Civil War camps were filled with civilians. Sutlers (licensed regimental merchants), photographers, missionaries, peddlers, and cardsharps all followed the armies, set up shop in or near the camps, and made their living off the soldiers' pay. The cardsharps were the most predatory. They worked the camps after payday, set up games on whatever flat surface a regiment had — a drumhead made a popular card table — and took home most of what the soldiers had earned. Officers tried to suppress gambling for the obvious reasons. They mostly failed. The civilian in this set is the kind of riverboat-trained sharper who turned a soldier's monthly pay into his own income.

This W. Britain set depicts the moment between Civil War paydays — a Union soldier in his dark blue Federal infantry greatcoat and forage cap, seated on an ammunition crate, holding his cards and trying to read his opponent. Across from him, a civilian cardsharper in a green-brown coat and slouch hat — the kind of man who followed the armies for the soldiers' pay. The "table" is a regimental drum laid on its side, the cards spread across the head, money piled on top. The accessories build out the camp scene. The set works as a centerpiece for any Federal camp or downtime diorama. Pair this set with Two Seated Union Officers with Dog for a wider camp gathering; with Federal Company Officer with Pipe for a third figure; or with Union Infantry Sergeant at Rest for the NCO ignoring the game from a discreet distance.

Scale: 1/30 (60mm). Matte-painted metal. W. Britain model 31344. From the American Civil War range. Two figures (Federal soldier and civilian) plus scenic accessories, supplied painted and ready for display.