  These four hussars will be recruited to bring one of the hussar regiments up to a full complement of twelve troopers.

The second WiP is a regiment of 24 ACW Zouaves to be fielded as the 114th PA.  While I currently have no plans of adding a 28mm ACW project to the Project Ledger, I picked up several handfuls of the Sash & Saber figures a few years ago.  Remember when Sash & Saber had a huge 50% sale?  That seems like a very long time past.  Not being able to pass up a bargain, I added to the Lead Pile a couple hundred of these figures.  With these figures, I plan too muster at least four or five regiments of Federals.  Hopefully, Scott will let me slip these into his next ACW game? 

Something to look forward to when I return to the painting desk.

Linear Obstacles - Fences and Walls

In the historical Battle of Bunker Hill, a stone wall and rail fence played a prominent role in the battle.  For my recent replay of this famous battle, I wanted to include similar linear obstacles.  The problem for me was that I have no walls or fences in 28mm!  Most of linear obstacle type terrain pieces are sized for 15mm or smaller.  So a day or two before the Saturday game, I whipped out a few sections of both rail fence and stone wall from bits laying around the house.

First, the stone wall sections are built up from a Litko 120mm x 30mm base using a bag of talus from a model railroading supply store.  Using tacky glue, rocks were piled one on another, allowed to dry, and then hit with a spray of flat black.  Later a dry brush of light gray, a Minwax stain, a spray of Dullcote and voila, finished.

Second up was the rail fence.  This took some thought on how to build and later store a worm rail fence.  Using some old, surplus balsa laying around, I built five sections of three rail fence.

Each section is designed such that they interlock to create a hinge at the join.  A tight fit allows the sections to remain interlocked.

The sections can then be positioned anywhere from a 90 degree bend to 180 degrees.  Sections, when disassembled can store flat yet pieced together to make a worm rail fence.   Five fence sections are a start but not nearly enough for frontier battlefields. 

Both of these linear obstacles will work well on the North American frontier in either 28mm French & Indian War or American War of Independence games. These items provided a quick, inexpensive, and relatively easy addition to the gaming table.

14th Brooklyn Chasseur from Forgotten & Glorious

Seeing a call out from Forgotten & Glorious (website) to receive a free sample figure, I jumped at the chance to examine a sample up close.  I requested a figure their 28mm ACW range; specifically a figure from the 14th Brooklyn Chasseurs.  The 14th Brooklyn (84th NY) wore a French style chasseur uniform.  Quite a smart looking uniform and don't call them Zouaves!

When the envelope arrived in the post, I opened the package and was amazed at the quality of the figure.  Really, this is an outstanding bit of sculpture.  The figure had a glob of metal on the right hand which I tried to remove.  I thought I had done a good job on removing the excess until I began painting.  In the photos, the remnant of the glob is visible.  Other than that extra metal on the right fist, the figure is stunning.  Details are nicely raised and easy to paint.  To my eye, the figure is brilliant.

One question I have is how many regiments other than the 14th Brooklyn wore the French style chasseur uniform?  I am sure Scott already has the Sash & Saber 14th mustered into his ranks so little need for a second regiment.  Still, a very tempting figure.