The citizens of Moscow had been ordered to evacuate by the Russian troops. All they left behind was a little food, plenty of alcohol, and Moscow in flames. While the French troops pillaged the empty city, Napoleon waited for Alexander I to surrender. Napoleon and his forces waited in Moscow for over a month, but no offer for peace came. By 19th October, the cold had begun to set in, and Napoleon was forced to move from Moscow.
The Grand Army was devastated having to retreat along the invasion route; order broke down, and nearly over half the force that set out from Moscow became stragglers, or those who not only did not keep up with the body of the army, but were not in any shape for combat, these either died from disease, small battles, or being exposed to the harsh Russian winter.
Throughout November the humiliating realities of Napoleon’s losses were exposed to the world. On 5th December, amid rumours of a potential coup, Napoleon left his devastated army. Just over a week later, what was left of Napoleon’s grand army straggled back over the Neman River.
Most of the Straggler figures are from the great range sold by Perry Miniatures.
This unit is the odd one out, having 2 figures from Perry's pack FN194 Scavengers and 4 Warlord plastic figures, Now of course all these figures in all three units will be interchangeable.
In this post there are 24 25mm figures, so that makes a grand total of 120 points, my largest points total for an entry so far this Challenge!!
These poor fellows gave me a total of 489 points, pushing me up to 20th place, my target is 1000 points, so I've still got a way to go??
Really very very very impressive.
ReplyDeleteYou are right when you write that "The French cavalry lost many, many horses on the retreat of Russia" and your composition corresponds to historical reality. After the battle of Berezina, the few riders still mounted were grouped into a single unit called the "sacred squadron".
His mission was to escort the Emperor. This squadron was essentially made up of officers. Junior officers served as simple cavalrymen, colonels as lieutenants, brigadier and division generals (major general and lieutenant general) as captains. The sacred squadron was commanded by Murat, Grouchy and La Tour-Maubourg.
On the internet you will find the list of members of this unit and their original regiment. I hope to have given you new desires to raise an other cavalry unit full of colonels and generals in redingotte led by a Murat dressed in his fur coat and wearing his Polish shapska. The figurines exist, So I think you will have less difficulty in raising this second cavalry unit.
Incidentally, I am a former French cavalry officer. This unit is well know in Saumur; the french officer cavalry accademy. The Russian campaign is not my favorite but I'm sure, you already know why!!!!
I'm painting this unit up now!
DeleteYou are cranking them out at a fine rate Ray and all top notch quality too! Another great unit, gives me the chills just looking at them!
ReplyDeleteCheers Donnie!
DeleteJust a smashing vision of how I imagined the poor Frenchies looked as they tried to get the heck out of Russia.
ReplyDeleteMust have been awful?
DeleteGreat work and definitely a different sort of a unit!
ReplyDeleteNot sure good they'd be in a fight?
DeleteVery nice Ray. This is becoming quite a substantial collection.
ReplyDeleteYes, it wasn't supposed to, but......
DeleteAwesome work Ray!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michal.
DeleteThese are great Ray ..
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave.
DeleteGood choice of figures. Painting looks appropriate. -1 for cohesion, +4 for desperation. -2 for effectiveness,
ReplyDeleteYeh, gotta throw a 9 on a D6?
DeleteThey look bloody freezing Ray - excellent brush work and basing!
ReplyDeleteThank Keith, glad you approve.
DeleteLook great Ray!
ReplyDeleteCheers Bill.
DeleteGreat work Ray.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rich.
DeleteNicely done Ray 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt.
DeleteThese are excellent Ray
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil.
DeleteVery nice Ray…
ReplyDeleteThey certainly look miserable and cold…
All the best. Aly
Damp and dreary!
DeleteThey certainly have that haggard 'retreat' vibe about them
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed.
DeleteI was just feeling pleased with myself, having finished a single Moscow Militiaman from this period, and then I see this post where you're absolutely cranking out the figures like a machine. LOL!!! Great work, Ray. They look awesome.!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon, glad you like them.
DeleteThey look really good enough masse so as to speak! You are really motoring on this project. I hope Lee is keeping up!
ReplyDeleteHe's trying David, and people do say he's trying!
DeleteWonderful stuff Ray this project is coming on at quite a pace, these really capture the period and whole campaign.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Stu
Cheers Stu, pleased you like them.
DeleteFantastic group of French from the Retreat, Ray! Watch out for Cossacks in the woods!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, they're lurking in there somewhere?
DeleteExcellent looking ragged unit, they're great!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Cheers Iain!
Delete