Refurbished map and character sheets

This is a smaller, 60x80 hex (if I remember right) map of the world. Any resemblance to historical nations and geography is accidental. You can now access the map from the 'Basic information' page and download the full-size version.

This would call for slower movement rates on campaign, so an army will have to have over 75% cavalry to move 4 hexes a day (applied to messengers too), and any other unit will move 2 hex per day, 3 in forced march (only on roads), and roll on 1d6 and reduce movement rate by 1 hex when rolling a 1.
This time I opted not to name many settlements and fortresses and name them on the go. I can always look up older posts or turn to the old map for inspiration or naming these consistently. Also, the geography is a bit different from the previous version but I tried to keep the events of the Störkburg campaign relevant.

The character sheet was another sensitive matter. I have not had good profiles for most of the personalities besides some very basic guidelines. What helped me a great deal was constructing a chronology (also available at the info page) and give a descriptive age to each character, then use the stuff already described in various scrap files and notes from the Schultze-Böhnstadt folder on my laptop (Training and Temperament). Added to this were the many fun aspects of 'Creating Big Men' mechanisms from Sharp Practice: physique, popularity, character traits etc. Looks and personality goes to the 'Misc' part. 

Long-term plans in Schultze-Böhnstadt

With a Christmas purchase, the two basic (Flossian and S-B) armies will be complete. These will set an example as a core army:
(Baccus sets of figures and numbers used) [units/stands in Maurice]

Basic army
Regular infantry (2=192) [6/24]
Regular cavalry, dragoons and/or cuirassiers (2=72) [6/24]
Irregular infantry (1=48) [6/24]
Irregular cavalry, when used so (1=36) (1-3/4-12)
Artillery (1=4 guns +16 crew) [4/4]
~360 figures.

This is, first of all, for variety and the entire army will rarely be deployed, if at all.

I would like to do some other nations' units as well and in all probability redesign the map for a more integral use.

For Glambria, I will use SYW French (an obvious choice).

For Quattri Formaggi, most likely the same army will be used.

Varangia, a historically accurate GNW Swedish army.

Leuwenthal, a GNW Russian army - these will, obviously, double up as actual GNW units.

A good thing about Maurice is it can be used for totally different levels of engagement. For example, in the games we played, the units were battalions of about 120 men (so a 1:5 figure to IRL scale as played in Cossacks). Remember, these are still nascent peace-time armies of relatively small states. But I could use 4-stand units for regiments of multiple battalions as well - so, for example, I could play the three cuirassier regiments as one 4-stand unit, the 1st Prinzipalitär Foot as a unit of musketeers and one of grenadiers, and the other regular regiments as 4-stand units again. It is explained in Maurice under the advanced rules that the relativity of the game (using base widths and an abstract disruption system instead of casualties) allows a variety of engagement scales to be reproduced.

The Principality also has some sea ports so it is just obvious that for naval games, I'm going to use the same setting.

The Treaty of Neu-Leuchtenberg

The defeated von Presser had met with Princeps Erhard Berthold at the fortress of Neu-Leuchtenberg to sign the peace treaty; a messenger with switched horses was sent to Rückelburg and another to General Hohenspitz with news of the armistice and following negotiations.

The Princeps reasoned, and Erik von Südflosse agreed, that they must not be heavy-handed about the conditions of the treaty, but they must set clear borders:

The Union will renounce all claims of the Störkburg Valley and consider it mandatory to rest its frontier on the Grühne. Any action by local nobility and outlaws against Principality settlements will be met with force on the Flossian side.

The Union, when called for, will provide materials for any Böhnstadter war effort up to a sum of 50,000 Thalers.

Karrotenbad and the neighboring region, up to the border, will be demilitarized.

In return, the Principality will march out of Union territory and will respect the Union's sovereignty over the territories described above.

The Principality, above the possible future 50,000 Thalers, will not ask for any further toll.

These terms were most generous in von Presser's eyes as well, so he signed the treaty with dignity, and the knowledge that, when the time will come, he will be more prepared for a fight instead of sending fresh recruits to the frontlines. But where could he gain a well-trained army? His thoughts were wandering again.

Armistice

On the northeast, the broken army of Elector von Presser left the field routing. The Elector chose to visit Princeps Erhard Berthold under a white flag and begin discussing the terms of surrender.

Bishop Michheim did not risk taking a second foothold on the left bank of the Flosse so he burned the second bridge down, united with the other, intact half of his brigade and marched back to reinforce Rückelburg, waiting for news on von Presser's enterprise.

6mm Standards

For the 6mm armies, I have measured the standard bearers' poles and created a template in Photoshop. I used Paint to create the flags, visited a printing shop and had them printed on thick (250g) matte paper.

 8th & 9th Flossian Füsil Regiments

 1st Prinzipalitär Rgt of Foot

7th Karrotenbad Rgt of Foot 

The Schultze-Böhnstadt royal banner

Flag template

The scribe of Princeps Erhard Berthold reports a battle fought to a tactical victory for the Principality at Müllerstraße Crossroads.

Ferdinand von Csiki, for showing great prowess holding the enemy back until the rest of his Brigade could reform, receives the Prometheus Cross of the Union.

The Böhnstadter Annelise Cuirassiers, the Garde du Corps and the 1st Prinzipalitär Regiment of Foot receive the Regimental Cross for throwing back the enemy and showing great courage on the battlefield. Their united effort is what won the day.

Fight at the Flosse bridgehead

Half of Bishop Michheim's brigade stood at the western bridge on the Flosse that General Hohenspitz was assaulting. The troops hid behind heavy entrenchments, with a battalion of militia as reserve on the right bank.

The battle of Rammsfeld

The retreating Flossian force from Grübsburg reached Elector von Presser south of the town of Rammsfeld. This was a great open plain and the Elector chose this as the site of his battle. He counted on the enemy being aggressive as suggested by earlier reports: every time the Flossians took a beating the Principality forces had the initiative. He hoped to change that. From the 6th Brigade and his own he had a great number of light infantry: three two-company battalions of Pandurs zu Fuss and three full-size battalions of Jäger led by his nephew. The Flossian army, however, lacked cavalry as the complete cavalry force was captured by von Spülge. Knowing the great number of cavalry in the enemy army, the elector feared a flanking attack, so the flanks of the two main lines were reinforced with the Erlblatt Dragoons and one Pandur battalion on each. 

The Flossian main battle line consisted of three infantry regiments, the 8th and 9th fusiliers and the Presser Leib, eight battalions in total. The Grenadier battalion added to the Pandurs was set up in the centre. The centre body had, in fact, three lines, the light infantry making up the third.

Princeps Erhard Berthold had only six foot battalions. These were set up in two lines, similarly to that of the Flossians, but the lines were much closer and the rear could support and reinforce the first line. On the left flank stood two battalions of the 5th Dragoons, on the right, closer to the main line the Prinzess Angela cuirassiers, and then the 3rd regular dragoon company with the Paulitz hussars and the Freelancers. However, instead of the rash tactics employed earlier, the Princeps decided to stand ground.

The Flossian battery started the battle with ineffectively gunning the Böhnstadter centre. There was a slight slope between the two and most cannonballs struck this. The Böhnstadter cannon did not answer. A short while later the skirmisher line started marching cautiously through the plain between the two armies: now the two five-gun batteries shot two volleys, scattering some Jäger but not halting the advance. The Flossian commanders expected a counterattack and marched slowly to firing distance: soon the Böhnstadter dragoons moved out and the infantry started shooting. In a frenzy, the younger von Presser ordered a full-blown attack which escalated to heavy musket fire and then a charge against the thick Böhnstadter first line, causing more harm to the Jäger than to their enemies. They fell back in disorder but luckly neither the dragoons nor the cuirassiers pursue them.

Now the Princeps ordered the far right to move out, just as the Elector planned: what he did not perceive was the sheer number of this force. The Freelancers mounted to 180, the Dragoon battalion had 90 men and the Leibhussaren von Paulitz 170: despite quickly reinforcing his left, the 180 dragoons and 140 Pandurs could not hold the enemy back. The light cavalry conducted their charge with perfect coordination from the Dragoons' volleys and the ad-hoc battle line broke. Despite the Freelancers being eager to pursue, their commanders (on the Princeps' orders) stopped them. The main Flossian force, stripped of all support, faced them and stood ground. The Böhnstadter cannon stopped shooting again. 

This lasted for roughly half an hour when a Principality emissary arrived at Elector von Presser's headquarters. The man handed the elector a letter bearing the royal seal:

"South-East of Rammsfeld, Bacher Hill, 12:40AM

If your Mercy pleases, he may attack with his battle line, fearing not our flanking units which will stay put. Furthermore, your Mercy may, if his attack falters, retreat in good order without fear of any Böhnstadter pursuit.

Signed, Princeps Erhard Berthold, Commander-in-Chief, 2nd Dreichholm Brigade"

This mockery and gallantry was not very well perceived by the Elector and he ordered the advance immediately. The Princeps' reasoning was that he had the battle won, and his men needed experience: he trusted his soldiers well and not without reason. The Flossian lines came crashing into the Böhnstadter regiments, but the first line held out; then the second line counter-charged the Von Presser Leib and for a while all was a mess; the 5th Dragoons attacked the 9th Flossian on their right, the cannon poured grapeshot then all fell silent...

The Böhnstadter lines held out and the Flossians were beaten again; the Elector organized the ruins of his forces and, as was promised, retreated westwards without further harm done to him.

What von Presser did not and Princeps Erhard Berthold did think of was that not only the battle, but the war had already been won; Hohenspitz under Rückelburg and the main Flossian army again soundly beaten, the heads of Schultze-Böhnstadt were only waiting for a peace treaty by the Union leaders.

Fresh Scale

The first painted Baccus 6mm units for the Schultze-Böhnstadt army. Three of the four battalions will be the 7th Karrotenbad Rgt of Foot. I will soon post details and more photos on Random&Creative.

Saving Rückelburg

Von Hohenspitz, winning under Skreptsdorf, came within five days' march of the Flossian capital. Bishop Michheim sent a messenger to Rückelburg in order to mobilize the garrison under Elector Könstrelle. Rallying all the available troops west of the River Flosse, he managed to procure nine conscript battalions - a sad sight indeed. Furthermore, another six companies were saved by him after the defeat. These were from a variety of units, a rag-tag band and their battlefield experiences did not help the bishop at all. Neither did the fact that there were not any eligible commanders to aid him in planning the defense of Rückelburg.

The city garrison consisted of a Grenzer and a Pioneer battalion. They also had a provisional dragoon squadron and a militia unit. Luckily enough, the training bands of the artillery regiment had five large bore cannon that would prove useful. Elector Könstrelle decided to mount the militia on horses to have at least a little cavalry. About a hundred men were somehow able to ride a horse. 

Michheim devised a plan. He intended to hold the Schlachthoff and Schwarzburg bridges for a while, then burn them down retreating. Would any of the two bridgeheads be attacked, in two or three hours' march the other could send aid, burning down their own. This wins them two or three more days, and in that time more reinforcements could flow in or, what's even more desirable, von Presser could overcome the other Böhnstadter army and at least enforce a stalemate with Hohenspitz.

The Battle of Skreptsdorf

On the following morning, Elector Michheim devised his battle plan.

His centre consisted of the large body of foot he had at his disposal. These were very low quality troops. 

The centre of the forward line was the large Losenburg battalion, behind it the similarly large Militia battalion that had no firearms. To their right stood one ragged Landwehr unit of two companies and the guns in the second line; West of these again two Landwehr units. The rest was equally distributed on the left centre. 

On the far left flank stood one Dragoon unit, on the right, below the walls, two.

Von Hohenspitz conducted a reconnaisance mission earlier with a Freelancer troop and decided to form a standard battle line, the 1st Prinzipalitär's five battalions in the first and the 2nd's three and the Eugen Jäger in the second. Two large amassed bodies of horse were sent on the flanks, the regulars (one unit of Leibdragoner and Annelise Cuirassiers on both flanks, plus the Garde on the left) were supported by the light Freelancers further outwards. The general wished to hold the two ends of the Flossian line in a pincer then deliver the fatal blow with his superior infantry.

The battle began with the cannon opening fire on each other. The Flossian guns' shot fell short and landed between the 1st Regiment's ranks. The first Böhnstadter battery returned fire towards the enemy cannon while the 2nd battered the first enemy line in the centre.

A little while later the Böhnstadter cavalry moved out and confronted the Flossian dragoons. The right flank gave way quickly but the left held out. Nonetheless, the two main lines became unbalanced. The Böhnstadter main attack swung to the right from its left end and rolled the Flossian defense up. At the first signs of disorder the green Union troops ran away, and in an hour the Landwehr brigade had been totally dispersed. Elector Michheim escaped, carried off by a fleeing dragoon company. Most of the troops ran away too as von Hohenspitz did not pursue. The bishop's delayment tactics seemed to work for a while, but now the Flossian hinterlands are in danger...

While a lot of men were wounded on the Böhnstadter side, most of those were minor and losses were thus minimal. The 1st regiment's Grenadier companies suffered a great deal.

Avoidance

Elector Michheim, after a successful screen by the Liliensbad dragoons, decided he would not stand battle against the enemy twice his numbers. He marched towards Skreptsdorf to the north, alerting the nearby militia battalion and the fort of Losenburg, which held 8 companies. All this force then reached Skreptsdorf in a tiresome forced march by midnight, barely escaping von Hohenspitz's avant-garde.

The bishop, with the crew of Skreptsdorf, now had four more battalions, making his army up to fourteen against Hohenspitz's 21. His men were tired: he extended the earthworks around Skreptsdorf Keep as much as he could, drew up the five small guns he took from the forts, and prepared to stand his ground.

Von Hohenspitz followed in a steady place, trying not to exhaust his men.

The defenders of Grübsheim left the fort, joining with Elector von Presser in the town of Rammsfeld, when the Böhnstadter brigade descended from the southern hills.

Neckersburg, fielding only three companies of irregulars, surrendered to Dietrich von Spülge.

With a daring move, von Hohenspitz marches against the strengthened Landwehr in Liliensbad. The truth is that his supply lines are growing too long and he still does not wish to plunder the Flossian populace. A chance is present to beat the main Flossian force and coerce the Union to a treaty.

The Princeps evades the Grühne fort of Geistwold and marches inside the Böhnstadter borders of the left bank of the river. Elector von Presser is still two days' march from Grübsheim while the Principality may strike at it the next day. The Flossian brigade is moving very slowly, but they have met the messenger sent from Grübsheim. The Elector sent him back to inform the defenders that, when threatened by the Böhnstadter, they should retreat westwards and join forces with him.

Dietrich von Spülge decided to take the third fort in the Karrotenbad area while waiting for reinforcements. Neckersburg is defended by a battalion of border guards so it would be an easy job to capture.

The Military of Schultze-Böhnstadt 2.: Standards and Guidons

These will be used with the 6mm figures and may be resized later.

Princeps Erhard Berthold musters his forming brigade after the capture of the two forts.

Escape

The Grühne river flew softly in the night near the prisoners' camp near Willecheny, north of the village of Spülge. A company of militia watched over the captured Klaußstadt Brigade's men. The Flossian officers were offered separate quarters, and only Major Schilswig refused; he had been, against the advice of Elector Strutzenheim, conspiring to break out of the camp. Most of his own regiment - or what had remained of them - would follow him without doubt; however, he needed more than them to make his plan work.

Von Strutzenheim's wound healed well, so Schilswig visited him again in a fresh attempt to convince him of a breakout. - 'We are in no state to do that, Major', the elector said, 'and we have no horses and no weapons. An officer's sword is hardly enough for three hundred men.'

'We could subdue the guards; we could take our arms back; avoid that cursed von Spülge and get home through the river', the Major insisted.

'Do whatever you want, I will not stop you; but I will not help you either. This conversation is over.'

It was near midnight when most of the camp, crawling like a centipede, became awake. Silent shades crept upon the Böhnstadter sentries. However, they were cavalrymen and not jäger; a corporal stepped upon a dry branch and the Böhnstadter were alert. 'To arms! To arms!', shouted Major Schilswig, hoping to break through by sheer force. Muzzle flashes crashed through the darkness as a well-organized provisional platoon drew up in a shallow line at the end of the camp. 

The clash was confusing. Men were running up and down inside the camp, and most of the guards seemed totally lost after the first five minutes. 'Follow me, sir!', a sergeant from his own regiment yelled into Schilswig's ear. They staggered past a troop of Böhnstadter pinned in hand-to-hand combat by club-wielding cavalrymen, then happened upon the riverbank sooner than the Major expected. 'We must swim or they'll notice us', the sergeant said. 'Any good swimmers that can lead the way?' - and soon they disappeared into the night. Forty dragoons made it to the Flossian bank, and with a huge circle around the Böhnstadter camp started on their way to Grübsheim.

Campaign Diary, 3-4 April

The small fort of Spürsburg yielded to von Hohenspitz without a fight. Its defenders, four companies of militia were sent back towards Störkburg, a troop of Freelancers escorting them.

Süderwaldhoffen, the fortress where Bishop Michheim stopped his brigade, produced two battalions that joined the brigade in an attempt to fill its ranks after the losses at Strutzenheim. The bishop decided that the 1st Landwehr battalion will be merged to the other five, bringing up their numbers to 120 and leaving one battalion with 83 men. Although he is a commander limited in abilities, he recognized that even with these six and a half battalions he could not stand against Hohenspitz, and neither could he wage asymmetrical warfare due to his troops being untrained. He could gather the forces of nearby forts and also plead to a neighboring militia battalion to boost his power but this would take a few days and in that time von Hohenspitz would continue wreaking havoc in the countryside. Although the old general was civil with the populace so far, Michheim feared too much this would end. He had sent another messenger to the capital, even overestimating the Böhnstadter strength a little bit. Another party was sent to the closest fortifications to help him out with cannon and troops. This was, on the other hand, Elector Strutzenheim's territory, so he could not recruit new units for the brigade.

Elector von Presser gathered his household troops and mustered them. He had three under-manned battalions of jäger, three regular fusilier battalions, and two dragoon squadrons led by his nephew. However, he had no idea where to intervene, now that the news of the loss of Strutzenheim reached the capital.

(At this point, the Flossian high command has no idea that the Princeps himself is partaking in the war as the crew of the two forts are all taken prisoner.)

Lady Ingetora reached the Varangian border and has been greeted by a screen of reiters that took over her escort from the Böhnstadter dragoons. She was aiming for the capital without stopping.

In Hindsight...

I firmly believe that with my limited painting time and skills, it will be much more convenient (and less harsh to my purse) to use 6mm figures for the strategical gaming aspect. This also allows me to bulk up orders when starting my 6mm Poltava project (if that ever happens!).

I would also like to try Maurice with these figures, which means a different approach to basing, and a lot of plasticard. However, the physical rulebook with the cards is sort of pricey. 

The whole Böhnstadter army in 6mm (Baccus packs) would consist of 6 infantry packs (one grenadier, one fusilier, four musketeer), one or two command packs, three cannon packs, 3 dragoons, 3 cuirassiers, 2 hussars and 1 jäger, ending up to 120£ in price total. I imagine the Flossians would cost the same, which is still a moderate and achievable price if I divide my purchases over several months (or find a higher-end job for the summer).

It would also be a more feasible approach to fill the two opposing armies at a similar rate (e.g. buying units for both at the same time) so I could experiment with tabletop gaming. 

The Sieges of Völgstserne and Vierlingspitze

Erik von Südflosse and the Princeps, with their small army, first arrived at the town of Völgstserne, which was defended by four infantry companies. The fortress was very old school and was furthermore protected by two howitzers. It had two gates, one on the northwest and one on the south.
These fortresses, on both sides of the frontier, usually serve as sentry posts and shelters for border guard or light cavalry units, thus they more often are in a bad state than not, not prepared to withstand any kind of siege where the enemy musters a force larger than two battalions.

The outflanking maneuver of the four companies.

The Princeps, with his mostly inexperienced regiment of foot, drew a line that ran from the southwest to the southeast diagonally to the walls. Then the three battalions each thinned their ranks, procuring three independent companies, which, together with the dismounted dragoon troop, were sent to the northern gate to force it open under the smoke of the two artillery pieces that began their work on the southern entrance. 

As the battering began, the Flossian companies were drawn around the southern gate, expecting the attack from there; leaving the northern one without defense. The four companies attacking it found little difficulty in their task. As soon as the southern gate let loose (it didn't take much effort) the attack has been launched from both ends. A shot from a loaded howitzer killed seven of the dragoons, while the battalion attacking from the south lost fifty men (most of them wounded) to enemy musket fire and the shot from the other howitzer. The defenders, however, soon yielded. The Princeps and the Karrotenbad regiment captured a howitzer and a five-pounder gun (the second howitzer being spiked by the Flossians), which was mounted on the second howitzer's carriage. It looked odd, but did the job.

Vierlingspitze, the target of the next day was a more freshly built point of the Flossian border defense, but it had been neglected by a series of commanders that ended up in the position due to incompetence or lack of prowess. It had also been defended by four companies, of which one was a Jäger and one a training company without firearms. These were stationed in the outer palisades, while the two regular companies sheltered inside the stone fort with two howitzers. 

The companies that formed the attack group yesterday were set up in a formation resembling a crescent moon to hug the walls. They unleashed the full force of their musket fire on the palisades. As casualties began mounting, the two companies asked the commander to enter the stone fort, which he denied. 'You will fight for the last man', he added. But the jäger and the greens did not want to sacrifice their lives so they yielded. A company of foot then destroyed the gate on the palisade, and a howitzer was dragged in. The prisoners of war showed the Princeps a small elevation that allowed the cannon to shoot inside the fortress.

The defences of Vierlingspitze, the north-western palisade being partly broken down.

The howitzer's crew first took out the ordnance inside the keep, then the three cannon bombarded it for an hour. The space inside was very narrow so the two infantry companies lost thirty-odd men. The few civilians that were tasked with keeping the palisade and the walls in shape pleaded to the commander to yield, which he denied; but he said he allowed them to surrender themselves. The dozen people left the keep and did so.

Two more hours and the inside of the keep was full with the wounded and the dead. After multiple threats and pleadings from the Böhnstadter side, the captain still did not wish to surrender. To save the Flossians inside, finally the Princeps approached the walls and challenged the commander to a duel of first blood; if he wins, the commander surrenders, in the other case, he leaves the fortress under surveillance, but in Flossian hands.
The commander agreed and they have chosen a small clearing in the woods to the north. The Princeps was an average but experienced fencer; the Flossian captain has always been a footman and a third son of the Baron of Sliegelstadt, so he had little knowledge on the art of blades. Nonetheless he fought with bravery, losing only by an inch of his steel to a quick riposte by Erhard Berthold. When he learned his opponent's name, he stood in astonishment: 'But your Highness, I could have killed you and ended the war in an instant.' 'I said to him the same; he did not listen', Erik von Südflosse muttered, reprimanding his master for taking so much risk over saving the lives of a few dozen rank and file.

Happenings on the Map

Prince Erhard Berthold left the capital with Erik von Südflosse and a company of reserve Garde du Corps (the rest is campaigning with von Hohenspitz). They reached Karrotenbad in two days as the Princeps decided to cut the route towards Spülge on the nearer side of the Grühne river and capture the two closer forts with whatever troops are available to him. They raised eight ad hoc companies in Gleutring and Karrotenbad and took a ninth from the fort's defenses, along with a pair of small bore cannon. This totals a strong enough infantry force, along with two screens of Karrotenbad dragoons and the guard cuirassiers to accomplish the task.

Dietrich von Spülge estimated that, with the rain coming up from the south (the same that soaked von Hohenspitz's greatcoat under Mecklenheim), it will take about three more days until the ordnance from the nearby forts reaches him and he can launch the attack on the Flossians occupying Grübsheim.

The ragged Flossian Landwehr brigade marched north on a narrow road in the woods, hoping to either cut von Hohenspitz's march on the capital or shelter themselves in a nearby fort and cause enough delayment in the Böhnstadter general's plan that reinforcements could reach them.

Von Hohenspitz decided to march west instead of north or north-east and capture Spürsburg first, with the cavalry setting up a perimeter so an attack by the underestimated provisional brigade would not suprise them.

The Flossian recruitment troops are marching out to build up fresh units, especially cavalry as their cavalry brigade was lost at the second battle of Spülge.

Painted so far...

Here are all the 40 15mm figures painted for this project.

Störkburg Jäger battalion

The Störkburg Jäger is a provisional battalion made up of volunteers from Störkburg Valley and officers provided by the Academy. It usually serves together with the 2nd Rgt of Foot.

2nd Störkburger Regiment of Foot, Grenadier battalion

The 2nd Regiment, based in Störkburg, has four battalions, one of which is a Grenadier unit.  The fifth battalion is the provisional Störkburg Jäger. 

All line infantry units of the 2nd Regiment, just like most line regiments of Schultze-Böhnstadt, wear a black (dark grey) vest with red facings. Grenadier units are issued a black mitre hat with silver front plates.

1. Prinzipalitär Regiment of Foot, 4-5. Grenadier battalions

The 1st Regiment, being quite an over-sized one, has two grenadier battalions. These are usually deployed as a front-rank force or used as shock troops to break the enemy with bayonet charges.

They wear the red vest of the 1st with beige facings and turnbacks, also beige pants. The mitres are brass plated instead of the usual silver.

Prinzeps Erhard Berthold of the House of Jazygia

Here's the man himself, His Majesty the Princeps Erhard Berthold, Heir to the Jazygian Throne, Markgraf Odontoceros, the Lion of the Grühne, Protector of Störkburg. Always a calm person and at his wits, but lacking military experience, he will soon overtake the lead of the 2nd Dreichholm Brigade. 

Knight Colonel Herbert von Plischke

The Knight von Plischke is one of the richest magnates in the Principality; luckily for the crown, he is a good officer on the field as well. He inherited the rank of owner of the 1st Prinzipalitär Regiment after his father's death a few years before, and had ventured, with General von Hohenspitz, to Quattri Formaggi to fight the rebels earlier: as such, he does not lack military experience. With his years, well above forty, he had learnt to manage his temper, but is prone to make rash decisions.

I/1. Pioneer battalion

The pioneer regiment has three battalions, two assigned to brigades on the field and a third, provisional battalion to train fresh recruits. This last will probably be called to services once Dietrich von Spülge begins recruiting for the third Böhnstadter brigade.

The Pioneers carry out most duties related to construction, but are well trained in combat as well. The 1st battalion, assigned to von Hohenspitz's Schultzdorf Brigade, is led by Lt.Col. Harlein, a very able officer, owner of the regiment.

Eugen Jäger battalion

Coincidentally, Schultzdorf is the recruiting pool for members of the Schultzdorf Brigade. When called to battle, those already mastering the rifle (hunters, foresters and the like) enter the Eugen Jäger battalion, which is quite the addition to the regular army. It is usually deployed together with the 1st Regiment but is a new addition, being just a few years old as a separate unit.

During the wars in the South, battling rebels on the side of the Chancellorette Beatrice Schiavona, it was von Hohenspitz who insisted on raising irregular troops to match the rebels' guerrilla tactics. The Eugen Jäger battalion has been institutionalized only a few years later.

The unit is currently led by Major Jagdfeld, a quite adept but often harsh officer, originating from Störkburg.

Generalmajor Karl von Hohenspitz

A Minden Miniatures 1/56 SYW von Seydlitz figure, painted up as General von Hohenspitz, wearing the uniform of the Garde du Corps with a cuirass. 

Strutzenheim's Onslaught

 As there still are technical difficulties with Cossacks, your humble scribe will describe the battle that happened at the town of Strutzenheim by using the map of the area.
 Strutzenheim lies at a crossroads - the main Störkburger road runs east-west, and the northern road joins in at the town centre. There is a small mill and a church bar some dwellings of the locals, and the town hall at the crossroads. 

April Fools Day

'Ah, motherland', sighed Dietrich von Spülge, looking out to his family estate near the river. He was more than contended with himself: he had beaten the Flossians out of the town and was close to retake Grübsheim and, essentially, end the war while the old Hohenspitz got bogged down in the south.

'Any news of the 1st Brigade?', he asked his aide, but the man just shook his head. 'No, sir, and none from the Princeps.' 'All right. The staff meeting is due this afternoon, Franz, so please look after the dinner. You may find quality red wine in the cellar, had the scoundrels not sacked it.' 'As far as I know, sir, the Flossians respected the civil authority here and did not loot the houses.' 'At least that is what they say now that they are captured. How are their wounded, by the way?' 'The officers are fine, the rank and file not so much. We haven't got enough surgeons.' ''Tis true, my man. Well, send a second errand to the forts nearby and ask for help.' 

As von Spülge told this, the aide knew the Brigade won't be moving for quite a while. On the staff meeting, von Spülge will tell his officers that he wishes to wait: wait for the Flossians to reinforce and rebuild the walls of Grübsheim. 

Erik von Südflosse knocked on the door of the Princeps' main office room. 'Come in!' coughed the head of the state, then sipped some tea from his large mug. 'Blasted hay-fever. What are your intentions, Chancellor?'

'Your Highness. I have, by the reports of my... informators, come to the conclusion that General von Spülge will not be as effective on the North as is expected. Misunderstand me not, he is a great warrior, it seems, but not suitable for leading a brigade.'

'What led you to this conclusion?'

'After beating the Flossians out of his estate, he did not pursue nor march to retake our lost fief of Grübsheim. Grübsheim is strategically important, as it forms the bridgehead on the Grühne.'

'So he did win after all, but how are your subordinates so quick to tell you all this?'

'I have my means and so do you, Your Highness.'

'You wish to suggest something.'

'You know me too well, my Princeps. I propose either the relief of von Spülge as brigade commander or the setting up of a third brigade and joining forces with him.'

'Who would be eligible to lead a brigade?'

'We cannot take commanders from the 1st, Your Highness. Neither can we appoint the old Colonel Spilsske from the 2nd brigade, for he is only a Lieutenant Colonel, although highly trained and experienced. Colonel von Paulitz had died in the charge of his Hussars, so we have Oberst von Kahlen as a sole hope within the Brigade.'

'This implies you have thought of outsiders as well.'

'I have thought of you, Your Highness. It would certainly boost morale and the necessary actions shall be made under your direct control. While you take the lead, you can appoint von Spülge to raise a third brigade and judge him fit when he is done without doing his honor any major harm.'

'It will be so, then. Prepare a pair of my best horses and a dozen of my Guard for the journey.'

'As you wish, Your Highness. Leave the matters of the state for me while you are away.'

'Do you wish to come?'

'I judge myself more fit to fumble with documents and numbers.'

'And spies who are faster than wind. I'll need you there, prepare a horse for yourself too. We'll be done with this war in a month, for this is the most serious threat to the state at present.'

'As you command, my Princeps.'

'No! There will be no cavalry charge against the village!', cried General von Hohenspitz, facing two of his cavalry commanders, Colonels Schalwerden and von Petzger. 'This is a pitched battle, and so we will do everything by the book: may the foe be proven a fool on April Fools Day or not. They have known we would be here for a day; they knew which direction were we coming from; and I will not risk a single branch, especially not in favor of the others. What would the Jäger and the pioneers think? These are but odd jobs for the Brigade, judging by the report of your men, Petzger. So let each and every arm try its strength and believe itself useful for the sake of us all. Understood?'
'Sir', nodded the two cavalrymen. The General gave them the order of the battle.

Bishop Michheim was still considering his options. He could disengage and retreat to any of the three forts nearby. Going to Grübsburg on the North would be a risky move as von Hohenspitz could reach his marching armies. He could take a stand then retreat to Waldhoffen in the nearby woods.
The closest fortifications of Strutzenheim had only nine companies of infantry for defense. The Bishop was not sure to dare leave them to their fate.
'Orders, sir?', the commander of the 1st Landwehr regiment asked him. 'We take battle, but be very cautious and don't push too far. We're only here to delay them.'

Thus it dawned on the battle of Strutzenheim.

Info Page update

Updated the 'Basic information' page with rules and an up to date army list of the participants.
Painting begins this weekend.

First figures arrived!

I am not home at the moment, but both the packs from Minden and Essex Miniatures have landed. Can't wait to start painting them.

In 15mm, I am starting to build the 1st Schultzdorf Brigade. The Essex order contains:

8x (Prussian Jäger) 1. Eugen Jäger battalion

8x (Prussian von Schony Grenadier) I/1. Pioneers

24x (Prussian Grenadier) the 2 grenadier battalions of the 1st Prinzipalitär and one of the 2nd Störkburger regiments.

These will be based on 15x15mm square plasticard bases and put on trays for versatility. Say, I'd like to play with different rules, the chance is given. My house rules use 8 men units, and one battalion will make up an in-game unit; while using Risk figures, a unit base was 6x2cm, this will be now 6x3, so only the depth will change.

The order from Minden Miniatures contains a von Seydlitz figure and Prussian staff officers who will be the heads of the Principality's army. 

Schultze-Böhnstadt Comes 'Alive'

In the next few months I will be painting 1/72 GNW figures if I can take my time; however, along with that, I have thought of building a tabletop army for Schultze-Böhnstadt as well.

Rules-wise, I either prefer using my house rules A Risk to Take, or trying out Maurice when the chance is given.

Figures-wise, for 15mm I would be using Old Glory and Essex, and for 28mm Minden Miniatures. The latter is for skirmish gaming and characters, mainly because my pocket is not limitless.

I am a 1/72 buff, it is true, but the range, even with the newer HäT releases, is too far limited. On the other hand, I could use the Italeri AWI range, just like how I intend to use Perry AWI Brits as Flossians. But no, I am set on these two other scales.

Footnotes and technicalities

1. I will need a more reliable way to administer unit strengths than hitting up older blog posts. By that, I mean an extensive excel table with unit strength, location, losses, commanders.

2. I will need to work out more crisp campaign rules regarding spendings and movement.

3. I should instate a campaign diary to keep track of dates and movements.

These are from experiences with running another tabletop campaign for a few sessions now, and while it increases the weight of 'bureaucracy' it makes it easier to track things.

I have changed hardware in the meantime and this beast runs on Win7. This, somehow, messes up all the screenshots I make, so until I find an alternative, I won't be able to publish the results on the battle of Strutzenheim.

I have placed my first order of Minden figures, Prussian staff on foot and a von Seydlitz figure who will be the venerable General Hohenspitz. The bulk will come in later.

Dance of Giants

When we left the scene, the Flossians lost the second battle of Spülge at the East and von Hohenspitz captured the small border fortress of Mecklenheim. The few escapees of the Flossian cavalry brigade retreated towards Grübsheim, sending a messenger home. 

Why is this errand important? As the Flossian brigades are beaten and Grübsheim is in no state to be defended for a long time, the road to the capital is open for Dietrich von Spülge, with the hinterlands hastily gathering reinforcements for the fight. With a forced march von Spülge could reach Rückelburg in a week and lay siege to it, as the Flossian brigades cannot muster enough force now to relieve it in time. 

The left-over of the Union army in the East expects the errand to make the road to the capital or find patrols in three days, from whence the mobilization of what is available could take two more, and by the beginning of next week, in a forced march, they would be able to get to Grübsheim and strengthen it or cut von Spülge's way, resting flanks on some smaller fort in between.

Lazily joining up with the Freelancers, von Hohenspitz prepares the assault on Bishop Michheim's militia. The Flossian elector is still hesitating to stand battle or retreat.