Wednesday, June 10, 2026

1st Connecticut State Regiment - American Revolutionary War

This unit is an example of a "State Line" regiment. The term refers to units raised and (hopefully paid) by the individual colonies, and not by the Continental Congress. The term state is of course an anachronism; there were no "states" during the Revolution, that came later with the US Constitution in 1788. 

I find the design of this historically attested flag (by Adolfo Ramos) somewhat odd. The color of the ground of the flag doesn't reflect the color(s) of the uniform or the state. By 1712, the Colony of Connecticut was already using a seal almost identical to the modern one; Three supported grape vines in natural colors, and a scroll with the motto "Qui Transtulit Sustinet", "He who transplanted still sustains".

The "Charter Oak" might have been another logical symbol - "On October 9, 1662, The General Court of Connecticut formally received the Charter won from King Charles II by the suave diplomacy of Governor John Winthrop, Jr., who had crossed the ocean for the purpose. Twenty-five years later, with the succession of James II to the throne, Connecticut's troubles began in earnest. Sir Edmund Andros, His Majesty's agent, followed up failure of various strategies by arriving in Hartford with an armed force to seize the Charter. After hours of debate, with the Charter on the table between the opposing parties, the candle-lit room suddenly went dark. Moments later when the candles were re-lighted, the Charter was gone. Captain Joseph Wadsworth is credited with having removed and secreted the Charter in the majestic oak on the Wyllys estate." It is estimated that the white oak tree may have been hundreds of years old at the time, and it stood until 1857, when it was blown down by an enormous thunderstorm. Wood from the tree was used to make a variety of artifacts, and acorns from the original trees were collected and planted in roughly 100 locations across the state, often near post offices, cemeteries, town halls and the like. Descendants of those trees have been planted for various ceremonial occasions and historic anniversaries - two seedling were even sent to France to be planted in the modern gardens at Versailles! 

In 1998, the University of Connecticut , my alma mater twice over (and of which I was a clinical professor in Family Medicine for 30 years) adopted a new logo and seal inspired by the charter oak (as well as a new  version of the Husky logo for the athletic teams in 2013, the whole Husky thing being a play on UConn, the common shorthand for the University for decades, and, as of 1998, now the way that the University refers to itself in most correspondence.

Ok, that's enough UConn stuff, but as well as myself and my wife, my sister in law is also a UConn graduate. Back to the Revolution...



In any event, the flag is the flag!

This regiment is documented to have had red coats with white collars and cuffs. I have used a very dark "barn red" kind of color for the uniforms; scarlet cloth was very expensive and hard to come by at this time, especially in North America!

Connecticut regiments were often noted to be especially well clothed and equipped during the Revolution! The drummer wears fashionable reversed colors. Figures are by Brigade Games once again. 

Sunday, June 7, 2026

British Foot Guards, American Revolutionary War

 

As my AWI project has grown, and my Brandywine games at Historicon approached, I realized that I needed more British troops. 

A "brigade" of 1,000 Foot Guards was sent to North America in 1776.

It was formed by drawing 15 men from each of the 64 companies composing the three regiments of  Foot Guards.

It saw action at the battles of Brooklyn, the other fighting around New York City, Brandywine, Germantown, Guilford Courthouse, and Yorktown.

His Majesty permitted the officers to substitute white lace for their usual gold while on service in North America!

The flag is by Adolfo Ramos. I am no expert on British flags, to say nothing of those of the Guards, but the regimental colors of the Guard Regiments were crimson rather than the blue that might have been expected, and they bore various badges appropriate to the regiment. In this way they were actually less ornate than the corresponding regimentals of the Line regiments!



Thursday, June 4, 2026

AWI Patriot Commanders 2


I need quite a few more commanders for my Brandywine game. 

The chap in the grey overcoat is the BG version of Paul Revere. 

He is obviously alongside the F&D George Washinton figure. 

More views

Another set, again a mix of BG and F&D

The figure in the brown coat is a BG "Militia Oficer". 

The figure in the white hunting shirt is the F&D Daniel Morgan.

Not surprisingly, I don't know if anyone makes a Benedict Arnold Figure; despite his later treason, he was one of the most effective battlefield commanders in the first 2 years of the war. 

The purple sashes denote Major Generals. 

Monday, June 1, 2026

Hessian Fusilier Regiment Von Ditfourth - American Revolutionary War


This Hessian Fusilier regiment traces its origins back to 1702.


It had "sulfur yellow" facings and cloth backing on their miters.


It fought at White Plains, Rhode Island, and Charleston. 

These are Perry figures once again.

The flag is from Flags of War. 

It became a Musketeer regiment in 1782.

Friday, May 29, 2026

9th Foot, American Revolutionary War

In 1685, King James II increased his army, raising eight infantry regiments; 8th -15th. The second one of these was what would eventually become the 9th Foot. These are Brigade Games figures with a flag by Adolfo Ramos. 

During the 7 Years War, the 9th Foot participated in the successful sieges of Belle Isle and the Havana. The end of the 7 Years War resulted in the return of Havana to Spin, but Britain received ownership of Florida in exchange. The regiment garrisoned St. Augustine from 1763 to 1769, before being sent to Ireland. 

In 1776, the regiment was sent from Ireland to Quebec, which had recently been under siege by Continental General Benedict Arnold and company. It participated in the recapture of Crown Point on Lake Champlain in July 1777, but delays and the need to construct a new naval force for service on the lake resulted in the Colonials maintaining control of Fort Ticonderoga 

The regiment was part of General "Gentleman Johnny"' Burgoyne's forces that undertook the ill fated Saratoga Campaign in 1777.  It participated in the capture of Fort St Anne (July 10, 177), the Battle of Freeman's Fame (September 19, 1777), and the 2nd Battle of Saratoga (October 7, 1777), and became captives with Burgoyne's surrender later in October. Most would remain prisoners of war until 1781. 

During the wars of the French Revolution, the regiment took [part in the capture of Martinique (march 1794) and the St. Lucia (April 1794).

It served during the Peninsular War, fighting at Vimiero (1808), Corunna (1809), Barrosa (1811),  Vitoria (1813, and the siege of San Sebastian (1813). The regiment’s conduct at Corunna became one of its most famous moments. After General Sir Thomas Moore was fatally wounded, men of the 9th Foot helped bury him under fire before withdrawing to the ships. Their discipline during the retreat earned it much praise. The 1st Battalion was sent to North America  in 1814, arriving near the end of the War of 1812. It returned to Europe in 1815, but arrived too late to be a part of the Battle of Waterloo. 

Yes, this regiment has a re-enactment group, too. In this case, they are based in Connecticut! Here they are wearing their "Saratoga" caps. 

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Rebellious Historicon 2026 Plans

 While the theme for this years Historicon is the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolutionary War, ALL of my games this year feature a rebellion against Royal authority in one way or another. 

Table set-up for my Brandywine game - the Americans are on the far side of the Brandywine, which an only be crossed at one or more of 5 fords. 

Looking South...

and North. This game will use almost all of the AWI figures I have posted the past 9 months, and then a few more!

I did some terrain pieces to rep[resent the ditch at Marston Moor (and ditches feature in quite  few other battles). 

Close up of the pieces; water effect was done with layers of Modge Podge. 

Theoretically, sign up for games and other events starts tonight at 8 PM; less than 1 hour! Below is the schedule of games that I am running, along with those by Milton Soong, Jeff Grein, Jim Mauro, and Mark T. See some of you there in less than 2 months!


TimePeterMiltonJeffJimMark T
Wednesday
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pmToR WotR
8:00 pmWakefield 1460
9:00 pmTor WotR
10:00 pm
11:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 amLR 2nd Ed, Poitiers (4x8)
9:00 amFK&P Marston Moor (12x5)LR 2nd Ed, Poitiers (4x8)
10:00 amFK&P Marston Moor (12x5)LR 2nd Ed, Poitiers (4x8)
11:00 amFK&P Marston Moor (12x5)LR 2nd Ed, Poitiers (4x8)
12 NoonFK&P Marston Moor (12x5)
1:00 pm
2:00 pmFK&P Marston Moor (12x5)Edessa - 259 AD TtS - (5x8)
3:00 pmFK&P Marston Moor (12x5)Edessa - 259 AD TtS - (5x8)
4:00 pmFK&P Marston Moor (12x5)Edessa - 259 AD TtS - (5x8)
5:00 pmFK&P Marston Moor (12x5)
6:00 pm
7:00 pmFOB3 Lutzen (5'x8')Edessa - 259 AD TtS - (5x8)
8:00 pmFOB3 Lutzen (5'x8')Edessa - 259 AD TtS - (5x8)
9:00 pmFOB3 Lutzen (5'x8')Edessa - 259 AD TtS - (5x8)
10:00 pmFOB3 Lutzen (5'x8')
11:00 pm
Friday
8:00 amConcord N Bridge, 1775, Light Bobs (6x10)
9:00 amFOB3 Lutzen (5'x8')TtS - (6'X12') Battle of La Forbie 1245Concord N Bridge, 1775, Light Bobs (6x10)
10:00 amFOB3 Lutzen (5'x8')TtS - (6'X12') Battle of La Forbie 1245Concord N Bridge, 1775, Light Bobs (6x10)
11:00 amFOB3 Lutzen (5'x8')TtS - (6'X12') Battle of La Forbie 1245Concord N Bridge, 1775, Light Bobs (6x10)
12 NoonFOB3 Lutzen (5'x8')TtS - (6'X12') Battle of La Forbie 1245
1:00 pmConcord N Bridge, 1775, Light Bobs (6x10)
2:00 pmConcord N Bridge, 1775, Light Bobs (6x10)
3:00 pmToR - WotRConcord N Bridge, 1775, Light Bobs (6x10)
4:00 pmWakefieldConcord N Bridge, 1775, Light Bobs (6x10)
5:00 pmToR - WotR
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm
11:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 amDoulcon Woods 1914, To The Last Man, (4x8)
9:00 amTtS - (6'X12') Battle of Ain-Jalut 1260Doulcon Woods 1914, To The Last Man, (4x8)
10:00 amTtS - (6'X12') Battle of Ain-Jalut 1260Doulcon Woods 1914, To The Last Man, (4x8)
11:00 amTtS - (6'X12') Battle of Ain-Jalut 1260Doulcon Woods 1914, To The Last Man, (4x8)
12 NoonTtS - (6'X12') Battle of Ain-Jalut 1260
1:00 pm
2:00 pmAWI- FoB3 5x12
3:00 pmBrandywine 1777
4:00 pmAWI- FoB3 5x12
5:00 pmAWI- FoB3 5x12
6:00 pm
7:00 pmAWI- FoB3 5x12
8:00 pmBrandywine 1777
9:00 pmAWI- FoB3 5x12
10:00 pmAWI- FoB3 5x12
11:00 pm
Sunday
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12 Noon