Rambarre! The Vendée War with Rebels and Patriots

I saw the advent of Rebels and Patriots as an opportunity to try projects that were different or even a little obscure.  My first choice was Napoleon’s efforts against the Mamluks.  It proved to be loads of fun at little cost in time or money. I also have the Greek War of Independence and Ridgeway in hand

My latest choice is the Vendée War and it sort of crept up on me.  One of the fellows, Hi Vincent, on Lead Adventure Forum (LAF) was looking for 15mm Vendéen figures and I knew of some.  My interest was piqued and I had a look at various Vendée games and I could see a lot of fun and an interesting contest of systems.  The Vendée War was different, and once again I found myself thinking of Suvorov and his wise bayonets and foolish muskets. 

Next, I read reviews of Rob Harper’s Fighting the French Revolution, one of them complained about excessive military detail.  That made up my mind I bought a copy and I’m very pleased with what I got.  I like a project to be a learning experience and this one will be no exception.

The Vendéens fought with a core of mainly pike men sometimes supported by light cannon.  Their right flank comprised of their best armed bands and it always initiated any attack.  The left flank was not quite so well armed also sought to envelop their opponents.  Once the double envelopment was complete the centre pikes charged with cries of Rambarre!  It was a good and often effective system, sort of Zulus with firepower.

The figures I needed are to be found in Lancashire Games Archived Ranges and I was lucky enough to buy mine in their Sale.  You can see them here and I think they are excellent figures.

I needed a scattering of militant clerics, half a dozen horseman and a gun and suitable crew.  Irregular Miniatures provide all of that.  Useful additional officer figures can be found in the Peter Pig and Polly Oliver AWI ranges.

Flags can be easily found on the web. The figures here were painted in accordance with some excellent information kindly provided by Blue Willow on the LAF Vendéen thread.  Rob Harper’s book also provides info' including details of a unit of colourful uniformed Republican Hussars entirely comprised of freed American slaves.

All in all, it’s coming together splendidly. Better, there are options of what type of force to field. 

Following an interesting discussion on LAF I'm convinced that the basic Rebels and Patriots category for most Vendéens should be Natives.  

As the war progressed and the Vendéens became more experienced the right flank, where their best armed and most motivated fellows were could be Aggressive Natives, the left flank simply Natives and the centre, where the worst armed troops were Natives Poor Shots.  You could also in Rebels and Patriots terms opt for some

Skirmishers, Light Cavalry and a Light Gun with Limber. 

For the early war I'd go for Natives on the right flank and Natives Poor Shots for the centre and left.  I'd add some Skirmishers too, possibly including some Good Shots.

 

You may have other and better ideas, if so, do let me know.

More on this as I go, meantime Rambarre! which might be very loosely translated as 'We have them!' and was used at the conclusion of a cattle round up.

In passing I see Blue Moon are producing a Vendéen range.  I'm hoping it will include a pack of cavalry or at least some mounted officers.