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Post by bruce on May 10, 2019 18:36:08 GMT
I have to confess, not only have I been travelling lately, but I have begun working on a couple of 6mm American Civil War armies and have not kept up with the Forum. I was somewhat inspired to go back to the ACW by the Volley & Bayonet rules, which also work for Naps, and also by the interesting relationships between Napoleonic and ACW tactics. There are a number of similarities - many general officers on both sides had studied the Napoleonic wars at West Point. There are also some technical developments that make the ACW a turning point in military science.
I have gone again with Heroics & Ros and note that both their ACW and Napoleonic figs now appear to be true 5mm, with clean, nicely done proportionate castings and enough detail for me. The painting goes fast as the Rebels have a bit of a hodgepodge color variety for uniforms, while the Union is a consistent, easy pattern. Somewhat of a relief is the lack of fancy trim, and not a lot of cavalry to paint. No hussars!
Sheer firepower had changed the role of cavalry, which now fought dismounted by preference much of the time as a stopgap force or a skirmish line. There were a number of famous behind the lines cavalry raids against transportation and supplies. A lot of scouting. But no more heavy cavalry and almost no massed charges to break lines. Too many rifled bullets and fieldworks. Many battles and interesting terrain to cover.
Anyone who had an interest in the ACW may recall the amazing battle maps of David Greenspan for Bruce Catton's centennial history of the war around 1961. These illustrations look exactly like diorama quality wargames and are worth Googling to see. These tiny soldier pics certainly inspired me to get into wargaming and I have renewed my acquaintance with them. I have also been to most of the eastern battlefields, have lost track of the number of trips to Gettysburg. I find it easier to recreate the terrain and understand the leaders, armies, organization and capabilities than I have with Naps, where everything was new when I first read Chandler 11 years ago.
But I will continue with Napoleonics and will stay active on the Forum. The era is endlessly interesting and compelling, and I plan to fight a good part of 1809 next winter - and if I have enough years left to paint I would love to do Leipzig, probably in sections. This great battle simply does not get enough attention - yet it is arguably the most important of all. I still have not found a modern single volume book on it that hits the mark.
In any case, I will post a some reviews in the next couple of weeks on rules and scenics. Bruce
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Post by davidsh on May 14, 2019 5:27:03 GMT
An interesting post Bruce. Good luck with the ACW project. I am hoping to game Leipzig this summer as have finally got all the components painted. Not decided how I will do it just yet - probably as a series of separate games linked in someway.
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Post by bruce on May 15, 2019 2:59:29 GMT
Thanks, David. You have done well to paint the Leipzig armies! I envy you. I stalled out a bit with my Russians, have no Swedish figs. I do have some of the smaller German states still to paint, and Italians. There is no other way to do such a massive battle than in sections, unless you go to 3mm or 2mm perhaps. I have done Lindenau, which is a very easy and interesting part of the battle to do. But that's it.
Along with 1809, it is this battle that will bring me back to Napoleonics later in the year. There is nothing like it in the horse and musket era for scale and outcome, and this has made it tough to game. Imagine trying to represent 2,200 guns on the table. It really was the end of Napoleon and the French, who were just never the same even for the 100 Days. It amazes me that there is no modern book in English on this battle, the largest in Europe until WW1. Maybe someday.... Bruce
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Post by davidsh on May 24, 2019 6:29:41 GMT
You're right Bruce, Leipzig can only be done in sections, unless hiring a very large hall. I am trying to work out how to link the various separate games together though, especially as the outcome of one could impact another. Will probably have some random event cards based on the outcomes of previous games. Tricky to recreate 'real time' though
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Post by twr on May 25, 2019 21:23:31 GMT
While I doubt I will ever refight Leipzig there are many other battles that can easily be played. I have for example refought Aspern-Essling several times and if I can get motivated I must start work on reinforcements for Wagram.
But you are right Bruce the ACW is very rewarding and you are fortunate to have visited the Eastern Battlefields. Gettysburg is very rewarding but so are many others. There is nothing as rewarding as walking the battlefield map in hand. From a gaming perspective while lacking the heavy cavalry the ACW offers many other fascinating aspects, terrain among them.
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Post by bruce on May 26, 2019 14:55:52 GMT
Great point Keith. I take it for granted perhaps, but there are lots of terrain features for every battle, especially before the field fortifications became dominant in the final year. I recommend Antietam as a great battlefield visit. Very well done.
I should also mention that there are thousands of photos of the ACW. A little research gives you a great feel for setting up your features. The Napleonic battles are well mapped, but no photos obviously and the terrain features in many cases are not preserved, or just recently getting attention. Waterloo for example on both counts.
Leipzig is a dream, Wagram a little more practical. At least it takes place on a large plain and there are mostly just Austrans and French. But you will need a bigger table, I think, than your handy 4x4 or 4x6! Bruce
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Post by twr on May 26, 2019 19:31:28 GMT
Antietam is a good example of an interesting battlefield to visit I spent an enjoyable day there, but regret not having an extra 1/2 day. The Wilderness, Shiloh & Chickamauga also have significant and interesting terrain. I have been fortunate to visit them all and explore them fully. I have also refought them all except the Wilderness.
Waterloo has changed but despite that it was rewarding to visit. For me Ligny is more rewarding to refight, closely followed by all the other three of course.
Wagram certainly needs a larger table but in the scale I use very achievable, but I have not considered the dimensions for Leipzig.
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