Neapolitan and Redshirt Reinforcements.

I am on a bit of a roll at the moment with my Garibaldi project , playing lots of games with them using Black Powder (which are working very well) and the good thing about the Sicilian campaign was that neither side had much cavalry . The Neapolitans may not have been the most dynamic military force but their uniforms are rather splendid ! . 

Here is a squadron of the 2nd Dragoon Regt. Regina (Queen's) being reviewed by the Neapolitan General Francesco Landi . This completes this army (well for the moment).

To balance this I've painted a unit of Italian volunteers to fight with Garibaldi . It's is a battalion of the Regt. Malenchini from Northern Italy . One of the sad facts of life is that not all of the volunteers wore red shirts and mostly grey/brown drab in various shades . Just read that probably only about a fifth of 'The Thousand' wore red shirts at the start of the campaign - but all mine do !. (cos they look prettier that way)

This then completes my force of Garibaldinni , my next army I think in this era will be a Papal Army - because the are cute and have Zouaves - what more could a wargamer want !?.

Quo Vadis ?

I've been busy painting up more figures for my Garibaldi period project inspired by the recent games I and 'A' have been playing . But I'm now think I've got enough and there is no need to go further buying and painting more figures . I have 4 units of 'Redshirts plus a gun and crew, 2 units of Sicilian 'Picoloti' and this is about all I need for Garibaldi . The Neapolitan's will have 6 units of infantry a battery of artillery and 2 squadrons of cavalry which seems enough to give a good game to take on the revolutionaries . I've always found it easier to start projects rather than to finish them and call a halt !.

Been doing a lot of reading up of this fascinating period of history and am tempted to enlarge on it . But which protagonists to pick next ?  - Austria , France , Piedmont or the Papal State ? , each has its virtues , but having done a French army for the FPW they are the least likely candidate . The Austrians would be different and Irregular do some very cute figures , the Papal States have a quirky little army and both could fight the Piedmontese . Hmm !? this will take some thinking  of ! . 

Attack on the Mule Train (Parte the Seconde)

Originally posted 4/12/12

The Scheither Carbineers suffer heavy casualties and are easily driven off by the French rearguard.

The Allied attack on the centre also is roughly handled !

The Grenadiers take hits from the French line infantry and the Chasseurs and with the Hussars forming up to their rear they decide discretion is the better part of valour and retire !.

Colonel Scheither rallying his Jaegers decides to call off the attack as casualties are mounting and the French are almost untouched by his attacks .

Voltaire is triumphant !. The Allies put up a rather poor show overall , their attacks were poorly coordinated and the French drove each one off easily . In fairness to Col. Scheither I diced randomly for the position of the attacking units and these probably lead to the trap being sprung to early and the French being easly able to cope with them . Scheither retires to lick his wounds and plot his revenge !.

Another Artillery Limber And Team

Originally posted 27/11/12

Having cast up and painted a limber and team for the French several weeks ago I thought it was time the Allies got one as well.

This gun is manned by Scheither's Frei Korps and there seems to be no information on the gun and limber carriage colour - so I decided to paint them a dark red.

To get the wheels to cast right I have had to do extensive work on the mold, drilling air holes were the spokes are as these frequently miscast.

Normal Service Is Resumed - Or Back To O.S. SYW.

Originally posted 25/11/12

After my deviation into killing Zombies (damned hard as well it was, played 6 games and did not win one !) I am returning to a 40mm SYW  game , the French column is moving a mule train carrying the pay chest for the local garrison . It is protected by 3 Companies of the Regiment Du Roi , a Company of the Chasseurs De Sombreuil and the Hussars Bercheny. They have to reach the village in the top left hand corner of the above photo . The Allies have dispatched a raiding force of cavalry and light infantry to capture the mule train.

The precious bullion on mule back carefully guarded .

 Voltaire and his faithful manservant 'Wee Jocky' are accompanying the column . Here he is lecturing his servant on the correct method of moving through enemy country.

However the Prussian 'Black' Hussars have other ideas !. Too be continued ......

Test Run For OS Table .

Originally posted 14/11/12

Having got the table painted up I thought I would try it out with a 40mm SYW 'Charge' game.

The French Regiment Du Roi advances encouraged by its Major.

The French gun deploys to support the Light infantry fight off the Allied Jaegers.

The French cavalry reform to counter the Allied cavalry's flank attack.

The British 20th Regiment of Foote march for the exposed French flank covered by the hills . The figure bases don't quite match the table but are close enough for now. Just for the record I counted up how many figures I have cast up so far ( I know this is a bit sad !) and came up with a total of 132 foot and 54 mounted plus 2 guns and limbers. 

The Lead Regiment.

Not a illustration of the author as a young man ! . Rather dated and a bit twee , but I like a poem that rhymes !.