...

"For two years the Regulars taught us how to be soldiers; in the Wheatfield at Gettysburg they taught us how to die like soldiers."

An admiring Volunteer watching the Regulars sacrifice themselves to allow other Federal troops to escape, July 2, 1863.

The 11th Hour

Clues and hints, teases and clues, with plenty more to come. I hope you've enjoyed the few Civil War quotes so far, kind of my way to kick things off... I have a few more weeks left till the 5th anniversary of The Plastic Battalion. Good news, bad news, it's all the same. While what once was fun, it just won't stand up to what's in the que. Stick around, and if you're lucky, you might figure out what's going on.

....

"Who ever saw a dead cavalryman!"

Common taunt used by Federal Infantry.

...

"...and - there they were at last! A long, brown, line, with muskets at right shoulder shift, in excellent order, right through the woods they came."

Leander Stillwell
Illinois Regiment
Battle of Shiloh

...

"The valley was filled with an impenetrable smoke and nothing could be seen but the fire belching from the guns. Loud above all was the exultant, fiendlike yell of the Confederate soldiers."

Private Thomas Southwick
5th New York
Gaines's Mill
June 27, 1862

Please Stand By While We Reaquire Signal

Almost, almost. It'll all make sense soon. But until then, it may prove a bit confusing...

A Classic

Sometimes you just can't beat a classic. These Airfix Cav figures are some of the best figures ever done. Can't wait to throw them up against some TSSD Indians.

I'll be gone this weekend to a reenactment in North Vernon, IN. It's a small little town where Morgan's Raiders came through during the Civil War. It's also where I met my wife, so, it has two signifigant historical happenings. Rock on, and enjoy your weekend!

My Nephew's Civil War Project

Forgive me this proud moment. This is my nephew showing off the poster he made for his Civil War project. He had to give a presentation as well, which I hear he Aced. I knew if I kept pushing the Toy Soldiers, he'd turn out pretty well!! You know they're growing up when they take their Thomas the Tank train table, chuck the trains, and turn it into a battlefield filled with the BMC San Juan Hill playset.

Submitted Picture of Western Federals

Jonathan, who requested a few more Western Federals in the recent survey, is showing off his own version of Western Federals here. These are Imex Confederates painted up as Yanks. I like the fence too!

Thanks Jonathan!

Response from Senator Lugar

Awhile back I wrote to both of my Indiana Senators about the CPSC regulations that may cause financial difficulties for the makers of our favorite toys. I got a letter in the mail from Senator Lugar a couple days ago and it read as such:

Dear Beau:

Thank you for sharing with me your concerns about legislation that was recently enacted to modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). I appreciate knowing your thoughts about the potential difficulties small businesses could face in complying with this new law.

As you may know, on February 2nd the CPSC issued a one year stay of enforcement for the testing and certification requirements included in the CPSC Reform Act. This stay will give the CPSC additional time to establish the regulatory framework that is needed to ensure that enforcement of this law is responsive to the needs of manufacturers while protecting children from harmful substances such as lead. The rulemaking process is ongoing and is subject to public review and comment. Additional information about the implementation of this law and the stay of enforcement can be found online at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html. I will follow this issue closely as the CPSC moves forward with the rulemaking process.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerly,
Richard G. Lugar
United State Senator

Because I Just Can't Help Myself...

Survey Results, Pt. 7

Hey All! Here are the final entries to our little survey: Thanks to everyone for participating.

GREG would like to see some JAPANESE ARTILLERY, FOX HOLE MARINES AND JAPANESE, RESTING OR WOUNDED. COMBAT CHOW LINE. And his dream playset would be OKINAWA FEATURING 96TH ARMY INFANTRY AND MARINES.

JOHN's dream playset would be CULLODEN 1746.

MARTIN FROM ENGLAND would like to see more NAPOLEONICS, and his dream set would be BORODINO.

MITCHELL wants some more WWII figures, and his dream set would be STALINGRAD.

An unsigned entry simply wanted more REV WAR figures.

And finally, BEAU (me) would like to see more CIVIL WAR figures, and my all time dream set would be A FULLY LICENSED STAR WARS PLAYSET.

So there you have it. 38 entries in all, and it was really spread all over the board as to what people wanted. There were a few themes that kept popping up, but overall, I'd say that as a whole, our hobby has some pretty eclectic desires. One theme I did see was the desire for specificity, such as singling out particular units or particular battles.

All right everybody. Rock on, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Great TV for Cheap

At my local Sam's Club I spotted the TV Shows Combat and The Rat Patrol. Both were in the $10-$12 range for all seasons. I haven't seen many episodes of either, but I used to watch re-runs of Combat! during my lunch break and thought it was awesome. Anyway, just thought I would pass it along.

Survey Results, Pt. 6

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my little survey. Here are a few more responses:

CHRISTIAN wants more WWII and his dream set would be PEENEMUNDE PLAYSET COMPLETE WITH V2 ROCKETS AND GERMAN SCIENTISTS.

An unsigned entry wants more ANCIENTS, but their dream set would be "GUNS OF NAVARONE.

Another unsigned entry simply wants more WWII.

MIKE needs more figures from the TURN OF THE CENTURY: TEXAS / MEXICO BORDER and his dream set would be OF COURSE: THE WILD BUNCH, RIGHT BEHIND; MAJOR DUNDEE. I'm right there with ya on the Wild Bunch Mike!

JONATHAN needs more REV WAR figures, and his dream set would be either SHARPE'S RIFLES, KING'S MOUNTAIN, CIVIL WAR WESTERN THEATRE.

Hmmm.... Western federals have been sorely neglected haven't they... Somebody should do something about that.

That's it for now! But hey, GREAT NEWS for you Alamo Collectors. TSSD has contracted Ken Osen to do the North Wall for your Alamo. Ken Osen is to this hobby like what Dale Murphy was to Baseball. Amazingly awesome work, and an all around nice guy. Err, if you don't know who Dale Murphy was, sorry. I was a Braves fan back in the day.

Survey Results, Pt. 5, and a new Civil War Blog

Hey All! Wanted to throw out a few more of the results that came in.

STACY would like more MODERN troops, but their dream set would be 55 DAYS AT PEKING, THE WIND AND THE LION, OR LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

ANDY wants some more figures from the PLAINS INDIANS WARS, and his dream set would be FETTERMAN & LITTLE BIG HORN.

JIM would like some more WWII, and his dream set would be A WWII PACIFIC THEATER PLAYSET WITH US NAVY SHORE PARTY FIGURES AND A PT BOAT.

RON needs some FRENCH WW2 figures, but his dream set would be BRAVEHEART.

PICKLE always needs more WWII, and he would love a BATTLE OF BERLIN / BATTLE AT MONTE CASSINO set.

JOHN needs CIVILIANS FOR CIVIL WAR SCENES, but his dream set would be a WESTERN TOWN.

I'll post some more later. But in the meantime, feel free to check out this blog dedicated to cool little Civil War stories. It's run by my friend Greg, and he's just started it, but he's uncovered some little known facts and stories that are worth reading if your into such things. My favorite was the article about "The Big Parade". Rock on ya'll.

Survey Results, Pt. 4

Happy Saturday! Thanks to all who submitted answers to the survey. Here are a few more of what people submitted.

WARSMACKER wants more ANCIENTS, and like a couple others, their dreamset would be TROY.

An unsigned entry needs more MODERN figures, and their perfect set would be 55 DAYS AT PEKING.

George always need more CIVIL WAR, and his dream set would be FORT FISHER: ARMY, NAVY, MARINES, AND A FORT. ALL IN ONE SET!

Another unsigned entry wants some more WWII figures, and their perfect set would be the BATTLE OF BERLIN.

MARK wants some more ALAMO figures, and his perfect set would be, of course, the ALAMO.

And one more, for those a different persuasion, JOHN wants to see some STREET FIGHTER figures, and his perfect playset would be ALL MY FAVORITE VIDEO GAMES CHARACTER EVER FIGHTING. ALL STREET FIGHTER, GEARS OF WAR, GOD OF WAR, HALO, MARIO, SONIC, AND LINK. I MAY HAVE MISSED A FEW. Thanks John, and good talking to you yesterday!

All right, it's a bright sunny day out there, it's a saturday, and I have a date with the Half-Price Books. Got my 15% off coupon in my hand, and on the hunt for Osprey. Rock on ya'll, and have a good Easter weekend. And if you don't do Easter, then just have an all around rockin' weekend.

Survey Results, Pt. 3

And a few more from the ever dedicated toy soldier community!

LARRY needs more ANCIENTS and his dream set is HELEN OF TROY.

ED "PSYCHO" BORRIS always needs more ALAMO figures, but this time he wants a playset where THE TEXANS WIN THIS TIME.

JONAH wants more NAPOLEONICS, but his dream set would be A MASSIVE GETTYSBURG SEVERAL PART SET WITH THE UNITS NOT BEING GENERIC CONFEDERATES OR UNION INSTEAD WITH UNITS FROM EACH STATE. THAT WOULD BE AMAZING.

And unsigned entry simply wants some VIET-NAM figures.

TIMOTHY needs more NAPOLEONICS and his dream set would be A WATERLOO PLAYSET THAT INCLUDES THE WHOLE BATTLE, NOT JUST THE HOUGOUMONT.

Excellent stuff. If you haven't played already, get in on it by answering here! You could be the grand winner of a lifetime supply of happiness that comes inherently from answering toy soldier surveys!

Survey Results, Pt. 2

Here are some more submissions from ya'll to my little survey.

T said he wants to see more MEDIEVAL, and his dream set would be GUNGA DIN.

An unsigned entry wants more WESTERN INDIAN WARS figures and their dream set would be FETTERMAN'S MASSACRE.

BOBBY wants more WWII, but his dream set would be KOREAN WAR PORK CHOP HILL. That's two for Pork Chop Hill so far.

TONY would like more 7 YEAR WAR figures.

JOHN needs more ANCIENTS and would love to see a HANNIBAL playset.

Rock on, keep em' comin'. I've yet to see a real trend in desires, but rather a smattering of everything. I'll post some more later today.

Survey Results, pt. 1

Here are a few of the responses from the survey yesterday.

Paul said he wants to see more REV WAR and his dream playset would be TROY.

Tom also wants more REV WAR and his dream playset would be THE GREAT ESCAPE.

An unsigned entry wants more MODERN figures and their dream playset would be PORK CHOP HILL.

Tom wants more ANCIENTS and his dream set would be ALESIA or MARATHON.

Ian said he wants more ANCIENTS as well, but for his dream set he says "CIVIL WAR WOULD BE FAVORITE, BUT DREAM SET IT WOULD BE PRETTY SWEET TO HAVE SOME BIPLANES ALL THE WAY UP TO THE FIGHTERS OF WWII.

I'll post more entries soon. Thanks for playing!

A Little Survey, Just For You

As answers are submitted, I'll post them in groups. I'm interested to see what everyone says.

A Little Something for your Better Half

Stephanie has been a fan of the Britain's Petticoat series ever since she first saw them, but the Jane Austen series from Britain's is going to make her a true collector I bet.

I actually attempted to read a Jan Austen book once. It was before Stephanie had agreed to date me, and I was trying to get on her good side and impress her. So, I picked up Pride and Prejudice and gave it a shot. I was asleep in probably 4 minutes.

There's a new updated edition of it that was just published. Maybe I'll give it a try. hehehe.

A Toy Soldier A Day Blog

Tom, who has left a comment or two on this site, has his own site dedicated to toy soldiers. I had to point it out because he has taken some really nice "portrait" pictures of some awesome figures. I always appreciate the ability and talent for taking good pictures. Anyway, there are several posts there and it's worth checking out. My favorite is the German Sniper.

Rock on.

CPSC Safety Testing

This just doesn't seem to be going away. Nick at TSSD has a great post that pretty much spells out what is going to happen when these new safety regulations take effect. It's not going to be pretty for the small companies that we depend on for new products. I would suggest doing as Nick says, and writing your local representatives and letting them know that their regulations, while good intentioned, are over-reaching and punishing the wrong people.

A Gold Star to anyone who finds a Senator or House Rep. that is a fan of toy soldiers!!

For your benefit, you can find your local House Rep. here, and your local Senators here.

Wow. I just participated in "political activism". Huh. My high school political science teacher would probably fall down dead from shock if he knew this.

Dear Long Time Readers...

Thanks for stopping by my webpage. It means a lot to me that you actually opened up your browser, and managed to land on my little corner of the internet. And it is a little corner, but this particular corner has been around for coming up on 5 whole years. Yup, it was June of 2004 when my band fell apart, and I needed something new to write about online. And that something was naturally Toy Soldiers. I started this page mostly as a way to pass the time at work, and because I liked the idea of being able to create a webpage from scratch. At the time it was fairly novel. These days, all you need is a google username, and WHAM, you can have your own website in under 30 seconds. And that's pretty awesome. I've seen several new "blogs" pop up having to do with toy soldiers, miniatures, and collecting in general over the years. And being able to share our collections, and see what others are doing is what makes this hobby so much fun.

I've been mentioning over the past few months that The Plastic Battalion will be undergoing some MAJOR changes soon. I think a five year anniversary is a pretty good time to do it.

The real reason the South lasted 4 years.

Finally got a chance to really put together my Barzso Fort. Used some Civil War soldiers because, hey, they're my favorite. Had it all set up, and then of course someone had to come check it all out. Not sure if she was invading the fort or simply guarding it. Regardless, she was the cause of casualties on both sides.

I can't say enough good things about this fort system. This is like the new Fort Apache. Can't wait to throw in some TSSD Indians. Hey, did ya hear that TSSD will be releasing their new cav sets in gray? Awesome for us that don't mind figures doing a little double duty through time.

I think we are about set for the Texas Show coming at the end of May. We found some great deals on rooms through some travel websites. We actually found some rooms at the Menger Hotel (site of the show) for way below normal cost. You just got to keep checking the sites and wait for them to run specials and what-not. As I've said before, my wife seems to be able to find the deal of the century on almost a weekly basis.

Hey, have you heard that the Menger is supposed to be haunted? Rock on. I ain't never seen a ghost, nor heard a ghost, nor seen a Ghust Hunters episode that I thought was believable... but hey, I've got an open mind.