Monday, March 23, 2026

Cossacks Without Horses

With thoughts rumbling around in my head about bringing the Second Coalition Russians to the table for their first battle and the recent Battle of Montebello still fresh in mind, more early Napoleonics are seeing action at the painting desk.  In work are two regiments of Russian musketeers.  First up, though, is a body of Russian dismounted Cossacks or militia.
Given the harsh terrain of fighting in the Alps during Suvorov's 1799 Italian and Swiss campaign, I figured a number of the Cossacks would be forced into trudging through the mountain passes on foot.  These fellows will be utilized in a dismounted cavalry role.
These dozen Cossacks are Old Glory figures led by (I think!) an Essex officer that I have had lingering in the bits box for decades.  Good to clean out a bin and get these figures into the "Completed" side of the Painting Ledger.  Painting activity picks up in March, and early counts show that totals will exceed 100 figures painted in the month.  A milestone I do not often reach.       
Returning to the Battle of Montebello, the scenario saw action only once.  I plan to rectify that inaction and bring the game back to the table for an encore engagement or two.  Actually, the battle never left the table and remains in situ after the last die roll.  I have been pondering the game and the scenario.  My thoughts on that first game and scenario are being tossed around in my head.  Perhaps some of those thoughts will make it here.
On the gaming front, two games are scheduled this week.  First up, later today, is a return to Koenig Krieg and Richard's tiles as he presents a new remote battle on the subcontinent.  Should be fun.

More gaming on the horizon.

35 comments:

  1. The Cosacks look great Jon, nice looking unit.

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  2. Nice work on the cossacks Jon, is there an army or period that you DON'T have a bin of unpainted figures for??!

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    1. Thanks! There may be a few omissions in The Lead Pile.

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  3. Fab looking Cossacks Jon. Love the brown coats. I do like having the odd drab coloured unit on display as well as the usual colourful uniforms.

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    1. Thanks, Ray! Aren't most of your "Retreat from Moscow" troops in greatcoats and rags?

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    2. Exactly Jon. Just add the odd splash of colour and that's perfect.

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  4. I imagine that a regiment of Unhorsed Cossacks would be so grouchy at the prospect of leaving their mounts behind, mountains or no!

    They look great though!

    Hope those games are memorable mate.

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    1. You are correct, Dai! These Cossacks are likely not so happy to be slogging on foot.

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  5. Jonathan, I bet those Cossacks are unhappy at walking!
    Neil

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  6. Really like the look of those cossacks

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    1. Thank you! The Old Glory sculpts are pretty good.

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  7. A very nice addition Jonathan, and it is always that little bit more satisfying when you can use a figure from the bits box.

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    1. Thank you! Pulling something from the bits box is a score in my book too!

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  8. I do like the basing with mounted officer with the troops.

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    1. Thank you, Peter! I like the add mounted officer to a stand too.

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  9. They look great Jonathan but I imagine they didn't like walking.

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    1. Thank you, Ben! I agree walking would not be their preferred method of travel.

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  10. Jonathan, another unit pulled from the forgotten zone, and such good looking fellows to boot. After you have played Montebello a game for the early Napoleonics would be cool.

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    1. Thanks, Anon! I have some ideas for scenarios but nothing concrete yet. Perhaps the 1799 Battle of Trebbia?

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  11. Trebbia would be a good choice.

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  12. Those Cossacks look rather nice Jon and would make for good light troops maybe? Nice to see you have some games lined up too:).

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    1. Thank you, Steve! I am picking up a number of games of late. More to come.

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  13. Very nice. Intrigued by a refight of Montebello...

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  14. Great looking cossaks,always nice to have a game lined up!
    Best Iain

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  15. Dismounted Cossacks is there such a thing, I guess so , nicely done 👍

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    1. Well if not a thing, then they will form up as militia.

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  16. Looking very good, Jonathan. If you've got them, paint them... then play them!

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