Post #401

Bit of an update, OK?

Action on two fronts, as it were. As of today I'm finished the painting of the European troops I need for la Belle Famille. They are the New York Provincial Regiment, and mighty fine they look too in their green coats. I converted (slightly) a British drummer by putting a greenstuff "bearskin" front on his little cap to give him a little interest*. I like the way they look, being all in a firing line, nine shooters and nine loaders with an officer and the drummer keeping them in line. More than I need for the Battle, but I think that I'll come up with a use for them in the context of the wider Niagara campaign. That has been my idea for building this collection; over-do things for la Belle Famille in the hope that the greater campaign will turn out to have been well served.

This is what passes for planning in the Duchy of Alzheim!

I promise, promise, promise to get some photos up soon in support of my previous post, but time and circumstances have been against me. I can't promise when I can make good on this, but I certainly intend to. DoA has been something of a neglected child of late, though my conscience niggles and niggles at me.

On the topic, I've just gotten home from the hospital here. The Duchess is in the process of being induced and, without bothering you all with the details, we are waiting on the moment. It's late and I'm very tired and looking at being at the hospital again tomorrow morning at 7 am and waiting for her to go into labour. She's been waiting for things to get on since about 2 this afternoon, so we have spent a very boring and very LONG day doing not much of anything.

I did take the time to look at the latest White Dwarf and look long and thoughtfully at my 50 or so mounted Riders of Rohan and go "hmmmm, tasty". Is anyone else inspired or is it just me? Are the rules good or rubbish? All answers published in the pixels of this august journal.

Now, a beer and bed. I hope I don't get a call at 04:00; I may not be at my best.

* A little interest is a good thing. I am inspired to hack the heads off Grenadiers now and transfer them to highlanders with the greenstuff treatment. Voila - 42nd Regiment Grenadiers for Ticonderoga - someday..!

Passages of Arms

From an Ancient Archive:

++++++++++++++++++++

To: Captain Roger Roberts

From: Gen'l Jeffrey Amherst

Roberts,

You are hereby requested and required to assemble your Independent Company of Rangers at Fort William Henry.

You will there brigade your your Independent Company with the Light Companies of the 44th and 46th Foot. Upon doing so, you will set out North along the Western Shore of Lake George and Scout for the enemy in the vicinity of Fort Carillon.

In so doing, you will acheive two purposes.

The First - you will determine whether the French are attempting to descend the Lake upon it's Western Side.

The Second - you will impress upon the Officers and Men of the 44th and 46th your method of Ranging that they may become Proficient at the Art.

Should you contact the Enemy, you are to do so only on the most advantageous of terms; should it go Ill with you, I will not think the less of you should your troops break contact and return to Fort William Henry or what post soever you Desire for the security of your company.

I remain Sir,

Your Servant,

Amherst

********************

To: Chabert, Captain of Grenadiers

Captain Chabert,

I have this day decided to encamp My Regiment of Languedoc South of Fort Carillon for the next two days as we receive the supplies you are aware that are coming to us via bateaux from His Majesties' Fort of St. Frederic.

During this time, it is my desire that Captain Joincare watch the road south with his piquet for any activity on the part of the English.

It would greatly gratify me if with your company of Grenadiers you were to provide succours for Joincare should he require assistance. Rest assured, that the rest of the battalion would join you post-haste as soon as we are alerted to enemy activity.

I have the Honour to remain Sir,

Your Humble and Obedient Servant,

Poulain, Colonel

Where are we now?

Right then.

The anal-retentive within calls for an accounting.

The progress of painting (house, not soldiers!) continues, but there is hope that this evening Madam will be out to the football which means I can sneak a few hours painting of a more pleasurable kind in.

This week I've been steadily working on a block of 16 RSM British Infantry and a Stadden British Grenadier NCO. They are all base-coated, flesh painted and have their hat-lace sewn on.

I think I might be able to polish them off tonight - it's really just a matter of getting all the highlights in and painting weapons.

That will see the British Contingent for la Belle Famille completed - in fact completed rather over specification.

The scenario calls for 30 Light infantry. I've painted 31.

I need 10 Line of the 44th - I have 18.

I need 38 Line of the 46th - I'll have 46 painted by this evening.

I need 5 Grenadiers of the 46th - by this evening I ought to have 11.

I need 10 NY Provincial Infantry - I have four. What???

Currently I have a package waiting for me at the post office with (I anticipate) another 16 Provincials and 72 Indians which ought to see me done.

I am over quota on my British. Don't worry! There's a plan to that! I'm just pushing through with an eye on campaigning the siege iteslf. I have been painting artillerymen in infantry uniforms to represent the garrison at Fort Niagara, as well. I ought at some stage start doing the same for the British.

I've mentioned earlier that I already have sufficient French to see me over the line, although they are not really from the right units, historically speaking, so there's no more painting to do on that front, thankfully.