Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Genre/Period Discussion => Firelocks to Maxims (1680 - 1900) => Topic started by: SV52 on 17 November 2015, 12:52:15 PM

Title: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: SV52 on 17 November 2015, 12:52:15 PM
Oops I'm a year early :o

This one I've had a bee in my bunnet about for some time but haven't yet got round to.  However the time has come...

As battles go it was more of a skirmish but I'm sure for those who were there it was battle enough for them.  Basically it's all about a section of the Scots' population (Covenanters) disagreeing with the Crown's (Charles II) interference in the Kirk.  So in the time-honoured manner, people got excited and both sides looked for sharp things to strengthen their arguments.  The whole episode consisted of two notable actions - Drumclog, a very small affair which was a win for the Covenanters and Bothwell Brig fought in 1679 in which the Crown forces massacred the Covenanters.

The event happened on the outskirts of my home town and there's Covenanting blood in the family, hence my interest.  Having said that, I don't intend to create two armies from scratch...

... Some time ago I intended in gaming the Glorious Revolution of 1688 by having Dutch William's foreign army opposed by James II/VII's army drawn from the three kingdoms; James' army was completed but the project was then abandoned.  Some time before that I completed forces for both sides for Montrose v Scots Parliament in the civil war period.  It's these armies which I'll use to provide troops for Bothwell Brig.

Crown forces:

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Crown01_zpsrkhd4t4l.jpg)

On the left are four civil war foot regiments used here as militia, there were up to eight militia regiments involved at Bothwell Brig. I haven't replaced their flags with appropriate militia ones. Centre rear is a contingent of Highland Clansmen with three regular infantry regiments in front, again their flags haven't been changed out for those who were actually present.  Artillery details are vague, so two medium guns. Lastly a mixed bag of horse and dragoons.  The mounted arm employed at the battle was a real hodge-podge of regulars and militia from all over the place.

Covenanter forces:

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Cov01_zpsyausklb2.jpg)

There seems to have been one formed body of foot, represented by the rear regiment. In front of them are those who formed the great majority on the day - armed civilians (more to be completed).  Next to them are musket armed skirmishers, in front two light brass guns. To finish off a couple of troops of irregular horse.

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Cov03_zpszay3wwzn.jpg)

Ready for priming are the last of the civilians made up of LoA scythemen and civil war Scots (thanks Leon for filling what was an oddball order).

The aim of course is to get this lot finished and game the action.  I'll update progress.
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 17 November 2015, 01:13:07 PM
Looking good! ;)
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Techno on 17 November 2015, 01:48:23 PM
 8)
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: jambo1 on 17 November 2015, 04:34:51 PM
I have been reading up on this battle very recently, very interested to see how this develops. :-bd :-bd
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: paulr on 17 November 2015, 06:49:30 PM
Looking forward to watching this progress :)
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: SV52 on 17 November 2015, 08:57:15 PM
Cheers guys.  I've an awful feeling that the game itself will take longer to set up than play! 
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: paulr on 18 November 2015, 04:30:59 AM
Quote from: SV52 on 17 November 2015, 08:57:15 PM
Cheers guys.  I've an awful feeling that the game itself will take longer to set up than play! 

Isn't that always the case ;D
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project Update
Post by: SV52 on 25 November 2015, 01:42:57 PM
Progress is being made if somewhat haltingly:

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Cov04_zpsogux4hry.jpg)

The figures in red are sculpted wearing regimentals so do nicely for Crown deserters.

Pondering over rules I have to hand; looks like DBR for army lists, troop types and capabilities.  I'll cherry pick the rest from it.
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Womble67 on 25 November 2015, 11:06:02 PM
Very nice indeed

Take care

Andy
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Subedai on 26 November 2015, 10:26:18 AM
Looking good, I've never heard of this little interlude north of the border before, so following with interest. Do you have actual orbats?
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: SV52 on 26 November 2015, 10:08:56 PM
Pretty much a local affair, a footnote in history.

There is very little known about the military aspects and the deployments of the armies is unknown, only that the Crown was on the north side of the river Clyde and the Covenenters opposite.

The Crown forces (yup, That  Monmouth):
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Crown_zpsncplwbwm.jpg)
There were as many as eight militia foot regiments present.

The Covenanter forces:
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Covenanters_zpsoowmmjtl.jpg)
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Techno on 27 November 2015, 05:15:44 AM
Going very nicely !  8)
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Bill Braham on 27 November 2015, 02:28:39 PM
SV52

Is that he same William Cleland who ended up as the Lt Col of the 'Cameronians'/Earl of Angus' Regt and who was mortally wounded in the action at Dunkeld in the aftermath of Killiekrankie?
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Leman on 27 November 2015, 04:00:30 PM
This all looks rather fascinating.
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: SV52 on 27 November 2015, 06:03:26 PM
Quote from: Bill Braham on 27 November 2015, 02:28:39 PM
SV52

Is that he same William Cleland who ended up as the Lt Col of the 'Cameronians'/Earl of Angus' Regt and who was mortally wounded in the action at Dunkeld in the aftermath of Killiekrankie?

Yup, same guy.  He was one of the fortunate few who got away from Bothwell and fled to Holland, to return under the auspices of Dutch William.
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project Update - Troops finalised
Post by: SV52 on 30 November 2015, 02:50:23 PM
Additional civvies done:
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Civs01_zps7df09jm7.jpg)

Final Crown force:
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Crown03_zpstaj7j9uz.jpg)

Final Covenanter force:
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Cov05_zpszgbpviwq.jpg)

Next is to work out what the table is going to look like (lots of compromising as usual) and finalize the rules application.
At this stage not sure whether to put the AAR on here or leave it on the blog (it'll be going on there anyway).
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Techno on 30 November 2015, 03:55:59 PM
Looking damn fine, that man !  8)
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 30 November 2015, 03:59:17 PM
Superb work!  8)
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: cameronian on 30 November 2015, 06:27:58 PM
Do you get a bonus for killing a minister ?
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: SV52 on 30 November 2015, 11:09:38 PM
Cheers. There will be a further update in due course  :)
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: paulr on 01 December 2015, 04:19:38 AM
Well done that man =D>

Looking forward to the further updates
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Bill Braham on 01 December 2015, 11:59:19 AM
Good work, I especially like the way you have worked mainly with what you already have to come up with both sides.

Do you plan to run Drumclog? I rather like Claverhouse's acerbic comment in his despatch  'They were not preaching' when he came up on the Covenanter meeting there. With a very small change around you could use most of the same figures to do Rullion Green from the earlier disturbances as well although that seems much less of a battle than Bothwell Brig or even Drumclog.
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: SV52 on 01 December 2015, 08:07:46 PM
Quote from: Bill Braham on 01 December 2015, 11:59:19 AM
Good work, I especially like the way you have worked mainly with what you already have to come up with both sides.

Do you plan to run Drumclog? I rather like Claverhouse's acerbic comment in his despatch  'They were not preaching' when he came up on the Covenanter meeting there. With a very small change around you could use most of the same figures to do Rullion Green from the earlier disturbances as well although that seems much less of a battle than Bothwell Brig or even Drumclog.

Possible.  Numbers appear to have been:

Rebel: possibly 1500; 4 battalions of foot & 3 squadrons of horse
Government: 150.
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project - Update Layout and Deployment
Post by: SV52 on 03 December 2015, 06:07:41 PM
As there appears to be no definitive description of how either side deployed on the day, albeit there are a couple of near contemporary prints which purport to show it, I simply plonked them down with a nod towards that.  What I do need is a far better camera for this stuff though the tiny 10s don't help:

3 ft x 3 ft board with simple terrain:

General layout and deployment (Crown forces to the left):
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Oview01_zpscpk7obdm.jpg)

Again
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Game01_zpsnn79mapu.jpg)

Crown deployment:
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Crown04_zpslrxpxnw3.jpg)

Covenanters:
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/cameronian/Bothwell%20Brig/Covnant01_zpsi3mwi6zy.jpg)

Still pondering on rules variations, it'll all be over by Christmas! ;)





Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: d_Guy on 21 December 2015, 04:22:36 PM
Very, very nice!
I will continue to follow this project with great interest.

Similar to what I am trying to do (except I am currently stuck in the 1640's AND your painting is much better than mine!)

A fascinating century and location and still just learning the basics. By the time I get to Bothwell Brig I'll be - I don't know - 85?

Keep up the excellent work,

d_Guy
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Leman on 21 December 2015, 10:28:46 PM
Wonderful stuff - more kilt wearers enjoying a rowdy Hogmanay.
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Techno on 22 December 2015, 05:10:51 AM
Great stuff !  8)
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: SV52 on 24 December 2015, 10:14:53 AM
A' things oan haud til efter Hogmanay.  What with the seasonal haggis hunt and the decanting of the moonshine, etc. 

A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you and yours out in Pendraken land. <:-P
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: fsn on 24 December 2015, 10:48:12 AM
How nice!

And to you too!
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Leman on 24 December 2015, 11:14:39 AM
Have a good one SV.
Title: Re: Bothwell Brig 1679 Project
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 24 December 2015, 11:15:10 AM
Have a great one SV