Black Powder

The most basic infantry building block was the infantry regiment (referred to as a “battalion” in Hardee’s drill manual, which was used by both sides). In both North and South the infantry regiments were organised on similar lines. A regiment typically comprised ten companies, each numbering 100 men, supported by staff, drummers and officers. However, the rigours of warfare would summarily lead to a reduction in strength by way of battle, disease and desertion, and a regiment's numbers could vary wildly. The states of the north had a tendency to allow regiments to fall below an effective level, to a point where a number of such regiments would be forged into a brand-new formation. This sometimes had a detrimental effect as units lost their identities and their associated fighting spirit. The most common identifier for a regiment was a number and the State in which they were raised – for example, the “15th Alabama” or the “4th Connecticut”. This box contains enough miniatures to make:

• Three Regiments (of 100 men each)
• Three Cannons
• Three Mounted Commanders

The forces of the Union march to war on the Epic Battles tabletop, with the Iron Brigade at their head! Formed of regiments from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, and clad in the stylish and unique black ‘Hardee’ hats, the Iron Brigade would earn its nickname at the Battle of South Mountain in 1862, where supposedly Major General McLellan would state to Major General Hooker that the brigade “…must be made of iron” and consisted of “the best troops in the world”. Disciplined, stubborn, and brave troops, the Iron Brigade suffered the highest percentage of casualties of any brigade during the war, a testament to their fighting spirit and determination in the face of danger. These brave men are ready to join your Epic Battles: American Civil War Union force, marching proudly beneath their standards – and their fancy hats! This box contains two regiments of the Iron Brigade in Epic Battles scale, cast in finely detailed Warlord Resin and supplied with a full colour flag sheet.

In many civil wars in history, both sides were equipped in a very similar fashion with the colour of their uniforms and the flags they fought under being the identifying features. This was no different for the forces of the Union and the Confederacy in the American Civil War, and these miniatures, advancing with their firearms in ‘right shoulder shift’ are equally suited to be painted as either a Union or Confederate regiment. Wearing dark blue tunics, light blue trousers and armed with percussion rifles, the Union soldiers learnt how to manoeuvre and march great distances to take the war to the south. Early regiments were of mixed quality with few having drilled before, let alone seen active service of any note. By the war’s end they were a tough and efficient fighting body of men, a match for their adversary, ‘Johnny Reb’. Confederate regiments were tough, with many in their ranks used to privation and familiar with firearms. This was just as well, as compared to their northern foes in the Union they were frequently poorly equipped, fed and armed – much of their equipment was taken from Federal prisoners or privately purchased. The better maintained troops favoured the Enfield muzzle-loading rifles if available, but many types of rifles were used during the war, even old flintlocks in reserve units. Ragtag they may look, but southern troops had a spring in their step and were renowned for their quick and terrifying charges, many emitting the unearthly, ululating ‘Rebel Yell’ to unnerve their ‘blue belly’ opponents. Box contains 24 Warlord resin figures (including command group), plastic bases, MDF Snake Fence scenery, cap badge decal sheet and full-colour flag sheets for both Union and Confederate troops.