The Rains Came . . . then the Flood

Does history always repeat itself? The Stagonian army is beginning to wonder.

Those with a long memory will recall that the Tippelbruder campaign was in large part foiled by torrential rains which flooded much of the field reducing the available frontage to such an extent that the raid couldn't succeed.

Sadly the weather gods have once again turned against our wonderful Stagonian Field Force. Their expedition to the Grand Duchy of Stollen, which had been going so well, has again been thwarted "due to a sudden and protracted cloudburst, both armies retire from the field with no further fighting possible thanks to wet powder and sodden ground that prevents any movement for cavalry or guns."

Fortunately the primary goal of the expedition had already been accomplished. The lumber supply and working parts of the Sawmill had already been loaded upon wagons and was on its way to our glorious realm.

Thus, while the unfortunate weather has prevented our capturing the town of Saegewerkdorf, our forces will disengage and escort our "spoils of war" back to the Kingdom of Stagonia so that Koenig Ludwig (and his Lady Duchess) can have everything needed to see a proper "Royal Rack" constructed.

Therefor all Stagonia may rejoice at another triumph of Stagonian arms.


-- Stagonian Jeff

(Note -- Stokes game room has flooded and his game table needed to be disassembled so that the water damage could be dealt with prior to his trip to Germany.)

Koenig Ludwig Hears Some News

"Sire, we have word from General von Drednoz. He has captured the Sawmill itself and is now preparing to advance on the town . . . although he is opposed by a large force of Stollenian troops. Nevertheless, he has already sent wagons back loaded with the wood you requested and all of the key equipment from the sawmill."

"Wonderful! See to it that we send the fair Princess Antonia that 'special gift' I've had prepared."

"Do you mean the bejeweled 'Lobster Cookbook' and the 300 gallon kettle?"

"Of course."

"Very well, Your Majesty."

"Wait. Was there any news of von Krinkle's Battalion?"

"I fear so, Sire. It appears that they've defected to the enemy."

"Just so . . . well, I love it when a plan comes together."

Situation at Sawmill Village

[note -- my apologies for not keeping up with the affairs of Stagonia. As some of you know, I've been rather ill with pneumonia, a popped rib and then a nasty bout of gout (which is almost over). In addition my computer (which is now fixed), was down for some three weeks. So I missed the episode of the Duchess and many other matters. I'm sorry. But Stokes is finally about to start our "Charge!" version of the "Sawmill Village" scenario.]

Word has reached the Stagonian capitol that Major General Karl von Drednoz and the Stollenian general, von Drosselmaier are about to join battle.

Looking north, this rendering by a Stollenian artist depicts the Stagonian forces. From north to south (i.e., top to bottom), the units depicted are:

• von Kirschstein Kuirassiers -- 3 squadrons
• Grossfurzen Grenzers -- 2 companies
• Feldpaff Battery -- 2 guns, limbered
  
• du Lepps Fusiliers -- 3 companies
• von Hirschbock Grenadiers -- 4 companies
• Umgraben Sappers -- 2 companies
• Hockdorf Hussars -- 2 squadrons

The same Stollenian artist provided a view (looking northeast) of the deployment of the "lobster lovers".

(as always, "click" on photos for larger version . . . and go to Stokes' blog for even more photos.)

The identities of the various Stollenian units is somewhat in doubt, but from northeast to southwest (again, top to bottom) they are believed to be:

• 4th (Trakehnen) Dragoons -- 3 squadrons
• Jaeger zu Fuss -- 1 company
• Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers -- 3 companies
• Van Laurenz Musketeers -- 3 companies
• 11th Engineers -- 2 companies
• von Krinkle's Battalion -- 1 company
• Battery -- 2 guns
• Jaeger zu Fuss -- 1 company
  

The "fly in the ointment", of course, is von Krinkle's Battalion. They were originally with the Stagonian forces . . . then they "deserted" and joined the army of Stollen.

Are they true "turncoats"? Or is this one of Stagonia's famous "dirty tricks"?

It should be noted that von Krinkle has his battalion directly in front of the Stollenian command tent . . . will they turn around and "wipe out" the Stollenian command during the battle?

And if they do (given von Drosselmaier's record of failure), will that hinder or help Stollen's chances?

Follow the course of the fight for the Sawmill Village at the Grand Duchy of Stollen blog.


-- Stagonian Jeff

Jeff's Computer Is Down

The problems I've been having with my computer are more severe than first thought. It now looks like the hard drive will have to be wiped clean and a new operating system installed.

I'm writing this from a friend's computer because mine can no longer connect to the Net. So for perhaps the next week or so I won't have much online access.

Furthermore this will delay my game with Stokes. And prevent the awful nastiness resulting from the Vile King's encounter with the Duchess from coming to light for a while . . . who knows what evil lurks in their hearts?

Sadly we will have to wait . . . because right now my job is to try to copy all of the files I need before my poor machine is wiped.


-- Jeff (as Owner-Moderator)

A Command Assignment

"Brigadier Lothar Oppenkopf reporting as ordered, sir."

"Well, Oppenkopf, Koenig Ludwig has a task for you. He wants you to capture and secure the Stollenian Sawmill just inside their border. Furthermore you are not to damage the facility nor any of the wood stored there since His Majesty has need of it."

"Do you have any idea of what sort of defenses can I expect?"

"Defenses? Oppenkopf, it's just a sawmill; hardly a military stronghold. It should be a cakewalk, even for you."


. . . . And so begins the "Battle for the Sawmill" which Stokes and I will play by email starting in a few weeks after he and his lovely Grand Duchess Sonja return from their Mexican holiday. We will be using the basic "Charge!" rules, with Stokes setting everything up on his table . . . and I'm sure that there will be lots of wonderful photos of the battle.


-- Jeff

For Want of a Rack . . .

Koenig Ludwig of Stagonia was in a rage.

"Why can't I have it? I need it so that I can work out my tensions on my enemies. I NEED a new rack. The old one has HIS monogram and is all stained with foul juices."

"Sire, we don't have the proper wood here in the Kingdom. It takes a very strong, non-warping wood to make a good Royal Rack."

"Well, get the right wood elsewhere then."

"But, Sire, no-one will sell to us. Your late unlamented predecessor alienated all of the states of Europa. And none will sell us anything."

"Who said anything about buying it? Why do you think we have an army? Who has a supply of the proper wood?"

"I believe that the Grand Duchy of Stollen has a Sawmill near the border that specializes in the proper wood."

"Near the border, is it? Very well, call my generals. We will annex Irwin-Amadeus' Sawmill . . . then I will make the finest rack in the world! Then I can really have some FUN!"

"As Your Majesty commands."

Flags for Mounted Troops

I've decided that all of the heavy cavalry will have gold buttons and yellow hat tape; while the dragoons will have tin buttons and white hat lace . . . well that is my thought for right now.



The four heavy horse units will have square guidons featuring the Stagonian horse on the unit facing color.



I'm currently planning on blue, red, yellow and purple -- with a gold fringe.



The four dragoon units will have swallowtail guidons featuring the Stagonian horse in a light blue oval.

The guidon will be split color with dragoon light gray on the bottom and the facing color on top -- and I'm currently looking at black, white, green and lavender -- with a silver fringe.


-- Jeff