The 151st Pennsylvania Infantry - The Schoolteachers' Regiment

I have had these Dixon Miniatures ACW figures in the old Lead Pimple for well over two years at a guess. As a break from painting figures for my Late Roman and  1066 & All That collections I cleaned them up, replaced the flag poles with brass pikes cut to size and spray undercoated them so they could take their spot in the painting queue. I thought I would identify them as a Union unit from Pennsylvania,  mainly as I had some GMB Designs flags to hand. Looking around my bookshelf I lighted on a mention of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry. Further checks revealed their choice as a no brainer! Why? Well, read on...

The 151st Pennsylvania Regiment, a nine month volunteer unit, was organized in September of 1862 and arrived at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg that October. Company D alone boasted over 60 schoolteachers and their considerable numbers would earn the regiment the post war sobriquet of 'The Teachers Regiment'. The regiment was commanded by Lt. Col. George McFarland. As a retired schoolmaster myself and as a nod to the memory of the late Duncan McFarlane - well, it's close- I could not possibly omit this regiment from my collection could I? So, waffling over, here they are parading for your interest and observations ~

I also have replacement Dixon Miniatures figures for the 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry, the Bucktails  which is currently enjoying its moment under the brush. More on them to share with you in due course.

Finally, I'll close with a tad of blatant self promotion.  The most recent copy of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy focusing on Napoleon's early campaigns features numerous photos of my Wars of the French Revolution collection by way of illustrations for the articles. I must say I'm quite chuffed by how the pictures came out...

...as I hope you'll agree from this sample page if you don't see the magazine yourself...