American Civil War Series (1 Viewer)

[Dragoon]

It is great to see where John will be going with the ACW. Originally I thought the series to be a bit scattered, not knowing where the focus was. But by seeing his preview sketches, it is now easy to see the focus will be early war, 1st issue uniforms, relating to Bull Run/1st Manassas. An excellent choice IMO.

 

[Dragoon]

Might as well post John's other ACW sketches from facebook.

 

[mestell]

At first, other than the 54th Mass release, I was going to pass on John's first two regimental early war releases. However, with the facebook previews for 2020 and a very obvious slant toward the 1st Battle of Bull Run, I am more than interested and at this point am planning on collecting a grouping of "Bull Run" combatants in their early war uniforms. Artist sketches of "Colonel" JEB Stuart and a mounted Stonewall Jackson were also shared on facebook.
:smile2: Mike

 

[Dragoon]

And, some upcoming personalities. - Props to Julie & Co. for originally posting the link to these preview sketches in the latest Treefrog newsletter.

 

[Lo1863]

This is going to be a fantastic series! Jenkins is really the only company producing any ACW figures. Very exciting!

 

[Louis Badolato]

If John is doing 1st Manassas, I hope he will do the 14th New York (Brooklyn Chasseurs), They earned their nickname, the "Red Legged Devils" from Stonewall Jackson at the 1st Bull Run, while the rest of the Union army was breaking, the 14th New York kept coming, prompting Jackson to quip to his Virginians, "look out boys, here come those Red Legged Devils again." The 11th New York, if I remember correctly, was the unit destroyed by JEB Stuart's cavalry, and were never an effective fighting force. I have absolutely no interest in them whatsoever.

 

[jazzeum]

I, frankly, don’t know what John is doing with this series. When he first made Civil War, he had a few releases relating to US Marines, which did not seem to have a general theme in mind. When he announced 54th Mass, I was under the impression that he would be doing the attack on Fort Wagner, both North and South, which was exciting (and I thought, hmm, here’s a serious approach) but he followed up with Southern troops that had nothing to do with Fort Wagner. Now, we seem to have a further detour with first Manassas. There seems to be no rhyme or reason here compared to other ranges. Frankly, a disciplined or a less scattered approach would be better.

I suppose it’s possible that the sales on 54th Mass weren’t what he expected and he’s trying to make troops that are colorfully attired so as to attract more collectors.

 

[Dragoon]

It looks like the 54th is the only release that did not participate at 1st Manassas. All the other releases and those in the Preview sketches were all at Bull Run.
- So the ACW series is starting to show some direction.

 

[jazzeum]

It looks like the 54th is the only release that did not participate at 1st Manassas. All the other releases and those in the Preview sketches were all at Bull Run.
- So the ACW series is starting to show some direction.

I feel quite the contrary. He veers from idea to idea. Don’t get me wrong, they’re very well done, just no central theme.

 

[Dragoon]

I feel quite the contrary. He veers from idea to idea. Don’t get me wrong, they’re very well done, just no central theme.

Counting the Preview sketches, there are 8 out of 9 ACW releases and the possible future releases that involve 1st Manassas.
It's pretty hard not to call that a central theme.

 

[jazzeum]

Counting the Preview sketches, there are 8 out of 9 ACW releases and the possible future releases that involve 1st Manassas.
It's pretty hard not to call that a central theme.

For one, they weren’t described as such. Just go back and read the announcements. Secondly, Hampton’s Legion fought in many battles. First Manassas was just one of those battles. So, yes, it’s pretty easy not to call it a theme. At best, it’s a theme fitting the troops. Where the US Marines fit, who knows. If you want to see a theme, look at First Legion’s Civil War range; the theme is clear.

 

[Dragoon]

Yes, Hampton's Legion did fight in many battles, so did the 4th Virginia and 1st Virginia Cavalry which we see in John's sketches. What ties them all to 1st Manassas is they are all in their militia or 1st state issued uniforms. John's drawings also show Stuart and Jackson wearing their old US Army uniforms, which is correct for them at 1st Bull Run, and only Bull Run. Uniforms and flags changed quickly after the confusion presented in that first major battle. - So that being the case, I believe the major theme of JJD's ACW collection will be 1st Manassas. - I guess we will all know in due time.

 

[jazzeum]

No doubt, you’re right. I’m just disappointed in the direction, not to mention too many Southern troops for my taste. Note to collectors: please don’t use the last statement to start another another debate. We all have our preferences.

 

[6th Wisconsin]

It looks like the 54th is the only release that did not participate at 1st Manassas. All the other releases and those in the Preview sketches were all at Bull Run.
- So the ACW series is starting to show some direction.

I am very happy he did the 54th though. Other than a small number of Britains figures from long ago, matte makers have not done anything with this popular unit.

 

[Jefman]

I like the fact that a manufacturer is actually depicting the ACW and doing so on a consistent basis. I believe early war (1861- mid 1863) ACW depictions are much more colorful and interesting. As the conflict wore on the troops usage and deployment evolved so did the uniforms, the tactics etc. By 1864 the war was seeing infantry in trenches, cavalry being deployed literally as mounted infantry. In the early stages of the conflict there was tons of state militia clad both sides in various shades of blue, grey, red etc a melange of wool haberdashery that would soon get grounded out and replaced by less ornate looks. I hope John rolls out multitudes of ACW product of all stages and periods of the war.

 

[Old Bill]

Yes, Hampton's Legion did fight in many battles, so did the 4th Virginia and 1st Virginia Cavalry which we see in John's sketches. What ties them all to 1st Manassas is they are all in their militia or 1st state issued uniforms. John's drawings also show Stuart and Jackson wearing their old US Army uniforms, which is correct for them at 1st Bull Run, and only Bull Run. Uniforms and flags changed quickly after the confusion presented in that first major battle. - So that being the case, I believe the major theme of JJD's ACW collection will be 1st Manassas. - I guess we will all know in due time.

Just a question I hope you would be kind enough to help me with Dragoon:

If the John Jenkins sketch of Stonewall Jackson is of him at Bull Run/Manassas should not he be wearing the older (?) style cap as depicted in Don Troiani's "Drive them to Washington" ?

Thanks,

Roy

 

[Dragoon]

Just a question I hope you would be kind enough to help me with Dragoon:

If the John Jenkins sketch of Stonewall Jackson is of him at Bull Run/Manassas should not he be wearing the older (?) style cap as depicted in Don Troiani's "Drive them to Washington" ?

Thanks,

Roy

Roy, I really don't have an answer for that. Troiani is known for doing his research, so maybe he came across some info that others have not, or made a judgement call an a vaguely written historical document. Jackson was known to wear a rather worn blue fatigue cap early in the war, but not the style shown in this painting. He is presented wearing a field officer's frock coat of the ''Old Army'', which is a fact well documented. Other artists, Keith Rocco and Mort Kunsler portray him wearing the fatigue cap at 1st Manassas.

I'm an artist myself, with about 90% of my paintings being of historical subject matter. I find enjoyment, and take pride in doing proper research.
That being said, I'd be very happy to have the figure of Jackson at Bull Run just as John sketched him. - Ken

 

[mestell]

Ken . . . As a student of the ACW myself, I certainly agree with you observation concerning Stonewall's iconic cap . . .
Mike

 

[mestell]

Yes, Hampton's Legion did fight in many battles, so did the 4th Virginia and 1st Virginia Cavalry which we see in John's sketches. What ties them all to 1st Manassas is they are all in their militia or 1st state issued uniforms. John's drawings also show Stuart and Jackson wearing their old US Army uniforms, which is correct for them at 1st Bull Run, and only Bull Run. Uniforms and flags changed quickly after the confusion presented in that first major battle. - So that being the case, I believe the major theme of JJD's ACW collection will be 1st Manassas. - I guess we will all know in due time.

Elements of Hampton's Legion were at the 1st Battle of Bull Run but not the South Carolina Zouave Volunteers. They joined the Legion in July 1862 as Company H.
Mike

 

[Dragoon]

Elements of Hampton's Legion were at the 1st Battle of Bull Run but not the South Carolina Zouave Volunteers. They joined the Legion in July 1862 as Company H.
Mike

Oh darn it Mike, you're right......That kind of pokes a hole in my ''focus on 1st Manassas'' theory. - Ken