Thanks to Mark, James and Allan for your comments last post! I seem to be having difficulty responding in the thread, I tried several times!

Not much new to report, I have assembled the ships, and have been eyeing up their Warlord Games' newest release the US fleet. Other players have commented that the scale is too large for bigger games ( for Trafalgar, Copenhagen or The Nile). If I end up playing these battles I will go to a much smaller scale.

Happy holidays all!

Warlord Games Black Seas!

It has been a very long time since I have posted on this site. Work, kids and other hobbies have kept me busy! I am excited about the new product from Warlord Games! Black Seas, the Napoleonic (and War of 1812) naval game.

My last plans for 1812 were to play Queenston Heights and New Orleans for land battles (very far on the back burner). I had also printed out paper versions of all the ships I would need for every battle in the War of 1812 from War Artisan. I believe I used too big of a scale for my great lakes battles I intended. That and trying to find a good ruleset derailed that project.

Warlord Games' new game has renewed my interest in the naval war. They have a fairly limited selection of ships though, but through conversion, 3D printing and using paper ships I hope to complete the fleets. I do want to give them the money they deserve for their excellent product though, so I will buy all the ships that I can.

Below is what they have released so far as well as the upcoming US fleet. I have not posted pictures of Victory or L'Orient, but a similar first rate is included in each of the British and French fleets.

I have the starter set which has three 5th rate 38 frigates, and 6 18 gun brigs. These are plastic, as are the 3rd rates. The first rate ships and constitution are resin. The models themselves are excellent and at least the parts of the ship go together easily. The sets include sails, flags and rigging thread.

One issue I have is that there are too many brigs (this has been written about on other sites). Brigs did not occur in battles in greater quantity than 5th rates, 6th rates, or even 3rd rates. You end up with many more than you need. I wish the starter would have been 3 5th rates, 2 6th rates, and 2 brigs. As it is the brigs can be converted into flush deck 6th rates with a bit of work, and some people have even made them into sloops.

Another issue is that all the ships of each size, except the resin ships are identical. They have created an average version of each ship for the game that never existed. The exceptions are the resin ships. They also have plates for some of the back of the ships with their name on them. This is fine with me overall, I just wish I could have ships of every size. Hopefully their releases come out quickly.

As it is, I can recreate at least every ocean battle with the models they have created.

The Battle of North Point Scenario Rules and Order of Battle

The Battle of North Point
September 12th, 1814

                       A contemporary view of the battle from the American side.

    A view from above from the British side.

You can see the disposition of troops in this map.

A map showing the overall Battle of Baltimore. Unlike New Orleans and Plattsburgh, the army sent to Baltimore was sent to raid and cause havoc not to occupy. When they saw the defences at Baltimore they withdrew. They had defeated two American armies, one at Bladensburg, and one at North Point. They would almost certainly not have taken the defences at Baltimore. The British suffered quite a few casualties at North Point, and General Ross had been killed just before the battle. The campaign had been successful in many ways, but had not been without cost. This British force went on to be defeated at New Orleans and then to successfully capture Fort Bowyer.

The most famous part of the battle. The 5th Maryland Volunteers stood up to the British volley after volley. They were the last Americans to leave the field, and left it in relatively good order.

Here are the forces that were gathering just a few kilometres away from the battle of North Point. There were 20 000 militia with 100 cannons in defensive positions at Hampstead Hill. Definitely more than the 3600 British that remained after North Point could handle. The British goal in the Chesapeake had been to destroy shipping, infrastructure that supported the war effort and cause havoc. In that regard it had been successful. The British had beaten two armies, burned down the Americans capital. This force made about 30 successful raids as well. Their lack of success in the Chesapeake was that they could not take Fort McHenry or get to Baltimore to burn the American fleet and harbour. The British marched back to their ships to head to New Orleans, their greatest loss of the war. The same force captured Fort Bowyer in Georgia after their loss of New Orleans, in the last battle of the war. 

1 Man = 15 
2 Guns = 3

British / Canadian Scenario Rules

Victory Conditions; The British have to rout the Americans.

1. British Infantry Shooting in Line Bonus; British / Canadian infantry get +1 to shooting rolls when in line. Militia and Indians do not get this bonus.

British Order of Battle
Colonel Arthur Brook (44th Foot) (Average)

1st (Light) Brigade
Colonel William Thornton (Average)

85th (Bucks Volunteers) Regiment of Light Infantry (845 men) x30 and X30 (Veteran)

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

*Up to 50% of each unit can skirmish

Light Companies 4th, 21st, 44th (214 men) X15 (Veteran)

(Aprox. 65men from  4th, 88men from 21st, 61men from 44th)

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

*Entire formation can skirmish

2nd Brigade
Unknown Command (Average)
*Arthur Brook had been in charge, but was the senior commander after Ross was killed.
4th (King's Own) Regiment of Foot (630-63 men) x36 (Veteran) 

+1 morale

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

44th Foot (East Essex) Regiment of Foot (610-61 men) x36 (Line)

+1 to shooting in line

Provisional Marine Battalion (Total 405 men) X30 (Line)

Royal Marines Ships Company (80 men) 

2nd Colonial Marines (90men) *these were former slaves

Naval Landing Party (235 men)

*Counts as Light Infantry
+1 melee

+1 to shooting in line

Can deploy up to 50% as skirmishers

3rd Brigade
Colonel Patterson (Average)

21st(Royal North British Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot (884-88 men) x48 (Line)

+1 to shooting in line

2nd Battalion Royal Marines (687 men) x40 (Elite)

*Counts as Light Infantry

+1 to shooting

+1 morale

+1 melee

Can refuse a flank

+1 to shooting in line

Can form open order

Artillery
Total 4 Guns,  Royal Marine Rocket Section; 473 Artillerymen and 56 Miners and Sappers

Royal Foot Artillery (4 6 Pounders) X3 Guns
+1 Morale

Royal Marines Rocket Section X1 Rocket (Veteran)

+1 Morale

Rocket Rules

-Range of 48 inches, must have line of sight, may fire overhead

Roll 2 D6

12 Direct and devastating hit. Six casualties. Consult double six table

11 – 9 Target unit lose 1 casulty and falters BUA’s set alight.

8-4 Miss

3 The nearest friendly unit to the rocket battery is hit by stray rockets and loses two casulties.

2 Rockets double back and strike ammunition. Rocket battery completely destroyed. (Rout)

American Army Scenario Rules

Victory Conditions; The Americans have to hold up the British for 10 turns.

1. Linear Tactics; Line units in the same brigade have to have the same formation except to go around terrain and other units.

2. Chosen Men; Up to 12 men maybe deployed as Chosen Men (Rifles). They roll 2D6 per 4 figures. They can form part of the skirmish screen or operate independently. They do not need to stay within 18 inches of close order units. This unit has a range of 17 inches.

3. Ammunition Problems; American troops carried less ammunition than their British counter parts, and had logistical problems becoming resupplied during battles. Any American infantry unit which rolls a double one for their shooting roll in any turn but their first turn is at half ammunition (inflicts half casualties). A unit will be at full ammunition that does not move or fire for one turn.

4. Cover; The fence visible in the map above in which the American troops took position provide -2 to be hit and +1 morale. Troops in the forest get -1 to be hit and +1 morale.

American Order of Battle
Brigadier General John Stricker (Average)

3rd Maryland Brigade
Brigadier General John Stricker (Average)

5th Maryland Volunteers 550 men x36 (2nd Line)

-1 morale

-round down half casualties 

6th Maryland Militia 620 men  x40 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

27th Maryland Militia 500 men  x30 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

39th Maryland Militia 450 men  x30 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

51st Maryland Militia 700 men  x48 (Conscript)

-1 morale

-1 melee

-2 firing modifier

1st Maryland Rifles 140 men  x9 (Second Line)
*Chosen Men
Union Jagers (German Unit), Fell's Point Rifles, Baltimore Sharpshooters

-1 morale

Artillery
1st Maryland Artillery (4 X 4 pounders) 3 Cannons (Conscript) *Centre

-1 morale

-1 melee

-1 firing modifier

1st Maryland Artillery (2 X 4 pounders) 1 Cannon (Conscript) *American Left

-1 morale

-1 melee

-1 firing modifier

Cavalry *Independent Unit
Lieutenant Colonel James Blays

5th Maryland Cavalry (140 men Total) (Enthusiastic Conscripts) X10
Baltimore Hussars (50 men), Independent Light Dragoons (35men), Maryland Chasseurs (35men), Fells Point Light Dragoons (20 men) *estimates

-1 morale

-1 melee

Updated War of 1812 Game List

I have acquired a fort suitable for Fort Meigs, Fort Stephenson. In addition I have updated the scenario rules for Plattsburgh (which had errors). Here is my updated list. I have been too busy with work and kids to do much with any of these lately, though I plan on doing a post on some of my newest scenery. The bolded ones have been fought, I have bolded and italicized those that I have made rules for but have not played.

1811

TippeCanoe *Technically not part of the War of 1812. 

November 7th

1812

Queenstown Heights *Coming up soon

October 13th

1813

Frenchtown

January 22nd

Battle of York

April 27th

Siege of Fort Meigs

May 1st

Battle of Fort George

May 27th

Battle of Sackett's Harbour

May 29th

Battle of Stoney Creek

June 6th

Battle of Beaver Dams

June 24th

Battle of the Thames

October 5th

Battle of Chateauguay

October 26th

Skirmish at Hoople's Creek

November 10th

Battle of Crysler's Farm

November 11th

What If? The Battle of Montreal

November 14th

1814

Battle of Longwoods

March 4th

Battle of Lacolle Mills

March 30th

Battle of Fort Oswego

May 6th

Battle of Chippawa

July 5th

Battle of Lundy's Lane

July 25th

Mackinac Island

August 4th

Seige of Fort Erie

August 15th to September 17th

Battle of Bladensburg *Coming up soon

August 24th

Battle of Plattsburgh *Updated, we will refight this one

September 11th

Battle of North Point *Coming up soon

September 12th

Battle of Cook's Milks

October 19th

What If? The Second Battle of Chippawa

1815

Battle of New Orleans *Coming up soon

January 8th

American Cavalry Uniforms and Models for the Battle of Bladensburg 1814

Cavalry at the Battle of Bladensburg 1814

American Militia Cavalry during the War of 1812 were wealthier men that could afford to equip themselves. The cavalry from Kentucky and Illinois wore hunting shirts, most other states had a variety of uniforms, we know the uniforms of about half of these. Overall, most uniformed cavalry had tartelans, stovepipe shakos, or a horse hair crest similar to the American line dragoons. All of the head gear used by cavalry in Europe were probably used by militia cavalry units somewhere in the United States. Companies were typically 30 to 50 men, units larger than that were almost always combined from 2 to 6 volunteer companies often all with different uniforms.

The plates shown below were created by "The War of 1812 Uniform Blog", that are relevant to the the Battle of Bladensburg. I have also included some plates from Osprey and Renee Chartrand. At the end of this post I will list what numbers I would use for 1 man equals 15 for this battle.

Bladensburg; Second Line (Forward Left)

Maryland Cavalry; Possibly 240 (possibly up to 300) Cavalry Total 4 (or more) companies

 All / most of the bits you need to make these are in the Perry British Light Dragoons plastic boxed set! It is a fantastic set.

Most of their uniforms are unknown. Maryland state rules were that cavalry were to have a fur covered tartelan, and a dark blue jacket with braiding. Though at North Point, the majority seemed to be wearing stovepipe type shakos (as were many of the Maryland militia infantry). Militia cavalry often came up with their own uniforms.

This is my conjecture based on the fact the the "1st Harford County Light Dragoons" had their standard captured at the battle.
7th Maryland Cavalry District; Harford County-Lt. Col. / Major Unknown
Unknown Type; Captain Smith's Troop
Unknown Type; Captain Jenkin's Troop
Unknown Type; Captain Lee's Troop
Unknown Type; Unknown if 4th Troop existed
*The 1st Harford County Light Dragoons definitely had their standard captured by the British at the Battle of Bladensburg, this leads me to believe that these were troops were present. Some sources specify that it was the 7th Harford County District that was present at the battle.
From; http://www.mdld.org


*Since the uniforms for the Maryland cavalry at Bladensburg are mostly unknown, I would use the uniforms that are known for Maryland from North Point combined with state regulations.

The above two illustrations from "A Most Warlike Appearance" by Renee Chartrand, show the standard militia uniform for Maryland as well as for the the 1st Baltimore Hussars (Maryland). 

This Baltimore Maryland Hussar seems to have a fur busby. 

This painting of the Battle of North Point was created in 1814, and was considered accurate by the American General. Three of the 4 troops have stovepipe type cylindrical stove pipe type shakos, the 4th company (bottom left) seems to have a US Light Dragoon style cavalry helmet with a horse hair plume. 

Here is another contemporary drawing from the Battle of North Point showing the cavalry present. The majority are wearing stove pipe type shakos, with one company having horse hair plumes. Many companies from Maryland also would have worn Tartelans. I have not seen a contemporary drawing of the Maryland Cavalry at Bladensburg. The 5th Maryland Cavalry at North Point consisted of; the 1st Baltimore Hussars, Independent Light Dragoons, Maryland Chasseurs and Fells Point Light Dragoons. They were 140 strong. 

Perry British Light Dragoons; Use these torsos for all Maryland cavalry. Some companies had tartelans as above.

Perry British Light Dragoons; With modification, you could use the shakos above for some Maryland companies but trim off as needed. Green stuff could be used to increase the size of the plume. Alternatively, British infantry stovepipe shakos from the Perry British infantry boxed set could be used as headgear (with some additions to the plume as well).

The black uniform above shows the uniform of the Alexandria Dragoons. I would use the Perry 4th Continental Dragoons from their American War of Independence line to create these. The state regulated uniforms are at left. Black may have been a common state colour, since the District of Columbia Riflemen had black hunting frocks.

District of Columbia Dragoons; Lt.Col.John Tayloe *40 to 50 men 
Alexandria Dragoons (seen above)
The Alexandria Dragoons are named in many sources, I think they were probably the only DC troop present. One source stated that they were being used as couriers and scouts so were not much of a force at the battle.

Cavalry in Reserve

Colonel Jacinct Laval 

2nd Light Dragoons 125 to 140 men

To create these, I would use either Knuckleduster American Light Dragoons, or Brigade Games American Light Dragoons (but trim off the incorrect plume!).

Virginian Light Dragoons 100 men *Amalgamated during the battle with the 2nd Light Dragoons at the Battle
I would use the Perry American War of Independence 16th Light Dragoons

A Summary of the Cavalry Present at 1 model equals 15

Second Line; 280 to 350 Cavalry (21 models plus a command figure)
Maryland 1st, 2nd and 5th Districts; 240 to 300 men 4 Companies (18 models)
1st Harford County Light Dragoons, plus 3 unknown troops

*X 6 Perry Plastic British Light Dragoons (Baltimore Hussars Uniform)
*X 6 Perry Plastic British Light Dragoons (Maryland Light Dragoons Uniform with Tartelons)
*X 6 Perry Plastic British Light Dragoons (Maryland Light Dragoon Uniform with Stove Pipe type hat)

District of Columbia Cavalry; 40 to 50 men; 1 Companies (3 models)
*X 3 Perry 3rd Continental Dragoons AWI (DC Alexandria Dragoons Uniform)

Reserve; 225 to 240 Cavalry (16 models plus a command figure)

2nd Light Dragoons 125 to 140 men; 
*X 9 Brigade Games or Knuckleduster American Light Dragoons plus a command figure. (10 total)

Virginian Light Dragoons; 100 men;
*X 6  Perry 16th Light Dragoon American War of Independence Models

*It is unclear, but it's possibly the reserve cavalry may have been combined in the second line as well.

Here are 3 of the Sources;

New American Light Dragoons from Brigade Games

Here are some new excellently sculpted American Light Dragoons for the War of 1812 from Brigade Games.

Unfortunately, based on Renee Chartrand, as far as I can tell they have the wrong plume. The only manufacturer to make the plume correctly in the centre so far was Knuckleduster. The side plumes illustrated on so many plates, and on the majority of sculpts,  are based on a post war example.

Otherwise, these do appear to be excellent miniatures. They can be fixed by simply trimming off the plume. Renee Chartrand depicts them as possibly removing their plume on campaign.

Here is the correct plume on the Knuckleduster Light Dragoon.

Here are my converted (Perry) Light Dragoons. 

Here is an artists depiction based on Renee Chartrand showing the plume removed. In his book, he has a contemporary uniform plate showing the plume on the centre at the front. The campaign pants were to be blue with a white stripe, but with shortages they may have had on their white pants on campaign as shown. Renee Chartrand states the plume was possibly / probably removed for campaign. All of the surviving helmets I have seen photos of have no plume still attached.

Here is the only illustration of the American Light Dragoons from the time I have seen, from "A Most Warlike Appearance" by Renee Chartrand.

The correct plumes as shown in "The United States Army 1812-15" by Osprey Publishing. *Note that the plates in "The American War" by Osprey show the incorrect plume.

Scenario; The Flight of the Royal George

Text of the Incident From Wikipedia

A fuller account can be seen here;

http://www.warof1812.ca/kingstonharbour1812.pdf

In November 1812, Royal George was the largest warship on the lake, operating under the command of British Commodore Hugh Earl (or "Earle"). On thr 9th of November 1812, an American fleet of seven ships under the command of Commodore Isaac Chauncey surprised Royal George as she passed near the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. Royal George eluded the American vessels by slipping into the North Channel between Amherst Island and the mainland as night fell, making her way into the safety of her home harbour at Kingston by 2 a.m.

The pursuit of the Royal George

The Americans captured then burned the small sloop "The Two Brothers"

The following morning, the 10th of November, the American fleet resumed the pursuit, burning a small commercial vessel near Bath and proceeding along the shore. As they approached Kingston, they came under fire from shore batteries. Chauncey directed his ship, Oneida and the other American vessels to bombard and attempt to seize Royal George within its harbour. Artillery fire from the shore batteries along the shoreline, including two batteries on Point Henry, attempted to prevent them from closing on the British vessel. Round shot from the American vessels penetrated into the town but they were unable to capture Royal George. At the end of the day, they anchored out of sight of Kingston, intending to resume their attack the next day. However, an approaching storm caused Chauncey to withdraw hack to the American base at Sacketts Harbor without seizing their prize.

Above and below; depictions of the American fleet attacking the Royal George at Kingston Harbour

This would be the only American attack on Kingston during the War of 1812 as more personnel were sent to this important military and naval centre and strong fortifications were built on Point Henry to defend the dockyards. It was the only time that shots were fired from Point Henry in its history.

Kingston during the War of 1812

Reflections

Briefly at the beginning of the war the British had dominance on Lake Ontario. Chauncy quickly balanced things out by converting merchant vessels. After this action, more troops and batteries were added to Kingston. The Americans certainly had the upper hand in this incident but were not able to capture Kingston or the Royal George. A similar incident had happened in July but in reverse, when 3 British vessels attacked the Oneida at Sackett's Hatbour. 

In Chauncy's version of events the Royal George was almost sinking but Malcolmson's "The Lords of the Lake" states it had just one 32 pound hole in the hull, but the Ameeicans had several ships with hull and sail damage as well. The Americans had lost two entire armies by this point so we're looking for good news. The British had only one killed in this incident. The Provincial Marine were inexperienced and not up for a war.  They were under Commodore Hugh Earle. Shortly afterwards the British Navy took over under Yeo. 

Order of Battle

British

Commodore Hugh Earle (Poor)

Royal George 20 Guns

20 32 pound carronades

Collin's Bay

Gunboat est. 1 24 pounder

Shore Batteries

Collin's Bay

6 Pounder

Mississauga Point

2 9 Pounders

Point Henry

2 Batteries; 2 9 Pounders each 

Point Frederick

1 Battery; 2 9 Pounders

American

Commodore Isaac Chauncey (Average)

Oneida 18 Guns

16 24 pound carronades, 2 6 pounders

Hamilton 9 Guns 

8 18 pound carronades, 1 12 pounder (pivot)

Governor Tompkins 6 Guns

2 18 pound carronades, 1 32 pounder (pivot), 1 24 pounder (pivot), 2 9 pounders

Growler 5 Guns

1 24 pounder (pivot), 4 4 pounders

Conquest 3 Guns

2 24 pounders (pivots), 1 6 pounder

Pert 3 Guns

1 32 pounder (pivot), 2 4 pounders

Julia 2 Guns 

1 32 pounder (pivot), 1 12 pound (pivot)