My American Civil War Book Library

My American Civil War book library for wargaming consists of the following titles this is not an exhaustive library is just some of my favourites on the subject.

The American Civil War (1)
The war in the East 1861–May 1863

The United States saw long-simmering sectional tensions erupt into fighting at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, in April 1861, beginning what would become the most cataclysmic military struggle in the western world between Waterloo and the First World War. This volume focuses on events in the Virginia theatre during the conflict's first two years, highlighting Union and Confederate strengths and weaknesses, leadership and strategy on each side, and the ways in which events on the battlefield influenced politics, diplomacy, and debates about emancipation. Osprey Essential Histories are complete yet concise studies of each major conflict in history.

The American Civil War (2)
The war in the West 1861–July 1863

The American Civil Wars vast Western Theatre witnessed enormously important military campaigning during the period 1861 - 1863. This book, the third in a four-volume series, examines the geographical, logistical and strategic factors that shaped fighting in this theatre, as well as assessing officers who played key roles . It covers the story of Ulysses S Grant's important capture of rebel positions before marching south to win the battle of Shiloh, as well as that of Albert Sidney Johnston, the pride of the Confederacy. Finally, it details the dramatic events of the siege of Vicksburg, the Confederates final fortress.

The American Civil War (3)
The war in the East 1863–1865

Great battles and famous commanders dominated the military history of the Civil War in the Eastern Theatre during the period 1863-1865. This book includes revealing details of the clash at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the costliest battle ever waged in the Western Hemisphere, but, contrary to common belief, puts forward the theory that it was not a great turning point in the war. This book also examines the events that led to Robert E Lee accepting generous terms of surrender from Ulysses S Grant, bringing the war in Virginia to a close. A fascinating look at this crucial point in the American Civil War.

The American Civil War (4)
The war in the West 1863–1865

Union military forces suffered momentary defeat followed by sustained success in the Western Theatre during the second half of the American Civil War. Following the Union's defeat at Chickamauga, Ulysses S. Grant took command at Chattanooga and orchestrated a striking victory which paved the way for a Union advance against Atlanta, a confederate city second in importance only to Richmond. This book traces the events that surrounded the capture of Atlanta, followed by Sherman's famous campaign of destruction through the southern interior which culminated in April 1865 with the surrender of the last major Confederate field army at Durham Station, North Carolina.

Campaign

First Bull Run 1861

The South's first victory

At Bull Run, two inexperienced, ill-trained and poorly led armies clashed in the opening engagement of the American Civil War. Culminating in a stalwart defensive fight by Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson's Virginia Brigade, this is the story of the Confederacy's first victory. The author investigates the personalities of the principal commanders and examines the opposing armies, showing how the widely varying uniforms of different units caused mistakes of identity which affected the battle at crucial points. Weapons, intelligence and the almost universal inexperience of troops on both sides are all discussed, helping to explain the events of the battle itself.

Hampton Roads 1862

Clash of the Ironclads

On 9 March 1862 the world's first battle between two ironclad warships took place in the confined waters of Hampton Roads, Virginia. The previous day the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia, impervious to her enemy's guns, had sunk two Union warships. When she re-emerged from Norfolk to complete the destruction of the Union blockading squadron the USS Monitor steamed out to meet her. The four-hour duel that ensued was a stalemate, but crucially the Virginia had failed to break the Northern blockade of the Southern ports. Nevertheless, in a single battle these two vessels rendered wooden warships obsolete and transformed the face of naval warfare forever.

Antietam 1862

The Civil War's Bloodiest Day

Antietam was one of the critical battles of the American Civil War. The fortunes of the South were riding high after the resounding victory at Second Manassas. While Bragg and Kirby Smith invaded Kentucky, Lee's invasion of Maryland was intended to maintain the Southern offensive momentum and to win the recognition of the European powers. But his bold plan was compromised - and at the Antietam River the Army of Northern Virginia was fighting for its very life. This title examines the build-up to Hooker's attack, and details the famous clashes at Bloody Lane and Burnside Bridge.

Shiloh 1862

The death of innocence

The first major battle in the Western theatre of the American Civil War, Shiloh came as a horrifying shock to both the American public and those in arms. For the first time they had some idea of the terrible price that would be paid for the preservation of the Union. On 6 April 1862 General Albert Sidney Johnston caught Grant and Sherman by surprise and very nearly drove them into the River Tennessee, but was mortally wounded in the process. Somehow Grant and Sherman hung on and the next day managed to drive back the hordes of grey-clad rebels.

Shenandoah Valley 1862

Stonewall Jackson outmanoeuvres the Union

Major General “Stonewall” Jackson became a legend for his actions in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, in 1862. Marching over 600 miles in 48 days, he, along with his army, won five major battles. His forces, never numbering more than 17,000 men, overcame a combined Union force of 50,000, demonstrating his ability to manoeuvre his troops and deceive his enemies into believing he possessed the advantage. Charted throughout these pages is the journey leading up to, and including, “Stonewall” Jackson’s final victory, all the while performing better than anyone could have expected. The campaign became a showcase for the mobility and success of Jackson’s outnumbered men, who held the larger Union forces pinned down and off balance, consequently allowing Jackson to force march his men to take part in the Seven Days Battles that saved Richmond and gained him victory.

Seven Days Battles 1862

Lee’s defence of Richmond

When General Robert E. Lee took command of the Army of Northern Virginia, the Confederacy was in crisis. Lee changed all that in a brilliant, week-long campaign. On 26 June the Confederates struck, fighting two hard-fought battles in two days at Mechanicsville and Gaine's Mill. The ferocity of the Confederate assaults convinced McClellan that he was outnumbered. Unable to keep the Confederates at bay, the Union army was recalled to Washington. Despite losing a quarter of his men, Lee had saved Richmond, and inflicted a humiliating defeat on the Army of the Potomac. This book traces the course of this short yet crucial campaign.

Fair Oaks 1862

McClellan’s Peninsula campaign

Following its humiliating defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run, General George B. McClellan took command of the Union Army of the Potomac. In the spring of 1862, having rebuilt his forces, the Little Napoleon devised a plan to end the war in a single campaign. Transporting his army by sea to the Virginia Peninsula, he would outflank Confederate forces and march unopposed on Richmond, the Southern capital. Excessive caution squandered the opportunity, however, and on 31 May the Confederates struck at McClellan’s divided forces at Fair Oaks. This book details McClellan’s controversial Peninsula campaign and the southern attempt to halt the Union juggernaut.

Second Manassas 1862

Robert E Lee’s greatest victory

There never was such a campaign, not even by Napoleon wrote Confederate General Pender of the Second Manassas campaign in which the gray-bearded Virginian, Robert E Lee, came as close as he ever would to exterminating his Northern enemies. In so doing, Lee established himself as the South's pre-eminent military commander and the Army of Northern Virginia as it's most powerful weapon. The fighting in northern Virginia left Union General John Pope's career in tatters and proved the South was a power to be reckoned with. This book's powerful account demonstrates that during that fateful summer of 1862 Lee's soldiers were fighting for anything but a lost cause.

Fredericksburg 1862

'Clear The Way'

In December 1862, things were still confused for the Union. Antietam had been a failure for both sides, and although the battle showed that the Union army could bring the Confederates to bay, it couldn't pin them in one place long enough to destroy them. In December 1862, General Burnside, newly appointed to command the Army of the Potomac, planned to seize and secure the town of Fredericksburg, and then take the Confederate capital of Richmond. Carl Smith's book details the epic struggle that engulfed the Union side as it crossed the Rappahannock on December 11, encountering stiff opposition from Lee's men.

Chancellorsville 1863

Jackson's Lightning Strike

Following the debacle of the battle of Fredricksburg in December 1862, Burnside was replaced as commander of the Army of the Potomac by General Joseph Hooker. Having reorganised the army and improved morale, he planned an attack that would take his army to Richmond and end the war. Although faced by an army twice his size, the Confederate commander Robert E. Lee split his forces: Jubal Early was left to hold off Sedgwick's Fredericksburg attack, and 'Stonewall' Jackson was sent with 26,000 men in a wide envelopment around Hooker's right flank. This title details how at dusk on May 2, Jackson's men crashed into the Federal right flank, and how stiffening Federal resistance slowed the Confederate advance the next day.

Brandy Station 1863

First step towards Gettysburg

The road to Gettysburg began at Brandy Station on 9 June 1863. Early on that morning, General Pleasanton launched his men across the Rappahannock at Beverley’s Ford to the north of Brandy Station and Kelly’s Ford to the south. General JEB Stuart was caught unaware by these manoeuvres and his lines and headquarters were nearly overrun until reinforcements helped to stabilise the situation. Following 12 hours of bitter fighting the Union forces withdrew back across the river in what was the largest and most hotly contested clash of sabres in the war. This book describes the battle with a step-by-step analysis, illustrated with detailed maps, birds-eye-views and full colour battle scene artwork.

Gettysburg 1863

High tide of the Confederacy

The Confederate invasion of the Northern states was General Lee's last great gamble. By taking the war to the Union he hoped to force Lincoln into peace negotiations, or win support from the European powers who were watching events closely from across the Atlantic. Equally, Meade's Army of the Potomac needed to regain it's fighting credibility after the setbacks of Fredericksburg and saw this as an opportunity to redeem its honour. The clash of 150,000 soldiers from both sides would ultimately decide the fate of a nation.

Vicksburg 1863

Grant clears the Mississippi

The 1863 Vicksburg campaign was to prove decisive to the outcome of the American Civil War. Known as the 'Gibraltar of the West', Vicksburg was the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. In a masterly campaign Grant used riverboats and steamers to land his army south of the city. He then defeated the armies of Generals 'Joe' Johnston and John C. Pemberton. Pemberton allowed his force to become bottled up in Vicksburg and after an epic 47-day siege he was forced to surrender the remnants of his force to Grant on 4 July 1863, one day after Lee's defeat at Gettysburg.

Chickamauga 1863

The river of death

By the Autumn of 1863 the Confederacy was in dire straits. In a colossal gamble, Confederate President Jefferson Davis stripped forces from all the major Confederate armies to reinforce the Army of Tennessee in a last ditch attempt to crush the Union. On 19th September the Confederates attacked the Union army along Chickamauga creek south of Chattanooga. On the second day of bloody fighting the entire Union right collapsed and the army retreated headlong for Chattanooga, all except General George H. Thomas' Corps who fought on doggedly until nightfall delaying the confederate advance, saving the Union and earning his fame as the Rock of Chickamauga.

Shenandoah 1864

Sheridan’s valley campaign

For three years of war the Union and the Confederacy had battled over the picturesque Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians to the west, the valley served as the granary for the Army of Northern Virginia. It provided bread and beef to feed this shield of the Confederacy and remounts for its cavalry. This beautifully illustrated study explores one of the major campaigns of the Civil War in 1864, which saw a decisive victory for the Union forces under Sheridan and featured some of the most famous commanders of the war, including Philip Sheridan, Jubal Early, George Armstrong Custer, John B. Gordon and George Crook.

Wilderness and Spotsylvania 1864

Grant versus Lee in the East

In May 1864 the Union Army of the Potomac under General George Meade had been in a leisurely pursuit of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia for nearly a year after the defeat of the Rebels at Gettysburg. Confederate commander General Robert E. Lee still retained his awe-inspiring reputation for wrecking Union armies that got too close to Richmond and Meade was still cautious. His tactics at Gettysburg were defensive and he was unsure that he was able to take the offensive against Lee. However, things changed when President Abraham Lincoln appointed General Ulysses S. Grant to command all Union armies. Grant came east and laid out a comprehensive strategy for the rest of the war. In the deep South, General William T. Sherman would march out of Tennessee to cut the Confederacy in half by taking Atlanta. Grant would lead the Army of the Potomac across the Rapidan River and march on Richmond. He had the manpower and equipment to accomplish his objective, easily outnumbering Lee. Lee, on the other hand, was far from beaten. The stage was set for one of the defining campaigns of the Civil War in the East.

Sherman's March to the Sea 1864

Atlanta to Savannah

Riding on the wave of his victory at Atlanta, Union General W. T. Sherman abandoned his supply lines in an attempt to push his forces into Confederate territory and take Savannah. During their 285-mile 'March to the Sea' the army lived off the land and destroyed all war-making capabilities of the enemy en route. Despite the controversy surrounding it, the march was a success. Supported by photographs, detailed maps, and artwork, this title explores the key personalities and engagements of the march and provides a detailed analysis of the campaign that marked the 'beginning of the end' of the Civil War.

Petersburg 1864–65

The longest siege

In 1864 General Ulysses S. Grant decided to strangle the life out of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia by surrounding the city of Petersburg and cutting off General Robert E. Lee’s supply lines. The ensuing siege would carry on for nearly ten months, involve 160,000 soldiers, and see a number of pitched battles including the Battle of the Crater, Reams Station, Hatcher’s Run, and White Oak Road. After nearly ten months, Grant launched an attack that sent the Confederate army scrambling back to Appomattox Court House where it would soon surrender. Written by an expert on the American Civil War, this book examines the last clash between the armies of U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee.

Appomattox 1865

Lee’s last campaign

From an internationally renowned expert on US history, this highly illustrated title details the curtain-closing campaign of the American Civil War in the East. Ulysses S Grant's Army of the Potomac and Robert E Lee's Army of Northern Virginia faced up to one another one last time, resulting in Lee conducting a desperate series of withdrawals and retreats down the line of the Richmond and Danville Railroad, hoping to join forces with General Joseph E. Johnston's Army of Tennessee. This book, with informative full-colour illustrations and maps, tells the full story of the skirmishes and pursuits that led directly to Lee's surrender, as his frantic efforts to extricate his forces from ever more perilous positions became increasingly untenable.

Combat
Command
Duel
Elite
Essential Histories
Fortress
Men-at-Arms
New Vanguard
Raid
Warrior

Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: The Opening Battles v. 1

Opening Battles (Volume 1) begins with a view of Washington on the eve of the war, gives an account of the fall of Fort Sumter, the preparations for war in the North and South, and the formation of the Confederacy. Detailed are the early operations in Virginia, the campaign of the first Bull Run, and the first year of war in Missouri. Naval conflicts on the inland waterways are covered as well as the battles of Lexington, Belmont, Big Sandy and others. Generals U.S. Grant, G.T. Beauregard, T. jordan and D.C. Buell, describe the events of the Battle of Shiloh. Chronicled too are the buildups of the navies for war, coastal operations in the Carolinas, and the historic battles at Hampton Roads between the ironclads "Monitor" and "Merrimac" which changed the course of naval history.

Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: The Struggle Intensifies v. 2

The Struggle Intensifies (Volume 2) opens with the siege and capture of Fort Pulaski, the capture of New Orleans, and a summary of operations in the far southwest. It covers the Peninsular Campaign, the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Manassas, and Seven Pines. Brigadier-General john D. Imboden, C.S.A., relates Stonewall Jacksons exploits in the Shenandoah. Chronicled here are Lees campaign against Pope, the second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, and finally the battles at Iuka and Corinth.

Battles & Leaders of the Civil War: The Tide Shifts v. 3

The Tide Shifts (Volume 3) begins with the Perryville Campaign, the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The Battle of Gettysburg is chronicled in detail by such famous officers as General James Longstreet, Colonel john S. Mosby, General Henry J Hunt, General E.R Alexander and by others who fought and directed this pivotal battle. The Vicksburg Campaign, the battles of Port Hudson, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and others are likewise described.

Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: Retreat with Honor v. 4

Retreat With Hortor (Volume 4) relates the events that led to the end of the war. It opens with a detailed description of the land and sea operations at the Battle of Charleston. Grants Wilderness Campaign and Sherrnans march to Atlanta are vividly portrayed. After mounting the final actions in Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee, this volume depicts the closing naval operations, Sherman's march through the Confederacy and climaxes with Lees surrender at Appomattox.

Photographic History of the Civil War: The Opening Battles, Two Years of Grim War v. 1

The Photographic History of the Civil War was first published in 1911 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the great conflict. Extremely popular then, it has become a rare book. Here, in five double volumes, is the complete and unabridged original edition, text and photographs carefully reproduced in the original format and full size.

The thousands of photographs contained within are remarkable in their immediacy, spontaneity, and authenticity. They demonstrate the power of the camera as well as the importance of the photographer. This series is a unique record of one of the greatest conflicts in the history of mankind. Also included in this series are maps to mark the battles, and line-art decorations that give a feel of the era in which they were composed.

These pictures can be viewed as art, as history and as journalism. Covering every aspect of the war - from the front to weapons, from tactics to the wounded, from everyday life to grief, from victory to defeat - these volumes are a testament to a mighty conflict and to the great nation which emerged from it.

The first volume of The Photographic History of the Civil War is a record of the the opening battles of the war. It spans two years and is 732 pages in the hardcover edition.

Photographic History of the Civil War: The Decisive Battles, the Cavalry v. 2

This volume describes the decisive battles of the Civil War, and the Cavalry on both sites of the battle. 

Photographic History of the Civil War: Forts and Artillery, The Navies v. 3

This volume covers the Forts and the Artillery of the Civil War, along with the Navies from both sides of the conflict.

Photographic History of the Civil War: Soldier Life and Secret Service, Prisons and Hospitals v. 4

This volume describes in detail the lives of soldiers on both sides of the conflict, and the secret service. It also contains photographs, diagrams, and text about the prisons and hospitals used during the Civil War.

Photographic History of the Civil War: The Armies and the Leaders, Poetry and Eloquence v. 5

This volume covers the armies and the leaders of the Civil War, as well as some of the eloquent writing to emerge from the battle, including poetry.

The Battlefields of the Civil War (Rebels & Yankees trilogy)

A must for any Civil War library. Recounts the stories of thirteen of some of the most important battles of the war, from First Manassas in July 1861 to the Battle of Nashville in 1864. Full-colour double-page maps show the reader each move of the opposing forces. No effort has been spared to include rare war era photographs and colour photos of rare artifacts. Engagingly written by William C. Davis, the author of more than thirty books on the American Civil War. Writes professor James M. McPherson, "The most readable, authoritative, and beautifully designed illustrated history of the American Civil War." Also in the series: Commanders and Fighting Men.

Fighting Men of the Civil War (Rebels & Yankees trilogy)

A must for any Civil War library. The sweeping histories of the War Between the States often overlook the men in whose blood that history was written. This account goes a long way toward redressing the balance in favour of the men in the ranks. The reader follows the soldiers from enlistment and training to campaigning. Attention is also given to oft-forgotten groups such as the sailors and black troops. No effort has been spared to include rare war era photographs and colour photos of rare artifacts. Engagingly written by William C. Davis, the author of more than thirty books on the American Civil War. Writes professor James M. McPherson, "The most readable, authoritative, and beautifully designed illustrated history of the American Civil War." Also in the series: Battlefields and Commanders.

The Commanders of the Civil War (Rebels & Yankees trilogy)

Chronicles the lives and careers of the foremost commanders in the American Civil War. The work uses material from personal letters and memoirs to recreate this period of American history.

Uniforms of the American Civil War (Blandford colour series)

It is a popular misconception that the American Civil War was fought between Union and Confederate armies uniformed in dull blue and drab grey respectively. In fact, both armies included exotically-named corps dressed in a variety of European styles whose gorgeous uniforms compared more than favourably with the most ornate of Napoleonic France Zouaves and Chasseurs, Hussars and Highlanders, Lancers, Bersaglieri and Riflemen. This book illustrates the regulation full dress and service dress of every branch of both armies, and those of a large number of early volunteer and militia regiments. In addition, large numbers of contemporary photographs have been consulted to show how uniforms were regimentally and individually modified on campaign, on occasion losing all resemblance to the costume prescribed by official Dress Regulations. Over 150 uniforms are illustrated, and the uniforms of more than 60 other regiments and corps are described in the text. There are separate sections on rank markings, badges, belt-plates and buttons. The book includes an historical introduction on the events of the Civil War, a comparison of the capabilities of the various artillery and small arms of both armies, and an Order of Battle of the opposing forces at Gettysburg. The book is therefore of value to the historian, the military costume enthusiast, the modeller and the wargamer, and in the words of Abraham Lincoln, People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like.

Black Powder Rules

These are my goto set of 18th century rules for my 10mm French Indian War Project, 10mm American War of Independence Project and 10mm American Civil War Project..

This book describes the Black Powder game and its various procedures and rules as played by the authors and their friends. The authors’ aim is to enable and encourage the reader to recreate the great battles of the 18th and 19th centuries with armies of model soldiers on the tabletop.

As well as providing for the fundamentals of warfare such as the command of troops, movement on the battlefield, the effects of musketry and artillery, and the role of morale, the book includes numerous examples of further rules allowing the player to tailor games to their own preferences.

In addition, twelve complete examples of Black Powder battles are included, embracing a range of conflicts throughout the period covered.

Battle of Elixheim – War of the Spanish Succession, 1705

Battle of Clifton Moor – Jacobite Rising, 1745

Raid on Fort Ligonier – French and Indian War, 1758

Battle of Chinsurah – Seven Years’ War, 1759

Battle of Bunker Hill – American War of Independence, 1775

Battle of North Point – The War of 1812, 1814

Quatre Bras – Napoleonic War, 1815

The Eve of Waterloo – Napoleonic War, 1815

Battle of Kernstown – American Civil War, 1862

Battle of Antietam – American Civil War, 1862

Battle of Dead Man’s Creek – Sioux War, 1876-77

Action on the iNyezane – Zululand, 1879

Black Powder Wargaming Rules by Warlord Games is a game for the militarily inclined gentlemen with straight backs, bristling beards and rheumy eyes that have seen a thing or two. If tales of battle and glory in days-gone-by stir nothing in your breast, if the roar of cannon does not quicken the pulse and set fire in the belly, then this is not the rule set for you. These rules are not a light hearted adventure but one to be tackled by the strong heart. 

· Full Colour

· 184 pages

· Hard back

· Rules for warfare covering 1700-1900

· 7 Battle reports

· Reference sheet

· Extraordinary photographs of probably the worlds best painted miniatures and the finest military collections

· Written by the hugely talented and handsome Rick Priestley and the very tall Jervis Johnson

Black Powder Supplements

The Last Argument of Kings, Black Powder Supplement

At the beginning of the 18th century, warfare entered a new era. The widespread use of the flintlock musket had transformed the way armies trained and fought. This period was a golden age for the crowned heads of Europe. They commanded professional troops, gloriously outfitted in splendid uniforms, and fought each other over land, wealth and the succession to their thrones. Some even led their armies on the field of battle. Yet by the end of the century, the real power of kings was gone or greatly eroded parliaments would decide the foreign policy of nations, democracy had taken hold in the New World and the divine right of kings was everywhere being questioned.

These were the last wars fought to protect the succession rights of royalty. These wars were the Last Argument of Kings.

This supplement for the Black Powder game overviews the main conflicts and armies of this period, and includes army lists and special rules to enable you to refight these wars using the Black Powder rules, as well as scenarios for the most dramatic battles of the time. Featured conflicts include:

The War of the Spanish Succession - the Battle of Blenheim (1704)

The Great Northern War - the Battle of Holowczyn (1708)

The Austro-Turkish Wars - the Battle of Petrovardin (1716)

The War of the Austrian Succession - the Battle of Fontenoy (1745)

The Wars of the English Succession - the 1745 Rebellion

The Seven Years War - the Battle of Hundorf (1762)

War in the Colonies - The French Indian War & The War in India

Raids and Invasions Amphibious Warfare in the 18th Century

Dark and Bloody Ground, Black Powder Supplement

Fought between 1754 and 1763, this conflict saw the French and British empires fighting for dominance of Canada and North America. The European armies had to overcome harsh weather conditions and the equally unforgiving wilderness before fighting battles and skirmishes in which little quarter was asked for or given.

Inside this book, you will find a complete history of the conflict with details of every major battle fought between the two sides. Also included are details of the uniforms, organisation and commanders of the European armies, their colonial regulars and militias, and the various Native American tribes that supported or opposed them. Scenarios are provided for many of the battles of the war along with suggestions for campaign games. 

Rebellion!, Black Powder Supplement

In 1775 the simmering resentment of American colonists exploded into a bloody rebellion. Beginning in Boston, the conflict eventually stretched from Canada in the north to Florida in the south and lasted eight gruelling years. On one side stood the King’s redcoats and settlers loyal to their sovereign, later joined by regiments of ‘Hessian’ mercenaries. Ranged against them was a citizen army under the inspirational leadership of George Washington, supported by militia and eventually French troops eager to embarrass their old foe. Both sides were forced to learn new tactics for fighting in the wild terrain of North America in a conflict that saw heroism and ineptitude in equal measure.

This supplement for Black Powder describes the history, armies, personalities and battles of this conflict. Included are scenarios allowing you to recreate many of the battles of the rebellion.

Glory Hallelujah! Black Powder Supplement

‘Glory Hallelujah!’ – the American Civil War 1861 – 1865 supplement for Black Powder.

In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the fledgling United States of America. Years of seething hostility between the North and South boiled over as the Southern States saw Lincoln’s election as a direct threat to their rights, and the nation fell apart as a new Confederacy was formed in the South. The Confederacy, striving to assert its independence, opened fire on the Northern troops occupying Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour on April 12th 1861. Determined to preserve the Union, Northern troops headed south and on to Richmond! Over the next four terrible long years American armies tramped across American fields and burnt American farms as Americans killed Americans in a war the likes of which the nation had never seen before. The epic battles fought during the American Civil War proved beyond all doubt that war can be ‘all hell’.


This supplement for Black Powder describes the history, armies, key leaders, doctrine and tactics of the American Civil War, and includes a comprehensive set of army lists and optional rules for recreating the battles of that war in miniature.

Black Powder Downloads

1. Black Powder, Quick Reference Sheet.
2. Black Powder, Army Roster. 
3. Black Powder, FAQ - 26 August , 2010. 

For A Full List Of Supplements & Other Peoples Black Powder Downloads Adaptations

Black Powder Rules

My Black Powder Downloads & Adaptations

1. My Black Powder Adaptations
2. A Selection of Useful Rules
3. A Selection of Useful Rules Labels

Sources

Warlord Games

My Caesar's Gallic War Book Library

My Caesars Gallic War book library for wargaming consists of the following titles this is not an exhaustive library is just some of my favourites on the subject.

Caesar's Gallic Wars 58–50 BC

Julius Caesar was one of the most ambitious and successful politicians of the late Roman Republic and his short but bloody conquest of the Celtic tribes led to the establishment of the Roman province of Gaul (modern France). Caesar's commentaries on his Gallic Wars provide us with the most detailed surviving eye-witness account of a campaign from antiquity. Kate Gilliver makes use of this account and other surviving evidence to consider the importance of the Gallic Wars in the context of the collapse of the Roman Republic and its slide toward civil war.

Battle Orders

Campaign

Alesia 52 BC The final struggle for Gaul

In 52 BC Caesar’s continued strategy of annihilation had engendered a spirit of desperation, which detonated into a revolt of Gallic tribes under the leadership of the charismatic young Arvernian noble Vercingetorix. Major engagements were fought at Noviodunum, Avaricum, and Gergovia, with the last action being the most serious reverse that Caesar faced in the whole of the Gallic War. However, Vercingetorix soon realized that he was unable to match the Romans in pitched battle. Taking advantage of the tribesmen’s superior knowledge of their home territory, Vercingetorix began a canny policy of small war and defensive manoeuvres, which gravely hampered Caesar’s movements by cutting off his supplies. For Caesar it was to be a grim summertime – his whole Gallic enterprise faced disaster. In the event, by brilliant leadership, force of arms, and occasionally sheer luck, Caesar succeeded in stamping out the revolt in a long and brutal action culminating in the siege of Alesia. Vercingetorix finally surrendered and Alesia was to be the last significant resistance to the Roman will. Never again would a Gallic warlord independent of Rome hold sway over the Celts of Gaul.

Combat

Command

Julius Caesar

One of the greatest military commanders in history, Julius Caesar's most famous victory - the conquest of Gaul - was to him little more than a stepping stone to power. An audacious and decisive general, his victories over the Gauls allowed him to challenge for the political leadership of Rome. Leading a single legion across the Rubicon in 49 BC, Caesar launched a civil war which would end the Roman Republic and usher in the Roman Empire, with Caesar at its helm. This examination of the great general's life covers his great victories and few defeats, looking at the factors which lay behind his military genius.

Duel



Elite

Roman Battle Tactics 109BC–AD313


How, exactly, did Rome become master of the ancient world? This book examines and illustrates the tactics employed by the legions of late Republican and early Imperial Rome, from the evidence o f ancient writers. The greatest military machine in the Western world for at least four centuries, the Roman Army was the foundation of the Western military tradition, and its doctrines were central to the later revival of trained, drilled professional armies. Here the evidence is discussed in clear detail, and brought to life with battle plans and full colour interpretations of tactical scenarios. 

Siege Warfare in the Roman World

Sieges were often pivotal in Rome's wars, including its conflicts with the Macedonians and Carthaginians in the 2nd century BC; the civil wars of the Republic; and the late Roman wars against the Sassanid Persians, who, alone amongst Rome's adversaries, were equally skilled in siegecraft. This book discusses the siege techniques employed by Roman armies and their opponents throughout the Republic and Empire. It shows that although the 1st century AD has long been considered the golden age of siegecraft, followed by a decline, new and effective siege techniques were in fact used in the following centuries.

Fortress

The Forts of Celtic Britain

Half a millennium before the Romans first arrived in Britain, an even more ferocious people, the Celts, arrived in what is now south-eastern England. The Celts remained in Britain long after the Romans departed, and although driven into the remoter corners of the island by English invaders the people who remained clung onto their Celtic heritage, and defended their remaining lands against all-comers. In order to defend their lands from other tribes or outside invaders these people established powerful fortified sites that served as places of refuge in wartime and as administrative and trading centres in times of peace. This book examines these fascinating forts, which varied considerably from the mysterious brochs and duns found in northern Britain, to the hill-top forts ranging in size, to the promontory forts that formed powerful coastal strongholds all around the island's shores.

Men-at-Arms

Roman Military Clothing (1) 

The armour and weapons of Rome's legionaries and auxiliaries have been the subject of intense research and speculation, and much has been published - but almost nothing on the actual clothing of Imperial soldiers. In this first part of a rigorous study of the literary, sculptural, pictorial and archaeological evidence, a specialist author/artist examines the clues which enable us to attempt reconstructions of tunics, cloaks, footwear and other items worn by officers and men all over the empire, from the late Republic to c.200 AD. His text is illustrated with meticulous drawings of surviving relief sculptures - particularly soldiers' gravestones - and eight striking colour plates.

    

The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan

 Although the common Roman fighting men themselves have left no account, much literature has survived from antiquity. The wealth of archaeological finds, plus the study of surviving Roman sculpture has allowed historians to learn much about the nature of the Roman army which conquered an astonishing expanse of territory. Michael Simkins brings all his substantial knowledge to bear on this fascinating subject, covering such topics as army composition, recruitment, training, campaign routine and providing a wealth of detail on weapons, uniforms and equipment. Men-at-Arms 283, 291 and 46 are also available in a single volume special edition as ‘Caesar's Legions'. 

   

New Vanguard

Raid

Warrior

Celtic Warrior 300 BC–AD 100

 In the 1st century BC, Strabo wrote of the Celts: ‘The whole race... is madly fond of war, high-spirited and quick to battle... and on whatever pretext you stir them up, you will have them ready to face danger, even if they have nothing on their side but their own strength and courage'. This book gives an insight into the life of the Celtic warrior, and his experience of battle - on foot, on horseback, and as a charioteer. It also details Celtic society and studies the vital ritual nature of Celtic warfare, from the naked gaesatae to the woad-painted warriors.

   

Caesar's Legions: The Roman Soldier, 753 BC to 117 AD

 This book combines Men-at-Arms 283: ‘Early Roman Armies', Men-at-Arms 291: ‘Republican Roman Army 200-104 BC' and Men-at-Arms 46 ‘The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan'. Rome held dominion over a huge swathe of territory and peoples by the 1st century AD, covering Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Yet the delivery, maintenance and administration of such power and riches were founded upon one thing alone - the military might of her army.

   

Barbarians Against Rome Rome's Celtic, Germanic, Spanish and Gallic Enemies

This book combines Men-at-Arms 129: ‘Rome's Enemies 1: Germanics and Dacians', Men-at-Arms 158: ‘Rome's Enemies 2: Gallic & British Celts' and Men-at-Arms 180: ‘Rome's Enemies 4: Spanish Armies 218-19BC'. As Rome's borders increased, a multifarious clash of cultures ensued. Conflict was inevitable; to the victor, new territory and dominion; to the vanquished, humility and subjugation. The Celts, Celtiberians, Gauls, Teutones, Cimbri, and many others all fought without mercy to protect their people, territories and cultures from the Roman onslaught.

   

Rome and Her Enemies: An Empire Created and Destroyed by War

Spanning over a thousand years and an immense geographical area, the Roman Empire was the greatest in world history. At its most powerful, the Empire cast a shadow across the known world, and its legacy continues to influence politics, art and culture around the world today. Rome's power was won on the battlefield, and the greatness of the Empire is reflected in the warlike reputations of the enemies it subdued. Hannibal, the Carthaginians, Mithridates, the Gauls, the Sassanid Persians and the infamous Goths are amongst the forces that battled the might of Rome. Rome and Her Enemies juxtaposes the society and military structure of each of these peoples with those of the contemporary Roman army. Using previously published Osprey material, this book is divided into four chronological sections focusing on major wars and battles, is lavishly illustrated throughout, and colour photographs, artwork and maps support the text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the rise and fall of an empire created and destroyed by war. Introduction by Tom Holland, bestselling author of 'Persian Fire' and 'Rubicon'.

   

Caesar Against the Celts 

 An analysis and description of Julius Caesar's campaigns in France, Britain and Germany, covering his battles on land and sea and including the invasions of England, the bridge across the Rhine and sieges of Celtic strongholds.

   

Caesars Legion: The Epic Saga of Julius Caesar's Elite Tenth Legion and the Armies of Rome

A unique and splendidly researched story, following the trials and triumphs of Julius Caesar′s Legio X–arguably the most famous legion of its day–from its activation to the slogging battle of Munda and from Thapsus, Caesar′s tactical masterpiece, to the grim siege of the Jewish fortress of Masada. More than a mere unit account, it incorporates the history of Rome and the Roman army at the height of their power and gory glory. Many military historians consider Caesar′s legions the world′s most efficient infantry before the arrival of gunpowder. This book shows why. Written in readable, popular style, Caesar′s Legion is a must for military buffs and anyone interested in Roman history at a critical point in European civilization." —T. R. Fehrenbach, author of This Kind of War, Lone Star, and Comanches Stephen Dando–Collins paints a vivid and definitive portrait of daily life in the Tenth Legion as he follows Caesar and his men along the blood–soaked fringes of the Empire. This unprecedented regimental history reveals countless previously unknown details about Roman military practices, Caesar′s conduct as a commander and his relationships with officers and legionaries, and the daily routine and discipline of the Legion. From penetrating insights into the mind of history′s greatest general to a grunt′s–eye view of the gruesome realities of war in the Classical Age, this unique and riveting true account sets a new standard of excellence and detail to which all authors of ancient military history will now aspire.

   

The Complete Roman Army

The Complete Roman Army draws on archaeology, ancient art and original documentary sources to present the most convincing picture ever published of the worlds most famous fighting machine. Every aspect of the Roman army, from the daily lives of individual soldiers to the outcome of major campaigns, is explored in five accessible sections. Discussions of key Roman battles, hundreds of illustrations and brief biographies of the great commanders bring the campaigns and personalities to life.

 

Legions of Rome: The definitive history of every Roman legion 

No book on Roman history has attempted to do what Stephen Dando-Collins does in Legions of Rome: to provide a complete history of every Imperial Roman legion and what it achieved as a fighting force. The author has spent the last thirty years collecting every scrap of available evidence from numerous sources: stone and bronze inscriptions, coins, papyrus and literary accounts in a remarkable feat of historical detective work. The book is divided into three parts: Part 1 provides a detailed account of what the legionaries wore and ate, what camp life was like, what they were paid and how they were motivated and punished. The section also contains numerous personal histories of individual soldiers. Part 2 offers brief unit histories of all the legions that served Rome for 300 years from 30BC. Part 3 is a sweeping chronological survey of the campaigns in which the armies were involved, told from the point of view of particular legions. Lavish, authoritative and beautifully produced, Legions of Rome will appeal to ancient history enthusiasts and military history buffs alike.

   

The Complete Roman Legions

This is the first book for a general audience to cover all 45 imperial legions in compelling and accurate detail, telling the tales of their triumphs and defeats as they policed the empire and enlarged its borders. Focusing on the legions as the core of the Roman army, and chronicling their individual histories in detail, this volume builds on the thematic account of the Roman military force given by its companion The Complete Roman Army, and is vital reading for anyone who has enjoyed that book. It describes the legions in their various postings and major campaigns, as well as their activities as builders and peacekeepers on the empires frontiers. Data files on each legion list their titles, standards, main bases and major campaigns; box features throughout range from accounts of major uprisings to surveys of the main bases and fortresses. Over 200 illustrations portray weapons, armour, inscriptions, fortresses and the regions where the legions served.Beautifully designed and comprehensively illustrated, the books authoritative and informative text dramatically brings to life the ancient worlds most successful military machine - Professor Lawrence Keppie

 

Roman Military Dress

The Roman military was one of the most powerful forces of the ancient world. But what did its soldiers wear? This book presents an accurate and illuminating study of a popular yet understudied subject. Spanning 1000 years from the Late Republic to the Byzantine Empire, including every item from helmet linings to let wrappings, Graham Sumner presents an original and detailed interpretation of wide-ranging evidence, drawing on recent textile finds, ancient artwork and original literary sources from across the Roman Empire. With the help of informative illustrations, we understand how the garments were worn and by which soldiers, both on and off the battlefield. Materials used, methods of manufacture and dying, and the second-hand trade are also discussed. Including stunning colour images and reconstructions, this book will be of great value to students and re-enactors of the Romans, as well as costume and fashion students.

 

Romans - Clothing from the Roman Era In North-West Europe

Reenactors bring into practice archaeological and historical research into Roman clothing and equipment. Over the past few years, Stef Verstraaten photographed reenactors, complete with their weaponry, religious attributes and everyday objects. Before his camera, history comes alive, colourful and razor sharp right down to the minutest detail. Romans is showing a unique collection of images of Romans in all their variations. Get to know the Roman legionaries, troops, officers, civilians and slaves in our first centuries ad from close up.

With contributions by: Paul van der Heijden and Jasper Oorthuys.

   

Battle Orders

Campaign

Combat

Command

Duel

Elite

Essential Histories

Fortress

Men-at-Arms

New Vanguard

Raid

Warrior