The Birth of the Modern American Army (1 Viewer)

[WBritain]

Hello All,

We are really excited to introduce a new sub-range to our Clash of Empires Collection: The Legion of the United States (often called Waynes Legion after General "Mad" Anthony Wayne). In the 1790's after a number of unacceptable defeats at the hands of the Native Warriors in the Northwest Territory (now present day Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and a portion of Minnesota) President Washington realized that a professional, standing army was needed. Because Washington and Revolutionary War General "Mad" Anthony Wayne both had an appreciation of Julius Caesar's writings on The Gallic Wars and surmised that Caesars tactics used on the Gauls would probably work on the native elements in North American they designed this 'new' army on the Roman Legions. General Wayne was given command of these new Legions. The Legion was successful at its first battle, Fallen Timbers in August of 1794.

These are the first of the new range:

These are in stock and available now.

16112 - Legion of the United States (Wayne’s Legion) Infantryman Advancing Loading, 1794
On 11 September 1792, Major General Anthony Wayne issued an order to distinguish the various sub-legions of the U.S. Army. The focus was on the decoration of the caps, probably made from cut down cocked hats, and made to resemble the light infantry caps of the type worn during the War for Independence. The first Sub-Legion would have white woolen binding sewn to the edge of the caps, use white feather plumes, and have black hair decorating the crown. The second would bind the edge of the caps with red, have red plumes, and use white hair on the crown. The third would use yellow binding, a yellow feather plume, and use black hair. And the fourth was to use green binding and plumes within a white hair decoration. Cow tails were probably the source for the hair on the caps. Sometime before 1794 the caps were replaced with a more modern round hat. Black bearskin roaches were applied running from front to back on the crown of the hat, replacing the long cow tail decorations.
1/30 scale
Matte Finish
1 Piece Set

$52

 

[WBritain]

16109 - Legion of the United States (Wayne’s Legion) Infantryman Running, 1794, No.1
From 1792 to 1796, the United States Army was officially reorganized into combined arms units inspired by the classic Roman legions. The Secretary of War, Henry Knox, and Major General Anthony Wayne, the commander of the Legion, had both begun their military educations with Julius Caesar’s Commentaries. The parallels between the Roman Army’s campaigns in Gaul and the warfare on the North American frontier were significant. With the recent disasters of 1790-91, an overhaul of the conventional organization of the small Federal army was thought to be best implemented with an increase in manpower. Each regiment, now designated as a sub-legion, included infantry, riflemen, light dragoons, and artillery.
1/30 scale
Matte Finish
1 Piece Set
$48

 

[WBritain]

16110 -Legion of the United States (Wayne’s Legion) Infantryman Running, 1794, No.2
By the time the Legion of the United States was formed most of the surplus clothing and equipment remaining from the American War of Independence had been used up and needed replacement. Military fashion in Europe was also changing and from 1792 on uniforms with long tails, working lapels, and falling collars were replaced with shorter coats, non-functioning lapels, and standing collars. The regular United States Army had adopted the same colors for uniforms as the late war Continental army: regimental coats of dark blue wool with red collars, lapels, and cuffs. The lining that showed at the turn-back of the tails was generally white for infantry and red for artillery. The riflemen wore a newly-designed short jacket with a 3-inch red edge binding the bottom, so that when the coat was buttoned across it appeared to have a red belt.
1/30 scale
Matte Finish
1 Piece Set

$48

 

[WBritain]

16111 - Legion of the United States (Wayne’s Legion) Infantryman Standing Firing, 1794
Many of the details of the clothing and the equipment of the U.S. Army between 1792 and 1796 are still unknown. Records are sparse and often cryptic; complaining of the quality, and suggesting modifications that may, or may not have been implemented during the existence of the Legion. It is thought that the traditional cartridge box worn on the right hip and suspended by a buff belt was replaced with a small cartridge box worn on a wide waist belt on the center front of the soldier. A narrow strap attached to either side of the box on the belt passed over the neck of the infantryman to support the weight of the box, but there were complaints about the shoddy construction and serviceability. The weapon of the regular infantry continued to be the steel banded French style muskets as used during the Revolution, and Wayne insisted that the bayonet be fixed at all times while the men were on duty.
1/30 scale
Matte Finish
1 Piece Set
$48

 

[WBritain]

16118 - Legion of the United States (Wayne’s Legion) Infantryman Casualty, 1794
The Battle of Fallen Timbers took place near the present-day city of Maumee, Ohio on 20 August 1794. A Confederation of Native American warriors led by Blue Jacket (Weyapiersenwah) took up defensive positions near the Maumee river where a nearly mile long stand of trees had been blown down by a storm. The battle lasted for an hour and ten minutes, with 33 members of the Legion killed and approximately 100 more wounded. Although Wayne’s men reported finding 30 to 40 dead warriors in the aftermath of the engagement, the British Indian Department reported only 19 casualties to the Indian Confederacy. The battle was an important victory for the young United States, one that opened the settlement of Ohio.
1/30 scale
Matte Finish
1 Piece Set
$48

 

[WBritain]

16119 - Legion of the United States (Wayne’s Legion) Infantryman Advancing Loading, 1794
Loading and firing a muzzle-loading smoothbore musket required about 12 different steps, or movements. The cartridge needed to be retrieved from the cartridge box, the paper cartridge was then torn open and a small amount of gunpowder poured into the pan on the lock. The ball and remaining powder in the cartridge was then placed in the barrel, the ball was then rammed to the breech with the ramrod, and then the ramrod returned beneath the barrel before the weapon was ready to fire. Although a trained soldier was expected to do this procedure three times a minute in platoon firings, the rate of fire was much lower when on the move. In most cases it was more effective to pause and reload, especially when moving through forest or broken ground.
1/30 scale
Matte Finish
1 Piece Set
$48

 

[WBritain]

This tree could also easily be used for any other time period as the Native Warrior is removable.

16063 - A Clear Shot - Native Warrior Firing from a Summer Tree, Summer Tree
Warfare in North America was very different than war in Europe, and soldiers trained in conventional tactics could not effectively perform in the dense forests that covered much of the contested areas of North America during the 18th century. There was also the disadvantage of conducting operations in territory well known to the Native people defending it. Hit and run tactics and ambushes were common, even along known military roads. Native warriors were perfectly at home in the forest – every thicket and hill offered a place from which an attack could be sprung, and in some cases well aimed shots could be made from the trees themselves. Here a Native marksman waits patiently for a noisy column of European infantry to come into view.
1/30 scale
Matte Finish
Single figure in box with scenic accessory
$135

 

[Grey Heron]

Congrats on a new range that is an important part of American history. The miniature figurines look wonderful.

Best wishes,
GH

 

[amund]

Nice figures!

 

[jason foote]

What a great figure, a one piece diorama