"Napoleonic Skirmishers Answers" Topic

John Cook wrote a series of articles in First Empire that described how Napoleonic skirmishers actually operated.

The articles were in issues 39, 40 and 57. They are well researched and merit study.

I have a pdf of the articles but I am not sure of the copyright issues.

An example page:

https://ibb.co/NV443yS

I have these, it'd be good to revisit them.

Yes I agree John Cook did know what he was writing

so….you are concerned about copyright issues wrt sending them on to anyone? As I would very much like a copy.

@Dave Jackson
Yes – I am concerned about the copyright issue. I would expect copyright to be reserved to John Cook (author) and the estate of the late David Watkins (publisher of 'First Empire' magazine).
I appreciate that 'First Empire' ceased publication some years ago. If anyone can enlighten me on the copyright position please email me at allan.mountford@outlook.com.

In general, if Mr. Cook is still alive, he holds the copyright and you would need his permission to share the articles.

A good overview for th ecurious:

https://www.csusa.org/page/Basics

As a matter of interest – if the author wanted to re-publish, then where would be a good place?

He either retired voluntarily from TMP or was banned, so bye bye and much for sorry for another true expert.

Hi

Yes, these, and several other articles would be well worth republication. I downloaded copies from the days of Magweb.

WRT copyright – is that not auomatically with the magazine publisher. Authors only retain copyright of their own complete works, eg a book. So it woudl tbe the legal entity that was "First Empire" magazine.

Didn't take too kindly to alternative views and interpretations, did Mr Cook. It was generally his way or the highway. Not a great approach to TMP where robust debate often prevails.

Scott – That is my understanding of the UK copyright position. 'First Empire' is one of a group of magazines forming a store of interesting and useful research articles. It would be a great pity if the content was lost to all but those who acquired copies during its publication run or via second hand purchases.

Nick – John certainly had his moments! I know him best from the old Napoleon Series forums perhaps 15 to 20 years ago. He certainly shared some good quality information and opinion with me.

I don't believe sharing between a group of fellow students in the interests of study is a breach of copyright. it would count as fair practice.

If the organ in which the articles was published has ceased publication then, I would say, their interest has effectively ended.

@42flanker

Tend to agree.

OK – if any fellow students would like a copy of the John Cook articles email me at allan.mountford@outlook.com

Please use 'Skirmishers' as the email subject.

hi Allan

I did ask for a request – maybe it was SPAMED.

John Cook wrote me an e – mail and liked to get it circulated on this board

I see an article of mine on skirmishing was discussed recently on TMP, in which the question of reproduction and copyright was raised. It was written by me for nothing, in order to share what I had found on the subject with those interested enough to want to read it. That remains the situation.

A caveat though. Although I'm fairly confident that it is still fairly accurate, bear in mind that it was written 20 years ago and a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then. It reflected what I had found, at the time, and my interpretation of it. The illegible original illustration of French skirmishers, for example, was sent to me together with the material on Davout's instructions and I assumed that it was connected with it. I am not sure now that it has anything to do with skirmishing at all! It is, unfortunately, illegible.

Please tell those concerned that they are free to copy it as they like. I no longer use forums where one infamous individual takes part. I found his unnecessarily combatitive attitude and lack of intellectual insight made the discussion a sterile and generally unpleasant experience. I see that nothing has changed.

Regards

John Cook

@vW

Would you let John Cook know how to use stifle function?

Perhaps he would then re-engage to all our benefit.

@vW

I will send you a copy today.

Please send John my very best regards, if you wouldn't mind. He engaged with and answered many of my queries on the two original Napoleon Series discussion forums.

@vW

Please re-send your request – I cannot find your personal email address.

Thinking this could be very interesting, is it long?

I am sure John Cooks knows the stiffle button, I would also welcome his expert input on this board, he shouldn't let him being terrorized by single individual.

@14Bore

Long enough to summarise theory (via various reglements) and a modest amount on actual combat practice for Austrian, British, French and Prussians.

Highly recommended.

request re sended – since yesterday

@vW

Your email was junked for some reason – however, I have just sent you a copy.

it arrived – milles fois merci

I ment how many pages? I only have a tablet.

14 pages

How do we send PMs on TMP?

Never tried more than 1, guess it would work or crash

Allen sent email, will be from blackpowder

Finished the article, very informative.
Brings me to Empire rules and it's semi-skirmishers which I never liked as I never read anything in battle history to support it, this mostly concerns my Russians.
Also while no shortage of skirmishers in my Prussian army never figured out how 3rd rank could be used with battalions in the 12 – 16 figure range and company stands.

Semi-skirmishers – great concept – not based in fact.

I tried to rationalise them as troops in open order two ranks deep (a la British in North America, Peninsular, any number of German armies in Europe).

I think I'm going to dump that and make my Russian Jagers into normal rule skirmishers. Last battle only did the skirmish rules twice, the poor Russians won both because being semi out numbered the Prussians who rate better as well as my bad dice rolls.

Yes interesting read.
Wouldn't agree with all, but overall a reasoned and well rounded dissertation.
Comparing reality with rules?? – phhht!

@SHaT1984

What didn't you agree with?

Rules are to be tooled to what we know about reality

Pondering how to make 3rd rank skirmishers have thought about taking a otherwise bloated Prussian musketeer battalion and making its extra figures into skirmishers.
Want to test game my no semi skirmishers first.

I *think* the original idea for semi-skirmishers was an attempt to portray different levels of competency… but the label and the mechanics didn't work, particularly when tied to limited deployment.

@McLaddie

Mentioning competency of skirmishing – I found the thread that I've been looking for about Reille's division attack on Hougoumont (feeding in each brigade over a four-hour period – the preceding ones being defeated by the defenders):

TMP link

McLaddie – 29 Mar 2014 7:12 p.m. PST

(with supporting comment by the Late Ratisbon)