Black Powder

March into battle with style with these dashing American Civil War Zouaves! At the time of the American Civil War, all things French were fashionable in military circles – in particular the dashing uniforms of their Zouave colonial light infantry! Clad in extravagant, flowing pantaloons, ornately decorated jackets, and a variety of jaunty headgear, over 70 regiments would be raised by the Union, with a smaller number in Confederate service. Often beginning as light skirmishing infantry, some would convert to regular line troops (frequently due to a lack of suitably fancy replacement uniforms), while others would remain as Zouaves throughout the war. Zouave regiments often saw themselves as something of an elite fighting force, and many units earned deserved reputations as fierce and determined fighters. No Black Powder American Civil War collection is complete without a unit or two of Zouaves, and these gorgeously detailed Warlord Resin figures are perfect for both Union and Confederate forces, adding a splash of colour and vibrancy to your battleline! 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.

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. Unlike the North, the general policy of the Confederacy was to send raw recruits to reinforce existing regiments in an effort to keep them at fighting strength. This also bestowed the recruits with the benefit of learning from more experienced fighters. This box contains enough miniatures to make:

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

This pack is designed to lend your Epic Battles: American Civil War campaigns with a little extra tabletop authenticity. Included are two houses typical of the period as well as a Dutch Style Barn, largely located in the American Midwest – less than 600 examples are estimated to still be standing today. It was amidst this architecture that the North and South clashed ferociously, and many buildings of this nature suffered destruction as a result of such warfare. This box contains:

• 2 x MDF Houses
• 1 x MDF Dutch Style Barn

With the southern rebels shattering the Union, the armies of the northern states took up arms and the continent was embroiled in a bloody civil war. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and the names such as Grant, Sherman, Meade, McClellan and Custer would join the annals of military history as they and their troops fought their countrymen from the south. Box contains the following five Epic Battles-scale American Civil War Union commanders in Warlord Resin™:

• George Meade
• U. S. Grant
• George McClellan
• William T. Sherman
• George Armstrong Custer

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.