ANTIETAM/SHARPSBURG 1862 in 6MM (XI and last!)

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Some of you have been patient enough to follow this reenactment/wargame until the end. I will add some pics (final… you must be tired!) and then will give you my “conclusions”.

A.P.Hill’s Division arrives after a forced march from Harpers Ferry… to save the collapse of the Confederates right flank. Yes he is wearing his red shirt there in the background.
Confederates are retreating everywhere… finally Burnside is advancing with a meaning…
General view of the situation when A.P.Hill arrives…
Confederates retreating into Sharpsburg facing off!

I was surprised that with minor variations the action or battle went so smoothly well (and not The Bolshoi Ballet syndrome at all). It was my first try of home rules ACW which I will not bother to explain in detail (and if I ever do… they will be downloadable for free as my book). The fact of introducing limits at what Brigade and Divisions could do before getting tired/spent/out of ammo and for how long was a success, the idea of throwing a dice per brigade stand to see if they engaged the enemy when close to it (there when the thing matters) was also a box of surprises but went quite well too. Minor things were the survival of Mansfield, the performance of the Irish Brigade (Union), the fast crossing of Burnside’s bridge… but overall quite “historical”.

I have had doubts before it, but now they are clear to me… I have more fun with the real characters of the ACW than with imaginary generals. For a solo wargame it went well and to my taste (HOW NOT?).

That one can have pleasure reenacting America’s bloodiest day is only a matter of perspective… no one died… my toy soldiers will live to fight another day… Brandy Station, Gettysburg and Trevilian Station are projects on the near future. Cavalry did nothing but to find a ford in the present one… and Stuart was an spectator. And after all I have all those Cavalry Brigade stands…

The ACW is for me the last of the “old wars” and even “romantic” to a point… morals were different back then… some protagonists were deeply religious… and some had been too much exposed to Walter Scott’s novels. I try to keep it that way a serious affair but with a bit of taste thrown in.

Enjoy!

Graham Hilditch’s 16th Lancers (42mm).

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It is not the first time I Post his work, always in 42MM… but it always looks superb.

He usually uses that scenery as a background… that works very well with Infantry… and those lancers (the 16th) have had to manage to lower lances to negotiate I guess. No kidding.

Wonderful display.

Enjoy.

A very low arch if you ask me…
Better pic
Very fine painting job
It was time he produced Cavalry!

BACCUS BIG BASES (6MM) Small scale but think BIG!

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You only have to go to the BACCUS Forum… search for Baccus 6MM in Google and you will be easily directed to it.

We have an interesting debate about the use of Big Bases for wargaming (I am against it in MY games because I love flexibility and it took me ages to adopt the system one stand equals a Brigade… even if I am pretty satisfied now).

No doubt they are little works of art. Military Modeling I dare say!… but for wargames purposes I have my doubts.

Mind, always on the back of my mind there is the idea of building a unit in 1/1 ratio in 6MM… but NOT in a single base… I did it once with Captain Dajou’s third Co at Camerone in 25/28MM (Hacienda de CamarĂ³n) 1863… but they were in single bases or maximum two minis per base if I recall alright… there are pics somewhere in this webpage… search for it if interested… but I digress.

Peter Berry has it’s own legion of customers (me included) and the Forum on his web is probably one of the most satisfactory experiences for 6MM aficionados… full of ideas and suggestions of proxies for rare periods…

I thought maybe a post about it would interest the lot (or some) of you.

As you have seen in my ANTIETAM/SHARPSBURG series my biggest base is a 60×30 mm … so not going to change that for nothing!

Enjoy!

I have always loved Peter’s output!
Even clearer!
A Cavalry “Unit”
Infantry Unit (Complete)
When in “scenic surroundings”…
Another shot!

John Firth’s Display and Mounted figures!

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How to display a collection is a matter of personal taste.

Found this one simple and efective… overall nice solution (even if those cavalrymen on the top will gather dust with time (had the same problem with my 54mm military modeling pieces… but it is easy to dust them off!).

Enjoy!

Really the line between Toy Soldier and Militay Model is getting blurred to say the least. Those are IMHO works of art.

ANTIETAM/SHARPSBURG 1862 in 6mm (IX)

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Today was a fantastic series of historical moves and actions!

Not only Hooker was wounded (and replaced by Meade as in real life!), Burnside troops crossed the bridge of his name in their first try!… part of the troops were heading for the ford anyway… Sumner is going to pitch against the sunken road… the last division of Hooker’s Corps is entangled with Hood’s Texans…

I am enjoying myself immensely… and glad to say so… it was worthwhile collecting allthose minis and stands.

Enjoy!

Hood’s Texans engaged with Hooker’s.
Part of Burnside’s troops goes to a ford found by a cavalry scouting patrol.
The bridge assault!
Zoom
Sumner’s second corps advances against the sunken road
The struggle goes on!
Aerial view!

Scott Lesch’s Own Battle of Puebla (First) Franco-Mexican War 1862.

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Those 54mm by Scott are always stirring toy soldiers!… Do not tell me the subject is well known!

Exotic to say the least!

Napoleon’s III intervention in Mexico (Because the Mexicans were not paying their international debt!)… follow the money!

Wonderful Toy Soldiers!

Enjoy!

French Attack!
Mexican Lancers!
Mexican Army Line
French Artillery.
French Elan!
Zouaves!

ANTIETAM/SHARPSBURG 1862 in 6mm (VIII)

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Well, an update was needed… Hooker’s first and second Divisions are tired/spent and Mansfield is coming up. Six Union Brigades depleted are going to the rear area and would not intervene in te battle again.

Same on the other side, Jackson’s Eight Brigades are gone to the rear spent/tired/out of ammo (whatever in my rules)… and concentrate around Sharpsburg… Funnily enough (say dice are wise) The Louisiana Tigers did put a fierce show until forced to retire.

We are in for Sumner’s attack and Burnside’s crossing the bridge of his name…

I may be accused of making the rules as things develop which is not true… by luck they do function but will adjust once this particular reenactment is finished.

Enjoy! (If you are interested in this series)

General view.

Burnside’s on the move… to the bridge…

Sumner’s advance (II Corps)

Confederates and Union troops from the first clash on the Right Flank retire spent/tired and are replaced by other units.

Hood’s Texans advance

Confederates behind rail fence at the Sunken Road.

Bill Horan’s Own 2023

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I am an admirer of his work. Military Modeling at it’s BEST!

Those around FILADELFIA (Philly) can see them for themselves in the near future! If I have understood alright.

Enjoy the craftsmanship.

The Guards Colours in the Crimean War… (Won Best Historical 2023 in Philly!)
Officer
Highland Light Infantry I guess…
Looks like Camel Corps
Highlander helping a sailor…