My first finished project of 2016 is mustered into service. This is the 24th Michigan of the Western Iron Brigade. The figures are by French manufacturer Forgotten and Glorious. I’ve talked about them previously and finished some of their brigade command stands in December.
I love the command stand. It includes F&G’s sculpt of Colonel Henry A. Morrow, the 24th’s commanding officer at Gettysburg.
Col. Henry Morro
On the first day of Gettysburg, when the 24th was engaged with the 26th North Carolina, Col. Morrow picked up the colours and carried them after the colour bearer was shot, as seen in this painting by Don Troiani. Morrow received a non-fatal wound in the head during the fighting at Missionary Ridge and was taken prisoner when the Rebels captured the town of Gettysburg.
And here’s F&G’s Col. Morrow. I really like the way the sculptor included his Hardee hat on the ground by his feet. The flags are by GMB.
I tried to mix up firing and loading figures to show the chaos of a firefight, as opposed to the symmetry of drill. When I was a reenactor I hated two rank firing. I was always afraid of not having my muzzle far enough in front of the face of the front rank man, and when I was in the front rank I always hated having muskets going off near my face. And that was with no one shooting back at us.
The Colonel Morrow figure allowed me to use the officer from the command pack as a company line officer, cooly watching the effect of the men’s fire. I rather think it would take a lot of sand to stand there with a sword and try to act cool and collected to inspire the troops.
My order from F&G also included a vignette of two privates running with an ammo crate. I liked the pointing sergeant from the command pack so I paired him with this duo. I hope it looks like the sergeant is directing them to the crisis point in the line where the ammo is running low.
I suppose I could use this as another regimental stand or as a marker to show low ammo or out of ammo, though I don’t think I have any rules which get that granular.
Finally my order included a set of mounted and foot officers. Col. Morrow freed up a standard bearer from the command pack, and since I had an extra 1st Bde/1st Div/1st Corps banner I decided to make them part of brigade headquarters. The mounted officer is getting briefed by the chap on foot, pointing to something very important.
I don’t know what I’m going to do with all these command stands. Fortunately I’m fond of vignettes on the table top. I should say that the circular stand is the only one in this group that I made. The square bases are all laser-cut MDF. I’m a convert.
These brave sons of Michigan are now mustered into service, and bring my Iron Brigade collection to three regiments. Sounds like a good excuse for another game of Longstreet.
Thanks for looking and blessings to your brushes!
These figures bring my 2016 totals to:
28mm: Foot Figures: 29; Mounted Figures: 1
Were at looking unit Mike! Cheers Peter
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Peter!
DeleteI read an account of the fight between 24th Mich and 26th N.C. The latter unit also had several colour bearers shot, until its boy colonel, Henry K. Burgwyn (aged 22) picked them up. He too was shot, fatally. Seems that battle flags, which look so cool on the table, were simply an invitation 'to aim here'. Even after losing over 70% casualties in the first day's fighting, 26th S.C. participated in the famous charge on the third day, where they lost over 50% of the remainder.
ReplyDeleteFor its part, 24th Michigan also lost well over 70% in casualties by the time the battle ended. Both units lost more than any other in their own army.
I don't know what it takes for men to enter, let alone endure, that kind of thing. At that, rather than admire, I am more inclined to wonder.
One could only imagine a level of utter fanaticism and loyalty to the cause in order to endure what you describe. Insanity also works as a descriptor.
DeleteAbove comment was in response to the Archduke. I just hit the wrong link.
DeleteThese boys look fantastic Mike. I think the finest union regiment yet. The ammo bearers are an especially charming effort.
Ion, it is indeed astonishing to imagine men in the heat of a firefight at 2-300 yards or less, competing with one another to hold the unit flag aloft, knowing that in doing so is as you say almost certain death. A sane man would lay the damned thing down once the shooting started and add his own musketry to the firefight. Perhaps it was honour, masculinity, the tribal culture of the regiment, a more abstract patriotism and love of country, or just the frenzy of battle, or some combination of all of them. I both wonder and admire.
DeleteAs you say, the casualty rates for both units were catastrophic. Other units of the Western Iron Brigade were similarly chewed up at earlier actions (Brawner's Farm and Antietam) before the 24th MI joined the Bde. It explains why storied regiments and brigades often performed so poorly later in the war - after such bloodletting they would be mere shadows of themselves, the ranks filled with conscripts, drafts from broken up regiments, or used up veterans. These famous battles were the death of regiments as well as of soldiers.
Thanks for both comments, Dai. I'm glad you like the ammo bearers. Insanity seems like a good word to describe what it would be like to willingly stand in a firing line, within close range of rifled muskets with an effective range of 600-800 yards, not taking cover and firing while minie balls smash the heads and bones of those around you. It makes Crane`s Red Badge of Courage, which is about courage, more understandable for me.
DeleteExcellent work Mike!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Alan!
DeleteVery nicely painted and based
ReplyDeleteYou must be proud!!
Hope to see them in action soon
Hey Benito, thanks so much. I am rather proud of these figures. They are champing at the bit to get into a scrap, soon I hope.
DeleteExcellent work here Michael!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rodger, that's high praise from someone who does ACW figures so well.
DeleteThose all look brilliant. Lovely job.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely splendid, what a great start to the year.
ReplyDeleteFantastic looking unit. The flag bearer in pic #4 is absolutely outstanding! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteWell done Mike!
ReplyDeleteThose are spiffing.
Really good paint job on some great looking figures, looking forward to a longstreet aar soon
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Looking good, Padre! Really inspiring work and makes me want to start up my old ACW project again!
ReplyDeleteExcellent job sir. Fab looking regiment and really like the pics.
ReplyDeleteMost excellent work Padre! You've done an amazing job on these guys.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking brushwork on your Federals, Michael!
ReplyDeleteFantastic work there, really like the basing and the vignettes as well. Much more interesting than counters, I'll have to look into that.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were a reenactor! Yes in my TSL rules there are provisions to encourage players to fire by file or by company, which seems like the most common method.
Splendid painting and basing on your Iron Brigade (in progress). I love the historical background you provided as well. Now I want to get some ACW gaming in.
ReplyDelete