The War of 1812

A Wargamer s Guide

by David Barnes

Review of The War of 1812, A Wargamer's Guide - Part 1, by Richard Barbuto, Potsdam Flags and Publications, 16, Buckminster Close, Derby, DE21 2EA, UK

This booklet, plastic ringbound, gives wargamers "The uniforms of the Unites States Army. [ISBN 1 90068 30 1] As Rich was an officer in the US Armed Forces, he certainly knows where to look for information, viz "The Select Bibliography" on p. 24. This small booklet is crammed with factual information.

Introduction, pp1-3, goes through the components of the Army; the Regulars, Militia, Volunteers, Wartime Mobilization, Higher Organization, Drill and Uniforming (how the uniforms were produced). The 3rd paragraph of this section contains a misprint, "were promoted from existing regiments or commissioned from the militia" it should read.

Part I is all about the United States Infantry, organization, uniforms (1810 pattern, 1812 pattern, 1813 pattern and Fatigue and Recruit dress 1812-13: often leading to variegated uniforms within the same regiment) and the fact that regiment's companies recruited in different areas were clothed from different arsenals. Uniforms of the Militia and the Volunteers are given, including famous bodies like the Republican Greens and 5th Kentucky Volunteers.

Part II gives information on the Riflemen, Part III Cavalry, Part IV Artillery, and Part V gives a variety of information on General and Staff officers, engineers, bombardiers, sappers and miners. The Marine Corps and its uniform. The Iroquois Volunteers also get a mention. native Americans fighting for the States New York Militia! A very useful source.

More Barnes' Reviews

Back to MWAN #92 Table of Contents
Back to MWAN List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Magazine List
© Copyright 1998 Hal Thinglum
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