some plans for this year

So I should make a basic plan for some games I might be able to get into this year.

1. First up should be some Rebellion of 1837. Now that I have sufficient early 19th century types, I should be able to put some of the battles for this.

2. Fenian Raids. Another project I have wanted to do for a bit, eventually I should see about getting some Crimean War types for Canadian Militia. The Fenians will be made up of the remaining Cowboy types I have.

3. Crimean War actions: I still have some Russian figures and in a pinch, I can throw in some French Foreign Legion types. The British will just have to make due with the Napoleonics I have.

4. Riel Rebellion. The one action I haven't fought so far is Batoche. I have enough earthwork type stuff and terrain effects that I could put together Metis rifle pits.

5. Majuba 1881. Now this is a battle I'll have to draft in several different figures. And eventually, I should be able to get some late 19th century Highlanders.
The Boers will have to come from my cowboys.

6. Indian Munity 1857. Wargames illustrated has some ideas I'm going to try out.

Metis and Cree attack Canadian and NWMP camp, 1885

Canadian Militia, set up a defensive camp near a Hudson's Bay post. The militia entrench themselves.

The Cree warriors prepare to swarm the Canadians.

The left of the Canadian and NWMP post also entrench behind some hastily built defences. The buildings have already been torched by a previous raid.

Ian begins his Metis attack

Eventually, the Canadian tactics of flanking didn't work. The Cree and Metis swarmed both wings of the Canadian position. The survivors fled, leaving the Metis and Cree to loot and then burn the remaining buildings.

Fish Creek 1885

British and Canadian troops form up.

Metis warriors take up positions in rifle pits. 

Canadian militia advance and fire in order to clear out the metis

Cree warriors fall back while firing

Victory for the government seems secure

but a few die hard warriors continue to harass the government force

Battle of Fish Creek April 1885

Canadian Militia, with NWMP help attempt to close in on the Metis lines

The Metis in their rifle pits

Their view of the NWMP and Militia

Dumont gives the order to fire

Crozier orders an advance

The Metis pour fire into the advancing Canadians

Having built well dug in positions, the Metis are oblivious to Canadian fire

The Canadians begin to take Casualties

The cavalry charge hasn't worked

The Rifles deploy in skirmish order 

Metis begin to go down

The Canadian left flank has suffered

and so has the Metis centre

With fixed bayonets, the Canadians charge home

a lone mounted Metis dashes back to Batoche

Dumont tries rally his men

and the Canadian strike home

This was my first Riel Rebellion game in a long time. More will follow

Found my ZULUs, my British Colonials

just need to find my metals, and the cowboys. I also have my ACW and the rules, so will be doing some games over the next months.

Canadian Militia troops for the period by Hat Industries

Gatling Gun

British Infantry command, Zulu War






British Infantry, Zulu War





Colonial Artillery





These units I do not have as of yet, but hope to be able to acquire in the future.

Riel (1979)

 A very well done movie by CBC from 1979. Riel has been the only Canadian MP to have been executed for treason.

The Last Fenian Raid (1989) Bordertown. Richard Comar, John H. Brennan ...

 From a Canadian TV show in the 1980s, using the Fenians raids as a plot for an episode.

North-west rebellion 1885, the Calgary connection

 Canadian militamen and Amerindian warrior

Queen's Own Rifles, from Ontario, who were sent out to the west.

QOR display.

After visiting the Military history museum in Calgary, I took these shots.

Canadian Militia vs Metis warriors

In 1870 and again in 1885, Canada was torn apart by fighting between the new Government of Canada and the Provisional government of Manitoba made up of the Metis people and then again the forces of Louis Riel.


Metis fighters.








 Some of the Amerindian warriors who supported the Metis as well as rising up on their own.


What the Canadian militia regiments wore. (www.plasticsoldierreview.com)

Sitting Bull

 The North-West Mounted Police and the Government of Canada attempted to protect Sitting Bull and his followers. However, due to political pressure from the United States, and Britain, they were forced to go back. The NWMP commander resigned in protest.

Louis Riel (1885)

 One of the saddest moments in Canadian history was the execution of Louis Riel, the only member of parliment who was executed for treason for leading the 1870 and 1885 rebellions for the Metis peoples.


In my wargamming of these era I have fielded a Metis army made up of Airfix and Revell Indians and Cowboys, with







Esci Zulu War British as Canadian militia. Artillery is provided by Airfix American Civil War guns. Gun crews I will model with converted figures.