Dear Sir,

Congratulations ... just the sort of magazine the hobby needed.

Colin J. Allen

Editor. I have printed this quote from Colin as it's typical of many. In case if you were wondering if I received any letters 'slagging' First Empire, well, no, I didn't. The following two letters come closest to offering criticism.

Dear Sir,

Congratulations on the first issue of First Empire, which I found excellent. I particularly enjoyed the articles on Wartenburg and Putulsk and Wagram, which are the type of article I am looking for as a Wargamer. With regard to periods covered in the magazine. I would prefer to see articles on the Horse and Musket period only. i.e. mainly Napoleonic but also periods like Seven Years War and (especially) American Civil War. The only thing that I don't really share your views on from your editbrial is the lack of colour pictures inside the magazine. Good colour pictures that appear in magazines do enhance the magazine in my view - that's just my view and no doubt there will be some debate on this subject in issues to come.

Mike Sankey

Dear Sir,

Thanks for issue 1 of First Empire. I thought it was quite good, but obviously, I hope future issues are not so top heavy with Napoleonic articles.

One topic I would like to see covered, perhaps over a number of issues of the magazine, is a detailed review of the various rule systems available for Napoleonic miniatures. I use "Napoleon's Battle", and would be happy to review them if you wish. I have also acquired, but not yet played, "Pas de Charge". My regular wargames group have been using for battalion level games a home made set of rules inspired, if that is the correct word, by lst edition "Empire" and "Vive I'Empereur", but by common consent, the rules need a radical overhaul or replacement. I would be interested to know from players' experience which rule sets can be recommended. I enclose for publication in First Empire a scenario for Albuera, 1811 based on "Napoleon's Battles" rules.

Apart from Napoleonic miniatures, I- play historical figure games of the ancient period. I have a large collection of historical Board Wargames and enjoyed the article on Advanced Squad Leader. I am currently playing ASL regularly with one opponent. We are playing scenarios which follow on chronologically throughout the war. So far we have reached 1941 in Russia. Maybe I'll tell you more of this in a future letter. Best wishes for the success of First Empire,

Andy Finkel.

I bought a copy of First Empire at F.I.A.S.C.O. back in June, and I think that it was really good for a first issue, even if it was a bit thin for £ 1.50. So I have decided that I will take out a subscription for the next six issues.

I will make some observations about the magazine if I may. I hasten to add that these are not criticisms, in my view, and many people would probably consider them pedantic, but I think they are important points in their own small way.

1) The mag itself: personally, I bought it because it said 'Napoleonic' on the cover, as I suspect the majority will have done. It was also for this reason that I decided to subscribe, ( I hate subscribing to things), so I hope 'slight bias' is pushed to one side and 'heavy inclination' stays in place. Basically, the other established gaming magazines already cater for other periods to a greater or lesser extent, so I would hope that the magazine will stick to a 1792-1815 theme, which should give plenty of scope for good, original articles (and not just 'Napoleonic as such).

2) I couldn't agree more with your views on sheep farming articles, etc, so give yourself a brownie point for that.

3) As for the first issue, I liked both of Leon Parte's articles and N.P.Marsh's. I absolutely love articles like Ian Barstow's providing that they don't become to far fetched.

The Wagram weekend was really good, and excellently written, but ironically it was this article which raises my only real complaint, (although it wasn't the authors fault). This was the half baked order.of battle which was tacked on at the end. Not only is it frustrating when a so called order of battle fails to inform which units took part, but it is laughable when there are mistakes in it. (I'm pretty sure that the Zastrow Cuirassiers were still in Saxony at the time, although I dare say that I'm wrong). Tle rest of the articles were interesting, although Advanced Squad Leader seemed like a three page advert to my eye.

4) The advertisers Index is a nice touch. As for the editorial at the back ... you modest thing you (nice to see modesty in an editor)

5) Finally, I'm pleased to see a review section, etc are forthcoming. I hope that reviews are tough but fair, unlike in other magazines. Perhaps such a thing might have spared me from buying a book like 'Napoleon's Grand Armee 1813' by S. Bowden, which in my view was incredibly overpriced and just plain BORING. I particularly like the idea of a debating forum, and sincerely hope that you banish the 'overbearing, know all/know nothing' types back from whence they came. If I may make a suggestion for a future review section, how about going through all of the existing Napoleonic rules, etc, for various scales, setting out their good and bad points, and perhaps choosing some overall winners. Just a thought anyway.

I also think it would be very worthwhile if all articles were printed with a bibliography, mainly to encourage further reading.

Well keep up the good work. I remember a couple of cynics writing in to Miniature Wargames when it started, saying that it had no chance. I wonder if they will be reading it when issue 100 comes out.

Philip Gaffney

Editor. Philip's letter misses several points that warrant a reply and I thank him for his encouragement

In defense of thickness, First Empire is based off the principle that 'the reader gets plenty to read.' Issue I was 40 pages including the covers, of which 22 pages (excludiag illustrations) were dedicated to articles. The remaining space was taken by articles and adverts. This compares with 56 pages for the more expensive Wargamers Illustrated, which contains an average of 20 pages of text, again excluding illustrations, photos, and adverts. In this issue, I opted for a small type, so although 36 pages, you get even more works per penny.

The Order of Battle at the end of the Wagram article, is as used at the Wargovnies Holiday Centre. This article was a review/report and I felt it appropriate to show quality of figures. As an aside, the Zastrow Cuirassiers were part of the FEILITZSCH cav brigade, VON POLENZ 2nd Div., Bernadotte's IX (saxon) Corp at Wagram, strength was reported at 4 sqdns, 538 men (Taken from A Year at War 1809 by CA Sapherson).

As for the rule appraisals, the Advanced Squad Leader article was our first toe in the water in this direction, in this issue we take this a step further with the two Napoleon's Battles features and are planning, a look at the Ebb and Flow system in the near future.

As for the figure and product reviews, that starts with this issue, for further comments see the bit at the back.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you for a number of reasons. Firstly to congratulate you on the First Issue of First Empire. I thought it was excellent and I agree with you on the no picture stance. It is nice to see a magazine of nearly all Napoleonic content. I particularly liked Ian Barstow's article on the Napoleonic campaign of 1805, and loot forward to the rest of the series. Keep up the good work.

David Whelan.

Editor. David also enclosed an excellent article on the French invasion of Ireland 1798, which will be featured in the next issue.

Dear Sir,

I would be obliged if you could provide uniform detail of the 1st and 2nd Dutch Belgian Hussars 1815.

Neil Mullis

First things first, the Dutch and Belgian Army was divided into Dutch and Belgiann regts. There were two Ducth Hussar Regts numbered 6th and 7th, and one belgian Hussar Regt numbered 8th. The 1st Regt was 1st Carabiniers (Dutch) and the 2nd Regt was 2nd Carabiniers (Belgian).

6th Hussars: Dolman, collars, cuffs sky blue, yellow buttons, mixed yellow and black braid. Pelisse dark blue, yellow and black braid, black fur. Breeches light blue worn with hussar boots or dark blue overalls with black leather lining. White sash with orange barrels. Shako black with yellow upper band, bras decorations, and black and yellow cord. Shabraque scarlet with yellow lace egde with black central stripe. White sheepskin with yellow wolf tooth edging. Valise sky blue. Trumpeters: red dolman and breeches, sky blue Pelisse, collar, and cuffs. Braiding as above.

7th Hussars: Stationed in the East Indies, this regt took no part in the Napleonic Wars.

8th Hussars: Similar unifor to 6th. Dolman sky blue with red collar and pointed cuffs, white braid and buttons. Pelisse sky blue with silver braid and black fur. Breeches sky blue with silvber side stripe and thigh knots. Shako black with yellow top band, white cord and metal work. Shabraque and valise sky blue with white lace and red egding. Trumpeters: red dolman , sky blue collar, and cuffs, Pelisse red with light brown fur, red shako with white lace cords and plume, sky blue overalls with double red stripe, Breeches sky blue.

Taken from editor's research library and notes.