Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

At the French end of the tavern a French officer has brought a small cart into the tavern.
It is covered with the flag of the regiment of the Imperial guard to which he belongs.

Once enough curiosity is aroused the officer remove the flag to expose a large portable trophy cabinet. In the cabinet are 26 swords. Each bears a small plaque above it.

The first 2 swords are surrounded in gold leaf

The Plaque above these refers to the famous Russian FM Jeka Gulyaev the only allied officer to which he has lost a sword to.

The rest of the list showed many famous names from the the allied forces in some cases more than one sword are shown. They included:

FM Jim Plfuecke
The late General Richard Asher (rip my friend)
General Andy Moss
Colonel Frampton
Generals Antony Barlow and General Anton Kosyanenko
FM Gary McClellan
Generals Andreas Naujoks and Micheal Gjerde of Prussian army
FM Sir Muddy!
General Graswich
General Goodwin
Colonel Mark Jones
FM Lucky Jim Hall - the newest sword just won.

To all my famous opponents you have my greatest respect! I salute you, all you are all gentlemen. Allow my purse to purchase each of you a drink.

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Marechal Knox

Prince d'Austerlitz et Comte d'Argentan
Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur

"What is history but a fable agreed upon"

A Hanoverian Lt. Colonel arises from his customary table and slowly walks over to the French officer’s small cart. He pauses before it, silently admiring all of the many swords respectfully contained therein. His scan is slow and deliberate, carefully reading the names of the many venerable officers defeated by this audacious, French general. After looking at each vanquished weapon in turn, his gaze returns to the second sword from the last. He leans in closer, his gaze lingering upon this particular weapon and taking in its every detail. After a brief time, he straightens and sighs.

“My dear General Knox, that is a very fine collection of weapons you have amassed. I certainly do miss my original sword that you claimed upon the field of Austerlitz, but I must say that you have taken excellent care of it for me. You yet remain the only French officer to have ever claimed my weapon.” Turning to face the noble French Guardsman, the Hanoverian breaks into a broad grin, “Yes, I will certainly join you in that drink that you offered, so long as you allow me to buy you one in return. I am always glad to share a drink with a man of honor such as you. If we are fortunate, perhaps some of these other fine officers shall join us as well.”

Good God! You are a thorn to the Coalition Sir! Beating some of our best & brightest....maybe I'll have to wager more for your defeat!

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Generalfeldmarschall Scott Kronprinz "Vorwärts" Ludwig von Preußen
Kommandeur des Königlich-Preußischen Armee-Korps
Chief of Staff (CoS) of the Allied Coalition
Allied Coalition Webmaster & Club Website Support

I wonder if I'm the only one on that list in the curious position of having been forced to yield his sword without actually ever crossing swords with the mighty Knox. Ours was a multiplayer game and my army remained blooded but intact and undefeated at Auerstedt, miles away from the carnage being meted out at Jena by the illustrious Frenchman. Having said that it was a privilege to witness this phenomenon about his dreadful business, even if it was (thankfully) viewed through my telescope from the relative safety of a distant hill.

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My battle with Colin was performed face to face in Austerlitz. I was a Second Lieutenant when he petitioned me for a game. I had very little HPS experience at the time and had never really seen Austerlitz to any great degree. I certainly had neither studied it nor figured it out. So I did what I always did, I asked Andy Moss if I should play this guy. He seemed nice enough. Andy said, "Yeah, go for it!", so I did. I confidently advanced with utterly no clue as to the lethality of the assassin that was poised on the other side of the field from me. I learned a very great deal in our game. Andy is my mentor in my army. Colin proved to be a wonderful mentor on the battlefield. I have the utmost respect for the both of them.

BTW - I think Colin set the Club Record for killing the greatest number of men in a single melee......against me (gasp!). I cannot remember the exact number, perhaps he does. I do remember it was very high. Of course, I really couldn't see very well at the time due to the copious amount of blood flowing from my head, mouth and nose. The accompanying concussion probably did not help either.

Nowadays, when Andy says "Go for it!", I immediately start drinking heavily. Dulls the pain a bit. As a good soldier, I always accept his advice because, although at times it is quite painful, he almost universally acts in my best interest for the long term. Well, at least that is what I am going to keep telling myself.

General Knox has yet to take up my challenge. I suppose he is too busy. We only met once, long ago. He has one of my well-made german swords but I have a case of batons from a number of the Emperor's finest. Indeed, my trophy room is bigger than his cart.

Helga, a mug of that English Ale is you please.

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FM Sir 'Muddy' Jones, KG
2nd Life Guards, 1st Squadron, Household Cavalry
1st Duke of Uxbridge & Anglesey K.G.

My dearest Muddy Marshall, I have it on most excellent word that France's most lethal assassin is currently seeking, and currently without, a game. Now would be an excellent time to press your petition for a chance to reclaim your fine, German sword.

I now wear a sword from the same fine smith, as I followed your most kind recommendation for the replacement of my lost weapon now residing in that little, French cart.

To your good health, Sir Muddy! It is always a welcome sight, and a boost to my morale, when you are in our fine tavern!

General Knox, very impressive indeed. However, I should point out that the cart is a bit limited in its capacity. Might I suggest you expand to a more suitable home to house your growing collection. I am sure one of Eugene's small spare 80 room campaign tents should be available.

Now, what is this I hear of a rather large number of men taken in a single melee? My interest is certainly piqued. For myself, I think the largest single force I have ever eliminated in one series of charge/melee was a division, so this sounds like a tale well worth the telling.

Cheers!

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Marechal Jeff Bardon
Duc de Castiglione et Prince de Wagram
Commandant de la Garde Imperiale

Gentlemen to answer your questions

Antony please accept your sword back, I clean forgot the unfair circumstances of our game. You were let down by the Russians I recall now .

Sir Muddy I would be greatly honoured to accept your challenge especially as Bill and Konstantin have declined. Send me a courier and we can discuss terms and scenarios.

Marechal Bardon and Colonel Jones. It was a cavalry charge of a maximum heavy cavalry stack of A grade in the flank of a disordered btn and I recall it was 527 casualties certainly no where near your division sir but we were playing with NME of course.

With isolation rules I have killed more but against a non routed unit I think this is my record.
Thanks for reminding me of this Mark I had forgotten.

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Marechal Knox

Prince d'Austerlitz et Comte d'Argentan
Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur

"What is history but a fable agreed upon"

Well, Marechal Bardon did seem to be referring to casualties in a charge sequence of melees. I remembered that your victory was in a single hex. I also thought that I remembered the number of dead to exceed 500. Unfortunately, it appears that my memory did serve me correctly in this rare, isolated incident.

Now, Helga, if you would be so kind as to fill my glass to the very top with Jager..... Yes, I do realize it is a wine, and not a shot glass, but I am badly in need of something to stop my hands from shaking at the moment. Yes, I promise not to damage any more of your fine tables with my head. I do know how hard those dents are to remove from solid oak, after all, I put them there.