17th Century North America

[Mr.J]

I'm looking to start a new project whilst assessing miniatures that I already own, the idea being to try and reduce the lead pile. Somewhere along the line a bought a number of ECW miniatures but clearly the interest in that project waned and they've been sat in a box for some time now.

Recently I have become more and more interested in wargaming in the early American colonies, however I know nothing about them prior to the SYW/French Indian War so I was hoping someone here could give me a few ideas for interesting scenarios, conflicts, campaigns etc set in this earlier time frame. Any information/links/chat would be most appreciated.

Sorry to be so vague but I really know very little and I am open to suggestions here, no matter how weird or wacky.

[S J Donovan]

I'm not really up on this either but you could try checking on
King Philips War
Jamestown/Martins Hundred (?) 1622
South Carolina/English vs. St. Augustine/Spanish on several ocassions (although this may be too late)
Spanish 'conquest' of North and South Carolina and Florida ca 1570 (squad level for Spanish, tribe for Amerinds)

[michaelsbagley]

There is also the French wars on the Iroquois (google Regiment Carignan-Salières), for some more pirate-ey type action there is the 1668 Buccaneer raid on St. Augustine by Capt. Searle's buccaneers.

For later 17th century stuff, also look up King William's War (the American theatre of the Nine Years War/War of Grand Alliance).

[carlos marighela]

If you are prepared to look beyond North America there's a wealth of possibilities for ECW type figures, especially if you aren't overly hung up about figure accuracy.

The 1655 Cromwellian invasion of Jamaica is of course the perfect setting for ECW troops in the Americas. Heading further south you have the Luso-Dutch struggle for North Eastern Brazil which apart from offering a range of skirmish actions in an exotic setting with just as exotic allies, also saw some decent sized battles, like Guararapes which remain within gameable scale as well as some decent sieges, like Salvador (twice) and Olinda.  ECW troops would make suitable proxies for both sides.

Of course the Brazilian campaigns are just a theatre in a much wider global conflict, probably the best claimant to being the real WW1. You could fight in Goa, Angola, Sri Lanka and across the islands of South East Asia.

Moving to a somewhat earlier period, there were the Portuguese campaigns to remove vestigial pockets of French influence in Brazil at the start of the 17th century. With ECW troops you could expel the French from São Luís.

Anyway just some more suggestions.

If you fancy doing King Phillips War be aware that there is a nice little range from Brigade games you could use to supplement your ECW troops with. The war falls a bit outside the usual scope of ECW uniforms but you can always claim the damn colonials were slow to adopt current fashions.

[workerBee]

The 1680 Pueblo revolt and 1692 - 1696 reconquista.

Indian conflicts in American Southwest and Mexico such as:


PLEASE NOTE:  Many 'historians bring their "political leanings" into their works.  Not all of these authors do I claim are trying to be objective.

https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/indian/intro/page3.html

some background from one viewpoint:  http://www.nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/745/16th-century-spanish-religious-views-of-american-indians

earlier expeditions such as http://floridahistory.com/

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=spain%20versus%20american%20indian&source=web&cd=24&cad=rja&ved=0CEQQFjADOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wou.edu%2F~smithr%2F496%2520INDIAN%2520AMERICA%2FREADINGS%2FPosted%2FDeagan_1985.pdf&ei=v6ZAUYmAMab10gHS7IDAAg&usg=AFQjCNGiiROqZ1fE3BBlD_6n2FT-vgZJBw

http://dornsife.usc.edu/americanindian/time_periods/part_a.cfm

More Florida: http://www.keyshistory.org/histindians.html

One source of the "wars" (other than chronic skirmish conflicts) - http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1008.html



Gracias,

Glenn

[Mr.J]

Thanks guys that gives me lots to look into. Some interesting options for me there.

[Cory]

Well, for wierd and wacky I have run a Jersey devil hunt using TYW figures for the Dutch and Swedish and FIW indians to get up to five sides hunting the crafty spawn of Satan.

[Conquistador]

Well, for wierd and wacky I have run a Jersey devil hunt using TYW figures for the Dutch and Swedish and FIW indians to get up to five sides hunting the crafty spawn of Satan.

I think that is a great game scenario!

Gracias,

Glenn

[Mr.J]

Back again, I was just wondering if anyone had any comparison pics of Renegade/Bicorne ECW minis and Brigade games Swashbuckling Musketeers and/or their King Phillip's War Pilgrims? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Galloping Major]

As you're looking to make use of your ECW figures, I'd watch this  :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-World-DVD-Colin-Farrell/dp/B000F7M6TG/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1364300047&sr=1-1

I'd recommend King Phillip's war instead if you were using post restoration type figures, but you're really wanting (I think) something a little earlier  


www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[Mr.J]

I actually have this sitting on my shelf at the moment but haven't had time to watch it yet. I'll take some time out to watch it seeing as it has been recommended!