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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: Gangleri on September 09, 2015, 10:25:55 PM

Title: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Gangleri on September 09, 2015, 10:25:55 PM: Over the past month or two I've developed a great interest in the Second Battle of Bull Run and have decided to (slowly) paint a few Union brigades as they would have appeared at the time. First up is the first regiment of the first brigade, first division, I Corps: the 8th New York Volunteers, then under the command of Lt. Col. Hedterich.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/P6080309_zpstdlmhepi.jpg)

The regiment was also called the 1st German Rifles or Blenker's Rifles after its founder, Col. Ludwig Blenker. Composed of German immigrants, almost all of whom had seen service in various German (and revoluntionary) armies, the regiment was noted for its discipline, and at a review in '61, Winfield Scott called it the finest volunteer regiment in Federal service.

Perhaps its most notable deed was the covering of the Federal retreat/rout after First Bull Run, when it intercepted and repulsed a Confederate cavalry charge aimed at the mass of fleeing Union troops. Joseph E. Johnston, surprised that there was still fight in the Union army, called off all subsequent pursuit, and the Federal army was thus allowed to slip back to the safety of Centreville.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/P6080320_zpsa7zygzp1.jpg)

The 8th continued to perform well, especially at Cross Keys (suffering almost 40% casualties) and at Second Bull Run (the battle I'm concentrating on), both on the first day and, once again, during the covering of the Federal retreat. It was mustered out in early '63, but many of its men were either folded into the 68th NY volunteers or into an independent HQ company. By the end of its service, it had lost more than twice as many men to wounds as it did to disease, which was fairly unusual in the Civil War.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/P6080312_zpsdimmxbqv.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/P6080313_zpsqoz67cur.jpg)

Figures are Perry Confederate infantry in frock coats, with some GS additions. Flags are handpainted. I also put in a sapper (which I believe were quite uncommon in the Civil War) in reference to Don Troiani's painting:
http://www.dontroiani.com/images/8th%20and%2020th%20NewYork%20Vols%20%20small.jpg (http://www.dontroiani.com/images/8th%20and%2020th%20NewYork%20Vols%20%20small.jpg)

More Federals are on the way, though the next regiment is very conversion-heavy and will take some time. C&C are very welcome.

PS I am holding off on basing until I've got a whole brigade finished - any suggestions for long, late-summer grass?
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: olyreed on September 10, 2015, 07:45:40 AM: Very nice work
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: traveller on September 10, 2015, 06:42:00 PM: Lovely!

We need more ACW in this forum!

Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Roo on September 10, 2015, 08:08:48 PM: Very nice! Troiani provides such great inspiration, trouble is I spend longer dreaming of how to recreate than I do actually recreating!
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Calimero on September 10, 2015, 08:14:48 PM: Quote from: Roo on September 10, 2015, 08:08:48 PM
Very nice! Troiani provides such great inspiration, trouble is I spend longer dreaming of how to recreate than I do actually recreating!

lol same thing for me...

Very nice work! 8)
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Khurasan Miniatures on September 11, 2015, 01:18:51 AM: That Sapper looks like Ron Howard. :-)

Nice work on the unit.
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: grant on September 11, 2015, 06:57:35 AM: Sapper Opie Cunningham.

Superb work! Good history too.
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on September 15, 2015, 03:40:47 PM: Thanks for the encouraging words, all!

Quote from: Roo on September 10, 2015, 08:08:48 PM
Troiani provides such great inspiration, trouble is I spend longer dreaming of how to recreate than I do actually recreating!

Couldn't have said it better :)

Quote from: Khurasan Miniatures on September 11, 2015, 01:18:51 AM
That Sapper looks like Ron Howard. :-)

:D

Quote from: traveller on September 10, 2015, 06:42:00 PM
We need more ACW in this forum!

Agreed!

I've been a bit distracted recently but have manged to do some work on the next regiment, the 41st NYSV.

The 41st went through a number of uniform changes during the war, but their appearance in mid-1862 is best seen in an incredible photograph taken of C Company a month or two before Second Bull Run:

http://www.libertyrifles.org/research/darkblues62/41stny.jpg

and a close-up:

http://dotcw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Manassas-Va.-Men-of-Co.-C-41st-New-York-Infantry-1.jpg

I'll describe the history and details of the regiment's uniforms (and the regiment itself) when I have more of them finished, but for now, here are some greens:

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1499_zpszg9cz2v6.jpg)

And a color-scheme test:

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1500_zps6hjyyghq.jpg)

Stay tuned for more :)

C&C welcome. Hope they are to your liking!
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: MajorTalon on September 27, 2015, 02:56:32 AM: Surely you plan on painting the Fighting 69th?
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on October 02, 2015, 09:27:01 PM: Quote from: MajorTalon on September 27, 2015, 02:56:32 AM
Surely you plan on painting the Fighting 69th?

No, as a matter of fact I don't. But I plan on fielding one of their sister regiments, the 28th Massachusetts, brigaded under Addison Farnsworth with the 79th NY.

I'm hard at work on the 41st NY and should have a proper update in a day or so.
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on October 03, 2015, 07:03:23 PM: Here are some more men for the 41st NY.

Company A existed prior to 1861 as a sort of military society (I don't think they were classed as militia proper). Known as the De Kalb Zouaves, they were the nucleus around which the rest of the regiment was formed after the outbreak of the war. Unlike the newer companies, which went through a succession of uniforms, they kept their zouave outfits until well into '63.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1514_zpskwqakti8.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1515_zpsvlb208s3.jpg)

As you can see above, their uniform bore a distinctive pattern of yellow embroidery on each sleeve (which, incidentally, was a real pain to paint). You can see Don Troiani's take here:
http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/d/26052-3/TCWSU40+-+41st+NY+Vols_+DeKalb+Regt_+1861.jpg

The rest of the 41st is falling into line as well, but I have to dremel down the calves of all the metal figures, so it might take a little while before they're done.
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Mason on October 03, 2015, 07:13:33 PM: What a brilliant project.
I love all the conversion work that you have done.
:-* :-*

I shall be following this with much interest.
:D
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on November 08, 2015, 09:00:22 PM: Here's the 41st NYV finished:

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1609_zpsv9xy94p3.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1610_zpsw35y1k9z.jpg)

Company A:
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1611_zpstdcutop6.jpg)

I've decided to post only completed regiments here; WIPs, historical information, and so on can be found at my new blog (along with various other projects):

http://wellrallyonceagain.blogspot.com/

Please note that to follow, you will have to add the url to your "reading list" manually; I'm afraid I can't get the Follow widget to work.

Cheers!
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Phil Robinson on November 08, 2015, 10:26:31 PM: Missed this one, great conversion work and finish.
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: wrgmr1 on November 16, 2015, 01:36:09 AM: Lovely working on both regiments! I particularly like the Zouaves. I Agree about the sleeve lacing, they are tricky. Particularly a light Color like yellow over dark blue.
Your flags are superb.
Please continue to post more regiments.
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on November 17, 2015, 04:10:10 PM: Quote from: Phil Robinson on November 08, 2015, 10:26:31 PM
Missed this one, great conversion work and finish.

Thank you very much!

Quote from: wrgmr1 on November 16, 2015, 01:36:09 AM
Lovely working on both regiments! I particularly like the Zouaves. I Agree about the sleeve lacing, they are tricky. Particularly a light Color like yellow over dark blue.
Your flags are superb.
Please continue to post more regiments.
Very kind words. I will have another regiment up soon :)
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: sf2605 on November 21, 2015, 08:20:49 AM: Very nice !
Which rule do you use ?
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on November 21, 2015, 02:30:39 PM: Quote from: sf2605 on November 21, 2015, 08:20:49 AM
Very nice !
Which rule do you use ?

Thank you!

As a matter of fact, I don't use any rules. There are no gaming clubs nearby, and I don't have anyone to game with, so this is more of a historical/hobby project for me.
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: archiduque on November 22, 2015, 12:49:32 PM: Very nice work!! ;)
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on December 06, 2015, 10:20:13 PM: Well, deer season and the Christmas rush have really eaten into my time in the last few weeks. I've been able to snatch a few hours here and there, however, to work on the next regiment in the brigade, the 27th Pennsylvania.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1672_zpspyyggzys.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1675_zps3s74uc62.jpg)

More photos and information on the 27th PVI on my blog: http://wellrallyonceagain.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on February 20, 2016, 04:01:49 PM: Hi, all.

I've completed the next regiment, the ever-popular 5th NYSVI.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1408_zpspvpuii14.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1409_zpsxnewr4sg.jpg)

More on my blog:

http://wellrallyonceagain.blogspot.com/

Cheers!
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Mason on February 20, 2016, 06:56:59 PM: Two more great looking units since I last passed this way.
Bravo!
:-* :-*

When are you going to finish the basing with grass, tufts etc....?
That will really make them pop.
:D
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: tomek917 on February 20, 2016, 07:10:50 PM: Really nice, truly inspirational!
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: Gangleri on February 22, 2016, 07:16:46 PM: Quote from: Mason on February 20, 2016, 06:56:59 PM
Two more great looking units since I last passed this way.
Bravo!
:-* :-*

When are you going to finish the basing with grass, tufts etc....?
That will really make them pop.
:D

I haven't settled on a basing scheme, actually. I'm hoping to get that slightly browned, end-of-summer grass look but haven't found the right colors at my local store yet.

Quote from: tomek917 on February 20, 2016, 07:10:50 PM
Really nice, truly inspirational!

Thank you!
Title: Re: 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry
Post by: marianas_gamer on February 22, 2016, 07:31:09 PM: Really nice work :-* :-*
LB
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Gangleri on June 07, 2016, 12:52:09 AM: Here's the sister regiment of the 5th NY, the 10th NY, aka the National Zouaves. Most of the regiment was strung out in skirmish order to the west of Chinn Ridge and immediately swept away by Longstreet's assault.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1715_zps3ciznrup.jpg)

Col. Bendix trying to form his scattered regiment on the colors.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1717_zpsnjdkz8y7.jpg)

The regiment was in a "transition period" between uniforms, so there were some interesting opportunities for conversions here.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_1718_zpsg8njkmr4.jpg)

More on my blog, http://wellrallyonceagain.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Deadestdai on June 17, 2016, 04:02:25 PM: Your attention to detail is fantastic. And hand-painted flags too?! Wow, just wow... :o
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Mason on June 17, 2016, 04:04:45 PM: Love 'em!
:-*
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Gangleri on May 15, 2017, 05:15:46 PM: Haven't added anything to this thread in ages, not for want of work but because I had no completed units to present. Limited funds, time, and availability of models lead me to work on several regiments simultaneously but piecemeal, so it often takes a while (sometimes four or five months) to finish a regiment. Anyway, I figured it's time for an update.

First up are some old regiments, retouched, based, and with flags attended to. I realized my flags looked strangely dull but couldn't figure out why for a long time. Turns out I had forgotten to finish the fringes, cords, and tassels, and with these added I think they have really come to life. Cords and tassels are just floral wire and GS.

5th New York (Homer)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0857_zpspwtdwhzo.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0858_zpscturnvz2.jpg)

10th New York (Bendix)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0855_zpsczot7jnt.jpg)

41st New York (Holmstedt)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0853_zpsoeq04lgm.jpg)

27th Pennsylvania (Buschbeck)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0851_zpse0j51xv1.jpg)

Brigade Officers (not shown before)

Col. Addison Farnsworth receiving dispatches

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0846_zpseue2exxg.jpg)
(I should have slipped plasticard underneath them before basing - these Foundry models, though wonderful, seem like pygmies next to the Perry plastics.) The staff officers are converted from a line officer and a standard bearer.

Brig. Gen. Julius Stahel giving orders

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0847_zpsssrerujr.jpg)
Stahel is a plastic cavalryman with his gear scraped off, saber hilt altered, and an officer's frock coat and saddle cloth sculpted on. His right arm is a spare from the plastic voltigeur sprue. Stahel was a Hungarian, and like so many of his countrymen he seems to have felt more at home in the saddle than on foot; mid-war, he transferred to the cavalry and won the Medal of Honor leading a charge while badly wounded at the Battle of Piedmont.

More to follow soon.
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: 95th Division on May 16, 2017, 02:29:03 PM: Wow! this is really impressive. You do beautiful work. Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Plynkes on May 16, 2017, 02:50:44 PM: Well this is all looking rather splendid. Smashing flags, too. Good to see this project is still moving forwards.
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Gangleri on May 17, 2017, 03:23:46 PM: Thanks for the comments, all :)

Here is a regiment I had on my worktable for months before I could finish it, the 28th Massachusetts, one of the more famous Irish regiments (although it had quite a few Massachusetts yankees in its ranks). Later in 1862 it was joined to the Irish brigade. It was badly shot up on the final day of 2nd Bull Run.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0849_zpsz2ta6vst.jpg)

Hard to see in the photos, but I altered the cap visors to resemble the "bummer caps" worn by the 28th and other regiments.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/IMG_0850_zpsmtomblfi.jpg)

The regiment carries the "Pilot Flag," which preceded the more famous Tiffany Flag. Images of this flag are few, and I had a hard time reconstructing it (I subsequently realized there are a few mistakes), but on the whole I think it's about right. The upper scroll reads, "Fostered under thy wing, we will die in thy defense."
Title: Flags???
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 17, 2017, 04:42:47 PM: Great work you have done there. Can I ask you where you got the Eagles and finials for the flags, commercially (from who) or homemade???

Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Gangleri on May 21, 2017, 02:56:27 PM: Quote from: ARKOUDAKI on May 17, 2017, 04:42:47 PM
Great work you have done there. Can I ask you where you got the Eagles and finials for the flags, commercially (from who) or homemade???

Keep up the good work!

Thanks very much!

The finials are mainly from the Perry Union Command sets (each has an eagle and a regular finial). The plastic sets don't have an eagle, however, so I sculpted one for the 5th, and for the 8th NY (which I will redo soon) I used a spare Napoleonic eagle. Don Troiani's paintings show the 28th Mass.'s regimental finial with lugs, so I added plasticard pins. There was considerable variation during the war for finials, cords, etc., so there were regiments with two regular finials, halberd heads, finials with lugs, cords in non-regulation colors, ribbons instead of cords (not to mention the great variety in flag designs). So with a bit of research and speculation, you can add some individualizing features even to a "generic" Union regiment.
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: von Lucky on May 21, 2017, 10:48:02 PM: Stunning stuff.
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Gangleri on May 26, 2017, 07:43:43 PM: I present today the 80th/20th NYS Volunteers, also called the Ulster Guard and the Old Twentieth. These were mainly recruited from the Catskill Mountain region in Ulster and Greene counties. They partook in the big assault on Stony Ridge on August 30th and were terribly shot up, suffering near 300 casualties before retiring. The regiment maintained a distinguished record throughout the war.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_0889_zpsdxfkzmbl.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_0890_zpsafanhnqi.jpg)

Col. Pratt, a leading local citizen, suffered an awful wound during the firefight and died two weeks later in Albany, NY. The drum is speculative but based on heavy use of the Red Hand of Ulster as a regimental emblem.

I tried to imitate Mark Maritato's painting of the regiment in action, which can be found here:
https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/1/the-ulster-guard-mark-maritato.jpg (https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/1/the-ulster-guard-mark-maritato.jpg)

More photos and information on my blog.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: von Lucky on May 26, 2017, 10:14:03 PM: Nice imitation and nice painting.
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Gangleri on June 04, 2017, 03:24:30 PM: Quick update here, a small detachment of U.S. Sharpshooters, either 1st or 2nd regiment depending on the day of the battle. Both regiments were engaged at 2nd Bull Run. I think the small number of figs in loose order keeps things in balance; Berdan's regiments tend to be over-represented on the tabletop.

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/MrLeedra/ACW/IMG_0928_zps33desz29.jpg)

Quote from: von Lucky on May 26, 2017, 10:14:03 PM
Nice imitation and nice painting.
Thanks, von Lucky - your comments and steady interest are appreciated.
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: jambo1 on June 04, 2017, 04:52:36 PM: I have come to this thread late, but glad I found it!!! Superb work, really great to see these regiments. :) Looking forward to seeing how it proceeds.
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on June 04, 2017, 06:40:04 PM: Nice to see somebody not scared to paint a flag!

:-*
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: von Lucky on June 04, 2017, 10:48:42 PM: Lovely additions - but who doesn't love some of the special troops to add a little more flavour to an army?
Title: Re: Second Bull Run Project
Post by: DintheDin on June 08, 2017, 10:04:12 AM: Quote from: Gangleri on June 04, 2017, 03:24:30 PM
I think the small number of figs in loose order keeps things in balance; Berdan's regiments tend to be over-represented on the tabletop.

I fully agree, in many played battles, especially fictional, the over-representation of specialised units may change dramatically the actual situation, even ruin a game.
Very nice postures you've chosen, they look really skirmishing!
Well done!