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The Frankfurt Politic Dear Mr. Watkins I have enjoyed reading the articles and letters about the 'Frankfurt' troops. (see Issue #28) and (see Issue #29). However, your writers seem to be confused about the character and status of the lands from which these troops came. In this letter I will explain the political situation as I understand it. The Frankfurt battalions were raised by the Archbishop of Mainz, in all the lands that he rules. From 12th July 1806 to 16th February 1810, these lands consisted of the Principalities of Frankfurt, Aschaffenburg and Regensburg, the counties of Wetzlar and Rieneck, and 10 smaller territories. The Archbishop ruled these lands under the title of Prince Primate. On 16th February 1810, the Archbishop assumed the title of Grand Duke of Frankfurt. He received from France the Principalities of Hanau and Fulda, which since the Treaty of Tilsit had been Reserved Provinces of the French Empire. He ceded the Principality of Regensburg to the King of Bavaria. On the 9th June 1815, the Grand Duchy of Frankfurt was dissolved. The Principality of Frankfurt became a Free City once again. My authorities for the above information are:
I hope that this will be interesting to your readers. Yours Sincerely, John Henderson Editor: Many thanks John, nice to get a response from the Study Groups, hope this is the start of a torrent of information!--DW More on Frankfurt in FE29: Dispatches. Where's the Fun John...? Dear Dave, With regard to John Tower's letter (FE29), I believe that his comments warrant some comment. I joined Napoleonic re-enactment from the Medieval sphere. Indeed many other Napoleonic re-enactors I know started out in different (invariably more physical) periods, and have been seduced by the appeal of the Napoleonic period (not without thanks to "Sharpe" for increasing awareness). None of these people are hooligans or psychopaths, but they do like a pint or two. I'm sure its fair to say that NA members can party with the best of 'em - its sounds like Ian Barstow can sink a few quids worth! I accept that Mr Tower concedes that earlier "melee" periods have a committed echelon of historians and re-enactors, but what of the soldiers as a whole - the "majority" who he suggests only turn up for "fisticuffs"? Indeed most are in this "beer and bash" mold, but they provide the numbers for the spectacle that the public pay to see, and 99% are controlled and responsible in the field. This is borne out by the fact that despite using some quite serious weaponry, very few real injuries occur. Due to the acute need for safety, genuine thugs are rare, and don't last long. Recruits join for the excitement of the "battle", camaraderie, and the social afterwards. I'm sure our period offers this, and is the attraction for our "majority" also. Almost every male re-enactor (and not a few female!) who is now an organiser, committee member, Kit maker/seller or living-history specialising non-combatant began their hobby in those humble ranks in old/second-hand/borrowed gear (Campaign kit in other words). Therefore Mr Tower's dismissive remarks are very unfair to the rest of the "Re-enactment community" (including many potential converts). Nobody has suggested that the NA should become less conscious of it's standards of conduct. In fact, there are plenty of rules already, implemented by an organised chain of officials, to prevent any bad recruit from causing trouble. Most people trying re-enacting for the first time have read about, wargamed, or watched films (and dramas) about a particular period that fires their imagination, then hear about a society or nearby event presenting that period. Our period is not exactly the most violent, thuggish or individualistic period for louts to "loose cannon" about in. Likewise veteran re-enactors don't switch or "moonlight" into our period for a better chance of the mock combat boiling over into real violence. Concerns in this area are somewhat unfounded. What helps get new members is public awareness of an event through good advertising, followed up by a clear invite to those spectators to become participants in future (i.e. on the back of a programme, or announced by the commentator) - in other words higher profile. What does not entice re-enactors from another period to "come over' to us, is an aloof and possibly snobbish attitude, laced with "we are not here to have fun " stances. The NA's established groups actively monitor new recruits for acceptable attitude and conduct, and bar undesirables from taking full membership. Surely this should allay any fears some have of being overrun by yobs. It seems that other re-enactors assume us to be a "bit stuck up", and if one is prepared to make sweeping generalisations about them and their efforts, then how is one likely to handle and "mold" any sort of new recruit? On a more positive note, the comments of Valene Mills (in the same F.E.) are laudable. We as re-enactors exist to bring history to life, and thereby increase awareness and enthusiasm for our heritage among the public as a whole - through our own enjoyment and interest. People come to see "Hollywood spectacle" and we need to give them at least a little of what they pay for, so that our popularity can grow. Whilst they attend our event, and as long as they are entertained, people will leave having inadvertently swallowed a little "raw" history, and may even be given a taste for it. Furthermore without a "fun" side (i.e. making it enjoyable for ourselves) we will fail to convey our message to the public, but worse than that we will begin to loose the appeal for present as well as potential recruits. Yours, Rob Martin Editor: I believe the correct response is "Rock!"--DW Tower's Reply in FE31. On New Books Dear Dave, I thought that I would write and reply to a letter (Napoleonic Publishing) in Issue 28 of the magazine, to provide more information on the topic. Russell Tomlinson asks what will happen when the supply of quality Napoleonic reprints dries up. I think that it is physically impossible for this to happen!! All Book Publishers have an annual programme of publishing, of which their Napoleonic section is a part. They include new titles as well as reprinting older works that they feel would now attract a new audience. New titles come to light all the time, as people realise that they have a potential gold mine (!!) in the form of the letters and diaries of one of their ancestors who happened to fight at Waterloo or in the Peninsula. For example, Spellmount have recently published For King and Country: The Letters and Diaries of John Mills, Coldstream Guards, 1811-1814, edited by Ian Fletcher. These diaries have not been published before. I read in The Times last year of a diary of a soldier of the 20th Foot, one Corporal John Parker, that was sold at Bonham's. No doubt this will appear as a published book in due course. Greenhill have recently produced Life in Napoleon's Army: The Memoirs of Captain Elzear Blaze, a book that was first published in English in 1850. Translation from a foreign language does cost the Publisher money, and so I suppose that this is an important consideration when they consider their programme of publishing. Why should they translate and publish a French text when they can reproduce an English soldier's diary on a cheaper budget? Having said that, I know for a fact that Publishers are always interested in hearing ideas and comments from their customers. If you know of a very good work that has been published in a foreign language, then most of the mainstream Publishers would certainly give it a fair hearing. Write and tell them of it. If they feel that the commercial potential is great enough then it would be published in the UK. Other than that, I can only suggest that we all learn French and German (that should please Peter Hofschroer!). Paul Chamberlain Sharpe Debate Dear Dave, In Issue 28 of the magazine, Ian Barstow writes about the Sharpe TV series, and asks for debate on the subject. Here is my contribution! I like the Sharpe series, as I believe that many others do! Any gripes that are heard I would put down to envy and being pedantic over personal historical interpretations. It is very easy to criticise something Napoleonic on television, especially if you the viewer immerse yourself in the subject in the comfort of your home/local hostelry, and do not have to reconstruct the period in the Ukraine, on a strict financial budget, in an environment that does emulate the conditions in the Peninsula! Read the articles in First Empire by Richard Rutherford-Moore to appreciate this! I look forward to the Sharpe films every week, and the wife/ dogs/ telephone are placed under strict orders not to speak/bark/ring from 8.00pm onwards! Speaking as a fellow NA Committee member, I have never heard of any official NA policy of distancing itself from the Sharpe films as well as Richard and his efforts with the productions. I applaud Richard's efforts in making the Sharpe films as historically accurate as possible. I think that what is happening here is that an individual is giving his or her opinion of the series, which is then repeated to someone else, which is then told to yet another NA member, and very soon becomes an NA opinion, as if it were official NA policy! I wish, as a Committee member, that members did not hastily jump to conclusions about NA policy over anything, before they first stop to ask if what they are hearing is actually true. Ian asks why the Napoleonic Association is not picking up thousands of new members as a result of this series. I don't believe that we ever will acquire a large number of new members as a result of any one Napoleonic-oriented film, book or whatever. Re-enactment is a personal thing, as is wargaming, research, modeling figures, presenting your research at conferences etc. I don't believe that it is just the cost that puts people off dressing in the uniforms and recreating the drill and battles of the era. An enthusiast will only take up re-enactment as a hobby if he/she feels that they can commit the time as well as the money to get something out of it. On a personal note, I spent 12 years re-enacting the Napoleonic period, but gave it up because there were other things I wanted to do with my time. How many existing NA members took up re-enactment after only seeing one NA battle, or the film Waterloo, or reading a book on the subject? Very few if any. People take up a hobby such as re-enactment when their imagination has been fired sufficiently by various stimuli. These can be a film on TV or at the cinema; reading a number of books on the subject; seeing re-enactments in the flesh, as it were; becoming enthusiastic about Napoleonic wargaming, and developing this interest into re-enactment at a later date. How many people do you actually believe leap from their seats at the end of each episode of Sharpe, declaring to their families that they are going to take up Napoleonic re-enactment with those wonderful people in the NA? If anyone has then their families have probably put this outburst down to too much beef in the diet! The Sharpe films may fire an enthusiasm for studying the period in a bit more depth, which in a few years from now may progress to taking up re-enactment. So what IS the NA doing about this increasing awareness of the period? A lot, in my opinion! Any society will only flourish if it creates an environment in which its members can enjoy the hobby and get something out of it. Any society will only flourish if it has a strong organisation to support its members. An individual will only join that society if they feel it has something to offer them personally. The NA is better now than it has ever been, in my opinion, and I speak as someone who has been a member for 16 years, both in re-enactment and research. The Association's finances are in good order; we have a good safety policy for re-enactors; the re-enactments are better organised now than in the past; and the range of activities on offer for members is greater now than ever before. We have re-enactments, conferences, wargames displays, Study Groups. We participate in the Napoleonic Fair and the First Empire Show each year. We have good working relations with other societies, both in the UK and abroad, using these links for the benefit of the membership (e.g.. events abroad such as Waterloo). Publishers and other Napoleonic- interest societies have a greater respect for the Napoleonic Association these days. This is all due to the efforts of Committee members, both past and present, and the efforts of many of the membership who have a lot of experience in re-enactment, wargaming and research. Indeed, the attitude to these areas of the hobby has seen a dramatic improvement in recent years. If a Napoleonic hobbyist is enthused enough to want to develop their interests into re-enactment, then the NA is ideally placed to acquire these new members; if that person feels that the NA is for them. We will acquire these new members by continuing our policy of presenting a quality society to the membership, in terms of what we have to offer. The more Napoleonic books that are published; the more Napoleonic films there are on TV; and the more actives that the NA presents to its membership; will all ultimately bring more new members into the Association. That's my collection of views on the subject. This does pose an interesting concept if both Ian and myself, as NA Committee members, can talk to each other via these pages, who needs Committee meetings!? Yours sincerely, Paul Chamberlain Hesse-Darmstadt Garde du Corps and a Prussian Sabre Dear Mr. Watkins: As a subscriber to your magazine, firstly I would like to say how much I enjoy reading it and have done so since the first issue. I have found many articles to be of direct importance to my own projects whilst others have been of general interest to me, the articles on Napoleon's Marshals were very good, long may you flourish! I have been collecting and building up my armies over a number of years. One of my little idiosyncrasies is having a force from Hesse-Darmstadt in 15mm. This leads me to two questions concerning them which I hope other readers may be able to help me with. I have a small unit representing the Garde du Corps of Hesse-Darmstadt. You know how it is as a wargamer, always buying figures on the off chance. The models in question were originally bought in 1982, whilst I was in Brighton on holiday. Walking away from the sea front, I managed to find a wargames manufacturer, I think the premises were then called Mike's Models. I purchased a number of items including the aforementioned cavalry. Keen to make use of them (I am still in the habit of trying to persuade my long suffering wife that I buy these models with some ultimate plan in mind) I decided to enroll them into my Hessian Brigade. The brigade was to be part of the Confederation element of Victor's IX Corps in what I hoped would be my long planned 1812 campaign. Some long term plan that was, it's still not off the ground. Anyway I digress, the first question I have involves the Garde du Corps battle history, or rather their lack of it. In all my research to date, I have not found any references that would suggest the Garde du Corps took an active part in any campaigns. I wonder if any reader can throw any light on the subject? Secondly, there is for me a question of their uniform, I have a number of reference books, the Osprey "Men al Arms" series, Funcken, von Pivka's "Armies of the Napoleonic Era", Elting's "Napoleonic Uniforms" which was purchased through this magazine, etc. Most of these tests (with the exception of Funcken) portray the Garde du Corps uniform as a Buff tunic with red facings. Some years ago whilst in Brussels, I found and acquired two prints of the Hesse-Darmstadt troops. They were taken from the Uniformenkunde and have been 'coloured over' in water colours. One print depicts the Garde du Corps and shows them in Dark Blue tunics. Never having seen Knotel's plates at first hand (except as part of Elting's two volume work) I am at a loss as to the discrepancy. Again I rely on the other readers for assistance. Did the Garde du Corps wear the Buff or Blue tunic? Could it be that the Buff was for ceremonial use and the Blue for active service? A third question I'm afraid. I have recently come into the possession of a sabre and scabbard I believe to be Prussian. Both sabre and scabbard are blackened with age. There are numbers and letters stamped into both the sabre and scabbard. I believe the sword is possibly genuine and I have been told it is dated around 1812. It interests me to establish the provenance of the sword. If it is genuine and from the Napoleonic period, I would like to try and trace the Regiment, squadron, and if possible, individual the sword may have been issued to. From there I would like to detail the actions the Regiment took part in, where the sword was perhaps used and who knows, if the editor is interested, perhaps an article may result.
The markings and letters are as follows: Hilt & crosspiece The lettering and numbering as hopefully can be seen in the photograph, runs across the hilt over the metal guiding pieces that seat the sword into the scabbard, (Full of technical phrases I am not!) The markings are 10. T. P. 3. 81. The identical markings appear on the scabbard just below the position the guiding pieces come to when the sabre is sheathed. A second set of markings appear on the hilt at the join with the crosspiece and the bar to protect the knuckles from an enemy sword swipe. These markings are 562 H 1 An identical set of markings appear on the first reinforcing bar that holds the metal hoop where the sabre belt would have connected. The Blade The non cutting edge also has some markings. Heading 'down' the sword (in other words towards the point) are the numbers 1831. It may be that the last number is the year of issue, (in which case it is clearly not from the Napoleonic Wars), or reissue of the sword with a new replacement blade. I don't know, but perhaps someone out there in your wide readership does. When viewed in context of the paintings and drawings in the Osprey "Men - At - Arms" series number 172, the sword looks remarkably similar to one identified as possibly issued to the East Prussian National Cavalry Regiment. I wonder therefore if any of your readers can throw some light on this sword for me from the markings I have detailed. Yours in hopeful expectation, keep up the good standard! Mike Madin
Editor: Any weapons experts out there? A Reply to Gibbs Dear Sirs, I wish to thank Peter Gibbs for his thoughtful comments in FE 29. Rather than get involved in a detailed debate on each point raised, may I suggest that Peter get hold of and read some of my earlier writings on the subject published over the years by 'Osprey', 'Miniature Wargames', 'The Courier', 'Empires, Eagles & Lions', etc. He will find most, if not all of the points he raised, dealt with there. I would also suggest that Peter read the following books on the subject:
Jany, Curt: Die Gefechtsausbildung der Preussischen Infanterie von 1806 Jany was chief librarian of the Heeresbibliothek earlier this century. The above have been reprinted in recent years.
Fiedler taught for some years at the Bundeswehr university in Hamburg and was later director of the army museum in Rastatt. As apparently 'the exchange of information in Europe has become much easier' (when was it difficult?), then I am sure that Peter will have no problem in obtaining the above and reading them. Rather than spend hours going through all the points raised in Peter's quote from 'How Napoleonic Wars were Won', the value of such material can be quickly established by reference to just two of these points. Firstly, apparently 'The skirmishing and light infantry work done in the Seven Years War had been mainly done by irregulars enlisted for the war. When they disappeared they left behind them no tradition of how to do things'. While the first sentence in this statement is correct, the second is at variance with the historical record. The facts are outlined by Jany in both of the works mentioned above. Secondly, apparently 'It's [the artillery's] officers were kept out of the [Prussian] higher command which Napoleon said was "idiotic." The writer of that sentence has evidently not heard of the leading Prussian reformer Scharnhorst, who was an artillery officer, and one of non-noble origins. He got to one of the highest positions within the army prior to 1806. The writer Peter referred to has made a most fundamental error of fact. Any analysis based on incorrect information can itself only be incorrect. May I suggest that in future, Peter stick to sources written by reliable historians such as Jany and Fiedler and ignore popular mass-market historical faction? Yours faithfully, Peter Hofschroer Editor: Ouch!--DW More on Music Dear Dave: With reference to Jim Gashll's request in issue 29 regarding the "noise of war." I can most heartily recommend a tape which I picked up called "Pour L'Empereur." It is a French Tape featuring French Napoleonic military music. Such favourites as "Pas de Charge de la Marine Imperiale", "Marche D'Austerlitz", "La Victoire Est a Nous" and "Marche De L'Ancienne Garde A La Bataille De Leipzig" (if you have seen the film Waterloo - and who hasn't? - you will recognise the tunes, maybe you could sing along.) The tape also features various battlefield commands issued by drummers and fifers e.g. "La Charge", "L'Assemblee", etc. For atmosphere it is a tape that is a real treasure trove. My only complaint is that some of the musical pieces are a little on the short side. The French producer of this tape is: Disques Deesse, 11 rue Lepic, 75018 Paris. Happy listening, yours sincerely, Russell Thompson Editor: Many thanks for the letter, can anyone else expand on this? A href="../31/fe31disp.htm">Two Replies to Music letter in FE31. Help Needed Dear Mr. Watkins, Firstly, may I congratulate your staff and yourself at First Empire for publishing such an informative and interesting magazine. I only discovered it last year, whilst browsing a local hobby shop! Keep up the Standards! (Or should that be Eagles?) Secondly, can you or any of the readers help me with the following information:
I ask this information because I understand that many of the readers have visited the site in past years for events to commemorate this historic battle. I am planning to visit the site in mid-September for the first of what I hope will be many visits. Yours sincerely Nigel D. Newman Editor. On point 2, I think that you will find the Formula One establishment on the Waterloo-Charleroi Road to be acceptable and reasonably priced. Booking is not usually necessary, particularly out of season. As for point 1, I think it is safe to say that all of the museums in the area are open between 9:00 and 17:00 during September - although I have a nagging doubt about Sunday opening out of season! - if anyone knows any different please let us know. Particularly with regard to the 25mm buildings and scale plans.--DW A href="../31/fe31disp.htm">Reply regarding Waterloo Buildings in FE31. Inspirational Sharpe... Dear Dave: I was more than pleased to win the Sharpe competition because not only do I love the series but it opened up a new world to me of everything Napoleonic. I have even joined the 95th Regiment of Foot as a camp follower and have enjoyed the excitement of battles, dressing up and sleeping in a wedge tent in freezing conditions (well you have to put up with some hardships), but I have made new friends from all walks of life, who come together for the love of the regiment. I not only enjoy Sharpe and Co and have watched the episodes dozens of times but it put me in touch with the likes of Capt. John Kincaid, Edward Costello etc. I now have a fine collection of books and prints, and will be off to Spain and Portugal later in the year to try and visualise what those men went through on what ever side this war was fought on, So I say good for Sharpe, otherwise I would never have discovered this wonderful new found interest in my life. Thank you very much for such an enjoyable magazine. Yours sincerely, Bridget Andrews
Editor: Hope you enjoy the book It is nice to see some positive results that benefit the hobby coming from a popular TV series.--DW Another Camp Bed! Dear Dave: On a recent visit to France I was fortunate enough to visit Fontainbleau. In the chateau itself I spotted one of the famed camp beds. Please add this to your list of sightings. You may want to add for your records that their is an excellent uniform musee in Fontainbleau guarded by 2 of the most untrusting women I have ever met they will follow you around every glass case and uniform. Their is a strong Napoleonic presence and anyone passing by the south of Paris on their way to Disney or wherever should pop in. Martin Gane Martin.Gane@burton.co.uk Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #30 This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. |
I enclose a photograph I recently took of the weapon, not very good I know, but the best I could do with my old camera.