Mexican Cazadores

Hello it seems I dipped out for awhile. Blogging takes more of an effort then other mediums imho so usually suffers the effects first and the longest of any mojo reduction.

I thought I would start with the last thing I did for my Texas War of Independence project with some Mexican Cazadores which are light infantry and operate much like the French Voltigures. Compared to the regular Mexican infantry which had pretty poor muskets and ammunition the Cazadores had decent muskets with some of them actually having rifled muskets making them some of the most effective infantry the Mexicans fielded. 

Painting them is also a bit different to the other line Mexicans as their uniform is a tad darker with grey pants and green/blue jackets. The figures themselves like all the Boothill miniatures are very fun to paint and I highly recommend them.

I also painted up a building to add some more terrain to the table. It's a Hovel small Spanish Church and just really fits the part. I'm a big fan of Hovel buildings as they are packed with character and are priced very nice.

I think that catches me up on my Texas War of Independence project so far, but I have some units about half painted so more to follow, however some other stuff will get posted before that I'm sure.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company! Boothill Miniatures

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

Mexican Regular Infantry for Texas War of Independence

 

A return back to my Texas War Of Independence project I briefly started last year I think. I'll be building this for Sharp Practice 2 which I think is the perfect ruleset for this period which is small engagements fighting in a semi skirmish manner.

Since Mexicans are likely to be the more numerous of the two forces I thought I thought I would start fresh with them so I could figure out a plan of action and just get the ball rolling.

For the uniform I went with the winter colors of blue top and white pants instead of the all white summer uniform for the regulars although in the future I may use the summer to denote militia or something different from the regulars.

I painted the cross belts in a slightly brighter shade of white to the pants so they don't blend in. Other then a couple Russian officers this is the only thing I've come close to painting in a Napoleonic type of uniform and it does add a bit more work and the pom pom was a challenge getting the Mexican colors in there. 

The figures are from Boot Hill and they really do have a ton of cartoony character that just makes you smile while you paint them and I have to say they are a real joy to paint!

 

The paints I used were mostly foundry a dash of Vallejo and P3 thrown in the mix. I kept the colors nice and bright to further play up the style of sculpts and the basing I also went for a brighter semi desert ground. The figures are multi based from I believe warbases.

Troops need some leaders so painted up an officer and his sergeant to keep the men focused and moving. I also created some sabots for them so they would stand taller next to the unit and of course helps pick them out as leaders. It also allows me to take them off the sabots and place them in the unit if I don't want to move them separately.

Lots of pictures in this one, but I wanted to show the unit in both line and grouped together in a compact formation. I will be returning to the Texan War, but before that I'll be in the dark woods of Northern America and Canada for more gun smoke adventures.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company. Boot Hill Miniatures

Gone to Texas

While the Texas War of Independence from Mexico did inspire many Texans and those that travel to Texas to fight for the cause there were others who went for adventure and yes profit and this is one of those individuals.

The Texas War of Independence or Revolution if you prefer was fought from Oct 2 1835 to April 21 1836 between the American/Texan colonists, Tanjanos (Mexican  Texans) allies and Volunteers from the US against the Mexican Government led by President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna because they felt their rights were being taken away. After defeating the small Mexican garrisons in Texas the colonists declared the Republic of Texas to be born. This resulted in Santa Anna marching with an army to reclaim Texas with victories at Gollad and the famous battle of the Alamo before eventually being defeated by Sam Houston's newly trained Texan army at the battle of San Jacinto. While the Mexican army was forced to retreat behind the Rio Grande they never recognized the Republic of Texas and continued a slow burn conflict until the US Annexed Texas in 1845 which led directly to the Mexican - American war resulting in Mexico's defeat and end to Mexico's bid to reclaim Texas.

I've always been interested in the Texas War of Independence since I was a kid really from watching John Wayne's Alamo version(still think it's the best) and always thought it would be nice to do the period, but just didn't like any figures for it until I discovered Boot Hill miniatures and was blown away and knew I had to collect them! The figures just ooze character!  I now already have a box full of these wonderful figures in my lead pile just waiting for me to really fully commit to them, but right now I have other projects that first need attention. However, this will give a small sample of what is to come for those that are interested.

What is also great about this period is it's perfect for Sharpes Practice which I'll be modeling my forces for. It will work great for skirmishes due to the small size of the forces involved. However, I might need to create my own lists as there isn't any for it just yet.

I mostly painted the figures using Foundry paints and some Vallejo and were a pleasure to paint. While it's tiring for my old eyes I did some black lining on this figure as the range are very well suited for that and I wanted to bring out more of the character in these figures.

Still working with my camara to get the pictures to come out the way I want them, but with everything it just takes trial and error I suppose and in the case of me with tech stuff even longer.

Thanks for viewing!
Miniature Company- Boot Hill Miniatures