Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

Please join me in offering a warm welcome to Chris Hopkins, Ensign in the 23rd Dragoons, II corps, Anglo-Allied Army!

Let all Allied officers raise a glass to drink Chris' health and wish him the best of luck in his forthcoming battles against the French and their minions!


Col. Rich White
Cavalry Division
II Corps
Anglo-Allied Army

Welcome good Sir.

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Welcome on the battlefield!

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1. Husaren-Regiment
1. Infanterie-Brigade
I. Armee-Korps
Königlich Preußische Armee

The Commanding Officer of the 2nd Squadron of the King's Guard Dragoons stirs from his reverie at the announcement of Colonel White. Minions, yes an appropriate appellation for our star struck, French brothers, he thinks to himself.

I wonder if the 23rd will ever fully recover from their disaster on the Alberche Stream. Ah, such a tragic day. This young Ensign appears capable enough.

Catching the eye of the beautiful barmaid, Helga, the Hanoverian Guardsman beckons for her attention. "When the wolves have depleted Ensign Hopkins funds, come see me, and I will tend to his outstanding debt", says the officer. .

Helga flashes a radiant smile at the Anglo-Allied Army's Chief of Staff. "You never would allow a German officer to enter the poor house, would you General", she said.

"Not on my watch, my dear", replied the King's Guardsman, "and certainly never a fellow Hanoverian."


Best of luck, Chris. May your charges all drive home, scattering the French as terrified sheep before an approaching lion.

Thank you all for your kind words. My father, the Duke, has purchased a fine commission for me and I look forward to my service with my brother officers as we prepare to defeat the nefarious Bonaparte. As I have also been given a generous stipend from my dear Papa, the first round is on me (wine that is, women perhaps later).

"Our army is composed of the scum of the earth - the mere scum of the earth."

Never a truer word was spoken than this phrase. I am glad the coalition mob recognises it.

Rather odd when you consider the same chap who uttered these words did not consider my beloved Emperor a gentlemen.

Perhaps that is because he is not! He has won his ways to leadership through merit not family, tradition, or by the purse. Very unlike our monarchist opponents who seek to oppress their poor and exploit the middle class for the benefit or the merchants of London and duke's of the perfidious Albion. All while protecting their slaving ways in the colonies just so they might have sugar with their tea!! A frightful bunch they are.
(am I starting to sound like Oliver Stone here?)

Sir you should have considered the enlightened way of the glorious empire of France, but none the less welcome!

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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 follower of an Emperor rails against "monarchists"... How very French: all emotion and not a touch of rationality.

Sir Muddy sat at a table in the far corner, stirring his drink with a Marechal's baton. "Helga, another round for the young Ensign. At least he had the sense to purchase a commission in the cavalry. Good hunting, Sir."

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

Ah, yet another use for those blue, French baubles. I have always employed mine to smash the hordes of cockroaches that perpetually accompany the main body of La Grande Armee, although I have heard they can be effectively used to direct music as well.

Mind if I join you, sir? I have received some news that our Iron Duke has utterly destroyed a major, French incursion into Belgium today. Word has it that the Corsican Usurper fled like a scared rabbit running from a pack of ravenous hounds. I do believe it might have been the Little Despot's final undoing. There is some rumor going round that the Prussian Army may have contributed in some minor fashion, although this has not yet been reliably confirmed. I honestly cannot imagine how they could have helped, given their extreme reliance on conscripts, much less understand why we would have ever needed it.

And do be careful Ensign Hopkins, General Knox (a.k.a. The Peacock of France), is certainly a gentleman officer of the highest caliber, but he is also an extremely formidable opponent. Always show respect, but never fear. The French often chase after anything that runs, but quell in the face of those that resolutely stand their ground. The only failing I find in the man is his blind loyalty to the Island Born Thief that is currently seated on the throne of France.

Salute!

In the stables off the tavern proper the boys who cared for the officer's horses, brushing and feeding them, cleaning the stalls, have finished their round of work and are gathered together about the Master.

He was an old man, bent in frame from years of hard campaigning.

I was with l'Tondu in '96, a civilian hired to lead the limbered cannon for the army.
I helped to haul the guns over the Col di Cadibona, and win the Lord of War's first victory at Montenotte.

Later, when as Consul Napoleon did away with the civilian munition staffs, I joined the cause of equality and liberty.

I was with La Grande Armee on many of the great campaigns - Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena-Auerstadt, and upon the icy wastes of the Russian debacle.

I knew the swords that guarded the throne of L'Emperor - Lannes, Murat, mad Junot, fated Marmont, and the Iron Marechal - Davout.

It was on this very day, lo these many years ago that Napoleon was brought to battle by the Duke of Angleland and the Feld Marechal of Prussia and irretrievably defeated upon a field in Belgium.

And though L'Emperor strides across the maps of Europa no more, even now on moonless nights upon the great pikes of the lands where his shadow had fallen, it is said that one might see in passing distance, a great caisson pulled by coal black steeds with eyes lit as lamps and the flames illuminating their hooves as they strike the stones beneath.

The old man pauses and the boys edge nearer to hear what was to come next.

It was not a normal load of shell carried within the caisson, but a treasure trove indeed.
No iron shot but rather golden balls that were the melted crowns of the tyrants vanquished by His Genius.

Regards,

Helga a round here for ensign Hopkins I like his fighting spirit!

Also drinks for my allied friends Jones and Muddy. Fine fellows they are.
In fact it would seem I shall have to empty my purse as my French brothers are joining us at this table as well.

Well ensign you have provoked quite a gathering at your first entry into the tavern
Well done sir.

Helga drinks!

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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 very warm welcome to you, Sir

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Sir

A very warm welcome.

Dont be too concerned about the "amphibians" (they dont like being called F***).
Remember just another 18 months and we will be in 2015, no doubt they will object to our bicentenery celebrations. Also I believe the little "hoppers" want us to rename the railway station we send them home from

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Jim Hall
Field Marshall
Commander Anglo-Allied Army