Goverment Firepower .

The Coehorn mortar was used frequently for field actions during the Jacobite rebellions , at Glen Shiel in 1719 and at Prestonpans and Culloden , it was popular because it was light and easily transportable plus it's high trajectory was ideal  for shelling targets on the steep glens in Scotland . 

I thought I must have one for my Government forces . Of course nobody does one in 1/72nd scale , I am going to use the Imex AWI British gunners for my artillery crews and their gun looks like a small howitzer - so I cut one up - removing the wheels , trail etc and mounted it on a thin piece of MDF to look like a Coehorn . The crew have been given larger cuffs and coat tails using 'green stuff' to make them look more in period . I'm afraid the photo doesn't show thing very well I will post a photo when they're painted .

A Slight Deviation .

I had the table set up for a TSATF N.W. Frontier game ( http://tonystoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2019/02/return-to-rogan-josh-valley-part1.html) Then I remembered my old gaming pal 'R' was calling round , since he moved to the deep South I don't see him very often so whilst visiting family up here he was calling for a game . Not wishing to force my eccentricities on other people (TSATF isn't for everyone) I converted the table from the N.W of Indian to the N.W of Italy and we played a game set in the Italian wars of Independence 1860ish .

We used 'Black Powder' a set of rules we both know and I was the Austrians and 'R' was the Piedmontese . It was an encounter game between to advance guard forces trying to capture the bridge over the river . 'R' got there first with his Lancers and drove off my Hussars whilst his infantry moved up .

It was a quick and eventful game but due to my poor leadership values of my Generals I struggled to respond to his attacks and soon the casualties mounted up (the red counters) and my force fell apart before my reinforcements could arrive  , a great game even though I lost and proves you can fight a game successfully with BP without masses of figures .

The Earl Of Loudoun's Regiment Of Foote.

Have made a start on the Government forces to oppose my Jacobites . This is the Earl Of Loudoun's Regt. (64th) , there were only three weak companies at Prestonpans left guarding the baggage train but I have decided to paint up a full size unit of six bases .

The figures are from the Redbox Highland Infantry box and I think they are rather nice .

Here are the command base the flag was a nightmare to get right , there is some dispute on the colour of the regimental facings - either white or light buff - I went for buff . I'm painting up the first of the British foot next .

Return To The Rogan Josh Valley (part1)

When I'm stuck for an idea to game my default setting is something Old School and I thought it was time for another North West Frontier game using 'The Sword And The Flame' . The Imperial force is attempting to attack the troublesome Rogan Josh valley and it's way is being blocked by a force of irregular tribesmen . I diced for the starting positions of the British force and also for the Afghans .

I diced for the composition of the Afghans  from a chart I made up with ten ready made forces on it and it produced 3 bands of  irregular tribesmen  , a gun and a cavalry unit . Here we see the Afghan leader Bungit Din having a lively 'discussion' with a mysterious Russian officer whilst the Burpa tribesmen take up positions . (overtones here of Carry On Up The Khyber)

The somewhat antiquated gun is sighted on the approaching British force.

The British commander General Crawley ('Creepy' to the other ranks ) blissfully unaware of the hidden enemy awaits the rest of his force , behind him a company of the 14th Sikhs await his orders .

And here they are - 2 Companies of Gurkhas and a Mountain gun (not on the table yet) moving down the road past the chance cards and rule book .  Too be continued ……..

(PS I apologies for the non appearance of the second part of the O.S ACW game - my camera battery died on me )

Featherstone's Horse And Muskets Rules Playsheet.

Thought it might be an good idea to post the playsheet for the rules I'm using for my ACW game at the moment . This sheet was originally for my Franco-Prussian forces - hence the reference to the artillery types . The only difference from the original rules is the artillery casualties which I have modified from medium and long ranges . (click on photos to enlarge)

I also dice for who goes first each move , move first fire second .

The Battle Of Pleasant Valley (Part 1). (What's On The Table At The Moment)

Having a game using my 30mm O.S. ACW Spencer Smith figures, a small force of Federal Cavalry and Infantry are trying to reach and cut the Virginia Pike which is held by a Rebel force of Infantry . The Federal force is coming onto the table at the bottom of the photo . (click on photo to enlarge)

Rush's Pennsylvania Lancers and Horse Artillery move onto the board . I am using Featherstones Horse and Musket rules and the game will last eight moves.

Garnett's Brigade deployed by the Virginia Mansion , Sawmill Hill is behind them .

The Rebel artillery on the slopes of Sawmill Hill opens fire ! 

And is on target ! causing casualties on the Lancers as they pass the Quaker Meeting House.

Rebel reinforcements, the Virginia Black Cavalry .

A period shot of the Federal Infantry (Mead's Brigade) moving onto the table . 

Poor Johnny Cope.

I've decided to model my Jacobite armies on the Battle of Prestonpans 1745 , so for my Government general I will need a model for Sir John Cope , pictured above about twenty years earlier than the fateful day . (seemingly the only portrait Google has of him).

Poor Johnny Cope remembered for just this one disaster , prior to this his military career had been rather successful , he was made a Knight of the Bath (KB) for his service at the battle of Dettingen but at Prestonpans was badly let down by his rather lacklustre army . I've always been one for the underdog so I thought I would have to have him as my commander.

The next problem was to find a suitable figure , nobody does any mounted figures for this conflict and for the Government Dragoons I am going to use Zvezda Dragoons of Peter the Great from their Great Northern War range . Looking through their box I came across a mounted Guidon bearer - a figure which will not be of any use in British employment so cutting the standard away and carving the attached belt away I left enough to be a marshal's baton to represent General Cope . I am also going to use another mounted Officer as an Aide De Camp - he was firing a pistol to one side which was not useful so I trimmed it away so that he looks like he's pointing ( "OMG ! look at all those Highlanders !" ) . I'm also cleaning up my first regiment of Government Foot and seeing it's stopped raining will get them sprayed with an undercoat of black .