"American Revolution or War of 1812" Topic

Hello,
If having the option to war-game the American Revolution or the War of 1812, which one would you reseach and game? I read an article pertaining to the Battle of North Point, 1814, on the War of 1812 website and found it very interesting.

I would do American Revolution. It covered a larger area and had a greater variety of participants (how can you beat having an army that has both Indians and jaegers?)

War of 1812 can be fun, but my money is still on AWI.

AWI, more scope IMHO.

AWI --

British, Germans, Loyalists, and Indians

versus

Continentals, militia, Spanish, French, and Indians

What's not to like!?!

Jim

Both are of interest. Although I have to admit to having no miniatures for the War of 1812. While I do have some for the American Revolution.

If I was pushed I would say AWI but the war of 1812 has major potential for some great games around the Great Lakes.

More figure choices for the AWI

I did the American Revolution simply because I found it more interesting.
I always say that if you have to ask a question like this, you aren't really interested in either.

I have a huge AWI collection, both element and single figure. I can play any rules set out there in any size battle. And they are all mine. Nobody else has any figures.
I have about 24 War of 1812 figures because nobody local wants to do it along with me.
That in a nutshell explains my interests. So, do what interests you and not what interests somebody else.

As for troop combinations it's hard to beat mitred grenadiers and Indians in the same army.

You should start the project you are more likely to finish.

I think you'll find AWI has a larger selection of available miniatures and more research material. I used to idly muse about starting each period once in a while, but only got started when I stumbled across a good deal on a painted AWI collection at a flea market. After I got that on the gaming table a few times, I got friends offering me their partially-painted AWI collections too small to game with, so my collection snowballed from zero to giant leadpile in just a couple years.

Also consider who you'll be playing with. A period your buddies are more interested in playing is more likely to come out of the closet and get played once in a while. Way out here in California, I see more interest in AWI than 1812, and I suspect that's doubly true on the US East Coast. I wouldn't be surprised if the opposite is true in Canada, and there might be equal interest in either war in the UK, but I can't say for sure. Ask around, see what gets local gamers to perk up. If you find anyone who's already started one of those periods, seriously consider going with his choice. It's easier to get a local gaming scene going with collaboration than alone, and anyone who once cared enough to invest in a period can probably be re-interested in it with just a little helpful nudging.

In favor of 1812: if you choose the uniforms carefully, you can re-use your redcoats in Napoleonic Wars scenarios. This might also mean it's easier to find painted 1812-ready British units at flea markets.

On a side note, terrain made for either period will work for both.

- Ix

I used to own a sweet Foundry 1812 American Army, along with some Canadian units. Played them with the British Napoleonics. The now reside in New Zealand. Sold them off about 7 years ago and wish I kept them. 1812 had an advantage of small armies, so costs to now balloon. If I were about 30 years younger however, I'd go AWI.

They are both of interest, and having a big AWI array, I feel some temptation to go into 1812 as well. At least the Indians can be used for both.

But as many above have said, if I had to choose one it would be AWI.

AWI

You might want to post this to the American Revolution and 1812 boards.

Go 6mm and you can do both!

Start with AWI, thenn you nwill find that a LOT of your figs work for War of 1812, and go from there.

War of 1812 down South at least, features a PLETHORA of cool units!

Definitely American Revolution.

The War of 1812 provides up to divisional sized battles for most engagements, which is ideal if you intend to collect 28mm figures. There are several manufacturers that produce a complete range of figures for both sides.

As alluded to, there are variety of different types of uniforms associated with large diversity of militia and regular units on both sides.

War of 1812, it's like Napoleonics without all that pesky cavalry getting in the way but with Indians and more Canadians involved. In the beginning of the war virtually every American regular regiment had a different uniform! How can you not love the Kentucky Mounted Riflemen, horsemen who would charge into woods to fight hand to hand with the Indians!?!

I'd go for AWI as well, but 1812 would also provide the basis of a British Army to fight elsewhere

And not only British Naps can do double-duty. With a deft switch of command stands, War of 1812 blue-coated, grey coated and brown coated Johnathans can fill in as Spanish, Portuguese or even Dutch infantry. This trick works best in 15mm or smaller scales, where uniform details are less obvious.

I had the same choice as you some years ago. 1812 is certainly interresting however I went for AWI. Never looked back and do not regret it.

Were I ever to tackle 1812, it would be 15mm. The Blue Moon/OG line is very nice, and some of the Alamo texans would serve as American militia.

I built War of 1812 armies for a project (never completed) for the National Park Service during the bicentennial of the War of 1812. If you go that way, Knuckleduster provides everything you'll need in 28mm.

OTOH, I'm actually more interested in the AWI, especially the Southern campaign. The battles range in size from skirmish to army size, the variety of troops is wide, and there are any number of good rulesets available for whatever sized battle suits your fancy.

I am currently building armies in both 15mm (Blue Moon) and 28mm (Perry, Wargames Factory, Eureka) that are loosely based on the forces at Cowpens. The only thing lacking in terms of available miniatures for the period is the Indians for the Virginia and Carolina frontiers (Shawnee, Mingo, Cherokee), although Conquest does make a couple of mounted Shawnee.

LT

I'd pick 1812 as an extension of the Napoleonic Wars, which I'm already invested in.

Go with both – Wo1812 and AR/AWI
Two wars in the same area but still different.

If you did naval you could use some but not all of the ships for both.

Both, of course!

Do the Rev and then play 1812 scenarios with the figures – we've done it around here. Sort of lets you have both worlds.

My 1812 American also serve as Portuguese and Prussian Landwehr -I'm not a purist of course! Having said that there isn't actually much that can be used for both wars although ironically you can use some French and Indian War figs for Canadian militia.
I do both wars but I do like my militia in top hats.

Do both.

Do both.

I've got a lot of AWI in 28mm and am building up forces for 1812. Some great figures for the latter from Knuckleduster and Brigade Games (broadly compatible although the Brigade are a bit bigger) also Old Glory's stuff is not too bad. Plenty of British from Perry etc.
I am interested in amphibious operations and there are more of those in the 1812 war, so a chance to paint up marines and sailors (can use the latter for both sides).
As Mashrewba says Canadian militia from French and Indian war can be used for Lower Canada sedentary militia. I give them them red armbands and mix them with guys in top hats (country boys and townies). Add an officer in British uniform (round hat and invented facings) to represent Le seigneur. A militant priest urging them on against the American republicans and freemasons would be nice but have not found one yet.