Sugar Islands campaign

[pallard]

This is the opening move from my Sugar Islands campaign using En Garde! skirmish rules.

[Emir of Askaristan]

Looks good, is there a blog to go with it?

[Codsticker]

I like the 6th picture with the stump- very swampy and jungley.

[pallard]

Well well
I though I didn't succeed in my posting!
But here it is. So the commentary was intended to be so:
Some plantation militiamen have been called to duty, thanks to the news of an English task force approaching . They are led by sergeant La Fleur, whose familiarity with local rhum shows on his quite handsome face.
All of a sudden comes miss Pierrette, searching for Madame! She has not been seen around the family plantation for hours!
The lady just met a fashionable British naval officer on the beach not far away, who happens to understand more or less her creole version of the Parisian accent. He has been followed, unfortunately, by  some rough companions out of one of his ships. Now it's time for Admiralty's gallantry, and authority indeed, to show up!

[pallard]

I use the En Garde! rules and like them very much.
No unfortunately I have no blog.
The whole thing was my trying to post some photographs of miniatures in fact. Sorry for looking so clumsy.
I'll have to grow more familiar with the process of blending pictures and text.
Philippe

[pallard]

As for the miniatures, they are from Galloping Major, Crann Tara and Suren, with one oddity in the sergent: he comes from a pre-publication french line of War of Austrian Succession figures never commercialized to my knowledge, but I had the opportunity to get my hands on a few samples.

[Arundel]

Only just noticed this thread. Fascinating looking project! I love seeing games set in conflicts off the beaten path, and your terrain and minis look spot on. Hoping we might see more in the near future...

[pallard]

Hi Arundel
Thank you very much for the nice comment. I'm painting some Boucaniers, Caribs and Maroons to go along but that will take some time. I might add some pictures of my units already in action, notably a whole french battalion and the crack Highlanders that spearheaded the english invasion of Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Cheers
Philippe

[Emir of Askaristan]

Hi Philippe,
I don't know if you are aware but I wrote "Wargaming the Sugar Islands Campaign - A guide to the British expedition to Martinique and Guadeloupe in 1759".

This has details of the campaign, the forces and personalities involved and the main actions fought. It also contains 6 skirmish level scenarios and some notes on running the invasions as a campaign and lists of suitable figures.

Not sure if you have a copy, but further details are available on my blog or by dropping me a pm.

[pallard]

Your Highness
I'm very aware of the book, having ordered it through Crann Tara!
I'd like to submit to you some questions and comments if I may dare!
Your faithfully believer
Philippe

[Emir of Askaristan]

Glad you have it

Ask away. I'll do my best to answer.

[Galloping Major]

Very nice, and good to see those Galloping Major 18th Century Sailors in there 




www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[pallard]

Dear Genius
I have some more of your miniatures painted, in my French and Indian collection: Hurons, Mohawks, rangers, Canadians... still waiting for grenadiers... any coming? They are a pleasure to paint.
Dear Amir
I have been surprised to read in your book that not much is known of french militia uniforms in the Sugar Islands before 1762, because René Chartrand gave some information along with watercolors of Eugène Leliepvre for uniformed militiamen in the period 1740-1762 in Osprey 313: Louis XV's colonial and naval troops. I admit not to be a specialist on this point. But I have painted a very touchy maréchal des logis aux Gendarmes de Saint-Pierre in grand uniforme who might consider this a case of honor and send you his témoin... you have some time to reconsider the case however before it's too late!
Wargaming the Sugar Islands Campaign is a must have on the subject, and so welcome because FIW used to get exclusive attention in this period, while there is so much more: Sugar Islands, Africa, India ...
Thank you gentlemen for making those projects possible!
Philippe

[Emir of Askaristan]

Hi Phillipe,

I couldn't find specific details of militia uniform for either Martinique or Guadeloupe until after the 1759 invasion. Later uniforms for Martinique were blue with coloured facings and for Guadeloupe were white with black cuffs etc. Chartrand states much the same saying uniforms did not seem to be worn until the middle of the 18thC on Martinique and that nothing is know about Guadeloupe until after the SYW.

I have the regulars, the compagnies franches "marines" and Swiss Rgt Hallwyl, in uniform and the militia as un-uniformed irregulars (AWI type figures). This helps to differentiate the two on the table top.

In the end though, it doesn't really matter what you use and what they wore, as long as you have fun and explore this unusual campaign

.

[pallard]

Hi Mastermind
I totally agree with you! fun is what matters.
And fun there is! For you still have some Caribs around, the Boucaniers, the black slaves, runaways, affranchis, etc. and some red-blooded ladies indeed as you have shown.
Sheers
Philippe