Wednesday, 23 July 2014

From Sharpsburg to Antietam.



Last weekend a number of gamers from around New Zealand gathered in Christchurch to refight the battle of Sharpsburg or Antietam.


Below is a taste of what the game looked like.

For many more photos and a very short report follow the links,

John's photos and report, and my photos.

Towards the end on day two.


I really must get some sponsorship for this!


The table setup.
 The tables running around the back were for the Union reserves to move along before entering the fight.
Check out the links above for more......

Monday, 14 July 2014

A little ACW action.

The other week a couple of us got together for a small ACW bash.

Just a small game involving a few units aside and based on the battle around Brawner's Farm at Second Manassas.

The objective for the game was simple - Take and hold the field in the middle of the table.

This meant that as the Union were starting in possession of the field the Rebels had to force all Union troops out of  the field and then providing they were able to keep some troops in the field, they would win.

If the Rebels were to evict all the Union troops in the field then the Union would have to regain the field by pushing out all the Rebels  and then, as long as there were some Union troops in the field they would win.

Confused?? I think I am!

 The objective area is the fenced off field in the centre of the table.
 Union artillery out on the flank
 The Union already in possession of the field
 With nightfall coming the Rebels begin their advance.  As the moves went on the firing ranges would be reduced as darkness fell.

 Slowly the Confederate forces pushed back the Union line.

 More Rebels were arriving with each turn, but so were the Union.

 It was a slow grind for the Rebels, with each turn bringing a small success in terms of forcing the Union out of the field.
More Union troops arriving on the edge of the field.

Rebel artillery pounding the Union lines.


 The Rebels kept on charging in and the Union would countercharge, pushing the Confederate troops back.
More Rebels moving up.

A stubborn Union unit hanging on.

 As more Union troops arrived and with the darkness of the night it was all too much for the Rebels. Unable to completely force the Union out of the field the Confederate army was forced into retiring from the battlefield.

A Union victory then but not by much.

Another very enjoyable evening with great company.

 Thanks for the game lads.


Sunday, 6 July 2014

French Dragoons.

Gained these Front Rank dragoons from Chris ( a member of the Southern Strategists) a few weeks back. They were already painted by someone unknown. The basing was rather rough, some sort of filler right up to the horses knees! The green coats were a gloss dark green, the facings a very bright orange! The helmets were all wrong too.

Ended up repainting the horses and most of each figure. Based them up and added a GMB flag and Front Rank Eagle.

 These guys could be either the 28th or 30th Regiment of Dragoons. The difference would be on the cuffs that can't be seen on these figures.

 New regiment of Dragoons found moving through a Spanish village.

 Review in front of the village.