Holiday Update

I am caught up on posting my backlog of pictures and battle reports so my posts wil slow down now.

I have had several days off over the holidays with a 4-day weekend coming up.

My painting goals are: 2 x 12-figure infantry regiments (complete), 3 x 8-figure cavalry regiments (horses painted).

I have purchased some more elements for my army after taking a buying haitus in December. I bought 9 more generals, 4 limbers and caissons, 2 ambulances, and a regiment of 7YW cuirassairs to be a "ceremonial" guard unit. I also bought a bunch of 15mm pirates from several ranges for a long term skirmish project.

I received The War Game as a present from my wife and plan to read it on New Years Day.

As for the Battle of Zelanski, the action is well underway. I will post a full battle report with pictures when the battle ends, but so far the Katzian forces are working around both flank, but the infamous Morris Musketeers have once again checked the Katzian Guard Brigade. The Wha Hoo Hussars have regained the King's favor by defeating two enemy cavalry regiments in battle and threatening the enemy lines of communication. This may prove the decisive factor in the battle, as it prevented the enemy from reinforcing the strog position in the center with more infantry and a battery of guns.

Doft/Didd Order of Battle

Doft and Didd Relief Column
Commander, Baron Castanos

Doft Infantry Brigade- Colonel Josen
Doftian Militia
Borsch Line Infantry
Battery #1

Didd Infantry Expeditionary Brigade- Brigadier Upton
Ruritan Line Regiment (Didd)
Grenberg Line Regiment (Didd)
Goodenton Line Regiment (Didd)
Battery #2 (Didd)

Rear Guard- Brigadier RomanaMorris Musketeers
Labron Landwher
McEntyre Fusiliers

Combined Cavalry- Brigadier Zanzafred
Doft District Dragoons
Carlsbad Carabiniers (Didd)
Havenberg Carabiniers (Didd)

Order of Battle - Katzenstein

Army of Katzenstein
Commander, Major General Johan Van Fleck

Advanced Guard Brigade- Brigadier General Alexander Van Nuys
Finnigen Fen Feld-Jager Regiment
Zind Janissieries
Wah Hoo Hussars

Flank Guard Brigade- Brigadier General Gerald McClay
Salamasond Shutzen Regiment
Nantaket Wilds Border Regiment

Guard Brigade- Crown Prince Noah
Liebgarde Grenadier Regiment
Prince Noah Petite Garde Regiment
Contessa Genessa Foot Velites of the Guard
Light Artillery Battery #1

2nd Brigade- Brigadier General Michael Van Itch
Eiffelberg Grenadier Regiment
Oif Provisional Marine Regiment
Herk-Heimer Fusilier Regiment
Foot Artillery Battery #1

Cavalry Brigade- Brigadier General Bart Cubbins
Vail Valley Dragoons
Krock Kavern Kurassiers

1st Brigade- Brigadier General Sylvester McMonkey McBean
Whoville Volunteer Musketeer Regiment
Mount Crumpit Geibergsregiment
Loyal Legion of Estrangers

The campaign continues...

24 May- After resting for the day after the Battle of Antonsberg, Major General Van Fleck ordered the advance to resume. The general ordered the newly arrived Boober Bay Uhlans and the Vavode Voltiguers to garrison Antonsberg and dispatched the Yerka Isle Tirailleur Regiment and the Hinkle Horn Rangers to occupy the critical nitrate mines to the West.

27 May- A steady stream of spring showers have slowed the Katzian pursuit of the Doftian forces. Friendly elements of the Doft merchant class have reported that the Didd contingent once camped at Giftzwing has advanced to support the retreating survivors of the Battle of Antonsberg. The most logical location for these forces to join is at the village of Zelanski.

28 May- A patrol of Hussars reported seeing Doftian forces deployed around Zelanski, and a column of troops advancing down the road.

29 May- The Battle of Zelanski

The Doftian forces that retreated from Antonsberg have taken positions around Zelanski. The McIntyre Fusiliers are occupying a farmstead to the West, while the Morris Musketeers have fortified the village itself. The Labron Landwher have taken a position on a ridge to the East of the village. The remnants of the Doft Dragoons and the Did Currassiers are in support (total of 514 sabers).

Butcher's Bill

Casualties on the Katzian side were heavy despite the significant advantage in force size. Several units never got into action. The cavalry suffered very heavily (about 50% of total casualties). The losses by the Guard Brigade were unexpected as well. The total destruction of two enemy infantry regiments will help in the next battle. Additionally, the two militia units that routed (one without being engaged) are lost for the campaign. The Doft/Didd cavalry suffered heavy losses, but they will be reinforced in the next battle.

CASUALTIES: includes, killed, wounded, missing, and prisoners

Army of Katzenstein
Commander, Major General Johan Van Fleck
Advanced Guard Brigade- Brigadier General Alexander Van Nuys
Salamasond Shutzen Regiment: 108 casualties
Zind Janissieries: 109 casualties
Light Artillery Battery #1

Flank Guard Brigade- Brigadier General Gerald McClay
Finnigen Fen Feld-Jager Regiment: 51 casualties
Nantaket Wilds Border Regiment: 0 casualties

Flank Guard Cavalry- Brigadier General Bart Cubbins
Vail Valley Dragoons: 244 casualties
Wah Hoo Hussars: 189 casualties

Line Brigade- Brigadier General Sylvester McMonkey McBean
Whoville Volunteer Musketeer Regiment: 28 casualties
Mount Crumpit Geibergsregiment: 0 casualties
Loyal Legion of Estrangers: 0 casualties

Guard Brigade- Crown Prince Noah
Liebgarde Grenadier Regiment: 111 casualties
Prince Noah Petite Garde Regiment: 154 casualties
Contessa Genessa Foot Velites of the Guard: 102 casualties

Reserve Brigade- Brigadier General Michael Van Itch
Eiffelberg Grenadier Regiment: 0 casualties
Oif Provisional Marine Regiment: 0 casualties
Herk-Heimer Fusilier Regiment: 0 casualties
Krock Kavern Kurassiers: 166 casualties
Foot Artillery Battery #1: 0 casualties

Total Casualties: 1162 men


Doftian Army
Commander- Baron Castanos

Antonsberg Garrison- Brigadier General Coro - CAPTURED
Morris Musketeers: 72 casualties
Townsend Fusiliers: 800 casualties, unit DESTROYED, 410 prisoners
McGill Musketeers: 744 casualties, unit DESTROYED, 380 prisoners
Garrison Artillery: 4 guns abandoned

Field Brigade- Brigadier General Henestrosa
Labron Landwehr: 131 casualties
McEntyre Fusiliers: 0 casualties
Doft District Dragoons: 350 casualties, 120 prisoners

Reinforcements- Brigadier General Romana
Antonsberg Veteran Pentioneers: 193 casualties, unit SCATTERED
Nitrate Miners’ Guild: 0 casualties, unit SCATTERED
Carlsbad Carabiniers (Didd): 386 casualties, 110 prisoners

Total Casualties: 2676 including 1020 prisoners, 4 guns, 1 general; 4 units lost

Battle Notes

Notable Performances:
Lieutenant Colonel Ali Baba of the Zind Janissieries promoted to Colonel for inspiring leadership in the charge that destroyed the McGill Musketeers, and for his steadiness under attack by the Didd Cuirassiers. His regiment remained elated at their victory and were obviously better trained than initial inspections had indicated. [Increase to morale and training level]

Wah Hoo Hussars poor performance by inexcusably walking into an ambush when they should be scouting for the army was noted by the Major General Van Fleck. If the Hussar’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel Von Unluchy had survived, his future in the service would have been in question. Major Donald Betterthan has taken command of the now under-strength unit.

The Crown Prince proved his bravery during two bayonet charges, however he is sure to have learned that it takes more than sheer courage to defeat a well emplaced and fully formed enemy infantry regiment.

The Vail Valley Dragoons and Krock Kavern Kurassiers have each added to their renown by defeating their counterparts in the enemy army and driving them from the field.

---This was my first official battle on my table using my miniatures. I had done a rehearsal battle to get familiar with the rules. I had to use stand in artillery crewmen, some officers, and two regiments of cavalry to fill out the Katzian forces. In the future, I will only use the units I have painted for the Kingdom of Katzenstein. I am using miniatures I bought on eBay for the opposing side. I enjoyed the battle while playing with my son. He made the decision to launch the Guard Brigade in a bayonet charge on the defending line…he learned a hard lesson by having “his” unit forced to retreat.

The Battle of Antonsberg

The infantry Katzian Advanced Guard went directly into the attack on the Doftian defenses just outside of Antonsberg by launching a two pronged attack aimed at both the bridge over the Iller Minor, and at the right end of the garrison line. Additionally, Brigadier General Bart Cubbins’ two regiments of cavalry headed West to cross at the nearby ford.

The Finnegan-Fen Feld-Jagers drove off the McGill Musketeers to allow the Zin Janisseries a chance to surge forward in the attack. Meanwhile, the Shutzen of the Salamasond Regiment forced the Lebron Landwher to pull back from covering the bridge.

The Wah Hoo Hussars rode into an ambush by the McIntyre Fusiliers who fired a devastating volley into the regiment’s exposed flank forcing them to scatter and regroup near the old mill. Warned of the enemy skirmishers in the woods past the ford, the Vail Valley Dragoons wisely skirted the woods after crossing the ford.

As the Guard Brigade advanced on Antonsberg, the Zind Janisseries destroyed the McGill Musketeers as they attempted to regroup. Lieutenant Colonel Ali Baba managed to keep his fierce warriors under control and prevent his soldiers from breaking ranks to loot the dead. His inspiring leadership during the charge that seized the McGill’s colors was also the key factor in the Regiment forming square just in time for fend off the savage charge of the Didd Curassiers.

Crown Prince Noah led forward the Contessa Genessa Velites and his own Petite Garde Regiment into the teeth of the Morris Musketeers. Reeling under several close range volleys by the defenders, the Crown Prince’s regiment retreated to the cover of the nearby woods while the Velites fell back behind the Liebgarde Grenadiers.

As the Guard Brigade reformed, the Salamasond Shutzen and the Nantaket Wilds Border Regiment crossed the bridge in the face of the Doft Dragoons. Using the thick tree cover near the river bank, these two regiments advanced to form an “L” shaped position along the hedges lining the road. With two volleys, the Shutzen routed the Antonsberg militia. Seeing units in full retreat all around, the Nitrate Miners’ Guild Volunteers could not build the courage to try to force the strong Katzian position and they soon joined the rout.

Having rode around the McIntyre Fusiliers in the woods, the Vail Valley Dragoons caught the Doft Dragoons at the halt and routed them from the field. With enemy cavalry practically surrounding them, the McIntyre Fusiliers wisely conducted an organized withdrawl from the battlefield.

After reforming behind the cover of the Liebgarde, Prince Noah led the Contessa’s Velites in a charge into the houses forming the Southern edge of the town. The charge caught the Townsend Musketeers low on ammunition and that regiment was scattered as they attempted to reform in the town square. Prince Noah’s personal guard took the defending general, Brigadier General Coro prisoner along with several hundred of his men after their retreat was cut off by the victory of the Krock Kavern Kurassiers over the Didd Curassiers. The last organized force defending the town, the Morris Musketeers, withdrew to the church yard and then through the orchards beyond. The McIntyre Fusiliers joined the Morris Musketeers to form some semblance of a rear guard for the retreating Doftian forces.

Contessa Genessa hosted a reception for the regimental commanders late in the evening. In honor of her birthday, she stated simply, “Let them eat cake.”

The butcher's bill will follow shortly!