"Mexican-American War: My US Army" Topic

I am continuing to take advantage of the Stay Home order and teleworking here in San Antonio TX to photo and inventory all my miniature collections. I started with my 28mm Napoleonics, then did my 28mm SAGA armies last week, now time to photo and inventory my 28mm Mexican-American War 28mm collection. American Army first then the Mexican Army tomorrow.

These are 28mm Old Glory metal miniatures. They are organized for the opening battles of the war: Palo Alto 8 May 1846 and Resaca de la Palma fought the next day (after a hasty Mexican retreat). Both battles involved relatively small forces.

The organization and rules are based on the American Civil War ruleset of Fire & Fury.

The battles were fought just south of here (San Antonio) near Brownsville TX. The plan is to play both battles, at the actual site on the anniversary date in say 4-5 years, I will keep you posted.

First up is the US Army (Order of Battle below)

American
Army of Observation – Brig. Gen. Zachary Taylor
1st Brigade "Left Wing" – Lt. Col. William G. Belknap
Artillery Battalion (acting as Infantry) – Lt. Col. Thomas Childs
Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery – Capt. James Duncan
8th Infantry – Capt. William R. Montgomery
Wagon Train – Capts. George H. Crosman & Abraham C. Myers
2nd Brigade "Right Wing" – Colonel David E. Twiggs
5th Infantry – Lt. Col. James S. McIntosh
Battery C, 3rd U.S. Artillery – Samuel Ringgold (mw)
3rd Infantry – Capt. Lewis M. Morris
Artillery battery (2x 18-lb) – Lt. William H. Churchill
4th Infantry – Maj. George W. Allen
2nd Dragoons – Capts. Croghan Ker & Charles A. May

USA 28mm Mexican-American War:
46 x infantry Stands (3 figures per stand)
8 x artillery stands (1 gun and 3 gunners per stand)
10 x cavalry stands (2 figures per stand)
6 x dismounted cavalry stands (2 figures per stand)
5 x mounted command
3 x foot command
150 foot figures
24 gunners
8 guns
20 mounted figures
5 mounted command
3 foot command

Very nice!

Nice. Been to the Palo Alto battlefield. Very neat historical area.

Nice! Can't wait to see the Mexicans.

Fantastic! Brilliant work. I look forward to the Mexicans. I'm assembling the same armies but in 10mm.

Really nice. What colour did you use for the Infantry blue uniforms?

Look great I have Mexicans.Americans next.

Where did you find bases with that sort of incline on the rear, or did you make them?

KevinV – I'm pretty cheap when it comes to paint – for most of my base colors I use the large water based paints found at hobby stores (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc….). For this color I used Craftsmart Blue Jean:

Buckeye – I used to label all my stands on the bottom (not practical) and on the back (impossible to see without bending down and eyeballing at tabletop level). I now use a "triangle" piece of balsa I attach to the back of the stand.

This allows me to stand over the tabletop and still see the unit labels. The addition makes the back of the stand a 45 degree angle. I do like to label all my units – it limits you to historically accuracy based on the battle, but does allow for a very organized army – also looks good (to me at least).

I do this for almost all my armies (ACW, Napoleonic, etc…..) These are 28mm size, but I also do it for my 15mm armies. You need a good printer if you want to add color or flags like I do.

Hope this helps. Charlie

Thanks. I'm looking for 'the right' colour for my U.S. Infantry of the Mexican War. I'll have to look around for Craftsman Blue Jean. I think that fits my idea of U.S. field uniforms.
I also like the balsa wood idea but my bases are 3mm on 15mm figures, so won't work.
Thanks again- great inspiration.

So it appears that you are cutting your own bases with that slanted back edge…I was hoping you had a commercial source. :) I like it. I wouldn't personally use that method for every stand, but I would consider it for command stands. Good stuff!

Charlie, For such an outstanding display of OG figures you have been awarded three free packs of OG of your choice,
Please contact CONNIE – and CONNIE only -- at the factory 724 -423-3580 or 724-423 -2599.
Your army looks great !!

Russ Dunaway

Sorry
Phone numbers
724-- 423 --3580
724 -423- 3599

Charlie – excellent work, my old friend! Wrote you a message on PM. I am very impressed with your project. Also liked your unit ID information on the back of your stands and the idea of using precut angled balsa wood and gluing it on. I'm going to try that with my 15mm French in Mexico mounted on 3mm wood stands. Would love to hear more about your project.

Great gesture from Russ and Connie of OLD GLORY. Thank you to both of you.

Charlie! I'm claiming one of those packs of figures!

Russ and Connie (Old Glory) thanks so much for your gift!!! You made Oppiedog jealous! You guys have an absolutely wonderful product and company and your figures are my #1 choice for every scale and period. Just so happens I do need some 28mm Cossacks for my Russian Napoleonic Army. And Old Glory has a great line of Cossack Wars figures!!!!!

thanks much again – Charlie

Hal – It was great to see your post – Some great MWAN memories of years gone by!! I saw your PM and will shoot a note back that way to you. Good to hear from you, Charlie

Buckeye – Yes a little work making the stands and labeling but worth the effort in the end. This might be a worthwhile commercial product for say LITKO to investigate??? I do this in all my Units both 28mm and 15mm.

PS: GO BLUE!!!

Beautiful collection, Charlie! Your collection is even more attractive since it portrays a period of history not often seen. Well Done!

And kudos to Russ and Connie for their generosity. Well done again.

How do you print your labels to fit your bases?I love the idea.
Mark