Crimean battlefields today

In looking at the photos of battlefields taken in 1900 I was curious how they look today.  A quick scroll through the internet I found two sites that answered my questions.

The first was called "Another Crimea" by Francesco Zizola.  He scouted out the locations of many of the 1900 photos to duplicate the angle and view.

http://anothercrimea.com/authors/francesco-zizola/

Another site, by Jan Smith focused on the Battle of Balaclava.  Here photos are helped by drawing troop movements on them.  I enjoy this as they provide a visual of the tactics used and movements over the landscape.

http://smithjan.com/blog/2012/09/13/battle-of-balaclava-poems-pictures-and-immortality/

If you are interested in this and wish to investigate further I suggest the publications of Dr. David Jones of the Crimean War Research Society.  He has publish a number of publications through Lulu (self publishing house) which show the Crimean battlefields and important locations today.  His book on the Charge of the Heavy Brigade is outstanding.  You can find his publications, and many more by the Crimean War Research Society at this link;

https://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=David+Jones%27+and+%27Crimean+War%27&type=

Battlefields of the Crimean War

  In the early 1900s, Vladislav Klembovsky, then a colonel in the Russian Imperial Army, took a series of photographs of the Crimean battlefields plus other locations, monuments and graves around Sevastopol. In 1904, an album was published by the Museum of the Defence of Sevastopol containing one hundred and nineteen of these images. This work, which came together with maps showing where and in which direction the pictures were taken, was a remarkable achievement for its time and still stands as a valuable record of the landscape of the fields of conflict of the war of 1854-56 before significant changes occurred. The link at the bottom of the page will take you to a collection of his photographs.

The Valley of Death
view down the valley towards the Russian battery

Where the 93rd Highlanders stood.
The Thin Red Line.

http://www.allworldwars.com/Battlefields-of-the-Crimean-Campaign-1854-55.html

Guards Hatt Caps

 I have gotten a number of questions off line concerning the Guards flank company hart caps.  Here is some additional research.

   It is not certain when the Grenadier and Light Infantry companies received the hat caps. An order of 11 March required that the detachment's 1776 new clothing be packed up and delivered to the regimental Quarter Masters with the exception of "the Hatt caps of the Grenadier & Light Infantry Companys which are to be delivered Separately."  The delivery was probably prior to 26 March, since the Middlesex Journal announced that at that time part of the detachment had marched out: "The men had felt caps with black feathers delivered to them before they set off, to wear instead of hats."  Since there is no record of any hats or caps with feathers being worn by the battalion companies of the detachment while in England, this possibly refers to the hat caps of the Grenadiers and Light Infantry companies.

Light infantry hat cap based on Andre's 1777 drawing.

In addition to the newspaper reports a rather intriguing hint was left behind by Major John Andre on his map of a skirmish which was part of the Battle of Whitemarsh on 6 December 1777.  On one side of the title he drew a cap, and on the other side he drew a light infantry horn and bayonet. The cap has no brim other than a small visor in front. There is a turban around the base of the crown with a bow at the back. Feathers arch over the top. A frontlet with a white edge and the letters "L.I." on it complete the cap. The engagement depicted is one which involved only the Queen's Rangers, the e Light Infantry of the Guards, and a company of Jaegers. The cap is not associated with the Jaegers or Rangers, nor is it the standard light infantry cap of the period. Did Andre drew the hat cap worn by the Guards Light Infantry Company in 1776-1777?  The Grenadiers' hat caps were based on the same pattern; but they would not have carried the "L.I." on the frontlet, perhaps a grenade.

   The hat caps were almost certainly felt rather than leather, as indicated by the inclusion of the word "hatt" in the name. The report in the Middlesex Journal reinforces that conclusion, since it mentions that the caps with feathers were made of felt.

The Brigade of Guards on American Service 1781

   In early 1776 a composite battalion was formed of detachments from each of the three Guards regiments for service in America.  Each company of the three Guards regiments  were to send 15 privates. Officers volunteered for service.  Although a Grenadier company already existed with each regiment none had a light infantry company, so one was  organised.  These various detachments were organised into regiment of eight battalion, one Grenadier and one Light Infantry companies and fielded a little over one thousand men.

   On arrival in New York on12 August 1776 the Guards were trained in Sir William Howe's light infantry discipline.  Due to command and control problems with such a large regiment the Guards were reorganized into two battalions;  the Grenadiers and four battalion companies were assigned to the first battalion while the Light company and the remaining four battalion companies were assigned to the second battalion.  In addition the Guards were now designated a brigade under the command of General Matthew.

In addition to this reorganization, the uniform of the Guards underwent a transformation.  Instead of the London parade ground appearance and more practical campaign look was acquired.  Regimental coats were shortened, shoulder straps replaced with blue cloth.  The

distinctive regimental lace was removed.  Trousers and short gainers issued.  The cocked hat was uncocked, lace removed, brim cut short and recocked on one side only.  The waistbelt was placed in storage and the bayonet standard attached to the

cartridge box belt.  Haversacks and a water tub issued.  The Grenadiers and Light Infantry were issued a curious hat-cap.  This appears to be a visor cap with a bearskin crest.  A possible drawing of this was done by Major John Andre on his map of Brandywine. To distinguish the two battalions the first were to leave strips of lace on their shoulder straps.

As the was progressed it appears that the regimental lace was placed back on the coats, and bayonets may have regained their separate belts.  At least by the time of the southern campaigns.

   The Guards fought extensively throughout the American war.  In fact few units saw more service throughout the war then the Guards.  In 1776 notably at Long Island and  Fort Washington.  The brigade also participated in the 1777 campaign at the battles of Short Hills and later in the invasion of Pennsylvania and the 1778 retreat through New Jersey.  The last major battle in which the brigade served in the northern theater was Springfield, New Jersey in  1780.

 The following year, the brigade was sent south and served with the Lord Cornwallis field force, most notably at Catawba Ford, Guilford Courthouse and Yorktown in October 1781. They were commanded by the colorful brigadier Charles O'Hara.  Due to losses the Brigade was reduced to two battalions of two battalion companies and one flank company each.  Often the flank companies, especially the Light company were detached.   By the time of Yorktown the Guards were reduced in  numbers to a single battalion.

My miniature Brigade of Guards is made up of figures from the truly outstanding Fife and Drum miniatures.  They are the only company out there to do a historically correct Guards figure for this time period.
In addition they also do the correct Grenadier and Light figure with the the curious hat-cap.  So you can field a correct Brigade of Guards.  There is no evidence that the regimental colors were sent to American so this is one of the few units I have without colors.  On the table top the Brigade fields two thirty figure battalions and two twelve figure flank companies.

Hugar's Virginian Continental Line 1781

  The Virginia line at Guilford courthouse was commanded by Brigadier Isaac Hugar and made up of the 4th and 5th Virginian regiments.  The 4th were first recorded as being in existence in September 1780 and served with Greene's army during the retreat to the Dan.  They were made up from the survivors of the Virginian line captured at Charleston.  By the time of  Guilford Courthouse they had marched into south Carolina, back to Virginia then back to North Carolina and fought at Guilford Courthouse.  During that time their light infantry company had been part of Morgan's Maryland-Delaware Light battalion.  They were a very veteran battalion of long service soldiers.  While the Marylanders get mentions in most texts the Virginans fought just as doggedly.

  The 5th Virginian Regiment was the opposite. They were formed in Virginia from recruits and drafts and in January 171 were marching south, with Lee's Legion to join Greene's army.  So they were  newly formed and filled with recruits.  Both regiments fought well with Greene at Guilford Courthouse, Hobkirk hill, and Eutaw Spring.

  I have painted both regiments in regulation 1779 uniforms.  Returns of issued clothing and clothing on hand reinforce this.while popular to put them into hunting shirts I did not find that many hunting shirts issued.  For the Regimental colors I could not find and period evidence.  So I based them on existing color.  I used a plain regimental color with the regimental number in a scroll in the center.  I used a division color as a brigade color for both regiments.  Again no period evidence but based on existing examples.  These were made for me by The Flag Dude.  Miniatures are from the Perry miniatures Rev War line.  Very nice figures, but on the shelf look larger then my  Fife and Drum miniatures.  On the table top things blend better and the difference is less noticeable.

Webster's Brigade

  The name of my blog is taken from an incident during the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. As the 23rd advanced towards the American line they paused when faced by a long row of leveled muskets. Colonel Webster rode up and yelled "Come on ! My brave Fusiliers!"

My RevWar armies are based around the Camden- Guilford Courthouse campaign.  During that time Webster commanded the 23rd and 33rd regiments.  Both veteran units and hard campaigners, they are dressed in shortened coats,  round hats and gathered trousers.  The 23rd has blue facings while the 33rd has red.  These made up the solid core of this hard fighting command.

Miniatures for Colonel Webster's Brigade are from Fire and Drum miniatures.  These are outstanding miniatures and a must have for fans of the American Revolution period.  No parade ground soldiers here, but well researched campaign uniforms. These are really first class!

Guest appearances in the brigade were made by the 7th Royal Fusiliers and an Light Infantry battalion. Both of these were destroyed at Battle of The Cowpens.

The Lights are made up of companies from the 16th, 71st and Prince of Wales volunteers.  A bit unusual in that it is the only unit which I know of that saw British and Loyalists serving together in the same regiment. They were at Camden and Cowpens and numerous smaller skirmishes between. As there is no documentation on what they actually wore during this period I have dressed them in a light infantry sleeved waistcoat (or roundabout) which were typical of that time and available in supply returns.

The Royal Fusiliers were a hard luck group at least during their time in America.  Most of the command were captured. during the Canadian campaign of 1775.  Rebuilt, the regiment was sent down south and met a similar fate at The Cowpens. Although many popular historians say the regiment was made up of new recruits at this time returns suggest otherwise.  The 7th would be dressed similar to the 23rd for this time period.  While I have not, as yet painted them I plan on adding them to my collection.  That way I can field my fusilier brigade from the Crimean (7th, 23rd and 33rd) in its 18th century appearance.

71st (Fraser's) Highlanders

The 71st (Fraser's) Highlanders saw extensive service throughout the American Revolution.  Raised as a multi battalion regiment for service in America they fought under Sir William Howe's army in 1776 and 1777 as their own brigade.  Service in the south started with Colonel Archabald Cambell's expedition to George in 1779.  After that they fought in almost all the major actions.  By the time of Camden the two battalions were severely reduced in numbers and could barely together field a serviceable battalion.  While the first battalion was destroyed at The Cowpens the second served with the Cornwallis field force through to Yorktown.

These outstanding figures are from Kings Mountain Miniatures and are simply the best highlanders for this time period, period.  They really capture the feel of this hard fighting unit.  All are dressed in gaitered overalls rather then kilts. Although some modern reconstruction have them wearing trewes I have yet to find a period source to confirm it. So,  I painted them in tan overalls.  Flags are by The Flag Dude.

I field them as two 30 figure battalions, and they have there own brigade commander in highland dress.  Historically they can field with Cornwallis' field force or going back a bit with Colonel Archibald Campbell's army that invaded Georgia in 1779.