Thank you John that is very kind of you.
However, the conversion king to my mind is Egbert.
The idea of slicing face sections was inspired as it allows you to pinch the best of almost any figure and match it with your creation.
Genius.
Best wishes,
Chris
Work in Progress
Antietam 17th September 1862
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C M Dodson
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01 May 2015, 18:48
Mr Toombs Georgians
Mr Robert Augustus Toombs moved from his lawyer job in Georgia to serve as a notable orator in the US senate before eventually joining the fledgling Confederacy. He was hoping for high office in the Confederate government but it appears his hard drinking went against him . The appointment of Jeff Davis as President convinced him to join the army and it was as a Brigadier-General he found himself at Antietam.
My chap is going to require a shave I think.
I personally have found the Stretlets offerings to be most useful especially when they are mixed up a bit.
Whilst some flash is annoying and tricky to remove the effort to make the figure’s faces personalised is in my opinion a triumph.
The skirmish set is a case in point and I have created a unit that will be ideal in defending the Rhorbach bridge ( now Burnsides bridge) in my re-fight.
Many thanks to Mr Bessiere for the shoe-less rebel idea.
Many poor souls had no or worn footwear which contributed to an epidemic of straggling. Indeed it is estimated that six thousand stragglers swelled Lee’s Army the day after the battle.
I had toyed with the idea of swapping some Zulu feet but I feel that in 20mm the reward will not be commensurate with the effort.
Starting to get there.
Chris
Mr Robert Augustus Toombs moved from his lawyer job in Georgia to serve as a notable orator in the US senate before eventually joining the fledgling Confederacy. He was hoping for high office in the Confederate government but it appears his hard drinking went against him . The appointment of Jeff Davis as President convinced him to join the army and it was as a Brigadier-General he found himself at Antietam.
My chap is going to require a shave I think.
I personally have found the Stretlets offerings to be most useful especially when they are mixed up a bit.
Whilst some flash is annoying and tricky to remove the effort to make the figure’s faces personalised is in my opinion a triumph.
The skirmish set is a case in point and I have created a unit that will be ideal in defending the Rhorbach bridge ( now Burnsides bridge) in my re-fight.
Many thanks to Mr Bessiere for the shoe-less rebel idea.
Many poor souls had no or worn footwear which contributed to an epidemic of straggling. Indeed it is estimated that six thousand stragglers swelled Lee’s Army the day after the battle.
I had toyed with the idea of swapping some Zulu feet but I feel that in 20mm the reward will not be commensurate with the effort.
Starting to get there.
Chris
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C M Dodson
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01 May 2015, 18:48
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Rich W
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05 Feb 2018, 23:40
North Carolina Troops
My research suggests that the best clothed, dressed and most uniformed troops in the CSA were those from North Carolina.
The State traded directly with England despite the blockade and ended up with ninety two thousand unused uniform suits at the end of the war.
This is a fascinating link.
http://www.njsekela.com/reference/ame/A ... rolina.pdf
Whilst some brigades were state homogenous, others were mixed. I have chosen to field three NC Brigades dressed in the state uniform. This allows different poses that can be interchanged once the fighting starts.
Apparently Lee had issued orders that only the Battle flag could be carried by the Army of North Virginia. Certainly the Texas regiments carried state flags as the 1st Texas had theirs recovered by a private Samuel Johnson of the 9th Pennsylvania reserves in Mr Miller's cornfield.
I do not want to go over the top but I feel a few state flags will add a splash of colour to the event.
Incidentally I have found this blog to be a fountain of ACW information by an enthusiast who seems to know his stuff.
http://actionfront.blogspot.com/2010/11 ... -line.html
Starting to come together.
Chris
My research suggests that the best clothed, dressed and most uniformed troops in the CSA were those from North Carolina.
The State traded directly with England despite the blockade and ended up with ninety two thousand unused uniform suits at the end of the war.
This is a fascinating link.
http://www.njsekela.com/reference/ame/A ... rolina.pdf
Whilst some brigades were state homogenous, others were mixed. I have chosen to field three NC Brigades dressed in the state uniform. This allows different poses that can be interchanged once the fighting starts.
Apparently Lee had issued orders that only the Battle flag could be carried by the Army of North Virginia. Certainly the Texas regiments carried state flags as the 1st Texas had theirs recovered by a private Samuel Johnson of the 9th Pennsylvania reserves in Mr Miller's cornfield.
I do not want to go over the top but I feel a few state flags will add a splash of colour to the event.
Incidentally I have found this blog to be a fountain of ACW information by an enthusiast who seems to know his stuff.
http://actionfront.blogspot.com/2010/11 ... -line.html
Starting to come together.
Chris
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C M Dodson
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01 May 2015, 18:48
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Nice figures, Chris, they will look great on the diorama. As I'm finding with Prussian uniforms, the simpler the dress, the more the attention to small details can make all the difference - you've certainly managed that here!
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Captain Sibourne
- Posts: 355
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02 Feb 2014, 09:12
Thank you to everyone for their kind words.
IRISH BRIGADE
Authorised in September 1861 and initially commanded by Michael Corcoran, the unit was, following the dropping of his court martial, despatched to take part in the battle of 1st Manassass ( Bull Run).
The unit performed well although Corcoran was wounded and captured.
Command was then given to a Thomas Francis Meagher .
This fellow, having been initially condemned to death for his part in the Irish uprising of 1848, avoided a reduction in sentence to life imprisonment in Tasmania by escaping to San Francisco.
He actively recruited Irishmen in New York and effectively built up the Brigade and uniquely insisted that 80% of the troops be armed with the 1842 smooth bore musket in order to use the ‘buck and ball’ ammunition system as he believed in getting close to the enemy.
Success in the Seven Days campaign brought recognition of the units fighting skill which would be called upon at Antietam.
In the original action there were 540 casualties out of approximately 1200 engaged.
This was a large brigade and I have therefore used sixty troops to represent it.
The units Irish Catholics were represented by Father William Corby CSC.
I originally converted a chap, seen blessing the Orndorff mill earlier in the text to represent him.
However, my very good friend Thomas Mischak, as a surprise and to my delight ordered and painted an excellent model for me.
Thank you again Thomas
Interestingly, Meagher died on the 1st July 1867, falling off a steamboat into the Missouri River . A hard drinker, was it an accident, suicide, or, as claimed murder?
Fascinating life histories these fellows.
Getting there slowly.
Chris
IRISH BRIGADE
Authorised in September 1861 and initially commanded by Michael Corcoran, the unit was, following the dropping of his court martial, despatched to take part in the battle of 1st Manassass ( Bull Run).
The unit performed well although Corcoran was wounded and captured.
Command was then given to a Thomas Francis Meagher .
This fellow, having been initially condemned to death for his part in the Irish uprising of 1848, avoided a reduction in sentence to life imprisonment in Tasmania by escaping to San Francisco.
He actively recruited Irishmen in New York and effectively built up the Brigade and uniquely insisted that 80% of the troops be armed with the 1842 smooth bore musket in order to use the ‘buck and ball’ ammunition system as he believed in getting close to the enemy.
Success in the Seven Days campaign brought recognition of the units fighting skill which would be called upon at Antietam.
In the original action there were 540 casualties out of approximately 1200 engaged.
This was a large brigade and I have therefore used sixty troops to represent it.
The units Irish Catholics were represented by Father William Corby CSC.
I originally converted a chap, seen blessing the Orndorff mill earlier in the text to represent him.
However, my very good friend Thomas Mischak, as a surprise and to my delight ordered and painted an excellent model for me.
Thank you again Thomas
Interestingly, Meagher died on the 1st July 1867, falling off a steamboat into the Missouri River . A hard drinker, was it an accident, suicide, or, as claimed murder?
Fascinating life histories these fellows.
Getting there slowly.
Chris
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C M Dodson
- Posts: 2673
- Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48
Casualties, chaos and conversions
At my twenty to one ratio I will require roughly two thousand five hundred Union infantry to represent the Corps involved based on Carmen’s meticulous work.
As the assaults will be staggered to reflect McCleans non involvement ( probably with some form of modifier) I will be able to use some units post bashing, elsewhere, saving a lot of work.
However, their unit remains will require representing and hence the high volumes of casualties being created.
I have utilised many troops from Quatre Bras which, after a little chopping are in my opinion most satisfying.
Head swaps and chopping transform Brunswickers into combatants from both sides.
I notice that one poor chap minus his foot has stopped bleeding.
The camera is as merciless as ever.
Getting there.
Chris
At my twenty to one ratio I will require roughly two thousand five hundred Union infantry to represent the Corps involved based on Carmen’s meticulous work.
As the assaults will be staggered to reflect McCleans non involvement ( probably with some form of modifier) I will be able to use some units post bashing, elsewhere, saving a lot of work.
However, their unit remains will require representing and hence the high volumes of casualties being created.
I have utilised many troops from Quatre Bras which, after a little chopping are in my opinion most satisfying.
Head swaps and chopping transform Brunswickers into combatants from both sides.
I notice that one poor chap minus his foot has stopped bleeding.
The camera is as merciless as ever.
Getting there.
Chris
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C M Dodson
- Posts: 2673
- Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48
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Captain Sibourne
- Posts: 355
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02 Feb 2014, 09:12
Join the Cavalry!
The Union cavalry division was posted, against convention, in the Union centre and played little part in the action.
McClellan apparently toyed with the idea of charging the Confederate gun positions on cemetery ridge but was thankfully, to those concerned, dissuaded from repeating the Light Brigade’s experience eight years earlier.
Nevertheless, elements of the Division, supported by artillery and elements of Fifth Corps , Second Division, General George Sykes did cross the middle bridge and engage the enemy.
Whilst my cavalry to date are destined for escort duties I have been chopping to enhance the Stretlets and Itallieri offerings with a view to skirmishing.
I really like the Italieri cavalry. They have good faces, crisp detail and chop up well allowing the imagination to do the rest.
Forrrrrward ho!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P96n8FmAc6k
Best wishes,
Chris
The Union cavalry division was posted, against convention, in the Union centre and played little part in the action.
McClellan apparently toyed with the idea of charging the Confederate gun positions on cemetery ridge but was thankfully, to those concerned, dissuaded from repeating the Light Brigade’s experience eight years earlier.
Nevertheless, elements of the Division, supported by artillery and elements of Fifth Corps , Second Division, General George Sykes did cross the middle bridge and engage the enemy.
Whilst my cavalry to date are destined for escort duties I have been chopping to enhance the Stretlets and Itallieri offerings with a view to skirmishing.
I really like the Italieri cavalry. They have good faces, crisp detail and chop up well allowing the imagination to do the rest.
Forrrrrward ho!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P96n8FmAc6k
Best wishes,
Chris
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C M Dodson
- Posts: 2673
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01 May 2015, 18:48
These conversions look really nice, Chris. I especially like the mounted horse-holders. All you need is some stone and rail fences, and they'd be perfect for the first day of Gettysburg (could you be tempted to do that battle after all this ACW work you've done?). Frankly, I didn't realize that the cavalry division ever got into the fight at Antietam. (I vaguely remember being puzzled, like McClellan, about how to use the cavalry when we gamed Antietam a few years ago.)
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John Simmons
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17 Apr 2020, 14:12
Another great step forward. So many figures painted already, fantastic!
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MABO
Supporting Member (Gold) - Posts: 9170
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12 May 2008, 18:01
Thank you to everyone for their interest and kind comments.
With regard to John’s question I think I have enough on with this project which seems to be expanding at an alarming rate. We shall see.
Join the cavalry ( part two).
I have been playing with my skirmish element of the cavalry and owe a debt of gratitude to a Steve from the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
He and his group are a mine of information about US. ACW cavalry and I recommend any student of the period to look into their fascinating tutorials. For example ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmtC5dYCH0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmtC5dYCH0
I wanted to do some horse holders and Steve has shown me the correct method of doing this with the slip knot method and one rein for three horses as opposed to my original nonsense.
For the horses I used the Stretlets offerings with green stuff accoutrements as they do not hold the riders well. The Itallieri offerings are far more attractive in my opinion and seat the occupants well.
I was very pleased with Revell Panzergrenadiers chopped up to offer something a bit more dynamic along with the Airfix US WW1 chap.
All in all, a pleasing result.
Forward......March.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH8or7D-fl8
Getting there.
Chris
With regard to John’s question I think I have enough on with this project which seems to be expanding at an alarming rate. We shall see.
Join the cavalry ( part two).
I have been playing with my skirmish element of the cavalry and owe a debt of gratitude to a Steve from the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
He and his group are a mine of information about US. ACW cavalry and I recommend any student of the period to look into their fascinating tutorials. For example ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmtC5dYCH0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmtC5dYCH0
I wanted to do some horse holders and Steve has shown me the correct method of doing this with the slip knot method and one rein for three horses as opposed to my original nonsense.
For the horses I used the Stretlets offerings with green stuff accoutrements as they do not hold the riders well. The Itallieri offerings are far more attractive in my opinion and seat the occupants well.
I was very pleased with Revell Panzergrenadiers chopped up to offer something a bit more dynamic along with the Airfix US WW1 chap.
All in all, a pleasing result.
Forward......March.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH8or7D-fl8
Getting there.
Chris
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C M Dodson
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01 May 2015, 18:48
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Cris, your blue bellies look really great.
I especially like the large number of converted and depicted figures.
Keep it up…much remains to be done!
I especially like the large number of converted and depicted figures.
Keep it up…much remains to be done!
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Egbert
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16 Oct 2008, 06:47
Very nice indeed Chris, I like the way you achieve such consistency with conversions from such different sources.
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Captain Sibourne
- Posts: 355
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02 Feb 2014, 09:12
Join the cavalry three
I have now completed my mounted US cavalry unit and am pleased with the ‘mix’ of Stretlets , SHQ and Itallieri troops.
Upon reflection I might do a few more and a further officer would make sense.
The Stretlets swords are a bit chunky but the figures are wonderfully detailed down to the rifle clips on the rifle bearing guys.
The Union standard bearer reminds me of the old Britain’s guy I had as a kid, a long time ago.
The flag is smaller than an infantry flag but still looks enormous compared to the guidon.
I have now completed Hooker’s, Mansfield’s and Jackson’s Corps .
Summer’s massive Corps is nearing completion and Longstreet is well under way.
All in all, the destination is coming into view.
Hooray!
Lots to do.
Chris
I have now completed my mounted US cavalry unit and am pleased with the ‘mix’ of Stretlets , SHQ and Itallieri troops.
Upon reflection I might do a few more and a further officer would make sense.
The Stretlets swords are a bit chunky but the figures are wonderfully detailed down to the rifle clips on the rifle bearing guys.
The Union standard bearer reminds me of the old Britain’s guy I had as a kid, a long time ago.
The flag is smaller than an infantry flag but still looks enormous compared to the guidon.
I have now completed Hooker’s, Mansfield’s and Jackson’s Corps .
Summer’s massive Corps is nearing completion and Longstreet is well under way.
All in all, the destination is coming into view.
Hooray!
Lots to do.
Chris
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C M Dodson
- Posts: 2673
- Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48
Maybe you have tell us already, but can you repeat how many figures represent a unit, please. The cavalry is great as a unit again and I smiled because I also had the Britains flagbearer. 
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MABO
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12 May 2008, 18:01