Recently Painted No 23 Russian Guard Dragoons 1812

The Russian Guard Dragoons were commanded by Petr A. Chicherin II during the 1812 campaign. They were in The First Army of the West Commanded by Barclay de Tolly, along with the Guard Hussars and Guard Uhlans they were brigaded in Ouvarov's 1st Cavalry Corps.

The Lifeguard Dragoon Regiment was formed in 1809 by taking 5 of 10 squadrons of Grand Duke Constantine Uhlan Regiment. These dragoons were modeled on Napoleon's Guard It was not a showy outfit as the hussars and uhlans and not so prestigious as the Lifeguard Horse or the Chevaliers. But they were superbly trained and disciplined. 

In 1812 after the battle of Tarutino, the Lifeguard Dragoons were sent together with Cossacks and light troops toward Mozhaisk where they harrased the enemy's transports and convoys. Two squadrons of dragoons ambushed and destroyed two squadrons of French Guard Dragoons

In Kulm in 1813 the Lifeguard Dragoons spearheaded the massive cavalry charge against Vandamne's infantry. The dragoons attacked frontally and ran down one regiment, while other regiments attacked enemy's flanks. In April 1813 the dragoons were awarded with St. George standards. 

In the battle of Leipzig the French Cuirassiers  routed them in the cavalry battle fought near Gulden-Gossa's ponds. 

In 1814 the Lifeguard Dragoons fought in Fère Champenoise for which they were awarded with 22 St. George trumpets. 

Recently Painted No 16 - Napoleon

Napoléon Bonaparte  ruled France from 1799 to 1804 as First Consul, and from 1804 to 1814 as Emperor of the French, as well as a 3-month period in 1815, called the Hundred Days.

Command group with Napoleon, his Marshals and aids. Figures are by
AB, painted by myself and Postie

Napoleon searching for the enemy. Figures by AB painted by myself and Postie

Napoleon, dictating orders. AB figures painted by Postie

Would you like a drop of brandy Emperor, "Only if it's Napoleon, Madame".  Figures by Essex, I believe  and the Cantiniere came free with Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy. Painted by myself and Postie

Historically Inspiring No1 Napoleon, Near Moscow

There are countless Historical paintings and pictures online, that have, and do inspire me to get the painting brush out. Sometimes they have inspired me to spend my hard earned dosh on a completly new periods as I'm sure they have with some of you reading this now. So I thought I'd post a few of these pictures.
The first in the new series is "Napoleon, Near Moscow, waiting for a Boyer deputation by Vasili Vereshchagin.
I love the mood of this painting, the fog of battle, Napoleon, standing hands behind his back,  waiting alone while his army celebrate. I'm not sure if Napoleon looks as if  the weight of the world is on his still on his shoulders or a weight has just been lifted.



Napoleon, Near Moscow, waiting for a Boyer deputation
by Vasili Vereshchagin