Imperial Guard at New Orleans

 

Does every Napoleonic wargamer have painted a battalion or more of the French Imperial Guard?   Probably. And how many games do they really get used or see the table top.  Again probably not many.  But you just have to have them.  So here is a new use for those figures that may be gathering dust.  And once again we turn to that neglected but excellent for wargameing period the War of 1812 in North America and the Battle of New Orleans!

  

The Battalion d'Orleans or Plauche's Battalion was one of the most colorful units in the American army of the War of 1812. The Battalion participated in the defeat of the British forces at the Battle of New Orleans. The Battalion was a continuation of units which had existed under the French and Spanish regimes and were reorganized by the territorial act of January, 1805. Napoleon had raised and equipped three companies of French Creoles in New Orleans in 1803 after losing Santo Domingo. It is probable that these companies became the core of the Battalion d'Orleans. New Orleans remained very pro-Bonapartist durin this period. They felt a special connection to him because the Empress Josephine was a French Creole. Also, many high ranking Napoleonic exiles fled to New Orleans after the Bourbon regime was restored in France.

After "the Battle" as New Orleanians called it, the Battalion changed it's name to the Louisiana Legion and remained in service until after the Civil War. Throughout its history, the Battalion was known for its resplendent, colorful uniforms of French design. The Battalion was modeled on the Imperial French army of the Emperor Napoleon I. They used the same drill manual and closely approximated the French uniform. Indeed, many members of the Battalion were veteran soldats and officers who had served with Napoleon before moving to New Orleans.

The Battalion consisted of two centre companies (Francs and Blues), two flank companies (Carabiners and Chasseurs) and a company of Dragoons. The flank companies had uniforms based on those of the French Imperial Guard. The centre companies were dressed as the line. The Battalion also had its own flag, adjutant, surgeons, fouriers, and band. A description of the unit's flag in the 1820's describes it as having the words 'Honneur, Patrie, Discipline, Valor' embroidered on it.

PORTER'S MILITIA VOLUNTEERS BRIGADE

 

  During the Niagara campaign of 1814, the US Left Division included a brigade of  volunteers under the command of General Peter Porter.  The including troops from New York and Pennsylvania. They acquitted themselves well in both the battle of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane,  much to the surprise of  skeptical regular army officers!  

  Pennsylvania and New York each had various state militia uniform distinctions. However during the 1814 campaign they were supposed to be equipped by the US government and dressed much like the remainder of the Left Division. The leather shako and short grey roundabout jackets or blue coats were very much in evidence. 

  But the question arose how to portray them on the table top?  I wanted them to look more organized then most militia but less regular then regulars.   I turned to the amazing figures from Knuckleduster miniatures.   These have been sculpted to portray such an unusual outfit.   The bayonets are unfixed and in their scabbards,  Each figure has a variety of irregular equipment and clothing.  Their shakos are not trimmed out to the full extent one would expect of a disciplined regular.  Most have substitute headgear such as straw hats, round hats, and old felt shakos or caps are worn by some of the troops.

Although some have the standard issue regular blue coat, others have civilian coats.  A few wear  work smocks, These were a very common item in camp and are rarely seen on the wargame table. The pattern formed the basis of the rifle frock, which had the addition of fringe and a "cape" (layer of cloth over the shoulders, also with fringes).

Miltia units sometimes painted their unit designations on the shakos rather than wearing a shako plate. They were also quite fond of decorating their knapsacks, canteens, and caps with stars, eagles, and other patriotic designs.

lastly, there is a marvelous militia general.  He is dressed to the nines and has a most self satisfied expression on his face.  A outstanding miniature!

Altogether a nice impression for the period and a unique look for an over looked period.

April Fools Day Signs

 

Native Warriors

 

  One of the things that make the War of 1812 unique is the use of native warriors.  The Mohawk (properly called the Kanien'kehá:ka), Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and Tuscarora in the East, and the tribes of Tecumseh's federation in the West, were heavily engaged throughout the War. Native warriors fought on both sides, but primarily for the British. They are essential figures to possess in order to game the , Queenston Heights, the Thames, and numerous smaller conflicts.  By the time of the War of 812,the native people's had adopted a lot of European items for their clothing. Because of this many miniatures from the French and Indian War are not quite right for the period. 

 

  There are numerous excellent Native figures on the market, mostly of the "naked savage" variety which depict traditional summer dress, which is why I only make one figure in that idiom. The remainder of my figures make an attempt to show what they would have looked like in 1812.

 For summer time dress., linen shirts and Leggings and breechclouts are worn by all, but generally covered by a shirt or coat belted with a sash. Bare heads were plucked, not shaved and a small square patch of hair was left in the back of the crown, which was grown long and braided. A decorative "roach" was attached to the hair, composed of dyed porcupine quills, deer hair, and various feathers, creating a very personalized headdress. Mohaws did not have the "Mohawk" hair style we associate with them, and popularized in the movie, "Drums on the Mowhawk."   Warpaint is very much in evidence, black and red being the most common colors.

  It's difficult to do justice to all their wampum belts and other decorative fabrics. Sashes and belts were finely decorated, some with geometric designs and others with very sophisticated floral patterns woven into the cloth. Even loincloths (breechclouts) sported colorful stripes and geometric designs. Because of this I only paint to give  an impression of these ornate designs.

In cold weather, like at  the Battle of Crysler's Farm heavier shirts , wool coats or capots  are worn. In addition stocking caps or  head scarves cover their traditional hairstyles. 

 

Embodied and Sedentary Militia 1814

 

    The  battalions of Canadian militia were active throughout the 1814 campaign.  The 2nd Regiment fought at both Chippewa and Lundy's Lane.  When I started this project I was confused over the terms "embodied" and "sedentary" militia.  These troops who served for longer tours of duty were termed "embodied" militia while those who were called  away from their farms and businesses only during times of dire emergency were the "sedentary" militia.  

The Sedentary militia units seldom had uniforms.  They might have castffs from stores but fir tge most part hey were instructed to report for battle turned out in a civilian coat made of a dark cloth. They were advised to avoid grey coats, which was the color frequently used by the Americans.

   The Embodied militia wore both uniforms and civilian clothes. While  they  wanted to present a uniform appearance, it was very rarley achieved.  Depending on the year or month they were given red coats with yellow facings, green coats with red or yellow facings, castoffs from the 41st Foot (red faced red), regulation gray trousers,  "gunmouth" blue trousers. Head gear were left over stove pipe shakos, round hats or what ever the individual brought with them.  Equipment were regular accoutrements.  The troops who came the closest to military uniformity were the flank companies, who's uniforms included lace and possibly wings.

On the table top they present a interesting and unusual appearance. 

   

British Infantry Shakos War of 1812

 

  A major question when creating your British/Canadian army for the War of 1812 is which shako type will your regulars wear?  Opinions, debate and speculation about what equipment might have been in stores, Horse Guard's attitudes toward equipping  units in far-flung quarters, and isolated and obscure eye-witness accounts all flavor the question.  I still have not pinned down sources but here are my thoughts and opinions and I sincerely welcome you to draw your own conclusions. 

Stovepipe

Belgic

A British infantryman's cap (shako) was meant to last him two years. If an infantryman was issued a stovepipe shako in 1812, it would not be replaced until 1814 unless the entire unit was re-equipped. The British army went to war against Napoleon in Spain wearing the Stove Pipe shako.  The Belgic shako (sometimes called the "Waterloo" shako) was adopted by regulation in 1812, but did not find its way into the hands of infantrymen until nearly the end of fighting in Spain. It is usually associated with the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

1812/1813

What about the written orders in Canadian or British archives that determine which caps were in service. As it turns out, the orders provide very little guidance as the headgear is simply referred-to as "caps", or "felt caps."What the neck is a "Felt Regulation Cap."   Is it a stovepipe or Belgic shako? Both were made of felt.  Other documents mention 600 "bucket caps" returned to storage at Kingston in 1813. Were these stovepipe shakos returned because they had been replaced by Belgic shakos, or were they the shorter bucket shakos worn by Caldwell Rangers?  One would think these clerks could be more helpful!!!!

1814

The solution I  have reached for my armies  (and it is only an opinion) is that the Stove Pipe shall was worn in 1812/1813 and the Belgic shako by the time the 1814 Niagara campaign. There remains much debate about the Incorporated Militia regiment. The remainder of the militia, especially the Sedentary Militia, are presumed to be wearing primarily castoffs and items brought from home.  This could let you field them in stovepipe shako, round hats or any civilian hat or cap you like.

The times they are a changing....