Been down so long (that it looks like up to me)

Speakers up nice and loud.

Nah, not a bit of it. Contentment abounds, as I like to say, and I'm smellin' the roses every day. But (and never begin a sentence with but) after being in ship construction mode for so long it has been d@mned fun and exciting to paint some figures once more.

I quite literally had to dust them off first. That and remove some cobwebs, for they had been sitting there, 'looking at me' for over a year. My focus is to paint forces for 1791–92, in line with my Revolutionary and Napoleonic chronology. Troops for the Haitian Revolution, Polish-Russian War of 1792, War of the First Coalition and the Revolt in the Vendée.

So, I present to you my first figures completed in ages:

a command base (vignette) of the monarchs after the victory at the Battle of Leipzig, 1813.

Last year, Strelets re-released their 'Russian and Prussian Chiefs of Staff', a set of figures that I did not get the first time around. Getting hold of them, I considered how I might use the figures, particularly Alexander I and Frederick William III. Why not something with the monarchs after Leipzig? Yeah, I could include the figure of Francis I from the 'Allied Chiefs of Staff (2)'.

I really enjoy setting up command stands based on period paintings, so went looking for one representing the allied monarchs after Leipzig. I saw the plate of Johann Peter Krafft's "Siegesmeldung nach der Schlacht bei Leipzig" (The Declaration of Victory After the Battle of Leipzig) in my copy of Tranie's "Napoleon 1813 La campagne d'Allemagne" and knew immediately that was the one.

Looking at the plate in my book I wondered what flag was represented behind Frederick William III and at the feet of the staff. I checked to see if I could find the painting on-line. There is a high quality one on Wikimedia Commons. I zoomed in to see what it was. Ah, not a flag, but a sword and shabretache. What is it? Cavalry of the French Guard? No. Hang on, it's Polish! So is the one in the foreground of the painting. There is a tricolour and drum behind the monarchs.

This is fascinating. I went to the link provided on Wikimedia Commons to the original held at the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum). On the museum's site is a really interesting description of the painting (as well as a brief but insightful discussion of the 'Battle of the Nations' and its legacy).

The "Siegesmeldung" is an Austrian commissioned work - only eight of the 36 known persons depicted by name are non-Austrians, including the painter himself on the left side. Krafft dedicated the painting »To the Allied Monarchs«, they were Tsar Alexander I of Russia, Emperor Franz I of Austria and King Frederick William III of Prussia, who are centrally located in the middle. The situation presented has never happened. At the time of the victory announcement, the Austrian emperor had already retired to his quarters at Rötha Castle.

Some pennies began to drop.

Naturally, the tricolour behind the monarchs represents the defeated French under Napoleon, but, of all Napoleon's allies at the battle (Poles, Italians, Neapolitans, Saxons (not all changed sides), Badeners, Hessians, Württembergers and Westphalians, as well as Dutch, Spaniards and Croats within the 'French' regiments) why focus on the Poles? Then it came to me. The defeat of Napoleon led to the abolition of the Duchy of Warsaw and the Congress of Vienna in 1815 reasserted the partition of Poland between Russia, Prussia and Austria. Krafft painted this in 1839, so it followed the unsuccessful November Uprising of the Poles and the Polish–Russian War of 1830–31. So, here we have the allied monarchs figuratively treading not only on the French Empire under Napoleon, but also on Polish nationalism. A sensationally detailed painting and a marvellous bit of propaganda.

Enough of 1813 and the Battle of Leipzig, what about 1791–92?

Righto, how about another command stand/vignette? General Bonaparte with his Military Staff in Egypt, 1798.

This one is based on the painting by Jean Léon Gérôme, dated 1863.

I had purchased the figure of Bonaparte on a camel back in 2019 (from a manufacturer whom I will not mention as, for my subsequent order I experienced the worst of non-service and I have black-listed him). I prepared, converted and based the figures back in June 2021. This stand, along with three others that I prepared at the same time, are part of my, initially, 21 Napoleons (the first being La Mort de Napoleon which I completed in 2021 for the bicentenary of his death). I am currently planning to produce 23 Napoleons.

This was a lot of fun to paint, all the more as I decided to listen to Haji Abdullah Browne's "Bonaparte in Egypt and the Egyptians of Today" on librovox while I was painting it (and the others in this post).

Is it all command stands based on magnificent paintings? Of course not.

What about some legiones Catalans?

The reddy-orange basing material on top of my usual base did not work, so I'll dry-brush it out of existence.

You may recall that, back in November last year, Hat had kindly sent me a sprue of their 'American War of Independence British Cavalry' to paint. I stated that I was gonna paint them as something else, 'cause I don't 'do' the American War of Independence, for which I was 'derided' by most but encouraged by Iain! I considered making them into Nassau Reitende Jäger of 1806–07, but they would require a lot of conversion. Then I recalled one of the plates in Bueno Carrera's superb book "Uniformes espanoles de la Guerra de la Independencia 1808-1814"—the best book available on the subject of uniforms of the Spanish in the Guerra de la Independencia (Peninsular War)—of a Catalan light cavalry trooper wearing an "English or "Tarleton" helmet". Perfect.

Okay, enough of the 'extras' let's have some figures that fit my 'focus' of 1791–92, shall we?

Okay, another command stand!

This one is Général de Rochambeau and a trooper of the 1er hussards, Haitian Revolution, that I adapted from Strelets' excellent and really useful 'French Hussars in Egypt'.

Bugger! I managed to get Rochambeau's hat (a head-swap from the original figure) in the way of his head in both photos.

Sticking with Saint Domingue, here are some dragoons, based on the representation of them under Louis XVI c1790 by JOB.

I want the figures to represent the colonial cavalry in the early weeks/months of the revolt. Information about these dragoons is scarce. Along with JOB's plate I found this c/- French Wikipedia:

The Dragoons of Saint-Domingue were originally three companies, each with three officers and 100 soldiers, organised from October 1769 for military service, then integrated into new colonial infantry regiments from 1772. In the context of the troubles in the colony created by the insurrection of black slaves in 1791, the regular troops opened up to men of color in the 1790s and the dragoons of Saint-Domingue fought under English command from the Treaty of Whitehall of February 1794 which saw the alliance between the great white planters and the English army, until the armistice of March 30, 1798, heralding the victory of the black general Toussaint Louverture.

For these, I used Hat's '1806 Prussian Dragoons' with head-swaps for those supplied with the 'Austrian Chevauxleger'.

Lastly, some cavalry for the Vendéan revolt.

Looking like the Magnificent Seven; except they go to eleven.

Once again, I adapted adapted figures from Strelets' 'French Hussars in Egypt', changing the headgear and mounting them on horses from Esci's 'Scots Greys' British Cavalry'.

And, with those, that's ya lot. For now.

Having 'lost' a year due to my self-inflicted 'distraction' of constructing fleets for the Pacific War I was really pleased to get these finished. I am now happily back on the path of converting unpainted figures into painted ones, preparing forces for actions of 1791–92 and beyond.

Filler post: a holy grail

I have not posted here for a while, since I have been mainly occupied with making ships, but stumbled across this video today and had to post about it to let others know. It's from eight years ago, but I suspect that many others will be like me and never have seen it.

"You can even smell the haggis in it." Superb.

I have ordered a can in each colour.

Leipzig: Lössnig 18th October 1813

The villages of Lössnig, Dösen and Dölitz, located around three kilometres south of Leipzig were the scene for this game portraying a section of the momentous 'Battle of the Nations' of 16th–18th October 1813.

 

The scenario Lössnig (18 October) was used for the game.

John used a scenario from Steve Shann's book of scenarios "Let's Fight Leipzig!", adapted to suit the General d'Armée rules. This section of the battlefield involved corps sized formations, but they were treated as divisions, for the purposes of the rules, divisions as brigades and regiments as battalions. All units were represented by more figures than a standard unit in the rules—akin to 'In the Grand Manner'—so the definitions of small, standard and large units were adjusted accordingly. Four of us, Steve, Mitch, Bob and me, joined John for the game, an added pressie as it turned out, since it was coincidentally scheduled the day following his birthday! 😀

My map of the battlefield of Leipzig, drawn for my developing scenario and eventual game(s). The area represent in this game is indicated roughly by the red 'circle'

Steve Shann's introduces his scenario thus:

The 1st Column under Hessen-Homburg [...] supported by elements of the Reserve and numbering some 40,000 men [... had as] its objective to drive towards Leipzig with the River Pleisse on its left in conjunction with the advance of the 2nd and 3rd Columns further to the east. As the French had already withdrawn to the north, Hessen-Homburg decided to attack straight away and by 8.00 am was in action around Dölitz and Dösen. The first allied attack was on Dösen as Hardegg's division, acting as advance guard, moved forward, taking the village in the face of light opposition. Elements of the 2nd Corps and Reserve then moved on Dölitz, defended by Semellé's division of Augereau's corps. The Austrians succeeded in taking the nearby copse and after a stiff fight, the village also fell. Pushing on towards Lössnig, they began to fight their way in, forcing Napoleon to commit part of the Guard to stabilise the situation. This enabled the French to counter-attack and re-take both Dösen and Dölitz. This in turn forced the commitment of Weissenwolf's grenadiers, who broke into Dölitz and after a fierce fight, managed to re-take it and repel several French attacks. The Austrians then made another lunge at Lössnig, forcing their way in on several occasions, only to be ejected each time by the Poles and the Young Guard. It was only when further fresh infantry were brought forward that they were able to take it for the final time and the French withdrew in good order.

Looking from the south (Austrian lines), Dösen at right, occupied by Turreau's division (with attached guns), Lössnig furthest away and Dölitz (occupied by Semellé's division) just visible to the left.

From the east, Dölitz and Lössnig at top of photo (left and right respectively), Kamieniecki's Polish infantry in the centre and Uminski's cavalry behind and west of them.

A closer look at Semellé's men in Dölitz. 

Napoleon outlined his plan to Prince Poniatowski.

Hardegg's advant garde led the Austrian attack, easels and sonnets at the ready.

Surprise but not surprise; right-handed Hardegg (Steve) attacked to his right, sending his cavalry in one of the flanking attacks that he is well-know for.  Question was: what did he hope to achieve?

Not wishing to sit around and find out, Poniatowski (me) sent Uminski (Mitch) east to face-off the Austrian Reisch dragoons and Hesse-Homburg hussars.

Hardegg was soon joined by Wimpffen's division (Bob)...

and Bianchi's division (also commanded by Bob).

At this early stage of the game the Franco-Polish had been little troubled by the Austrians, but the latter were coming on in force.

Wimpffen sent his lead unit, IR35 Argenteau, to attack Dölitz...

while Bianchi's drove forwards to take on the other elements of Semellé's division.

The French defenders, still being at full strength, were able to send this first attempt to take the town on it's way.

After a brief tête-à-tête with Poniatowksi, Uminski decided to be more aggressive with his cavalry. This was to prove a decisive decision in the game.

In went the Polish 14th cuirassiers, making a 'glorious' charge against the Reisch dragoons...

which was successful, sending them retreating back behind the Hesse-Homburg hussars.

Meanwhile, Greth's division arrived to assist Hardegg in attacking Dösen.

Greth's lead unit's first attack was driven back with some loss.

The Polish 14th cuirassiers lined up their next target,...

sending the Hesse-Homburg hussars retreating behind the still unformed Reisch dragoons.

In the centre, Bianchi's men had left their right exposed, so Kamieniecki's 8th Polish line were able to manoeuvre to attack from that direction (not a flank attack).

Nonetheless, it was successful. 

For now Semellé held Dölitz.

The Polish infantry were well placed to support.

Meanwhile, in the east, the Polish 14th cuirassiers continued on their winning way, against opponents increasingly weakened and who had not had the opportunity to re-form.

Until, finally, the Hesse-Homburg hussars were broken, taking the Reisch dragoons with them and the avant-garde ceased to be an effective formation. The eagle-eyed among you will note that the Polish cuirassiers have fewer casualties than previously. Such was their good fortune that they received a result enabling the recovery of a loss!

One division (brigade) gone, but the Austrians still had plenty of weight to throw into the attack.

On cue, Wimpffen's men took a sector of Dölitz.

Not to be outdone, Greth's did the same in Dösen.

Overview of the table with the Austrians, now reinforced by Fürstenwarther's grenadiers and Nostitz's cuirassiers.

Straight into the fray, Fürstenwarther's grenadiers attacked the Polish infantry, but the Vistula Legion held firm.

Nostitz's cuirassier nr. 7 (Lothringen) charged Turreau's guns...

unsuccessfully. This event scarred their commander so they spent much of the rest of the battle moving sideways, backwards, masking their guns and generally being quite sheepish and useless!

Meanwhile, the French had retaken all of Dölitz.

In the east, Greth's troops strengthened their hold on Dösen, capturing both sectors.

The situation for the Franco-Polish infantry looked better in the centre and west, but casualties and pressure were mounting.

 Turreau tried unsuccessfully to re-take the left of Dösen.

The Polish 14th cuirassiers suffered their first loss, charging the right of Greth's line, but being forced to retire by the solid infantry who calmly formed square.

In the centre, the Polish infantry were still holding their own against Fürstenwarther's grenadiers.

But for how long?

Newly arrived, Liechtenstein's Hungarians successfully ejected the French from a sector of Dölitz. Semellé's men tried to counter-attack...

but the weakened French unit was beaten and n'existe plus as a fighting formation.

Thus ended the first day of an action-packed and really enjoyable game. Steve and Bob were disheartened by their initial lack of success (accentuated by poor dice), but they persisted, aided by reinforcements and made good headway. The relentless attacks and counter-attacks had reduced Semellé's and Turreau's troops to within a knife-edge of breaking. It did not seem that they would survive for many of the four turns that remained (of a total of 18).

Unfortunately, Steve and Bob were not available to continue for a second day, but John, Mitch and I reconvened the next morning. With larger forces on the Austrian side, John decided that Mitch would join him, leaving me (the biggest Francophile) to try to hold on with the Franco-Polish.

It did not take long. Well executed fire from Fürstenwarther's skirmishers was enough to disperse Turreau's artillery, that had suffered numerous casualties over the previous 14 turns, breaking his division. "Looks like I chose the right time to change sides", quipped Mitch (now nicknamed Bourmont).

 

The earlier capture of Dösen by Greth's division had triggered the arrival of Decouz's Young Guard division. Poniatowksi promptly sent them to Dölitz to be available to re-take it if (when) Semellé's men broke.

Which they soon did.

The one glimmer of hope for the Franco-Polish side was the arrival of Sulkowski's Polish 6th and 8th uhlans (seen right centre-rear of this photo).
(In the scenario, the arrival of most reinforcements required a 5 or 6 to be rolled. Mitch and I had rolled 2s and 3s for the Polish cavalry on all attempts the previous day. Finally, I had rolled a 5).

The Young Guard promptly showed their worth, re-taking half of Dölitz.

Distant from the Austrian lines several dark shapes were moving.

Reinforcements. Reinforcements a plenty.

The Emperor's coup d'oeil was in full effect that day. Just in the nick of time, as the spirited defence by Augereau's 51st and 52nd divisions was finally broken, fresh, powerful troops arrived to bolster the remaining Franco-Polish. In game terms, the Austrians had come within 12" of Lössnig, bringing on Rottembourg's 2nd Old Guard division of the Saxon and Polish guards and d'Ornano's division (Berg lancers). Added to this I managed to roll another 5, bringing on the remaining Polish cavalry (Tolinksi's chasseurs and uhlans).

Coming into view these were shown to be (at rear of photo, left to right): Rottembourg's 2nd Old Guard division, Tolinksi's Polish cavalry (behind Sulkowski's) and the Berg lancers.

There was still plenty of firepower (and 'horsepower') on the Austrian side so what could these reinforcements do, particularly since it was the last turn and the Franco-Polish had already won the scenario (the Austrians needed to capture all three towns to win)?

"I'll tell you what we can do, we can fight!"—a 'last turn special'!

Sulkowski's Poles and d'Ornano's Bergers both received 'forwards' taskings, which were activated successfully. The former charged the Austrian cuirassiers, while the Berg lancers charged a unit of Greth's infantry that was forward of the Austrian line, just south-west of Dösen.

Meanwhile, the Young Guard finished the job of recapturing Dölitz.

Reminiscent of Somosierra, Sulkowski's Poles had to ride into the fire of two batteries, including Fürstenwarther's heavy guns, and several skirmishers. Undeterred, the brave Poles charged into the teeth of five 'casualty dice' and two 'fire dice'.

Saved by the throw. Red, casualty dice need to be 4 and above to 'hit', but a total of 11 with the fire dice is nasty. Significant casualties, but not devastating. 

The charge succeeded, a mêlée would result. With the thunder of hundreds of hooves and the excitement of the coming mêlée your correspondent could not hold the camera steady. 

The Berg lancers were not as successful. After suffering some casualties from Greth's artillery, they were repulsed by the steady fire of the infantry. The latter stood and fired, 18thC-style, which is allowed in the rules.

'Twas no matter, the Poles saw off the Austrian cuirass., which had to retreat off the table (edge of table effect), damaged but not defeated.

One last hurrah for the Austrians. Fürstenwarther's grenadiers beat back another of the Polish infantry units.

The game ended with a clear Franco-Polish victory. The Austrians held Dösen (partially visible at the right edge of camera), but had failed to capture either Dölitz or Lössnig.

'Most valuable player' was awarded to the 14th Polish cuirassiers, a unanimous vote by the three judges.

What a fabulous game and wonderful way to spend a day and a half of one's life! As ever John put in a huge amount of effort, time and planning to produce a great looking battlefield and well planned game—not to mention his marvellous catering and the ever effusive and supportive encouragement of Vanessa for our hobby! All players enjoyed themselves, it was played in the 'right' spirit of friendly competition with plenty of banter and friendly sledging.