War of 1812 Wargaming Blog: May 2014

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Converting Perry 95th / KGL into Glengarry Light Infantry

For some reason I really enjoy converting miniatures. Both knuckleduster and Old Glory make these guys, but I already had the plastic 95th from the Perry plastic British anyways (and the Perry ones are so nice).

The Glengarry Light Infantry were uniformed just like the 95th but had muskets instead of rifles. They may have had the slightly smaller light infantry Brown Bess. Their Colonel (Red) George Macdonnel was painted at the time with a green pelisse with brown fur (just like the 95th). Other officers have been portrayed as wearing a a scottish style sash across the torso.

These were probably an average line unit. They were formed of Scottish Canadians in 1812. Only small detachments fought in 1813, then the whole unit fought heavily at Lundy's Lane, Fort Erie, and the almost battle of Cook's Mills (a great What If? Scenario). At Lundy's Lane they helped destroy Scott's brigade by skirmishing on their flank. They later broke from friendly fire, then retreated out of the battle behind the other British units.

To create these I cut their rifles at an angle, then took extra gun arms from British Perry plastics and cut them the same way. They are surprisingly durable when glued ths way; more durable than my brigade games, old glory or victrix guns which break frequently. I also used the metal Perry 95th, and the 2nd KGL. The 2nd KGL have muskets and can also easily be converted. Some minor plume and shako braid trimming and you are done.

The officer of the reenactment unit is wearing a pre War of 1812 Tartelon, I don't think this is accurate.

Colonel George Macdonnel with pelisse, visible off the left shoulder.

Sunday, 11 May 2014

War of 1812; British Specialist Uniforms

British Cavalry

19th Light Dragoons

This is the only line unit of British cavalry to serve in Canada. Three squadrons arrived in 1813, and two more in 1814; elements fought at Black Rock, Chippawa, Lundy's Lane and Fort Erie. Two squadrons fought in the Plattsburgh campaign. The only charge they did was one squadron charged one company of infantry from Scott's brigade.

14th Light Dragoons

Took part in the New Orleans campaign. Fought dismounted because they had not yet procured mounts.

6th Inniskilling Dragoons

A detachment accompanied the British command in the invasion of the US. Perhaps 10 to 20 men.

British Artillery

Mainly in batteries of 3 guns. Equipped usually with 6 pounders, but 3 pounders were also used in the western frontier. They were often equipped with older cannons as well, including a battery of two 24 pounders. The artillery driver role (second from right) was usually filled by Canadian Provincial regulars (called car brigades).

Royal Horse Artillery Rocket Section

There was only one detachment of Royal Horse Artillery Rockets in North America. They only arrived in 1814, and only fought in the New Orleans Campaign. There were however 2 marine rocket battery detachments; Royal Marine Rockets fought at Lundy's Lane, Lacolle Mills, The Chesapeake Campaign and New Orleans (see uniform in the Royal Marine section below).

British Marines

Two regiments if marines were formed in the peninsular war, complete with colours. These were each accompanied by a battery of heavy artillery and a battery of rockets. It was the marine rocket batteries which fought in most of the battles that had rockets in them.

British Navy

Though the Americans had success in some small frigate actions, they spent the latter half of the war completely blockaded by the British fleet. The most significant naval actions were both won by the US navy, but on inland lakes; Put in Bay (Lake Erie), and Plattsburgh.

War of 1812; British Foreign Regiments

There were quite a few foreign regiments employed by the British in the War of 1812. Some were decent, others were of very low quality.

For record of service look here;

http://www.warof1812.ca/charts/regts_na.htm

Swiss Regiments

These two Swiss regiments were originally employed by the Dutch, but switched to British service. They were named after their commanders. They received a bad rap for having a lot of deserters, but this was because by the War of 1812 2/3 of their numbers were made up of peninsular war captives! Mainly Polish, but also Swiss, and German.

Regiment De Meuron

Regiment De Wattville

French POWs

Companie De Foreigners

These were French Prisoners of War. They did not do well, when used in the invasion of the USA they ran ammock, murdering and raping. They were light infantry.

Former American Slaves

3rd Regiment of Marines

This unit was created from freed slaves. The British freed all the slaves they could in their invasion of the US. These freed slaves fought against their former captors in British service. They fought in the Chesapeake.

West Indies Regiments

These were made up soldiers of African descent from West Indies. The British thought highly of these units, and they performed well. They took part in the New Orleans campaign. There were 4 regiments that took part;the 1st West India, 2nd, 5th and Rangers (I assume rangers were light infantry)