| kingscarbine | 28 Apr 2008 2:12 a.m. PST |
Folks, Would the veterans give us enlisted men some guidelines as where to start? What sites to check, what online resources are best, where to get info about flags, free books (what to read and avoid), OOB's, rules, scenarios, etc.? The ACW is one of those periods that has so much info available that one actually needs some help sorting all out. |
 Extra Crispy  | 28 Apr 2008 4:58 a.m. PST |
Well, start with Battle Cry of Freedom for a good history. Free flags come from warflags.com. Rules will be hotly debated though Johnny Reb, Fire & Fury and Guns at Gettysburg are all very popular so you'll be able to find opponents. Scenarios are easy to come by their are loads and oads of published collections. |
Frederick  | 28 Apr 2008 5:31 a.m. PST |
Lots to choose from, for sure You might try the Fire & Fury UK web-site – they have (obviously) lots on the Fire & Fury system, but also resources like uniform plates and links fireandfury.co.uk |
| nate7163 | 28 Apr 2008 6:11 a.m. PST |
I can only emphatically second extra crispy on Battle Cry of Freedom!!! You also can't go wrong with anything written by Harry Pfanz. Another very good source is the American Memory Collection memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html It has lots of original photos and maps. I have lost days just going through it. Plus just read anything from Bruce Catton that always gets me in the period again in a hurry. Joining the Johnny Reb III yahoo group would be a boon to anyone interested in ACW gaming. By far one of the best yahoo groups on the net and some very nice folks and with loads of great discussions with very knowledgeable and helpful people. link Although a little dated Paul Stevenson's book on wargaming the ACW is just wonderful, full of great ideas and info link I really like this website that has lots of links to modern day photos of many of the battlefields link The three scenario books by Scott Mingus are as good as they get, even if you don't play JRIII. Fire and Fury scenarios, link This is a great period and I am glad to see so much interest lately in it, I am sure that you will enjoy!! There also some very astute folks on this board, don't get bogged down with details at first. Nathan |
| JunkRunner | 28 Apr 2008 6:35 a.m. PST |
If you decide to use Johnny Reb, I highly recommend Charge Magazine produced by Scott Mingus, as well as his three scenario books on Gettysburg and Antietam Battles. Another great resource is North and South Magazine. Of all the Civil War Magazines published, I have found this one the most interesting and usefull. Cheers
Junk Runner |
| Midpoint | 28 Apr 2008 9:59 a.m. PST |
Thirded on Battle Cry of Freedom. |
| kingscarbine | 28 Apr 2008 10:53 a.m. PST |
What do you think of the Osprey books? They are famous for inacuracies but there's a lot of them. |
| Frederick | 29 Apr 2008 12:33 p.m. PST |
The Ospreys are OK, especially if you pick from the more recent offerings – I have some of the older ones, not so great, but the newer ones are pretty good |
| kingscarbine | 29 Apr 2008 2:00 p.m. PST |
Thanx for the tips. I've been browsing the internet archives and there's enough literature there for a lifetime. Compared to the more recent publications these must lack lots of information but can be interesting. Any suggestions? link |
| kingscarbine | 29 Apr 2008 2:09 p.m. PST |
Another great source of online books: link |
