Guest book review by Dr. Thomas M. Mingus: New book on Aaron Burr

American patriot. Lawyer. Politician. Third Vice President of the United States. Killer of Alexander Hamilton. Traitor. There are many labels to which Aaron Burr has been called throughout history. Despite these many labels, there have been relatively few books on Burr’s life which have been comprehensively written and attempted to solve the mysteries surrounding him, until now. Controversial American forefather Aaron Burr’s life is wonderfully dissected by highly acclaimed author David O. Stewart in his new book American Emperor: Aaron Burr’s Challenge to Jefferson’s America. Finally, historians and readers alike can get a better understanding on the polarizing Burr, his life, and his tragic fall from political stardom, wealth, sterling reputation.

10mm AWI mini-diorama from Andy Mac!

British wargamer and master painter Andrew MacDonald-Rice is off for the Triples wargaming convention. However, he sent me some photographs of a custom-made diorama he constructed for display at the Pendraken booth (the makers of these nicely sculpted tiny warriors).

As usual, Andy Mac has paid meticulous attention to the proper attire for the wee lads, and his painting skills for 10mm take a back seat to no one. I am sure this display will be well received at the convention!

Thanks Andy for sharing your handiwork with your fellow members of JRGS.

Some beautiful 10mm figures from Andy Mac!!!

Check these out for some sweet-looking figures!!! Andy Mac is back with more of his meticulously painted miniature wargaming figures, including 10mm American War of Independence (AWI)!

Click HERE to view his photobucket slideshow!

54mm AWI diorama at Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers

This 54mm vignette of the American Revolution graces John Zabawa‘s Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

John Zabawa’s Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers

John Zabawa is the proprietor of one of the coolest stores in all of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Among the tourist traps, trinket shops, and souvenir stands, John’s store stands out as a MUST SEE for any wargamers, diorama enthusiasts, miniaturists, or Civil War toy soldier buffs.  With plans to expand in the future, his store will get even better and better as the years progress!

Gettysburg Group Reservations recently vacated a part of the building adjacent to John’s toy soldier shop, offering potential for possible future expansion for Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers, which  is located on the popular Steinwehr Avenue strip, at the intersection with Taneytown Road. This site in 1863 figured in the Battle of Gettysburg.

Let’s take a virtual tour of Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers – a mini-paradise for gamers and figure collectors!!!

An American patriot

A while back, I posted several photos of my 15mm AWI figures (and recently posted pix of Stephen Huckaby’s and Eric Kessler’s 25mm AWI game). I have long held an interest in the American Revolution because one of my ancestors participated on the American side.

My sixth-great-grandfather, Moses Mingus, was a resident of Montgomery in Orange County, New York. He enlisted in the army on March 30, 1777, and served until the spring of 1783. He was in Captain James Black’s Company in Colonel William Malcom’s regiment. This was one of sixteen regiments in the Continential Army officered by General George Washington, but it did not actually belong to the Line of any particular State. It was credited to New York.

Some 25mm American Revolution photos

Hessian infantry overruns an American artillery battery defending the stone bridge over Assunpink Creek. (Click on each photograph to enlarge it.)

Charge! readers and Erie, Pennsylvania, wargamers Eric Kessler and Stephen Huckaby sent me some very nice photos of a 25mm AWI game using a scenario for the Second Battle of Trenton (also known as the Battle of the Assunpink Creek, which took place on January 2, 1777). I believe they used Brother Against Brother as the rules.

Trenton, a once peaceful colonial New Jersey town, is rattled a second time in the American Revolution by the discordant sounds of warfare as combatants maneuver for advantage. American advance forces significantly delayed Lord Cornwallis’s forces before slipping across the creek to prepared defensive positions.

Stephen Huckaby’s 25mm ACW figures

Stephen Huckaby is an Erie, Pennsylvania, wargamer that I was fortunate to know when I lived in northeastern Ohio. He helps organize and coordinate the periodic Erie “Day of Gaming” regional mini-conventions. Here is a photo of some of his 25mm figures in action.

The first are Foundry 25mm Confederates painted by Stephen. This is a Brother Against Brother engagement… using a non-historical scenario. It was a pick-up game to introduce his brother (who was visiting from Georgia) to miniature gaming.

Some more photographs of my 15mm AWI gaming

Some of you have asked for a few more photographs of my 15mm American Revolution games. Here are some more, as taken by Tom Poston at a past Cold Wars gaming convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish county). Click on the four photos to enlarge them for better detail.

British infantry masses for an attack on the American center. It should not take long to clean up this minor affair. The Americans are an undisciplined lot, and the training and experience of our officers and men will carry the day. “Steady, men, steady,” comes the reassuring word from the colonel. “God bless King George. Fix bayonets!”

American War of Independence

Continental dragoons attack the British flank.

(Click on the photos to enlarge them.)

Occasionally I will drag out my 15mm AWI figures and play a game either with the Sons of Liberty rules or with the Johnny Reb 3 variant Lee Barnes originally came up with for the horse & musket period.  I must confess that I know far, far too little about the American Revolution (at least compared to the Civil War), even through my 7th great-grandfather Moses Mingus fought in Colonel William Malcolm’s Regiment under famed general and politician Aaron Burr, and later reenlisted in the 1st New York for the duration of the war. Following the cessation of hostilities, he accepted a land grant in southern Ohio, which is how I came to be a native-born Buckeye as his descendants predominantly have stayed put in the Buckeye State.

I always enjoy watching AWI games at the various conventions I go to, but my time is usually so limited that I focus on the ACW gaming action, particularly of course any Johnny Reb games. However, the color and diversity of the AWI beckons me, and perhaps I will get more into the period as I get more time in the future.