Pea Ridge Project

When asked what I find appealing about war games my stock answer was always that I could recreate a historical battle and change the results. Now I know that's a little simplistic but it has always been a factor in my thinking.

But it never happens. and I mean never, In 23 years of painting miniatures it has literally never happened. when we play which is rarer these days it is always a hypothetical meeting engagement between 2 roughly matched foes. and one that only generally matches a historic order of Battle

well, it's time to change that. for my civil war project I am picking the battle of Pea Ridge AR. This is an important battle in the trans Mississippi theater and fits my criteria in most ways.
1) significant, keeps Missouri in the union and stops a confederate offensive under the general ship of Earl Van Dorn.
2) size, I can do all the forces for either wing realistically. using the frontiers scenario guide to guns at Gettysburg it is 15 union units vs 17 confederate units and that is including 5 artillery batteries.
3) interesting units, from Illinois infantry armed with colt repeating rifles to Indians to Texas cavalry there is a mix of colorful units.
I 'm going to give myself 1 year and 5 months to collect the figures and terrain and get it all painted up. so here is to playing the battle on 7 march 2012, the 150 anniversary.

A not so new period

It has been a long time since I lasted posted anything. The summer and fall have been spent finishing school. And I have not had any time to paint. Of course now that I can paint I am pretty much out of naps for the moment . So what to do ? Huzzah, a new period !

When I was a child the civil war (American) all ways had a fascination for me. I would pour over my copy of the American heritage civil war book by Bruce Catton and stare for hours at the pictures. Of course I never read it. I in fact still have that very battered book and the pictures are still pretty good and I still haven't read it. It is the one period I have danced around the edges of, painting a unit here or there but never trying to in fact paint a large force for.

Well, now is the time. I have references, I have ospreys and I have a copy of Gettysburg in the dvd player. Time to get busy.

Artillery

Just finished this weeks batch. 12 artillery figures and 3 12lb guns. Old Glory figures and guns. I liked the figures and they painted pretty up easy but I used really thin paint for the undercoat and keep seeing specks of silver where I missed the primer. Annoying. I think I will have to go back with a magic wash to see if I can take care of the worst of it. oh well. For GdB thats 1, 6 gun battery.

11 weeks 84 figures. I'm thinking of switching gears for a while and trying some oppostion forces. first up the Saxons

The Regiment is finished.

Well, I did not get a chance to finish my 8 figures last week. But I was able to make up the difference this week and finish the last 8 fusiliers completing the 72 figure regiment. It is both satisfying and intimidating to think this is just the tip of the iceberg. I will probably paint different units from here on out. 1 week artillery the next a battalion of Saxons, or what ever. only to keep the interest fresh. I felt good about painting the same thing 56 times minus the grens and light troops. but I am worried about burn out. All together I liked how this unit came together. I read in Chandler that the French relied on Prussian stores for various restocks. That is why I painted some figures in the tan pants. to represent the Prussian campaign pants.

10 week total 72 figures.

voltigeurs

Here are this weeks 8 figures. the regiments light companies of voltigeurs. These are 2 companies. for both battalions. 8 more fusiliers and the regiment is complete hopefully I will have time over the rest of the memorial day weekend to polish off the regt. then on to the next project. either artillery or Saxons! 64 figures to date in 2 months.

Grenadiers

Here are this weeks figures. 8 Grenadiers. which makes both battalions grenadier companies. I really like this batch of old glory figures lots of animation and differences between figures. a total of 7 weeks 56 figures.

reinforcements have arrived!

First, how many projects start out this way massive outlay of money, diminishing painting returns and finally back of closet never to see the light of day. well this time is different because of 8 a week. 8 a week is my new wargame philosophy. I will just concern myself with painting 8 figures a week. If I want to paint something else, fine paint it. just finish your 8 a week first. It has both rewards and manageable goals built in. so will it last? nah, but let's try!

I have got a little of everything first round of 1806 Saxons, infantry, artillery and cavalry, more French infantry and a 12lb French battery. The Saxons I think look cool in white uni's and are also useful for 1809. The French are really good for the 1805-1807 campaigns but are perfectly useful for the earlier battles as well sans the eagles. But I am sure I well be using them for any battle we play.

And a thank you to my nephew the 25mm warrior. Josh for the French artillery for my birthday. And my wife who every year says "what do you want for your birthday?"and then "oh, you order it yourself".