"Sikh War Update, March 26th, 2013" Topic

Just wanted to keep you posted. Briefly…

1) The Chenab River Campaign sub-chapter has been completed, as of last night. Of course, it's first draft material, but it is done and consists of:

Ramnuggar-Fort Jubbur-Suddulapore-Commentary/Analysis.

The last big subject to be dealt with revolves around the Chillianwalla Campaign, which is projected to be laid out as such:

The Chillianwalla Campaign and Debacle

But they're just sitting there, doing nothing

The Battle that should never have been

Humbugged, By God!

(Extensive) Commentary and Analysis

But for all that, for once I just want to turn your attention to the efforts of Dennis McKinney, whose research efforts rival my own.

Not only was Dennis responsible for finding the Khalsa Durbar Records for me…and smart enough to realize that I was dumb enough to take advantage of his largesse!

But, he's been doing a bang up job on researching the arms and weaponry used by every regiment, battalion and battery during the war, including the Sikhs.

For the past two months, Patrick and I have not only been astounded by his bull-dog tenacity regarding an item no bigger than your thumb…but we've called on mental health professionals in his state to track Dennis down.

Dennis has gone, above and beyond going "above and beyond" in his pursuit of this tiny object and the "Who's Who" list of experts in the field that he has contacted, consulted with and threatened is absolutely staggering.

In short, Patrick and I think you will be absolutely "Gob Smacked!" with Dennis's efforts in trying to bring the best information forward on such a small subject.

As soon as the Chillianwalla chapter is done, I'll let you know. Stay tuned!

Comments are always welcome, too!

Andrew

The fighting padre at Chillianwalla: "Did we come half-way around the world to be beaten by some heathens?" or words to that effect… ah yes, nothing like a first-class foul-up!

Nothing like an authoritative study of an arcane event. It always astonishes my wife, and sometimes even me.

Do tell us when it's available.

And allow me cheerfully to second all of Andrew's references to Dennis McKinney, the tireless researcher whose mastery of the sources has already made new information available, and who slays popular myths even as I write.

It should be no suprise that he comes by his conscientious habits and joy for "The Dig" legitimately as a Dr. of Law whose job is to keep other Lawyers in line.

May your tribe increase, Sir!

TVAG

Almost forgot…well, actually I did

Pursuing our own roads, Dennis and I have concluded that many, though not all, Indian authors from just a few generations past, were either lazy or squandered the opportunites they had to find and use primary source material.

Bajwa was number one on our list, for his failure to make full use of the KDG…though his loss is certainly my gain in that respect, but Bajwa is a complete letdown.

Right now the spotlight is on G.N. Pant and he's coming across as incompetent and lazy, Bajwa can only be accused of laziness and not seeing the goldmine in front of him.

There are others, Nijjar to name another candidate, but there is a silver lining.

Amarpal Sidhu and others have come to the forefront recently and are proving that they are cut from a different cloth altogether in presenting and at least attempt to get to long mis-used and ignored primary material.

Bajwa may not quite be Bilgewa, but Pant surely can't!

Can't wait till it's done so I can read it!

Andrew and Patrick and others are doing the heavy lifting. I'm just a spear carrier.

Dennis

You are too modest Dennis!

I was fortunately to get Dennis' feedback on my Volley and Bayonet Sikh War games many years ago (longer ago than I care to admit!) His input was most helpful – I'll third Andrew and Patrick, you are a wealth of information on this most fascinating period.

Ray

Yep, he most certainly IS!

And NOT me! It's Andy, Dennis, and I'll still include sculptor/game designer Chris Ferree.

To paraphrase Mr. Churchill, "They were the heart and sinew of the nation. I was simplly called upon to give the 'roar'"

And by "roar," I mean publish the bloody thing--this Summer, I hope (but do not promise).

TVAG

Aw shucks guys, I'm blushing.

If anyone is still reading this thread, I highly recommend Ray's V&B Sikh war games. Playing in one at Advance the Colors at Dayton is what first got me interested in this fascinating period, and caused me to track down Patrick, Chris and Andrew on TMP to answer my seemingly never-ending questions about the Sikh Wars.

Dennis

Do we have ANY idea when this will at last be available? I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait, but with the imminent release of a definitive 15mm range from Black Hat, we need some OOBs on which to base our opening orders!

Simon,

I'm trying like heck to get this to Patrick by mid-May, with two weeks bumper time either side of said deadline.

After that, it's in Patrick's hands.

Believe me, all of us are on all eight cylinders cranking mode, that's all I can tell you.