During the position, the right flank, or "barbed" portion of what is described as the "fish-hook" line. Holding the hill was by itself unimportant because its heavily wooded sides made it unsuitable for artillery placement, but its loss would have been catastrophic to the Union army. It dominated Cemetery Hill and the Baltimore Pike, the latter being critical for keeping the Union army supplied and for blocking any Confederate advance on Baltimore or Washington, D.C..

Over the past few years I've spent quite some time visiting and reading about this portion of the battlefield. On one of my more memorable visits I was accompanied by fellow Planeteer Jason Whitman. This portion of the field, as well as the lack of attention it is given is really unfortunate. The fight for the right of the Union line was just as important if not possibly more important than that which took place on the left. With this in mind I decided to put together a two figure vignette depicting two Confederates assaulting Culp's Hill.

The setting Below is a period drawing showing Confederates attacking the Union position. The photograph taken shortly after the battle shows a portion of the Union defensive lines. The groundwork on the base will reflect the look of the terrain on that portion of the battlefield at the time. As livestock grazed on much of the field there was little in the way of undergrowth on the wooded portions.

The Figures

The figures for this vignette will be two slightly converted Shenandoah Miniatures Confederates.

Figure A Figure A will be assembled as depicted on the package art with the addition of cuffed trousers and the shell jacket changed into a frock coat.

Figure B Figure B will have resculpted arms to depict a soldier that has just been shot in the upper right arm.

The first two photos show the stock figures. Photo B1 shows a mock-up of thefinal pose of figure B.

SWEET! Can't wait to see the final product.

The mock up The following pictures show how the figures and main groundwork elements (big boulder) are to be positioned in the scene.

It's looking good,Gary.
I've used a lot of Shenandoah figures myself
and find them great for simple conversions.
I'm looking forward to seeing this one completed.

Thanx for sharing and the information to this project. A lot of action in this situation, I am looking foward to what may come next.
Patrick

Nice project.I wait advances.
Regards Jose Luis

Very interesting project. I'm looking forward to see it finished.

Cheers,
Balázs

Interesting project. I agree about the lack of public attention, but then I am rather prejudiced - General George Sears Greene is a direct ancestor on my mother's side. He contributed to the defense of the Union right flank at Culp's Hill during the Battle of Gettysburg. He was also influential leading a counter attack at the Dunker Church during the battle of Antietam. Also, he was the oldest general in the Union army at both battles. He was an important civil engineer in designing the main reservoir found in NY City's Central Park.
GaryQ

Great work so far, Gary. Interesting conversion and general idea. Can't wait to see it finished. I very like little vignettes.
I hope to paint something yours in the future!

Happy New Year!
Artur

Looks very promising.
Gary you let us seen alot off time's that you can sculpt. But i think that the resculpted arms (in this early stage) are a bit to thick. Knowing that this is a flesching out it is gonna be thicker.

marc

Marc, The photo only shows the pose I am going to do. The mock up was done with Sculpey, the actual arms will be done with putty. ~Gary

Nice work Gary , expecting to see it in more advanced stage

I'm looking forward to see this one finished!

Thanks for explaning Gary.

marc

Hi Gary
to be honnest it's very pleasant to see a vignette from you.
So good work and waiting for the next step

Seb.

Groundwork update

Here is a small update showing a section of boulders the figures will be positioned behind. The section is not of a specific portion of the Culp's Hill area, rather one that is representative of the rock formations that can be seen throughout the areas of Little Round Top and Devil's Den as well.

The first photo shows the intials of A. L. Coble of the 1st North Carolina which was carved into the rock years after the war. This section of boulders is located across from Mc Allister's woods in the Culp's Hill area.

The second photo is of a section of boulders on Little Round Top. This has been included to show a similar formation of rock on another portion of the field.

Sculpted rocks

Several photos of rock formations on the field were used to sculpt this example.The back and bottom of the section is sheet plastic, with the rock being sculpted from Aves Apoxie.The texture of the sculpted rock was made by pressing a resin rock into the putty. I had some real rocks with great texture, but did not find them until completing the section. Go figure.

I did take pictures of the figures but need to reshoot them.

Great rocks Gary.
I have a question about that. On the pictures they are square even as your sculpted rocks.
Do you have any idea how this is possible?? I mean, they are not touched by hands to make them square??
Never seen so nice square rocks made by mother nature......

Marc

Marc, There are a number of rocks on the field that have flat or squared sides. Portions of the field have roads running through rock formations that were either cut or removed to make room for the roads placed on the field years after the war. The area around Devil's Den is a great example. They are odd looking, but they are there in great numbers. I'll take a picture of my sculpted rock from above that shows there is a slight curve to it.

The figures

Here are some photos (not very good) showing the progress I've made on the figures. I'm using white and natural and Apoxie sculpt. The white is excellent for carving but the color makes it a little difficult to see any tool marks. The natural looks more like Magicsculpt when cured. I also used a little Duro or Kneadatite, whatever you call it mixed with white Apoxie.