Jack Scruby Mexican American War Figure Line

This project started on a whim and was fueled by my interest in nostalgia and wargame figures (with the old Toy Soldier look) from a bygone age (1950s-80s).

While searching for something else, I came across many MAW Scruby figures at low prices. Since I lack a sense for accumulating figures, I purchased them with the intent to paint a few, put them on a shelf, and forget about them.

Well, one thing led to another, and I organized their purchasing from Historifigs, which I lacked from the eBay bunch.

This unit represents the light company of the Fusilier Regiment de Mexico (1843-1847). The unit fought at Molina del Ray and Chapultepec. Note the standard bearer. That figure came with the eBay purchase. The shako is Mexican, and it is possible that the figure is actually Napoleonic French since a sapper figure in the MAW line does not exist. I'm not sure if the original figure carried an axe, but if it did, the first owner did away with it and seemed to intend a standard bearer (Flag by Maverick Models UK).

This unit is the National Guard Unit Bravos (1845-47). They are also fusiliers and were raised with other National Guard units to garrison Mexico City. The French influence is obvious. They put up a good fight at Churubusco.

This figure is actually from the Scruby Franco-Prussian War line. They are French Grenadier Guards painted up as the Grenadier Guards of the Supreme Power. According to Osprey, the unit was a militia battalion that left its ceremonial duties to participate in the Battles of Cerro Gordo, Chapultepec, and Mexico City.

While the Mexicans are a colorful lot and fun to paint, the American Regulars are ordinary. I painted up one battery using the solitary artilleryman and one officer to man the guns.

I got most of these American Regulars with the eBay purchase. The light blue uniforms proved challenging. I used a craft paint medium blue and went over it with a craft paint lighter blue. I did not want to baby blue often used in prints. At the start of the war, the US fielded 16 regiments (each a single battalion) of Regulars. They did the bulk of the fighting but were supplemented by volunteer regiments from various states. They were better trained than most of their Mexican opponents.

The US fielded only two regiments of dragoons during the war. This contrasts with many regiments of cavalry fielded by the Mexicans. The American dragoon regiments did not serve as regiments but rather as detachments from the regiments. They acquitted themselves well, but the infantry were the Queens of the Battlefield for both sides.

The Mexicans fielded quite a few cavalry units of all sorts, but mostly of the light types. This unit is typical, though the uniforms have changed significantly. To my knowledge, the Mexican cavalry, as numerous as they were, never charged home against American infantry or cavalry. I think it represents a preview of the American Civil War when a mounted charge was rare.

I used the two Osprey books for the prints, with this one being the far more colorful. It covers the period 1821-48. The uniforms evolved a great deal in that time span. I simply chose the most colorful units I wanted to paint.

This is the original Osprey book published way back in the 60s. It covers both sides and features units not covered in the other publication.

Scruby figures are still available through Historifigs. A fellow by the name of Mike Taber owns the molds. He seeks to restore what he can, although some molds are fine, which is something given they are 60 years old or so. Mike operates his shop out of Baraboo, WI, not far from me. Mike has a passion for the old figures and operates an FB page titled Table Talk Top. You can find me there from time to time.

Somewhere in the Sudan

 We did a fictional game featuring my Sudan collection. The basic idea was for a British force to take a succession of hills that protected a town. The scenario was drawn from the "Urabi Revolt" that the British put down. Their enemies were the Egyptian Army. Here is a blurb from Wiki to explain the bigger picture:

The ʻUrabi Revolt (1879–1882) was a nationalist uprising in Egypt led by Colonel Ahmed ʻUrabi. It  sought to depose Khedive Tewfik Pasha and end heavy British and French interference in Egyptian financial and political affairs. The movement advocated for constitutional rule and the slogan "Egypt for the Egyptians".

It's been a while since I took the pics, so they are not in any particular order. I'll explain the action best I can.

This picture features the British center, or the "Thin Red Line," as it advanced on the terrain features. To the right is the Black Watch, and to the right, a line battalion. Two batteries of the Royal Artillery are giving support. The far one refused to move for several consecutive turns. The rules were The Men Who Would Be Kings.

The Egyptian battalion is on the reverse slope. The Highlanders have overrun the Egyptian Artillery that was posted in front of the battalion.

The British Dragoons moved against the Egyptian right but were badly cut up. It was the only Egyptian success of the day.

Egyptian right. The infantry battalion facing to the right helped destroy the British cavalry, but as you can see, the artillery has already been destroyed by the Highlanders.

I'm usually particular about my unit names, but I forgot which line battalion this was. I pulled them from my Zulu War collection, and I think they were the 3rd Foot. I used "red coats" because, in 1882, the British had not yet adopted khaki, except in India.

This is one of my favorite Egyptian units-a unit of lancers. If memory serves me, they are Irregular minis from the UK. They did zero in the game, getting pasted by the British Dragoons.

Bashi-Bazouks in reserve on the Egyptian left.  They occupied space.

The Egyptian center. The infantry were a mixed bag in terms of morale. Historically, they had poor morale and ill-trained peasants. It was reflected in the game, as I treated most of them as "green". The Sudanese units were a bit better, but I managed to shake poorly for them!

Arab cavalry in reserve, and they liked it that way.

The Egyptian center battery.  This particular gun was an old smoothbore, pressed into service.

Close-up of the Bashi-Bazouks. It didn't turn out great.

An impressive Egyptian battle line, supported by Urabi's guards. They all folded up quickly in the face of the British firepower, and I do not think the British infantry ever got pinned!

The "thin red line" was more than adequate.

dr

British Dragoons by HAT.

HAT Highland Infantry

The ill-fated Egyptian lancers.

The Egyptians had the numerical advantage and terrain advantage, all to no avail.