Beon Legion, and Damas Legion chasseurs 1792-5

The completion of chasseur companies belonging to the Beon and Damas Legions will allow me to field some rifle-armed troops for the Allies. Both of these corps were originally recruited in the service of the Dutch. With that country's collapse, these corps transferred to the British. Both had a fine reputation, with many French emigres serving in them. Both were effectively destroyed in the Quiberon Bay disaster. (NB.The French republic had a policy of executing any captured emigres.)

There are several descriptions, prints etc for the uniforms worn by Beon and Damas chasseurs, slight changes may have occurred when the British Army took charge. I have chosen to keep the orange facings for Beon, and orange sword knots for both units to confirm their earlier service.

I think these Hinchliffe Austrian Jaeger castings have painted up quite nicely as émigré chasseurs. And no army can move without a vanguard, and suitable troops for outpost duties. MGB

Legion du Midi 1792

I finally got round to painting up another light battalion. This unit, not to be confused with another raised in the Napoleonic wars which took the same name, was formed in April 1792 from volunteers of Cette, Narbonne, Nimes and Perpignam. It appears to have had only a brief existence, serving in the Vendee war. The general view of historians is that the unit was issued a blue uniform in a lighter shade, and it makes an attractive unit on the wargame table. Its establishment was set at eighteen companies of light infantry and four more of horse but I'm unsure whether it ever achieved that strength so one small battalion will suffice for now.

          

  The flag is taken from a contemporary print of a guillotine execution, carried by bluecoats, without wording, I thought it could serve for this unit. MGB

Raising Light troops, Damas and Lowenstein Chasseurs

I've noticed a generation of wargamers, inspired by Featherstone, Gilder, Asquith, Grant and others, are looking back fondly on those 28mm manufacturers of the 1970s. I still remember using pocket money on visits to Harrow Model Shop in 1979 to purchase Hinchliffe and Garrison figures. Now, for my part, I have just ordered a batch of Hinchliffe NA10 Austrian Napoleonic Jaeger. With very little converting I think they will paint up nicely as Damas, and Lowenstein chasseurs, in their distinctive sky-blue jackets with respectively black and green facings. Armed with rifled-carbines they will add a new weapon to my Anglo-Dutch-Émigré army.

 

ps. Hope to post  more regularly now matters concerning a family loss are more settled MGB.

 

Tales From GHQ

Just found this site. It includes several battle reports with attractive photos of games played, many based in Ireland in 1798. The collections are drawn from several makes but its particularly nice to see large numbers of painted Trent Miniatures, including British redcoats of the early 1790s. Well worth a visit.  See links. MGB

Very Early Revolutionary Flag, 1789?

Came across some photos of an early French Revolutionary banner. For those raising sans culottes, it could be useful. Note the white reverse with DEU, which would indicate a very early usage.

SKG3 LIVING HISTORY DISPLAY

French Revolution Hussars

Some time ago I purchased off Ebay some WF hussars. The recent holidays provided the time to finally paint them. I claim one figure is equal to forty so units of six mounted are not out of place for French and British light cavalry during the revolution. Those in blue are the French 4th Hussars, while the black and white are Salm Hussars. The latter were originally financed by the Dutch government but later transferred to British control. The recruits were a mixture of Emigres and other Europeans. Both hussar units used sheepskin horse furniture which was useful as some northern states continued to use the earlier dog-tooth shabraques.

Also painted and converted another four Paris National Guard chasseurs, in bicornes. MGB
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