Tuesday 26 December 2017

Pirate action, somewhere in the Carribean 1700

Ian and I wanted to do a Black Powder game. However, the garage is a bit too cold. One of the future house projects is to either get the wood stove in it certified, the electrical system hooked up again or some other heat source. 
These figures were from his toy sets he got when we first came to Canada on a visit back in 2013. Little did we know that two years later we would move back.
The pirates on their ship were trying to capture supplies from the pirates on the beach. Luckily for the beach pirates, the ship guns fired poorly


Monday 18 December 2017

War of 1812 forces

While I have a British and Canadian force, I'd like to try and build an American force. I have backwoods types, but I'd like to have American regulars plus some voltigers for the Canadians. Stay tuned.

I've been able to start on an American force. This will be a militia based force.
Now to start painting them
So far I have started to paint up the figures which can be used for 18th century gaming.
As of 15 January, 2018, I have painted up about 3 companies. Two are able to be used for late 18th century as well.
The force has been built using HaT Spanish gurilleas, and Strelets American Militia in cold weather gear 1812.
Once the weather permits gaming in my garage again, battles will commence
8/21/2018:
Additional troops being painted are two boxes of Italeri 95th Rifles who will beade up of 60th, 95th, and GLI with a British Ranger unit.


Thursday 7 December 2017

1755 Campaign: Nova Scotia Part 3. The Final Attack

One of the projects I will try to work on to get back into the 18th century gamming is the Campaign to capture Fort Beausejour.
This will be a work in progress.
cannonier-bombardier training in the fort
The campaign begins in April, 1755. After a long winter, the French garrison begin to repair the walls of the fort. Local MikMaq assist in the defense by patrolling the area. Acadian farmers stop by to collect powder and shot for hunting and to report the activities of the British garrison at Fort Lawrence. (April 5, 2018)


local MikMaq take post under cover of a wood close to the fort, denying a position to the British.

another group of warriors take up position on the banks of one of the tidal streams.

the New England infantry begin their attack, with the objective to be to drive back the warriors

the local Acadians rush about to collect any supplies still left from their farms.

a group of French gunners bring up guns sent down from Quebec, landed at Fort Gaspeaur and March them overland protected by some Canadien militia.

Gorehams Rangers use the barn as cover to try and flank the French.
5/11/2018
The 43rd Regiment along with the Second Massachusetts Regiment landed with support from the Royal Artillery and colonial militia. Pushing forward, the Royal Artillery began to bombard the position held by the MikMaq and Compaigne Frances. The initial artillery volley shook the Amerindian warriors but they rallied and would not be pushed. The artillery then switched to fire on the Canadien Milice who were annihilated. The 43rd believing that they could push off the MikMaq and French colonial troops rushed across the bridge but we're halted by heated musketry. Withdrawing, the 43rd withdrew to a new trench line the militia had dug while the guns kept the French at bay.
Gorehams Rangers then led a party of militia to push forward and dig new trenches and gun emplacements. By nightfall, the French gunners were unable to fire on the militia. The trenches were pushed forward. The fort and it's defenders held off another day. 
6/2/2018
Finally the Anglo-American force was able to push through and bombard the French position. With counter battery fire, the Royal Artillery was able to knock out several French batteries and destroyed a bastion and blockhouse. 
With the English advance, the French commander asked for terms.  







Friday 27 October 2017

Louisbourg garrison Cannionaire-Bombardier 1744-1758

The French artillery at Louisbourg was made up of men from the colonial Cannionaire-Bombardier. These were trained gun crews who could also act as Grenadiers when in an infantry role. The guns in the fortifications of Louisbourg were Naval guns. 

Louisbourg Garrison 1744: Compagnie Frances de La Marine

drum for Le Compaigne Frances de La Marine
Private, sentry duty
private in barracks
The garrison compaigne frances was different from those in New France who did many raids. These were garrison troops. However, the Louisbourg garrison did partake in raids at Annapolis Royal in the 1740s. They were also involved in the attack at Canso in 1744. These raids compounded part of the problems with the garrison. The plunder from Canso was to have been awarded to the troops as well as the officers, but the officers kept more than their share. This was one of the grievances which the garrison had when they muntinied at Christmas, 1744.

Louisbourg garrison 1744: Regiment Karrer

The Regiment Karrer was a Swiss Regiment contracted by the French Ministry of Marine to augment the garrison of Louisbourg. The men of this regiment were German speaking Protestants which kept them a bit apart from the rest of the garrison. They were instrumental in the Christmas munity of 1744.

Sunday 22 October 2017

Battle of Port La Joie 1746 July 11

British 29th Regiment vs Canadiens/Acadians and MikMaq

29th Foot unarmed. Protected by Goreham's Rangers and colonial militia
Small Royal Navy force

This action shall be fought soon, pictures to follow plus some historical information
Update June 2018: I am getting some more figures suited for this time.
This is one of the actions I plan to fight this summer.
Update December 2018, this was one of the projects which I didn't get to, but am still considering. The main issue is to find figures who are unarmed
the English force inside their fortified camp

as close as I can come. The wood cutting party is to advance to the tree line 


Saturday 14 October 2017

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada

This was my family's first visit but my 8th!
We came up with our step father. Staying in a nice hotel
Soldat Compagne Frances de La Marine
Historic turkeys
King's Bastion

with a French 24lb gun

outer defenses



battery


where I had been encamped in 1995


casemates


the kids fortify themselves in the bastion

store house

Emi checks out the geese

livestock barn

Ian tries on some gear

Compagne Frances de La Marine

Cursifix

King's Chapel

Town side of the King's Bastion

French sail make

40th Regiment drum captured at Canso

Le Compagne Frances drum

Regiment de Karrer

French decleration of War

Guardroom bunks

Town gate from inside, the outside was being renovated for the winter

in the bastion

kids in the sentry box

24lb gun

 harbor facing battery

water gate

waterfront

looking back toward the main gate

one of the streets

Emi walks by