By way of closing out the 2020 Self Hibernation Campaign, an award is to be presented to the winning player (Mike Newman), which is a miniature diorama of Generals de Krackere, Holt-Oglwthorpe, Starbuck and Banks at the 'Battle of Petersburg'.
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| General de Krackere and his leadership Team at Petersburg |
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| General Nathaniel Banks, in close support |
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| General John Holt-Oglethorpe, pointing the way forwards |
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| General Nathan Starbuck, 'Are you sure that's the only way to get there?' |
The figures are from First Corps and specially obtained for this prestigious award, they were painted and affixed to the diorama stand by your friendly Umpire, Mike W. The physical presentation will be sometime in the not too distant future - Covid allowing.
Looking at the figures, I'd like to start with that of General Paul de Krackere himself, a fabulously rich individual, head of his own, self named, company - like many men of his ilk - he dresses really quite humbly, not wanting to waste money in unnecessary frills and impracticalities.
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| Paul de Krackere, pondering his opportunities |
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| The other view |
de Karackere wears a standard issue 'Sack Coat' with infantry piping added to each sleeve and three gold stars on the collar. He has standard sky blue trousers tucked into socks and wears utilitarian army issue brogues. This attire being much better suited for comfort and ease of movement around the trench works..
As a Corps commander, de Krackere has allowed himself the luxury of a gold waist sash to denote his rank. He is depicted here, looking out thoughtfully over the enemy lines on one of his regular morning reviews of the troops. On his black slouch hat he wears a gold star, representing the badge of the XX Corps.
Next under the spotlight is General John Holt-Oglethorpe, an experienced commander born in Vermont but who had previously had military experience in continental Europe, mostly the smaller German states. Holt-Olethorpe has followed in de Krackere's style but toned down the flamboyance of infantry piping and waist sashes to adhere to his own command's sense of decorum.
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| John Holt-Oglerthorpe, directing his troops, man bag on clear show |
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| From the rear |
For most of Holt-Oglethorpe's troops were mostly pious German and Dutch immigrants, they were not noted for their sense of humour or love of anything outrageously frivolous!
On the collar of his standard issue sack coat are the two gold stars of a Divisional Commander, he carries a Colt Army pistol and his true love - a model 1850, Infantry Sword. In Holt-Ogethorpe's opinion, this is all that a good officer should need to convey his wishes during a conflict situation.
On his hat is the blue star of 2nd Division, XX Corps.
Holt-Oglethorpe is depicted here waving his sword at a subordinate officer to ensure that a potential 'gap' in the lines is dealt with as soon as possible.
Holt-Oglrthorpe is a practical man, he carries a canteen of water, a habit he picked-up from his days in Europe and he also carries a small 'Man Bag', attached to his waist belt with some rations, first aid dressings and other personal items.
Unlike de Krackere, Holt-Oglethorpe has gone for the 'mutton chops' look, feeling it is more distinguished looking with his now greying hair.
General Nathaniel Banks, on the other hand has copied de Krackere's hefty moustache look, being a slightly younger man he feels he can carry this look off even better than de Kracker himself....
Banks, is depicted in the uniform of his beloved 5th Massachusetts Cavalry, a Shell Jacket with yellow arm of service trim plus the single star of a Brigade commander on each collar. As part of this fine 'rig', Banks wears sky blue trousers with a yellow stripe plus regulation issue Cavalry Boots.
On his hat is the white star of 1st Division, XX Corps.
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| Nathaniel Banks, in his Cavalry Rig |
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| The other view |
Bank's wears the red sash of a Field Officer, de Krackere, preferring the gold version for Divisional Commanders and senior...
Hanging from his regulation waist belt is the ubiquitous Army Colt - Bank's having considered a sword an unwanted encumbrance in the Petersburg trench lines.
Banks is depicted, waiting on orders from de Krackere, he was always a loyal servant of the Iowan, who recognised and acknowledged Bank's deep bond with his open troops.
Finally we have General Nathan Starbuck, known as the 'Italian Stallion', reluctant hero of Bull Run and many more battles. He is depicted here in the uniform he adopted on taking Command of his New York Italian Brigade.
Starbuck has gone for a cheeky goatee beard look, befitting his European origins and reflecting the fashion amongst his Central and Southern European troops.
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| Starbuck at the crouch, poised like a spring to react to incoming fire |
The blanket roll was an addition after the Gettysburg fight, the thick roll of blanket, wrapped around a rubberised ground sheet, worn over the shoulder, body and neck was shown to have provided some protection against enemy sabre slashes, anything to increase his battlefield survivability!
As a nod to the panache of his Italian troops, Starbuck's jacket has red collar and cuffs and his red trousers are tucked into white gaiters, over regulation army brogues, again he found the gaiters to be vey supportive of his slightly weak ankles on the battlefield.
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| From the rear... |
The eagle eyed amongst you will notice Starbuck's final piece of 'equipment', in this case a bloody dressing on his hand, the wound discreetly self-inflicted and although in no way of any medical threat, prominent enough for onlookers to notice and surmise that he has been in the thick of the action already this day.
In the Diorama, de Krackere is in front, protected by his faith in the right of his cause, he is backed-up ably by his favourite Divisional Commander Holt-Oglethorpe, who is signalling to his troops with his sword. Just behind de Kracker is one of his former Brigade commanders, General Nathaniel Banks, who is assessing how he'd be doing things differently, utilising the open space in the flanks - if he were in charge - but loyal to de Krackere to the end. Starbuck is there, as one of Holt-Oglethorpe's Brigade commanders, very weary of potential incoming ordinance in the area, he is squinting to see any Rebel activities opposite their position.
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| Original First Corps General Set |
