Merry Christmas

Their Majesties the Duke & Duchess of Saxe-Huack would like to extend their warmest wishes for a happy holiday to all. Frohe Weihnachten.

Royal Emissary Arrives from Berlin

His Excellency the Count of Bragdenburg-Gotha

Fortenbras Palace, City of Huack.  His Excellency the Count of Bragdenburg-Gotha arrived by stage coach from Berlin. The Duke and his court, along with the Crown Prince assembled to greet him on the palace steps at Fortenbras.  "My Lord", exclaimed Duke Augustus with a smile which was followed by an equal measure of respect from the Count, "Your Grace" he said.  After exchanging greetings and nodding for the servants to see to the Counts luggage and men the nobles retired to the Dukes library.

"What news from Berlin, my Lord?" asked the Duke.  "Grave news I'm afraid." Said the count.  "Austria?" inquired the Crown Prince.  "Yes." came the reply.  The Count continued, "Austria has signed an alliance with France and Saxony against us.  The King wants you to end this annual war you have with Bittburg, at least for the time being, and help secure his Western flank from the French.  I travel to Bittburg tomorrow with the same orders.  Both sides will return their troops to their pre-war borders, recruit more, and muster your men to await further orders from Berlin."

The Duke did not like having regal interference from Berlin, and this was the second time he was ordered to end his operations against the rebels in Bittburg.  However the Duke knew what he had to do and thus said "Of course.  Tell the King he has our everlasting loyalty."  "It's your army he wants." smiled the Count.  "And your son." he said while turning to face the Crown Prince.  "Prince Heinrich wants him back as his adjutant for the duration of the war. If you can spare him?"  Before the Crown Prince could speak Duke Augustus broke in and said "I need him here.  He is one of our military commanders now and I have no one, at present to replace him with. Perhaps in time I could send him back to Berlin but at present it appears I will need him to command men in battle against the Kings enemies."  The Count nodded and after further discussions, wine and pipes Duke Augustus summoned General von Vorbeck, send word to our soldiers at once, to end their operations and return home immediately."
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I contemplated switching this campaign from 15mm to 10mm and expanding to a greater force on the table.  However as I have yet to complete my 15mm armies I decided against this.  Instead of incurring more expense and time spent painting new armies all in a new scale I will keep 15mm and add more to it.  I want a grittier feel than what my ficitonal campaign against Bittburg is giving me.  So I think it's time to actually begin the SYW in earnest.  Now with that said let me be clear SYW with imaginary forces.  I will be swapping out some of my current forces for others and probably rebasing all of them.

Colonel Kleist Captures the Town of Freihauble.

Colonel Franz von Kleist, Baron of Lentz

With his regiment in disarray following the battle of Lentz Major Haus rallied what troops he could and moved them south to join with the main army of the Freistadt.  This left Freihauble an open town.  The first Saxe-Huack elements to arrive were the Royal Grenadier Guards, whom found no resistance aside from hateful and fearful glares.  Colonel Kleist setup his HQ at the local tavern the Agile Rabbit.

Upon hearing the news of the Munchhausen Brigade's victory in Lentz and their continued advance in Northwest Bittburg, Duke Augustus discussed plans with his council to raise Colonel Kleist as Franz von Kleist, Baron of Lentz.  This is of course would be dependent upon the Royal Army's completion of a successful campaign and the secure addition of the Lentz territory to the Ducal Estate.

Further Colonel Kleist recorded in his letters to General Vorbeck that the conduct of the Grenadier Guards under Captain Werner Brach was excellent and courageous.  General Vorbeck passed this on to the Royal General Staff at Fortenbras Palace resulting in Captain Brach's name on the list for future regimental commanders.

Battle for Lentz

The day after capturing the village of Goetz the Royal Munchhausen Brigade set out on march towards the town of Lentz.  Upon entering the outskirts of town they were met by Major Haus's Freihauble Regiment supported by four companies of local militia.  The two sides deployed their forces as shown in the artist rendering below.

Initial deployment with the town of Lentz directly behind the Freihauble Regiment of the Union Army.

Major Haus advanced his cavalry and militia towards the wooded areas to secure them from enemy use ordering their officers to await there to ambush the royalist forces as they advance between the woods.  However the elite Royal Grenadier Guards of the Munchhausen Brigade were already entering the wood.  Colonel Kliest advances the brigade with the jaegers leading in front.  The far left jaegar company suffered a hit from the union artillery battery.  However the Royal Artillery Battery puts paid to a company of militia.

The royalist forces advance while the union line holds firm allowing the cavalry and militia to capture their objectives.

The Guards and the union cavalry fight it out in the bad going, with the Guards quickly overcoming their enemy.

During the advance both artillery batteries lob shells at the other sides forces.

Union infantry fire on the Guards only emboldening their resolve to bring the fight to the enemy.

The militia companies break out of the woods charging and shooting wildy at the jaegars whom with cold nerve turn to face their enemy.  Meanwhile the Grenadier Guards advance closer to the enemy line.  The Union Artillery Battery suffers great hits from the Royal Artillery and abandon the field.

Guards and union infantry enter melee, while another company of union infantry advance to flank the Royal Jaegars while they are fighting the militia.  Colonel Kliest directs his brigade from the center of the field, boldy staying atop mount despite the whizzing musket fire.

Close up of the militia and jaegars in combat while Colonel Kliest directs the battle.

Close up of the Royal Infantry shooting at the Union Infantry while the Grenadier Guards fight a desperate contest on the flank.

Final straw, the Royal Infantry hails lead down on the Union side destroying the resolve of  the enemy forcing them to abandon Lentz to Royal mercy.

Close up of Colonel Kliest and his staff.

Close up of the Royal Infantry firing upon the Union line.

Final disposition of troops as the enemy begins to break.  Major Haus  unable to rally his men orders a general retreat back to their barracks at Freihauble and dispatches an urgent message to General Brendel and the Union Assembly.

The unit's in the painting above distinguished themselves and the Royal Army in battle and have earned battle honors.

Bittburg Raises Militia Companies

Major Godfred Haus, Freihauble Regiment, Union Army

General Brendel ordered elements of the Union Army to report to Major Godfred Haus Commander of the Freihauble Regiment with a message authorizing the Major to raise 4 companies of militia.   The Major sent out word to his officers to begin drawing volunteers from the local towns and villages in the area.  The militia were ordered to elect from among themselves their officers and to report at once with whatever arms they may have to Major Haus in Freihauble.

"Major,
As you know our enemies have captured the town of Goetz, you must muster your regiment and save the town of Lintz.  You are all that stands between the enemy and the fall of Northwest Bittburg...."

The Grand Army of the Frei Stadt of Bittburg

Mustered and ready to march forth to defend the Frei Stadt is my General Brendel's Army of Bittburg.  The army is 3 points shy of the full 25 I want it to have to field against Saxe-Huack.  Not sure where I want to spend those points.  Probably 1 more regular infantry and 1 militia.

Army of Bittburg: Volunteer Militia Companies

Below are 4 companies of volunteer militia from the various villages and hamlets of Bittburg.  They are ready to serve when the Republic calls.

Army of Bittburg: 1st Republic Infantry Regiment

Comprising 2 battalions, one of 2 companies the other of 3.  Uniformed, drilled and disciplined troops to help preserve the Frei Stadt!

Army of Bittburg: 1st Republic Artillery

An artillery battery painted in the national color of blue.  One of the crew members is out of uniform.  Charges will undoubtedly be filed.

Army of Bittburg: General Albert Brendel

Brigadier General Albert Brendel and staff.

Here he is, in his new Union Army uniform astride his gray mount.