1812 project in progress

Caldwell's Rangers were a light infantry unit with cut down shakos. Their alternative name was the Western Rangers. Need to paint their caps and trousers!

The Leeds Rifle Company were actually a militia company, and the Upper Canadian Militia were uniformed in green due to a shortage of red cloth. PAINT SHAKOS REDDEN!

The Canadian Fencibles I have modeled in fatigue caps just for the fact that I had no other figures and also in the ram charge position, you can't see that they are actually rifles. I'm not sure why I haven't painted their caps

The 49th Regiment are one of the few Regular British Regiments in Canada at the time. More shakos to paint

The 8th Regiment had lots of long service in Canada. Really? Still more shakos to paint!

The Glengarry Light Infantry are one of the most famous Canadian units in the history of the War of 1812. Ugh, I wonder how long my painting que is?

American 10th US Infantry. Paint paint paint

US 6th Infantry. Maybe done?

US 28th Infantry. Some more details 

US 11th Infantry.  I'll check my books

Various American militia units.

Canadian Light Dragoons. My militias look ok. My dragoons just need belts painted.

Updated on 12/6/2018

I finally have some vacation so I painted up the shakos and belts on the rifle companies and the shakos on the regular Canadian and British units.

Any other units fielded for the crown forces for the War of 1812 will come from some of the  Miniatures which I have for either the Seven Years War or the American Revolution which can coming into the War of 1812. In a pinch considering that they are wearing civilian type clothing.

I've also gotten some more Napoleonic British Infantry so I am going to do up the 100th Regiment of Foot. Plus additions to the Fencibles

Battle of Brandywine, 1777

My take on the Philidelphia campaign of 1777.

the centre of the American line being assaulted by the Crown forces

Americans push against the Hessians on the crown right.

Various American skirmishers supported by some Light Dragoons

The British composite Grenadier and Light Infantry battalions about to hit the American right.

and the British Left wing begins to hit the rebels

Crown lights and dragoons push through the woods

The American's eventually crumbled under the intense pressure on all their flanks.
The deluded subjects were forced to flee.
God Save the King!

Loyalist Arms Brown Bess Musketoon, 1728 model

My wife allowed me to buy a musket both for reenacting, and hunting, but also as a bit of home defense (use of bayonet on bears if they ever try to come in)
The "musketoon" is a 42-46" Brown Bess cut down to 32" with a bayonet lug and no nose cap.
The rammer is wooden. It is designed to be a musket to be used either by rangers, Light infantry, sailors, common people/militia.
I wanted to get something shorter which my wife and son could use.
This is the first musket I have owned. The previous one I used was owned by my father.

Saratoga Campaign 1777: Battle of Freeman's Farm

American army begins advance on the British Army, far left

centre position of both armies

American right

New Hampshire Regiment

The British Army advances

Pickets of the 21st mixed in with Loyalists

Canadian Militia, RAFM figures

New York Regiments

The Battle begins

The Americans decided to try and smash the Crown forces in one battle. The American right advanced quickly to block the crossroads while the American left attempted to flank the Crown right. The American centre then advanced straight at the British and Loyalist troops in the centre.

The Canadien milice were initally scattered, but recovered and with Loyalist support, used their old tactics to smash apart the American lines. The Brunswick troops pushed down on the American left and were able to surround General Arnold! 

Despite their best efforts, Morgan's Rifles were unable to push back the Loyalist Rangers, or Canadien milice. The Mohawks, gave a half hearted attack due to the fact they still were low on supplies from their attack at Fort Stanwix and Oriskany. 

The Battle ended with the Crown sweeping around the American left flanking the entire Patriot line. Seeing that they would be unable to push ahead, the Americans withdrew, but not before smashing the British regulars.

So a historical replay, not by plan, I was actually trying to see if the Americans could win.

Saratoga Campaign: Battle of Bennington 1777

Burgoyne has sent his Brunswick troops towards New Hampshire to forage and disruption of the Patriots.

The battle began with the Brunswickers taking positions on the field. The main last stand was upon the hill, the baggage at the bottom covered by a gun, another position covered by another gun on a slight rise, two houses held by Canadian militia, and an earthwork held by Jessup's Corps. Amerindians held a small position on the Brunswicker's left flank.

The Americans under Stark begin their attack.

The first obstacle is to cross the bridge which proves to be difficult. Eventually, the Americans ignore the fire coming from the small hill to the left and sending their rangers to take out both houses, and a militia brigade to skirt to the right of the lower right cabin begin to flank the Loyalists position.

The Mohawks attempt to drive back the American Assault but are in turn shot down in droves. they break and run.

The Loyalists in the centre hold their ground until the main American line flanks them on the left. 

The Brunswick Grenadiers holding the baggage park, see the line beginning to crumble and prepare to fall back.

The position on the hill soon becomes untenable and they flee.

The Queens Rangers also fail their moral and fall back.

The Americans under Stark, advanced straight on, taking the bridge head on, which meant all the defenders fire concentrated on that position. Consequently, an entire militia brigade was destroyed.
The next attempt was for the Americans to try and assault the houses, which cost them time and casualties, but they persevered.

After clearing the first position, the Americans then had to contend with the Loyalists and main Brunswick position.

The Americans win their first victory in the campaign.

Saratoga Campaign: Battle of Oriskany August 6, 1777

Kings Royal Regiment of New York and Brant's Mohawks prepare to spring an ambush

Herkermers force is about to be hammered by musketry

The Iroquois begin to fire

Queen's Rangers begin to fire

The Royal Yorkers begin to fire and move

The first volley destroyed two militia brigades. American Riflemen seeing the militia fall have begun to panic and are halting the advance. 

The battle continued with the Mohawks charging the American militia who surprisingly stood their ground and fought back! With the Mohawk casualties adding up, the Loyalists began to use fire and advance on the Americans, who eventually fell back under withering fire.

Johnson's men held the field.

Saratoga Campaign 1777: Battle of Hubbardton July 6

Crown Forces:
Fraser's Advanced Corps
Loyalists and Amerindians
24th Foot
Germans:
Jaegers
Pickets
Grenadier Battalion

Light Infantry Battalion

Grenadier Battalion

Light Battalion

American Forces:
2nd New Hampshire
Massachusetts Militia X2

The Americans forces.

Two battalions of militia backed up by the New Hampshire Regiment  

The Lights begin to engage the American left flank 

While the Brunswickers engage the right

The Artillery holds their ground to possibly add fire support

A birds eye view of the actioin

2nd Continental Light Dragoons, in Nova Scotia, 1992 for Mary Sillimans War filming

Brunswickers on the left continue to engage the American right

The militia beat off the Lights attack.

The battle continued with several volleys of musketry, however, when the British closed with the American left, a bayonet charge scattered one battalion while the other stood its ground and was annihilated in a melee.

The British and Brunswickers suffered some large casualties but will recover. The Americans still have scores of militia. Thus the first action goes to the Crown. Huzzah! God Save the King.