John Jenkins – New releases for February 2008
The raid on St. Francis 1759
Of all the episodes embraced within Robert Roger’s chequered career, none gained him greater fame than his 1759 raid upon the Abenaki village of St. Francis. It could be said to be the most incredible feat of the French & Indian War.
The three pronged attack to complete the conquest of French Canada was losing momentum. Wolfe had reached a stalemate at Quebec. Gage was making slow progress at Oswego on Lake Ontario, and Amherst, the Commander in Chief was at Crown point awaiting the construction of his fleet for his advance on Montreal. The British needed a safe communication route to Wolfe, as well as a diversion to draw the French forces away from the siege at Quebec.
Major Robert Rogers’ raid on the notorious Abenaki Indian town of St. Francis, deep in French Canada, was the answer. The American colonial New Englanders, who had long suffered at the hands of the raiding Abenaki from St. Francis, had good reasons to encourage this daring venture. Where better to start the story of the Raid on St.Francis than at “Fort Number Four”. This was the outpost which marked the northern limit of British settlement in the fertile valley of the Connecticut River, and whose settlers lived in fear from the frequent raids from the Woodland Indians of the Abenaki tribe.
This month there will be the release of 2 sets of civilians and a Blockhouse. A stockade fence surround and gateway will be released in April 2008.
The Blockhouse
The Blockhouse can be divided in half, and displayed up against the back wall of a shelf. Combined with the «Stockade and Gateway» sets, available in April, it can be used to create the interior of a small fort on your shelf! Also, divided in half, the Blockhouse will reveal fully detailed interiors. Part B contains a ladder, and Part A has a door that can be opened and closed. Dimensions of Blockhouse: Maximum 9 ½” wide x 8” deep x 8 ½” Height. Attention, only 250 of these will be produced!
 
Both of these civilians sets are available in a limited edition of only 500.
THE BATTLE ON SNOWSHOES
The set for February is a set of British regulars of the 27th Regiment of foot in winter coats and forage caps. The set, available in a limited edition of 500, depicts a sergeant and corporal skirmishing.
THE WAR OF 1812 - THE BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA July 5th 1814
The War of 1812 was better known as the American War of 1812 in the UK to distinguish it from the war with Napoleon I of France that occurred in the same year. It was a very busy year! It was fought between the USA and Great Britain and its colonies and involved Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Bermuda and Newfoundland. The war was fought from 1812 to 1815 on both land and sea. By the end of the war, 1,600 British and 2,260 American troops had died.
On July 5th 1814, British and US troops met on the plain at Chippewa, Canada. The Battle was to last nearly 3 hours. The battle was to show the whole world that the army of the young country of America had become a professional military arm, capable of holding its own against the world’s best armies.
Brigadier General Winfield Scott, commanded the First Brigade of the Left Division of the US Army. He had tried to obtain the correct blue uniform for his men during the spring of 1814, but failed and was forced to accept the grey jackets usually worn as fatigues or undergarments, instead of the regulation short tailed blue coatee. His men would make this humble garment famous, and today the grey uniforms of the West Point Cadets are worn to perpetuate the memory of the Left Division during the 1814 Niagara campaign.
So on July 5th 1814, the British were already deployed on the plain. The British commander General Sir Phineas Riall, upon seeing the grey-clad Americans, believed he faced nothing more than “Buffalo militia”. The British artillery were ordered to open up on the American lines and despite the heavy fire from the British guns, Brig. Gen. Winfield Scott’s brigade stood firm. Riall soon realized he had made a mistake in identifying the American force as militia, and declared to his staff “Those are regulars, by God!”
The British went on to suffer heavy casualties and were forced to retire. Riall’s army of 1,500 redcoats suffered 148 killed, and a further 360 wounded or captured. Scott was to lose 61 killed and 270 wounded of his 1,300 men. The Battle of Chippewa was an important event in the history of the US army. After two disappointing and demoralizing years of combat in the War of 1812, American regulars finally won a convincing victory over the British army, whose troops were among the best in the world.
There are a total of 12 sets planned for the “Grey Jacket” collection. The War of 1812 range will continue with future releases including artillery, and cavalry, as well as several other of the more colorful units that took part in this conflict. The War of 1812 range will run alongside the F&I War range, with regular monthly releases for both periods.
Recommended Reading: “Where Right and Glory Lead!” by Donald E. Graves and “Red Coats & Grey Jackets” by Donald E. Graves.
The first set of the new range of Scott’s Brigade includes 4 figures firing and will be available in a limited edition of 500. All figures are different and is ideal for creating a firing line. There will be 1 extra set of Firing line figures, which will include 2 bare headed figures, which will be available April 2008
These following sets will be available at a later date. The date of releases and the prices are not yet confirmed.
  
  
Prototypes of US wounded figures
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