"Draft Riot regulars suggestions?" Topic

Hello,
I'm re-reading The Gangs of New York and I'd like to model some of the regular forces present in NYC during the riots. I don't game ACW and have virtually no resources on the uniforms of that conflict, so naturally I'm having some trouble deciding what figures are appropriate and what colors they might appear in. I wouldn't mind branching off into legit ACW after I get my feet wet.

According to the book, some of the first units to engage rioters were the Invalid Corps, the Third Regular U.S. Infantry, and a company of Marines. Can anyone suggest manufacturers to look at, and some resources for color schemes?

According to GoNY, the following were in the city shortly after rioting started:

Several 12lb. mountain howitzers and artillerists
Tenth New York State Militia
Twelfth Regular US Infantry
Third Regular
Invalid Corps
Units of New York State Volunteers

Can I use Perry plastics for any of these? What is the difference between Miltia, Regulars, and Volunteers?

My questions arise from ignorance, but it is a really interesting time period and I want to know more. Thanks!!!

By mid-1863 they would have all looked about the same. The militia might have been issued gray uniforms with shell jackets, but probably would have had a dark blue sack coat and light blue trousers. Regular units and state volunteer units would have been equipped with the standard dark blue sack coat and light blue trousers, though some of the regulars MIGHT have had frock coats. Invalid corps would be a bit different, they probably would have had light blue shell jackets with dark blue facings, light blue trousers and dark blue forage caps. Hope that helps.

Billy Yank

I have some images

12th Regulars:

link
the12thus.com
link
link

3rd Regulars:
link

Regulars in General:
link

Marines: (1/2 way down the page on the first link)
link
link
link
link
link

22nd New York Milita:
link
link
link

Invalid corps:
link

29th New York Vounters: (an expample of NY Vounters)

Not sure on figures off the top of my head.

VR
James Mattes

If this is for pulp-type skirmish gaming, rather than an attempt to get precisely the most accurate uniforms and equipment used/worn at the time, I'd probably do with a variety of colors and styles for the troops mentioned, even if they probably weren't the clothing they were wearing during the Draft Riots.

This goes against what I would usually recommend, but if you're new to the period, painting the same Dark Blue/Light Blue uniform scheme over and over can get pretty boring, and this would offer you some relief from that. It also looks more interesting.

The Perry Plastic infantry is consist mainly of soldiers ar right shoulder shift, but poses aside they are in a mix of sack and shell jackets. Many of them have blanket rolls, that might not be so good for NY in July. Maybe Elite or Foundry might be a better choice? Or Redoubt if you can get them. Perry does make a nice selection of civilian rioters though. Perry metals has some early war militia, don't know how good they would be for 1863 though. I know that someone makes a mountain howitzer, I just can't remember who.

!!! Thanks for the helpful answers all, I appreciate the guidance. Vojvoda you've given me a lot of homework, the links look really useful.
Thanks again,
Matt

Doesn't Brigade Games carry some draft riot figs?

Both Brigade Games and The Virtual Armchair General (TVAG) make GONY rioters.
TVAG also publishes a set or rules called "B'hoys"
link
with drafdt riot scenarios.

I have all the Brigade and B'hoys figures- the Perry rioters are on my list, it's just a matter of time before I get them. I also have B'hoys and Gangland rules, each of which has some good points and interesting mechanisms for the type of conflicts the figures would be used for. Naturally the rules are slightly 'pulp' but they don't have over the top leaders and reasonable limits on firearms, so are realistic enough for me- I'm not really trying to game the film.

I think I'll try to paint up some Marines, a small Invalid Corp. and one or two of the regular units, probably one that fought in major battle so they can get some table time that way as well.

Keep in mind that most of the regulars were sent to New York almost straight from the Gettysburg battlefield. They would be dirty, ragged and seriously annoyed.