Testing Lake Champlain

 

The Waters of Valcour Bay

 

Yesterday was the 244th anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Island, where Benedict Arnold led a small fleet of hastily built gunboats and ships against an also hastily built fleet of British vessels located on Lake Champlain between Vermont and New York.  While the battle ended in an American defeat, it also ended the 1776 campaign season for the British attempting to come down out of Canada to take Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence.

The anniversary reminded me of the Battle of Valcour Island game that I had been putting together last year.  In September, I build the American ship Enterprise.  I had so much fun with that build, that a couple of weeks later I assembled the HMS Inflexible.

Over the winter, I dabbled a bit with putting together the game.  War Artisan's Workshop has a great set of papercraft ships, covering the vessels that took part in the battle, as well as a free set of naval rules called Away Boarders!  My original intention was to build both the American and British Fleets, a game board, and some custom player sheets then play out the battle this year on or near the anniversary date.

Unfortunately, I didn't make much progress on this project.  I ordered a couple more ship kits, and started to assemble them, and played a bit with creating a board.  Away Boarders! uses a sort of grid system, with dots in triangular formations representing ship locations.  I wanted to create a board that both looked good, and was functional with the rules.  The above photo was the result of my one test.  A 2'x2' piece of hardboard was sprayed with a rattle can of greenish-blue texture paint that I had used on the bases of the two ships that I build.  I then used a white paint pen to add very small dots in the grid system used for the game.  Overall, I liked the look, however, that's all the progress I have.

With this project in mind again, maybe I'll add it to my winter project list and see about hosting a Valcour Island game on the 245th anniversary.

Desiging A Model Kit

 

Ethan Allen House Model

Roughly ten years ago, long before I became a reenactor, I visited the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum in Burlington, Vermont. My goal was to tour the house and take some reference photos so that I could build a model of the building.

The Homestead was the last home of the American Revolutionary war hero (depending on who you talk to) and leader of the pre-war Green Mountain Boys who fought the rule of New York over what was then known as the New Hampshire Grants.

Allen had the house built after the War. Though he only lived there a few years, the house was passed on to his widow, and her new husband, after his death. Over the decades, the property was sold, changed, and somewhat lost to history. When the location of Allen's house was found again in modern times, it was restored to how it may have looked in its original condition. Today, the museum not only presents Allen's life on the Homestead, but also the history and culture of the Abenaki Indians who originally lived on the land.

My model project was an on again, off again affair. Mostly off. 10 years after my initial visit, I buckled down and set to work creating a model of the building. My final goal is to create a 28mm scale building that can be used for wargaming. Ideally, I'd like to create a kit that other gamers and modelers can build.

 

Carboard Test Parts

Assembling the First Floor

First Floor with Figures for Scale

When I had originally visited the building, a set of faded floorplans had been displayed on one of the walls of the Visitor's Center. I took photos of these plans, and used them, along with my reference photos, to create a rough model out of corrugated cardboard.

The cardboard model became a test of not only the size and shape of the building, but also how the various pieces of the model could be made to create a laser-cut wood kit for others.

 

Gable Ends and Roofs

Walls and Floors

Using my cardboard model, my photo references, and Inkscape, I created a layout plan of the various pieces and parts of the building. I decided to create the model using two pieces of thin stock for each wall. This allowed me to add laser-engraved detail to both the interior and exterior of the walls, and to create nice looking double-hung windows, as in the prototype building.

With the Inkscape drawings done, I sent the plan off to an online laser-cutting company. Then I waited.

Laser Cut Sheet

Several weeks later, a box finally appeared in my driveway. On opening it, I found my 10-year dream realized. I had a laser-cut kit of Ethan Allen's last home, designed by myself, and ready for assembly.

 

Second Floor Assembled

Interior and Exterior Walls

Kitchen Fireplace

Gable End

First Floor Assembled

Second Floor Assembled

Final Assembly Before Painting

While building the model, I found several areas that need improvement, mostly mistakes that I made in my Inkscape drawing. Whenever I encountered one of these issues, I'd make a note, correct the physical model, then move on. After a few days, I had a fully assembled and painted model.

Col. Allen Moves in Next to Capt. Smith

 The size matches the scale of the William Smith house that I built earlier. While the frames were a bit fiddly, the windows turned out just as I had hoped, adding a nice detail to a rather plain looking building. As reenctors, my daughter and I have since visited the Homestead several times over the years, and become friends with the folks who run the museum. My daughter was very happy to see that the layout matches the real house, including the upper floor, which we don't often see.

Kitchen Detail

First Floor Painted

Finished Model

 Overall, I think the project was a great success.  Having now done several reenacting events at the Homestead, it's neat to have a model of a house that we've "lived" in. While I need to make a lot of improvements if I ever want to put this into kit form for sale, I'm happy with my own personal model, and I look forward to designing more building kits.

Battle of Hubbardton in 6mm

With over half the year gone already, I figured I'd better catch up on posting.  I've actually been pretty active on the gaming front in the past few months, especially since the reenacting scene has been pretty quiet due to Covid-19.

Battle of Hubbardton

First up, The Battle of Hubbardton.

Back in the beginning of the year, I watched a video from Little Wars TV about creating a topographical map for wargaming.  At the time, I had been thinking about creating some sort of game to represent The Battle of Hubbardton.  The video put the idea into my head to recreate the battle in 1:1 figure scale (roughly 1,000 troops per side) using 6mm figures.

I started the project by ordering some Continental Line Infantry in light infantry caps from Baccus Miniatures to represent Seth Warner's "Green Mountain Boys" regiment.  Warner was in overall command of the American side of the field that day,  and I'm familiar with the regiment, so I started there.  Never having painted miniatures as small as 6mm, I wasn't sure what to expect.  When they arrived, I was pleased to see how much detail could be sculpted at that size, and after watching a few videos, I discovered that painting them is easier than I expected it would be.  Unlike 28mm miniatures, 6mm miniatures don't need each detail picked out on every figure.  The goal is to represent massed troops, so coat colors and facings became more important than canteen straps and belts.

Warner's in 6mm

Baccus Continental Light Infantry

To give me an idea how they'd look on the table, I painted up just a few figures.  I decided that they were too dark, so I settled on painting the rest of the figures with a brighter green, to represent the green faced red coats that Warner's Regiment was ordered to have when they were formed.

Test Figures

My second order from Baccus was for a group of German line infantry, and some horsemen to act as officers for all units.  The Germans would represent the Hessian unit that came onto the field toward the end of the battle, reinforcing the British regulars and helping to cause the final retreat of the Continentals.

Hessian Line Infantry

Commanders on Horseback

These figures I was able to paint more quickly.  I think I was beginning to become more practiced with the scale.  I also found that I could add detail to the figures, things such as cross belts and helmet plates, by using a set of fine tipped paint pens that I found at our local craft store.

Hessians in Progress

Baron Riedesel's Troops Enter the Field

Unfortunately, this is where this particular project has stalled.  In March, things came to a halt with the arrival of the Corona virus, which has caused global shutdowns and delays, including with Baccus Miniatures.  While they have done their best to keep up, the company has had to shut down their online shopping cart a couple of times, due to staffing and shipping issues.  To their credit, they have been very open with the gaming community about their status, and once things are opened up again, I'll definitely be placing more orders with them to continue this project.

For more information about the Battle of Hubbardton, check out this video done by a friend of mine, Skyler Bailey, on the Seth Warner's Recreated Regiment YouTube channel.

Operation Ransom Guard

Demonstrating in downtown St. Albans.

Last month, on August 11th, a few of us from Warner's Regiment took part in the Vermont National Guard's "Operation Ransom Guard" in St. Alban's, Vermont.

The event was hosted by 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment of the Vermont National Guard.  The Guard unit was celebrating their history, including doing demonstrations of battle tactics.  Our unit, as well as a Civil War unit and some modern units were invited to demonstrate the unit's historical beginnings and tactics, to show both the public and the current Guard members their origins.

The event was a day-long sort of picnic/party on the green in the center of St. Albans, where the Cavalry is based.  The main event was a short ceremony, combined with tactical demonstrations by the units.  Warner's led off the tactical demonstration by marching onto the field, firing a couple of volleys at close order, then spreading out to open order.  Once in open order we moved across the field, firing as we advanced, then demonstrated an orderly withdrawal.  After the withdrawal, we advanced again, this time at a charge.

Our unit was followed by the Civil War cavalry, who were in turn followed by a number of modern guard units, including cavalry mounted on humvees.  It was interesting to see how modern tactics have evolved, but how they are also basically the same as what Warner's uses on the field as infantrymen.

One of the guardsmen in attendance captured our performance on video, which he posted to his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/getincamo/videos/384300505604263/?t=43

242nd Battle of Hubbardton

This past weekend was the 242^nd anniversary of the Battle of Hubbardton in Hubbardton, Vermont. The battle is usually described as being the only battle fought in the now state of Vermont, though there were other skirmish level actions in several areas.

Warner's Regiment forming up.

I didn't get many photos, as my family schedule sort of jumbled my weekend, and when I was on the battlefield, I was either drilling or keeping track of my children. My daughter did manage to get a few photos though.

Since we live close by, we swung by the event on Friday night to set up our tent and chat quickly with everyone. On Saturday morning, Gabriella and I returned, this time with one of her chickens in tow. Earlier this year, she had asked if she could raise chickens. One of the breeds that we chose, the Dominique, is actually a heritage breed, appropriate to our time period. She's been dying to take one of her babies to an event, and since we were close by, we figured this would be a good one, as we could quickly return home if there was any trouble.

Chicken Rose, hanging out with the distaff.

Saturday morning the unit spent time drilling, working both on the Manual of Arms, and our movements across the field, while a few other units played out a small skirmish on the hill. There was also a bit of time for shopping, though sutler turnout was low this year, with about half the number of vendors as what I'm used to seeing there.

In the afternoon, the main battle for the day was scheduled. We were issued powder, and had started to gear up when the order was given to put everything under cover. To the north, the sky had turned very dark, and a low rumble of thunder could be heard. Soon the wind picked up, the rain started falling, and the lightening started to flash. Many of us huddled under the dining fly, watching the storm, and, ironically, enjoying the wind as it had been incredibly humid all day.

Unfortunately, the weather caused the battle to be cancelled.

Moving into formation.

One of the things that the public does not see in this hobby is what happens after hours. Once the sky cleared, and a few small units had gone out to skirmish for fun, a memorial service was held at the top of the hill. Our Chaplain, once again, read a great sermon, remembered not only the Americans who had fallen at Hubbardton, but also the British and German soldiers who had fought and died far from their homes. One of the most emotional points of the service was when the names of those in the hobby that we had lost in the past year were called out. Moments like these, out of public view, really show what a small community reenactors have.

Rose, entertaining the gathering.

After the main memorial service, Warner's Regiment held our own Toast to the Fallen. Each year, at events where we are reenacting on the same ground as those we portray, we hold an issuing of rum, and a toast to those men who had been killed, wounded, and captured in service to the country. Hubbardton was a bloody action, and several of the original Warner's men had fallen there. These toasts are solem occasions, but I'm glad that I get to be a part of them.

Off to do some drilling.

Sunday, for me, was a quick day. Due to a last mintue family scheduling change, I had to miss the morning battle, which was the actual reenactment of the Battle of Hubbardton, fought exactly 242 years after the real battle. The kids and I were able to make it over to the battlefield by around 10:30, but the kids were too demanding of my time for me to take the field. We did have a good visit, though, and Gabbi's birds provided entertainment for both the unit and the visitors.

Rose takes me for a walk.

Ethan Allen Day - Ethan Allen Homestead

This past weekend, the girls and I attended our first “official” event of the 2019 season with Warner's Regiment. A few years ago, the State of Vermont declared June 23^rd to be “Ethan Allen Day.” For those not familiar with Allen, he's a bit of a folk hero in Vermont for fighting back against New Yorkers who were trying to claim New Hampshire land grants, and also for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in the days after the start of the American Revolution. His last home was in today's Burlington, Vermont, and the land has been turned into a small museum and education center.

The girls, harassing the museum exhibits.

 Since I was headed to the event as one parent with four girls, we opted to drive up the morning of the event, rather than the night before. We did take our tent, so the girls would have a place to relax out of public view, as well as a base of operations for things like diaper changes.

3/4 of the crew, taking a break.

For this event, the focus was to be on Distaff and civilian activities, with the military playing a smaller part. As such, there were other groups there demonstrating spinning, wood carving, flax preparation and other things. The men, women and children of Warner's also demonstrated sewing, knitting, games, and more. Overall, it was a very casual and relaxed atmosphere.

Relaxing in the shade.

About mid-day, the soldiers from the Regiment demonstrated some close order and open order drill. There is a popular myth that all Revolutionary War battles were men lined up in long lines taking turns shooting at each other in open fields, but the War in the northern theater was a bit different. We demonstrated how men would have gone about moving through woods and broken terrain.

Your humble author, defending The Grants.

Later in the afteroon, a couple of the men taught some basic drill movements to members of the public, who were given wooden practice muskets to learn with. While this was happening, a group of our Distaff members learned basic black powder and musket safety and handling. This was led by a couple of our female members who usually portray soldiers, but for this event chose to take part as Distaff.

Engaging with the public.

By afternoon, my children had hit their energy limits, so I gathered them all up and headed back home. The next morning, they were all still tired, so I returned to the Homestead alone to take part in Sunday's activities, and to retrieve our tent and equipment.

Distaff weapons training.

Sunday started with a short religious service by our Regimental Chaplain. I'm not much of a church-goer, but I really enjoy hearing a sermon while sitting out on the grass, under the shade of a tree, with birds and a breeze as a backdrop.

Sunday services.

The rest of the day brought more drilling and demonstrations, ending about mid afternoon. It was an excellent start to the “official” season.

Sisters strolling the orchard.

Nature girl.

Learning to fire.

Musket training.

Some 18th century gaming.

Projecting confidence.

"Make READY!"

Reflection and relaxation.

  

Out for a walk.

The "official" portrait.

Her fourth season.

The unofficial portrait.

* Photos by myself, Elaina Davis, Crystal Bailey, and Heather Kenyon-Haff