Faugh a Ballagh

When I jumped into painting little lead men I decided I would eventually have to add at least a few regiments of the Irish Brigade to my collection. Well, here are the 69th and 88th NY. I figured from the get-go I'd model them after the ill-fated assault on the stone wall defended by the 24th Georgia at Fredricksburg.  At first I had a tough time finding a line that carried infantry in greatcoats.  I stumbled across Dixon first and then Redoubt.  Looking back I wish I had gotten my hands on some Foundrys instead of the Redoubts.  I have never been as disappointed in a pack of minis as these Redoubts.  The castings are absolutely horrible and it was a real grind to finish them .  On the other hand, the Dixons do have a funny look to them, but the castings are always as clean as any and are a cinch to paint.  As for the flags, in my opinion there are none finer than GMBs.  Not only are they beautiful, but Graham offers a zillion different ones.  First rate all the way.  The Body's Banners are quite nice too.  I will probably paint up a few more eventually along with a command stand for the 63rd NY.

Redoubt

 

 Broken scabbard means break out the styrene

Dixon

Regimental Fire & Fury Clash

A few nights back we ran a generic Regimental Fire & Fury scenario at the Baron's place.  With the exception of one player, there was not much experience amongst the group with RF&F, however, several had had experience with the original F&F rules.  I had only played F&F once and this was my maiden voyage into the world of RF&F.  Obviously I cannot speak from a lot of experience, but my biggest complaint with the game was that it moved too slow and units just weren't dissolving from combat very quickly.  Part of this could have been solved by better planning on my part (I'll give myself a pass this time since I was out of town for much of my holiday vacation). Shortly before the game began I threw out the caveat that all CS units would be using smoothbore muskets while all US units would carry rifled muskets.  This didn't allow the Rebs much of an opportunity to thin out the Union lines early on. In addition, it was my feeling that more artillery (each side was outfitted with only two gun stands - again rifled for Billy Yank and smoothbores for the Johnny Reb) would have helped whittle away at approaching units. There have been differing opinions on the need for more or less cannon. Several of the group have assured me that as everyone becomes more familiar with the rules, the scenarios will speed up.  All in all we had a good evening and I hope we get to run the rules again soon.

The two armies square off with each player controlling a few regiments.

The Yankees make good time through a wooded area on their right and come upon a road.  Some lousy rolling and a small hill impede the Rebs' ability to make timely contact on the Union right.

A unit of Reb cavalry begins to move from the right toward the center of the field but changes course and leads two infantry regiments in to a field and sets up shop behind some fence.

The Confederate center begins to take cover behind a stone wall. 

The Confederate center progresses past the flanks and a salient is formed.  The heaviest fighting of the evening ensues.

The Rebel left and center begins to wither.  The evening draws late and very well may be their saving grace.