1 February 2024: English Civil War: New Model Army

Giggles

Read this in the latest bulletin from the global Naval Wargaming tabletop gaming group. Made me chortle so much so I had to wake the wife and tell her. She enjoyed the laugh too.

"...I believe this is true...In WWII the Admiralty sent a signal which ended, “the Fleet will act as a hole in a bayonet”. A correction was [quickly] issued, “the Fleet will act as a whole in obeying it”..." 😁

New Model Army
Been doing some intense research on the background plus what it takes to assemble a tabletop New Model Army (Parliamentarian as they are now known as when originally I knew them as Roundheads) in time for the event. I have over nine months to get something together which should be a real challenge as I am starting completely from scratch. It means importing the miniatures completely from overseas (UK mainly but also USA) which will be pricey for sure. But I have sussed out the necessary retailers already which will provide everything required - musketeers, pikemen, dragoons, harquebusiers, cuirassiers, artillery, commanders/personalities.  

After some dithering on what list to create I have settled (for now) on a historical partial list derived from the Battle of Naseby 1645 which was the first major engagement for the newly-formed New Model Army.

Commander-in-Chief : Sir Thomas Fairfax

Left Wing : Henry Ireton

    John Okey's Regiment of Dragoons

    John Butler's Regiment of Horse

    Cornelius Vermuyden's Regiment of Horse

    Henry Ireton's Regiment of Horse

Centre : Sir Philip Skippon

    Artillery (4 batteries)

    Sir Philip Skippon's Regiment of Foot

    Sir Hardress Waller's Regiment of Foot

    John Pickering's Regiment of Foot

    Edward Montagu's Regiment of Foot

    Sir Thomas Fairfax's Regiment of Foot

    Forlorn Hope of commanded musketeers

Right Wing : Oliver Cromwell

    Edward Whalley's Regiment of Horse

    Robert Pye's Regiment of Horse (one division)

    Sir Thomas Fairfax's Regiment of Horse

    Edward Rossiter's Regiment of Horse (one division)

NOTE: This list is basically the historical 1st Line of the Parliamentarian line at Naseby, according to the OOM shown in wikipedia. 

This will be the proposed long-term target goal. It will no doubt change over time.

Since starting to research, I have been mainly interested in and concentrating on gathering as much information on the units flags for the infantry and cavalry simply because such information tends to be scanty and subject to much variation. I have managed to obtain most on my proposed Army list but still lack a remaining few. 

I do have old copies of Osprey Men-at-Arms series that I can access in storage. Despite the variations in devices and flag colour, I find the whole subject of vexillology fascinating (before Sheldon by the way). It does involve a fair bit of educated (and uneducated) guessing and imagining but it's definitely fun and much much better than no information at all. Any final decision should disputes arise will be settled by what looks visually good on the tabletop.

There are numerous online ECW-centric blogsites that provide clues and expand one's knowledge regarding historical flag information. And, at times, useful tidbits on other matters pertinent to my ongoing research, much of which is all-new to me. Such as the uniform colour for tne NMA was supposedly Venice Red which at the time of purchase was abundant and cheap. And that the lining were colour of choice by the proprietors of the unit. 

With flags mostly sorted out, my next task will be to create the Army list card deck as the rules used are card-driven. This is familiar ground for me as I've created my own card decks for other games before - Admiral of the Fleet by Seekrieg being the last and latest. I will be using playing card size which I've since learned is B8 size (62mm by 88mm). Or 3.5" by 2.45" Imperial. Should whet the creative side of me. I calculated (badly of course) that I'm going to need 69 cards in total. 

But the creativity aspect of this new project won't end there.  No, for while I assemble my list in stages because it's a very big expense buying everything in one hit I will also begin reproducing the various unit flags according to my preference. As I now have my own laser printer print quality won't ever be an issue. Product quality however is another matter altogether. And I really want this new project to be top notch quality from start to finish.

Cheers.

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22 January 2024: ACW - Character Profiles

Still using the "imaginary" 53rd Corps as my experiment using Mr. Empson's interesting tables and rules mechanisms. I've randomly generated the entire command elements of the 53rd Union Corps right down to regimental level. Note: I've simply named them all Pennsylvania units and used sequential numbering for now. For convenience while I recreate my Union forces proper. I will add their "assigned" names and numberings later on. I've also named those Infantry regimental commanders that are either Exceptional or Political. I have however named all the artillery commanders because I can. An Exceptional commander represents someone being very good while a Political appointee commander is generally not so good. And as the list will show, the majority of commanders slotted in-between these two extremes. 

53rd Corps (Maj-General Evans - Average)

    Corps Artillery (Col. Harrison - Exceptional)

    8th Infantry Division (Brig-General Taaffe - Average)

        1st Bde (Col. Jacobs - Average)

            73rd Penn. Inf. (Col. Aspley - Exceptional)

            74th Penn. Inf. (Dullard)

            75th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            76th Penn. Inf. (Dullard)

            77th Penn. Inf. (Average)

        2nd Bde (Col. P. Smith - Average) 

            78th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            79th Penn. Inf. (Whitney - Political)

            80th Penn. Inf. (Darlberg - Exceptional)

            81st Penn. Inf. (Dullard)

    8th Division Artillery (Maj. Tomlinson - Average)

            4 x 10lb Parrot (Yates - Average)

            4 x 12lb Napoleons (Fealey - Political)

            6 x 12lb Napoleons (Wilkes - Exceptional)

            6 x 3" Rifle (Venning - Average)

    9th Infantry Division (Brig-Gen. Williams - Political)

        1st Bde (Col. van Kinsbergen - Exceptional)

            82nd Penn. Inf. (Average)

            83rd Penn. Inf. (Average)

            84th Penn. Inf. (Dullard)

            85th Penn. Inf. (Mohler - Exceptional)

            86th Penn. Inf. (Zietsen - Exceptional)

        2nd Bde (Col. Garson - Political)

            87th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            88th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            89th Penn. Inf.  (Average)

            90th Penn. Inf.  (Average)

        3rd Bde (Col. E. M. Hall - Political)

            91st Penn. Inf. (Mason - Political)

            92nd Penn. Inf. (Average)

            93rd Penn. Inf. (Average)

            94th Penn. Inf. (Average)

        4th Bde (Col. Rolleston - Average)

            95th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            96th Penn. Inf. (Hickstone - Political)

            97th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            98th Penn. Inf. (Average)

        9th Division Artillery (Maj. Beal - Average)

            4 x 10lb Parrot (Quinn - Average)

            4 x 12lb Napoleon (Zimmerman - Average)

            6 x 3" Rifle (Boxton - Dullard)

            6 x 10lb Parrot (Keinmer - Average)

            6 x 3" Rifle (Dobson - Average)

    10th Infantry Division (Brig-General Browning - Average)

        1st Bde (Col. O'Loughlin - Average)

            99th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            100th Penn. Inf. (Dearborn - Exceptional)

            101st Penn. Inf. (Average)

            102nd Penn. Inf. (Kirkpatrick - Exceptional)

            103rd Penn. Inf. (Average)

        2nd Bde (Col. Pasquale - Average)

            104th Penn. Inf. (Col. Thornton - Exceptional)

            105th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            106th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            107th Penn. Inf. (Average)

        3rd Bde (Col. Dalton - Political)

            108th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            109th Penn. Inf. (Nillson - Exceptional)

            110th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            111th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            112th Penn. Inf. (Average)

        4th Bde (Col. Talley - Dullard)

            113th Penn. Inf. (O. Jackson - Exceptional)

            114th Penn. Inf. (Average)

            115th Penn. Inf. (Dullard)

            116th Penn. Inf. (Average)

        10th Division Artillery (Major Clapperton - Dullard)

            4 x 3" Rifle (S. Hall - Average)

            4 x 12lb Napoleon (Bergson - Average)

            6 x 10lb Parrot (Prentiss - Exceptional)

            4 x 3" Rifle (Phillips - Average)

    Corps Artillery Reserve (Maj. Anderson - Dullard)

            4 x10lb Parrot (Merryweather - Average)

            4 x 12lb Napoleon (H. J. Simpson - Exceptional)

            2 x 10lb Parrot & 2 x 12lb Howitzer (Barfleur - Exceptional)  

            6 x 12lb Napoleon (Rawling - Average)

            6 x 3" Rifle (Theodore - Average)

            4 x 10lb Parrot (Oswalt - Average)

    Corps Cavalry (Brig-General Talbot - Average)

        1st Cavalry Bde (Col. Mawley - Average)

            51st Penn. Vol. Cav. (Average)

            52nd Penn. Vol. Cav. (Mortimer - Exceptional)

            53rd Penn. Vol. Cav. (Abbot - Political)

            54th Penn. Vol. Cav. (Dullard)

        2nd Cavalry Bde (Col. Travis - Average)

            55th Penn. Vol. Cav. (Average)

            56th Penn. Vol. Cav. (T. Wise - Exceptional)

            57th Penn. Vol. Cav. (Average)

        3rd Cavalry Bde (Col. Schiller - Average)

            58th Penn. Vol. Cav. (Average)

            59th Penn. Vol. Cav. (Average)

            60th Penn. Vol. Cav. (Garrison - Political)

            61st Penn. Vol. Cav. (Dullard)

        4th Cavalry Bde (Col. M. Davis - Average)

            62nd Penn. Vol. Cav. (Dullard)

            63rd Penn. Vol. Cav. (Ribbel - Exceptional)

            64th Penn. Vol. Cav. (Average)

By "Dullard" what is probably meant from reading the notes and comments in his tables is that the commander has reached their ceiling level. They are capable and often experienced but they lack the necessary skillset to succeed at the next level. Quite a common thing and does not mean they are stupid as some might read by looking at the word. 

The next section goes more into the character profile by adding more detailing in creating new commander profile (5.5.2). I recreated the simple Excel spreadsheet and can now "flesh" out my characters in a simple manner. I have yet, however, to explore further the impact that migrants and first-generation migrants had regarding CPS. Maybe next post.

Yes, there are definitely gaps - pieces that are missing - or omissions (deliberate so I've figured which makes sense) that can be "filled in" by whomever is using these tables to create their own "house rules" version. Which is always the fun and challenging part. Reverse engineering? Not really but at least I can put together something that is doable tabletop-wise. 

There is so much more to this which Mr. Empson has generously provided with his tables and mechanisms. It reminds me so much of how much detail I instilled within my campaign narrative back in the late 90s. Cheers.

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Addendum

Found a writing site that listed around three hundred and fifty character traits. Perfect for my spreadsheet. One hundred and fifty negative and one hundred and fifty positive. Just some tweaking of some of the traits (such as changing romantic to robust) to make it more amenable to my needs. Refined the spreadsheet so that I get a randomised selections of traits befitting any character's profile. So, for example, an Exceptional commander will more likely have more positive than negative traits. Just working out a suitable die roll to match my aim.

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Postscript

Will plough on regardless because I am very interested to know if I can somehow come up with a workable set of ACW rules based on Mr. Empsons tables and mechanics alone. Somehow that's never going to happen (spreadsheet for character traits for instance) but if I can generate a playable set incorporating various rules I've used in the past then I will have achieved my goal set. Cheers.

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21 January 2024: Adapting Mr Empson's tables for a solo game

So, to get me started, I decided to utilise Mr. Empson's interesting solo wargamuing mechanisms and tables sheets I downloaded recently by creating two imaginary army lists - one Union and one Confederate. As I was rolling dice though I got worried at first because the formations and units rolled ended up being quite large. In other words, army-size large. 

This then led me to consider scale ratio. I noticed in Mr. Empson's Index of sources he listed Terry Wise's Airfix Guide to ACW. Memory reminded me that Mr. Wise used 1:33. But it gives numbers that did not quite sit well with me. So I switched to 1:45. Why? Well, I noticed that the unit figures listed in Tables 2.1 and 3.1 (Union and Confederate respectively) share a common value - being multiples of 5. And 1:45 is large enough to enable fielding large-scale action. 

ActuallyI could have easily chosen 1:25 or 1:35. Both will enable fielding lower-level formations (divisions and brigades) - the kind commonly preferred in modern-day gaming. But 1:45 seemed, to me, suffice for corps and army level. 

In rolling for the Union force, I ended up with 3 corps formations which I have arbitrarily numbered 51st, 52nd, and 53rd Corps. The Confederates meanwhile rolled and received only the 1 corps formation which I have temporarily numbered the 1st CSA Corps. The dice rolling for formation structure is designed to give an unbiased (or un-influenced) composition without unconscious bias from the gamer, so Mr. Empson explained. The results though are just the infantry. I had yet to roll for both artillery and cavalry. 

Eventually I came up with the following structure for both sides. But because they are quite large I am going to focus on utilising on part of each list for my eventual playtesting in the coming weeks (or months depending on how I'm progressing with my major Makeover Project). 

The following below is the structure and composition of the 53rd (imaginary) Corps:

• 4 infantry divisions including divisional artillery of between 4-5 batteries each
• Corps artillery - a reserve of six batteries
• Corps cavalry comprising four brigades of between 3-4 regiments each

I have gone as far as defining each unit within their respective corps as far as rating their quality and experience. Example below is the composition of the 1st Division from the same Union 53rd Corps.

    1st Division (2 infantry brigades and divisional artillery)

        1st Infantry brigade

            1 Elite, 1 Veteran, 2 Seasoned, 1 Green regiments

        2nd Infantry brigade

            2 Elite, 1 Veteran, 1 Seasoned regiments

        Divisional artillery

            2 x 4-gun batteries

            2 x 6-gun batteries

In contrast, the 1st Division from the 1st CSA Corps looks like this:

    1st Division (5 infantry brigades plus divisional artillery)

        1st Infantry brigade

            2 Veterans and 2 Seasoned regiments

        2nd Infantry brigade

            1 Elite, 2 Veterans, 1 Seasoned, 2 Green regiments

        3rd Infantry brigade

            1 Seasoned, 3 Green regiments

        4th Infantry brigade

            3 Veteran, 2 Green regiments

        5th Infantry brigade

            3 Veteran, 2 Seasoned regiments

        Division artillery

            3 x 4-gun batteries

As shown, Confederate formation were generally larger than Union ones although the numbers lay with the Union for the most part. And the Confederates were generally more adept at war than their Northern counterparts for some reason. Especially their cavalry. 

The term "regiment" for me has a modified meaning to the normal meaning. I prefer to append the name "regiment" to a unit that has variable strength, i.e. not necessarily full-strength. And full-strength was only ever a rarity (at least by 1863). This is due to the losses incurred over time plus lack of sufficient reinforcements to bring numbers up to their deemed combat effectiveness. And paper strength is different to actual campaign strength as any ACW wargamer will tell you. So although it looks imposing written down, the actual numbers are much less impressive.

I have not started on commander profiling which will happen next. I am contemplating re-using my 1999 campaign commanders but locating that information may take some time. If unable, I will happily generate "new" commanders.

Cheers...

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Addendum

Mr. Empson has basically provided sufficient material for me to generate my own simple set of rule variant, stuff like ground scale and weapon ranges (except artillery) can be worked out later. I believe that's the intent and therefore won't be pursuing hopes of ever locating the full ruleset. 

Already I've started "fiddling" with what's given, i.e. using 1:45 figure scale for instance. Next post should include simple commander profiles for everyone from top to bottom using his charts, dice, and cards. And weapons per unit such as breech loading carbines, rifled muskets, etc.

Borodino Project: The Russians

 Hi

As shown in my first ever blog post on this site, here (again) is the bulk of the Russians completed earlier this year minus the full artillery(some there) and high command elements (also some there). Acquired this as part of a collection of abandoned minis several years ago. Promised I would get stuck into them but never did as work and other gaming projects got in the way. Finally had enough of making false promises to myself. Hence the idea for the Borodino Project. The collection was mostly Russian figures in varying stages of completion from still-on-the-sprue to completely-painted but needing a spruce up. The former owner made a go of it as evidenced in his finished lots. But there were heaps more still awaiting completion and assembly. 

There were no flags which I had to sort out but wasn't a problem whatsoever. 

This lot also lacked full artillery and higher command elements. What was there was quickly used up in other gaming lists of mine. After completing the French/Allies part, though, I will figure out what's needed and either convert or purchase.

Will be using FoGN 2 rules for this solo refight. I have done some tweaking to the historical setup using the guide in the FoGN rulebook to make this work for me. 

Below are the remainder of outstanding Russians not present in the above photo - mostly the rest of Karpov's command that was done too late to show in the main group photo above. Some units of Platov are still missing but I will sort that out after finishing off the French/Allies first.

© 2021 L. Tafa

I'd like to dedicate this entire Borodino project to the former owner of these models. This is, in part, my way of saying thanks for all you did. Hope my contribution honours the start you made way back then.

Part Two of the Borodino Project: French/Allies forces

Hi

Resuming my Borodino Project build has ramped up. Like I stated at my other blog site, this project is motivated by a desire to finally put to good use the large collection of 20mm Nap figures cluttering and gathering dust in my studio. I've already completed Part One - Russian forces. Now it's the turn of the French/Allies. I have given myself to the end of this month (April) to complete the entire grouping. Nothing like a little pressure to get motivated.

Made some serious headway yesterday and last night. First off, did a rough calculation of the figures required for the French assembly and arrived at a figure of over one thousand figures for the three French Corps - I (Davoust), III (Ney) and IV (Eugene). 

The personal highlight would have to be when I decided to print out some French flags. Purists will disapprove and probably hate what I'm doing but I find it helps motivate me.

Here are some WIP photos. Hoping to finish one division (Morand) later on tonight. But I have the lurgy. Working through the night on these left me feverish and I retired to bed eventually knowing well enough this lurgy was going to kick me a bit. It has.

Flag samples printed and added

Laying out the cut bases proved useful and another active tool in motivation. Now I had a visual idea how much of that thousand-plus figures I still need.

Junot's corps was completed last year. The cavalry of Grouchy, also earlier. Still more to go though.

Shows mostly Eugene's IV and Ney's III Corps assembled but still detailing before flocking.

Missing from his group shot are the Imperial Guard, V (Poniatowksi) infantry Corps, and IV (Latour-Marbourg) Reserve Cavalry Corps. I will be scratching to fulfil this part as my bitz box is now depleted to just under a quarter. Most of those are foreign troops. I may have to resort to some proxying. Fortunately I have enough to cover that part with a sizeable Austrian and Bavarian collection to pick from. 

What French figures I do have I am sparing for the Imperial Guard because I kind of suspect they will be playing a bigger role in this refight than historically. So they best be on their best outlook.