A Letter from Sachsen-Wachsenstein

By swiftest couriers, copies of the following letter hurry their way to the Reichsarmee and to Mssr Chevert:

TO: Feldzeugmeister von Blei-Sammeln, commander of the Imperial Reichsarmee

TO: Lt Gen Chevert, commander of the Bohemian Corps of the Army of His Most Christian King, Louis XV, le bien aime

At the direction of the War Ministry of Her Highness, Maria Teresa, Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, the Sachsen-Wachsenstein contributory kreis regiment will march to the vicinity of Wurzburg to join your illustrious armies. Please provide guides in the vicinity of Wurzburg to direct this corps to its assembly point. Composed of a battalion of musketeers, a battalion of fusiliers, and their accompanying grenadiers and artillery, the contributory kreis regiment will be lead by the most honorable undersigned,

Remaining your humble and obedient servant,

Siegfried, Duke of Sachsen-Wachsenstein

[This is the third, and last, contingent marching from Mississippi to Texas for the Texas Big Battalions game at MilleniumCon.]

Someone is always the last to get the word

Landgraf Bogey tugged at his ear while reading the dispatch, then looked up at Major General Norris.

“So Monsieur le general Protz has agreed to join Feldmarschallieutenant von Blei-Sammeln? Blei-Sammeln must be getting desperate, or devious. How many others know about this?”

“Your Excellency, judging from the number of intercepted letters and newspapers my men have collected, it appears we may be the last in all Uropa to find out. And, if I may, Your Excellency, it has been announced that the, uh, “gentleman” to whom you refer is now Feldzeugmeister von Blei-Sammeln. We suspect that it has been done to help him work with General Protz.”

“Feldzeugmeister Blei-Sammeln? And I suppose that the creature Stein is still his lackey?”

“I believe the Homburgers refer to Generalmajor Stein as ‘Sammeln’s Rock,’ Your Excellency.”

Bogey turned to his map. “Let’s get back to the point. So, de Broglie is defeated, here, and is retreating on Frankfurt. The Erbprinz is pursuing, but we’re closer. But Feldzeugmeister von Blei-Sammeln has somehow managed to bring his army together, here. How in the world did that idiot manage to put himself in the one place that protects Homburg, threatens Fedora, menaces the Erbprinz, and allows access to de Broglie, Chevert and Protz?!”

Norris stood silently.

Bogart looked sheepishly at his former spymaster, and still closest friend. “All right, so he beat us at Olmosbach. If he’s an idiot, I’m a dolt. Say it.”

“Your Excellency, did you note the passage on M. Protz’s escort? Although small, we expect it will be of the highest quality and not to be dismissed lightly. And may I also note that General Protz is quite renowned in the latest techniques? You yourself prescribed his regulations for your army.”

“Yes, I know all that. Who else has Feld—Blei-Sammeln—managed to bring together?”
Norris produced a sheaf of notes. “He has an impressive number of Imperial contingents, under half a dozen different generals. Courlanders under their Duke Jakov Alexandrovitch, with possibly some Saxe-Wachsensteiners. He has a pair of Saxe-Jungbach musketeer battalions—which are those excellent recruits from Eureka, by the way. The Weisspferdheimers have joined him, as well as the Gallian contingent, of course.”

“What? No Frankfurters? And our force?”

“I am happy to report that in addition to the strong Germanian force already attached to Your Excellency’s army, other Germanians from Festung Wörth are marching south parallel to an Imperial contingent, and other Germanians are coming from both east and west. Carpania has sent a brigade that should at least match the Courlanders. A Welf-Este brigade has arrived within the week, joining our Britannic corps.”

“Welf-Este?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. You may remember the recruits from Venture, in the Ost-Iowa country?”

“Ah, of course. Two big battalions, four squadrons of cavalry, and guns. They will help us get across this verdammt river. Just think of it: redcoats and bluecoats chasing that Blei-Sammeln all the way back to Frankfurt!”

Spilt Decision

The dawn's first rosy light revealed to the fishing vessels returning to harbourage in the Cavenderian fishing town of Spilt the crimson lateen sails of a half-dozen xebecs flying the two-bladed sword banner of the feared Barbary lord Driss Dey of Bizercca. Before the harbourmaster of Spilt could sound the alarm, the lead xebec raised a flag of truce and oared swiftly into the harbour.

Thrown into confusion by the flag of parley, the assembled throng along the waterfront watched in silence as the xebec rowed along a vacant slip along the harbour's outer piers. A member of the crew cast a leather satchel onto the pier, and the xebec backed water and came about, rejoining the other xebecs in formation just outside the mouth of the harbour.

The harbourmaster dispatched a boy to the pier to retrieve the satchel. Opening it, he found inside a parchment sealed with the Osprey seal of the Deylicate of Bizercca. Breaking the seal, the harbourmaster opened the parchment and read:

For the atrocities of the Imperial fleet at Bizercca on our defenceless subjects, and her Imperial Majesty's unbecoming disregard to the demands made in the name of the faithful of all of Dar al Islam for just punishment of those responsible in the review of those actions, the fleet under the orders of his eminence the Dey has been authorized to deliver a signal chastisement, by the destruction of the shipping, navy, storehouses, arsenals and harbourages of her Imperial majesty and of her subjects.

As his eminence does not war for the destruction of inoffensive inhabitants of her Imperial majesty's realm, his eminence is unwilling to visit the personal cruelties inflicted upon his subjects onto the subjects of her Imperial majesty detained in his eminence's bagnio or onto her Imperial majesty's subjects here unduly, and therefore charges you to deliver in ransom of your citizens the sum of five thousand sequins or the equivalent of your local currency.

If you receive this offer as you ought, you will fire three guns from the harbourage before noon of this day, and the failure to make this signal will be understood as a refusal and his eminence's fleet shall commence operations against the aforementioned properties of her Imperial majesty at its own convenience.

I have the honour, &c.
Sidi Mohammed Ibrahim
Wakil al kharj of his eminence, Driss Khal-al-Waw Dey

A Letter from Carpania

TO: Major General Norris, commander of the forces of Hesse-Fedora

(AKA Ed Youngstrom)

Knowing that you require reinforcements to support our brother’s campaign to rid the Frankfurt area of the papist Gallians, I have been instructed by General Kuhster, Minister of War for Friedrich Hapnich, Markgraf of Carpania, to assemble the armies of Carpania and march to join your command. I will bring the following forces to the campaign, to wit: a battalion of musketeers drafted from the Regiments Zweibieren and Teutonica; a battalion of fusiliers drafted from the Regiments von Stuppe and Paulaner, a small battalion of grenadiers from all four regiments, a strong detachment of the Jager Korps Staffeldunkel reinforced by the Freikorps Warsteiner; two squadrons of the Dragoon Regiment Hapnich, and accompanying artillery. I eagerly await the designation of the army assembly area.

Please pass this news to Landgraf Bogey and also pass the felicitations of Markgraf Hapnich to his brother monarch.

Respectfully, your most obedient servant,

Jacob Baron von Stuppe, General of Infanterie

(This is the second Mississippi contingent for the Texas Big Battalions game at MilleniumCon)

Hesse Seewald Garde Jager Regt Formed

The Hesse Seewald Jagers attack the Irish Regiment Bulkeley in the flank at Freiberg. Another section of jagers also contest the Zimmerwald, to their right.

His Excellency, the Herzog George Ludwig has announced the addition of a battalion of Jagers to the Hesse Seewald Garde establishment. The Garde currently consists of two battalions of grenadiers, but based on the brave and outstanding performance of the Jager battalion at Fulda and Sittangbad in 1757, and again in the Zimmerwald at the recent victory at Freiberg, the Herzog has decided to promote his Jagers into his Household Garde, effective immediately.

Henceforth, the battalion of Jagers shall be named The Battalion of Garde Jagers. All marksmen who have participated in at least two campaigns are encouraged to apply for membership to this most prestigious unit in the Hesse Seewald Garde.

Who Hates Cavenderia ???

Fellow Monarchs,

It has come to our attention that the Imagi-Nation of Cavenderia lacks an enemy. Indeed it is said that Prinz Geoffrey is seeking one so that he can 'exercise' his army.

While I am somewhat unsure as to which 'neighboring' states might covet some of Cavenderia's provinces, I would hope that someone will soon visit the land of Cavenderia and perhaps provide their army with its desired 'exercise'.


-- Jeff the Blog Inhaber

Frundsberg - Lagerburg trading observed.

Our Spies have observed movements between the Frundsberg Freistadt and the Duchy of Lagerburg-Slobbovia, which seems to be trade between these states involved in defeating the evil Turk. Grenadiers were seen heading towards Lagerburg and a matching number of infantry returning accompanied by some senior officers.

(thanks to Allen for a successful trade)

Currents on the Main

First, on the Frankszonia blog, I've updated the lists and profiles of folks who are supporting the Elector versus Gallia inside Frankszonia.

About this time,Baron Wiffen Fhartz von Inkblot zu Grossen and General Braunschweiger should show up in the Germanian headquarters seeking an audience with the Elector and the duke of Hesse Seewald.

Also, while Gen. Broglie and the Intendant Bastille are in conference, they are interrrupted by a commotion. An officer barges into the room with a sergeant and an old Moustache. The enlisted men's uniforms are spattered with blood.

"Report!" barks Broglie.
"Sire" the officer salutes clumsily, "there's been an poison attempt. These clods killed the poisoner before we could question him."
"Pour Certament!" exlaims Bastille.
"No! No!" the Moustache pleads.
"Sire!" the sergeant complains, "we caught him in the act of dosing the officer's mess kettle. We took him alive in spite of his struggles, but as we were forcing him into the hall, his blood suddenly spurted all over us. None of my men had so much as drawn a bayonet!"
"This note was found upon the assasin, my Lords," the officer contiued.
Gen. Broglie takes the scrap and reads, "Die Reine geffallen am der Main."

Bastille chokes for a moment as he wonders, is this the hand of the infamous Stille Fhartz or another nefarious bit of Frankszonian politics?

Meanwhile, the Hurtshog with his main forces is almost a day's march to the northwest, approaching Ginnheim. They hope to disperse the concentration of Resistance, Cheezers, and Hang Overians who are in an entrenched camp in the woods near Russelheim.

A Letter from Courland

The following letter has been dispatched by swift courier:

TO: Lt Gen Chevert, somewhere en route across Franconia from Bohemia to Frankfurt.

Messieur,

I am deeply honored to be able to make available for your use in the coming campaign to repulse the heathen Germanians and their syncophantic allies from our fair domains, the contributory forces of the Duchy’s portion of the Kreis Franconian contingent. I have at my disposal, which of course means that they are at your disposal, a battalion of grenadiers composed of drafts from the Grenadier Regiments Pavlovski and Severinski; a battalion of musketeers composed of drafts from the Musketeer Regiments Ducal Liebgarde and Livlandischer Orden; a regiment of dragoons composed of drafts from the Dragoon Regiments Constantine and Mavromichalis; a battalion of Pandurs; and accompanying artillery. I myself will be leading these forces to rendezvous with your army at any place you so designate.

May I ever remain, your humble and obedient servant,

Jakov Alexandrovitch, Duke Pavlov of Courland

(these forces are for the Big Battalions in Texas game in 2 1/2 weeks.)

1758/2008 Summering In Germania

Gentlemen,
If this is uesful, the recent backstory involving Der Alte and myself was/is/will be:
---------------------
June 1758:
Gallian Lt. Gen. Chevert marched eastwards from Frankfurt Am Main (magazine) to Bohemia. The plan was to be in Silesia in July for Historicon. It is unknown what forces Chevert took on his march.
---------------------
June-July 1758:
Marshall de Broglie marched into Frankfurt Am Main replacing Cheverts Corps there. Afterwards he marched northeastwards and then north in the general direction of The Fulda Gap and Kassel.
------------------------
July 1758:
Three battles at Historicon. I don't remember any more who won what. It may be that we did not merge these into our campaign since we had so many players who were learning the rules. Check Jim's blog, if needed.
--------------
August 1758:
We took the month off after the Historicon trip and three BAR games there.
-------------------------
11 October 1758:
The Army of Hesse-Sewald commanded by Der Erbprinz (Der Alte actually) soundly defeated de Broglie north of Frankfurt Am Main at Freiberg. De Broglie began a retreat to Frankfurt Am Main. The Erbprinz elected to pursue. De Broglie detached a corps from his Army as a rearguard to slow Der Erbprinz.
-------------------------
25 October 1758
The afore-mentioned detached corps under Lt. Gen. Saint Germaine stopped the Hesse-Seewald pursuit with a victory at Taberberg.
-------------------------
Where are these forces?
~~
Gallian Main Army:
At Frankfurt Am Main.
~~
Corps de Ste. Germaine:
Remains at Taberberg on the Frankfurt Strasse waiting to see if Der Erbprinz wants to bring up more units to force the way open to Frankfurt Am Main. I doubt it actually since we have no plans for this locally. Taberberg is not on real maps BTW. It is supposedly near Bergen.
~~
Corps de Chevert?:
Hmm. Last seen in Silesia. Very likely now withdrawing back into Moravia, Bohemia and thence back to Germania. But we've not thought that far ahead.
---------------
The Future:
(God willing of course)
~~
8 November 1758:
We are returning to Scotland to finish the storming of The Government magazine at Carmudgeon Castle.
~~
6 December 1758:
Lady de Winter and Lady Diana Pettygree will be in Germania amidst snow, a large village, forests, ridges and hundreds of light troop forces.
--------------------
If Chevert marches back through Bohemia into Germania again, he could march to Eger, the fortress in the western tip of Bohemia first. Afterwards he could enter Germania and the territories of lots of petty states marching via Bayreuth, Bamberg, Würzberg and so forth to the westward to gain Frankfurt Am Main again. In the SYW Frederick II did not get into this region much if at all. It was frequented per Duffy by The Imperial Army of little contingents from across The Empire. I do not remember this very well but Prinz Henry, Fred's brother, operated not too far away.
-----------
Cordially yours,
Bill P. (Chevert)

Edinburgh ,Scotland around ten past ten pm...

Carefully smoothing the parchment Vonn Bergmann read the note to the assembled gathering:

"Please forgive the unorthodox delivery of this message, but your guards on the outer perimeter would not let me pass through. Perhaps its more dramatic arrival will cause you pay closer heed, than if I delivered it in person.While you sit, and sup, and discuss various natural theories of this and that, Fat George of Hanover is straining every bit of his considerable weight in sending another army to the North. No quarter will be given to any man, woman, or child who supports the Pretender and his foreign adventurers. No quarter will be given to anyone taken in battle bearing arms against the House of Hanover.The scourge of uttermost war comes closer to you with every moment. Consider well your options.A Friend"

A gasp went up from the assembled throng followed by mutterings of shame and embarrassment. Just seconds later a heavy thud was heard followed by the sound of boots upon the stair. The maid servant's cries could be heard amidst screams and shouts. Vonn Bergmann drew a pistol from his coat pocket and the Duc de Padirac brandished his candelabra aloft, taking his place at his friend's side. The door burst open and the assembled gathering observed.....

Well gentlemen, over to you now .Please add your comments to what happened next...

First Sachsen-Wachsenstein Unit

As more conflict threatens in Imagi-Urope, Duke Siegfried von Sachsen-Wachsenstein announces the completion of the first part of his Imperial kreis contributory regiment. This regiment will soon be marching to central Texas to participate in the MilleniumCon "Big Battalion" game.

Texas Big Battalions Blog

Please see my blog for more details and pictures of these very nice Eureka Saxons.

ColCampbell's Barracks

Jim