WELCOME TO THE WIP PAGE
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The wip page is where I focus on a particular project instead of the inane ramblings which make up the posting section of the blog, the page heading obviously reflects the the tenuous nature of "work's in progress", just how long is a piece of string?
February's wip is in fact a painting project with the emphasis on the painting not so much the miniature. The figure in fact is painted and has been a feature on both the home page and 'white and bright'. The Rebel flag bearer figure, it is high time he got himself a flag to wave and I'm going to make and paint it. Anyone who has witnessed my past flag painting exploits will know that this is going to be a challenge.
First things first which flag?
to be continued..........
Well a decision has been made about my valiant little flag bearer, drum roll please! He is now Private Braswel, Co. A of the 22nd Alabama volunteer infantry regiment. What is even better is I'm a bit of a fan of the campaign out west and have one or two books covering the battles, could be a good excuse to read them again.
Who is Private Braswel? After battle report, Chickamauga.....
...finding the enemy on a very high hill with a strongly posted battery, it was impossible to penetrate his line. The fire of grape and canister at this point was terrific, and although the command made bold and earnest efforts to rise the hill and storm the battery it was unsuccessful. Here, I regret to state, we lost our colors. Private Braswell, of Company A, who was then bearing them, fearlessly rushed to the front and in advance of the line, and was there literally riddled with balls, as was subsequently shown by the recovery of his body. The fire at this time was such as to throw the regiment into confusion, in which the loss of Private Braswell and colors was not discovered until too late to rescue them, for amid this confusion the regiment fell back, and was unable afterward to regain its lost position.
It is reported that Braswel was the 5th 22nd Ala. V.I. flag bearer to be lost that day.......
Two officers had already been shot down carrying the regimental flag of the 22nd Alabama Infantry, when Lieutenant A.B. Renfro seized the fallen colors, raced forward and "planted them almost within the enemy's line." His courageous act came on September 20,1863, amid the fiercest fighting of the Battle of Chickamauga, where 34,624 casualties were recorded. Lieutenant Renfro and his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Weedon, led the battle-hardened troops of the 22nd Alabama within 20 paces of the Federal position, where both sides poured fire into each other at close range.
Captain Harry T. Toulmin witnessed the carnage which left him in command of the regiment. "Here," he reported, "Lieutenant A.B. Renfro.-.fell pierced through the head with colors in hand. Here too, fell our brave, our true, our esteemed commander, Lieutenant Colonel John Weedon.... He fell beneath the honored folds of that cherished flag under which he had so gallantly led his brave men."
Looks like quite a decent back story to my wip, that should keep up the interest. Just to let you know the flag is now residing back in Alabama being returned in 1972 after an initial attempt in 1911.
Well that was the easy part, now we got to get onto the flag making. I haven't picked the material to make the actual flag from yet so I'll scout out a few blogs and see what they offer up. Any and all suggestions will be considered.
to be continued........
Well I have been looking around and asking on TMP about flag making, the majority consensus is buy 'em or use the computer to design your own and print them out. I thought that might be the case as of course it is the most convenient solution. Flag making material ranges from tissue to aluminium foil with the old favourites, drafting linen and lead sheet being suggested both not readily available materials.
An additional problem has cropped up, I cant make out the writing in the top left hand quadrant of the flag. I had always assumed it was the regimental name i.e. 22nd Alabama Inf., but now I'm not so sure. I do however now that the original flag is 3' x 5' which is a start.
to be continued.......
A change of plans dear reader I wont be using the figure I had originally planned to. Braswell was an ordinary private and the figure I was planning to use has an officers sword, however the figure which I'm modding to be a standard bearer after losing the top half of his musket would be perfect. This figure is wearing a kepi and is in the "falling backwards injured" pose, as Braswell was recovered riddled with shot this will do the job nicely will post a pic as soon as he is painted.
to be continued........
Well he is painted and ready for the off. I will have to give him another coat of varny because some dimwit *cough cough* forgot to drill the hole for the flag pole before painting. Two coats should protect him against accidents.
Seeing as Pvt Braswell was found with multiple wounds I will look at representing these with a splash of carefully placed blood red.
Poor quality casting this one, the halves are not aligned at all, and who forgot to drill the damn hole for the flag pole?
to be continued........
A change of plans dear reader I wont be using the figure I had originally planned to. Braswell was an ordinary private and the figure I was planning to use has an officers sword, however the figure which I'm modding to be a standard bearer after losing the top half of his musket would be perfect. This figure is wearing a kepi and is in the "falling backwards injured" pose, as Braswell was recovered riddled with shot this will do the job nicely will post a pic as soon as he is painted.
to be continued........
Well he is painted and ready for the off. I will have to give him another coat of varny because some dimwit *cough cough* forgot to drill the hole for the flag pole before painting. Two coats should protect him against accidents.
Seeing as Pvt Braswell was found with multiple wounds I will look at representing these with a splash of carefully placed blood red.
Poor quality casting this one, the halves are not aligned at all, and who forgot to drill the damn hole for the flag pole?
to be continued........
