Converting figures is not new, even en masse. Some manufacturers will even tell you what and where to convert. What follows details conversions to create a War of 1812 American (and ultimately British and Canadian) army. As one of the conflicts whose roots were part of the fallout of the European Napoleonic Wars, the War of 1812 wasn't wanted by either side. As soon as the peace treaty was signed, both sides quickly tried to forget the whole thing. Much later, a British gentleman was told that British troops had burned down Washington. His response? "I knew we burned Joan of Arc, but George Washington?" The 1812 War has apparently been considered in the same way by wargamers: why bother casting figures, or converting? There are actually three good reasons. This American-Canadian British war took place against the background of the largest sustained world war that had ever occurred by 1812. Events and armies in North America cannot be separated from a European context. What took place around England and Europe determined whether Americans had jobs. Regiments that fought in the Peninsula also fought in America in a number of well-recorded campaigns. Period tactics, naval and military, were influenced because of distances in America, the necessity of water travel, the wilderness itself and the presence of Indians. There also existed some confusion among the civil population as to who to be patriotic to. So, reason number one: American military history is much more interesting between 1812 and 1815 than is generally credited. Studying the War of 1812 is a chance to study Napoleonic warfare without learning to read in three languages (at least), or having a large travel budget. Second reason, somewhat a concern to wargamers - a chance to save money. 1812-1815 armies in North America were small by contemporary European standards. Battle casualties for European battles were larger than the actual size of the army and navy the Americans could raise, equip, and train in three years, or the one England could support in Canada. More soldiers died from disease in Russia, Italy, Spain, and Germany than the British could support and maintain in Canada. Wargamers do not have to give up a boxed army or a new sandtable for an 1812 army. The third reason for raising an army for this war is that the challenge is there to convert from readily available Napoleonic figures, because there are no figures per se for 1812-1815 North America. The conversion is not time consuming- a few minutes to an hour for most units. Usually oneto three features need to be altered - usually by removal, since Americans and Canadians usually had simpler versions of British, French, Polish, and Austrian uniforms. When I decided to do an 1812 American army, largely because it was the one army no one I knew or heard of had, some uniform research was in order. In general, American regular units drew on European models for uniforms. When the war finally broke out between Great Britain and the 29 year old United States, costs forced simplification. Militia units are another story. Having bought uniforms before the war when money was available, the units picked whatever uniform the unit liked or could afford. Federal and State regulations were loosely written to allow this, or were completely ignored by the militiamen. Believe it or not, this free-for-all makes finding the right figure easier. Some manufacturers don't tell you that two or more armies can be created from the same basic figure. Some do. But since almost all manufacturers produce a Napoleonic line, the number of lines and figures makes it easier to find one to fit a specific American unit, militia or regular. But as Clauswitz wrote, in war even the simplest things are complicated... Before beginning, have a good clear picture or description of the unit you need. This minimizes buying the figures you don't need, saving money. It also saves on arguments. "Cocked hats" or "round hats", for example, are not usually the same thing in 1812 as they were in 1776. By collecting manufacturers' lists and checking the figures usually before buying (the hard part), you can assemble a good army swiftly. Headgear and uniform are priority one, as with any period. Trousers, pantaloons and overalls were interchangable in North America. Knapsacks can be altered to fit with file, knife and careful cutting. The First U.S. Infantry can be converted from Heritage Prussian Line or Reserve Infantry (now available from Empire miniatures). Most of the conversion consists of painting, the knapsack being formed by cutting off the canteen, scraping off the "fur", and then cutting grooves to simulate the folds of period issue American equipment. Most of the other units follow the same basic pattern of minor conversions by removing epaulettes, canteens, hat cords, and plumage the period U.S. Army and militia did not use. So far, my conversions include: First U.S. Infantry, 2nd Dragoons, 9th U.S Infantry, Virginia militia artillery and infantry, the First Rifle Regt. 5th Kentucky, Kentucky Rifle Regiment, and Generals Jacob Brown and Winfield Scott. Battles fought so far (using Nelson's GARDE DU CORPS rules) include New Orleans, Stoney Creek, and Lundy's Lane. Few of the units painted so far were present at these battles, but the club didn't want to wait. Neither did I, actually. The only surprise came when the British got across the canal at New Orleans. Jackson got his victory, anyway. Most of the conversions began as old Heritage or Minifig Napoleonics. So far the Swedish, Prussian, Austrian, British and French armies are allrepresented. ACW confederates in overcoats were used for the Kentucky infantry. These will go back to being Confederates as soon as I find 15mm figures with slouch hats and rifle frocks. An American Napoleonic era army has enough variety and distinctiveness to make any wargamer happy. it also covers a period of American military history that is not frequently covered by historians, wargamers, or manufacturers. Last but not least, the battles were small but hard-fought, and who could ask more? BIBLIOGRAPHY Henry Adams, History of the United States in the Administrations of Jefferson and Madison, 1801-1817, 9 vols., N.Y., 1889-91. Pierre Berton, The Invasion of Canada, 1812-1813, Boston, Little, Brown, and Co., 1980. Pierre Berton, Flames Across the Border: 1813-1814, Boston, Little, Brown, and Co., 1981. Kate Coffrey, Twilight's Last Gleaming, Stein and Day, N.Y., N.Y., 1977. Harry Coles, War of 1812, Chicago History of American Civilization, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Ill. 1965. John Elting, ed., Years of Growth, 1796-1851, Military Uniforms in America, vol. 11. The Company of Military Historians, Presidio Press, San Rafael, CA.,1977.* C.S. Forester's Age of Fighting Sail: the Story of the Naval War of 1812, Garden City, N.Y., 1956. Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812, N.Y., 1868. Walter Lord, Dawn's Early Light, W.W. Norton and Co., I nc., N.Y., N.Y., 1972. Harvey A. De Weerd, ed., Henry Adams, The War of 1812, Washington, D.C., 1944. The Company of Military Historians also publishes "Military Collector and Historian", a journal for its members. This has over a number of years carried a number of good articles regarding 1812-1815 American, British, and Canadian units. ED NOTE: The excellent Napoleonic vvargaming magazine EMPIRES, EAGLES and LIONS; published by RAFM, 19 Concession St., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, NIR 2G6, has a regular column on the War of 1812. Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. V #6 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1984 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com