Deeper into the Sackwald Forest - the abandoned town ...

continued from here... 

Deeper into the Sackwald forest lies an abandoned town - somehow things didn't work out for the settlement the forest is slowly taking over ...

On the edge of some dense woodland, near the church Red Jack and his group of bandits have setup camp - although the buildings look solid they are mostly decaying - with the interiors unsafe....

Smelling something nice a pack of wolves head towards the town ...

Esme the witch leads Scharfe and his jager detachment to the town where she had spotted the bandits..

The scene is set .... Will the wolves have a hearty snack, will Red Jack get away or will Scharfe finally catch him ...

Merry Xmas ....

On Xmas eve morning, there are a few merry fellows out side the inns near the centre of Wittenberg...

About mid-day after a flurry of snow the King, Queen and a couple of their children along with the palace llamas have gone into Wittenberg for a walkabout (after distributing alms to the poor)

A Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to All

In the Outer part of the Sackwald forest...

In the village of Eisern some way into the Sackwald forest; the local witches queue up to get their licenses renewed ....

---oXo---

A small group of members of the Royal Society has gone to the outer edges of the Sackwald forest to investigate strange happenings and reports of talking animals. They started their investigations in a farm near the village of Esiern where they stopped to see if the some of a farmer's sheep actually did sing; the shepherd lined up the best four - after a few bleats and baahs, they sang quite beautifully

 Ba ba ba ba Bar-ba-ra Ram Bar-ba-ra Ram 

 Ba ba ba Bar-ba-ra Ram Ba ba ba ba Bar-ba-ra Ram 

 and variations thereof in perfect harmony.

---oXo---

Meanwhile, the infamous outlaw and bandit Red Jack with some of his cronies have moved into the Sackwald forest ...

Tracking them are a detachment of the King's jagers, led by Captain Scharfe; he has stopped at a cottage to enlist the help of his friend Esme the witch; to see if she could help find the outlaws

Always willing help a friend, she takes off on her broom to have a look round ...

The Fenwick army makes camp ...

 After the rearguard action by Monrovia at Standenplatz , their army had crossed back into Monrovian territory.  The Fenwick army fatigued from their exertions, camped on their side of the river Oudear while the Duke considered whether to cross the river and make a strike into Monrovian territory. One of the Fenwick camps...

[I recently threw away all my old paper hand-made tents and replaced them with Renedra ones, so a chance to get the new look camp items out on the table with some vignette bits.]

A couple more civilians figures ....

 A bee keeper...

and a blacksmith..

[Note: figures, beehives and anvil from Midlam Miniatures]

Zinzendorf province - The Kings Reviews some troops

 The King has travelled to the Zinzendorf province to see for himself the current situation,  inspect defences and review General Waldeback future plans and schemes to defend the province and keep the Begovians at bay.

---oXo---

The King (in blue), with his Field Marshal the Duke of Wittenbuffel (white/green facings) and his cousin von Tiddenheim (in yellow) are reviewing some troops...

the heavy cavalry (kurassiers and dragoons)

and then the grenadier battalion ..

[ new figures: Mounted King and Field Marshal, modified Sash and Saber 40mm figures]

Monrovia v Fenwick: Rearguard at Standenplatz

continued from the previous post ....

The Monrovian holding action at Venkheim at enabled them to setup a strong position to fight a rearguard action to enable the rest of the army to continue on across the river to Pinzendorf in Monrovian territory.

Fenwick forces were following up under the command of General von Kessing leading the advance guard with two flanking columns working their way through the light woods on either side of the road; the main body with the artillery followed.

---oXo---

The Monrovian rearguard deployed at Standenplatz, under the command of General Zeinite....

General Zeinite prepares to issue orders as the Fenwick troops are sighted to their front marching down the road...

The Fenwick troops marching toward Standenplatz, General von Kessing can see the Monrovians deployed ahead, there are two supporting columns moving through the light woods on either side of him - they are not in sight yet....

Von Kessing deploys his column, as the left flank column arrives

The Fenwick forces advance forward...

The Monrovian infantry regiment in front of the bridge retires, taking positions in the small village and on the bridge...

As the Fenwick troops deploy ready to attack, their right flank column has arrived at last....

The Fenwick attack commences - infantry move into musket range, the hussars cross the stream and charge the opposing cavalry....

the converged grenadiers charge the bridge ....

A sharp volley from the Monrovian converged grenadiers un-nerves the Fenwick jagers who fall back through the supporting battalion.

On the other flank, the Fenwick hussars have cross the stream and attacked the Monrovian cavalry to their front; the Monrovian guard grenadiers are winning a firefight with the Fenwick provincial battalion..

The Fenwick grenadiers force their way over the bridge and the Monrovian fusiliers turn tail and run ...

The Fenwick provincials after another ripping volley from the Monrovian guard grenadiers give ground then rout;  the hussars have pushed back their opponents...

The guard grenadiers fend of a flanking attack from Fenwick cavalry

but suffering heavy fire from Fenwick troops to their front and flank,

then break and rout ... the Fenwick troops are advancing as the Monrovians give ground ...

The Fenwick advance stalls, their grenadiers have secured the next bridge but have enemy cavalry to their front; the Fenwick hussars are blown and won't advance.

The Monrovians withdraw covered by their cavalry....

A victory for Fenwick,

but the Monrovian rearguard action was successful, the rest of what remains of their army will be able to reach Pinzendorf.