Osprey publishing The Swamp Fox Francis Marion's campaign

My regimental history of the 2nd Battalion 84th Regiment Royal Highland Emigrants
Sent their Grenadier and Light Infantry companies to fight in the campaign. I shall see what they did.

I also remember the Disney TV series the Swamp Fox which was really annoying to watch for 2 reasons, first the actor who played Francis Marion was Leslie Neilson, a CANADIAN,  and the fact that Nova Scotia has a very large population of Loyalist descendent.
I have started to build a Loyalist, Light Infantry force with Light Cavalry with some additional Americans

Louis XV army full Osprey publishing series

I finally have a full edition of the series. Thus I can check my collection as to what I have and can field.
The biggest part of the army is my increase of cavalry and hussars.
I should try to paint some of them up this year.

French attack on Harburg Castle December, 1757

A French army has assembled in Hanover. At the town Harburg, the French are to invest the town and capture the castle for their winter quarters.
And with actual winter too cold for gaming in the garage, this may have to wait a month or so until the temperature is closer to 0c.
I have also been taking stock of my 18th century figures, having been in storage. I need to do some small repairs, but otherwise, ready to go.
First warm day of  2018, 2/15 allowed for some manovering but still not shots taken or fired.

 the castle area by moonlight. 

Prussian allies begin to deploy

the French begin to deploy

More shots will be taken when the sun is up.

Using the Gentlemen of France Fire First rules, the French force begins to hit the Prussian lines

the first redoubt falls after artillery fire clears out the defenders. 

This area of the battlefield proved to be the lynchpin of the entire Brunswick/Hanoverian line. The French cavalry proceeded to roll up the entire line. The French are set to over take the camp. 

Due to the cold weather, it took me four months to play this game.

The French horse and Wild Geese flank the line.

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

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.

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.  

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.

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