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.

Year End - 2019

2019 saw my first full year of keeping this blog.  Posts are somewhat infrequent and scattered, but I've been able to stick with it.

On the reenacting front, I was able to attend 8 events in kit this year, and one as a spectator.  A couple of the gatherings were private get-togethers, and several were official Warner's Regiment events.  It's difficult to pick a favorite this year, though presenting a talk to the public while having a chicken standing on my head at Hubbardton does sort of stand out.

For sewing projects, I was able to complete an outfit for G to wear, though she keeps growing, so we'll need to do it again this year.  Another yearly ritual seems to be breeches.  This past year it was a pair for a friend.  This coming year I'll need to replace mine again.

On the gaming side of things, we have a few games of Wings of War, plus several board games, but no major games yet.  I did get a lot of painting done (for me), completing about 61 28mm figures, which is an increase from last year.  I also built a few small pieces of terrain.  This coming year I have a couple of focused projects to concentrate on.  The first is the Battle of Valcour Island, using paper-craft miniatures and rules from War Artisan, and the second is a go at a 6mm scale Battle of Hubbardton, at 1:1 figure scale (roughly 1,500 troops per side).  I've found a few guys who may be interested in playing some historical scenarios, so I'm going to put some effort into getting those games going.

Historical research this year was light.  Other than my usual general reading on various events and period crafts, I did get to visit the Vermont State Archives to look through Ira Allen's survey book.  That was a pretty cool moment.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it to the School of Instruction in Pennsylvania, hosted by the Department of the Geographer to the Army.  I'd really like to attend that one day, so I'm going to look into it again this year.

Overall, 2019 was a pretty good year, hobby-wise.  I'm looking forward to continuing in 2020.

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.