AHPC X - 25mm Haitian Commanders

Only a small post today, consisting of three Command figures for the Haitian Revolution.

All figures are from Trent Miniatures Revolutionary Wars range.

From L to R we have Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniére,  Toussaint Louverture (Haitian Commander) and Dutty Boukman.

Toussaint Louverture was a Haitian general and best-known leader of the Haitian Revolution. He was a leader of the growing resistance. His military and political acumen saved the gains of the first black insurrection in November 1791. He first fought for the Spanish against the French; then for France against Spain and Great Britain; and finally, he fought on behalf of Saint-Domingue in the era of Napoleonic France. He helped transform the slave insurgency into a revolutionary movement.

Louverture began his military career as a leader of the 1791 slave rebellion in Saint-Domingue; he was by then a free man and a Jacobin. Initially allied with the Spaniards of neighbouring Santo Domingo (modern Dominican Republic), Louverture switched allegiance to the French when the new government abolished slavery. He gradually established control over the whole island and used political and military tactics to gain dominance over his rivals. Throughout his years in power, he worked to improve the economy and security of Saint-Domingue. Worried about the economy, which had stalled, he restored the plantation system using paid labour, negotiated trade treaties with the United Kingdom and the United States, and maintained a large and well-disciplined army.

After defeating leaders among the free people of colour, in 1801, he promulgated an autonomist constitution for the colony, which named him as Governor-General for Life. In 1802 he was invited to a parley by a French general, Jean-Baptiste Brunet, under false pretences and arrested. He was deported to France and jailed, dying of pneumonia in 1803

Dutty Boukman (Also known as "Boukman Dutty") (died 7 November 1791) was an early leader of the Haitian Revolution. Originally born in Senegambia (present-day Senegal and Gambia), he was captured, enslaved and transported to Jamaica. He eventually ended up in Haiti, where he became a leader of the Maroons and a vodou priest.

According to some contemporary accounts, Boukman, alongside Cécile Fatiman, a Vodou mambo, presided over the religious ceremony at Bois Caïman, in August 1791, that served as the catalyst to the 1791 slave revolt which is usually considered the beginning of the Haitian Revolution.

Boukman was a key leader of the slave revolt in the Le Cap‑Français region in the north of the colony. He was killed by the French planters and colonial troops on 7 November 1791, just a few months after the beginning of the uprising. The French then publicly displayed Boukman's head in an attempt to dispel the aura of invincibility that Boukman had cultivated. The fact that French authorities had to do this illustrates the impact Boukman made on the views of Haitian people during this time.

Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniére (fl. 1802), known in history only as Marie-Jeanne, was a Haitian soldier, woman of color, and reportedly a "dazzling beauty." She served in the Haitian army during the Haitian Revolution, which was a successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection by self-liberated slaves against French colonial rule. It took place 1791-1804.

Marie-Jeanne served at the Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot (4 March to 24 March 1802) with her husband Louis Daure Lamartinière. She fought in a male uniform standing along the fort's ramparts bearing both a rifle and a sword. She made a great impression with her fearlessness and courage, and was said to use the long rifle to snipe on the wounded French soldiers below with "a skill all the men applauded." It is said to have boosted the morale of her colleagues with her bravery.

When not fighting, Marie-Jeanne nursed her injured comrades. When describing her allocation of her scarce water supply to parched and dying troops, Bell states,

"Marie-Jeanne gave water with a silver serving spoon that hung from her sash on a fine chain. From the gourd she carried as she filled the spoon just short of the brim and slipped between the jaws of [the patient]." ... [A doctor noticed] "the short knife which rode in her sash between the spoon chain and her sword. Two days before she'd slit the throat of a man so maddened by thirst he'd tried to snatch the water gourd from her — done it as neatly as any peasant woman letting blood from a hog or snapping the head off a chicken. It had been a mercy killing, for the others of the garrison would surly have torn the offender limb from limb."

AHPC X - Poacher & Son and Poacher & Son

Back to more Donnybrook time I'm afraid.

Also back with our ol' pal Col Bill and his great range of 17th Century figures.

Here we have Poacher Martin and his son Bob!

They can be found here, for the slim price of £3!!

These can and will be used in my giant Donnybrook adventure.

Our next Poacher & Son and England best poachers

Mr Fox and his boy Dave.

These can be found at Col Bill's or from the original manufacturer Warbases.

Martin and gang make some excellent animals.

Mr Fox can be found here. for £2!

For the points I'd hazard a guess at 15 for the lot?

Guest post from Reject Richard - Battle of DIstanza Pt 4

Part 4 of a Socially Distant Wargame

The Battle of Distanza, 15 June 1746

Phase 3, c.12:15pm

As a note I should say that I move the little metal men according to orders.  Always aiming to play to their best interests according to who has initiative on the tabletop.  Dice rolling is done by various members of the family – usually with a quizzical and often “understanding” smile.

The battle continues to be dominated by the cavalry struggle on the eastern flank of the battlefield with the Austrian regiment No3 Palffy (accompanied by No 4 Stampbach Regt) and the French Royal Roussillon/Orleans regiment moving into a position to charge each other.

But, as the French 2^nd brigade realigns itself the gunners fell some of the mounts from No 3 regiment.

Meanwhile, the rest of French 2nd brigade take punishment from a well-directed Austrian bombardment.

This exchange does not deter Marshal Ray ordering an aggressive advance with the 1^st brigade in the centre – the direction of travel shown by the arrow.  However, this now starts bringing infantry into range and artillery into short/canister range.  Who will this hurt the most?

As the action heats up in the centre and east, on the western flank French artillery is taking less than accurate pot shots at the Austrian cavalry.

In the east, No 3 regiment and Roussillon/Orleans regiment charge ferociously at each other.  So starts another clash of sabres as cavalry seek mastery of this flank.  

After a hard fought melee where both sides struggled to gain the upper hand, No3 Palffy eventually prevailed over Roussillon/Orleans Regt.  Casualties now mounting on both sides.  Perhaps with this in mind, the Austrians chose not to pursue their defeated foe, which leaves La Reine/Conde regiment to face the two threatening cuirassier units.

Thus, the situation at c.12.30pm is as shown below.

With new cavalry brigade generals having been assigned to the Austrian and French brigades, the commanders can now move to make their presence felt elsewhere.

The French 1^st brigade gain the initiative to direct withering musketry and canister fire on the Austrian infantry regiment (IR) 11 Wallis.

Consequently, IR11 Wallis is obliged to withdraw behind the farm and the hill.  The arrow indicates the direction of travel.

However, the Austrians on the central heights can give as good as they take.  As the French 1^st brigade draws closer, ripples of volley fire can be seen inflicting casualties on the regiments Champagne and Artois.

In the southeast.  Now facing two Austrian cuirassier units, regiment La Reine/Conde chooses prudence over valour and moves out of charge range.  

The fighting on this flank, though perhaps inconclusive (depending on what you want, I suppose) has been fearful with casualties from the four units involved enough to man at least another regiment and a half.  Morale may be the deciding factor.

Austrian artillery fires on French artillery.  Now you see it…

Now you don’t!

Excellent Austrian gunnery from 2^nd brigade wipes out the effectiveness of the French 1^st brigade artillery.  However, a consolation for the French is that some redirected shot bounced through what is now identified as a grenadier unit at the eastern end of the infantry line.

Battle lines are forming while the Austrian dragoons try to swing wide of the farm.

As the fog of war starts to descend on the field of battle, the French 3^rd brigade begins to engage with the central heights.  Should the Austrians be worried?  Who knows, but he has certainly spotted the grenadier unit closest to Sociale.

More black powder fog on the central heights.

And so, the situation as it stands at a little after 12.45 in the afternoon.

Both sides may be realising that a frontal attack is always risky.  Though from their depositions they have both recognised the value of turning flanks – and therefore protecting them.  Casualties are starting to mount on both sides.

 Will Lee’s cavalry advantage win him the day? or will Ray’s infantry numbers prevail?

I await their orders and how it plays with bated breath.

To be continued…

AHPC X - Ladies of the night

More unposted figures from the Challenge back in March.

Once again these were purchased quite some time ago, I think they're Redoubt Enterprises figures

but can't find them on their website?

Anyway, here we have 2 ladies of the night, one in the pink fluttering her eyes at some young chap and the other..........well you know???

Oooo cheeky!

10 points for the ladies?

and a few for the bed and base???

AHPC X - Wagons Ho!

All things Wagon for this post. These were entered into the Challenge back in March, here.

            This I think is a 4Ground model it supposed to be a water wagon, 

but mines a beer wagon instead! I already have one loaded so thought I better get one unloaded.

Its a easy model to put together and no 25mm army should be without one.

 Stick the tap in this end.

The next wagon is from Col Bill's Depot Battalion, you can see them here.

It a heavy ammo wagon so I painted up 4 horses, 2 with riders moulded on.

All can also be found at Col Bills.

Here for the draught horses.

and here for the Riders and horses.

Lastly 3 Wagon drivers, these are Foundry models, purchased gawd knows when!

So onto the points

Although its a 25mm vehicle Its probably a cheek to get 20 pts for the Beer Wagon

so I'll just go with whatever my Minion says, 10 pts perhaps?

For the bigger wagon 20 points

30 points for the horses and riders?

15 points for the drivers?

Making a total of 55 points?

Guest Post from Reject Richard - The Battle of Distanza p3

Part 3 of a Socially Distant Wargame

The Battle of Distanza, 15 June 1746

Phase 2, 11:30am

Before I give the next update of this battle, may I first express thanks to Ray for letting me do this.  Secondly, to show my admiration to bloggers because doing this is really quite time consuming… so thanks for your dedication in sharing our hobby.

Right.  It is 11.30am and the commanders’ orders are in.  All the brigadier generals seem to be complying except for the French 1^st where some head scratching is taking place.

It’s all still very much about shuffling into position and from the cavalry movement on the eastern flank about starting to turn each other’s armies.  The Austrians have quickly acquired control of Distanza.

On the eastern flank, French and Austrian heavy cavalry swiftly engage.  To the right the Royal Roussillon/Orleans chevauleger regiment faces the Austrian No 3 Palffy cuirassier regiment.  To their left, can be seen the stamping hooves of the Austrian No 4 Stampbach cuirassiers and the angrily huffing La Reine/Conde regiment.  At the sound of the trumpets, with morale soaring, they leap their mounts into the charge.

Meanwhile, to the west, the French 3rd Brigade quickly obtain the farm and Sociale but make hard work of crossing the river as the Austrian cavalry moves into view from the north.

In the centre, Marshal Ray urges his central brigades to deploy with haste.

While opposite on the eastern hill General Lee oversees his infantry's deployment.

To the south east dust rises as the cavalries’ clash.  After a protracted and close fought slog Roussillon/Orleans regiment is driven back towards their line of supply.  While by the hill, La Reine/Conde, in an equally bitter melee beat back the No4 Palffy regiment.  Neither side sustaining large casualties… yet!?

Both victorious regiments choose not to pursue but manoeuvre to face each other and charge with confident vigour.

While their flank remains in doubt, and as their lines begin to form, first fire comes from the French 2^nd brigade with a ranging shot that finds its mark at long range.

At which the Austrians reply at the earliest opportunity with equal accuracy.

Back on the eastern flank La Reine/Conde and No3 Stampbach regiment fight a furious and close melee with the Austrians finally gaining the advantage by pushing the French back and killing their brigade general.  However, pursuit was impossible without the leadership of their own brigade general, who also fell in the combat.  Rather careless for both sides to lose generals!

With both brigade generals killed and no-one yet reassigned, Marshal Ray and General Lee gallop to lead their now hesitant troopers.

Across the field both sides struggle to deploy their troops.

In the west the French artillery gains security in the farm and harasses Austrian cavalry as they approach the river.  However, they only manage to do damage to some trout and carp.  However, the Austrian cavalry soon moves to place distance between them and the farm.

The French 3rd brigade finally occupies Sociale.  Try and find the building on its side.

But they control Sociale just in good time to see the Austrian 1st Brigade push through Distanza and start deploying on the central heights.

The view down the lines from above Sociale

The view from behind Distanza

So the situation is as follows at 12:15pm after some heavy cavalry engagement and their hesitant recovery in the east and opening artillery ranging shots at long range.

I’ll let you decide who is gaining an upper hand – if anyone.

Until next time.  Keep safe.