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.

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)

War of 1812 British Infantry Uniforms

War of 1812 British Uniforms

Plates from this section from Uniform Blog or Mont St. Jean 

*most of these units arrived in 1814

1st Foot 

3rd Foot 

4th Foot 

5th Foot

6th Foot 

7th Foot (Fusiliers)

8th Foot

9th Foot

13th Foot

16th Foot

21st Foot (Fusiliers)

27th Foot

29th Foot

37th Foot

39th Foot

40th Foot

41st Foot

43rd Foot (Light Infantry)

44th Foot

49th Foot

57th Foot

58th Foot

60th Foot (Light Infantry / Some Rifles)

62nd Foot

64th Foot

70th Foot

76th Foot

81st Foot

82nd Foot

85th Foot (Light Infantry)

88th Foot

89th Foot

90th Foot

93rd Foot (Sutherland Highlanders); 2 Battalions

95th Foot (Rifles)

97th Foot

98th Foot

99th Foot

100th Foot

101st Foot

102nd Foot

103rd Foot

104th Foot

4th Garrison Batallion

10th Garrison Batallion

Comparing War of 1812 Figures

My intent here is to compare figure manufacturers; not criticize. They are all artists, and all ranges have pros and cons.

Figure Review

Size of Average Figures from largest to Smallest

Front Rank; not recommended for 1812 because they do not mix well with others

Victrix

Plastic Perry = Musket and Tomahawk = Conquest Miniatures (Indians) = Brigade Games= Warlord Games

Knuckleduster = Crusader Miniatures (Indians) = Some Old Glory=Most Metal Perry

Most Old Glory = Wargames Foundry

                        

Figure Pose Quality from Best to "Least Best"

Perry

Muskets and Tomahawks = Conquest Miniatures=Brigade Games=Warlord Games

Victrix = Some Knuckleduster = Some Old Glory = Some Wargames Foundry

Some Knuckleduster = Some Old Glory = Some Wargames Foundry

Metal / Plastic Quality from Best to Least

Knuckleduster

Perry = Musket and Tomahawk

Old Glory

Victrix = Brigade Games = Warlord Games

Perry Miniatures; 

-plastic early British Infantry, late British infantry

-rifles, light infantry

-late British Light Dragoons

-British Colonels

-some AWI natives

-plastic AWI can make some militia units; Virginia, DC

-AWI cavalry fits Canadian and US militia cavalry

PerryConversion Possibilities *only worth it because they are so nice

-AWI British legion cavalry easily converted to Canadian Light Dragoons

-plastic british can be converted, with a lot of work into american infantry

-Belgian metal line can be converted into late american infantry

-Belgian, Nassau and Dutch generals easily made into american generals

-plastic riflemen easily made into Glengarry LI

-Carlist War rocket troops easily converted to Marine rockets

Pros

-the best poses, historically accurate

-great price, especially for plastics

-good quality metal and plastic

Cons

-plastics are large; a little larger than most of the 1812 figures from other companies. Their metal ranges fit well with knuckleduster. 

Front Rank

-early British Infantry

-early British Artillery

-British Colonels and Generals

-late British Infantry

Pros

-very nice poses

Cons

-very tall and bulky

-very expensive

Knuckleduster

*They make everything

Pros

-they have the largest range by far

-excellent, durable metal

-fantastic service; Forrest Harris will even change up packs for you

-size is between Perry and Old Glory so mixes well with both

-marching units and horses are very well done

-historically accurate

-good prices 

Cons

-some units not as well sculpted as others

Old Glory

*they make almost everything, though they are 25mm scale

Pros

-cheap, fairly large range

-some units are very nice ex) Canadian Voltigeurs, US Rifles

Cons

- horses are very tiny

-the size ranges, the smallest are quite small

-some errors; US infantry with blanket roll, wrong plume on US Light Dragoons

Wargames Foundry

Pros

American volunteers are nice

Cons

-smallest of all,  may mix well with Old Glory

-expensive and hard to find

-small range of Americans

-limited range of poses

Brigade Games

-late war American infantry

-late war Scott's brigade

*both of the above available in marching and shooting line but only one command for each

-late war American Rifles

-late war American Artillery; only 12 pounders

-American Generals x2

-Canadian Voltigeurs

-Sedentary Militia

-Mohawks with Indian Dept.

-early British Light Dragoons

-early British infantry

-early British Artillery

-round hat / Canadian militia 

-mounted British colonels

-navy figures

Pros

-they are as nice as Perry for the most part

-match perfectly with Perry for size

Cons

-not all troop types have commands

-very bendy metal; at least with 2 of the units I have

Warlord Games

-marching early and late war British infantry

-Royal Horse Artillery Rockets (Good for New Orleans only, or could be converted to Marine Rockets)

-British command figures

-extra command groups for British infantry

Pros

-combined with Perry you get cheap plastic shooting and marching guys

Cons

-very brittle plastic

Muskets and Tomahawks

-Indians

-French sedentary militia in winter clothing 

-voyageurs

Pros

-very nice poses and sculpting 

-good quality metal

Cons

-None

Canadian Militia Uniforms

Canadian Sedentary Militia

There were 40000 militia in Lower Canada, 10000 in Upper Canada and 10000 in the Maritimes. One fourth of each unit would receive better training and often cast off British uniforms; these were called flank companies. It was often just the flank companies that were involved in battles. There were also volunteer companies in every region which were usually uniformed. Very few of the regular sedentary militia would have had uniforms. 

Upper Canada

Stormant and Glengarry Sedentary Militia

In the Eastern regions of Upper Canada, the Americans reported being followed by 500 highlanders in kilts. These were revolutionary war veterans and their descendants. 

Lower Canada

Maritime Territories

These saw no action.