Orders Arrive at the Munchhausen Garrison

To Colonel Franz Kliest, 

Franz muster your brigade and ready your soldiers for deployment into the territory of the Free State of Bittburg.  Proceed from Munchhausen Garrison in 3 days, moving southwest.  Your brigade has been assigned to capture the towns of Goetz, Lentz, and Freihauble.  Upon completion of your operations you will setup camp in Freihauble and await my further orders.  I expect regular updates for each stage of your operation.  Forage what you can from the land and towns.  This will probably be a long and bloody campaign.  We do not expect to receive a friendly welcome from most of the southern folk so beware and use discernment when dealing with the populace.  I expect completion of your operations in 10 days.  I have already dispatched Captain Werner Brach with two companies of Guards to your brigade under your command.  They should arrive by mid-day tomorrow.

Romulus Paul von Vorbeck
Brigadier General
Royal Army

Grave Insult...

While travelling through Bittburg on his way to visit family in Bavaria, Captain Johann Baden, Royal Army was set upon by three dirty looking beggars of the Bittburg Militia.  They threatened the Captain at gunpoint, robbed him of his coin and horse, cut off his right ear and forced him to return to Saxe-Huack which took him several days without food or shelter.  Captain Baden, being a veteran of the Royal Army soldiered on and made it to the Royal Army Post in Munchhausen, where he is recovering from his ordeal.

Word has reached the Duke at Fortenbras Palace.  "An attack upon the Duke's officers is the same as an attack on the Duke himself." the Crown Prince was quoted as saying to the ministers and officers present.  It was agreed that unless the three militia bandits were turned over to suffer the Duke's justice then the Royal Army would march upon Bittburg once more, this time not stopping until the Ducal Standard was hoisted from the National Assembly.

Dispatches were quickly sent to Berlin, Munich and Bittburg.  In Bittburg the Prime Minister, his cabinet and General Brendel convened an emergency meeting.  The Prime Minister's cabinet urged that the 3 militia men should be caught and handed over.  General Brendel bristled at this and chastised them saying "If we are to betray our own soldiers then we all deserve neither liberty nor life." and he threatened to resign and return to the East India Company.  After private discussions with the Prime Minister and then the cabinet, the order was given for General Brendel to prepare the army for invasion.

After receiving word from Bittburg that they regrettably could not comply the Duke turned to his staff to prepare for the coming conflict.  After much discussion the Duke turned to Colonel Vorbeck, naming him Brigadier General and said "General Vorbeck, seek out and destroy the enemy."  General Vorbeck nodded, snapped to attention, and proceeded to leave the palace to carry out the Duke's wishes.

In Bittburg, General Brendel issued an order for the arrest of the three scoundrels that brought war upon their fledgling state yet again.  After they were caught, he had them summarily executed by firing squad.

I have almost finished the Bittburg Army and hope to have it field ready by Christmas.

Deep in the Duchy....

Deep in the duchy, in the village of Braums which lies in the Barony of Diekrich 5 miles southwest of the City of Diekirch a frightening event has occurred.  A local carpenter, Andulin Stromsietz, was out hunting boar alone in the Black Forest.  The day was growing dim as sunset was fast approaching.  Andulin decided to return home before dark and as he made his way through the wood on his return trip, he began to hear the snap of twigs and leaves not to far behind him.  He quickly lowered his musket and spun around and it's a good thing too.  For about 10 yards behind him he claimed stood a great wolf.  The largest wolf he had ever seen or heard of.  It's red eyes locked on his, but as a veteran of military service to the Duke; Andulin did not give in to fear.  This seemed to give the great wolf pause.  Andulin slowly raised his musket, took steady aim for those red eyes as he squeezed the trigger.  BOOM, the shot rang loud through the forest scaring birds to flight.  But after the smoke of the shot disappeared the wolf was gone.  Andulin quickly slung his musket and pulled out his sword.  His eyes strained searching for the beast but to no avail.  Andulin made due haste in returning to the village where he rang the market bell and called out the villagers to tell them of what he had seen.  Surely this is the villain behind the recent herd killings that have been plaguing the Barony.  Below is an artist sketch of Andulin and the Great Wolf of Braums.

Andulin Stromsietz encounters the Great Wolf of Braums in the Black Forest deep in the Barony of Diekirch.

I've painted up the first 4 models for my 18th Century horror side campaign set in the Duchy of Saxe-Huack.  Three Dire Wolves and a 1 peasant hunter so far.  More to come in the coming months.

Three Great Wolves, as named by the folk of Diekirch, left to right: One Eye, Lucifer and Stripe.

Bittburg Cavalry

And the first cavalry squadron for BGen Brendel and the Army of Bittburg.  Most of these troops were mercenaries returning from abroad to serve the cause of freedom in their homeland.

Bittburg Militia Company

Here is the first company of militia raised from the city of Bittburg itself.  It is the first of 5 planned militia elements for my Bittburg Army.

Frei Stadt of Bittburg: 2 Companies of Foot

Have finished painting the first two companies of infantry for my Bittburg Army.  You will note their bayonets missing this is because I am determined to use and game with what miniatures I have.  Besides imagination is all one really needs. :)  Their tunics are based on the national colors.  Next up Militia and Cavalry.

Strange Happenings....

As the new found peace settles upon the land. The good folk of Bittburg and Saxe-Huack settle back into their lives. Merchants peddle their wares, farmers tend their crops and herds and thus rural life in Germania goes on as it has for hundreds of years. However the nights have grown cold, dark and eerie. Howls and acrid screams pierce the night. Strange happenings are being reported,

not only from the countryside but in the towns and villages as well. Farmers awake to find their livestock mutilated, their remains appearing chewed and gnawed upon as if by great beasts.

Going Dark....

Going on vacation this weekend. The Duchess and I are travelling to Lake Degray near Bismarck AR for a week. We plan on doing nothing, but relaxing at the campsite and enjoying the State Park. We will bring our kayaks, books and of course I'm bringing miniatures to paint. I hope to have a finished Frei Stadt of Bittburg Army to show you upon my return.

The Muster of Saxe-Huack

The 15mm Army of Saxe-Huack. Note the baggage camp behind the command element, it has 2 baggage horses, 1 soldier with a feed bucket, another standing guard. The command element has 4 soldiers, the General on white horse with purple coat, an officer on his left, with a drummer and standard bearer behind them. Two elements of cavalry are on the workbench to be painted with red coats, after that the army will be complete and battle ready. I am considering adding another 4 elements of line infantry but with a different paint scheme, but before I do that I must finish painting the Bittburg army.

click for larger image.

Royal Army Jaegers

In just a few short weeks Colonel Prince Albrecht fulfilled his orders to establish a Jaegers Battalion, in fact the Prince went beyond his commission and established a regiment. Two battalions of three companies, with the Crown Prince as their commanding officer. The regiment will be known as the "Prince's Own." Being a former guard officer the Prince chose green jackets with red collars and cuffs for the regiments uniform. Prior to the Prince leaving Berlin, he arranged the purchase of rifles to arm his regiment. Each jaeger is promised a rifle to keep as a reward for service. The Prince is building a small barracks for the regiment at the Royal Army camp in Huack. In normal times only a single battalion shall be on duty at a time, the rest will be placed on half pay and sent home. In times of war both battalions will be available for march. If the Prince has his way, the Jaegers will be the new rapid strike force of the Royal Army. The regimental colors are shown below.