2nd Brigade Plastics Ready for Warpaint!!!

Since most if not all of us are starting this project from scratch, I think it is a great opportunity to show you progress photos of how our armies are coming together and maybe even the philosophy behind each of our methods. I for one will be posting updates in batches and attempting a new procedure for painting my army. I have decided to work on my miniatures in big blocks based on the types. For my first batch I decided to fully clean and assemble all of the plastic miniatures in my 'required' brigade. I have two things to note at this time. Firstly, I went through all of my plastics and only selected the soldiers that were wearing sack coats. For me this is a big identifier with the Union army. Yes, Confederate soldiers had sack coats and yes, Union soldiers had other types of coats but I wanted a more uniform look to my brigade and something that symbolized a more organized army. On a side note, I look forward to painting my own Confederate army some time in the future because it will be so hap-hazard but for now I want organization and order. Secondly, I ended up with 18 'loading' and 'firing' soldiers that have sack coats and do not belong in my brigade so whatever will I do with them? Well, I decided if I have time I will paint them up as an under strength unit of Berdan's Sharpshooters. We may use them in the game and we may not but it will be cool to have them.

What you will see below are the pictures of my five infantry regiments and my cavalry squadron. We are fielding regiments of 30 miniatures and you will notice that I only have 24 with the exception of my Zouaves. This is because I bought metal commands for all my regiments and they will be painted at a later stage. Yes, I know these pictures are not very exciting but hopefully watching them build up to fully painted and based will be a little like those action cartoons on each page in a book and when you flip them really fast the cartoon moves. I only wish I could paint that fast. :)

28th Massachusetts

88th New York

114th Pennsylvania

63rd New York

69th New York

6th New York Cavalry (horses)

6th New York Cavalry (riders)

The South will Rise Again!

Greetings All,
           So some of you may know me and some may not. My name is Alexander Akers and I am one of the members of the Guns of April event as well as a fellow blogger and lover of history. This year I am extremely excited as to the progect that our little group will be undertaking as it is one that is very near and dear to my heart.
         I want to start off by saying what a great first post from General Pauwels of the Union forces and through respect and admiration I say "good show". When last years game ended we all sat around for about an hour or two discussing what we wanted to do for 2013 and being we had 12 months to plan/paint and prep their would be no excuse as to why we couldn't complete well anything. Through some pleasant debate the group decided upon ACW, and through a little hint and nudging from yours truely(I think as I was rather umm tired, yes lets go with tired at the time) we agreed to do a "what if" of the Battle of Gettysberg.
        Now since we didn't want to just have static forces with entrenchments and such we decided that the first day would be a great opportunity for both sides so as to have a little play with Cavalry, as well as Infantry. I knew from the start that I wanted to paint Confederates so I voiced up and the lines in the sand were drawn. Our CiC was choosen and General Delaney stepped up to lead our side to what will be our eventual victory. Knowing that I wanted to do rebs wasn't enough though and I knew of either two brigades that I would want to play as. I knew of Lou Armestads boys under Pickett, or Col.Pettigrew as he had a larger sized brigade (well more like a divison really but titled a brigade), so with that I decided on Mr. Pettigrew and began my layout.
     As per the agreement each player will have 4-5 regt's with one reg't of cavalry that we will combine into one solid formation at the outset of the battle. Will one of those Yankee's paint General Custard, well if they do this southern Gentlemen will make sure he doesn't make it to Little Big Horn, but enough for the role play as honestly this is one of my favorite time periods and I only wish I had something painted to show you all as I am chomping at the bit to get started but saddly other painting prioritys are in the way, but once July is over I will be showing a small step by step of how I paint rebs. This does not mean I will show you all of them as unlike their Northern Agressors the south didn't really have a standard uniform by this time as they lacked the ability to mass produce textiles. With that I thank you all for reading and if you have ideas toss them out there as I love getting other peoples interpetations on my work. Ones final point of note my plan is to use 100% Perry miniatures for this project and though it may cost a little more I think the final outcome will be worth the cost as I plan to hold onto these and even expand upon them in the future. With that I bid you all a fond adu and say to you "Keep Painting".
-Alex

Irish Brigade Reporting for Duty

Father Corby delivering absolution before Gettysburg.

What an excellent post by Dave P. and a great way to kick off our new project. The post is full of irony and of course we have been busily discussing details since our return from Adepticon. We locked down the time period and for the most part who was going to represent each army. You may also have noticed that we invited a new member of the Guns of April to even the sides and we also switched up the teams based on who was passionate about which army they wanted to paint. Once the sides were determined we quickly set off into our own private emails and began to discuss our Order of Battle. Starting with a similar organization of 4 infantry regiments and 1 cavalry regiment per player we began to manipulate our forces to better match the look and feel of the American Civil War. 

For the Union forces on paper an average Brigade consisted of five regiments so we immediately stepped forward to volunteer to add a fifth regiment to the painting station. We also all agreed that adding a fifth stand of troops would generate a better look for each regiment allowing us to center the command stand in the middle of the regiment. 

We also decided to base our miniatures different from our Napoleonic game and you will see those changes as we add pictures of our progress. 

The Union forces consisting of myself, Dave Taylor, David Pauwels, and Chris Ferich very quickly determined who was going to represent which brigade. This is where some of the 'what if' will play a huge role because not only did we want to represent a cool, historic scenario but we also wanted to be enthusiastic about painting our miniatures. I for one decided that the Union organization needed a few improvements and created my own brigade. Drum roll please...............Yes, I know the title ruined the surprise but let me have my fun. :) 

Irish Brigade defends Stony Hill against South Carolinians

I chooose the II Corps 2nd Brigade which is more famously known as the Irish Brigade. My slight historic altercation was to remove the 116th Pennsylvania Regiment and insert the 114th Pennsylvania Regiment. Doesn't sound too bad, right? Well........the 116th were Irish immigrants whereas the 114th were also known as a Zouave regiment. Yes, I know. There were no Zouaves in the Irish Brigade but the Perry's Zouaves are so awesome I had to bring at least one regiment. Plus it allows me to break away from painting navy blue, powder blue, and black and add some red and yellow. More details on the look of my army later......

Fight'n Irish
by Dale Gallon

So here is my current project with some more items to be added later like artillery: 

II Corps

Major General Winfield S. Hancock
Brigadier General John Gibbon
Brigadier General William Hays
 
General Headquarters:
6th New York Cavalry, Companies D and K: Cpt Riley Johnson (Escort)

First Division
Brigadier General John C. Caldwell

2nd Brigade

Colonel Patrick Kelly

28th Massachusetts: Col Richard Byrnes
63rd New York: Ltc Richard C. Bentley, Cpt Thomas Touhy
69th New York: Cpt Richard Moroney, Lt James J. Smith
88th New York: Cpt Denis F. Burke

114th Pennsylvania: Ltc Frederick F. Cavada, Cpt Edward R. Bowen

114th Pennsylvania Regiment
by George Woodbridge

So there you have for it. I am going to try something completely radical for my style of hobbying. I have decided that I will assemble and prime everything before I begin painting and I will use the mass painting process probably working on one or two regiments at a go. As of this evening I have three regiments completely assembled so I am hoping by this Fall I should be in the painting stages. Well, at least I better be. :) 

K

Year Two: Adepticon 2013 Project Announcement

"In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls.”
Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain,
Speaking at the dedication of the Monument to the 20th Maine,
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

 Armistead leapt the wall and laid his hand on the gun,

The last of the three brigadiers who ordered Pickett's brigades,
He waved his hat on his sword and "Give 'em the steel!" he cried,
A few men followed him over. The rest were beaten or dead.
Stephen Vincent Benet, John Brown’s Body

We thought that today, of all days, seemed highly appropriate to announce, publically, our next club endeavor. The fact is that we were never absolutely sure we would have a second outing, but the Salamanca project developed so smoothly and the game went so well that we felt confident about making the Guns of April battle an annual event at Adepticon. We only needed to agree, as a group, what that next project would be.

I, personally, felt very strongly about the 2013 subject and I lobbied the group in a manner that would’ve impressed Jack Abramoff. By now you’ve probably guessed the conflict I pushed for. Next year, 2013, will be the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. To me, and eventually the rest of the group agreed, the only real choice for Adepticon 2013 was an American Civil War game.

So, even as I type, we’re knee deep in planning. We are, as of now, expecting to once again use the much-beloved Black Powder rules set. We’ve mixed up the sides a little, however, and I find myself in the role of Union commander this time around. We are still working out the details of the game, but Dave T. and Joe K. have suggested another “what-if” scenario, based loosely on the First Day of Gettysburg. Since Buford’s cavalry Brigade has always been my favorite ACW formation, how could I disagree? I suspect that, in our alternate refight of this famous meeting engagement, one Colonel Stuart may not be as remiss in his duties as he was previously…

Over the next nine months we’ll be updating our progress. Each commander will go into detail on their individual forces and we will hopefully see an even greater collection of WIP images this time around. I know, for my own part, I plan on starting much earlier this year. So stay tuned.

149 years ago today General George Pickett ordered his fateful charge. It is with a real sense of historical magnitude that we’re honored to commemorate this costly and epic battle at next year’s convention.

Dave Pauwels

July 3^rd, 2012

And with that, the game was over...

So, after all this planning, painting, travelling, building, and a bit of drinking, the first project of our little group has come to fruition. The 2012 200th Anniversary "What if?" Salamanca battle went off very smoothly, and to a very appreciative group of onlookers and passers by. Here are a quick(ish) batch of photos from the game. More detail will follow once we get some sleep and take some better photos.

From the start, the British column was up against it as we struggled with our command rolls. From failures to complete blunders, our initial strategy was in tatters from the start.

Not wanting to gloat too early, the French commanders attempt to hide their mirth at our plight.

By the time we were able to form a credible defensive line, the French second brigade was racing across the northern portion of the table.

Had this been a straight forward, stand up fight, our Guards battalions would have certainly held the center.

More action at the northern end of the line as the 42nd hastily form square in the face of French Hussars.

The battle for the chapel was a complete bunfight! All manner of units were trying to unseat the 95th from their loopholes.

With a few jammy rolls towards the end of the game, the French were able to bring three cannon into close range of the 3rd Foot Guards, with another at medium range in enfilade. After 13 shots from artillery, and another three from the Legere to the Guards front. This powerhouse unit was forced to retire 12".

After four hours of hard fighting, and incredibly enthusiastic piss-taking, the game fell to the French. It was determined as "A minor French victory, with no allowance for future French bragging, and no-one owed anyone any beers."

Above are the crew, from left to right: Joe Krone, Chris Ferich, Jamie Welling, Alex Akers, Brien Dulaney, myself, and Dave Pauwels,

There was quite a bit of spirited discussion following the game, and the results were:
a) This event had been a roaring success, despite never setting indicators for success, and
b) We'll be tackling some part of the Gettysburg battle for our 2013 project (another anniversary game of course)!

Cheers
Dave

On their way to Chicago

Over the weekend I started laying out my miniatures contribution to the Guns Of April project, just so I could get a good sense of my Napoleonics collection so far. I was pretty happy to see it all arrayed in an almost march past-type set up. With command stands and casualty markers (and pesky Frenchies) there are well over 300 models ready to do battle on our little (12'x6') slice of the Spanish countryside.

After snapping a few fairly crappy shots (the one above being the best) I started packing it all in my lovely custom foam trays, ordered from my first choice in miniature storage and transport, Battlefoam.

In this tray we have the British Divisional commander, four Brigade commanders, eleven casualty markers, and the French Leger unit I finished up for Mr Pauwels.

In the second tray we have the 1st KGL Hussars, the 3rd and 4th Dragoons, the 2nd Caçadores, two small units of the 60th Rifles, two RHA guns, one, RA gun, and six disruption markers.

In the third tray we have the 2nd Bttn of the 69th Ligne (for use by Mr Dulaney), the 1st and 2nd Bttns of KGL Line, the 79th (Cameron) Highlanders, the steeds for the 11th French Dragoons, and both ox-drawn water carts, as well as the last three disruption markers.

And finally, in the fourth tray we have the two large units of Foot Guards (2nd and 3rd), as well as all the British flags (from the Flag Dude).

And here's the stack : )

These models are now all on their way to Chicago for the big game on Friday night, in the back of a Penske truck piloted by our very own Joe Krone (also Global Events Manager for Battlefront Miniatures).

With any luck everything will arrive safe and sound.

Cheers
Dave

And your Objective is...

During our playtest at the beginning of February, we determined that three different objectives would be the way to go. As our gallant forces will both start the game marching south to link up with the rest of the French and British armies, we designated the road exit on the southern table edge as objective number one. The second objective will be the small chapel on the southern table, and important defensible position. The third was originally "the high ground", the ridgelines on both long edges of the table. Despite us being "gentleman wargamers", Joe and I both recognized that the vague term "high ground" could cause some concerns later on.

To rectify this problem, we decided we would create smaller objectives that were easier to capture or defend. Enter a wonderful post by Mr Awdry on his blog 28mm Victorian Warfare. In this post he built a water cart for his Colonial adventures from some great model pieces from Trent Miniatures (which is owned by Duncan Macfarane, former owner and editor of Wargames Illustrated). As Michael also points out in his post, this idea originally came from the Arcane Scenery and Models blog, where Duncan's friend (known only to me as Captain Splendid) had built one last September.

So, I sent off the request for two of the Gribeauval Limbers and a pack of Large Sherry Casks. Once they arrived I constructed the water carts as described in the two linked posts above. Unfortunately my sherry casks were suffering from a small casting issue on the ends so I went to work with a bit of putty and all was set right.

Rather than have the water carts lying around, I needed them to be mobile, trudging along with the rest of the thirsty and weary soldiers. After taking a look through the Perry Miniatures website for other ideas, I stumbled on their Oxen Teams. A quick order later and they were on there way to me from the UK. The day they arrived I quickly cleaned up the pieces, stuck them on my painting sticks, and primed them white (uncharacteristic of me, I know). A wash with Gryphonne Sepia and some quick highlights with Vallejo Pale Sand and they were ready for their patches of reddish brown.

Initially I had planned to paint one water cart in grey and the other in green (to match the artillery carriages of each army), and I was going to have the ox teams lead by a rifleman (for the British) and a voltiguer (for the French). In the end I settled for a different grey for both (with several washes on the lower edges of the new Citadel Agrax Earthshade wash), and left off any "handlers", reasoning it would mean I could then comfortably use them in any army at a later date, and realizing it would be MUCH easier to complete ; )

I hope you like them, now let's see if we Brits can't wrest that water cart on the left away from the Frenchies!

Cheers
Dave