Back when I was putting together my Russian Chocolate Box Wars army, I produced the above Caucasian Cossacks (the subject of my June 6, 2021 post) using the brown and orange scheme of the image at the top of this blog post. These are Copplestone Castings Back of Beyond Caucasian Cavalry repurposed to represent Caucasian Cossacks, pre-turn of the century (same outfit, same lines). Of course, these warriors are not so much wearing a „uniform“ as much as they are wearing their national costume (much like many of the other factions in the regions stretching from the Balkans to Afghanistan). When in the service of the Russians, these are often referred to as Caucasian Cossacks. When in the service of the Ottomans, they are referred to as Circassian or Caucasian cavalry. In my reading of Quinton Barry’s excellent, War in the East, (covering the Russo Turkish War of 1877-78), there are many battles that have OOBs with Caucasian Cossacks among the Russians and Circassian Cavalry among the Turks. Of course, when fighting independently on their own turf, these same warriors would be known simply as „Circassians“ or perhaps „Khivans.“ And of course, in the great cultural overlapping region of the Balkans, elements such as these could be found in many contexts. Now, back to the update. My One Hour Skirmish variant is infantry only, and I wanted to add some dismounted elements of these warriors to my force.
…given the headgear and the lines of the coat, these will fill the role as Caucasian/Circassians on the table. As such, they are particularly versatile–they can be put on the table on either side of a Russo Turkish War scenario, or as an independent contingent a small unit action set anywhere from the Balkans to the Oxus.
Speaking of the Balkans, I added another layer to my „Grenzer“ contingent.
I saw this image of a reserve Grenzer in my Ficthenbauer and Ornter
A History of the Austrian Army book, and thought to myself, „Self, that looks familiar…“
In the Austrian militarized border regions, all the male population, from 16 to 60, were subject to military service. As such, there were several levels of duty. The „enrolled“ grenzers were akin to what we would today call „active duty“ and would make up the rank and file of the standing grenzer battalions. Beyond those, there would be several levels of part time and paramilitary service, specific names and particulars would evolve and change over the years. These would be akin to what we would today refer to as „reserve“ forces. The first tier of reserve grenzers were responsible for policing and local defense. These figures represent these fellows, who would be rotating in and out of duty to patrol the district and be called out to fend off bandits, defend against incursions, etc, The uniform would be applicable well beyond the 1848/49 timeframe.
When I was shopping about for the grenzers, I saw this figure of a Hungarian Catholic Chaplain among the Keelman offerings. Again I said to myself, „Self, that looks familiar…“
…and so it was. I suspect that the inspiration might have come from this illustration in the excellent Gyozo Smogyi Honved Army 1848-49 book. And so I used it as a guide when painting him (the all white „demon eyes“ are my own addition). In the absence of any others, he can work as a leader figure for the local lads.
Speaking of leaders, I tossed in two command figures to the batch (also from Keelman miniatures: a Hungarian National Guard officer and a Hungarian–Honved– officer in „slant cap“). These could work with any of my Austrian contingents in the context of a One Hour Skirmish game set in the Balkans or a Hungarian Revolt scenario pitting my Hungarians against my Austrians.
Excelsior!
