"ACW Rioters" Topic

About this figures…

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Can they be used in the defense of a town against regular soldiers?.
If the answer is yes, which would be their status?. How much they could damaged their enemies (Union or Rebels)and at what distance?.
Is there any regulation from the use of them?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Amicalement
Armand

There were rioters when Union troops passed through Baltimore at the beginning of the American Civil War. I belive that some soldiers were killed in the rioting as well as some civilians.

There is a museum in Baltimore that has a good deal about it:

link

It is walking distance from most other inner harbour attractions.

As far as using them in a game, it would probably need to be a skirmish game. I can't see them sticking around once regular troops fired on them for more than the time it took for the shock to wear off.

In a big battle game their presence on the field would be negligible.

there were also rioters in NYC during the 1863 draft riots. The AOP's 6th Corps was sent there, fresh from Gettysburg, and they were in NO mood for such shenanigans.

6th Corps camped in Central park during their stay in NYC. Wilbur Fisk in his memoir "Hard Marching Every Day" talked about this, and it's well worth the read.

When the troops finally deployed to face the rioters, it was quelled in pretty short order. Aimed fire from both rifle-muskets and artillery with cannister crushed the mobs and sent them scattering.

I agree it would be a skirmish game, bit it would be pretty heavily weighted in favor of the troops.

There was a bloody riot in St. Louis as well in 1861 after Nathaniel Lyon captured a rebel sympathizing militia camp and marched his prisoners through the city. Ditto to what the other folks have said about their status.

V/R

Billy Yank

If you look at US History in the pre Civil War days – armed riots put down by military force were very common – whether anti Catholic, anti immigrant, involved with slavery pro (Alton) or con (Boston) – or even anti uppity English actors – my personal favorite

link

There is far more armed interventions that are remembered by US History books. The Posse Comitatus Act has not been passed (1878) – and the units of the US Army and Navy can be pressed into service to put down local unrest at the request of the local authorities – and where. Since the major cities of the US tended to be sea coast ports – they were defended by fortifications and usually garrisons of some sort – so they were a quick source of manpower for local authorities.

The experience with mobs versus troops in the ACW is the troops pretty much always win – for a mob to succeed it would require the right environment (like crowded city streets) and lots of rioters compared to soldiers

The Bleeding Kansas days might fit this definition, although finding many regular troops might not be straightforward.

Don't forget the Bread Riots in Richmond. Gives you a chance to shoot angry women, or at least threaten to do so.

If you are planning on raising the 5th New York Rioters Militia, don't forget the Gangs of New York figures from TVAG and Brigade Games.

In my city of Bath, Maine, the "Know Nothings" started a riot in 1854. They burned South Church, being used by the Catholics, as a means of driving the Catholics from town, but the problem was the church was a Protestant church and only being leased to the local parish for the occasional Mass.

They also tried to drive all the poor from the city by attempting to pull the poor house off it's foundation. The mob wrapped large hawsers around the base of the building but were unable to so more than some minor damage to the structure.

The Know Nothings also attempted to control access to the town and also within by congregating small groups on various street corners. It was very much like the Taliban pulling into town.

Anyway, finally the mayor got the local militia company assembled (The Bath City Grays) and they were able to drive off the mob and restore order.

The Grays numbered about 80 men, maybe 100. They wore a cadet-gray triple-breasted jacket with black trim, matching trousers, and brass buttons specially made for them. Originally, they had 18" tall bearskin shakos, but for by this time those had been replaced by Cadet Gray kepis. The uniform was virtually identical to that worn by the 7th New York for those looking for images.

Accoutrements were US pattern, with black cartridge box, cap box and bayonet scabbard, and white cross belts. Haversacks were plain white and canteens were US Pattern with a russet brown leather strap. Black shoes. Arms were US M1816 muskets converted to percussion via the "Belgien" or "cone-in-breech" method. Ammunition was almost certainly buck & ball cartridges.

Bath was a seaport on the Kennebec River with a customs house and many brick homes, buildings, etc. A small city, but lots of potential for scenarios on the wharves, the builder's docks and ways, the merchant's areas, or any of the 13 churches and surrounded forms and mills.

Seeing as how those figures are unarmed, except for whatever they're picking up (rocks?), I'd say any regulars, volunteers, or even militia would put them to flight in no time.

The idea from the friend who asked me about them is to play a wargame in a town were the Union troops outnumber the Rebels 5 to 1 BUT… suddenly the rioters became to action (supporting the Rebels of course).
So, it would be mostly a hand to hand combat or street combat at ACW.

I don't know if that exist or if there were any rules to play that idea.

Many thanks to all for your guidance.

Amicalement
Armand

Here are some gaming rules for Gangs of New York.
link
(Click on B'hoys)
There are provisions for rioters vs regulars, so you can do the draft riots.

I don't know of any historical situations where the rioters supported the Rebs, but the rioters sure did fight Union troops.

The idea for a game is interesting, but runs up against one problem. In any town occupied by the Union in the South, the men interested in taking up arms were long gone off to war. Even at New Orleans where the Union navy lacked the manpower to go ashore and hold the city – while insults and such were hurled at Naval forces ashore, no one was willing to open fire and start a battle. The Confederate attack on Memphis in 1864 had little to no local support.

Locals operating outside a chain of command or uniforms tend to be viewed as "bushwackers" – and are often executed without train if they are unfortunate enough to fall into enemy hands.

The one place that it did happen was at Greencastle Pennsylvania on July 5th. When a small force of Union Cavalry under Ulric Dalhgren attacked the Confederate supply trains retreating from Gettysburg – they were joined by a small number of residents who took the opportunity to attack the wagon wheels with axes, and to cut the traces of the draft animals. When Confederate troops counterattacked, several of the civilians were captured and were lucky enough to be sent off as prisoners of war and not shot on sight.

See Retreat From Gettysburg pp 158-161 for details

Many, many thanks for your guidance John and roughriderfan!!

Amicalement
Armand

I have done a game based on The Gangs of New York with Virtual Arm Chair General and Brigade gangs, plus other civilian figs from Old Glory and who knows. Against Irish Bde and New York Infantry. Forget the rules we used, but think now Song of Drums and Shakos would be good. These figures would be a nice addition, are the now available?

I agree with roughriderfan, almost all conflicts between regulars and civilians were within one side or the other. Glad to know about Greencastle.

When I see these rioters painted up on the Perry site, I think Irish uprisings in mid to late 19th Century. Even early Fenian outbreaks in US and Canada. Perhaps the Revolutions of 1848 in Europe. The firearmed ones would be good for Harpers Ferry citizens vs John Brown's liberators.

Are these French looking enough to be part of Paris Commune uprising. I have always wanted to do that as a game.