Adventures on the Wargames Table

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.

Perry Miniatures do a great set of wounded and dead figures for ACW so I picked up a pack with a view to making some little vignettes as scatter pieces.  However, I’ve decided to make some shock markers instead. In SP2 units can pick up points of shock that represent the cohesion of the troops being eroded as they become fatigued during the fighting.  As shock accumulates the troops become less effective and may eventually be forced to withdraw.  Hence it is very important to keep an accurate track of shock. I particularly like the figures on the right with a Union soldier helping a wounded Confederate soldier.  I’ll get another pack and paint the figures for my Rebs, so each side will have six. I’ve not yet found any suitable cavalry casualty figures so those units will have to make do with wounded infantry for the time being.  I might see about making a few more markers using figures from either the Redoubt or Dixons ranges. Thanks for looking!

Well, you’re probably getting a bit bored of seeing chaps in dark blue jackets and light blue trousers… but here’s another group of eight figures and an NCO for each of the units of sixteen, one of “right shoulder shift” and the other “advancing”. (Note - first pic has the Officer, not his new NCO) Flags to follow soon!  This completes my starting force, shown here , so I’ll sort out some army pics.

The ACW painting production line rolls along!  Two more groups of 8 advancing plus a leader. More Perry plastics and Charlie Foxtrot Models trays.  Painting recipe here .  I now have around 80 points of the North’s finest but still plenty more figures to go.

Back to the troops! Bashed out another unit of skirmishers for my Union force. Kept them fairly uniform apart from one chap who has non regulation brown trousers. Again, Perry figures, but all metal instead of the usual plastic.

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.

This week I’ve also added a 12lb Napoleon cannon and a leader to my Union force for SP2. Perry plastic figures.  Artillery tray by Charlie Foxtrot Models. Painting info for the crew here and cannon here .  Thanks for looking 🙂

I’ve painted up the first unit of Union infantry in line.  With a level two leader that’s 18 points for early war and 24 points for later. All Perry plastics (right shoulder shift style) with Charlie Foxtrot movement trays. The recipe can be found here .  Next in the painting queue is some heavier firepower for the North.

The Union forces have their first troops!  Perry plastics and here’s the painting recipe: Prime with Halfords grey primer Jackets & Kepi - Foundry Union Blue shade Trousers - Foundry Union Trouser Blue shade Straps & Bags - Black Musket - GW Scorched Brown (highlight with Foundry Conker shade) Water Bottle - Foundry Slate Grey mid Water Bottle Strap - Foundry Boneyard shade Hair, beards, boots etc - Either black or dark/mid brown Some of the hats and the odd pair of trousers were painted using Foundry Bay, Spearshaft or Rich Butternut. Apply the GW Agrax Earthshade wash (well shaken first to avoid it giving too much shine), but not to the lighter blue of the trousers.  Allow to dry fully.  Then highlights of the base colours and lighter shades.  Finally a quick spray of AP anti shine varnish.  Basing as per my Confederate troops.

Here they are! That’s 78 miniatures for only £36 and is enough to enable me to build a very respectable force for SP2, with some models to spare, although I’ll add a few metal command figures too.  I already have the Perry artillery boxed set which has 3 cannons.  One was built for my Confederate force, another allocated for the Union, but I’m not sure what to do with the third?  Movement trays and bases by Charlie Foxtrot Models 😎 Here they are primed and based (foliage, grass, etc is added after the varnish). I’ll be starting with this 1861-3 list: Level 3 leader & level 1 leader (12pts) 3 groups of 8 Union Infantry (18pts) Level 2 leader & level 1 leader (9pts) 3 groups of 8 Union Infantry (18pts) Level 1 leader (3pts) 6 Union Skirmishers (11pts) Level 1 leader (3pts) 6 Union Skirmishers (11pts) Level 1 leader (3pts) Cannon & crew (7pts) For a total of 95 points which nicely matches my Confederate force.

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.