The Battle of Garcia Hernandez July 23, 1812

This refight was to see how the action would play out.
This battle is known in military history as one of the few chances where cavalry have broken and infantry square!
During the refight, one French battalion formed square, survived some infantry then were able to flee to the heights above the village of Garcia Hernandez.
The 1st and Light Divisions then advanced into the village having chased the French 6eme into the alleys. After a brisk volley from the 60th Royal American Regiment, the French 6eme fled onto the ridge. The British 12th Lt. Dragoons then charged through the village to block a French retreat. The 42nd Royal Highland Regiment, the Black Watch and the 79th Regiment, Cameron Highlanders then formed line and charged the ridge. The Black Watch took heavy casualties but took out the French guns. Finally, with the Cameron Highlanders levelling their bayonets, the remaining French infantry fled. The only change to this battle, the King's German Legion heavy dragoons were decimated by French musketry when the German's attempted to block the French retreat.

(photo courtsey of Wargammers Illustrated)

Historical Literature which I can't get enough of

A ways back, I mentioned Bernard Cromwell. My posting may mislead readers into thinking I do no care for his work. On the contrary, I devour all of his Sharpe novels.
I recently bought Sharpe's Battle, which I will begin reading shortly. My reading habits generally follow a pattern. I will read all of the books of a series which I have, then I will begin reading another series. (Eventually in the fall of 2018, I sold all of my Sharpe novels to my former Battery Sgt Major from the Halifax Citadel)
For example, I have read all of Julian Stockwin's Kydd novels. Being stuck in Japan, this is a close as I will get to reenacting. I plan to collect all of his works until he stops writing.
Cromwell's Sharpe series likewise, I will slowly collect.
The only series which I couldn't really tuck into was the Master and Commander series by O'Brien. I think it was the fact that he was writing his work from the perspective of an officer which put me off.
I admire officers, but not the 18th century high society types.
The Horatio Hornblower series I have not read, but I did collect the first four films of that series.

(Ian with some of our Pirate and sailor books. Thanks to Julian Stockwin for his works)

The other series which I have read is the Harry Potter novels and I also collected the films. As well the Osprey Military books I also collect. I may soon have to ship some of my books home.

To add ambiance to our bedroom, I have a poster of Bluenose II on my wall.

 And Ian has two pirate ships in our bedroom window sill to add his own touch.

I read before I go to bed. It helps calm my mind from all of the stresses of life. (Command card courtsey of Julian Stockwin)

Christmas season, gifts, books

Here in Japan, it's only 21 days to the big one. Slowly Japan is becoming like North America with Christmas, including the holiday rush for gift buying.

But, I have embraced internet shopping for getting the gifts I can't find in Japan. This mostly consists of books and wargamming figures which I like.

On the literature front, I enjoy the Julian Stockwin novels. Mr. Stockwin is a former Royal Navy officer who is retired and has been writing for the better part of eleven years. His genre is about the Royal Navy from 1793 up to 1815. I enjoy his style of writing because he writes like someone who has been there, and it's not stuff, pompous. I had read some of Patrick O'Brien's Master and Commander series, but I just couldn't get around the imperialistic style of attitude which he approached his work.
I also make time for Bernard Cromwell's Sharpe series. I recently was able to find a DVD copy of Shapre's Challange, which was in a Japanese used book/dvd shop as whoever had bought it probobly didn't know what it was about. I recall reading his first novel Redcoat, which was set in Philadelphia in 1776-77 but there were so many accuracy problems that I was turned off of it. However, he did find his footing and his Sharpe novels are very interesting.

But I must plug my good friend Keith Blackmore. He's a fellow EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher who is also turning to writing science fiction. His first novel The Missing Boatman is a great read. If anyone wants to know what it's like living in Eastern Canada, or all of Canada at the start of winter, this is a good novel.