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.