Saturday 21 December 2013

Don Troiani's Battle of Trenton

Of course Christmas sees the anniversary of this picturesque battle.
 Don T's FB page
Norm found this page of interesting writing on the Battles of Trenton

Tavern scene by Sean O'Brogain

I am using this as my Christmas card - already used it on my Wars of Louis Quatorze but I like it so much I thought I'd use it on this blog too. Merry Christmas

Friday 20 December 2013

Absent friends - Martin Psenicka

Usually at this time of the year I would get some great winter scout photos from Martin Psenicka (pictured) but this summer Martin drowned in a tragic accident. The whole living history community misses this great guy and at this time of the year I am sure his family will miss him most terribly.
His Majestys Independent Company FB page

Thursday 19 December 2013

38th Foot by Thomas Payton

It's that time of year - the time of winter encampments like this one. Thomas says:
A soldier of the British 38th Regiment of Foot in winter quarters along the old Blackstump Road (modern 73rd Ave) in Queens County, Long Island, New York in 1779. This is just a few blocks from where I live. During the British occupation of New York from 1776-1783 Queens was the site of a huge encampment for the British, German, and Loyalist troops of the New York City garrison.

Valley Forge 1777

Washington's army goes into winter quarters today at Valley Forge.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

From the American Indian Initiative


Here A color version of a Shawnee image most often published in B&W: Fleury Generelly watercolor sketch, 1820, Louisiana Image File, Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane Universit

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Carillon's first winter

  'Worried and Harassed by Parties of English and Indians'

Article here on the Fort Ti page in support of the fort's event on January 11, 2014

J A Cooper 'Roll Call'

Roll Call
Royal Roussillon Regiment.

French Grenadiers of the Royal Roussillon Regiment participate in a roll call prior to the battle on the Plains of Abraham, Quebec, the climax of the French and Indian War. In the background are two Canadian Indians, allied to the French. The loss of Quebec by the French made it evident that they would need to make their own peace with the British.
Print from here

15mm Sharp Practice F&I report

Here at VolleyFireWargames

Monday 16 December 2013

French Marines by AW Miniatures

Go here to see more of the new figs

Carillon's first winter: Living history event

  • Meet the French soldiers of the Languedoc regiment who remained behind at Carillon to guard the southern frontier of New France on Lake Champlain in the winter of 1755-1756. Explore how French soldiers from the south of France learned to survive and defend the Fort from patrols and raids from Robert Rogers and other rangers.

Monday 9 December 2013

Muskets cannons and blackpowder

Photoessay on the Battle of the Hook. This one is captioned French Lancers from the Duc de Lauzun's Legion check on the well-being of colonial residents

Battle of Great Bridge 1775

This action which the British lost occurred today in Virginia.

White Savage offer from Galloping Major

Hello again Ralph, As a bit of a seasonal special treat, until 1st January 2014 (or sooner if stocks run out), I'm offering "White Savage" by Fintan O'Toole in paperback at the reduced price of £4.50 + postage and will be sending our 2 "Soldiers Free" instead of 1 with it. After the offer closes, this great book will return to £8.50. For more about this book, go to the Wargames Rules & Books page of the website.  
 Thanks, Lance
lwcawkwell@aol.com
 

Thursday 5 December 2013

Knox's artillery at Fort Ticonderoga

Today marks the start of Knox's epic moving of the artillery to Boston. Wiki here. Photo is from the Fort Ti FB page - there is an event celebrating it this weekend. Page here

Wednesday 4 December 2013

TURN - New Series | Teaser TRAILER | HD


The story of espionage in the Revwar. Thanks to those of you who alerted me to it. 'Turn is an upcoming 2014 period drama that is set to air on AMC and is based on Alexander Rose’s book Washington's Spies.[1] The first season will consist of ten, hour-long episodes. The first promo for the series aired during the December 1st episode of The Walking Dead.' Wiki

From Wikipedia

Washington's farewell to his officers

Washington's Farewell to His Officers
Washington's Farewell by Alonzo Chappel 1866.jpg
Engraving after painting by Alonzo Chappel
Date December 4, 1783
Location New York
After British troops evacuated New York, the tavern hosted an elaborate "turtle feast" dinner on December 4, 1783, in the building's Long Room for U.S. Gen. George Washington where he bade farewell to his officers of the Continental Army by saying "[w]ith a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable."[10][11][12]

Friday 29 November 2013

Wabash 1791 and Fallen Timbers 1794

These two Osprey Campaign books are both by the same artist and author and as they both deal with the Little Turtle confederacy are best used together. Fallen Timbers Osprey and Wabash 1791. It has to be said it's quite a long shot from Osprey to produce these books as it's not a hugely popular tale but I believe it is a valid and worthwhile subject.

Natchez Massacre 1729

Saturday 23 November 2013

Fort William Henry 1755-57

I said I would write more on this book when I had read it so here goes. First thing that hits you is that it is a visual feast - not just the paintings by Graham Turner but the countless site shots, reenactor pics and also artwork from a myriad of sources cover every page in full colour. On the textual side it has to be said this book looks like it is a labour of love - it's taken years to write (I think) and several visits to the States to fully cover the subject but Mr Castle covers all areas very well. Wargamers will find this book useful for all the orders of battles and campaign maps and 3D projections - it's not just for reenactors. In short if you want to have a book that covers the New York frontier and the whole Fort William Henry saga then this is your book - it really 'sells' the period so be prepared for your friends wanting to borrow it!

Toasting the ladies of the House - Howard Pyle

Thanks to Thomsomfeld for finding this vintage image. A blog for all things Howard Pyle is here

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Osprey double feature

I decided to go old school when buying the Osprey Campaign book Fort William Henry by Ian Castle and visit a bookshop. They had a 'buy one get one half price' deal on (at Waterstones) and so I got the Fallen Timbers Campaign Osprey too. I will write more properly when I have read them but after an initial flick through the Fort William Henry looks very good with lots of reenactors in colour photos featuring groups from both sides of the pond so you might even see yourself...

Eugene Leliepvre

Passed away in his 106th year. This master painter of the French army needs no introduction.

Last of the Mohicans

Cover by Sam Yeates for the 1992 Dark Horse Classic comic.

Friday 15 November 2013

Thursday 14 November 2013

Hagen Miniatures

The other day someone was asking thtough the comments section about what sort of troops he could use for 1/72 Compagnies franches de la Marine. After a while I realised the answer was probably Hagen Miniatures a newish venture aimed at filling in the gaps of unusual types that aren't covered by the major manufacturers - Thomsomfeld's CFDLM conversions are possibly coming out but there are French SYW sculpts already on the catalogue.

Monday 11 November 2013

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Friday 1 November 2013

William Baillie - 13th foot

This officer/artist is an important figure in the history of Redcoats - see images from his pen here

Tuesday 29 October 2013

New from Galloping Major

'Hi Ralph, I've recently released the "Settlers Defending Command & Characters" pack FIW AAC3, next for release will be the Anglo American Militia, 4 packs that will also do service as Provincials from any of the colonies which did not provide uniforms.' www.gallopingmajorwargames.com
 

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Battle of the Hook

Last weekend in the US saw this battle being reenacted. Here's my favourite of the photos going around FB.
The Duke (Bob Allegretto) returns from Mrs. Whiting's house, where he was asking about the location of Tarleton and his loyalist force...

Sara Kostishack's photo

Sunday 20 October 2013

The Frontier - Gerry Embleton

Thomsomfeld found this page of frontier sketches from the master GE. Go here
.

Battle of New Orleans 1815

1815 painting of the battle by participant Jean Hyacinthe de Laclotte of the Louisiana Militia based on his memories and sketches made at the site.No it's not the anniversary - thats in February - just haven't seen this image before.Wiki here

Saturday 19 October 2013

Dark Frontier

Dave Taylor found this movie which is currently in production. "The script is in the midst of revisions, but it follows a group of frontier spies on the Braddock expedition who go out ahead of the troops to do recon on the Indian threat."
Facebook page

Edward Lamson Henry

 Thomsomfeld found these 19thc paintings in the colonial theme. Top picture is The Army of General Burgoyne
http://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/list.php?m=a&s=tu&aid=597

Garnison de Québec. Compagnies franches de la Marine

www.lagarnisondequebec.com