bracken | 28 Mar 2015 8:06 a.m. PST |
Latest recruits for my Union Army, the 26th Coloured Infantry
I started these several years ago and never got them finished. I still intend to add "Glory" the 54th before I'm finished, so thanks for looking and more pics on my blog accidentalpainter.blogspot.com Cheers for now Russ |
HammerHead | 28 Mar 2015 8:25 a.m. PST |
Very neat job as always Russ,the coloured troops seem to be forgotten by most ACW collectors/gamers. |
Grelber | 28 Mar 2015 8:48 a.m. PST |
Very good, bracken! Black regiments are sort of a tough thing to do. For political reasons, many were doing line of communications work, like guarding bridges, which didn't give them the opportunity to be top notch combat veterans, and if they ever were attacked in strength, things were usually not going to be pleasant. At least one set of rules rated all black regiments as low quality. Not exactly the sort of units wargamers long to command. Still, there were quite a few black regiments that did well. I've always wanted to do the 1st KCV, my local regiment (they get gray pants, btw). Senator Lane announced that he was going to raise a black regiment, the War Department said "No, you're not," and he said "Watch me." He got about half the regiment raised, and realized there just weren't that many blacks in the Sunflower State, which made it necessary to come up with Creative Solutions. D.T. Cornish tells some good stories about them in The Sable Arm. First state to have black regiments accepted into the Federal service: Louisiana. Kansas was second. Grelber |
GoodOldRebel | 28 Mar 2015 9:12 a.m. PST |
superb work as ever Bracken!!! That's it, of I go to order a least one regiment of U.S.C.T!! |
vtsaogames | 28 Mar 2015 9:48 a.m. PST |
I would have to say that no black regiment ever failed like some of the green white regiments did. One example is the 53rd Ohio at Shiloh that bolted when their colonel fled crying "save yourselves". Most newly raised regiments were green from top to bottom, from the colonel down. Black regiments had the advantage that most of their officers were combat veterans who got a promotion for serving in the black regiment. I think that made the difference. True, many high ranking officers (like Sherman) didn't trust them and relegated them to rear area duty. But none of those who got into combat ever failed like the 53rd Ohio. Had they done so it would have "proved" the prevailing bias that black men couldn't fight. Good job, Bracken. You can paint my figures any time. |
tigrifsgt | 28 Mar 2015 11:11 a.m. PST |
Russ, great job as ALWAYS. You would be an inspiration to guys who are in a painting slump, like me. Just looking at your figures makes me want to go work on my Hospitallers that have been sitting for weeks. Have a good day. TIG |
Abwehrschlacht | 28 Mar 2015 12:11 p.m. PST |
Brilliant work, as I commented on your blog! |
Rrobbyrobot | 28 Mar 2015 12:27 p.m. PST |
When I grow up I hope to paint so well. |
bracken | 28 Mar 2015 12:36 p.m. PST |
Hammerhead, it wouldn't be right not paying some sort of tribute to this guys. I haven't done a lot of research but all the same they played their part, and went off to fight knowing that not even all the white troops on their side thought any better of them for their commitment. Grelber, "glory" certainly helped to play its part bringing them more to the forefront of the history books. I am a typical reserved Brit and I cant really understand slavery although we did our fair share of trying to enslave and convert peoples who countries we strove to conquer. GoodOldRebel, thanks for the positive comments they are much appreciated. It didn't seem right not including at least one regiment. So I suppose it will be two once I get the 54th ordered. I really didn't want to portray them in frockcoats so sack jacket's it is, or should I say "blue suite" vtsaogames, I think that coloured troops were prejudged massively and not always given the chance to prove themselves. Thank you massively for the compliment, any one saying that I can paint their figures for them is a true compliment TIG, thank you also! I must admit sometimes I sit at my paint table and stare at stuff for ages. Then the smallest thing will grab me and away I go. Its nice to hear that my works inspiring. so thanks guys for the comments, the light wasn't the best for taking photos today but it sounds like they turned out good enough. I was a little concerned about the issue of posting coloured troops but like I said I am a reserved Brit and I hate to think I may of caused offense! thanks again Russ |
bracken | 28 Mar 2015 12:41 p.m. PST |
Thanks Alex, I will check out my blog. Its a bit uncanny I have just posted on your blog as well! Robby, don't do yourself down! your the one doing commissions! Thanks again for all the comments and feedback it is all very welcome and very much appreciated cheers Russ |
ColCampbell | 28 Mar 2015 1:27 p.m. PST |
A number of USCT regiments did get into combat and performed very well. One was the 3rd Cavalry, USCT (formerly the 1st Miss. Cavalry, African Descent), which fought throughout Mississippi and west Tennessee from the fall of 1863 through the end of the war. They patrolled against Confederate raiders and, with other units, tried to deprive the Confederate forces of military supplies and foodstuffs. Jim P.S. I'm a Mississippian and so have a "soft spot" for any Mississippi military unit. |
GoodOldRebel | 28 Mar 2015 4:20 p.m. PST |
Have to go with the 1st and 2nd Kansas Coloured Regiments, both served solely (i believe) in the Trans-Mississippi seeing much hard service! Any ACW collection is surely incomplete without at least a Regiment or two? Bracken …you are more than welcome sir! Your work is not only uniformly excellent, but you also take a great deal of time and effort in the research phase and for that alone I salute you |
Disco Joe | 29 Mar 2015 6:14 a.m. PST |
I picked up the new Sash and Saber colored infantry at Cold Wars and have plans on getting them painted up as the 54th Mass. and the 6th USCT who was from Pa. and fought in the Eastern theater. |
bracken | 29 Mar 2015 7:40 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the info ColCampbell, the cavalry sound like they would make a useful addition to my Union force. GoodOldRebel, the cavalry already mentioned by ColCampbell would make an interesting addition for sure. So I may end up with 3 regiments before I have finished. I think it would involve quit a bit of work to do but I think it would be worth it. Once again thank you for your encouraging words. Disco Joe, I have not seen the Sash & Sabre figures although I do have some S&S and they are very nice figures. Dixon do seem to have the edge on the variety of coloured troops in sack jackets, frockcoats, artillery figures both mounted and fielding artillery pieces. I must admit they make a interesting addition to any ACW force The feedback and input from this topic as being both fantastic and valuable. TMP you cant beat it, its all you guys that make it so cheers Guys thanks for sharing both the info and the feedback thanks again Russ |
Frederick | 29 Mar 2015 1:36 p.m. PST |
Nice looking I have a couple of black regiments in my Union army – by late 1864 10% of the Union army were black troops |
bracken | 30 Mar 2015 2:07 a.m. PST |
Thanks Frederick, I do think they are under represented in a lot of wargame collections. They do add that little bit more to any collection. They the may be the first regiment but they won't be last. |
GROSSMAN | 30 Mar 2015 2:15 p.m. PST |
Nice work, that is a hard paint job to pull off. |
bracken | 31 Mar 2015 2:23 a.m. PST |
Thanks GROSSMAN, they certainly look the part. It's just a case of getting the funds and I will add the 54th to my growing Union force. Then it may well be a cavalry regiment as well. |
GoodOldRebel | 31 Mar 2015 9:01 a.m. PST |
Summoning up the funds to recruit Lieb's Brigade at the battle of Miliken's Bend, June 7th 1863. The 8th, 9th, 11th and 13th Louisiana (of 'African Descent'), 1st Mississippi (of 'African Descent') and the 23rd Iowa Infantry. I had thought this quite a commitment until a friend pointed out how restrictive the Zouaves and Iron Brigade regiments already in my collection were in reality! |
bracken | 31 Mar 2015 2:29 p.m. PST |
GoodOldRebel, that is very true. I think doing some units to add both colour and character can limit their use but sometimes its nice to stray away from the plain ranks of blue and grey. At least with say union infantry in sackjacket and forage cap you can field them pretty much as a generic unit, even to the point of having say 2 or 3 different command stands with different regimental colours on them. That way you can use which ever one suits for that scenario, it would help to keeps the costs down. Although I'm pretty sure most gamers know pretty much which area they are most interested in and gear their collection around it. I am more of a collector now adays rather than a gamer so I pretty much paint what appeals. With that said I do find myself getting drawn more and more to Gettysburg, I'm not sure why because untill recently it never appealed. |
bracken | 31 Mar 2015 2:41 p.m. PST |
Also there are certain regiments that seem a must, any or all of the Iron brigade is one, Louisiana tigers is another, 5th new york. The black horse cavalry, rushes lancers (although more for character than purpose) 54th "glory" and then there are the ones that we just take a shine to for what ever reason! I always wanted to do an early war cavalry with red trim "the 2nd I think?" Just for twist of uniqueness because I've never seen anyone do them before. Then there are some of the rarer units that no one really makes and would require a good deal of converting and greenstuffing to bring them to the tabletop . Sorry I think I may of rambled a tad! |
GoodOldRebel | 31 Mar 2015 2:53 p.m. PST |
bracken, I know what you mean about straying from the norm. The vast majority of my collection is made up of Confederates, adding any Federal Regiments to it would alter the dynamic. Curiously I share your growing fascination with Gettysburg, which informed my purchase of the Iron Brigade? Previously I had shied away from the Eastern theatre, regarding it as rather 'too' popular and done to death? In recent years however I have been slowly drawn in, gaming numerous actions from Gettysburg alone? |
bracken | 01 Apr 2015 1:37 p.m. PST |
I think with Gettysburg, the more I read about it the more interesting it becomes. You start coming across characters like Strong Vincent who for his part barely gets mentioned if at all. The dynamics of the battle and how it all really ended at Pickets charge, a blow they would never really recover from! Lee was a true leader but how different would it of being if Stuart had being there from the off. What if Bueford hadn't being a true visonary and being able to see what would happen if he hadn't of taken the action that he did. I know hindsight as brought so many mistakes to the forefront and having all the facts to study at a later date is so much different to reacting in real time with limited information on what exactly your enemy is doing! |
GoodOldRebel | 01 Apr 2015 4:09 p.m. PST |
Very true, as courageous and daring as was the stand of Colonel Joshua 'moustache' Chamberlain, the fighting done by Brigadier-General George S. Greene on the far right of the Union line on Culps Hill was at least as crucial to the eventual outcome? |
bracken | 02 Apr 2015 10:22 a.m. PST |
I know that we would probably all pick different parts of history and the people involved, but there are times when its the same people and points that seem to all receive the attention and coverage. I suppose that's what makes us all different, the mass appeal isn't always everyone's cup of tea |
GoodOldRebel | 04 Apr 2015 3:06 a.m. PST |
Agreed, most recently gamed part of the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7th 1862 ….yet another gallant failure for the Confederates under my leadership! I have plans to fight Honey Springs in the Indian Territory and Poison Springs, Arkansas as soon as my 1st Kansas Coloured boys are ready to take the field! |
bracken | 05 Apr 2015 2:29 a.m. PST |
look forward to seeing your 1st Kansas boys in all their glory, I have never really seen the attraction of the Indian territories but then again my interests are broadening so you never know! |