Wednesday 3 October 2012

RP No 92 NYW Commanders de la Caillmotte and Ellenberg


In April 1689, Pierre Massue, Comte de la Caillemotte, raised a regiment of Huguenot foot, he was the younger brother of Henri de Massue the Marquis de Ruvigny, who fought at Aughrim and Neerwinden. Later Ruvigny was given the title Earl of Galway.
La Caillemotte's memory is chiefly associated with the Battle of the Boyne. In the midst of the river, when he was at the head of his regiment, and in command of the Huguenot brigade of foot, resisting the Irish cavalry, he was shot through the thigh. As he was carried off by four soldiers, he encouraged his men to advance, by calling out cheerfully and undauntedly, " A la gloirc, mcs enfa/is, h la gloire !

The first news that reached his friends in England was, " Monsieur Caillemotte is wounded, but (it is hoped) not mortally." (Letter from the I Ion. Mrs Edward Russell.) On the morning after the Battle, Dumont de Bostaquct had an opportunity to enquire for him at his tent; lie found that he had fallen into a pleasant slumber, and the surgeon spoke hopefully of his case. But too soon the wound proved to be mortal. At his own request he was removed to Dublin; and he died there, aged 37.

He was replaced by his Lieutenant Colonel, Pierre, Marquis de Belcastel another Huguenot refugee and from then on was known as regt Belcastel until it was disbanded in March 1699.




Johan Anton Ellenburg (also spelled Ellenberger or Elnberger) was born in Hesse in 1607, supposedly the son of a shoemaker. At the Boyne he fought under the Duke of Wuttembuer-Neustadt, who led the Danish in English pay, across the Boyne at Yellow Island. Ellenburg led the Danish foot regt, Prince Christian. Ellenberg also fought at Aughrim, and was then transferred to Flanders when in 1695 he was sentenced to death by William III for his part in the surrender of the garrison of Dixmuide, other Officers were cashiered but as Ellenburg was the Commander his fate was sealed.





54 comments:

  1. Great post - very nice figures and interesting history. They both look very perky, considering the grim fate that awaits!

    Cheers - Tony

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    1. I wanted to post these two fine fellows in one post considering what became of them.

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  2. Nice history lesson and great command stands Ray :)

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  3. Great looking fig's Ray. Thanks for the info too.

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  4. Some more excellent command stands

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  5. If I were him I would have said 'merde,' with that thigh wound. How deep must the Boyne water be where he was, to be hit in the thigh, he must have been up on a horse. And to hear the story makes you wonder how did Elnberg get from shoemaking to Colonel in those days.

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    1. Two very interesting questions, I think the water of the Boyne was chest/waste deep where they crossed. As for the shoemaker, I could find no other info about Mr Ellenburg.

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  6. Great looking bases, I really like the first. Great historical background, seems everyone was in Ireland fighting at this time

    Ian

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  7. Great figures and hostory lesson - when do we get tested ?

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    Replies
    1. Hostory a great thang! I need to get a game in with these chaps asap, just trying to get the Rejects all together recently is a bloody nightmare!

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  8. These figures look great, Ray. I really like the shot of the last one.

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  9. Your really having a lot of fun vignettes Ray. It looks real nice!

    Christopher

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  10. Interessting historical background to the very nice painted figures. Great. Dixmuide... that remebers me on something a lot of years later.
    Regards
    Bruno

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  11. Hi Ray,

    really nice figures and a interesting period.

    Cheers
    Mike

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  12. Very nice Ray, your historical commentary is very nice and interesting, and the minis great! I do like the drummer, he's looking proud...
    Best,
    Phil.

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  13. I marvel at the speed at which you are painting and sharing such quality figures!

    ~ Jonathan

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  14. More excellent command Stands Ray.

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  15. I like them, Ray! so small but so nice!

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  16. Another top notch collection Ray, lovely work Sir.

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  17. Great stuff Ray. The drummer looks very determined
    Cheers
    paul

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  18. Good work Ray. You have a real talent for combining rank and file and command figures to create nice looking mini-dioramas. I wonder if that's what La Caillemotte really said. I bet he actually said, "Bloody 'eck, I've been shot through the thigh! That really hurts! You chaps carry on, you're doing fine. I'll just go find a doctor. I hope he doesn't cut of my leg, that's what they all seem to want to do. Bloody doctors. Ouch!"

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    1. You always tend to have a few spare figures left over, so why not chuck them onto the command stand, it adds to the base and makes it look a little more interesting. And he probably did say something like that but in French!

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  19. Superb yet again Really like the drummer

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  20. Very nice command stands, Ray! You should put in a small gibbet or hangman's tree on Ellenburg's base to presage his fate. Poor bugger.

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    Replies
    1. More like a very large sword, he was beheaded!!

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    2. Ah, then a barber with a razor would work... Or use the gravestones again.

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  21. You know I have been thinking, Ray, and I came up with an idea.

    There is a well-known TV journalist over here who would not let an opportunity like this get away, Geraldo Rivera by name, same guy who dug up Al Capone's bricked-up vault once on TV (found old broken bottles) but if this question came up he would certainly go try it himself. It made him rich and famous.

    Why not have the rejects who can be assembled form up on the banks of the Boyne with a couple cameras for video and still shots as you cross the waters of the Boyne yourself at the very spot? Fran could explain on the voice over what really happened, as you try it repeatedly where each regiment went through and many wargamers would be forever in your debt for clearing it up once and for all.

    It might even get you into Hollywood after going viral, as well as contribute to laughter as the best medicine.

    It's not all that far from Dublin, a little north, the water is probably still relatively warm this time of year. You might be could even rent a horse for part of it, as well as go in on foot.

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    1. A good idea, I'll put it to the Rejects, although Postie can't swim and I couldn't take it to see Fran's pasty white legs out on show, it'd be too much for us all!

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    2. This really isn't one you want to go and reenact on Irish soil Ray as you'd likely spend the day dodging real bullets. Do it in the Thames, that would be safer!

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    3. You might be onto something here??

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    4. Maybe she wants to go through the water, as your lovely Irish female assistent. Would look much better as Fran would do it!

      :-D A little bit joking and teasing is good for the health! A smile a day keeps the doctor away ;-D

      Greetings
      Peter
      http://peterscave.blogspot.be/

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  22. Sorry I'm late Ray, but I was too busy doing sod all to find time to get on blogger. I'm here now so I might as well comment!

    Another fine paint job Ray and that drummer is most excellent. Smack Fran on the back of the head and tell him I said Hi!

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  23. Excellent...they really do look pretty amazing Ray!!

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  24. i am beginning to like this perio, because of you Ray.
    Excellent work!

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  25. Nice painting, Ray. And a very good piece of information.

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  26. Excellent command stands! And I like how you did the shading on the grey!


    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.be/

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