"Battle Report: Guilford Courthouse" Topic

Really Great!

Full battle here
link

Amicalement
Armand

That looks great!

From Jay's Wargaming Madness blog.

Nice.

Indeed.

Awesome looking game, but I'm not sure why people insist on putting trees with leaves on the table for this game.

Nice.

Could we go with they make the scene look nice, or they were the trees he had historygamer?

Happy you like it boys! (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

I don't have any trees without leaves, and I have run Guilford Courthouse games about 5 times. Maybe more.
I have also used the 71st wearing kilts.
I've used von Bose with wrong flags.
It took me years to get the 2nd battalion of Guards. I used the 64th, or deLancey instead. I also gave the Guards flags, and some of the Americans had Betsy Ross flags.

It's a good thing I don't have these hideous errors on a blog, or Tango01 would lift them without giving me credit, thus exposing me to condemnation here.

Love the grass. Someone tell me what sort of stuff to look for and what store to look in for that kind of ground cloth.

Trees without leaves are easy, just use the make-your-own plastics and leave them off.

I have those armies, but my paint jobs are "dirtier" since I use the dip. May need to go back and drybrush white and then the red or blue or brown onto arms and backs, to brighten them up.

I have highlanders with and without kilts. The kilted ones are really from F&I period. But I absolutely believe in using what you have; purists can go do it themselves.

It's not that hard, and I bet a lot of you have run winter games in this, and other periods. There is some misconception, by some, that just because the battle was down south that it was "green."

My take is that the complete wargamer can do it. Not that hard to make trees without leaves. BTC sells them too.

I'm not "complete."
If I'm not buying three different regiments to represent the 23rd, I'm definitely not buying three sets of trees. Summer, Fall and bare.

Didn't say that. Put Martian trees on your game board if you like. I just prefer to run historically correct looking games when doing terrain.

As I said, making trees without leaves really isn't that hard. I'd be happy to show you how. 😄

By the way, who did those buildings?
I'd like to get the big one.

Oh, and for fall, I just sprinkle in a few fall foliage trees.

Honestly, I bet you've probably spent thousands of dollars on your collection. And you're going to grouse about less than $100 USD worth of trees? Go into the woods then and get them for free then. Again, not that hard.

If you are using 28mm figures and you aren't doing a 1:1 gaming on 1/55 scale ground, then IMO you have already lost your virginity when it comes to "historically correct looking". After that it becomes a series of choices.

Those nice looking 28mm buildings are horribly oversized when placed on a landscape that is scaled out to 1 inch equaling 10 meters. Country lanes wide enough for two figures (each representing 10 men front) to occupy would if scaled up be widths of major street. The season of the trees is simply the first bridge to cross in the search for correct looking. You also need to factor in the type of tree, its age and its location to start. Those trees made from sticks, while they look nice, seldom have the correct scaled down bark structure. On a practical level they are not as robust.

When I was a model railroader these were the kinds of things I used to obsess over…down to gathering different types of dirt from the areas I was modeling. As a wargamer its eye candy. Its there to set the mood and to influence how the game is played.

Regarding buildings and scale, I've mounted most of my buildings on " plaques". It just represents an area with something in it. Or not, depending on what the scenario is.
Yes, I "lost my virginity" in my very first 25mm (we didn't have no stinking 28mm back then, no sir! Kids today…) game using 1776 rules. A whole regiment could hide behind a HO barn?

historygamer said: Didn't say that. Put Martian trees on your game board if you like. I just prefer to run historically correct looking games when doing terrain.

Hey, i think you've stumbled onto a thought here. The hobby does suffer from a lack of seriousness.

Maybe you should be put in charge of the hobby and everyone's games? We could all submit the scenarios, terrain and miniatures to you for prior approval and historical accuracy.

That way, the hobby would run like clockwork and there would be none of your nonsense like imagination, counterfactual scenarios or using the wrong troop types.

Oh, knock it off. Your argument is "ludicrous in the extreme". (A phrase sanctioned and approved by The Editor)
But of course, you are a splendid chap.

Oh, knock it off. Your argument is "ludicrous in the extreme". (A phrase sanctioned and approved by The Editor)

You flatter me sir.

One thing, it isn't an argument it is a suggestion, nay an inspiration!

Let's face facts, the hobby lacks structure and wargamers lack discipline. I think I speak for quite a few when I say that too many gamers are enjoying themselves and losing sight of what's truly important; that this is an academic, intellectual exercise and there is no room for personal frivolity.

That's why I propose a Wargames Supremo. Someone who can give form to the chaos. Who knows, this might be the start of a Wargames University where the most serious Osprey and Helion collectors can assemble a brain trust to pit their wits against history's greatest military challenges; like whether the lights wore their caps at the battle of Giacomo's Ford.

But of course, you are a splendid chap.

I treasure your friendship.

I lack structure and am basically a frivolous person.

I still want to know who made those buildings.

Minipigs:

Thanks for the endorsement, but I have neither the time, nor the inclination to handle all that. Still, I am flattered.

But, back to the point at hand. Clearly, the game linked in this post is an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10. But as a representation of GCH, it misses by an entire forest. No one walking up to that table (mesmorized as they may be), and who had some basic understanding of the battle of GCH would first think that was, in fact, a representatin of GCH. And that is the point, isn't it? At least mine.

Now, maybe some here gladly use desert ground cloth and palm trees for their Trenton game. Hey, to each his own. But not everyone does, and few still would think of Trenton if they saw that.

But then again, by your own admission you are not even an AWI gamer, which makes me wonder why you are even on here commmenting. Like I said, to each his own.

Okay, terrain makers, what do I look for if I want grass like that? In what store?

It looks like teddy bear fur that you can buy online from craft supplies. I get mine from CRS crafts. Make sure you don't get a knap that is too long for your figures, otherwise it will look odd.

One you get it (I usually get nutmeg, some a close color), you have to spray paint it. I recommend either flat krylon paints or you can also go with satin finish too for different colors that don't come in flat. Light green is usually better than a dark green. You can vary the colors with yellows, or different colors of green and brown. Don't hold the cans too close, or the paint will clump or matte. Do it outside, do it in layers.

There are also commercially available mats like that now too, though they are sometimes limited in size. Most teddy bear fur comes in a width of about 57 inches, so not 6 feet if that is your gaming width. Better to go with multiple pieces then, but paint them at the same time, like one big piece, so they match.

If you want, you can buy multiple ones to paint for different times of the year. No doubt, some here have their heads exploding at that thought. LoL

Thanks, that's very helpful.

link

Found this.

That's the idea. If you really want to get creative, you can layer it with other fur pieces for fields, and either buy commercial or make your own ploughed fields. I made my own for my GCH game so they conformed to the shapes on the maps I was using.

Mine base ground cloth is just that, and does not feature permanent roads, etc.

A gamer putting palm trees on his Stalingrad board might deserve some good natured chiding. Tree leaves being wrong for time of season is a bit nit-picky

So do you put green trees on your Battle of the Bulge game? How about Trenton? And, it depends on whether you are just gaming in your basement with friends, or posting on a public board, saying, "Hey, look at me!" Then, you're surprised when people comment? Really?

Like I said, the game is gorgeous, but not many people would think of GCH when they look at it, especially without text.

Why are you knocking a blog THAT THE BLOG OWNER DID NOT POST ON TMP???
It was NEVER intended to be put on TMP. Except that the self entitled OP decided that it was HIS prerogative to do so. Just because. And because TMP let's him get away with it.
I think everyone who has criticized ANY part of that blog owes the blog owner a profound apology. It's a classic "in the privacy of his own home" game. Yet the OP thought he could …. Oh, why do I bother? Nothing will change.

So do you put green trees on your Battle of the Bulge game? How about Trenton?

Winter is coming…

John – while I generally agree with your point about the owner of the blog, etc., I note that you and several others commented on the game, praising it.

As I said before, it is an awesome looking game, just that it does not reflect what GCH looked like.

Now, if your point is that one should respond to posts of games that aren't the person posting it, you violated your own directive by being one of the first to comment. If your point is that no one should say anything negative, only positive (as you did), that makes no sense.

I would point out that the owner of the blog made it publicly available. And as long as you and other comment, why say others should not? Why do you even feel the need to respond then?

And yes, winter is here. Lets hope it has a better ending than that TV series.

The blog owner didn't really have a choice over whether it appeared on TMP at all, did he? It was simply unceremoniously dumped here, by the usual suspect, and in the usual manner.

If you have "issues" with the color of the trees at Guilford Courthouse (good Lord…) take it up with him on his blog. Not here.

Yes. I praised what I saw. Why do you have a problem with that?

So I'm not allowed to make any comments, just you? Asking for a friend. LoL

Not sure why you feel the need to comment on my comments. Kind of a circular logic there, OFM.

It simply annoys me to see a blog whose owner never put it on TMP being criticized here on TMP.
If you have a problem with his trees do it on his blog. Not here, where it was hijacked to without his consent.

Actually, if you were doing a Battle of the Bulge game, winter would already be in full swing…

Eric

I know you are far too busy doing serious historical research but, if you were to consider becoming Wargames Supremo, this would be your official mug:

link

John the OFM said:

"It simply annoys me to see a blog whose owner never put it on TMP being criticized here on TMP."

So then, according to your rules, it is okay to praise something posted by Tangoo, but not criticize it? Why is that? I'm just trying to understand your logic.

"If you have a problem with his trees do it on his blog."

Why would I do that? I was merely pointing out to all those here praising the game (it is awesome looking) why it was not an accurate presentation of GCH. I'm pretty sure I am allowed to do that, your opinions aside.

"Not here, where it was hijacked to without his consent."

There is no expectation or privacy when somehthing is publicly available. I am speaking from a legal perspective. While you may not like that Tangoo did that, then your issue is with him, not me. I was merely posting my own thoughts on the game, which I am pretty sure I am allowed to do. And, I would point out that if Tangoo's intent was to generate posts in response, he has been pretty successful, and you are contributing to that.

Minipigs – Yes, I do serious research on AWI topics. I'll be doing a remote presentation this weekend on behalf of the City of Alexandria, VA this weekend – in part to support events I help put together at Mt. Vernon. Of course, all that is outside of gaming, so does that count? Again, I must decline your generous offer on becoming Wargames Supremo. But does that job come with a unique hat? Asking for a friend.

Hat and a cape, HG.

@John the OFM

historygamer is right to the extent that he has done nothing wrong, things published on the Internet are fair game for comment and has a right to freely express his opinion. His comment might be picayune but we cant say he doesn't have the right to assert it nor can we restrict comments merely to supportive ones.

Meanwhile, your private crusade to continue to boycott wargames blogs posted here without your approved attributions is your right and you pay the price for your speech. However, your rights end where historygamer's begin.

Minipigs – Yes, I do serious research on AWI topics. I'll be doing a remote presentation this weekend on behalf of the City of Alexandria, VA this weekend – in part to support events I help put together at Mt. Vernon. Of course, all that is outside of gaming, so does that count? Again, I must decline your generous offer on becoming Wargames Supremo. But does that job come with a unique hat? Asking for a friend.

I have never doubted your seriousness for a moment. Frankly, If I may channel my inner Edmund Sparkler, there is no begad nonsense about you. … Not at all.

I am still discussing your revelation that Cornwallis did not intentionally fire into his own troops with the gym staff. Changed my life.

There is that German man who makes shakos and bicornes etc.

I would love to get a Napoleon hat for myself.

However,for you, because there is almost a magical quality about you, I think you need something almost Karnack-esque like a Napoleonic mameluke turban and yes, maybe a magician's cape.

The tree criticism was entirely correct and as far as research part of the reason Historygamer has been recognized as a premier gamemaster is his attention to basic details…the rest of you, including mr. 25mm, should aspire to his level.

Oh, and the buildings are architectural heritage and were created for the Guildford Courthouse diorama I was honored to create at the battlefield…I used 28mm figures, not 25mm and yes, my trees were bare.

My name is Tom, and I don't have any trees without leaves. Whew! Glad that is off my chest.

My name is Tom, and I don't have any trees without leaves. Whew! Glad that is off my chest.

Every road to Wargames enlightenment begins with that important first step.

Aaaauuurrrggghhhh! Leave me alone, leave me alone!

@doc mcb

We're just teasing you (and updating our tree collections).

Critical thinking in these parts is at such a premium these days, we wouldn't want you to think you aren't appreciated. :)

Thanks, MP. I feel better.