Dauphin Regiment - This regiment is dedicated to my son. The first of these troopers was painted the week he was born, and they are currently celebrating their 26th (or is it 27th) anniversary. I've begun to measure the age of my units, as well as it's combat experience, by the number of snapped bayonets in the rank and file. Dauphin has almost a full company without the wee sharp pointy things. Dauphin is brigaded with the Regiment la Marne (coming soon), and represent Brigade III "Les Paysans" ("The Peasants") as they do not come from the social elite of St. Maurice. Given that "social elite" and "St. Maurice" may in fact be an oxymoron when used in the same sentence, one can only imagine the origins of the rank and file parading here.
The figures are predominantly Stadden with a Suren Colonel and, Vivandiere and junior officers in the color party.

We're Baaaaaaaaaaak - Well, after a much needed vacation, the entire army of St. Maurice has returned to quarters (minus the Fromage Regiment, and the less said about that little incident the better). His Majesty's forces have already locked horns with their traditional adversary, Ardoberg-Holstein. Glorious results but no camera to record for posterity, so you'll simply have to take my word for it............................. (come on guys, please!).
Ok, so no battle pictures yet, then back to the forces in detail.

Kilbasa Light Horse - Like all the light horsemen serving with the forces de St. Maurice, the lancers are not native to the country. They are in fact Polish, and led by Count Stanislau Kilbasa, an itenerate Ukranian adventurer and nerdowell. Rumor has it that the count (title has never been confirmed) secured a hefty sum to provide cavalry to His Majesty's forces. He then disappeared back to Poland (much to the shagrin of Polish authorities) and scoured every jail and mental institution until he secured what he considered to be "the best of the best" for his regiment. Voting is still out on this as, to date, they have yet to find their way back to St. Maurice.
The figures are old 30mm Mini Figs from a limited range they produced back in the 70's, and the horses, of course, are Stadden. I know the uniform style of the lancers is more in line with a Napoleonic army than anything approaching the 1750's. In fact, my dragoons (yet to be developed) may also be a closer facimility of the later period. I simply don't know yet. St. Maurice is after all an imagi-nation, that at this point may have more in common with Gilbert & Sullivan than Frederick the Great. Vive la Self-Indilgence!

Serving Notice - His Majesty de St. Maurice wishes to inform all who may visit here that he, indeed the entire St. Maurician army, will be on holiday from now until the end of the Summer. All those inclined to invade our little berg are encouraged to restrain themselves until sometime after the first weekend in September. Making war on a country on vacation just isn't done don't-ya'-know.

Enter the ladies - This week's entry is the Regiment St. Germain. The regiment's recruitment comes mainly from the German speaking populace of of St. Maurice near the border with Alsace-Lorraine as well as foreign expatriates from the north. One of the older line regiments, approximately 29 years of active service as of this Summer, St. Germain is paired with Claire to form the army's second brigade "Les Etranger."
As an added bonus this week, may I introduce the first of the Vivandiere, this is Hildegarde von Rottenfartz ("Tilly" to the men). I don't know; there's something about a woman in a red dress........ (sigh!).

Les Chevaliere de Rohan-Soubise - Yet another cavalry regiment, Rohan-Soubise represents the newest of the heavy cavalry regiments. Formed this last Winter, it, along with FitzAndrew's Horse, form the first heavy cavalry brigade. Rohan-Soubise, along with Les Chevaliere d'Isembourg, are true line cavalry regiments, and not to be confused with dragoons (His Majesty is waiting patiently for a really nice miniature in the fatigue bonnet that will sit well on a Stadden horse). More later on Rohan-Soubise as they cover themselves with glory......, and bandages no doubt. Oh by the way, the bugler is a conversion of the Stadden cavalry trooper, and not available commercially. Coming soon; the Vivandiere!

Artillerie de la Garde - This is the oldest battery in the artillery arm of the St. Maurician field forces, mustered into uniform approximately 32 years ago. Originally an independent battery, they are currently part of the Legion of Guards. This is an all-arms formation composed of the Gendarmere, Maison du Roi (Le Garde du St. Maurice), one battalion of converged grenadiers, and these artillerymen. While they were originally quite active, their service these days is nominal, with most of their duties being taken up by the line artillery. Their huge 24# guns have always been a major headache on campign, and thus they are not popular among the more aggressive of the nation's general officers (that is, assuming we ever manage to find an aggressive general officer.).

Ye Gods and Little Fishes...

It's been almost a month-and-a-half since my last update. Where does the time go. In my scramble to catch up, I'm going to try to add another update sometime in the next two weeks. I know; good intentions (sigh!). Well, let's go...

FitzAndrew's Horse - This is my newest cavalry regiment, FitzAndrew's Horse, or as they are referred to by the rest of the army, "Les Cuirassiers Gris," or "The Grey Cuirassiers." They have no combat history to speak of, although a squadron of the cuirassiers did supplement the Gendarmere at the Battle of Hilton Heights this past Winter. Commanded by that notorious Scottish expatriate Charles, Edward, Thomas, Robert, William, Malcolm Stewart, to date no one in St. Maurice has any idea just what the Scotsmen are saying, assuming they are actually attempting to communicate at all. More on the highland horsemen as their adventure unfolds.