150th Anniversary of Antietam 9/17/1862 (1 Viewer)

[mestell]

Yesterday, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam and the part that the famous Iron Brigade had in this bloodbath, the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum and W. Britian hosted a day of lectures, guided tours, toy soldier painting clinics, Iron Brigade re-enactors, silent auctions, and refreshments all free of charge to the public. Richard Walker represented W. Britain, was a guest lecturer and also conducted the toy soldier painting clinic. Above all else he was a gracious host and a font of information to the public. During his paintnig clinic, Richard invited the attending public to try their hand at painting a toy soldier, and in doing so he provided primed toy soldiers, paint, paint brushes, and step-by-step instruction to those who were interested. Five lots of historical miniatures, including three "one-of-a-kind" conversions by Ken Osen, were silently auctioned off with most of the proceeds going to the museum for Civil War restoration work. Two of these figures (Iron Brigade standing firing and Iron Brigade advancing) went home with yours truly :smile2:. Richard presented the Museum with a large diorama of the 6th WI and the 2nd WI advancing through Miller's Cornfield (made by Ken and Ericka Osen) which featured the new Art of War series limited edition (only 600) set #31152. This very nice set (9 figures, 12 cornstalks w/4 bases) accurately portrays Keith Rocco's 1:1 scale life size mural and manikins depicting a critical moment during the Antietam battle when the 6th and 2nd WI regiments made an assualt against the Confederate Stonewall brigade through Miller's Cornfield. This mural and life size display is the first thing visitors see when they enter the museum's display area. 12 of these sets were delivered to the museum and were offered for sale to the public through their gift shop. Set number 004/600 also came home with me :smile2:. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and I want to thank the staff at the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum and Richard Walker for a great time. It is events lilke this that renews my energy for this hobby of ours. W. Britain continues to do this hobby a great service by not only providing collectors a wide range of historical miniatures but they also continue to give back to their community by supporting museums, historical preservation, and national parks and battlefields. Once again WB has hit a home run and reinforces my belief that they offer the most historically accurate ACW figures and sets available today.
:smile2: Mike

 

[mestell]

Here are a few photos of a diorama I created early this morning using the new figures from set #31152 and exisitng Iron Brigade figures I already had. The "Miller's Cornfield" set is very, very well done and ACW collectors will not be disappointed in adding this one to their collection.
:smile2: Mike

At dawn on September 17, 1862, the Iron Brigade spearheaded General Joseph Hooker's assualt against General Lee's left flank at Antietam, on what became the bloodiest day in American history. The battle-hardened men of the Iron Brigade had been reduced in numbers from 2,100 to 800 since the action at Brawner's Farm on the 28th of August. Brig. Gen. John Gibbon deployed the 6th WI into line of battle, the the 2nd WI deployed to its left. The right flank consisted of the 7th WI and the 19th Indiana, supported by guns from battery B, 4th US Artillery. Emerging from the North Woods on a misty morning the men of the 6th and 2nd WI regiments dispensed with some Confederate skirmishers and spilled into a 40 acre cornfield where they were eventually met with fierce resistance from the "Stonwall" Brigade. Gibbons' men gave the Confederates all they could take, drving them from the cornfield and past the Hagerstown Pike. Confederate Gen John B. Hood's division counterattacked, slammed into the "Black Hats" and drove the exhausted mid-westerners back through Miller's Cornfield.

 

[braddinpa]

Hi Mike, I really like the way the figures and cornfield blend in with the base. Seemless! And you can't see the bases! Outstanding! Keep em coiming! Brad

 

[Lo1863]

Great stuff, Mike! Would love to see some pictures of the event yesterday if you took any.

 

[Terp152]

Mike, congrats on a great addtion to your collection. Can't wait to get mine. Wonderful dio. Chris

 

[Iron Brigade]

"Mestell":

Great looking photos of a splendid diorama!

"Iron Brigade"

 

[The Lt.]

Had no doubt Mike that you would not leave the event empty handed and would be sharing the event and goodies with us. {bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}

 

[colmanor]

Lovely work, Mike... as always! Colman

 

[Terp152]

Mike, as you mentioned, if one day we could combine our Wisc Regts for a dio, what a scene that would be. :smile2: When are you coming back to KY? :wink2: Chris

 

[mestell]

Thanks for the positive comments and support everybody . . . . Brad, Lo, Chris, Iron Brigade, Joe and Coleman

Mike, as you mentioned, if one day we could combine our Wisc Regts for a dio, what a scene that would be. :smile2: When are you coming back to KY? :wink2: Chris

Chris I bet our combined strength could create at least a regiment . . . . I was in Kentucky (Lake Cumberland) for my Nephew's wedding who actually lives in Ohio. No plans in the near future for a return trip . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[Firebat]

Nice Mike....And a nice jesture to honor those who served on this date. Alex