Dismounted Cavalry

This week I had some time to take some pictures of my dismounted cavalry that I recently finished.

I had purchased one pack each of both Federal and Confederate Dismounted Cavalry. The Federals came wearing Kepis. The Confederates in slouch hats. So I decided to mix and match to get a variety.

The enlisted men come in three poses. Firing while kneeling, Advancing, and standing and loading. There is also a Officer pointing and a bugler.

Holding position.

Ready for action.

Battle of Western Woods Part 2

The Battle concludes.

"Forward men, forward!" Shouts the Pennsylvania Brigade commander.  The Guns of Bill's Battery open fire into the onrushing infantry.

On the Federal right flank, the exchange of musketry and cannon fire has created Hell on Earth. A Georgia Regiment succumbs to the mounting casualties and they retire from the field. 

The Georgia commander orders the second line forward. As the broken regiment is seen in the background.

On the Federal left Flank the Pennsylvania Brigade presses ever closer. Shouldering their way through the hail storm of lead. The Confederate battery commander quickly orders his gunners to load Double canister.

Closing to point blank range. The North Carolina Infantry have held their fire for this moment.

The Federal Artillery Battery in the center breaks and retreats from the field. Rifled musket fire and counter batter were too much for them.

General Gil waves his hand in front of his face trying to block the sun. He peers into the distant smoke of the battle. Desperate to see any sign of progress in the swirl of smoke.

General Horatio continues to write orders and sends his messengers. He requests more ammo and water for the front ranks. 

All along the Confederate line. hundreds of muskets open fire. after what seems like an eternity. two of the lead Pennsylvania Regiments break as a result of heavy casualties. They withdraw from the field.

On the Federal Right. Two new Georgia Regiments plug the hole in the line and make ready to fire.

General Gil pleads with his broken ranks. "Stop, men please! Don't you love your country?" A dirty faced private in the crowd yells back. "We love our country and we're doing our best to get back to it!"

Shortly afterward. The Pennsylvania Brigade commander was killed by canister fire. The remnants of The brigade break and run. With the field drenched in the blood of those who fought here, the assault comes to an abrupt end. The new York Brigade holds position until nightfall and retire from the field. The cannons continue to maintain counter battery until the lose of light forces them to quit the field.  So ends another chapter. The result was a resounding Confederate victory. 

Battle of Western Woods Part 1

This is a Division level battle. Maj Gen. Horatio managed to deploy his men along the edge of a tree line with Artillery support. Union Maj. Gen. Gil was forced into the attack by circumstance and not by design.

Maj. Gen Horatio. Division      4000 inf

1 Bde Georgia Infantry. 5 Regts  22 stands          Confederate Left Flank
1 Bde North Carolina Inf.  5 Regts.  18 stands     Confederate Right Flank
Harris Battery  4 guns 3" Ord       Left Flank
Sprig Battery  4 guns  12lb Nap   Center
Bill's Battery 4 guns  12lb Nap     Right Flank


Maj Gen. Gil  Division     4600 inf

1 Bde New York Inf. 5 Regts.  23 stands        Union Right flank
1 Bde Pennsylvania Inf. 5 Regts. 23 stands     Union Left Flank
Bco NY Arty 4 guns  12lb Nap     Union Left Flank
Dco NY Arty 6 guns  12lb Nap     Union Center
Cco NY Arty 4 guns  12lb Nap         Union Right Flank

Turn 1. Confederate Initiative. The Confederate general realizes he has a good defensive position and elects to hold in place. Orders are given along the line to load and hold. "Wait for the Enemy Host." Only the Artillery is ordered to engage.

New York Brigade on the Union Right Flank.

Federal Artillery in the center

North Carolina Infantry hold the Confederate Right Flank. They are opposite the Pennsylvania Brigade.

The Brigadier General from Pennsylvania realizes he is in a bad position. His regiments are formed in the open with no cover. He decides that his best course of action is to close the distance with the enemy as quickly as possible.

The Confederate Division Commander Major General Horatio. His plan of attack comes from being in a good position. He will hold his troops at the edge of the wood line and await the enemy. 

The Union General Major General Gil. His strategy is to advance with his right flank with the left flank Brigade and artillery providing supporting fire.

The Confederate batteries open up along the line. One of the New York Infantry regiments on the Federal right takes casualties and routes from the field. The other two batteries also cause havoc. The Federal left flank surges forward with the sound of the Union Artillery providing fire. The New York Regiments return fire One of the Georgia Regiments takes casualties but remains.

The New Yorkers sending a volley. The brass Federal Napoleons contributing to the carnage. 

The Pennsylvania General  shouts. "At the Double Quick, Forward March!" With this the blue wave surges forward into the oncoming fire. As they advance, soldiers begin to fall from the ranks, one then two at a time. They must close the distance. They must close the distance so they can deliver a brutal volley at close range. Only then can they drive the Confederates out of their lightly defended lines. Hopefully the Artillery can keep the enemy occupied.

US Navy Monument at Vicksburg National Military Park

With over 1330 monuments, Vicksburg National Military Park is one of the most monumented parks in the world. It would be easy to loose yourself on the battlefield adsorbing all the information on the markers and plaques. 

Standing at 202 feet in height. This is the tallest monument in the Vicksburg Battlefield Park

David Dixon Porter

David Glasgow Farragut

Andrew Hull Foote

Charles Henry Davis

This is the view down the Union Line towards the Mississippi River.