New Orleans Greys

The last challenge or the challenge before that I introduced my first miniature for my Texas War of Independence project which was a mounted Texian figure and since followed it up with a Mexican regiment outside the challenge. I decided I wanted to add to the project and thought it would fit right in with the challenge and the first thing I wanted to do were the New Orleans Greys.

The Texas War of Independence project is for Sharp Practice II which I think is absolutely ideal for this period due to the small size of the forces involved. I wouldn't want to build large armies for this as there were few large engagements(That came latter in the Mexican/American War), but the opportunities for skirmish is very large indeed with raids, feats of daring, rescues, and ambushes to name few!

The New Orleans Greys were a Military Volunteer unit comprised of 2 companies (122 men) that requested permission from Texas Provincial Government to fight in Texas War of Independence which agreed and also provided some financial assistance.

They were very well equipped compared to most volunteer militia with a uniform, musket, ammunition provided and often mistaken for US regulars and attempted to conduct themselves as soldiers so were also better disciplined then most volunteers. 

Of the 122 Greys 22 of them fought and died at the Alamo with their flag being the one raised over the fort. and reportedly on display in a Mexican museum. Some claim it was the 1824 flag which of course could be a possibility, but the only flag that I know of in existence is the Greys flag. The Greys also took part in the Siege of Bexar, Goliad campaign, and San Jacinto.

The New Orleans Grey flag in Mexico City which was once a light blue has faded to cream white.

When painting the figures I wanted to have a campaign look while still looking like they were part of the same unit so I went with a darker blue grey as standard uniform and then added a couple different shades of grey into the mix to show different dyes and the effects weather can have in changing the base fabric color. I also added some tan and brown pants as replacements or civilian clothes in leu of unissued trousers. Anytime I can find an excuse to mix and match I tend to take advantage of that as I like variety in a unit.

The figures are from Boot Hill miniatures are so packed with character one can't help smiling as you paint them. Just fantastic sculpting and a real joy to paint I must say!  The colors I used were Foundry paints and a small selection of Vallejo. 

I plan on doing some more units for the project as I just need to make a few more and I could have a small game and I really just enjoy doing the figures.

That's 20 x 28mm figures for 100pts.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company-Boot Hill Miniatures

F&IW Militia

 

Posting some more of my backlog work that I wasn't able to post before the challenge started. These are some organized militia that have some training, but not quite at the provincial level.

I created these with the intention of using them for Sharp Practice, but these of course can be used for any ruleset because they are sabot based.

 The figures are from Galloping Major and the whole range is excellent and very painter friendly, but I must say these are my favorite so far as I really like the eclectic clothes and equipment.

I really like the posing of the figures as it gives a sense of chaotic action with some shooting and some calling and others loading a real militia scene if you will. You could imagine the poor officer choking on smoke trying to get the men to fire in sequence......maybe the first shot if he can harness their excitement, but after that forgot it not going to happen.  

The figures were painted using my customary Foundry paints which gives a nice color intensive effect to the miniatures I really like and I also mixed in some Vallajo and Mig pigments for some dusting on the stones.

The command group represents the Captain probably selected by the men and a drummer who may or may not know how to use it in a military formation and his lieutenant crouching and sergeant. All the figures are also sabot based so I can put them in the formations or trade them out on other sabot commands. 

Recently I just hosted my first game online and it was very fun (AWI game) and I hope to do another perhaps featuring my F&IW collection. I still have some more F&IW backlog, but just one more I think which I'll post soon....ish.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company-Galloping Major

Settlers Defending

My first post of  the challenge is some skirmishing settlers for my French and Indian War collection which has continued to grow over the years, but has yet to see the battlefield which I plan to rectify this year. I suppose the delay has been I wanted to have the right amount before hitting the table ad hoc.

I think ever since I'd seen Last Of the Mohicans(1992) those many moons ago I was hooked with the period . The absolutely fascinating mix of Frontiersmen, regular infantry, Indians, settlers, militia creates a dynamic that gives many different opportunities of gaming from formal battles to bitter skirmishing all in different weather conditions and challenging terrain to navigate like spots of open fields mixed in with dense woods for example.

As for figures one is pretty spoiled for choice as most mainline producers carry a range of figures with some companies dedicated to the period itself. As for myself I went with Galloping Major and Redoubt miniatures as I find both quite painter friendly and packing tons of character.

The paints I used were my go to Foundry range which is my preference for anything Horse and Musket and earlier as I like the strong bold colors they produce. I also use some Vallejo paints which are great as well. The stones and such get a dusting of Mig pigments for some weathering.

I also painted up a preacher to help keep the spirits of the fighting men up and is a useful support option when playing Sharp Practice. I noticed I was short a supporting non commissioned officer for my French Compagnies Franches de la Marine so painted one of those up as well.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company- Galloping Major, Redoubt Miniatures

 

Roman Cavalry

This will finish up the backlog of posts for my infamy project bringing me up to date. I now have enough Roman infantry so decided to turn my attention to some supporting cavalry and leader to give the Romans a chance to flush out some ambushes and close down dangerous deployment points, counter enemy cavalry and to get behind the German lines if possible.

At this point I really don't need to add more to the Romans, but as you know we all like more options so I have no doubt this force will continue to grow and grow so as to cover as many situations as possible. It never really ends does it?

The figures are from A&A and quite enjoyable to paint, but as is the case with all cavalry in my experience takes quite some time to finish. The shields are hand painted which I like to do if the design isn't overly complicated as I find I prefer the stronger colors tones in paint then transfers. The lines are not as perfect as transfers, but richer in color so that's the trade off.

The paints are my usual for ancients which is Foundry with some Vallejo and MIG pigments for the dusting. The whole collection is on sabot bases which I tend to do for all my skirmish gaming pre modern including leaders. Leaders are on sabot bases for two reasons for raising their height closer to the unit and to put the leader into the unit itself if I want to.

Up next will be my French and Indian War backlog of posts. I hope to get some in before the challenge or at least photographed because then my time will be spent painting and photographing new units. Nick has challenged me to see who can paint the most points which will likely be him, but who knows maybe I'll pull a rabbit out of the hat and beat him.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company- A&A miniatures

Germanic punch!

 

Some more backlog of finished units for the blog with a unit of fanatics and a couple units of slingers to support the German warriors mobs for my Infamy project. The fanatics are great at knocking holes into roman formations and the slingers shots are especially effective vs armor thus they create a German punch.

I wanted the fanatics to look really savage so I used the naked packs and gave them some black charcoal body paint and wicker shields to convey that primal theme that will stand them out from my other Germans.

For the slingers I thought they would be the young warriors of the tribe so I bought the Celtic slinger packs and gave them light beards to give a more Germanic look to them.

The figures are all from Wargames Foundry and are very fun to paint so I recommend buying them if your thinking of collecting Ancient Germans. They are expensive, but frankly still the best imho.

I still of another Infamy unit to post and then a few other things to post then I think I'll be caught up, but probably not finished before the challenge so some of that might get posted during the challenge in between units that I'll be doing for the challenge itself, but I'll make a note of that.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company-Wargames Foundry