Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

Gentlemen,

A little distraction from the ongoing presidential election.

I have been offered a hefty tome of 618 pages for a very reasonable price. The book is by Dominic Lieven and is entitled "Russia against Napoleon".

Has anyone read this title? If so, would you recommend it?

I am greatful for any advice.

_________________
Général Gregor Morgan
Duc de Montebello et Comte de Gironde
Chef d'État-Major de la Grande Armée
Commandant du 1er Corps d'Armée

My Dear General Morgan:

Unfortunately, I am totally unable to render you any assistance in gaining entry into Pierre's Tavern. The good Sergeant Desherbiers seems to deny my entry upon every attempt. I fear that it is indeed some form of discrimination for this fine, red coat that I wear.

I can, however, offer you some advice on the tome penned by Herr Lieven. It is a most excellent work and I would highly recommend it to you for some leisurely reading while you await your response concerning the password you seek.

Salute!

My good man,

Thank you for the information on "Russia against Napoleon". I have already sealed the deal and the tome in question should be winging its way to me shortly. To be added to the numerous other tomes awaiting my attention.

As far as your inability to provide me with the necessary combination of characters for entry into Pierre's, I thank you for your time and for at least stopping to advise me that you cannot assist. Whilst our two nations are on a non-peaceful setting, I am afraid that some of the wonders of Europe will not be open to you. The inside of Pierre's being one of them. When your King and country has finaly succumbed to the might of the French Empire and you are no longer required to endure that scarlet tunic you appear to be so proud of, perhaps then there will be an opportunity for you to pay a visit. Until that time however, I am afraid that the door to Pierre's will remain firmly closed to you.

As a mark of respect and of my gratitude for your conversation I am most willing to purchase you an alcoholic beverage or two in the more humble surroundings of this establishment.

Your good health.

Slange

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Général Gregor Morgan
Duc de Montebello et Comte de Gironde
Chef d'État-Major de la Grande Armée
Commandant du 1er Corps d'Armée

Why good sir, I will certainly share your proffered libation within these comfortable walls that have become a home to me. I am glad that I could be of some useful service to you today. That is most excellent news regarding your rare tome of the Russian experience. I have no doubt that you will enjoy it as a fine read.

And set your mind at ease concerning the discrimination now occurring at Pierre’s Tavern. Such selective behavior also occurs at the Coalition Arms. Why my own artillery officer, Lt. Tom Phillips, was denied entry by the Provost Guard just the other day. He had been standing outside for some time before I arrived and explained that, yes indeed, a Hanoverian officer of artillery is properly attired in a blue coat. I am certain that our British Light Horse and our Dutch-Belgian officers undergo the same problems on occasion as well. It is but a sign of the times which I, like you, am sure will pass upon the King’s eventual triumph over the Corsican Usurper which you call your Emperor. But those are matters to be dealt with on the field of honor. No need to dwell upon them within this comfortable establishment in the presence of a beauty such as our lovely Helga.

To your good health, General! May you be spared from the many perils of combat, for it is certainly a perilous profession which we have chosen. Or perhaps, brave General, it is actually the profession that has chosen us. Either way, well met sir, and thank you for your kindness!

General Morgan good to see you my friend. Long time no speak, Helga a round please! Colonel Jones General Morgan is a member of our guard and warrior of some fame. One of my original commanders.

General Morgan please remind me of your email and I shall send you the key for the door to our private tavern. The only redcoats in their are the swiss whose presence whilst a little dry at least sees plenty of money flow through the bar.

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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 then, another round is certainly in order here! I did not recognize you as a member of Le Tondu's Guard. General Knox well knows that I firmly believe that a Guardsman, of any army, deserves the respect of all. You raised a fine officer here, General Morgan. He is a terror to the Coalition's cause. Perhaps the most feared Frenchman of them all, and a fine gentleman besides.

A toast to two fine and honorable men! And should I succeed in getting both of you sufficiently inebriated today, I may allow you to assist me with your signatures on these useful forms that I often carry. I would doubt that you have much knowledge of them, General Morgan, but General Knox well knows thier content and, thus far at least, has successfully been able to resist them.

Ah, yes, now that I look closer, I do see the heraldry of the Old Guard in your signature.

Hi Colin,

Good to hear from you again. I have already been advised of Pierre's password
by Marechal Bardon. And contrary to Monsieur Peter's suggestions, neither "surrender" nor "perfume" were acceptable to the menacing looking guard stationed at the entrance. Come to think of it, he only became menacing once I had whispered these proffered passwords in his ear. I do hope he did not interpret these words, said in quick succession, to be an interest in his personal favours.

My courier address is however GregorMorgan@aol.com

Tell me how are things in New Zealand? Are you gearing up for the Rugby World Cup, you must certainly be favourites. Not long now before the competition starts.

Scotland may be successful in negotiating the first round grouping but I don't think will progress beyond. One never knows though. Hope springs eternal.

I see from other posts that you have a price on your head. Have you terrified the coalition that much that they have to resort to financial gain to encorage their officers to cross swords with you. You have come a long way my friend.

Come join me in a refreshing pint of Deuchars IPA. In fact, as my purse is rather heavy with coin, I would like to welcome all officers present to step up to the bar and partake in their favourite libation.

Regards and good health.

_________________
Général Gregor Morgan
Duc de Montebello et Comte de Gironde
Chef d'État-Major de la Grande Armée
Commandant du 1er Corps d'Armée

Did someone say they were buying?

A toast to you, Greg, so generous as to be willing to relieve so much coin from your purse to slake the thirst of this crowd.

Cheers!

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

I hope your purse is indeed heavy, General Morgan, as the good Marechal Bardon generally measures his drink in kegs rather than glasses.

Of course, he mostly does that when he is single handedly trying to bankrupt my fine Hanoverians. I suppose he is not alone in this regard. One of own Field Marshalls also has a penchant for tapping out our treasury and, of course, there was the incident with a Prussian General who invited a whole division to enjoy a few drinks on our tab.....

Good to see your purse open General Morgan as a fellow officer of Scot's descent I know how difficult this can sometimes be if there are coalition officers at the table. Helga please bring my Margaux. Yes it would seem the allied rabble are offering all sorts of medals for beating me. Even ones with French names. Sir Muddy has taken up the challenge and I am meeting him in the glorious fields of Belgium. Hopefully I can continue to defend the empires honour.

As for the RWC yes sir as you know our national past time is to obsess over why we have not won it since 1987. We have a wonderful team again this year and well coached but we shall see. We may well meet the Scot's in the Quarter final! And Yes Marechal Bardon I forgot to say I in our last correspondence I hope to go and watch my beloved All Blacks in Wellington! In the meantime our team play's the Red Prison colony tonight! Should be interesting.

Helga a round on my purse now please for these famous French officers!

Salute!

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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"

I have it as well and it is an excellent book. It may be the only book I have ever read written by a non Russian that details the campaign from a Russian point of view. Some of his conclusions are contoversial but he defends them quite effectivley. For example, he states it was not General Winter that was primarily responsibible for the French defeat, but rather a combination of:

1. Russian logistical capabilities to feed and substain it's armies from 1812-14
2. Russian supeiority in horses manifesting into a superiority in light cavalry
3. The Russian leadership out thinking Napoleoan and deliberatley planning and executing a drawn out campaign to waer the French down and then pursue them all the way back to France.
4. The Russian practice of basing promotions on merit resulting in an excellent cadre and corps of NCO's and officers by 1813.

The third onc is the most contoverisial because it collides with the western belief and Tolstoyian myth that the Russians never planned to retreat and it was a matter of cirmcumstance, confusion and luck that determined their course of action. IMO Lieven's use of Russian archival material backs his conslusions up.

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Field Marshal Sir Edward Blackburn, 1st Duke of Aberdeen K.G.
85th (Buck's Light Volunteers) Regiment of Foot
16th British Brigade
7th Division
III (Peninsular) Corps
2nd Battalion, Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards

I DON'T PLAY WITH ROUT LIMITING OR NME OFF