Village of Vigilantes (Legends of the High Seas AAR)

As darkness descends, a local Loyalist leader prepares to make his way home.  He has had a productive meeting with other Loyalists.  Now his concern is avoiding the small garrison in town, for "Richard Harrison, gentleman" has been proscribed by the Continental Congress.  Heading south through forested area is the best option for avoiding detection, though two pistols provide additional deterrent.

At the same time, though unknown to Mr. Harrison, Will Reynolds has finished his work for the day as a printer's apprentice.  None of his fellow workmen know that this is only a cover for his true passion in life: hunting servants of George III.  He has received an anonymous tip that a weapons cache for equipping Loyalists is located to the north.  Arming himself with his sword and a pistol, Reynolds is looking for trouble.

As both men prepare for action, five soldiers wander through the village where they have been billeted.  Their ammunition has been expended in hunting or having fun and no additional supplies have reached them.  The local civilians have become used to the soldiers in the area. In fact, this is the only effect that the war has had on them--so far.

Using the tree cover, Mr. Harrison moved halfway to his goal without any issues.  Meanwhile Reynolds had to dodge some curious sentries, which slowed his progress.  Finally, one sentry got close enough to Mr. Reynolds to discern that he carried weapons and was a person worthy of questioning.  The race was on, as the sentries decided that Mr. Harrison would be worthy of interrogation as well.

But Mr. Harrison was well on his way to disappearing from sight.  Doggedly, the sentries followed him.  One even pushed close enough to fight him.  This sentry was both courageous and lucky, as he struck Mr. Harrison and pushed him back.  Meanwhile, a cloud of curious spectators followed Mr. Harrison, somewhat impeding his movements.

The weapons cache could wait, as Mr. Reynolds joined the chase against Mr. Harrison.  Clever maneuvering brought Reynolds' pistol within range, and a shot nearly killed Mr. Harrison.  Apparently it was not Mr. Harrison's destiny to fall--yet.

With the safety of the forest looming, Mr. Harrison decided to focus on running and refrain from shooting his pursuers.  It was a mistake that would cost him dearly.  Will Reynolds cocked his pistol and shot.  When the smoke cleared, Mr. Harrison was down--so close and yet so far from his goal.  Before the sentries could properly investigate Mr. Reynolds, he had again disappeared into the shadows.

(Rules set used was Legends of the High Seas.  Scenario was "Sneak in or Out of Town", with civilian rules from "Kidnap the Governor's Daughter". Unusually, this was not a solo effort, as we pulled off a three-way game.  Sentries were controlled via sentry rules. We had tried a similar scenario with Muskets and Tomahawks and it was a disaster.  All players agreed that this was a satisfactory rule set and enjoyed using Might and Fate points.)

2021 Painting Report

 In 2021, 25 new figures were recruited into the world of Redcoats and Ruffles.

They came in a variety of costumes and allegiances.

The biggest gainer in recruiting was the Royal Navy, acquiring six new recruits!  Figures by Mars and Safari.  Two of the sailors have already been individually featured on this blog at:

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2021/11/sailor-with-cutlass-mars.html

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2021/02/sailor-with-blunderbuss-mars.html

The Hessian Regiment von Bose managed to get two privates and a commissioned officer in 2021.

Figures by HAT Enterprises.

The Queen's Rangers added two recruits.  One was previously featured on Redcoats and Ruffles at: 

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2021/03/queens-ranger-charging-bayonet-bmc.html

Figures by BMC.

The 80th Regiment received one private and the 43rd, one ensign.

Figures by Accurate and ATS.

All in all, the British had an excellent year, accounting for 13 of the 25 figures painted.

In contrast to the British, the Americans could muster 5 men in 2021.  Four of these are privates.  The ensign carrying the flag has already been featured at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2021/07/7th-pennsylvania-ensign-with-flag.html

Figures by A Call to Arms, Safari, LOD Enterprises, and ATS.

The French have been recruiting, too.  This fierce grenadier from the Gatinois Regiment is only the first of (hopefully) many more to come!

Figure by BMC.

Rounding out the year are six civilian figures.  Three of them have already been featured here:

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2021/07/moses-libertys-kids.html

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2021/05/colonial-enforcer-marxglencoe.html

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2021/03/elizabeth-swann-zizzlezizzlingerdisney.html

The other three are eager to be introduced to you, which will be coming shortly!

Sailor with Cutlass (Mars)

 Hoist the sails, me hearties!  Another jolly tar has joined the Royal Navy.  This figure is originally from Mars Figures (https://www.michtoy.com/item-MAF-32020-Pirates_of_the_Caribbean.html).  He wears a jacket with very short sleeves, perhaps originally designed for a smaller sailor.  He wears a cap and neckcloth like many other sailor figures.  The most unusual feature of his clothing is the pair of petticoat trousers that he is wearing.  It is most gratifying to see a figure wearing these, as they were a common item of clothing for sailors (for illustrations of petticoat trousers, see https://www.britishtars.com/search/label/petticoat%20trousers).  Most other sailors in this scale make do with breeches or long trousers, which were also common.

The only conversion work that was done on him was to remove his waist sash, which was an uncommon piece of equipment for a British sailor, and replace it with a generic leather belt.

The Royal Navy is recruiting to chastise His Majesty’s rebellious subjects!

240th Anniversary of Yorktown

The regiments of Redcoats & Ruffles are generally focused on the 1781 Siege of Yorktown.  Since today is the 240th anniversary of Cornwallis' surrender, here are a few vignettes from the siege.

Banastre Tarleton's cavalry were across the York River from Yorktown at Gloucester Point.  On October 3, Tarleton ventured outside his fortifications to forage, but was driven back by French hussars.  Rallying, he attempted to counter-charge the hussars, but was stopped by John Francis Mercer's militia who laid down covering fire from behind a fence.

As the American and French armies besieged Yorktown, sappers and laborers dug trenches closer and closer to Cornwallis' fortifications.  These trenches needed to be guarded by strong parties of soldiers to prevent enemy attackers from gaining a foothold.

Cornwallis' defenses were crumbling under the bombardment and the siege lines kept coming closer to Yorktown.  In a night assault, Continental light infantry captured Cornwallis' Redoubt #10, while the French captured Redoubt #9.  This allowed them to finish a second--and closer--siege line.

Shortly after losing his redoubts to the Americans and French, Cornwallis ordered a nighttime attack on the enemy lines.  British soldiers crept in and attacked the French portion of the lines, hoping to knock out some cannons and buy Cornwallis more time.  The attack was quickly repelled, the cannons were fixed, and Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781.

Griffin Co. Supplies (Review)

While not as glamorous as the front lines of battle, supply and logistics are important to any military operation.  Too often, 54mm armies--and their monarchs--are somewhat hampered by a lack of supplies in that scale.  The jolly tars of Redcoats and Ruffles   Scattered sources allow for some supplies, but few companies offer a large assortment of goods.

Enter GriffonCo, (https://www.griffonco.com) a manufacturer of 3D printed items.  Their items are scaled for 28mm figures, but several are usable by 54mm figures.

The picture shows several different products from GriffonCo.  All (except the barrels and the small chest) are exactly as they come from GriffonCo.  The barrels received a light wash of black or brown, and the metalwork on the small chest has been painted.

A complete list with links to each piece is below, (along with my opinions).  The photo shows each piece in order left to right, along with six different figures for size comparison, again from left to right: MPC, Accurate, Barzso, BMC, Armies in Plastic, and LOD Enterprises.

Loot Sacks.  Rather small for 54mm.  More the size of money bags than grain bags. https://www.griffonco.com/collections/outdoor-scatter/products/miniature-crates-treasure-chests-bags-and-containers-for-dungeons-dragons

Treasure Chests.  These small chests of loot are my personal favorite.  Enough money to be easily carried (and enjoyed) by 1 or 2 figures.  https://www.griffonco.com/collections/outdoor-scatter/products/miniature-crates-treasure-chests-bags

Village Barrels.  This set of 3 barrels is useful, but smaller than the larger size below.  https://www.griffonco.com/collections/outdoor-scatter/products/miniatures-barrels-for-dnd-or-dungeons-dragons

Folded Sail Cargo.  What looks like a sail to 28mm figures is a garment or blanket for 54mm figures.  And you can never have too many spare clothes or blankets. https://www.griffonco.com/collections/outdoor-scatter/products/folded-sail-cargo

Large Barrel.  The perfect size for 54mm figures...except for thirsty sailors!  Better get two to be on the safe side! https://www.griffonco.com/collections/outdoor-scatter/products/large-barrel-or-cask-for-dnd-9491

Tarped Cargo.  A nice versatile pile of tarped goods. Slightly under knee-high for 54mm figures. https://www.griffonco.com/collections/treasures-loot/products/miniature-tarped-covered-cargo-sets-for-dungeons-and-dragons-9982

Treasure Chest.  This bigger chest can be used for more than just pirate gold...women with large wardrobes or emigrants travelling to a new world will appreciate it as well.   https://www.griffonco.com/collections/terrain/products/miniature-treasure-chest-set-for-dungeons-dragons

Crate.  It does what its name says.  Very useful and perfectly sized for 54mm figures.   https://www.griffonco.com/collections/terrain/products/miniature-crates-treasure-chests-bags-and-containers

7th Pennsylvania Ensign with Flag

 The Pennsylvania regiments have distinguished themselves by expansion and a blooding at Turnbull's Farm (read http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/11/skirmish-at-turnbulls-farm.html).  They have performed so well, in fact, that the Congress has ordered them another flag.

This one is copied from an original flag preserved in Independence National Historic Park (see Gwen Spicer's wonderful blog https://insidetheconservatorsstudio.blogspot.com/2012/07/red-white-and-not-blue.html).  This flag belonged to Captain Wilson's company of the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment.  By January 1781, the 7th had been consolidated into the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment.  However, the mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line rearranged plans, as many soldiers were furloughed after serving their three years of service.

The remaining soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line were consolidated into three brigades and sent to reinforce Lafayette's pitifully small army in Virginia.

Since the Pennsylvania soldiers endured multiple unit changes, it is quite possible that the flag did as well.  Equally likely (or perhaps equally unlikely) is that this pattern of flag was used by a few Pennsylvania regiments.  Of course, at the end of the day, it is a cool flag known to be used by Pennsylvania troops...good enough for me!

The proud bearer of this flag began as a figure from a Safari Ltd. tube of AWI British troops.  He was originally a flagbearer, and a very tall one at that (approximately 65mm-70mm from boots to hat.  Some judicious sanding on his boots and a thin base helped him to blend in better with the rest of the army, while still keeping his distinctive height.  His sword was sculpted on, but much of the detail on the original figure was left.

The flag itself was illustrated by this author and is available for free download at https://www.wargamevault.com/product/327526/1777-7th-Pennsylvania-Flag.  While there, check out our other free downloads and perhaps our paid products as well!

Moses (Liberty’s Kids)

This jolly freedman, named Moses, is a hard worker wherever he goes.  In the show “Liberty’s Kids”, Moses can be most often found in Benjamin Franklin’s print shop.  He knows the newspaper business from top to bottom, and his knowledge helps make James, Sarah, and Henri better reporters.

His skills are not confined to newspapers, as he is also a wheelwright as well.  Finally in 1781, he enlists with the Continental Corps of Sappers & Miners and marches to besiege Cornwallis at Yorktown.

This figure began as a blacksmith from Safari Ltd "Jamestown Settlers" tube of figures.  Little conversion was required, other than removing the original figure's beard and cap.

Figure by Safari Ltd., painted with acrylic paints.