Napoleonic Newsdesk

Napoleonic Association Researchers

by Napoleonic Association
na.ltd@virgin.net

The Napoleonic Association possesses a number of Study Groups each of which acts as a focus for the study of a particular subject. Three of these Groups are described here. The British Militia and the HEIC Groups are especially relevant as the Autumn Conference on 2 October will be looking at the defence of Britain during the Napoleonic Wars, and featuring presentations on various aspects of the Militia and HEIC. BRITISH MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS STUDY GROUP Faced with the threat of revolution at home and invasion from abroad the British Government of the day spent much of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars raising, disbanding and re- organising its defences and defence forces. Resulting from a series of chaotic, often knee-jerk reactions to events, a bewildering range of measures was taken to provide a credible defence force, from the semi-regular Militia and Fencibles, to the part-time Yeomanry and Volunteers - the 'Home Guard' of their day. The Study Group exists to investigate what steps the Government took, the types of defence forces it raised and how it proposed to cope with the twin threats of invasion and insurrection. Its membership is composed of both academics and interested amateurs and this is reflected in the wide range of interests represented. Individual members may focus on a specific type of defence force, or an individual unit. Others study the anti-invasion plans or the defensive structures thrown up, both temporary and permanent, along our shores. Study Group Co-Ordinator: David Bell, 32 Abbotts House, Pimlico, London SWIV 3RN. Newsletter Editor: Keith Oliver, 27 Cusden Drive, Artists way, Andover, Hants SP 10 3TF. HONORABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY STUDY GROUP The HEIC Study Group has some on-going long- term research projects. One of these involves a member who lives in Hong Kong and is writing a book on Denmark's involvement in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, which has produced some helpful twoway communications, including much useful information on the rivals to Britain's East India Company. If anyone out there has an interest or would like to find out more about the world's largest chartered trading company which maintained its own army and navy as well as operating the largest vessels in the  British merchant fleet, then please contact the HEIC Study Group. We are looking for interested people who are willing to research any area of the Company's organisation or if they already possess any information to share such findings with other like-minded persons. Study Group Co-Ordinator: Peter Williams, 31 Pembroke Road, Basingstoke, Hants. RG23 8QH. RUSSIAN ARMY STUDY GROUP This Study Group looks at all aspects of the Russian Army, from army life to the battles they fought. Last year's articles in the Group's newsletter The Kiwer included The Don Cossack Opolcheme in 1812; items on uniforms and equipment; The Patriotic War of 1812; translation of Suvarov's Catechism; the Battle of Eylau and various contemporary accounts. The March 1999 was dedicated to the 1799 campaigns, with articles on Prince Conde's Army; contemporary accounts of the battles; the Russian Army of 1799; and the Russians on Jersey and Guernsey. This year also sees the publication of a series of translations of chapters from A.V.Viskovatov's classic work The Historical Description of the Clothing and Arms of the Russian Army, beginning with the regimental colours during the reign of Paul 1. This will be followed by Russian Foot Artillery; Russian Horse and Garrison Artillery and the Imperial Guard etc. Study Group Co-Ordinator: Laurence Spring, 12 Puckshill, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey GU21 2BS. Special Book Offer for Napoleonic Association Members At the Spring Conference of the Association, Sutton Publishing gave a generous discount to members on a range of their naval books. This discount is still available to members provided they use the special order form issued. The books offered are: The Prizes of War: The Naval Prize System in the Napoleonic Wars 1793-1815 by J.R.Hill. Published at £ 25.00, the Special Offer price is E19.99! 1797: Nelson's Year of Destiny by Colin White. Published at £ 16.99; Offer price E 11.99! The Life and Times of Horatio Hornblower by C.Northcote Parkinson. Published at f6.99; Offer price £ 4.99! The Nelson Companion Edited by Colin White. Published at £ 12.99; Offer price £ 9.99! Postage and packing is £ 2.50 UK and £ 4.00 Overseas, but free if the order is over £ 30. You may only obtain this discount if you use the special order form, only obtainable by sending a stamped addressed envelope to 14 Overfield Road, Stopsley, Luton, Beds., LU2 9JU. Quote your Napoleonic Association membership number when requesting the form. More Napoleonic Newsdesk Napoleonic Events Diary 1999 NA Newhaven Thanks A Summer of Re-enactment Part 1 Napoleonic Association Researchers Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #48 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1999 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com