Buford's Knoll, The Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863 (3 Viewers)

[mestell]

I started this project last week. When finished it will depict the Command Post of the right wing of the Union Cavalry during the Battle of Brandy Station.

The diorama back story:
Early on the morning of June 9, 1863, Brig. Gen. John Buford pushed his First Cavalry Division across the Rappahannock River at Beverly's Ford. Buford and his staff moved to high ground on the Richard Cunningham farm on the Union right flank and established their command post. This position is now known as Buford's Knoll. He was eventually joined by the cavalry corps commander, Brig. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton. The high knoll offered Buford and Pleasonton a perfect observation point. Buford spent much of the day here directing operations.

All figures are by John Jenkins Designs (Pleasanton, Buford, and Officer w/ binoculars are on order. More to come as they are released); backdrop is by Hudson & Allen and is used to depict the Cunningham farm in the distance; the fence (and eventually corn) is by W.Britain; ground work is by Woodland Scenics, the 12-inch x 16-inch display base was purchased at Michael's Craft Store (which I sealed with grey primer and then painted the edges black).

. . . to be continued

Mike

 

[Dragoon]

Looking good Mike. Looking forward to seeing the additional figures added. - Hoping John produces a similar command grouping for Stuart.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Mike,

Great idea and a terrific start to the diorama! I look forward to seeing it as you add to it.

 

[REVWARBUFF]

This is shaping up real nice Mike! Have fun completing the scene when the other pieces are released. Can't wait to see the next stage.

 

[mestell]

Looking good Mike. Looking forward to seeing the additional figures added. - Hoping John produces a similar command grouping for Stuart.

Mike,

Great idea and a terrific start to the diorama! I look forward to seeing it as you add to it.

This is shaping up real nice Mike! Have fun completing the scene when the other pieces are released. Can't wait to see the next stage.

Thank you gentlemen. I know it's not much to look at right now but it will develop as more of the cast of characters are received.

Mike

 

[29 Let's Go]

Mike,
You are off to a great diorama. Everything fits nicely for additions.
Steve

 

[Mike97]

Great start Mike, looking forward to seeing future installments.

 

[Terp152]

Mike, you beat me to it! Very nice display, well blended with the backdrop. Just started Osprey's Brandy Station to get a little more background. Tip of the kepi as you say.

 

[mestell]

Mike,
You are off to a great diorama. Everything fits nicely for additions.
Steve

Thanks Steve. Lots more to add. I hope you're right and everything will fit.

Great start Mike, looking forward to seeing future installments.

THX Mike . . . Stay tuned for more developments.

Mike, you beat me to it! Very nice display, well blended with the backdrop. Just started Osprey's Brandy Station to get a little more background. Tip of the kepi as you say.

Thank you very much Chris. John has certainly created the perfect grouping of figures to create the command structure on what is now known as Buford's Knoll.

 

[mestell]

Delivery day . . .

Buford's Knoll - Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863.

General Pleasanton and staff arrive at General Buford's command post near the Cunningham farm.

NOTE: The officer kneeling over the map and pointing has not been released yet. This was a Christmas gift to me from John

. . . to be continued

Mike

 

[Lo1863]

Like I said on the Facebook group, your scene is coming along nicely! Does the Custer figure have the correct rank on his shoulder? I don't own him...yet...

 

[villagehorse]

Gee these look fantastic Mike. You make a good ambassador for John’s work. Robin.

 

[Dragoon]

Great set-up. Nice choice of figures.

 

[mestell]

Like I said on the Facebook group, your scene is coming along nicely! Does the Custer figure have the correct rank on his shoulder? I don't own him...yet...

Thanks again Cameron. Although Custer was a Captain on Pleasonton's staff on June 9, 1863, John has him identified as a Lieutenant. When looking at his shoulder boards with an unaided eye you really can't tell due to the small size. However, with a magnifying glass and a good light source it does appear that the shoulder boards denote the rank of 1st LT.

Gee these look fantastic Mike. You make a good ambassador for John’s work. Robin.

Thank you very much Robin. I really appreciate that very nice compliment.

Great set-up. Nice choice of figures.

Thank you Ken.
Mike

 

[mestell]

Not including any of the previously released Federal Cavalry Troopers, there are at least two more figures that will be included with this display: mounted officer with binoculars (February release), and a mounted bugler.

Mike

 

[mestell]

Well that's a little unfortunate don't you think? I was hoping it would be corrected since it was first previewed.

Yes it is unfortunate but for me not a deal breaker. The shoulder boards are so small you really can't tell what the rank signifier is on any of the officers without magnification.

Mike

 

[Lo1863]

Yes it is unfortunate but for me not a deal breaker. The shoulder boards are so small you really can't tell what the rank signifier is on any of the officers without magnification.

Mike

You know I was just doing some quick research about this. It says Custer was promoted to captain on June 5, 1862 but was demoted to the rank of first lieutenant on July 17. So would rank on his uniform actually be correct? I assumed it was wrong until I dug a little deeper.

 

[mestell]

You know I was just doing some quick research about this. It says Custer was promoted to captain on June 5, 1862 but was demoted to the rank of first lieutenant on July 17. So would rank on his uniform actually be correct? I assumed it was wrong until I dug a little deeper.

I suppose that's in the realm of possibilities. Perhaps there in lies the confusion in rank. Was Custer a captain or a lieutenant. History even gets confused with Pleasonton's rank. He's often referred to as Maj. Gen. Pleasonton. However, at Brandy Station he held the rank of Brigadier. On June 22, 1863 he was promoted to Brevet Major General of Volunteers. On June 29, 1863 he promoted Custer to Brevet Brigadier General making Custer the youngest officer ever to be promoted to that rank.

Mike

 

[paxtoysoldier]

Fun History and beautiful set-up!
Pats

 

[tmanthegreat]

Awesome display, Mike! Your terrain looks fantastic and blends perfectly with the background image (something I need to try out with my dioramas). I also like your use of the wood display base. I like my frames as they can contain dirt snd other bits, but the bases with the beveled edges always look good!