The 70e Demi-Brigade Ireland 1798- Shakos and Bayonets

Above  are the three battalions of the 70e Demi-Brigade and their Chasseurs and Grenadiers. Let us have a look in detail.

 

The Chasseurs from Minifigs. I intend adding an officer and another 6 figures including a drummer. It makes for variation. Nice figures all the same as can be said for all of Minifigs French Revolution Range.

The 1^st Battalion. Minifigs and Chariot. I’d like to think someone will put the Chariot French Revolution range back into production. Who doesn’t want a Parisian Mob?

The 2^nd Battalion, once again Minifigs and Chariot 15mm.

The 3^rd Battalion, the same combination of figures as Battalions 1 and 2. I see I have used the same officer for two battalions. Best see all three again with the correct command.

The combined Grenadiers all from Minifigs. Here we have variation galore. 

Once more I will add another 6 figures.

Now for supports. General Humbert had a small cavalry force with him comprised of Hussars and Chasseurs a Cheval. I had a bunch of Irregular Miniatures Crimean Light Dragoons surplus to requirement. The reason being the were sculpted wearing a Mirliton. An error. Even Homer nodded as the Ancients were wont to say.

Anyhow, here they are re-purposed for Ireland 1798. A campaign look and I think they will do. I’m glad to have found a use for them.

They need a General Humbert and an artillery piece and they are done. Additionally I'm adding 4 Chasseurs a Cheval for colour. Chrome if you like, the real work is done.

Next on this project we will see the United Irishmen. Mostly from Irregular Miniatures with a few Chariot mixed in. They are all done save for 6 Shelmalier Skirmishers. For those I'm using Lancashire Games Archive Range Vendeans with muskets.

Then more work begins. I need to paint Militia and Yeomanry infantry for the British. Then British Regular infantry. Flags will be a challenge for the Militia and Yeomanry infantry. Luckily the cavalry and the Highlanders are done.

A question looms in my mind. Should I re-purpose all of my French Revolutionary British for Shakos and Bayonets? If so the Austrians and Prussians will surely follow. A First World dilemma in an age of chaos.

French Revolutionary Wars- Prussians

On the eve of the French Revolution the reputation of the Prussian Army was sky high.  It was the acme of military thinking from the Age of Reason.  Once fighting started the Monarchs of Europe frantically sought to involve the Prussians to crush the Revolution.   The King of Prussia demanded a high price.

Prussian infantry, few of whom were Prussians, could deftly form into line and deliver rapid fire.  Loading and firing quicker than any other troops.  

In theory the individual soldier was simply a fleshy extension of the mind of the regimental commander.  Man as meat machine if you like. Above the colonels stood the Generals and finally the Supreme Commander himself.  It was his plan and his will that would be carried out with machine like precision.  The Army would move like an irresistible giant sentient robot.

That was the theory.  The reality was undermined by the very humanity of the individual cogs in the Prussian military machine.  You had to be pretty desperate to enlist for the King of Prussia.  Discipline was harsh and relentless.  Beatings were as common as good morning.  That was life in the Prussian infantry.

Native Prussians mostly steered clear.  The King wanted them to be economically useful civilians.  The exception was the officer class provided by the Prussian gentry.  One generation succeeding another.

All this makes me think that my Prussian infantry in We Brought You Liberty should be proficient troops but of no more than average morale.  Combined Grenadiers will naturally be of higher status.

  

The cavalry were, as ever, a step up the social ladder.  Here native Prussian troopers could find themselves serving under the son of their local land lord.  They were good horsemen and well trained soldiers.  Well motivated too.

Due to the space required by lines of infantry Prussian cavalry were mostly deployed on the flanks of the Army.

I think this contingent will get another infantry unit and some hussars and that's it.  I also need to find them a General.

The cavalry are from Old Glory, the infantry from Lancashire Games and their wonderful flags from the David at Not By Appointment blog-there's a link in the sidebar.  Do visit.

French Revolutionary Cavalry in 15mm

These are big 15mm’s from the Old Glory French Revolution range.  Not quite 18mm though, so a good fit with my Lancashire Games stuff.  I like these figures a lot.  There’s enough detail and a nice variety of poses. Below, the 11^th Hussars.

 

I intend adding another unit of hussars.  I rather fancy doing the 10th or the Black American Hussars in their sky blue uniforms although they were only 50 or so of the latter.

The happy medium here with the 11^th Chasseurs a Cheval as above top.  It is very tempting to do another Chasseur unit in Tarleton.

Last, the 9^th regiment of line cavalry. They could get a second squadron as I have the appropriate flag.  That said I might do a unit of Gendarmes instead as I have a flag for them too.

Finding suitable lags for these units was quite tricky and I’m resolved only to paint units I can provide with an appropriate flag. I'd very much like to do a dragoon unit but currently I'm stuck for a flag.

Finally more infantry, my last column  of Parisian National Guard.

I now have enough French Republicans for a game.  There are lots more left to paint.  Lots of everything else too.