Animated Antietam Map

Union troops try to flank the Rebs.

Have you seen the Civil War Trust's animated Antietam map? It's pretty good and it is a nice overview of the battle. Here's the link:

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/antietam/maps/antietam-animated-map.html

While there try and donate to help save some battlefield. It's good for you and the future!

Fredricksburg Dec. 1862 after Union bombardment and occupation of the town
from the NPS Visitor's Center 

The Civil War in 4 Minutes!

Monument of the 54th New York Volunteers on East Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg

You must check this out. Civil War Trust posted a whole slew of 4 minute videos. There are a wide range of topics and they are all informative and outstanding! Check them out especially if you are new to the Civil War and even if you think you know everything! They are so well done I was frankly shocked. Very well written.

 http://www.civilwar.org/education/in4/

This manikin is holding a 12 lbs. Napoleon shell. You can see the flannel bag (holding the powder charge) and the hole in the round shell where the fuse is screwed in. The uniform is a Reb artilleryman's shell jacket and trousers. Everything (except the manikin & Haversack) are original items. The picture was from my visit to the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA. 

More pics

Perry plastic horse, Saber and Saber rider
 and GMB flag

I had some time today so I grabbed my camera and went outside for a photo shoot. The weather was perfect for it. I decided to just take some close ups instead of a mass infantry. I would have to get out a larger table and I was kinda lazy.

these are the newish Perry plastic Reb infantry

Well the contrast between the jacket and trousers
seemed better while painting it.

Sash & Saber models - 6th Wisconsin Color Guard
with GMB flag

The back 3 guns are Parrotts, next are 3 inch Ordnance rifles
and the rest are all Napoleons with one 6 lbs. gun.

All my guns are Sash & Saber - a Napoleon

A Napoleon with mud

10 lbs. Parrott

Guidon bearer for the 9th Massachusetts battery

GMB flag again with Sash & Saber model

Gettysburg Bibliography

Devil's Den at Gettysburg. You can see the scale and size of the rocks
 if you notice the man standing on top of one, left center. This isn't even a wide shot of all the huge boulders.

You may or may not read Wargames Soldiers & Strategy magazine but Mike Evans and I have written several articles for them. In the recent issue 66 we did a several articles and scenarios for the 1^st day’s fighting at Gettysburg. We had to trim a bit since in total it became too much to fit. The bibliography didn’t make it in due to space. We felt it was important but… you can’t fit 5 pounds of stuff into a 3 pound bag. I have included it below because I felt it would be invaluable for readers that might want to follow up and get details of the actual fighting. This especially true now that the 150^th anniversary is less than two months away. The list below is by no means complete. It is just the ‘first books’ you might want to read about the battle.  Enjoy!

We have another batch of scenarios and articles coming soon about Vicksburg so check it once it hits the newsstands.

40th New York monument facing Devil's Den
Picture by Mike Evans

Bibliography.

The Battle of Gettysburg is one of the most written about battles in history. Here are just a few that we have used extensively to prepare these articles:

Bruce Catton:              Glory Road, Fairfield Press.

From the author of the essential Army of the Potomac trilogy. A Stillness at Appomattox is the 3^rd book in this trilogy. This book (the 2^nd book) deals with the political as well as military aspects of the war in Northern Virginia in 1863.  Recommended.

Eric J. Wittenberg:      Gettysburg’s Forgotten Cavalry Actions, Savas Beatie.

The book covers the South Cavalry battlefield, Farnsworth’s charge & the battle of Fairfield. If the cavalry interests you this is the book for you.

Eric J. Wittenberg:      Brinkerhoff ridge

Harry W. Pfanz:          Gettysburg the First Day,

Gettysburg the Second Day,

Gettysburg Culp’s Hill and Cemetary Hill,

All University of North Carolina Press.

Hugely detailed these are musts for the serious students of the battle. Great information for gamers because of this detail.

Noah A. Trudeau:       Gettysburg a Testing of Courage, Perennial.

A classic. Easy to read and highly recommended.

Bradley M. Gottfried: The Maps of Gettysburg, Savas Beatie

            Detailed maps outline troop movements through-out the campaign. The battle is covered in detail. Wargamers will find this a treasure trove for scenarios. Highly recommended.

Stephen W. Sears – Gettysburg,

Edwin B. Coddington – The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command,                                                          

Morningside House.               

            Was often sited as the book about the campaign when it was first published in 1963. In the past 20 years or so many additional books have come out and have uncovered new information about the battle. The book still holds up well but the newer books (above listed) are written with a fresher style.

"News from Home"

Wicked Spring film

Have you ever seen this film before? This is what Civil War soldiers are supposed to look like. This is almost a great painting guide by itself. The action is superb too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5ooBiCLlqA

I have never seen the film and know nothing about it but it LOOKS good. Must track this one down

Heading to Cold Wars

I will be marching through the cold weather to get to the HMG East's Cold Wars convention in Lancaster, PA. If you are going you might see me trying my rules out so stop by and say hello. I will try try try to remember to take lots of pictures. I always forget but... this time definitely! I also need to drop some cash in the Dealer's Hall to restock my semi-depleted reserves of lead. See ya there!