Historically Inspiring No 4 The Death of General Wolfe

The Death of General Wolfe, by Benjamin West, 1770

OK, its official, I'm getting back into my long abandoned French Indian Wars project. I've got a quite large collection already but they're not finished yet, and in all truth probably won't be for some time. I've just finished painting up the 30 15mm figures for the British 55th foot and it's really got my juices going, they've been sitting in a box undercoated for a year, I bought the undercoat at last years Salute that's how I remember!. I fancied a break from painting Posties damn Napoleonic Russians, they driving me crazy, green, green, green and some more dark green!!!!
Anyway I was searching the web for a decent FIW picture, and came across probably the most iconic painting for the period, The Death of General Wolfe, by Benjamin West. It's a beautiful painting with tons of uniform detail and as it's painted only 11 years after the death of Wolfe you'd hope that the men portrayed were dressed historically accurate for the period. Here's a link to learn a little more about the artist Benjamin West, Link
As well as trying to keep the Mrs and the kids happy, work, painting Posties figures, trying to paint my own figures, I'm also currently trying to make some Indian longhouses, I'm quite pleased with the results so far, of course when they're done I'll take a few pics and post them here on the blog. I'm also doing a little research into FIW skirmish rules, I've already bought a few sets and am not sure what to do, I guess it means I may have to write my own, groan!!! As if I'm not busy enough already???
Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!
Ray

Recently Painted No 23 Russian Guard Dragoons 1812

The Russian Guard Dragoons were commanded by Petr A. Chicherin II during the 1812 campaign. They were in The First Army of the West Commanded by Barclay de Tolly, along with the Guard Hussars and Guard Uhlans they were brigaded in Ouvarov's 1st Cavalry Corps.

The Lifeguard Dragoon Regiment was formed in 1809 by taking 5 of 10 squadrons of Grand Duke Constantine Uhlan Regiment. These dragoons were modeled on Napoleon's Guard It was not a showy outfit as the hussars and uhlans and not so prestigious as the Lifeguard Horse or the Chevaliers. But they were superbly trained and disciplined. 

In 1812 after the battle of Tarutino, the Lifeguard Dragoons were sent together with Cossacks and light troops toward Mozhaisk where they harrased the enemy's transports and convoys. Two squadrons of dragoons ambushed and destroyed two squadrons of French Guard Dragoons

In Kulm in 1813 the Lifeguard Dragoons spearheaded the massive cavalry charge against Vandamne's infantry. The dragoons attacked frontally and ran down one regiment, while other regiments attacked enemy's flanks. In April 1813 the dragoons were awarded with St. George standards. 

In the battle of Leipzig the French Cuirassiers  routed them in the cavalry battle fought near Gulden-Gossa's ponds. 

In 1814 the Lifeguard Dragoons fought in Fère Champenoise for which they were awarded with 22 St. George trumpets. 

Recently painted No 22 U.S 1st Light Dragoons 1812

Once again, another of Posties units I have recently painted, the figures represent the 1st U.S Light Dragoons, for the War of 1812. The figures are Mini-Figs and are based up for Posties GdB rules. We were not sure if the unit carried any flag and what kind of flag it would be, so Postie has put a generic U.S flag, which look good in my opinion!!

On the 12th April 1808 by U.S congress decree, five regiments of infantry, one Rifle, one light artillery and one Light Dragoon were raised, consisting of 8 companies of 54 men. Their sole qualification to join was that they had to be good Jeffersonians. The Federal government equipped and accoutred the new Dragoons as light infantry, as they were unwilling to pay for horses until war broke out!!
In May 1813, during the War of 1812, a British landing party of 1200 men tried to take Sackett's Harbour, the only decent harbour on the American side of Lake Ontario. They were opposed by Brigadier General Jacob Brown, 400 regulars and 250 volunteers. Brown was stubborn and 250 of his regulars belonged to the 1st & 2nd Light Dragoons. Together with some local militia, whom the regulars had to constantly rally fought the British to a standstill ans saved the port.