What if Civil War Circa 1830's

[10thMountain]

Hello,
       Has anyone tried gaming a American Civil War circa 1830's based off the Nullification Crisis?

[carlos marighela]

No.

I suspect that whilst federal tariffs were contentious, it required the admixture of racism and chattel slavery to put a fire under all that ‘states rights’ bullshit.

[CapnJim]

Maybe.  There were other issues dividing the country.   New England states actually talked secession during the War of 1812, while the Old Northwest and the mid-Atlantic states did most of the fighting.  If seems war with England wasn't profitable to Yankee traders.

Some form of civil war in the 1830s ain't really all that far-fetched, particularly if the Federal government and England found some reason to rattle their respective sabres.  Civil war was unlikely, but not completely out of the question...

Having said that, I've not fought it out in the tabletop.

[Inkpaduta]

Although the other slave states did not follow South Carolina's lead, as it thought they would, over nullification they did make it very clear they would not allow the federal government to invade South Carolina. If the Civil War had started then it would have been much harder for the north to fight it. The industry, railroad system and financial systems were not as strong then. Likely the South could have won. They may not have seceded over this but it would have changed the role of the Federal government.

No, I have not gamed this period. I think it would be hard to find figures and uniforms ect would be a guess for the South.

[Old Contemptable]

Not the 1830s. 1820 is the more likely scenario. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 avoided a constitutional crisis which could have resulted in some Southern Slave states leaving the Union. Had it failed in some way, what then? The slave states that existed at the time may have gotten away with it. The non-slave states were not as strong as they would be in 1861. There is a good chance that leaving the Union would have worked. It may have been only a few states that would actually leave the Union. Not sure they would ban together to form a country. Each state may have become a nation state.

[carlos marighela]

You could probably utilise existing Seminole War and revolting Texans if you wanted figures. Boothill and Artizan do ranges in 28mm. In the Boothill Alamo range they have US Army deserters in that weird fold up leather cap. Both do ‘New Orleans Greys’ in pinwheel caps.

For regulars or well equipped militia in bell top shakos you could look at the Perry’s Royal Marines from their Carlist War range.

I researched available figures for the almost Aroostook War later in the decade and that’s what I came up with. If you aren’t fussy then OG also make ranges for the Alamo and Seminole Wars.

[Old Contemptable]

Hey! Who's calling Texans revolting?

[carlos marighela]

Possibly Kinky Friedman?

[10thMountain]

Thank you.
        I was wondering what militia uniforms would look like in the 1830's. Came across a few references, but not many.

[CapnJim]

Frankly, my guess is (as previously mentioned) not all that much different from the War of 1812, the Texan War of Independence, or the Seminole wars.  Trousers, waistcoats and (depending on where) long civilian or coats or hunting shirts.  Though some of the better kitted out units could (in my opinion...) have worn coatees, in both gray and blue.   

[carlos marighela]

Near as I can tell that's pretty much spot on. Some of the volunteer militias in wealthier and /or urban settings would have had uniforms but the vast majority seem to have been dressed on a come as you are basis, with only arms and accoutrements being govt issue.

The good thing about this is that with a little planning, your force could double or triple as militia for various what if wars, plus the Seminole Wars, The Texan Revolt,  as well as Hunter Patriots or even Canadian Patriotes. As pointed out earlier a combination of Artizan and Boothill miniatures will give you good representative figures

The attached image of militia circa 1830 should give you a good idea of dress as will this re-enactor site

https://www.floridafrontierguard.com/id26.html

[carlos marighela]

Forgot to mention, that re-enactor site has some very specific uniform details for South Carolina militia.

[Cat]

Maybe.  There were other issues dividing the country.   New England states actually talked secession during the War of 1812, while the Old Northwest and the mid-Atlantic states did most of the fighting.  If seems war with England wasn't profitable to Yankee traders.

New England didn't want the war at all.  We relied on England for trade and knew that it wasn't a bright idea to take on the Royal Navy.  Freaking Kentucky, which was no where near the ocean, had their shorts tied in knots over "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights!" — they saw the war as an excuse to expand westward (comfortably away from the Royal Navy....).

[10thMountain]

Thank you