Summer Update

Once again, I've been delinquent about posting --but I haven't been that way about my painting and reading of Civil War books! The latest book that I read was actually one that I read several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed: Robert K. Krick's masterful study, Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain. It remains one of my favorite books. I'm now reading about the Seven Days Battles in a book written by Brian Burton entitled, Extraordinary Circumstances.

I also finally gave into temptation and purchased the Perry Miniatures' ACW Battle in a Box. I'm sure glad that I did because it'll supply me with plastic miniatures for the next couple years, at least! The only temptation now will be their magnificent metal figures---I already have my eye on a few!

The last time I posted, I promised some pictures of the 1st North Carolina State Troops of Warren's brigade. I've read somewhere that the N.C. state government did a superb job of outfitting their troops (and were loathe to give uniforms to soldiers of other states!), so I painted this regiment predominantly grey with few butternut colors to give them a uniform appearance. I also gave some of the troops the dark blue blanket rolls that the state issued to its troops (I believe starting in 1863?). The two North Carolina regiments in Warren's brigade still carried silk flags that were issued in 1862. The flag is from GMB designs. Here's some pics of the newest addition to the division!

Better angle to see the dark blue N.C. state blanket rolls

 Finally, here are some pictures of some Confederate officers. There are both from Perry Miniatures and are mounted on round bases. In my next post, I'll have some pictures of the Federal regiments that I've been working on for the past couple months.

Colonel Edward T. Warren

Brig. Gen. Elisha F. Paxton

The two officers confering

10th Virginia Infantry, Edward T. Warren's Brigade

Here's some pictures of the 10th Va, which I finally had the opportunity to base when I was home over the winter reading break. I have a lot more figures that are ready to base, but I was short on time and bases. Essentially, I've also finished the 1st North Carolina as well. 

Just for bit of history on the 10th, and Warren's brigade during the battle of Chancellorsville in general. This regiment was a veteran outfit whose companies were recruited from the Shenandoah valley, specifically Rockingham county. They saw extensive service during Jackson's valley campaign, on the Peninsula, 2nd Manassas, the Maryland campaign (fortunately, they were absent for the horrible bloodletting at Sharpsburg), and Fredericksburg. 

The 10th's colonel, Edward T. Warren, was temporarily elevated to command of the brigade during the spring campaign. He suffered a wound during Jackson's famous flank attack on May 2nd and turned over command of the brigade. Warren was mortally wounded the following year in the nearby battle of the Wilderness once again leading the veteran Valley men of the 10th.

Col. Edward T. Warren

At Chancellorsville, Warren's brigade performed admirably during the May 2nd attack (including to help break the Bushbeck Line) and suffered horrendous casualties attacking Federal lines around Chancellorsville on May 3. The brigade, which numbered about 2,600 muskets, suffered a staggering 800 casualties during the battle.

Here's some pics of the 10th. I love the state flag alongside the 2nd pattern battleflag!

Happy New Year!

Here's some new pics of the 33rd Virginia. I really like this unit and have added a number of stands to it. I hope to have some more informative posts in the near future!

Line of battle, shoulder arms

In column (should be four abreast, but oh well)

10th Virginia Command Stand

Here's a few shots of the command stand for the 10th Virginia. The veteran 10th lost its battle flag on May 3 when it was captured by the 68th Pennsylvania of Graham's brigade of the 3rd Corps. I once read that it also carried a Virginia state flag during the course of the war so I decided to include it---plus it adds some variety to the mix!





Here's a link to see the captured flag of the 10th Va:

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chancellorsville/chancellorsville-history-articles/artifacts-and-portraits-slideshow/

A long overdue return...

Well, it's been a very, very long time since I posted anything. This past September I started law school, so the spring and summer were pretty hectic as I prepared to move away for school. While I've been swamped with reading cases and making legal summaries, in my (meager) free time I've been painting and reading up on Chancellorsville (as well as other CW topics). Unfortunately I haven't been able to quite finish the Stonewall brigade, but I couldn't wait any longer and began painting Warren's brigade. I hope to complete the 10th Va and 1st NC by the spring. Hopefully I can post some pictures of my latest work when I return home for the Christmas holidays.

In the meantime, I recommend that anyone interested in battle (or any other Civil War battle for that matter) check out the Civil War Trust's excellent site at: http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chancellorsville.html They have excellent videos, maps, essential facts and resources, and a lot more.

Confederate batteries at Hazel Grove, by Rick Reeves

At last, the glorious Stonewall Brigade

Brig. Gen. Elisha F. "Bull" Paxton
Commander of the Stonewall Brigade
KIA May 3, 1863

So it took me quite a while, but I delivered on my earlier promise and finally got some pictures taken of the five regiments of the Stonewall Brigade: the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th, and 33rd Virginia Infantry. I'm very happy with these miniatures, but for some reason I don't think the camera does them proper justice. It seems like the paint is more bright/ glossy than the really are. But oh well. You may just have to take my word for it ;)

Most of my figures are from Perry Miniatures (there is one sergeant in the 27th which is an Old Glory fig) and are predominantly from their plastic range -- although there are metal figures sprinkled in there. The flags are from GMB Designs excellent range of flags. The brigade received these 2nd Bunting Issue flags before the 2nd Manassas Campaign in August, 1862 and retained them until after Gettysburg. They are based 3 figures/base as the group I game with uses Regimental Fire and Fury rules. Based on the brigade's strength at Chancellorsville, the units should be either 7 or 8 bases.

2nd Virginia

4th Virginia

5th Virginia

27th Virginia

Most of the men are outfitted in simple shell jackets, although some are wearing frock coats and sack coats.

33rd Virginia

This unit is a mix of metal and plastic miniatures/ shell jackets, frock coats, and a couple sack coats. I read somewhere that the 33rd was outfitted in frock coats (although I'm sure you could have some frocks in ANY Confederate regiment) so I decided I'd do a mix of shells and frocks. And I realize that sack coats weren't very common in the ANV after the initial months of the war, but I needed some more figures to finish the unit -- so historical accuracy had to take a bit of a back seat.

The entire Stonewall brigade arrayed for battle

Deployed on the left flank of the fruit bowl!

The brigade commander supervises the units' deployment

After not seeing much action on May 1 and 2, the Stonewall Brigade was heavily engaged on the morning of the third day as Jackson's corps assaulted the entrenched Federals around the Chancellorsville crossroads. The brigade eventually helped to break through the enemy's lines, but only after sustaining 494 casualties of the approximately 1500 men that were engaged. One historian has stated that this was the last great battle of that vaunted brigade. When the wounded Jackson heard how is old command charged the enemy chanting, "Remember Jackson," he was overwhelmed. He responded by say: "the men of the brigade will be, someday, proud to say to their children, 'I was one of the Stonewall Brigade.' They are a noble body of men."

Essential Reading for the Battle of Chancellorsville

Here's a list of some of my favorite books on the campaign. I've also included a brief review of each source. This is by no means a comprehensive list---there are plenty of Chancellorsville sources that I can't wait to read.

Chancellorsville 1863: The Souls of the Brave - Ernest B. Furguson

This is one of my favorite CW books. Although not as detailed as other studies, Furguson's book is gracefully-written and still provides a lot of historical detail. He presents a traditional analysis of the campaign by arguing that Lee's genius and sheer audacity, complimented by the tactical prowess of Stonewall Jackson, were the primary factors of this remarkable Confederate victory. Highly recommended.

Chancellorsville - Stephen W. Sears

I'm actually currently in the process of re-reading this book. Sears' study of the campaign is slightly more thorough than Furguson's book and is also very well written. While some reviewers have suggested that it takes more of a Union perspective, so far it seems to be fairly balanced. My only reservations about this book is that the author is a zealous Hooker-supporter and seems to go to great lengths to defend his reputation---which I find to border on the ludicrous at times. However, if the reader is mindful of the author's position, this remains an excellent study of the campaign.

Chancellorsville: The Battle and Its Aftermath - Gary Gallagher (editor)

This book is a fine collection of essays from leading scholars who address a wide range of topics, such as the Union high command, an analysis of Stoneman's raid, Jackson's mortal wounding, the excellent performances by subordinates such as Early and Hancock, as well as other aspects of the battle. After reading a broad study of the campaign, this book will sharpen your focus on specific aspects of the campaign. My favorite essays are Robert K. Krick's definitive analysis of Jackson's tragic wounding and James Robertson, Jr.'s study of the medical treatment at Chancellorsville (an often ignored topic in CW studies).

Fighting for the Confederacy: The Personal Recollections of General Edward Porter Alexander - Gary Gallagher (editor)

Alexander's book includes an entire chapter devoted to his experience and analysis of the Chancellorsville campaign. It includes numerous interesting personal stories from the vantage point of an astute artillery officer who witnessed first-hand the carnage and tragedy of the battle. Alexander also wasn't afraid to critique his superior and fellow officers in the Army of Northern Virginia and gives his honest perspective (this book was written for his family and wasn't intended to be published). This chapter undoubtedly provides very interesting and valuable perspective of the campaign.

Chancellorsville's Forgotten Front: The Battles of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church May 3, 1863 - Chris Mackowski and Kristopher D. White

Cast under the shadow of the larger battle fought in the Wilderness, the action on the Fredericksburg front as long been viewed as a mere sideshow. This book has done the huge service of giving these battles the attention they desperately needed. It also does an excellent job of placing these battles in the greater context of the campaign and demonstrating their importance to securing Lee's greatest victory at Chancellorsville. Cadmus Wilcox and Jubal Early would certainly be proud!

*Titles for down the (plank) road:
Chancellorsville - John Bigelow, Jr.
Calamity at Chancellorsville: The Wounding and Death of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson - Mathew Lively
The Battle of Chancellorsville - Augustus H. Hamlin
Chancellorsville and the Germans: Nativism, Ethnicity, and Civil War Memory - Christian B. Keller

Next up: some pics of the Stonewall Brigade