Happy Holidays! I hope that all of you had a restful and enjoyable time with family and friends. I'm writing this column on the Monday after Thanksgiving, and I admit that during the holiday, I took some (rare) time off to work on a wargame project. Taking a cue from our friend of the hobby, Hal Thinglum (the publisher of that great journal, MWAN), I'll tell you what I did this last weekend.

In my gaming group, we use my friend Mike O'Brien's ACW armies which consists of 22mm STONE MOUNTAIN (now produced by Jim and Jeff McCarron under the name, MUSKET MINIATURES) and AIRFIX figures. After 30+ years, the Airfix figures are brittle and breaking (let alone the fact that the paint is flaking off.) With the idea to retire the lot of plastic veterans', we thought that we'd buy 'new pewter recruits' from MUSKET MINIATURES. Since we had not purchased from them in over 15 years, we were surprised to find how much more was added to the line of 22mm figures since then: more poses, Zouaves, Black troops, Frock-coated with Hardee hats, buildings, terrain, etc. Suffice it to say that we purchased more than the replacements that were needed (such as cavalry, Zouaves, etc.)

So last weekend, I washed and glued a good number of the post and rail fences. Nothing says ACW gaming to me more than figures firing from behind a snake-rail fence. MUSKET MINIATURES is definately a one-stop place to meet your ACW wargaming. Those of us that are (sigh) old enough can reflect back 30 years or more, and remember that we didn't have the variety to choose from as we do now.

By the way, I'd love to hear from all of you as to what your projects are, so drop me a few lines (and I'll consider printing the letters in future issues.)

This Issue

Leading off this issue is an article on logistics in the Civil War by JOHNNY REB designer, John Hill. Too many times we concentrate on what happened at the front, and naively ignore what went on behind the lines. John also provided the marvelous photos (by Bernie Kapinskie) of some great 10mm setups. Besides the HO scale, this is another one where there's plenty of accessories because it equates to the 'N' gauge of model railroading. John said that in a future issue, he'll provide an article on what buildings and accessories are available to the 10mm gamer. I did saw some his beautifully painted X scale buildings produced by MUSKET MINIATURES, which prompted me to think that if I were just starting in ACW gaming, I'd strongly consider the 10mm scale.

The second article is a followup to the previous issue's article (1863: The Union Concedes) by Tom Faulkner. Besides game notes, he provides rosters for gaming the first day of Gettysburg using FIRE & FURY. I had a chance to meet Tom (and his charming wife Marcia and son Kyle) at FALL IN. Fran and I had a nice dinner with them at the Farnsworth House in Gettysburg. Tom volunteered to bring his South Mountain game to the Con, which was sponsored by the ZOUAVE. I caught the tail end of it, and it looked like everyone was having a fun time. Tom's sculpted terrain looked great with his beautifully painted 15mm armies. Rumor has it that he's thinking of bringing the game to Cold Wars, so all you FIRE & FURY players, keep your eyes open. Look to see Tom's scenario on South Mountain in the next issue.

We have another scenario from the designer of A NATION ON TRIAL. Jim Dietz, of folly Roger Games, kindly allowed me to reproduce in color the Fredericksburg scenario from his BLOW! BUGLES! BLOW! booklet. Does reading about this tragic battle affect anyone else besides me?

We have another veteran returning from last issue. Bill Miller permitted me to reproduce in color another one of his scenarios from his privately published booklet, DRUM BEATS. This scenario is about Grant's foray against Pillow & Cheatham at Belmont, MO, in '61. A great game with ships bringing in Rebel reinforcements - Yee- haa!

Many readers of the last issue lauded Doug Kline's DIY article on stone fences. Well, Doug has another hit: how to dress your gaming table. Looking at the photos of Doug's tabletop makes me envious of his artistry. If you'll be at any of the HMGS East cons, stop by Doug's booth, BATTLEFIELD TERRAIN CONCEPTS, and marvel at his custom terrain.

After Doug's piece comes a book review from a new contributor, Sarah Campbell. Sarah is married to Curt Campbell, who contributes another review of figures from THE FOUNDRY. I've heard that Sarah occasionally helps Curt with painting terrain, and that he's planning on seducing - er, I mean - inducing her to paint his miniatures. Good luck, Curt.;-)

Thank you very much to all of the contributors and to all that had written kind words about my first issue. Send your letters, email, news and announcements to me so that I can report it in the ZOUAVE.

Other News

Thank you to Hal Thinglum, publisher of MIDWEST WARGAMERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER (MWAN), Russ Lockwood of MAGWEB, Dick Bryant of the COURIER, and Rich Barbuto of LONE WARRIOR for your complimentary reviews of my first issue.

Welcome a new advertiser: REDOUBT ENTERPRISES. Doug Carroccio, of MINIATURE SERVICE CENTER, is importing these wonderfully designed large 25mm figures, along with a pontoon bridge. He said that the designer has a real passion for the ACW and it shows. Look to see a review soon.

Please note that advertiser FIRING LINE has additional new figures listed. Steven Phillips introduced at HISTORICON '98 new, large 25mm figures in firing & loading poses. At FALL IN '98, he debuted samples of six new Zouaves in firing & loading poses that beg to be seen! Steven said that these figures can be used for the 5th NY, 165th NY & the 35th NJ. The next batch will have false vests sewn in, representing the 76th PA, 155th PA and possibly the 146th NY. Steven's samples will be reviewed quite soon.

While at Fall In, Charlie Bennett & Joel Gregory of MERRIMACK MINIATURES showed me their new mortar boat. Send me a photo of your beautiful creation!

I recently became aware of a new set of rules, MR. LINCOLN'S WAR. I'm hoping to get an article from the author, or if any readers out there have played it, consider sending me your impressions.

Note that STONE MOUNTAIN (303.654.7989 or email to: StoneMtnMin@aol.com) has a new website: http://members.aol.com/stonmtnmin/index.html#Mountain.

Check out subscriber Dale Amsbaugh's website.

Tom Faulkner designed a website for MUSKET MINIATURES: www.musketminiatures.com

I recently had the pleasure to make Toby Barrett's acquaintance. Toby, of THOROUGHBRED FIGURES (4106 Timberland Dr., Portsmouth, VA 23703 757.686.1048 ph&fax or email: trbarrett@worldnet.att.net) has a new website: www.thoroughbredfigures.com. Toby donated some of his magnificent ships for a review.

Doug Kline (BATTLEFIELD TERRAIN CONCEPTS) made three outstanding custom pieces for me, using 22mm buildings, fences & accessories from MUSKET MINIATURES. I can't wait to see more.

Herb Gundt, H.G. WALLS, made a 25mm model of Elkhorn Tavern for me. If you don't know Herb, he's one of the nicest and most artistic people that graces our hobby. Contact him for custom model work as well as for copies of BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER.

Tom Dye, Bill Winski, & Doug Carey, of Aurora, CO, announced their acquisition of MINIFIGS USA! Contact ATTACTIX, 15107 East Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80014 303.699.3349 voice 303.699-3428 fax or Email: tom@attactix.com or bill@attactix.com.

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