This fellow is an officer of the elite Continental Light Infantry.  Serving with the young French general the Marquis de Lafayette, this gentleman has seen much of Virginia through the summer's campaign of 1781.  But neither he--nor anyone else--expects that this campaign will play a critical role in the American Revolution.  For Lafayette's maneuvering would lead Cornwallis to encamp at Yorktown, and Generals Washington and Rochambeau would entrap him there.  The American victory at Yorktown would mark the end of all major battles in what would later become the United States.

Figure by BMC; paints by Testors; varnish by Winsor & Dammar.

American Revolution Light Infantrymen

Here is the complete group of 6 Continental Light Infantrymen.  Light infantry were an elite corps generally used as advanced guards and skirmishers.  They were very useful in the forested continent of North America.  Figures by BMC, painted by the author.  Plumes made from pipe cleaners.

Plains of Abraham Gallery

Today is the 255th anniversary of the Battle of Plains of Abraham.  In honor of this battle which ultimately decided the fate of Canada, I have compiled this gallery of paintings related to the battle.

 On the night of September 12-13, the advance guard of Wolfe's army scaled the cliffs of the Foulon.  Their mission was to secure the road to allow the rest of the army to attack Quebec from its vulnerable landward side.

 Having secured the road and brought up most of his army,  Wolfe's men were counter-attacked by the French under the Marquis de Montcalm.  In the first few minutes of the battle, Wolfe was shot three times and mortally wounded.

 His infantry, meanwhile, had demolished the French attack to their center and proceeded to counter-attack.  The British 35th Regiment claimed to even capture the flag of the French regiment Royal-Roussillion.

As the French retreated back to the safety of Quebec, General Montcalm was shot and mortally wounded as well.  He died early on September 14.   Shortly after the battle, the governor of the city Monsieur Ramezay, surrendered it to the British.  The British defended the city against an attack in 1760 and, in the same year, finished the conquest of Canada.  But it all began with the daring night climb of General James Wolfe's 24 volunteers up the cliffs.

54mm Soldiers--AWI Light Infantry Sergeant

One of my interests is painting 54mm plastic soldiers.  This fellow is painted as a sergeant of the Continental Light Infantry during the American Revolution.  He originally came from a bag of poorly-cast American Revolution soldiers that I bought at Williamsburg.  For two years he was shuffled around in the closet, until I embarked on painting him.  But I ran out of steam quickly and back to the closet he went.  Finally, last year I pulled him out of the closet and painted him.  But he is not my only light infantryman.  He has five comrades, whom I hope to show soon (as soon as I glue on their red-and-black plumes).

Figure by BMC, paints by Testors, varnish by Winsor & Dammar.  The plume is made of two pipe cleaners connected by model cement.  

1761 Uniforms of the Bombay Marine

"The officers [of the Bombay Marine] were increased in number, by two commanders, ten more lieutenants; and, to improve the morale of the whole, divine service was now first performed on board, and all gambling, swearing &c., strictly forbidden; and in 1761, a regular uniform was adopted by the officers, who, by the Governor in Council, were 'ordered to wear blue frock coats, turned up with yellow, dress-coats and waistcoats of the same colour, and according to regulation pattern.  Large boot-sleeves and facings of gold lace were the fashion for the superior grades, while the midshipmen and masters of gallivats were to rest contented with small round cuffs and no facings.'"--pg 210, Cassell's Illustrated History of India by James Grant

Books

A blog reader recently asked me about the books from which I quote.  This is a good question, with two answers.  The short answer is simply to name the books from which many of my blog posts come. 

History of the Irish Brigades in the Service of France by J. C. O'Callaghan.
Chronicles of An Old Campaigner by M. de la Colonie
Many of the novels by G. A. Henty

Most of the books I quote from can be found on the Internet Archive (www.Archive.org).  In fact, if you are interested in history at all, look through the Internet Archive for time periods that capture your imagination.

The second answer, or perhaps a subset of the first, is that any journal, letter, or diary of the time is a fount of interesting anecdotes and quotes.  Because the writer was an eyewitness, he recorded the big events he saw (the Battle of Carillon, perhaps) and also the little things (for example, http://defendingthelegacy.blogspot.com/2012/08/generosity-at-carillon.html).

Look at journals of time periods you are interested in and prepare to discover hidden stories within their pages!

Note: If you are reading this and saying "I don't have any books written by participants in this event", then you should look at the bibliography of a book on the subject.  Many times, they will sort their sources by "Primary" (written by someone who was there) , "Secondary" (written by someone who was not there), and "Journals/Articles" (self-explanatory).

Liebster Blog Award!

My blog has been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by Pearl of Tyburn at www.silverscreenspiritual.blogspot.com!  I am very grateful!  Thank you very much!

The rules for this award are: 1. Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog.  2. Answer their 11 questions. 3. Post 11 random things about yourself.  4. Nominate 11 other blogs with under 200 followers for this award. 5. Ask them 11 questions.

So here are Pearl of Tyburn’s 11 questions.

1. What do you consider the greatest movie of all time and why?

I believe that the greatest movie of all time is the Jesus film by Campus Crusade for Christ.  A well-made adaptation of the Gospel of Luke, it has travelled the world with its important message.

2. What do you consider the worst movie of all time and why?

I’m afraid I am not able to answer this question.  I have enjoyed most movies I have watched (except for Sybil Ludington and Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel).  However, picking the worst of film history is beyond me.

3. Who is your favorite actor/actress?

Difficult to answer.  One actress’s performance that I was impressed by was Madame Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities (1936).

4. Who is your least favorite actor/actress?

I don’t know, but I have seen some rather poor performances.

5. What scene from a movie do you find the most inspirational?

The most inspirational scene for me is from The Longest Day, when the British paratrooper commander remembers his orders to “hold until relieved”, with only a handful of men.  Honorable mention to Brotus (from Pendragon) ordering his line to be extended and meeting the criticism of “it’s certain death” with the retort “Then we die here!”

6. What movies have made you laugh the most?

Bugs Bunny, hands down, even though it is not a movie.

7. What movies have made you cry the most?

I’m not usually one to cry though movies, but probably Mrs. Miniver.

8. What movie do you find the most hoaky?

Definitely Sybil Ludington, but honorable (dishonorable?) mention to the end song of The Longest Day.

9. If you could only watch one more movie forever, what would it be?

The Longest Day.

10. What are some movies you’ve wanted to watch but never gotten the chance?

Beyond the Mask (I’m an extra in it!)

Waterloo

Zulu

11. What are your top 5 movies you would like me to watch and review?

Beyond the Mask

Alone Yet not Alone

Zulu

The Lego Movie

Waterloo

11 Random Things about myself

1.      I love the Lord Jesus Christ, and am glad to be part of a church that loves Him too.

2.      I run my own business at www.ThroughAllAges.com

3.      I love root beer, especially in a root beer float.

4.      Building with Lego bricks is a hobby of mine.

5.      I am the oldest of four siblings.

6.      I was a construction worker and extra for the Christian movie Beyond the Mask.

7.      I think that John Williams is the greatest modern composer.

8.      Most of the books I own are about history

9.      I paint my own 54mm plastic American Revolution soldiers and am expanding into Seven Years War in India

10.   I love old paintings.

11.   I am a contributor for the Young Patriot Magazine.

And now for my blog nominations:

1.      www.MountainsWereMoved.blogspot.com

2.      www.SonsOfTheRemnant.blogspot.com

3.      www.Tidders-KingdomOfWittenberg.blogspot.com

4.      www.GolcondaRising.blogspot.com

5.      www.flintlockandtomahawk.blogspot.com

6.      www.consecratedsword.blogspot.com

7.      www.forchristsglory.blogspot.com

8.      www.castlesoftin.blogspot.com

9.      www.civilwar150th.blogspot.com

10.   www.adventure-in-the-indies.blogspot.com

11.   www.warsoflouisxiv.blogspot.com

And here are my 11 questions:

1.      What is your favorite movie?

2.      In the Seven Years’ War, would you side with the French or the British?

3.      Do you play chess?

4.      John Williams or Hans Zimmer?

5.      What is your favorite historical era?

6.      Do you like root beer?

7.      How far back can you trace your family’s history?

8.      What is the most interesting job that you have worked at?

9.      What is the most important thing you have learned while blogging?

10.   What is your least favorite movie?

11.   Would you be interested in hosting a giveaway of Through All Ages’s products?  (Check them out at ThroughAllAges.com and please contact me if so!)