Lord Slane's Regiment-League of Augsburg

 

Christopher Fleming, Lord Slane's Regiment. As Jacobite Regiments went Slane's was very well equipped indeed.  All Musket, probably Matchlocks but all the same a signal achievement by the standards of the Irish Jacobite Army.  Accordingly I have given them the prized redcoats that were in short supply. I reason that if Slane could get that many muskets securing the red coats would have been no challenge at all.

The fine flags you see are from David at Not By Appointment.  Red and Yellow were Fleming colours and the St Patrick's Cross is a good choice for an Old English Magnate. The chevron is an established Fleming heraldic device.

I have actually done this regiment before but it got dispersed in an LoA great rebasing project. It is good to have it back. Here is the link to the original and the research that inspired it https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com/2021/02/irish-lords-bellew-louth-and-slane.html

First time around I could only trace the Regiment's activities to supporting Sarsfield in the North -West.  Luckily Barry Hilton dug deeper and was able to place them at the Battle of Aughrim.

Most of my League of Augsburg Armies are complete or near enough so. I intend to do one more Irish Jacobite Regiment and one more English one. Not sure which ones yet. That's part of the fun I think.

I have a new English Cavalry unit already finished, ditto the Danish Grenadier Regiment.

My next LoA post will feature the Danes supposing I manage to complete two cavalry squadrons.

League of Augsburg – Colonel Edward Butler’s Regiment

 

Edward Butler of Ballyragget, County Kilkenny was the only son of Piers Butler, Lord Galmoy.  Galmoy was a famed and feared Jacobite cavalry commander. Well respected by his peers and hated by his foes. We should consider Galmoy influential in the Jacobite Army.

The Butlers, there was no shortage of them, raised troops for King James.   Edward had previous European Military Service. He was a natural choice to lead a regiment.

Edward’s  troops came from North Kilkenny and Kilkenny City. Like all of the newly raised Jacobite regiments they struggled to equip themselves. The regiment had 268 broken muskets, and was short 86 muskets. It had 390 swords, 84 pikes and virtually its full complement of belts and bandoliers. Initially uniforms were out of the question. The occasional veteran or wealthier officer might have a red military coat otherwise it was come as you are.

As the bandoliers were out of stocks I have assumed that they would be painted. Water proofing was important. I have shown the "Apostles" in blue which helps theme the regiment.

When French aid arrived  Edward’s connections likely ensured his regiment was uniformed in French grey coats. I have chosen to show them lined blue. Blue was a Butler colour and blue lining was hardly unknown in the French Army. All the same the soldiers uniformity rests heavily upon their French coats. 

By this time Edward’s men were properly equipped. Note the drummer is in Butler colours.  All the figures in the unit are from Irregular, save the Drummer an Essex figure. 

The flags the regiment carries were made for me by David of Not by Appointment and very fine they are. They are conjectural, but informed conjecture.  The King’s Colour shows St. Patrick’s Cross in Butler Colours bearing the initials JR and the Crown. The Company Colour is discussed below.

Given their original intended ratio of pikes to shot I have deemed the regiment to be “Regulation” in Beneath the Lily Banners terms. I could have equally chosen to model them as Pike and Shot without much fear of contradiction.

 In the picture below you can get a better look at the regiment's pike men.  These would be brought forward when repelling cavalry or for close assaults.

The Company Colour is that of the 3^rd Company led by Captain John Brennan.  The three swords designating the Company are drawn from O’Brennan clan heraldry.  Clan Brennan like most of Gaelic Ireland were looking to get their lands back.

The regiment fought throughout the Williamite War. After the bloody fight of Aughrim it was reduced to 21 officers and 277 men.  In the final defence of Limerick its men were combined with those of other reduced regiments.  

Post the Treaty of Limerick many went into exile in France. The Irish Brigade beckoned. Colonel Edward Butler died in battle at Malplaquet. Captain John Brennan lies buried in Castlecomer, then and now, the heartland of his clan.

I intend a series of League of Augsburg posts between now and Christmas.

League of Augsburg - A Book and 3 Armies

 

My latest acquisition above.  Barry Hilton and Clarence Harrison’s  "For Ireland and King James-The Jacobite Infantry at the Battle of Aughrim".

This is a full colour hard back.  It details the regiments of the Jacobite Army that Barry has sufficient detail on and is certain fought at Aughrim.  For each one Clarence provides uniform and flag plates.  All very nicely done. I might have gone for a few figures in trews. Mike McNally did so.   No matter really ,as no one makes them. 

It is a self proclaimed book for wargamers by wargamers. All the same it is more than that.  Barry modestly says he is not an historian. Not by trade perhaps. Yet the description independent scholar would do him no injustice. He knows his subject very well.  I'm pleased with this book.

Apparently the boys are considering a Williamite Aughrim volume. I'll be on the list for that one too.

While waiting for the book I ordered more toys. All from Irregular. I thought I'd add a few new Jacobite regiments. The idea being that I'd use the book as a painting guide. Then inspiration struck, and instead of ordering 1 new Army Pack I ordered 3.  This qualified me for an additional discount!

Anyhow, I thought you would like to see what I got respectively for the English, French and Dutch Army packs. 

Before we do that here is an English regiment comprised of Irregular Miniatures figures-save the drummer. He is Essex.

Pretty nice I think. I have moved the pike men to the side so you can get a better look at them. If you want League of Augsburg 15mm, Irregular are a good choice. Buy an Army Pack and they are a good and very affordable choice.  

I like 6 figures to a base and any League of Augsburg Army Pack will give me at least 3 units like the one above, plus a squadron or two of cavalry, a gun and a General. A supported Brigade I suppose.  Enough for a side using Beneath the Lily Banners certainly.

Here is a French cavalry squadron from Irregular.

A gun and crew below.  Four gunners are provided you see 3 of them here.

Let's start with the English.

I can get 3 regiments of infantry, 2 squadron's of cavalry, a brigadier and a gun and crew from this pack. With a few left over too. One cavalry squadron is in Lobster helmets.

Variants abound in both Horse and Foot. I should add wire pikes are supplied for the pike men.

Now onto the Dutch.

Pretty much the same possibilities in this pack.  Note though, Eppinger's Dragoons and a squadron of cavalry.  Of course Eppinger's would do for mounted Grenadiers in other armies too.

Last but certainly not least in this period the French. 

Once again we get 1 dragoon squadron and 1 of cavalry instead of 2 cavalry squadrons. I have also grouped the musket and pike variants together.  The command figures are also separated out. As we might expect it provides for 3 regiments of infantry at 6 per base.

A closer look.  As you can see I have not cleaned up any of the figures. It is actually very easy to do. That said I wanted you to see what to expect.

There are other figures in Irregular's League of Augsburg range not shown here.  I like them although I prefer Essex or Dixon drummers for my units.

Of course the figures we see here could be used for pretty much any army of the period. At £32.50 a pack including postage Irregular's offer is a bargain.

If you were considering the League of Augsburg in 15mm I hope this post has been of use to you.  

For me I have the pleasant task of choosing which 7 battalions of foot to do next. Imperials are a strong possibility. Followed by which 4 squadrons of cavalry to do.  One of the 2 squadrons of Dragoons will be English I think. 

The Army of the King of Scots 1688

Scotland in 1688 still had its own military establishment.  Beyond that the Highland Clans were armed to the best of their ability. With judicious political management it was possible for the King of Scots to bring together most or all of Scotland’s military resources.  The circumstances that permitted judicious political management were oft in short supply.

Here is my Scottish Collection for 1688. First the Regulars. Armour was issued to the Scots Cavalry in 1688.

Above the cavalry, below the Dragoons on foot.

The Dragoons mounted.

To the infantry.  

We begin with Dumbarton’s Regiment. Wauchope’s regiment apparently carried the same flags and wore the same uniform.

Now, to the Scots Brigade in Dutch Service.  They could be recalled at will by the King of Scots. Indeed, they were during Monmouth’s Rebellion.

 MacKay’s Regiment.

  Ramsay’s Regiment.

Balfour's Regiment.

A militia Battalion.  Aberdeen Colours for this one.  I may well do another.  If so they could appear in blue coats faced white.  That may have been standard for Scots militia.

The artillery.  A light gun first.  I'll likely add another.

Note the gunners are in their undress coats, grey faced black.  The officer is in full fig, below a Frame Gun. I'll be doing another two of these.

 

Frames were used at Killiekrankie. Anything on wheels could not have got there. Frames could be dismantled and put on pack ponies.  One of those at Killiekrankie promptly collapsed when fired.  The frame was rotten.  Never the less new frames were easily povided and in difficult terrain it is easy to see their utility.  A more portable form of the Battalion Gun in reality.

The Highland Clans make for an interesting game component.  Here are 7 such units.  They could fight on either side.

 

I find the Beneath the Lily Banners treatment of Highlanders to be pleasing.

 

It neatly reflects their strengths and weaknesses.

A Clan unit on the attack was a fearsome thing.  It moved fast and hit hard.

Conversely, when on the defensive lack of firepower rendered them easy meat for most regular forces.

 

I've used figures from Essex, Khurasan, Matchlock, Minifigs, and a smattering of others for my Highland units.

 

The fine Clan flags are mainly from Ray at Don't Throw a 1.

Jacobite Cavalry and Dragoons

 

I have a fair few Jacobite Cavalry. Some units were missing.  I thought I’d use up some of the figures left over from the great rebasing to provide the absent cavaliers.

 

Tyrconnell’s Horse second squadron.  Figures from Essex. As befits their proprietor’s key position in providing Jacobite logistics they wear redcoats. 

Sutherland’s Horse wearing French supplied uniform coats.  Uniformity could be patchy in the Jacobite Army.  Figures from Irregular.

The Jacobite Dragoons were solid troops.  They could be deployed on at full strength on foot where their firelocks provided advantage.  At other times they would happily charge mounted.

 

Here are Dongan’s, Clare’s and O’Neill’s Dragoons.  All mounted and on foot.

 

Dongan’s above and below.

Clare's next.

 

Above mounted and on foot below. 

 

 Both squadrons of O’Neill’s Dragoons. First squadron mounted.

On foot with horse holders.

Deployed as infantry.

Second squadron mounted 

 

Second squadron deployed as infantry.

I intend doing another squadron of Galmoy's Horse and then my Jacobites are complete.  Next, we will see some multi purpose League of Augsburg troops.  Horse, Dragoons and Foot.  Here is a pic' of the Horse to be going on with.

More soon.

 

Jacobite Cavalry and Dragoons 15mm - League of Augsburg

 

The Horse Grenadiers above who could equally turn up in a Williamite Army.

King James’s Life Guard.  These ones are from Stronghold Miniatures and I don’t think we will see many of that outfit's products again.  A pity, I really like them.  Stronghold also did a lovely General figure of which I have one.  Ah well, should have bought more.

A Squadron of Sarsfield’s Horse.

Tyrconnell’s Horse, probably got first dabs on the red uniforms.  Tyrconnell was James's chief administrator.  Although he never became one of the darlings of the Irish Army, they thought him over cautious, his work kept the cause afloat. He had been a very active soldier in his younger days fighting in England, Ireland and Flanders.

Lord Galmoy’s two squadron's of Horse, you have seen them before.

Abercorne’s Horse also seen previously. 

All in all I have 7 squadron's of Jacobite Horse so far. Above Clare's Dragoons.

I'm currently working on the Dragoons.  O'Neill's and Clare's both two squadrons strong.  

 

I have them mounted and dismounted with separate horse holders.  I think I'll find this more satisfying on the table top.  Here is a squadron of O'Neill's dismounted.

I have more to horses and horse holders to do.  Two squadron's of O'Neill's dismounted. 

Next up the Scots Regulars or maybe Grand Alliance Cavalry.  The great League of Augsburg re-basing is nearly done.  Apart from the French that is.