John W. McLane built the 83rd Pennsylvania. He was a militia officer from Erie, and in April 1861 he raised the three-month "Erie Regiment." When those enlistments expired, he recruited again, and the new three-year regiment was mustered in as the 83rd Pennsylvania, with McLane as colonel. He drilled it hard, and it became one of the best-disciplined regiments in the Army of the Potomac. On June 27, 1862, at Gaines's Mill outside Richmond, the 83rd held its section of the Union line against repeated Confederate attacks. McLane was shot and killed while directing his men, along with his major. His lieutenant colonel, Strong Vincent, had been sent to the rear sick with malaria. Vincent took command and led the regiment to Gettysburg.

The figure shows McLane mounted, as regimental field officers were in the field, turning in the saddle to call an order to the men behind him with his right hand raised. He rides a chestnut horse with a pale mane and white stockings, with a blue blanket roll strapped behind the saddle. He wears the dark blue officer's frock coat, a red sash, sky-blue trousers, and tall black boots. Pair him with Brigadier General Strong Vincent, his successor, put his regiment behind him with the Sergeant with Regimental Flag, or add Casualties of War for the cost of Gaines's Mill.

King & Country model CW119. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal. Mounted figure of Colonel John W. McLane on horseback, on a sculpted groundwork base. Boxed.