Keeping busy

 

Its a snowy couple days up here in New England. So I have kept myself out of mischief by doing a few odds and ends around the hobby table.

I had thought I was done with Lauzon's Legion but not yet.  I decided that the lance carrying Guessed would look better with the red Lance pennants you see in numerous illustrations.  A little cutting of paper, glue and paint and that project was done.

I have long been wanting to glue my individual trees into larger bases.  They look better and are more steady.  Not truly artistic but the basic basing I do fits well on my table.  So again with the glue, some paint and flock/static grass.

Lastly setting up the table for the first battle of my re fight of the Camden campaign at Williamson's Plantation 20 June 1780.  A small action which started the partisan fighting in South Carolina.

My return and an update

 

   Greeting my fellow bloggers and brothers in the world of playing with toy soldiers.  I have returned from my snow bird adventures in Florida.  It was a delightful time of much activity and meeting  many new people.  But it has taken a while to adjust to the weather up here and going through a new round doctor visits and the like.  This has been a lot of fun and both Janine and are are seriously looking through our finances to see if we can make this an annual event.

  Unfortunately all this has gotten in the way of blogging and miniature wargames activities.  No posts for the month of February.  For this I apologize and do hope to make up for.  During my time away I have done much thinking and planning and the next two months should have many posts here.

  One table top adventure I have been planning is a refight of the Camden campaign in South Carolina 1780.  Researching the series of actions from July 1780 after the British captured Charleston to the massive defeat of the American army at Camden in August 1780.  Some actions will be played solo as the attack on the outpost at rocky mount or Huck's defeat do not lend themselves to group play.  Too one sided.  Others like the action at Hanging Rock have been poorly research or written about and its been fun doing that.  Should this go well I will continue the theme with the Cowpens - Guilford Courthouse campaign.  I am also preparing material about the 19April 1775 fight.  Some research materials and anew updated photo tour of the battlefield today.

  So thank you for the comments and for sticking to the blog during my absence.  I am back both physically and mentally and doing so much better.

  

Saint David's Day and The Royal Welch Fusiliers

 

"1st March 1775, this being St. David's Day the officers of the 23rd Regiment or Royal Welch Fusiliers, dinner together according to the custom.  All the general & Staff officers, the Admiral, and several other persons were invited to dine with the Regiment..."

From the diary of Lieutenant Frederick MacKenzie

23rd Regiment of Foot or Royal Welch Fusiliers

On this day I hope a  Happy Saint David's Day to the Welch, and to all Royal Welch Fusiliers,  both past and present.

Sir William Howe's dog

 

  As happens far too often in my life a little fact lead me down a rabbit hole of inquiry.  Here, a little meme found me doing a but of research on a trivial point in history.  

  Here is the meme I was sent.  A interesting but trivial matter.  But the more I looked the more I found!

From Wikipedia, "Dogs in the American Revolutionary War" article:

"Returning General Howe's Terrier"

"Like George Washington and many other commanders, General Sir William Howe, a British commander, kept dogs with him while he was in battle. During a surprise attack on the British at Germantown on October 4, 1777, Howe's fox terrier, Lila, was lost in the commotion and ended up joining the American Army as it withdrew from the battlefield back to its encampment. When Howe's dog found its way into Washington's headquarters marquee, Washington was alerted that the dog's collar had Howe's name engraved. Washington ordered that the terrier be returned to Howe and included a polite note."

Next, a book about the incident:

"General Howe's Dog: George Washington, the Battle for Germantown and the Dog Who Crossed Enemy Lines"

www.amazon.com/General-Howes-Dog-Washington-Germantown/dp/1596090324

The actual note can be found in the National Archives.  It reads,

"General Washington's compliments to General Howe. General Washington does himself the pleasure to return to him a dog, which accidentally fell into his hands, and, by the inscription on the collar, appears to belong to General Howe."

Sir William Howe called this,  "an honorable act of a gentlemen." 

Lastly, a commercial from a dog food company about the event: 

  

Battle of Cowpens 17 January 1781

 

             

                         Anniversary of the battle today.

And one of my table top battles of it here:

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2021/08/fighting-benny-at-cowpens.html

Castillo de San Marcos

 

   On our way down to Florida we stopped in St. Augustine to break up the ride.  The old town was over run with tourists  looking for something to do before New Years eve.  Too crowded for our taste.  So we wondered over to the fort, which us magnificent.  We did not go in but walked the grounds.  I have been to the Fort a number of times during my service with the NPS.   Black Powder training was held at a National Guard post just west of here.  So every two years I was sent to teach at the two week course.

 From the city website here is a quick history:  "The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, the  Castillo de San Marcos is a large Spanish stone fortress built to protect and defend Spain's claims in the New World. It's a National Monument and, at over 315 years old, it's the oldest structure in St. Augustine. It's also one of the main attractions visitors to St. Augustine come to see.

 

  Construction began on the Castillo de San Marcos in 1672 and lasted 23 years until 1695. Many Spanish forts preceded the Castillo. However, this one made of coquina was impenetrable to enemy attack and was fire resistant.

  The fort came under fire for the first time in 1702. British forces, led by General Moore, burned the city but could not penetrate the Castillo's walls. Subsequent attacks in 1728 and 1740 yielded similar results, and the British were never able to take St. Augustine by force.

  In 1763 however, Florida became a British colony by signing the Treaty of Paris, thus beginning a 20-year period of English rule. The Castillo was used as a military prison during the Revolutionary War, and at one time it held three signers of the Declaration of Independence within its walls.

  At the end of the Revolutionary War, Florida was returned to Spain in 1784 until Florida became a United States Territory in 1821. The Americans called the Castillo Fort Marion, honoring the revolutionary patriot from the Carolinas, General Frances Marion. The U.S. Government used Fort Marion as a prison for Native Americans in the late 1800s. Natives from both Florida and the Great Plains were held at the fort during this time.

  The fort was officially taken off the active list of fortifications in 1900 and it was preserved and recognized as a National Monument in 1924. Congress renamed the fort in 1942, reverting to the Spanish name, the Castillo de San Marcos. At over 315 years old, the fort is a lasting landmark of seventeenth-century St. Augustine."

Williamsburg At Night

 

  On the way down to Florida, to escape the cold and winter of the North East.  At least for a short while.   Janine is driving and I am navigating.  We are not stopping for too much sight seeing along the way as we just want to get there.

  But we did a quick nights stop at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  It was night time but that made it a unique and enjoyable time to wander up and down the main street.  

 Some of the houses and buildings were lighted up. We also caught part of some evening programs. It was great fun.

US Army Uniforms 1813

 

  American Army uniforms of the War of 1812 is a very complex subject.   Uniforms changed considerably throughout the war.  The uniforms worn early in the war were very different then those worn at the end of the war.  More importantly units didn't always receive new items immediately when they became available. Mid War uniforms are a case in point.

 Throughout the 1813 campaign season the American regular infantry wore a hybrid uniform. On paper, the US Army had an entirely new uniform in 1813. This was a plain coatee without the lace adorning earlier versions of the garment, and a ,new leather shako. But as any student of military history can tell you, the dictates from on high do not always translate into changes in the field; at least not right away;  sometimes if ever.  The American army throughout the 1813 campaign season (a third of the war), wore a hybrid of the 1812 and 1814 uniform.

  On paper the United States Army  had an entirely new uniform.  This was to be a plain coatee without the lace the earlier coatee had  plus a new leather shako.

  The leather shako was delivered very quickly to the front lines, and most units had them in hand for the 1813 campaign season.

  The regimental coats were another story. The old laced 1812 coatee continued to be worn by a substantial number of units, and because of shortages of blue dye, it was delivered to units in various shades of grey, "drab", brown, and black. According to Rene Chartrand, the Army specified that, "the mixed color coatees and garments were to be cut as prescribed in the February 1812 regulations, with red collars and cuffs, and white lace binding."

  The units wearing this old coat/new cap configuration, were as follows (coat color follows listing):

12th US: Drab, red facings

14th: Brown for some, Drab faced with Red for others.

21st: Blue, red facings

16th: Black, red  facings

  And here is yet another exception to the rule. The War of 1812 is filled with them.   The 25th US Infantry had the old felt shako and a blue coat faced with red (and with minimal lace). 

  So, if you are interested in adding something different or unusual to your collection looking into these different coatee colors.

For more information:

Chartrand, Rene. A Most Warlike Appearance: Uniforms, Flags and Equipment of the United States in the War of 1812. Ottawa: Service Publications, 2010

Battle of Princeton 3 January 1777

 

For my re fight of this battle please see:

https://bravefusiliers.blogspot.com/2021/01/it-is-fine-fox-chase-my-boys.html

Happy New Year 2023

 

  Wishing you all a most happy and healthy 2023.  Here is to hoping this is a better year then the last.  

Battle of Quebec 1775

 

  Tonight marks the incredibly brave but foolish assault to capture Quebec by the American forces under Montgomery and Arnold.   Going into the attack under cover of a heavy snow storm.  

  At one point American rifle men under Daniel Morgan were using ladder to climb down from buildings to get into the city.  An amazing story.  I have always felt bad that the troops from New England had their terms of enlistment expire the next day, but still went in.  As I said an amazing story!

Medical Update

  After my accident in March I have been dealing with the after effects of my skull fracture and concussion.  The fracture is healing very slowly but it is healing.  The effects of the concussion are still with me but I am making some improvements.  I can paint again and my memory has greatly improved. Driving is still a no go.  I tend to be a couple steps behind on conversations or such. Janine is very patient with me, even when I ask the same question three times in a day.  I still get confused and fuzzy and dizzy in large groups of people and loud noises hurt.  Oh!  I have had a number of CT and MRI.

  One "benefit" of having CT scans and MRI's are you get what the doctors call "incidental findings."  I unfortunately got one of those in June.  They discovered a  tumor in my skull in the clival area.  This impacts my vision and  hearing.  Headaches are one of its trade marks and a daily reminder of my "incidental finding."   The tumor itself is wrapped three quarters around the main artery that  brings blood to the brain. So it has effected my energy levels and stamina.  It looks like it has been there for a very long time based on bone decay and its been growing slowly over the years.  How long they are not sure.

   I am told these are very rare, a million to one odds of getting them.  So the  doctors are most interested in me right now; possibly as a future journal of medicine article. I have jokingly told them if they do a article I would like a copy.  Until we get into my head they are not sure if its a Chondrosarcomas or a Chordomas.  The last is usually on the spine but this one is off center.  The first is the more likely.  Booth as I have been told are rare.   I wish I had the sane luck when buying lottery tickets.

 Surgery is going to be very tricky.  They need both a Ear, Nose and Throat specialist and a Neurosurgeon so its difficult scheduling wise. There is a boat load of risks involved because of its location and possible damage to important areas.  In addition they are honest in saying there is no way they can get all of it out because of its impact on my systems and location.  And there will be risks and possible damage as a result.    After surgery I will be getting radiation for five days a week for seven weeks.    Then we wait an see.  The possibility of it returning is great.  The possibility of some damage during  the operation is also not in my favor.  One good thing is we can measure it from March through October and it has not grown during that period.  Hence why the doctors agreed, but were not happy with it to reschedule for April 2023.

  I was scheduled for surgery in mid November but have asked the doctors to please put it off  till in 2023.  Because of covid and then work and finally my accident I have not been out much.  I really want to get out and do things with Janine.  Create some positive memories and have a few small but fun adventures.  And play a few more games!  In April we will revisit it and schedule the operation.  

  One of the few bright spots during this time has been my hobby of miniature wargames, the Fife and Drum miniature forum and the blog world.  John from the club had constantly set up Monday gamesand encouraged me to attend.   These have been great fun.  Warren has been outstanding in driving me them.  Playing in Adam's naval game I reported on here is one of my highlights of the year.   Table top battles, or just enjoying the sight of a well set up table never fails to put a smile on my face and whisks away the blues.  The blogging world, or at least may small part of it has always been encouraging and positive.  Its strange that I enjoy so much hearing from and corresponding with individuals who I fear I might never meet.  But please know that all of you have helped me through this difficult time and truly brightened my days.  Thank you all very much.

  

Battle of Trenton 25 December 1776

 

Captain Alexander Hamilton's New York Artillery Company in action at Trenton.  Today the 1st battalion 5th Field Artillery

December 18, 1776

Washington to his cousin,

"I think the game is nearly up...."

December 23, 1776

"These are the times that try men's souls.  The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and women."

Thomas Paine, The Crisis.

  "On the way to the boats, Greenwood (American fifer 15th Continental Regiment) continued, "seeing some of our men were much pleased with the brass caps which they had taken from the dead Hessians, our prisoners, who were besides exceedingly frightened, pulled off those they were wearing and, giving them away, put on the hats which they carried tied behind their packs. With these brass caps on, it was laughable to see how our soldiers would strut-fellows with their elbows out and some without a collar to their half-a-shirt, no shoes, etc." 

Merry Christmas

 

  A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.  Thank you all who have followed my blog.   I have enjoyed writing the blog, and I enjoy hearing from all of you so much more.  And thank you to those who drop by.  I hope you enjoy it or find it fun.  You have all helped to make my life brighter and happier during the past year.

Lauzun's Legion Lancers

 

  It took me long enough but I have finally finished the Lance armed Hussars of Lauzun's Legion.  The fancy hussar type uniform is most different from my usual figures and coupled with my hand eye coordination issues I am just very happy to have completed them.  Not my best work I admit but still colourful and they will stand out on the table top.

  

  Each legion was supposed to be made up of a company each of hussars, gunners and workmen as well as a small infantry battalion of one Grenadier company, one  Chasseur company and two Fusilier companies. There was also a "Compagnie Generale" (a sort of HQ formation),  of one company of hussars. This unit was thought to be the one armed with lances.

  The 2eme Legion became "Lauzun's Legion" around 1779/80.  The new Legion was composed of the 2nd Legion Volontaires Étrangers de la Marine and new recruits, was named Volontaires Étrangers de Lauzun (Foreign Volunteers of Lauzun).  This new Legion was made up of 800 infantry and 400 cavalry divided into 5 companies of infantry.  These included 2 companies of Fusiliers, one Grenadier, one Artillery and one Chasseur company.  Each squadrons of hussars were to be made up of two companies; one of French hussars and the other of Polish lancers.  The uniform of the Legion would be the same as the previous 2nd Legion except  that all  hussars were supposed to be dressed as the Compagnie Generale company.  As with all things in Lauzun's Legion its doubtful that happened and a mix of the two Hussar uniforms probably occurred.

  I have not added the colorful flags on the end if the lances.  Thus us because I have not yet been able to find out if they had any.  modern artists have painted them both ways. If I find documentation they had them I will add the flags.

Fighting Quatre Bras: The Conclusion

 

  Warren and I returned to John's house to finish fighting the game on Monday.  Unfortunately Don and Phil couldn't make it and last minute issues and weather kept Peter and Paul at home.  So Warren took the French and I the Allies and we continued the battle.

The Allied cavalry on the left flank routed the French cavalry and then captured the battery near it. They then moved to threaten the French exposed flank.

In the center Warren advanced with three brigades to take the cross roads.  The Allies held the center.  I brought up enough infantry to stall his attacks and keep him pinned down.  While my die rolling for infantry fire was great, but I could only roll 1's and 2's for artillery!  Very frustrating!

On the Allies right the Dutch Belgium troops held fast and drove off the French.

So in the end the Allies held the cross roads and drive the French back for a victory.