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.

Rebellions of 1837, the first shots in Queen Victoria's reign

These actions I will be using my Napoleonic British against a collection of French Canadian militia and illregular types.
The new American militia in winter kit can also fall in.
Once warmer weather comes back games will recommence in the garage.
This project is still being worked on as of 7/28/2018.

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

Soldiers of the Queen in British North America 1870-1885

Several battalions of 

British or Canadian militia.
As of 2018, I have remounted these units with their names. More postings to come.

Sean Cullen On The Fenian Raids: Something You Might Not Know About Canada

A funny clip about the Fenian Raids

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.

Cannon Firing at Fort Henry

 We also did the same drill at the Halifax Citadel.

Fort Henry Guard DRILL SQUAD and ARTILLERY - Sunset Ceremony 2012 - View...

 Another Fort Henry demonstration

Fort Henry Guard DRILL SQUAD - Sunset Ceremony 2012 - View in 1080p HD

 The Fort Henry Guard Drill Squad, using the same drill the 78th Highlanders also use.

Fort Henry Guard Drums Sequence - August 25th 2012

 The Fort Henry Guard, from Ontario, portray a British or Canadian militia regiment of 1867. These are University and High School students similar to the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association at the Halifax Citadel.

fenian-raids-old-forterie-2011.mp4

 Fort Henry Guard and other reenactors show the Fenians raids on Canada.

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.

The Canadian Army in 1906

By the time the British Army finally left Halifax, the Canadian army was taking on the look of the British Army. All images from www.plasticsoldierreview.com







 (I need to get myself some of these)





By 1916, with the Great War, otherwise known as The First World War (1914-18) they began to look like this.

My Mid 19th century Canadian militia against Fenians.

As mentioned in other posts, the Fenians and Canadian militia squared off several times. Thanks to www.juniorgeneral.org  and www.plasticsoldierreview.com for these images.

















Below are some types of uniforms which could have been seen in this conflict.