Hearts of Oak (well MDF...)

[Last Hussar]

Talking of Italians...

I am finding conflicting sources - I think it may be because they changed uniform in 1808 - In 1812 are they green with white turn backs, (like the French, but green, not blue) or White with green turn backs?

[Last Hussar]

Update on Painting

Done the counting, I reckon this is the number of 40x20 bases I have to do for all of the Russians at Borodino (a base is 16 infantry, 6 cavalry, or one gun with crew).

             
Infantry   56
Grenadier   23   
Guard       8
Cuirassier    6   
Cavalry           24   
Cossack           12   
Artillery   52
TOTAL          181

[Last Hussar]

Questions about the painting;

Repeat of above - what was the Italian uniform in 1812 - like I say, conflicting sources.

And also, Cossacks - how were they used, should I have them as formal bases in the army.

I base Cavalry 6 to a base (see previous pics from Flickr). Would the Cossacks be this regimented? Or should I do them more like I do skirmish bases? - With these instead of 2 lines of 7 infantry I have 4 skirmishers placed in a loose formation on the base.

Blucher does have cossack units (they are a bit rubbish), but were they formed like a normal cavalry unit, taking part like a regular unit?

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

AS to Italian uniforms in 1812 - Italy wasn't a nation at the time, each state would be using a different uniform. You would need to search on Naples, Papal State etc....

[Ithoriel]

And also, Cossacks - how were they used, should I have them as formal bases in the army.

I base Cavalry 6 to a base (see previous pics from Flickr). Would the Cossacks be this regimented? Or should I do them more like I do skirmish bases? - With these instead of 2 lines of 7 infantry I have 4 skirmishers placed in a loose formation on the base.

Blucher does have cossack units (they are a bit rubbish), but were they formed like a normal cavalry unit, taking part like a regular unit?

There were 20 Cossack regiments at Borodino. Not sure how many per regiment but together with Uvarov's 1st Cavalry Division they amounted to around 8,000 men.

Although the feint by Uvarov and Platov achieved nothing obvious they pulled French troops out of position who would otherwise have been attacking the Russian main line. We will never know for sure but they may actually have saved the day for the Russians!

Cossacks were scouts, skirmishers and pickets. They weren't likely to be making full scale cavalry charges against anything but the most disordered and disorganised of enemies.

[Last Hussar]

Cheers, Ithoriel - that's what I thought. They have a strength 4 in the rules, as a opposed to 6 which is standard - as this is the number of dice they throw in combat, that is quite a disadvantage.

I will do these last, if I have enough figures left over, and only 3 or 4 on a base. Additionally I will make the 3 or 4 units all independent, rather than part of a corps, which means they will be more difficult to move and co-ordinate in Blucher.

[Last Hussar]

As to the Italians...

It appears Velites in White faced green, all other infantry Green faced white.

Looking at it my 4 stand base will have 1 Line, 1 Skirmish, 1 Gun, 1 Attached cavalry... (Base is Infantry, should have 4 infantry stands. Replace 1 infantry stand with Skirmishers to show 'Skirmish' advantage, 1 stand with gun to show attached artillery, 1 stand with cavalry to show 'Mixed')

Plan is Line Green, Skirmish White - I am working on the basis the Velites are the Skirmishers in my layout. Is this uniform schedule reasonable?

[fsn]

AS to Italian uniforms in 1812 - Italy wasn't a nation at the time, each state would be using a different uniform. You would need to search on Naples, Papal State etc....

Well, there was the Kingdom of Italy.

[fsn]

As to the Italians...

It appears Velites in White faced green, all other infantry Green faced white.

In 1806 the Kingdom of Italy moved to white coats. Light infantry was in green coats.
https://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com/2013/03/kingdom-of-italy-pt-1-line-and-light.html
http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/infantry_Napoleon_3.htm#_Italian_troops
Have I missed a point?

[fsn]

When you say "velites" what do you mean? There were city velites and guard velites who were differently dressed.

[Last Hussar]

   bloody Italians!

I'm using this

https://obscurebattles.blogspot.com/2021/10/borodino-1812.html

As a basis. See IV corps.

[fsn]

Ah! The Italian Guard. Sorry. I thought you were talking line. In that case I withdraw my previous comments, with deepest apologies for any confusion.



The Conscript Guard were slightly different


Artillery

[Last Hussar]

Dear Italy.

Pick a uniform.

Stick to it.

Regards,
Wargamers

[Last Hussar]

I'm going with the plan, line in green, skirmish in white, unless someone can say why wrong.

[fsn]

Bottom line:

• Guard Grenadier Bttns: Bearskin, Green coats red facings, white trousers (French Gd Gren in a green coat)
• Guard Velite Bttns: Bearskin, white coats faced green,white trousers
• Conscript guard: Shako, green coat faced red, white trousers
• Line Infantry Rgts: Shakos, white coats faced green and/or red, white trousers
• Light Infantry Rgts: Shakos, green coats faced yellow, red ... depends on sources, green trousers