painting 3mm napoleonics (2)

Well after several delays I have finally completed and based my 'red' battalion.

Painting 3mm Figs

Having done some reading on line to seek guidance for painting 3mm figs I would like to share the link that provided the best inspiration for me and to share some pictures of how I got on.

Link on the TMP Napoleonic discussion forum here.

As you will know from earlier posts, I have already painted the full battalion in line but I thought I would include my painting guide in picture form on the light company skirmishers that I have recently completed.  The principle was the same for the close order infantry.

1/
Base coat in brown

2/
Red jackets picked out

3/
Grey trousers picked out

4/

Brown ink wash. I'm still not fully convinced about this as it seem to wash the trousers out. However, it does seem to give some definition

5/
Face and hands picked out

6/
Caps picked out in black and cartridge box followed by a few dabs in white to pick out belts and musket slings

7/
Final finish included;
-green plumes
-blue canteens
-gold for the cap plate
-silver for the musket barrels, then a little highlight in red and grey to pick out the detail:

Hopefully I will get this based soon.  Then that will be my 'Red Battalion' completed in full !

Finished battalion:-

 Company:-

 Sergeants with spontoon's and officers:-

A little drill manual

Some years ago my father purchased in auction a pocket drill manual for the British Army, published in 1805; 

An exposition of the nineteen manœuvres As ordered by his Majesty, to be performed at every inspection or review By every Regiment of Foot. Likewise of the exercise and manœuvres directed by His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, for the practice of the light infantry and rifle corps. 

The wallet forming part of the binding contains: “twenty figures, representing the companies and half platoons of a battalion; by which the manœuvres of a battalion, or operations of a live way be easily practised in theory” (p. vi) Contents With errata. - With 3 p. of music, titled: Signals of the bugle. - Includes one folded leaf of plates. Binding information In a nineteenth century red goatskin wallet-style binding. 

After a bit of research on line I found the following link from the author, who frustratingly remains anonymous as 'A humble servant'.  Never the less it is an interesting article on the application of the Rules & Regulations.  Follow link here , (specifically page 261 and 262 refers to the publication of this little wallet manual).

Well done dad ! Having only just being reaquainted with this little book I will enjoy a good read of this !

Of course, it wouldn't do not to share some pictures !

A Treatise on British Drill

This treatise, of all contemporary documents is one of my favourites and am keen to share this link to Suasso's Treatise on British Drill (2nd Ed).
Having read the various editions of the Rules & Regulations, understanding or visualizing their meaning and indeed practical application has always been a challenge.

Since finding Suasso, it has clarified many of my questions and is an invaluable aid to my game !

Follow link to read more here.

Tactics

I confess I spend too much time reading historical texts on military drill and tactics.  Usually I read a bit and think, 'interesting, I will add that to my favourites' and move to the next page.

I will start to share what I read in this thread.  I came across these two comments in the following article, found in the Royal Militay Chronicle,  1810  on a Course of Tactics, follow link here.



"...in England,  the officers enter the army without any military knowledge whatever. They have everything to learn."


"I regret to say; but France is still the school of war, and by her science, more than even by her numbers, has conquered the Continent. "

An interesting contemporary article on the capability of British army officers.  Further to this again another link from Hoyt's Rules and Regulations for Cavalry, dated 1813, here provides a catalogue of reading for our contemporary officer.  A must read.

start up

So, after years (and I mean years) of thinking on how to bring to a table top game the principles of Napoleonic tactics and movement I have finally started.

After reading several posts on the 3mm Napoleonic wargame's yahoo group I decided that this was the scale for me and lets face it the figures are great !

My first challenge is to prepare my battalion of the line.  Having not touched a paint brush in near twenty 20yrs it was somewhat of a daunting task but I think I have done OK!?

School boy error not getting enough command bases so whilst my companies are all painted I don't have enough bases to base the full ten companies.   So, only six companies complete.

In the spirit of kriegspiel, this is the first part of my red army !