British Intervention Force in North America 1861-68
Actually, it was Edwulf's post on TMP last year that sparked this range off. I knew a little about the Trent Affair, but didn't realize the potential size of the force the British were planning on sending (let alone those who had arrived in Canada), which was quite an eye-opener. So thanks, Edwulf, you've kicked off a range!
To me, the idea of British and Canadian redcoats fighting in America in the Civil War was just too irresistible to ignore. I wasn't sure how much interest there would be, but by the responses to Edwulf's post and the greens so far, it looks quite promising.
The initial packs are in the uniforms shown to have been worn in Canada soon after their arrival. These are basically home-service uniforms, with the addition of a Kilmarnock cap mostly. The coat is the 1856 pattern, which lasted until 1868. Some people have asked if they could use them for the Crimea – sadly not, as this was two styles on from then. From other campaigns during the 60s, it seems the plainer frock coat (with the colored distinctions, on collars and cuffs) were in use; in India it was red, and in New Zealand, entirely blue. So a simple deduction would point to the army doing the same in North America, these will be added as I go along.
The way the equipment is worn is also taken from period photos and illustrations of British troops on campaign in other parts of the world. There are tantalizing descriptions and photos of what 'North American campaign' headgear may have been, which will be nice to do…
Two battalions of Guards actually landed in Canada, with the third to follow, which shows the concern and outrage the British government felt over the crisis. It seems like these would have been part of the 75,000 British regulars and potentially 50,000 Canadian militia and volunteers ready to march. Of course, in a matter of several weeks the crisis was over, but 18,000 British regulars (6,823 reinforcements sent during the crisis) were on active service in Canada by early '62.
A couple of the packs show a standing firing/skirmish line and a kneeling skirmish line. There is a lovely contemporary print of British infantry drilling in Ireland in 1860, which shows one section in skirmish order all kneeling, while another stands to fire in skirmish order next to them. These are the first five packs of 'greens' I've finished, with a lot more to come, including cavalry and artillery (breechloaders).
