Under Pressure; The Second Battle of Gruyere 19DEC1620

 

the Comte du Fromage and his generals

 

       The Comte du Fromage stood before his generals and raised a glass "To the health of his Majesty, Louis XIII, King of Freedonia, Ruler of the Western Seas and Guardian of the Faith" he exclaimed, the assembled generals shouted their assent and drank their draughts. "That being said we must now consider what we need to do to guarantee our own good health" the weary Comte intoned. 

I Won't Back Down; a battle outside the walls of Gruyere

        The Comte du Fromage sighed and looked up from his charts and maps, "What is it now?" he asked in an exasperated tone as he addressed the courier. The cavalryman bowed low and presented a sealed envelope to the Comte, "I would never have interrupted you but my General said this was most urgent".  The Marshall took the message, broke the seal and glanced at the the text of the communique.  "My good man you must see my cook for a quick meal, I want to see you back here within the hour". The courier bowed and withdrew.  

         The Count returned to his charts and maps, furiously concentrating on the dispositions of his troops and the map reflecting the progress of the mine below the walls of Gruyere. Unhappily satisfied that his worst suspicions were confirmed he sat down for a moment to gather his wits. After a couple of glasses of claret he called for his secretary, "It seems that our Frozonian friends have left us in the lurch, the Ferndalians are marching against us as we speak. We will have to cancel the assault and move troops to block the advance of the Ferndalains. Damn it! I should have insisted that we bring heavier guns! A battery of 18 pounders and these walls would have been dust weeks ago, instead we are forced to tunnel like rats beneath the ground. We will leave troops to cover the minehead but we will have to abandon the rest of the works. Two Squadrons and the Grenadier companies will stay; I will take the rest of our force and stop the Ferndalians. Leave word for the engineers to fire the mine as soon as is possible, we may need to have the fortress slighted if Fate treats us poorly".

         Duke Ivan "The Bitter" drove his men hard trying to cover ground before the Freedonian invaders could react. "March, my sons! The faster we move the less we will bleed!" He marched next to his green troops setting an example with his relentless energy, dismounting  and trudging along the muddy roads with his men. None dared to shirk their duty when a sixty year old Duke was marching next to them despite the soul-crushing pace. The miles from Cheddar were covered in just ten days at the cost of hundreds of stragglers but the Duke knew that time was more important than manpower. He needed to force a battle on the Freedonian invaders before Gruyere fell and provided them a base with access to the sea. The frantic messages from the city as they had followed the progress of the mine beneath their walls gave urgency to the Duke's normally impatient temperament; he drove his men not out of a sense of cruelty but out of cruel necessity, time was not their ally.

 

 

I Fought The Law....and The Law Won! A jailbreak on Pinatella goes badly awry

       This battle is a follow-on to The Relief of Pinatella which found the frigate Dijon having gone mercenary to be fighting against it old fleet-mates. The Dijon was sunk and such of the crew as were rescued were put on trial for being turn-coats. This game was fought using Pikemans Lament rules, the island was stylized to fit onto my tabletop.

the actual island of Pinatella

        The stink of unwashed bodies and fear filled the room; oblivious to it all Rene Chartrand leaned against the wall and looked at his former First Mate Alaine Clermont, "Well, we will all hang soon enough". 

        Clermont laughed grimly, "At the time seemed like a good idea to switch sides, in retrospect perhaps becoming prisoners of war would have been better. Shall I tell the boys that we are going to have to take action tonight?". He carefully dusted off his britches as he stood up to look out the tiny window of the cell.

          Chartrand stepped next to Clermont to peer down into the bay. He could see the King's Commissioner's boat leaving the harbor as the supply ship waited to enter. "I would say that tonight is our only chance, it is good to see that the supply boat is punctual, that is our ticket for of getting out of here. The watch changes at the fort at dusk, we will make our move then. With some luck we can get most of the way around the bay before the garrison discovers what we are up to"

Some Interesting Rules (and they are free!)

        Over at the Wars of Louis Quatorze website they have posted a link to some interesting new, and free, wargaming rules covering this period and then on through the end of the War of Spanish Succession.

        You can find the rules here but check out the entire website, Louis XIV's rule spanned the period from the end of the Thirty Years War to the establishment of the modern Europe as we know it today. There is tons of interesting articles and links.

A Note on the Epicurean Monetary System

 

        Centuries ago, when almost all of the continent of Epicurea was ruled by the Wholly Romaine Empire, the monetary system was established. Through the intervening years nations have risen and fallen but all have subscribed to the ancient method of accounting and payment. The simplicity and effectiveness of the system, combined with its universal acceptance, has made it one of the most enduring features of Epicurean life. It functions as follows:

Riding the Storm Out, Another Naval Affary ends poorly for Freedonia

       Louis the Ravenous sat on his throne leaning his head against his upthrust index finger which he was rubbing in small circles on his temple. He sighed deeply and asked, "So, what you are telling me is that the Northern Expedition has wandered off and gotten bogged down besieging some tiny port, the Gluttonians have failed to support our other troops in the efforts to free Viennee from the Ferndalian invaders and, on top of everything else, the wretched Ferndalians not only are patrolling just off our shore, they attack our ships as they are trying to return home.?" He raised an eyebrow and smiled dryly.

the situation at dawn, the ships were battered by last night's storm,

 all sustained some degree of damage; the smaller, handier and better crewed Ferndalian ships each got 1/2 d4 damage to each of their masts and 1/2 d6 to each hull section; the larger, less handy and indifferently crewed Freedonian ships suffered the same but did not halve the damage

Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't

 

Ferndalian Minister of War, Igor Mankowski, and his dream;

 a Duchy of his own, stretching across all of northern Gluttonia

       The Comte du Fromage smiled as he viewed the Small-Plater forces arrayed against him, "We shall show our Gluttonian allies how to conduct a proper assault. Nothing like their bungled efforts at the Blutiger Bach two weeks ago" he proclaimed with a satisfied tone, "Now let us have breakfast before we get on with today's work". The Freedonians had spent the past weeks maneuvering around the siegeworks of the Ferndalian invaders seeking to get a feel for the enemy's response time and the strength of the ring of earthworks that surrounded the city of Vienee. 

       At long last they had found a gap  in the line right near the village of Stalzdat, granted it was a position that needed little improvement; a continuous line of hills that covered the road that the Ferndalians were using as a supply route. A single redoubt covered the lone gap in the hill line, hosting a pair of cannon aimed right down the road. The Comte was aware that it was a strong position, but he had a three-to-one superiority in Horse and his Foot doubled the number opposing him and he felt confident of the outcome of this contest.

The Hazards of High Office

 

Mankowski contemplates the loss of his ear

       Igor Mankowski slumped backward into his chair as Peter the Famished stormed out of the King's Private Chambers bellowing for his lunch. The searing pain in his right ear meant two things; one good, one bad. Good, that the King had not shot him between the eyes (like the last Minister of War), the King rarely missed and would have reloaded if he had needed to! Bad, that his right ear would forever have to be hidden by his wig.

Shadows of the Night, The Battle of the Blutiger Bach

 

       Emmanuel Costanza, Duke of Brie, looked with satisfaction as his troops drew up into formation. Turning to his aide-de-camp he smiled, "Did you enjoy your breakfast?" the youth nodded nervously, "That is well, for I'm afraid that we shall miss Lunch and are most likely to be late for Dinner. The enemy has claimed the heights and we will have our day's work set before us to drive them off" he motioned to the dark formations along the hilltop that the light of dawn was slowly revealing. "Have our Freedonian allies shown up?" he inquired.

         "No, they are still hours away, your majesty", the aide-de-camp squinted into the murky darkness to the west, "They seem to lack a sense of urgency".

          The Duke leaned toward him with a conspiratorial grin, "Frankly I don't trust them and would be happy to claim this day without their help. They seem to think that the land they help us liberate will be theirs in the end", he urged his steed forward, "Let us examine the enemy's position more closely".

Let It Burn!

the Ferndalian plan for 1620

       Disgusted with his ministers and the failures of his Intelligence services Peter the Famished pounded his fist on the table and shouted once more, "Damn the North! Let It Burn! We have advanced thus far and I will not be distracted by the Freedonian adventurers and the turbulent Frozonians. After we capture the capital we can mop up those fools." He looked up at the cowering courtiers and asked in a darkly threatening tone, "Do any of you have something worthwhile to tell me?". The Minister of War exchanged glances with the Finance Minister, "Well , Your Majesty, I have good news from the west". Peter leaned back in his chair smiling vicously, "Do tell, my faithful servant", he enjoined.
         Igor Mankowski had served as Peter's Minister of War long enough to have learned that it was best to lead with the bad news. He had let the others broach the subject of the Frozonian atrocities and the failure of Boozonia to keep the Freedonians out of their lands before he began his dissertation. "Your Highness knows of the attack on the bridge of boats, a surprise to say the least. But meaningless in the larger picture as we had already resupplied the portion of the capital that the Small-Platers control. The attack stripped out a significant portion of the garrison of the northern third of the capital, it is now held by a skeleton force and we will likely be able to capture it by assault instead of a lengthy siege". He unrolled a large map across the table showing in detail the area around the Gluttonian capital, "Their infantry fled downriver in the pontoons, their cavalry is scattered to the winds while their Freedonian allies wander the swamps of our northern provinces"
        Peter held up his hand, Mankowski instinctively paused, "How long before the Proper Mealers can organize a response?" the King queried.
         "Given the distances they will need to march, three to five weeks", Mankowski's index finger stabbed the map at the location of the Gluttonian Proper Mealer winter quarters, "They are badly out of place, do doubt expecting that their friends northern adventure  would  keep you distracted".
        The King leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he traced the path of the roads to the capital, "Deliver me unto that city and I will make you Duke of all the lands that fall to our swords this year" his voice was like the purr of a beast of prey. He leaned back in his chair, "Now go! Deliver me victories! I need to be freed of this lunatic Prince who has been wandering my palace; get him a throne of his own!"
        Minister of War Mankowski smiled as he walked down the hall to his office, "Duke eh? Of all the lands that fall to our sword?" he thought as he walked into his private chambers and looked at the wall map with the dispositions of the Ferndalian armies, "Well then, I will be almost a King myself, and Hanz will be Emperor of nothing"  he laughed quietly to himself then whispered, "Emperor Igor Mankowski The First".........

the (proposed) Grand Duchy of Mankowski

Nowhere To Run.......The Great Raid on Camembert

         Tadeusz Podolski looked up from the document that he was reading and squinted at his brother,  Krzysztof, "Are you sure of this?" he asked, his voice loaded with anticipation. Krzysztof smiled, "Yes, we found that in a local post office just a day ago". The document in question was a invitation to a local Ferndalian noble to attend a Grand Cotillion at the Summer Palace of Peter the Famished on the 23rd of July, Anno Domini 1620 in Camembert. "But we have only a week to get there", Tadeusz worried.  Krzysztof patted him on the shoulder, "We are just over 120 versts away, three days journey without tiring the horses and we can capture the oppressor himself. Think of the fame! Think of the freedom! Think of the prestige! Frozonia will be forever independent, our father's dream will at last become true". 

       Tadeusz felt his pulse quicken at the thought but, ever the cautious planner, he unrolled a map of northern Ferndalia, "Show me again your proposed route". As his brother pointed out the plan of action and described the different inbound and return trips he felt the confidence grow in his mind. "Take the whole army except the levies, we will make a great show of activity with the Husarska trainees along the northern approaches to distract Ferndalians. Return victorious!" He reached out and they shook hands, "For Father!" he proclaimed, "For Frozonia" he brother returned.

Good Times, Bad Times....The Destruction of the Bridge of Boats, July 12th, 1620AD

a contest of conflicting plans

       The siege of central Vienee had gone on since December, the city managed to hold on to some of the surrounding farmlands and was able to gather supplies from there but, by the time Spring had arrived, things were truly desperate. Butter and heavy cream for making sauces were in short supply. White flour for pastries was nearly gone. Most spices were nigh unto impossible to find and even sausages were rising in price. Surrender was looking more and more like the only remaining option.

       Enter the hero, Victor von Hastenburg, the First Imperial Engineer of Ferndalia, he convinced Peter the Famished that as the Small-Platers controlled the eastern shore of the Upper Gluten River they should build a bridge of boats across and supply the city by that route. Many scoffed at his idea, the river being nearly 3/4 of a mile wide at that point. Von Hastenburg swore it could be done and wagered to pay for the bridge himself if the attempt failed. Faced with such confidence (and suffering no loss if the effort came to naught) Peter gave his approval.  Von Hastenburg set to work and had the bridge assembled and in operation by the end of May despite the problems raised by The Plague. The capital was saved!

       The Proper-Mealers were blissfully unaware of all this until a cavalry patrol pushing down the north bank of the spotted the vast span reaching across the river . They were chased away by the Small-Platers but the cat was out of the bag. Many stratagems were employed to try to break the bridge, first a barge laden with combustibles was launched downstream but that was diverted by the stalwart Small-Plater guard boats. Next an intrepid crew of soldiers drifted downstream on a foggy night with axes intending to cut the hawsers holding the bridge in place, this time they were thwarted by the bells that the engineers had craftily hung on the ropes, the ringing of the bell brought the guard boats out again. Eventually it was decided  that only a proper expedition would be able to capture the end of the bridge and cut it loose from it's moorings. A force of cavalry and fast-marching infantry was assembled from the garrison of North Veinee and sent down the Old Post Road (a little-traveled byway that hoped to bypass the enemy's cavalry patrols).  All would have been well except for one small detail, a spy in the boarding house of the Proper-Mealer officers. The shoe would be on the other foot, the Proper-Mealers would not be executing a surprise attack, they would be walking into a trap. 

The Army of Free Frozonia

the core of the Frozonian army, the famous Winged Hussars

       Tiny, but fierce and famously independent, the reborn army of the Seventh War of Frozoniain Emancipation has at it's center the battle-dominating Winged Hussars. Drawn from the landed gentry each Hussar competes with all the others for splendor, heroism and fame. Like the ancient Vikings they consider dying in battle to be this highest honor to which a man can aspire. Hussars are accompanied by the vassals from their estates who serve in large units of levies, they lack a great deal of martial skill but can control areas of the battle field by their sheer numbers and considerable staying power. Other Freemen serve as well; those wealthy enough to own horses serve in the famed Lisowczycy Light Horse, scouting ahead of the army and harassing the enemy's flanks during battles. Humble Freemen serve on foot in the Haiduks, fierce warriors that combine their muskets with heavy bardische axes (used as musket rests when shooting). These nimble soldiers can scout rough terrain and move freely about the battlefield hunting for opportunities to discomfit the enemy.The individual units of the army can be quite powerful but this force is very sensitive to casualties given the small population that it is drawn from.

      Commander In Chief  Grand Hetman Tadeusz Podolski               Rank 5

          Second in Command   Hetman  Krzysztof Podolski         Rank 4

           Andrzej Seweryn   Hetman of the Hussars                      Rank 4

           Krzysztof Kieslowski                                                       Rank 3
           Dariusz Michalczewski                                                    Rank 3

           Zbigniew Boniek Hetman of the Lisowczycy                  Rank 3
           Adam Malysz                                                                   Rank 3

          Andrzej Golota    Hetman of the Foot                               Rank 3
          Czeslaw Milosz                                                                 Rank 3

                  The Winged Hussars; six units of Husarska
                  The Lisowczycy          seven units of Organized Lisowczycy with pistols
                  The Haiduks                four unit of Well Equipped Veteran Haiduks with Halberds
                  The Levy                     Two units of Well Equipped, Large, Obedient Levies without pikes


         With the stunning success of the early days of the campaign more men are expected to join the colors soon , but for now, these men are sword and shield of Frozonia.
           

Wild Horses.....but more appropriately; Winged Hussars!

       Tadeusz Podolski looked up from his desk at the dusty messenger that had just clattered into his courtyard and rushed into his house. The Governor of Frozonia had received far too many hurried messages of bad news in the last three months but his expression softened when he realized that it was his young nephew, Kazimierz. "Well, what brings my favorite nephew to my house in such a hurry on this fine day?" The young man made a concerted effort to compose himself as he straightened his uniform and drew an envelope from his jacket pocket. With deliberate formality he bowed and presented the envelope to his uncle.

        Tadeusz reached out and took the proffered packet from his nephew with a quizzical look. Turning it over he saw that it bore the seal of his brother, but not the seal of the Commander of the Fortress of Druhzba, but instead the seal of the family Poldolski. "So this personal message had to be sent with great haste?" he asked his nephew, "Has the plague claimed another of our House?" He saw his nephew's eyes widen slightly and a faint flicker of a grin dance across his face, "No sir!" he replied smartly. "I believe that you will be a happy recipient of this news, But my father forbade me from telling you, he desired to be the one that broke the news to you, Sir!"

         Tadeusz raised one eyebrow then looked back down at the packet as he slid his thumb under the wax seal and broke it open. He carefully open the letter and began to read it. His eyes narrowed and he stood up so suddenly that his chair flew across the room,  he looked up at Kazimierz with a smile of joy spreading across his face, "Is this true? he asked in an incredulous tone, This isn't some sort of cruel joke, is this really true?" The boy returned his smile, "Yes, Uncle, it is! As real as the sunrise!"

         Tadeusz threw back his head and laughed for joy, "After all these years, and all those broken promises, they have finally come to our aid!" He turned to the credenza next to his desk and picked up a bottle of vodka, "We drink!" He shouted, "We drink to a free Frozonia, the Freedonians have finally marched to our aid!" He pulled out the cork and took a long draught before passing the bottle to his nephew. "You will have the chance to earn your wings before the week is out lad, Free Frozonia!"

        The other half of Louis the Ravenous' foreign policy had fallen into place. Not only had Louis invaded Ferndalia via Boozonia, he had managed to convince the recently reconquered Frozonians to join him in his attack on the Ferndalian Northern Marches. He knew that the Frozonians chafed under harsh rule of the House of Whey and would need little prompting to rise up and try to re-establish their ancient freedoms. He counted on that desire to persuade the Frozonians to put an army into the field in Peter's rear and ease the task of his own invading army. Let us see how that turned out....

Take Me To The River.... The Battle of Belmas

the blue line reflects the march of the Freedonian Army through neutral Boozonia

        In an outrageous act of aggression the Freedonain army marched through plague-stricken Boozonia to attack Ferndalia, Using secretly placed supplies they were able to keep up a blistering marching pace that made any response by the Boozonian army impossible. The Boozonian Lord High Constable, Gordon Ramsey, has ordered the Freedonian Ambassador to report to his office to answer an Inquiry as to these events, additionally he has closed the border with Freedonia.
       Upon debouching into the northern plains of Ferndalia the Freedonians found only local border-guards and militia opposing them. These troops were mostly viewed as an inconvenience. Resistance grew over time as the local Governors frantically gathered troops and ordered the burning of bridges and supplies to slow the Freedonian advance. At the tiny market town of Belmas the ancient stone bridge defied attempts to blow it up and the Ferndalians were forced to turn and confront their invaders.
         Having no time to file the troops across the narrow bridge the Ferndalians were forced to turn and fight. With a force of local militia, supported by a moldering cannon found on an estate, two units of Regular Foote and two brigades of Cuirassiers that had rushed to the scene from the Capitol they formed a line across the path of the invaders advance. Their flanks were guarded by two rivers that joined just behind their position, but this also meant that the only means of escape was that lone bridge to their left rear. Snacks and sandwiches were distributed along the line by the Students of the Culinary Academy, along with the last of the remaining ammunition. This would be a desperate fight indeed!
         The foot-sore soldiers of Louis the Ravenous were happy to see the enemy finally stop and face them. They had been marching almost non-stop for the last week and a half and were in a mood for a good brawl. They could scarcely believe their luck that the enemy chose to fight on this side of the bridge rather than retiring to defend the far bank. As the morning fog lifted they could see the serried ranks of the enemy across the battlefield, they were happy for the full breakfast they had just enjoyed but were concerned that lunch was unlikely to be served on time.
      This game was played using the Tercio rules from Liber Militium.

Gimmie Shelter.........A Naval Scenario

       At last we return to the gaming table! Huzzah! We rejoin the ongoing conflict in Epicurea to find that the Ferndalians had taken advantage of the disruption caused by the plague to isolate the island of Pinatella with an eye to starving it into submission. Late word of this came to the ears of Louis the Ravenous and he demanded that action be taken forthwith. Two galleons were prepared and loaded with extra troops and supplies and sent off to rescue Pinatella. As they approached the island they were spotted by the Ferndalian blockade squadron and a bitter battle ensued. we played the game using the "Ship of the Line"/"Wooden Ships and Iron Men" rules system with modifications for free movement, the scale difference and the earlier period. We used my fleet of 1/350th scale ships from Zvezda for the game, you can see how I built these over on my regular gaming blog Anton's Wargame Blog.

the scenario, the Freedonian squadron (lower right of the picture) sails resolutely onward while the Ferndalian squadron hurries to engage the enemy outside of the range of the fort's guns

The tiny island of Pinatella

       Not being able to advance the campaign because my State is in a condition of imprisonment I sought to amuse myself by building a 1/350 scale starfort to go with the 1/350th scale fleet that I have been building for the naval side of the campaign. Things spun out of control (as they so often do when I start a terrain project) and I ended up with a starfort and the island it guards. Now I'm tempted to expand the mission and build a few port cities as well.

       This is the tiny island of Pinatella, valued for its fine harbor and fresh water supply it is located off the southwestern end of Mindoro. As such it is perfectly situated to monitor traffic moving along the southern passages and has been fought over from time immemorial. It has an old crusader fort and a splendid new starfort to guard the harbor. The unusual shape of the island comes from the fact that it is the collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano. The soft volcanic tuff stone captures and hold rainwater making this tiny island an excellent source of fresh water.

       It is the personal property of the Royal House of Freedonia. As such the King likes to keep his political enemies locked up in the old Crusader Castle (known locally as the "Black Tower", both for its appearance and its reputation!).

       I had a few hours free so I finished the job

Plague Year!!!

Woe Betide Us All!

         It began in the very early Spring, as the recruiters spread across the countryside looking to hire soldiers for the coming campaigns. A cough, a sniffle, a fever and soon thousands were swept away in a tide of misery. Borders were closed, economies collapsed, trade ceased but the casualty count kept going up.
        Authorities tried everything imaginable without any noteworthy success and soon fell to bickering about blame. This did little to comfort the sick or grieving. Experts had many ideas, some of which worked some of the time, but no certain cure was found. 
       Then the Plague began to fade, creeping away carrying its stolen souls into the darkness. The stunned survivors were left to try to mend their hearts and hearths, to try to pick up the pieces and return to normal burdened with the sombre knowledge that, despite their science and civilization, a silent invisible killer could sweep them away unbidden and unexpectedly.

         My sincere condolences to any and all that have suffered the loss of a loved one or been thrown into poverty through this pandemic. Hopefully we have all learned something through this trying time.

The Origins of the Hamburger Heresy

 

what is a sausage without it's skin?

       In the days before the Battle of Hamburger in the year 1619 a cavalry raid took place far to the flank of the assembling armies. It was nothing more than a small force of horse with orders to interdict enemy supplies. Capture what you can, burn or spoil the rest. A simple enough mission but, in this case, fraught with potentialities.
        As it was, the horsemen found a train of wagons loaded with barrels. Inside those barrels were miles of brined animal intestine; the sort of thing used as casing for sausages. Thinking that the casing would be slow to move and of little value they broke the barrels and burned the wagons before driving away the farmers and stealing their horses. A small thing in the greater scope of the war one would think. But not in this case, the simple act of vandalism gave birth to a much larger controversy. The Hamburger.
        Those barrels belonged to an enterprising merchant who had bought up all of the casing for miles around and then struck a deal to deliver sufficient casing to provide both armies with sausage to their troopers. Sausage was a staple food in both armies; otherwise unpalatable meat could be mixed with binder and spice and provide a satisfying meal to a Proper Mealer trooper, or could be tucked into a split loaf of bread for snacking by a Small Plater. The merchant stood to get rich if he could only deliver the supplies to the attendant chefs. Then this disaster struck!
         On the day before the battle the chefs had gotten up early and begun grinding the meat, adding the spices and binder and allowing the mix to age slightly before preparing to push it into the sausage filling machines. But alas! No casing arrived! Frantic messengers were sent in search of the missing shipments. The countryside was combed through for the missing merchant (who, upon hearing of the raid had high-tailed it out of the area and caught ship for distant lands!). All that was found was the stinking burnt remains of the wagons and their load.
       Needless to say the chefs were desperate. The meat, which could have been made into a stew or soup, was already ground, mixed and aged. It would have to be cooked and served in some way or the troops would go into battle hungry with a concomitant reduction in morale (neither side knew that the opposition was in the same sorry circumstances). By a bizarre set of circumstances chefs on both sides came up with the same resolution to the crisis. Form the meat into patties and then grill it over a flame. The Small Platers served thin patties inside biscuits with cheese and onions atop the meat. The troops, at first suspicion of the arrangement, came to like the repast and nicknamed them "Sliders". The Proper Meal cooks, looking to replace the missing meat in the third course, molded the ground flesh to replicate the shape of a steak, christening the product "Chopped Steak". The troops took to it readily remarking that it was far tastier and easier to chew than the army's usual version of steak which had earned the nickname "Old Boot".
           These emergency measures were cast aside by the chefs as soon as supplies of casing could be located and proper sausages could be made; but troopers on both sides began to inquire about the "Hamburger" a name popularized by it's association with the town that also gave it's name to the subsequent battle. They began to sneak away and grind their own meat into patties and prepare it upon hastily constructed grills of greenwood branches (which they claimed gave the meat a particular flavor depending on the wood used). Efforts were made on both sides to quash this new source of dissension, but the tastes of the soldiers were not to be denied. Secret groups began assemble away from the camps or barracks for what the soldiers glibly referred to as "cookouts" and an entire sub-culture developed around this habit. To confuse the authorities seeking to suppress this heresy the soldiers used the code word "barbecue" (a bit of verbal nonsense designed to sow confusion) when speaking of such assemblies.
         From small things such new controversies are born!

The Ammo Raid of Crowley a Pikemans Lament AAR

 

the Ferndalian raiding party invades Boozonia

         Sergeant Sean O"Loughlin looked in dismay at the troops surrounding him; mostly old men, boys and idiots........not one in twenty had ever used a weapon in anger. The militia of Crowley were a sorry sight indeed. "Once more Lads!" he bellowed at his pikemen in training. The gaggle of men shuffled into a sort of a formation, their pikes wavering from side to side and the men bumping into one another as they tried to steady the cumbersome weapons. Once they were roughly in line O'Loughlin stepped out of the front rank and turned around to face his charges, "Hoist yer pikes". The men raised the pikes to rest on their right shoulders, another round of wavering and staggering passed through the group. "Present yer pikes!" O'Loughlin ordered. The militiamen lowered the pikes trying to keep them level with the ground at shoulder height, several men dropped their weapons and had to retrieve them from the grass. "Advance  on my order........Addd---Vance!" the sergeant called out, the formation promptly took several steps forward, losing all resemblance to a phalanx in the process. "HALT! For God's sake Halt! Before you fools hurt each other". Furious at the collective incompetence O'Loughlin threw his halberd on the ground and walked away from the men to calm his nerves with a draught of whiskey.
       Seeing his drillmaster at wits end Sire Kincannon rode toward him to reassure him. "Having a time of it, old friend?" he inquired.
        O'Loughlin shook his head slowly, "They are more of  a hazard to each other than they ever will be to some Ferndalian rider", he replied with dismay. "I fear that the only thing they will manage to do is get themselves killed".
       Kincannon smiled at his friend, "Calm yourself Sean. The enemy cannot see the fear in their hearts or their lack of skill with a pike. They can only see the glittering points, drill them to receive cavalry with the butt on the ground and in a dense mass and they will be little troubled with the Ferndalian Horse. If you would seek a real nightmare we can swap jobs and you can try to make warriors out of these old gentlemen and their errant houseboys, all of whom consider themselves to be cavalry by way of knowing which end of a horse is the front"
         "Thank you Sire, but no, I've never been comfortable on such a beast and wouldn't presume to try. I would give my right eye for another cannon though".
          Kincannon looked up onto the hill where the artillerists were busily digging in and weaving gabions to fill with earth. "And I would as well to make that total three. Guard yourself well, and no heroics! I shall see you on the morrow"
         "You as well Sire, fare thee well"

For my most able Spy.....

To: Scaramouce; 28MAR1620

From: His Most August and Benign Majesty, Peter II, of the House of Whey

Re: Action to be taken.


              I have read you note and have dispatched a battalion of Foote and severall Squadrons of Horse. The bearer of this message has sufficient gold to ensure that you can pay any and all bribes  needed to effect our plans. Push forward instantly and afford me news of your progress, I have already set the forces into motion. We shall teach these uncouth Boozonians a lesson that they will not soon forget.


                      As Always, Your Sovereign

A Secret and Most Urgent Message for King Peter II

To: Your Most Gracious and Magnificent Lordship; Peter II, Star of the House of Whey

From: Your Most Dedicated Servant, known to your august person as "Scaramouce"

Re: An opportunity to exact vengeance on the Boozonian upstarts


           Through diverse and unsavory methods I have discovered that the Boozonian army is intending to move a vast amount of gunpowder from one armory to another inside the borders of Boozonia, no doubt in support of another "accidental invasion" of our lands. I have it within my abilities to ensure that the shipment is stranded without oxen for a period of about a week near the mid-point of its travels. A fast-moving raiding party would be in position to capture and destroy this valuable asset at that location if you choose to do so.

          Please advise right away so that I can take the necessary steps to enact this plan if you choose to pursue this action.

         Be advised that the sentiment in the Highlands of Boozonia is unequivocally  for war, the Lowlands are much more tepid in that consideration. This action may drive Boozonia into the arms of the enemy.  Additionally it has come to my attention that there have been communications between the Boozonian and Freedonian governments and following those contacts the Boozonian government has begun assembling supplies along its borders with our fair land. It appears that they intend action along our borders already.


                           Your Faithful and Honest Servant,


                                                                         Scaramouce
                                                                         21MAR1620

Before Even One Blade of Grass; 25MAR1620 AAR

 

the field of battle, so peaceful right now,

when viewed this way north is to the top of the picture, the capital is to the right

       In this age of madness attempting to organize a wargame with one's chums can be a rather vexing effort. Most of my wargaming buddies are of an age that would be considered "medically at risk of contagion" for one reason or another. In light of that I decided to take all of the precautions that I was able to avail myself of. First, I laid out the terrain and minis three days in advance of the proposed date (COVID-19 has a maximum surface viability of 72 hours according to the WHO and CDC). Two, I limited the number of players drastically. Three, I have Chlorox Wipes for every player to wipe down their hands, dice and rulers with before commencing play. Fourth, refreshments will not be served. And fifth, the game will be played as quickly as possible and there will be no "bull session" after the game. With these safeguards in place I feel comfortable that I won't be endangering my guests.

       As it turned out Trunkmonkey was the lone gamer available so I took over the task of running the Proper Meal Faction (a bad choice as I am terrible with cavalry and the rescue force was entirely mounted!).

A Test for the Master General of Advanced Workes

       Having been appointed to the rank of Master General of Advanced Workes Sir Juan Cassiavertes gathered his troops and began his task.  As well as attempting to select the best location fort the forts Sir Juan Cassiavertes kept a constant eye on the capital to see if the enemy was going to react to his placing a noose around their supply-line. Eventually it happened and the Small Platers, having realized what he was up to, sent out a force to arrest his efforts.

Before Even One Blade of Grass Grows Green....

To My Most Loyal and Virtuous Servant, Sir Juan Cassiavertes

From His Most Serene and Wise Monarch, Franz de Flamboise, Emperor of Gluttonia


        I am both amused and delighted by your adherence to my will. I greatly enjoyed your missive and after due consideration have decided that this undertaking that you have proposed is worthy of exertion on our part.

        I hereby command that you gather together several troops of Foote, and such Cavalrie as are deemed necessary to guard their actions, along with at least one light gun per fort and go forth to construct a line of forts blocking the enemies access to the hinterlands and the associated forage.

        These forts are to be constructed to most efficaciously block the transit of wagons along the roadways rather than to physically obstruct the roadway itself (unless that is the best way to achieve the aim). These advanced workes will be supported at some short distance by a fortified encampment of Foote and Horse that shall be tasked with the defense of such workes in the event that the enemy would sally forth in great numbers to reduce the advanced units. This construction must be completed with the utmost haste, I wish that it be finished before even one blade of grass grows green.

        As this is your suggestion I am elevating you to the rank of Master General of the Advanced Workes. Anyone that stands in the way of your assignment should be reported to me directly and I will be certain to administer a sudden and painful punishment.

          Fail me not.


          Cordially,
                              Your Emperor, the Seat of Wisdom and Grace in this benighted land.

For the Consideration of His Most Royal Majestie....

To our Most Esteemed and Honorable Royal Majestie

From his Utterly Humble and Loyal Servant Sir Juan Cassiavertes

      An Observation on Increasing the Discomfiture of the Benighted Small Platers in our Capital


             Throughout the Winter, in abject obedience to your Royal Personages' Order, we have kept the Small Platers under close observation. It has been seen that the Small Platers have been foraging in the narrow stretch of land that runs between the rivers west of the capital. It has occurred to us (as surely it would have occurred to your Most Wise and Noble person if you had not been burdened with a thousand other items of vast importance) that the closure of this avenue of resupply would be most advantageous going into the next campaign year.
       The loss of forage would cripple their Horse and starve their transport animals as well as hurt the rations of the surrounded troops. While it is beyond the strength of our forces to close the entire width of the peninsula the construction of sconces or small earthen forts at the bridges over certain irrigation ditches would greatly hamper the enemy . With the bridges closed the enemy would no longer be able to transport supplies by wagon, greatly hampering his collection of fodder and supplies.
       It would be a most singular honor if Your Majestie would find the time to consider this suggestion.


                       Your Unwavering and Most Loyal Soldier,

                                                Sir Juan Cassiavertes       

Khurasan 15mm TWY miniatures

              At Christmas my son bought me some 15mm Khurasan Thirty Years War minis. I finally got around to painting them and I am quite satisfied with the results (despite my limited painting skills). Five Generals, three of which depict the "Three Sons of Gluttonia"; Hanz, Granz and Clauz. The balance of the minis are sword and buckler figures to provide Melee Companies to back up my existing Thirty Years War figures, five bases in all. But on to the minis!

 

the Three Princes; Hanz, Franz and Clauz

very nice figures with loads of character and detail

A Matter of Outposts

       To; Commandant of Veloute
       From: Captain  Lars Vanderhoute
       Regarding:  The recovery of two cannon by our patrols along the road to Bourguignonne


                 As your esteemed majesty will remember the enemy engaged out forces on the 25th of October in Anno Domini 1619. In the course of that battle our troops routed the enemy militia of Veloute and overran their guns. These cannon were not recovered at the time because the enemy had burned the carriages. I am happy to report that those guns are now safely on their way to you. On the 26th of January one of our patrols observed a sizeable enemy force moving to the old battlefield.  At first they thought it was just Small-Platers foraging but as they continued to observe it was clear that the enemy was up to more than collecting supplies.     
        They reported this activity and continued to shadow the Small Plater unit. As they observed the enemy I ordered that all of our available patrols were to be summoned to the area. We waited until the Small Platers had remounted the guns on carriages and had brought in draft animals to begin carrying away the cannon. At that time we had only been able to assemble four companies of Horse and two of Dragoons, the enemy had two units of Horse, a unit of Pike and three of Shot as well as artificers, drovers and gunners. Despite the lack of infantry I decided to launch an attack as the enemy was harnessing his teams to remove the cannon. Through the bold and brave action of our soldiers we were able to overcome the enemy and eventually capture the cannon and draft teams. Causalities among our troopers were unavoidable and heavy but the enemy force was scattered.


            Your Most Humble and Obdedient Servant,
                                                               Captain Lars Vanderhoute

 

the patrols from the west advanced resolutely and in perfect order, 

the dragoons were particularly effective in countering the enemy musketeers hidden in the woods

 

with the musketeers distracted by the Dragoons, Lt. Deveraux's Horse charged the cannon and drove off the gunners while Lt. Asby-Smythe's Horse shattered the Small-Plater Cuirassiers

 

Lt. Asby-Smythe deserves particular credit for his heroic actions leading his men they completely shattered the enemy's heavy cavalry with one brilliant charge 

       This was a small battle that we fought out using Pikemans Lament, I do apologize for using my Lace Wars Horse, I am still in the process of painting my remaining Thirty Years War Horse.

Dijon In The Dunes......

.......or How To Save Your Frigate (which you thoughtlessly let become grounded on a hostile shore)

December 6th, Anno Domini 1619, somewhere on the coast of Nylia

           This small  game is a follow-up to The Tale of Two Frigates; it was played using Pikemans Lament rules with one modification; a failed Command Test would not end your turn just prevent the unit in question from moving. The Nylian force consisted of eight units of Akinji, mounted troops that were treated as Trotters and four units of Azabs who were treated as Clansmen. The stranded sailors were represented by the Topmen (sailors used to working the rigging and less suited to melee) they were formed into units of Commanded Shot, Deck Hands who were treated as Clansmen, and Cadre (officers and Marines) who were considered to be Veteran Forlorn Hope. The Freedonians had also managed to recover a Heavy Cannon from the frigate and place it in a prepared position. The Freedonians also had constructed some redoubts from wreckage and barrels of supplies. Trunkmonkey commanded the Freedonains and I ran the Nylains.

 

the Nylian force, eight units of Akinji and four of Azabs,

 and. ironically,  a glass of bourbon

A Tale of Two Frigates

            Captain Rene Chartrand looked at his ship, the Dijon, as she lay on the sand, battered and beached by the storm, then he glanced further down the shore at the broken remains of the Moutarde and sighed. Shielding his eyes against the glare of the sun he sought out his First Mate Alaine Clermont. "How many healthy men have we left?" he queried.
             Alaine looked up at his from his seat on a barrel, and replied in a matter of fact tone, "Between both vessels we have about two hundred men fit for service and another fifty that will be fit in a few days, the rest are drowned or soon to be dead".
            "Food and water?"  the Captain queried.
            "We are fortunate in that we had just been re-provisioned; enough to last us six weeks at full rations. Much was spoiled but then, many men are dead, so it works out rather well"
             Chartrand felt somehow annoyed at Alaine's callous tone but tried to focus on the matter at hand. "How long do you think it will take to get the Dijon afloat?" he asked as he gazed at the rigging trying to determine how badly the lines had been damaged.
             Alaine leaned back on his seat, squinted against the sun and replied in a surprisingly confident tone, "Twenty-one days exactly, M'Lord"
            "You are a wonder-worker Alaine, just three weeks? That is wonderful" Chartrand was elated at the good news, he had been dreading spending the better part of six weeks on this God-forsaken beach.
            "Be careful of what you wish. I said three weeks because the extreme high tide will lift the vessel in that time regardless of whether we have made her seaworthy or not. One way or another there will be sea beneath the keel."
             Chartrand felt the blood drain from his face and his shoulders slumped, how could his first command of a ship have ended so poorly? "Well we will certainly have our work cut out for us then".
             Alaine replied with a chuckle, "I wouldn't be too worried M'Lord, we are unlikely to be alive at the time of the tide"
             Chartrand shot him a quizzical glance, "Good God man, what are you talking about, you just told me that we have food and water for six weeks!"
             Alaine gave him a graveyard grin and pointed southward across the dunes at the line of figures on the horizon, "There were only one or two an hour ago, now there are dozens, within a couple of hours there are likely to be hundreds. They are here to pillage the wrecks and we are in their way"
            "We can let them have the Moutarde while we keep the Dijon, no blood needs to be spilt over this" the Captain said hopefully as he gazed at the tiny dark outlines on the edge of the dunes.
            "I like your way of thinking Captain, but, as soon as they find out that we are Freedonians, they will want our heads. The Sultan of Nylia still has a bounty on Freedonians sailors, ever since the Battle of Guigal Gulf in 1602. His favorite son died there fighting against us."
            "Well then. It seems that we have an abundance of problems this day my dear Mr. Clermont. Have the men gather any arms and powder that they can find. We will construct a barricade of wreckage, barrels and crates and see about getting a few cannons off the ship to provide these scavengers a warm welcome".

Preparing for Flintcon 2020

 

 

the armies laid out on a 6 x 4 foot table

the convention game will be on an 8 x 5 table and feature a lot more terrain

      I will be hosting a demo game of Tercio at Flintcon on 8FEB2020  in the afternoon session. If you would like to give the rules a go without having to rebase all of your minis drop on by and take a role as a general (or two). You can download a free copy of the simplified rules compliments of the publisher