Don't Drink the Water!

Editor’s Note: While I continue to search for O’Malley and his well over due article, I decided to re-publish a post from his father. The senior O’Malley made quite the name for himself during the Spanish-American war. It is also quite evident that the proverbial apple did not fall far from the tree.

O’Malley here and I am not dead yet. Things had quieted down a bit in Havana and I, dear readers, decided to go in search of some action just for you. Grabbing my trusty Browning Autographic Camera and saying my farewells to the dusky little jewel who’s husband was banging on my cabana door. I quickly strolled to the docks as fast as my legs could take me. It seems the locals haven’t quite gotten on board with the new American-Cuban relations.

At first, dear readers, I was barred entry to the boat. The Marine Sergeant told me the boat was headed to Nicaragua and they had all the riff raff on board they needed. I shouted... "The American public has a right to know!", and slipped him a bottle of rum and off I was to the steamy jungles of Nicaragua, nothing is too good for you dear readers. It seems that a local yokel by the name of Emilio Sandista and his rag tag band of “Sandinista rebels” was stirring up the populace over some elections. The American consulate had been surrounded and it was up to the Marines to cut their way through the Jungle to the capital city of Managua and rescue the hapless inhabitants.

Once off the coast the Marines jumped into some boats and made their way to the small seaside port of Chichigalpa. Their plan was to “borrow” the local Steam Engine and ride into Managua. The Marines were led by a Stalwart young lad by the name of Chesty Puller. Things got off to a rocky start as one of the boats loaded with cannons was sunk by the shore battery. The Marines landed on the docks and quickly stormed into the small village.





They came under desultory fire from a few fiends hiding in the bush but the crack shooting of the Marines quickly saw them high tailing it through the brush. Another company of Marines faced off against a band of Rebels and some Mexican regulars who arrived on the last Local. They had with them crates of modern rifles and ammunition which they had been supplying the rebels with. With a shout like wild Indians the Marines stormed across the square and chased off the rebels and slammed into the Mexican regulars.



Meanwhile on the other side of town a company of Marines started to bottle up the Nicaraguan army in the local abbey. Things got a little dicey for our boys in blue as the Mexicans provided some much needed backbone.



Just when things seemed to be grave the sound of cavalry trumpets resounded through the hot sticky air. Once again it was the cavalry to the rescue.




Unfortunately, the cavalry was caught by surprise when came through the brush only to find a battery of cannons staring right at them.



However, this distraction was all that was needed to allow the Marines to storm the citadel and capture the town.





The Marines are left to lick their wounds and wait for re-enforcements. I have taken to establishing relations with the locals. As always readers, you can count on me to bring you all the action, Hot and Heavy!

Table Soccer

Ok, here is the latest off of my painting table. I must admit I was a little intimidated by the task of painting the jerseys for the '94 World Cup USA men's team but once I plunged into the project it turned out to be easier than I thought. The trick was actually to not paint stars. Huh?? I know, I know "that made no sense" but when I tried to paint an actual star it looked off. When I painted something vaguely shaped like a star it actually started to look better. Well here they are, just waiting for me to go to Dewey's and thrash him again.

On the work table

Here is a sample of some of the planes I have put together. I am thinking that there will be a new hero for WWI. I Haven't decided on a name yet but I am busily working on this project.

The Battle of Camarano Farm pt.3

The Wild and Wacky World of ACW Gaming part Deux

Dewey Got mad at me when I left the part about waiting for him up after I had actually posted the write up he sent me. He always has been wrapped a little too tight, but here is the write upas he sent it. The two armies have clashed over a crossing and as the battle commences more units form up and start to enter the fray. The Union has managed to cross the river in three places and have forced the initial reb forces back on both wings. The Union center has also forced its way across the river but at a rather high cost and now the flimsy center is in danger of folding.


From here we can see the entire union push, with both ford crossing now heavily engaged. The confederate center is starting to give.

Meanwhile, on the confederate left, fresh troops move up to the tree line to surprise the union right. Skirmishing begins near Grandma’s cabin.

A union rush across the bridge is met with withering fire from the waiting rebels.

Zouaves from Louisiana reform after an initial setback and now advance with friends to engage the union on the left.

Union troops meet the full fury of the confederate zouaves. Just out of view the confederate battery on the hill fires its last rounds and retires.

The union rush on the bridge is checked as the confederates guarding the ford on the union right collapse. Union troops start to rush the ridgeline. A fresh confederate division can be seen starting to emerge from the woods on the top of the hill to meet this move. Union reinforcements are being hurried forward to exploit the hole before it closes.