War of 1812 -First preview: United States of America

[Thibaud]

By the time of the 1812 war, the united states had no real professional army. It's few regiments were disseminated all over the territory, and the buying of louisiana to the french gave the US army an imense territory to control.

The officers were mainly young, unexperienced men, who replaced an old generation of officers, American war of independance veterans.

Still, by the end of the war, the US army will fight bravely on all fronts, gaining great and decisive victories against the british army who was, at the period, the best in the world.

Here's a preview of some of this faction's units.

These screens were taken with medium settings and no AA, this is what you WILL get when playing the mod (although you run it in high to very high settings, in which case it'll be far better)

Hope you like 'em folks!

Militia units

At the beginning of the war, the US militia was called to arms in almost every state. I decided to represent some of the more representative units of militia, as they were a great variety of garments, uniforms and hats. Michigan state militia Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Maryland militia (They worn top hats also, but this is the shako they are supposed to wear during the North point battle) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Coloured volunteers (Units of Black volunteers, they served in numerous smll engagments, also during the famous battle of new orleans. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Regular Infantry

US "Typical" infantry of the beginning of the war. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  US 25th regiment, known for their participation in the battle of chippewa (note the light blue backpack and canteen) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  US 16th regiment, with their distinctive green trousers and black uniforms. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  US 7th regiment "the cottonballers", showcasing the late war uniforms, dark blue. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  US marines, one of the only elite regiments of the US infantry. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

US Cavalry

One of the main weaknesses of US army was its lack of cavalry, only one regular unit existed at the beginning of the war. US dragoons (the skin is not accurate, i'm working on it) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Maryland light dragoons militia Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  New York Militia, 7th regiment of light dragoons. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

More coming soon, stay tuned!

[jackx]

Great preview, units are looking good.

Not a fan of the brass barrel bands (or barrel bands in general), and hoping for British muskets without them, but that's really a minor cosmetic issue.

It's funny how the British automatically become the #1 army in the world when fighting the Americans... granted, in 1812 that argument is easier to sustain than in 1775, but it still involves considerable disregard for just about all major continental European powers as well as the deficiencies of the British army in anything that isn't infantry.

[Thibaud]

Great preview, units are looking good.

Not a fan of the brass barrel bands (or barrel bands in general), and hoping for British muskets without them, but that's really a minor cosmetic issue.

It's funny how the British automatically become the #1 army in the world when fighting the Americans... granted, in 1812 that argument is easier to sustain than in 1775, but it still involves considerable disregard for just about all major continental European powers as well as the deficiencies of the British army in anything that isn't infantry.

Well, the british were at war against french since a few years, and, from the beginning of the war, experienced soldiers were sent from Spain and England.

After 1814 and the french defeat at Waterloo, Britain was able to turn seasoned veterans from europeans battle zones to Northern america. It is these veterans that took and burned Washington, and it is these veterans who had a hard time in baltimore.

My expression "best army in the world" is quite true at this particular moment. Britain did not suffer much from napoleonice wars, and was able to quickly rebuild his army after the onslaught of waterloo.
But this army, as history will prove, was unprepared to northern american warfare, and suffered some important defeats.

cheers,

[jackx]

No worries, I'm just amused by how particularly from the American perspective, the British army is portrayed as this unstoppable juggernaught when compared to the armies of other European powers, it's mostly one thing - small to the point of (almost) being insignificant (more so in 1775 than in 1812), the good quality of some of its components notwithstanding.

[Gen.jamesWolfe]

lovely units.

though I have to ask: what's with the funky backpacks?

[Thibaud]

lovely units.

though I have to ask: what's with the funky backpacks?

Well, the US regulars had standard issued light blue backpacks and canteens.
Examples can be seen here:
and here:


cheers

[Dearg Doom]

looking very nice, well done sir

[SakyaIllidan]

good units


i have a question... this mod have a campaign??

[Thibaud]

Yeah this mod will feature a full length campaing, and perhaps... historically accurate siege battles!! (I finished a model of a fort, i'll now try to export it in game!)

cheers,

[ruthless]

Nice work. Look forward to such a mod!

[Thibaud]

I have updated the preview, adding a new unit: the New York militia Light dragoons.