"1793 surprise and woe" Topic

My recent interest (obsession) with the early Republicans and especially the War in the Vendee, has thrown up some very welcome surprises. I've delved into the early period, buying more books and trawling through those I already have and have started to research the various actions. Beforehand I was under the impression that, for this period, I might feel I will be limited to actions between the Republicans and the Vendee Rebels and Royalists. But the surprise was that research showed the exact opposite. In 1793 the Republicans not only had the Vendee Rebels and Royalists to contend with, they also had to fight against the Austrians, Prussians, Spanish, British, Dutch and Sardinians. So the choice of opponents for my future Republican units won't be limited to just Vendee Rebels and Royalists. I'll be spoilt for choice. And that's where the 'woe' bit comes in. It will mean searching out more miniatures to buy, paint and base and of course, the cost. Still, a bit woe now and again won't hurt. I think?

I still have a spare facsimilie copy of "A Detachment from the Brigade of Foot Guards Commencing 25th February 1793 And Ending 9th May 1995".

It's yours for just the postage if you want it.

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Gazzola,

I've read most of your posts on this subject but don't recall seeing what scale or rules you will use.

Just curious as I have a stash of Eureka 28mm French Republicans that need painted and used.

Cheers,
Ed

In 1793 the Republicans not only had the Vendee Rebels and Royalists to contend with, they also had to fight against the Austrians, Prussians, Spanish, British, Dutch and Sardinians

more the Chouans, not to mixed with Vendée, more Federalist uprisings with the siege of Toulon and the siege of Lyon – 2nd city of France -
more the Portuguese also in the Pyrénées, more the Neapolitans also with British Spaniards and Piemontese in Toulon

among Republican units, 'exotic' black and mulatto Hussards Américains from French West Indies serving the Republic in 1793 distinguishing themselves through their violence and their exactions in the repression against the white european inhabitants of Nantes and Vendéens…Hmm… not very politically correct

There's a lot going on in the Low Countries too, the heyday of the Armee du Nord was 1793-94. Look for John Lynn's Bayonets of the Republic for a study of the evolution of that army. I've collect Austrians, Dutch, British to fight them, need to expand into Hanoverian and Hessian as well.

And if you care to read a novelization of the Hanoverians, check out Dominic Fielder's series, "The King's Germans":

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Ed von HesseFedora

I have recently gone up from from 6mm to 28mm wargaming, although I haven't actually done any 28mm wargaming yet. That will be a pleasure to come. I was unaware that Eureka sell French Revolutionary miniatures, so thanks for the heads up, although, at the moment, my initial aim is to go with Perry's 28mm miniatures. For some reason I find myself strongly attracted to the War in the Vendee and have already researched and created a list of various actions involving the French Revolutionary forces and the Vendeen/Royalist rebels. And, so far, I've only bought two packs of Perry's French Revolutionary and Vendean miniatures. I've not had time to paint them but hope do so soon as I feel up to it and if all goes well, begin my 28mm collection. In terms of reading, there are plenty of novels covering the Napoleonic period, Sharpe being one of them but I did manage to obtain a 1911 novel with the War in The Vendee as a background. The title is Chantemerle by D.K Broster and G.W Taylor. It is more of a romantic novel so we will see how it goes. And I will check out Dominic Fielder's series, so thanks again.

Valmy92

Yes, I have Lynn's book and several others covering the period, including Fighting the French Revolution by Roy Harper, The Garde Nationale 1789-1815 by Pierre-Baptiste Guillemot, French Emigre Armies of the Revolutionary Wars by Bazouges & Nichols, Uniforms of the French Revolutionary Wars by Haythornthwaite & Warner, Throwing Thunderbolts by Garry Wills, Terry Crowdy's French Revolutionary Infantry 1789-1802 (Osprey MAA 403) & French Revolutionary Infantryman 1791-1802 (Osprey Warrior 63), The Illustrated Campaigns of the French Revolution 1789 by Dr Stephen Summerfield & The Funcken book Les Soldats De La Revolution Francaise. The last one is brilliant but the text is French so I have lots of fun to look forward to when translating it – but great images. I'm also hoping to obtain Citizens to Arms by Yves Martin. I will be concentrating on the War in the Vendee but I can see myself in time going for early Austrians, Prussians, British etc.

Lilian

Yes, there are quite a few opponents the Revolutionary French had to contend with and also in their own backyard, so to speak, with the War in the Vendee and the Chouans. The War in the Vendee is the area I'm concentrating on at the moment. It is surprising the Revolutionaries survived at all with so many opponents. And yes, the period does offer some very interesting units. I'm looking forward to continuing my research reading and obtaining and painting up my future collection of miniatures.

BillyNM

Thanks for the offer but I think I have enough research material to plough through and I will be concentrating on the French Revolutionaries and the Vendee Rebels and Royalists for now. I think it might be some time before I start collecting other opponents, such as the British, early Austrians etc

Gazzola,

I wasn't clear—The King's Germans is set in Flanders during the Revolution.

I moved to 28mm 20 years ago. Even playing a skirmish game just looks so good!

If you want to try a game with just a few figures, try A Fistful of Lead by Wiley Games.

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Gazzola, no sweat about the book, FYI there are many other 28mm French Revolutionary ranges:

Skytrex:
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Wargames Foundry:
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Warlord:
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Eagle:
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Mirliton SG:
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BillyNM

Thanks for the links. Much appreciated. In the past I tended to stick with one manufacturer but those links look really interesting and varied. And I did not realise there were so many places offering Revolutionary period miniatures. But then again, until now, I wasn't exactly looking for them or anything else in the 28mm scale. Previously, it was all 1805 onwards and 6mm miniatures, including books and research, so it is almost like starting afresh. I'm enjoying it at the moment, although I still haven't started any painting or even priming yet. But I'll get there. Thanks again for info.

Ed von HesseFedora

Yes, I checked out the series and it looks really interesting. The series went straight to the top of my books-to-buy list, especially since I'm finding it hard going to get into the 1911 novel I bought recently that has the War in the Vendee as a background. I don't know about anyone else, but I enjoy reading period fiction titles as well as non-fiction. I've even brought a sociological study title The Vendee by Charles Tilly. As I say, I am enjoying researching the period but I think I need to cut down on the reading and get some painting done.

BillyNM

When I said previous interest was from 1805 onwards, I meant to say it was from 1796 onwards, which even included a visit to the Italian battlefields as part of a 'family' holiday. It wasn't mean (I dob't think?) because the family did enjoy themselves, especially since the locations of the 1796/1797 battlefields were so beautiful.

Ed von HesseFedora

I have't obtained any of Dominic Fielder's novels yet but it would be interesting to know what sources the author may have used? There seems very little available covering the 1793 period. Most of what I've come across offers only a short background, with most of the information covering the KGL regiment being from 1800 onwards.

Gazzola,

I have book three handy. There is a reading list at the end as well as an authors note.

Bayonets of the Republic – Lynn, J.A
British Campaigns in Flanders 1690-1794 – Fortescue J.W
French Revolution – Hibbert, C.
Noble Duke of York – Byrne, F.A
Memoirs of Dumouriez – Dumouriez, C.F.
Officer of the Guards Volumes 1 and 2, an accurate and impartial account of the war – Officer of the Guards
Ompteda of the King's German Legion – von Ompteda.
We are accustomed to do our duty – Demet, P.

Dominic is on Facebook and active with Rob McLaren's group.

McLaren also has a series of French Revolution novels, told from the POV of a Frenchman.

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Ed von HesseFedora

Mclaren's books have just jumped to the top of my to-buy-list and it will be a welcome change reading novels from the French POV. I was actually wondering if such titles existed, so I'm so pleased to know they do and will look forward to reading them.

I have Lynn's Bayonet's of the Republic and I spotted von Ompteda's title when researching possible books covering 1793, so that will also go on my list.

With all these titles, I'm just wondering if I will actually have any spare time to paint and wargame 1793? LOL

Thanks again for the info. Much appreciated.

There is another, older series by Richard Howard about Alain Lausard.

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Ed von HesseFedora

Thanks for the link. Much appreciated. But will I have time to actually collect, paint and wargame! LOL

The 1911 Chantemerle novel was awful and incredibly dull so I gave it to a charity shop that sells a variety of second hand items, including books. Looking forward to getting hold of a Rob McLaren and/or Dominic Fielder book as soon as I can.

Gazzola—enjoy!

Ed