Campaign News No1. (Dutch begin to Muster c.1792)

British petitions to the Dutch to prepare for a war with the French Revolutionary Government have begun to hit home. A second light cavalry regiment has completed its establishment. The Black Hussars can field 200 mounted (8 figs.) and 150 dismounted (6 figs.). The Beon Legion continues to recruit French royalist emigres, some one hundred (4 figs.) having been mustered into a hussar section. They are now on route to join the legion's chasseurs which have already been deployed on the border. MGB

(Black Hussars are Elite Mins, dismounted are Crann Tara, Beon are home cast and converts.)

                             
                       
                             

British Cavalry are recruiting, c.1793

As mentioned on my other wargaming blog, have just completed the basing to seventy-four castings, mainly horses, in all periods. For the French Revolutionary wars the York Hussars have gained a dismounted troop and two more figures mounted. The Salm Hussars and the 9th Light Dragoons have also increased their establishment, and a French dragoon casting wearing a cloak has been converted into the start of a second light dragoon unit. Most importantly, twenty-four horses are painted and based for two Dutch cavalry regiments and the Dutch Black Hussars. The latter has also gained a dismounted section.  This has been a useful two days.
Michael

Dutch Hussars arrive to stem the French Invasion c1793

Finally, the Dutch are now able to furnish some cavalry to support the three understrength British mounted units. But its still nowhere near the number the Revolutionaries can field. This regiment numbered less than 250 men and were often referred to as the Red Hussars.

Well don't ask me why, bought this in a charity shop for £3. I blame Allan at the Wittenberg Blog for the purchase. But I do have a feeling there are some fun projects lurking in this model, and I still have a fair number of fine cast wheels etc in my spares box. Happy Christmas!
MGB

Dutch Artillery Battery for 1793

Some time back I picked up these artillerymen roughly painted up as French. When I decided to repaint them I also felt they would look more appropriate in my Allied army, serving as Dutch. More recent acquisitions which I have just completed are the two Prussian cannon and, originally, an ACW cart which I have converted into something more 18th century, moving the axle and replacing the shafts. I think it now looks quite suitable.
MGB

Dutch Artillery Crews, 1793, Painted and Ready

Have now completed two Dutch artillery crews for my British/Dutch/Emigre army for the early years of the French Revolutionary Wars. Still don't know what make they are but the repaint job has certainly tidied them up. I drilled metal rods into two figures to secure miliput plumes, but decided to leave the epaulettes as I now believe the foot artillery also adopted such.  Still to decide whether to permanently base these figures to two 12pdrs cannon on wheeled carriages, or keep them as they are for occasional service with fortress guns. MGB

Dutch Artillery for the 1790s

On another forum a reference was made to a Dutch artillery piece up on an auction. What I found interesting was the carriage paintwork. But is this genuine, and appropriate for the 1793-5 campaign? With growing ties to Prussia, I am assuming the Dutch used Prussian artillery pieces, moving over to Gribeauval with the Batavian Republic.

I also have several French gunners, that were given to me by a friend, which a fair number of us have been unable to ascribe to a manufacturer. As they are somewhat tall, and distinctively thin, I did not wish to integrate them into my Dixon/Foundry French army but, rather, have decided to convert them into Dutch.

The Dutch foot artillery 'may' have had shoulder straps, while the horse artillery had epaulettes. Cecil C.P. Lawson mentions a unit which was formed in 1793 by Captain Nacquard  and comprised Dutch and French emigres. Not only did it give excellent service, later transferring to the British Army, but he reports that they had red epaulettes with white edge and fringe.

                                     

Mark Allen also directed me to a period drawing which shows what was probably their campaign dress, with distinctive hats and half-gaiters. The other paintings came from that excellent resource http://www.aldegarde.nl/napoleonicwars-5.html

MGB

ps. Would welcome comments on this subject, particularly on Dutch gun carriage paintwork.