Adventures on the Wargames Table

A little more painting for my ACW forces. A pair of pack horses and a handler for the Union army. Two more casualty/shock markers for each side. Can’t have too many! Horses by Redoubt and men by Dixon. Thanks for looking!

I hope to be running some intro games for potential new recruits to Sharp Practice soon and I thought these would help avoid any confusion as to which card represents which leader. Designed and manufactured by top chum Colin of Charlie Foxtrot Models.   All of my Leaders are based on 2p coins, so the 4mm magnet will hold them quite firmly. After my usual basing recipe (Americana Honey Brown, VMC Tan Yellow, VMC Dark Sand and Foundry Boneyard light) I picked out the numbers in thinned black just to help make them clearer.

To complement the set I made for my Union forces (and as a rest from all the Mediterranean goings on) here are some casualty/shock markers for the Confederates. All metal Perry figures.

Sharp Practice, amongst other games, lends itself very well to having Non Player Characters to interact with, or perhaps for the GM to deploy.  So with a farm completed I thought it would be good to paint up some inhabitants.  Here are a gun-toting farming family and a few farm workers. These figures are a mix of Redoubt civilians and farm workers, Dixons ACW civilians, along with some Perry ACW/AWI militia and civilians.

More troops for the Confederacy!  Yes, the infantry now have some mounted support in the form of eight cavalry figures and a leader.  All Perry figures, the leader is metal whilst the troopers are from the excellent plastic boxed set. The painting recipe is basically the same palette as used for my infantry (see links in the Painting tab, above) with Foundry Bay Brown and Chestnut used for the horses.  Socks and other markings were done using Foundry Boneyard. Given the increasing role of cavalry as mounted infantry during this period I felt it was essential that in addition to the cavalry I also have some dismounted chaps.  But then I’ll have to get some horse holders too!  Given that these are primarily for use with Sharp Practice, the eight mounted figures become six on foot plus horse holders. All Perry metal figures. Thanks for looking!

Initially I was a little surprised to read about snipers in the American Civil War, but really I shouldn’t have as ‘sharpshooters’ had been around in some form for perhaps a hundred years or so.  Anyway, I decided these were a ‘must have’.  This Union sniper is a Dixon’s figure. The Reb sniper is from 1st Corps and I’ve paired him with a Perry artillery limber to give him some suitable cover.  The 1st Corps set has two kneeling figures with a selection of heads - highly recommended! A while back I mentioned posting up some army pics for my Union force.  So here they are!  The gaming mat is Geek Villain, Sicily and again is highly recommended! There are still some troops to be added (e.g. cavalry and maybe a unit of Zouaves or a black/coloured unit, etc) plus a host of supports.  This lot comes in at around 100 points so plenty to be gaming with.

These are Perry metal figures mainly from their ACW range along with a couple of bits from AWI. The fellow in the middle is a Doctor figure (as a ‘Physic’ support option) that I picked up at a show some years back, possibly a North Star model? If not playing SP2 (What!? 😂) then these will just be little vignettes to make the battlefield look more interesting.

Imagine my delight when a surprise parcel containing these arrived! Very kindly sent to me by my good friend George (his splendid blog is here ).  Thank you matey! 😎 The Paddy Griffith book looks to be especially interesting as it gives an overview of the war, weapons, equipment, organisation, tactics, etc.  The uniform reference book is jolly well timed too as I’m starting to get my Union force together. What splendid fellows gaming buddies can be eh?

Here they are, deployed and ready for battle. I plan to add two more groups of regulars and a couple of leaders so that I can field two units of 24.  A mounted commander would be a nice addition too.  Also on the list are a couple of mounted units plus dismounted figures and horse holders. After that I’ll need to look at adding support options such as a water cart, an ammunition wagon and a mule train.  Then there’s wounded markers, maybe some little dioramas for deployment points, etc.

These are all metal figures from the Perry range and very enjoyable they were to paint too! This group brings my Confederate total to approximately 90-100 points for Sharp Practice 2, so more than enough for a good sized game.  Army pics to follow soon!

The first unit of Militia is complete! Two groups of ten plus a leader. Here’s the second batch of figures. The two groups. The two groups with each batch mixed up to spread the different colours throughout the unit. Also... in my earlier “artillery” post there was some confusion about which artillery piece was shown.  So here’s the iron 10lb parrot gun 😉 Happy gaming!

A cannon & crew plus an officer join the ranks of my Confederate force for Sharp Practice.  All figures from the splendid Perry plastic ACW artillery set. This piece represents a typical smooth bore cannon of the period which were cast in bronze.  The cannon carriage is painted in a drab olive green, GW Castellan. Artillery tray by Charlie Foxtrot Models.

Another group of eight regulars including a flag bearer and a drummer plus a Sergeant to assist the officer. My mate George has kindly drawn up some flags ( thanks again ) so when I can get my printer fixed, I’ll add something to the flag pole! 😂  Anyway, this gives me a ‘unit’ of four groups as the core of my Confederate force. Still to be added are some more militia and an artillery piece (both of which are in progress) plus another unit of skirmishers.  I’ll add some cavalry, dismounted cavalry and horse holders later.

My Confederate army is themed for early war so some militia are a must have! The painting “recipe” is  here , although I’ve added a few extra colours to make them look a bit more like armed civilians rather than regular troops. These are a mixture of Perry plastic and metal figures.  Another group of ten are in progress.  I have figures for a third group but I think thirty militia might be a bit unwieldy? This fellow will be a level two leader and a self styled “Captain of Militia”.  I’ll take some better pics when the force is complete.

It’s not all Dakka Dakka here at the table!  Here’s a few more men in grey to boost my ACW force for SP2. The bases have not been flocked yet as I’m awaiting a delivery of some static grass.  Up close, the highlights look a little stark (especially under a bright daylight lamp) but on the table I think they look okay.  Next up are some militia.

Another group of skirmishers joins the cause! Here’s the force so far. That’s approximately 53 points. Next will be either more regular ‘line’ troops or maybe the militia 🤔 Probably the regulars as I’m saving the militia as a bit of a treat... they’ll have a few extra colours to make them look a bit less ‘army’ and slightly more ‘civilian’.

A small unit of the CSA's finest ready to take the field. All painted as per my previous Rebels with the addition of an extra grey.  Some of the figures had the "post-wash" grey (AP Uniform Grey spray) highlighted using Foundry Slate Grey mid then light.  The difference is quite subtle (and isn't obvious in the pics) but seems worth doing.  For additional variety I painted a couple of the blanket rolls in red and green.  Future figures may include checks or stripes (steady!). Next up is another unit of skirmishers. Current thinking for an 1861-2 Starter Force is:- Level III 3 Groups of Confederate Infantry with Rifled Muskets Level II 2 Groups of Confederate Militia Level I 1 Group of Confederate Skirmishers Level I 1 Group of Confederate Skirmishers For a total of 73 points

 Introducing Sergeant William “Bill” Yidle and his Confederate Sharpshooters. All Perry plastic figures and painted using a base coat, wash and highlight(s) technique. The painting recipe is: Prime with AP Uniform Grey (ideal for Confederate troops) Paint the Jacket/Trousers/Blankets/Hats with one of AP Uniform Grey - only where the spray had 'missed' Foundry Night Sky Foundry Bay Foundry Rich Butternut Foundry Spearshaft Foundry Bavarian Cornflower Blue (used sparingly!) Bags etc - either black or any sort of brown Muskets - GW Scorched Brown Then wash with GW Agrax, followed by highlights of the original colours plus further highlights of the lighter shades in each triad, or mix the base with a little VMC Dark Sand Basing: Solid base of Americana Honey Brown Highlights of VMC Tan Yellow VMC Dark Sand Foundry Boneyard Light  Add some Colonel Bills Winter Grass and some clump foliage and tufts Each figure took approx 15 mins to base coat ...