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.

Garibaldini in 15mm

One small addition to the 1859 Risorgimento project makes it way off from the painting desk.  This twelve figure battalion will be fielded as the 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment or Cacciatori delle Alpi or Garibaldini.  Each of the alpine regiments fielded two battalions and were part of Garibaldi's famous Red Shirts.  With the mustering of the 2 Rgt/1 Bn, three such battalions can now make their appearance on the table.

At the Battle of Varese on  26MAY1859, three regiments or six battalions of the Garibaldini faced off against the Austrians under Urban.  The next day, another clash between these two forces occurred at the Battle of Fermo.

As the other battalions before it, these figures are Battle Honors' ACW figures pressed into service as Cacciatori delle Alpi.

The Lead Pile underwent a slight reorganization last night specifically focused on the 1859 project.  This activity not only included reorganizing the boxes of lead but also comparing the bits in boxes against the campaign OB.  While the campaign did not witness a preponderance of cavalry, I did discover that the project could use more cavalry.  Especially lacking are Austrian Uhlans.  Of course, I have not begun to consider the French, yet!

Now, I am not particularly fond of Old Glory's cavalry for this period and many of the Austrian horsemen appear in the later 1866 uniforms so more Old Glory horse is unlikely.  The Mirliton cavalry are quite nice and large while the Freikorps are smaller but still satisfactory.  Based on a suggestion from another gamer, I may look into both Rank & File and Essex.

Another vendor of which I have seen no figures, is Lancashire Games.  Lancashire offers a range for the 1859 campaign and I placed a small order to sample their wares.  My order was shipped the day after ordering so the small package should be in my hands in about one week.  Very quick turn-around and very friendly and helpful communications from the owner.  Always exciting to receive figures from a new manufacturer, is it not?  To me, certainly!

Digging through The Lead Pile prompted me to pull more figures for this project and queue them up.  Besides a handful of artillery limbers, only a few foot battalions were added thus far in 2014.  With this rummage through the lead, I feel motivated to return to the project.  Opportunity knocks.  Two battalions of Austrian infantry and three more Austrian limbers and teams are awaiting their turn at priming.  With weather turning cold, I ought to begin thinking about laying in the primed lead for the winter.  Cavalry should be in the queue too.

SYW Prussian Musketeer Rgt 24

Nearly 91% of the 18mm SYW collection consists of Eureka figures.  Lately, though, a few other manufacturers' products have crossed the painting desk.  First, a few Freikorps, then a couple hundred Blue Moon joined the ranks of the many Eureka.  Now, one, 23 figure battalion of Essex figures musters off from the painting desk.  The mounted officer is Eureka and looks fine in among the Essex foot. 

Musketeer Regiment #24

Musketeer Regiment #24

To me, Essex 15's have always suffered from a squat body appearance.  These Prussian musketeers are no exception.  Some really like Essex style but, for me, the legs are too short and the stance too wide.  On the plus side, the detail is nicely raised and painting is straightforward with little guesswork involved.  On the table with other units, the Essex blend in very well.

Many more Eureka, Freikorps, and Blue Moon SYW figures remain to see an application of paint but this may become the only Essex unit in the collection.  A few of these figures remain but not enough to field a second battalion.  In the interest of regimental consistency, enough figures ought to be bought to field the second battalion.