Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

The tavern was not overly crowded as the Dragoon Officer of the King’s Guard entered. A quick scan of these familiar surroundings was all he needed to confirm the presence of numerous French Generals, including his French counterpart, General Sands, and the inimitable Peacock of France. All three of these fine officers had opposed him at one time or another on the battlefield. Certainly deluded regarding the proper form of government, but nevertheless all honorable men. He noted the absence of the French Marechals that frequented the establishment, but was certain the remaining two officers of the Triumvirate of France would arrive soon enough once they learned that the Hanoverians were buying tonight.

Walking to the bar, the Guardsman picked up a glass and tapped it gently with a spoon until he had gained the attention of the tavern’s occupants.

“Gentlemen officers of these wretched wars”, he said, “I salute you all for managing to survive yet another day.” He grinned at the assembly, noticing that the younger officers, particularly the French ones, looked a bit nervous at his greeting, while the grizzled veterans of innumerable campaigns grinned back and nodded their heads in agreement.

“It is with great pride that I stand before you this evening”, he continued, “for today is a notable date in the annals of my beloved brigade. It seems you Frenchmen have been remiss of late, and inadvertently allowed two of my finest officers to prosper in their efforts against you. Our great and benevolent King has seen fit to grant them both a promotion today. Please join me in a heartfelt toast to our two newest generals, Brigadiers Phillips and Lastowicka. Everyone’s drinks are on me.”

Congratulations Tom and Dale!

Gentlemen,

Well done, you make the Hanoverian's proud!

Helga, a round for all on my tab........................

I hope I have enough funds!

Huzzah, Senors (said with a Spanish accent). Your achievements are an incentive to this young officer.

Said young officer skillfully maneuvers to the bar like a matador dances around the raging bull, his empty cup poised to take advantage of the offer of free drinks.

"Ole'!", he cries out as the excitement of the moment builds.

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Major General Richard Bradshaw, 1st Viscount of Manchester

Lloyd's Battery, Royal Artillery
Royal Regiment of Artillery
Reserve Artillery & Engineers

Congrats to my good friends Dale & Tom! Proud of you guys!

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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

Thank you, gentlemen. And congrats to Tom, who I have battled many times (and lost to many times) over the years in the CCC and ACWGC.

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Feldmarschall Dale Fürst Lastowicka von Galizien und Lodomerien
Grenzer Regiment Wallachia-Illyria Nr. 13
2. Leichte Brigade
Avant Garde Division
Österreichische Imperiale Armeekorps
Coalition Army

" Und muß einst es sein,
Sterb ich doch an Wein
Lieber als an Pillen.
Vor dem letzten Willen
Leer ich erst das Faß

Bis aufs letzte Glas."

Yes, the men from Hanover were once again in fine form singing a song. They were such a happy go lucky group, always with a kind word, never stingy with a coin. And they were always willing to include anyone into their fun, as long as the General could get you to take a shot of Jagermeister. Helga wondered though , where is the one that really gets the singing going. Her fun loving Hanoverians might be loud, but the other will make the sound like cannons. He had been absent from the Tavern lately, even poor Josephine seemed to be missing him, even if it was only to just hiss at him. Helga stopped cleaning the table she was at, thinking , and scaned the room for the cat as the Ratte had been spotted about and she did not want a commotion to occur. But, the cat was no where in the room, probably out checking the stables.

A sound of wagons came from the front of the Tavern and Helga glanced outside to see a procession of French Supply wagons headed to the Allied camp, all with Prussian drivers. "Ich habe eine gift fur Sie, mein Schotz!" looking left, Helga saw that Hanoverian Funny man, the one that so liked to tease her heart. Yes mein Kinder, Der Wurger has arrived at Das Haus.

"Ah, meine schone Madchen, heir ist a very pretty mirror I have found in der Wagon train of the Saxons", said Der Wurger as he strode thru the door. His eye was caught by the antics occuring at the bar with his brethren. "Was ist das?" he asked Helga.

"My dear sir, danke fur the mirror, it is by far the finest I have seen, danke. Your friends are celebrating promotions, Generals Phillips and Lastowicka."

"Was!?!? Generals?!?! I denk ich vill be feeling like a lowly trooper jetzt " Das ist Ausgeschinett!"

Leaving Helga, Der Wurger strode across the room and reported to his Superior. "Herr General, I haf arrived with der party favor's. I let der French keep their rouge and small hand mirrors, aber, I haf keep all of the wine fur uns! "
Then Der Wurger turned, saluted the new Generals Phillips and Lastowicka, "Viele Gluckwunsch, a great achievement to be earn by such fine Gentlemen!" Lifting a glass that Helga had just placed into his hand, Der Wurger shouted, "Zum Voll!"

With that there was a cheer and handshakes all around.

Ich habe einer neuer Lied, wir mus singen!

Auf Schlesiens Bergen, da wächst ein Wein,
Der braucht nicht Hitze, nicht Sonnenschein.
Ob's Jahr ist schlecht, ob's Jahr ist gut,
Da trinkt man fröhlich der Trauben Blut.

Da lag ich einmal vor'm vollen Faß.
Ein andrer soll mir trinken das,
So rief ich, und sollt's der Teufel sein,
Ich trink ihn nieder mit solchem Wein!

Outside, a little bird in the lemon tree was looking for a thorn to impale a bug upon.

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