The Roast Beef by Hogarth

I have always been a fan of Hogarth's work. Gin Lane is one of my other favorite works.

In an era before photography, this artist was able to capture the essence of what life must have been like for the average person during the 18th century. This work, shows the human condition during the immediate aftermath of the war of 1744-48. 

In the right foreground, we have a Jacobite Highlander, who is reduced to the status of a refugee, subsiting nothing more than a piece of bread and an onion. The French soldiers are starving and in poor condition uniforms from the fighting, while a butcher carries a side of beef to a British Pub in Calis. 

Japanese coastal artillery Meiji era

This smooth bore muzzle-loader is foun in a public park in Koto-ku Tokyo near Toyocho station.

By the looks of it, a bronze gun.

Not sure what the caption is, I'll have to ask my wife and kids to translate for me.

Ron Embelton historical art work

I found these on a web search after looking at my Osprey Men-at-Arms Wolfe's Army (1997) the second edition.
All copyright to the artist who passed away in 1988

 Compaigne Franches

 Colonial militia attacking an Amerindian settlement.

 Conquistodors 

Rogers Rangers

 Aftermath of Monogahela 

Spanish invasion of Georgia 1742: The Battle of Gully Hole Creek

 Aztec Indians take the Spanish left flank in their attack.

Spanish Grenadiers, led by La Marina cross the sands into Georgia.

More Spanish allied Indians from La Florida advance on the Spanish left.

Georgia Rangers head out to meet the Indians.

Georgia Highland Mounted Rangers support the South Carolina Regiment of Horse while the 42nd Regiment and a militia Grenadier company help form the first line, while more Georgia Rangers form a second line.

 Georgian Highland Rangers, and other ranger companies support Cherokee Indians.

Militia companies form the rear of the Colonial American force.

The Aztecs begin to trade fire with the rangers.

The Horse move to contact the Spanish regulars.

Who then form into line and begin firing volleys at the colonials.

The Amerindians prepare to ford the stream.

The rangers having been taken out, a militia regiment attempts to hold the Colonial left wing.

With the horse units taking casualties, they fall back onto the main line.

The Amerindians begin to close in.

More colonial begin to try and cross the river to head off the Spanish advance.

The Spanish just keep on coming in a strong line, brushing aside any attempts to push them back. (More shots to follow.)

Return of proofreading

What the hell is a "lanp"? 

Also, why is the grammar so bad?

Found in the Family, Special Needs toilet at Kamagaya Shopping Plaza

Happy Birthday Mum

My mother was born Bernice Jean Rose on January 9th, 1951 and would have been 64 had she not died on Easter Sunday 2014.  So this weekend, we celebrated her life by having fun.

 First on Saturday, we went out to our favorite mall, playing in the jungle gyms, window shopping in the camping store, and then we stopped at our foreign food shop for some snacks from home.

The next day, we went to HC Andersen park in Funabashi, for a day of obstacle course fun.

See, I can climb up to the top!

 We then made mini Lasagnas, which was one of the foods she liked. 

Je Suis Charlie

What else can I say? I guess these extremists will not stop until they force us to be of their faith. I will not name it because not all those who believe it feel that way.
No matter what, we do not have to be them

Twenty thousand hits! and ideas for the coming year.

I'm amazed that I've had that many views of my blog. I would like to thank those who have taken a look.
This year, I am thinking I'll get back into some black powder/Field of Glory/ and if I can swing it, the new Osprey book on Pirate Wargamming, as I'd think some of the actions in that game could suit what I game.
I still haven't fought Havana 1762, or the Caribbean campaign of the Seven Years War. I could also do some other campaigns which I haven't done, such as Pontiac's Rebellion, or some of the late 1690's.
Its a New Year, full of possibilities.

Falkirk 1746 replay 2015 version

First black powder game of the year

 The Crown forces form up outside Falkirk, Scotland on a cold rainy day. To reflect that the rain affected musketry, there were no re-roles on one and twos.

The Jacobite army. The Wild Geese, Irish Picuets are in the rear.

The two Osprey Publishing books I have used as my historical and painting guides.

 One clan regiment moves forward acting as a light infantry screen. The government horse had done the same.

The Jacobite front line moves forward

 the marshy ground makes their manovers haphazard.

 The Jacobites contact the Crown line, trading volleys, while clansmen get into close quarter combat with the Grenadiers.

who proceed the then fail morale and break away.

The Crown forces right line attempt to refuse the line but are flanked by the Jacobite horse.

The Jacobite volleys break the morale of the British regiments who begin to fall back in disorder.

The line continues to crumple.

 With more units failing their morale, the Crown forces withdrawl. Once again, the Jacobite achieve a victory.

Attack on Fort Redbank or Mercer October 1777

This action was where a Hessian force attacked an American fort held by troops from Rhode Island. It was part of the Philidelphia campaign.

 The Hessian line, made up of Hessians, and artillery support from the Royal Artillery.

Columns of Grenadiers 

Columns of musketeers.

The American artillery

The First and Second Regiments of Rhode Island.

American guns in support.

 More Rhode Islanders rush to the walls.

The first column of Grenadiers is blasted apart by the American artillery.

As the Hessians close in, the American battery fires

 with concentrated musketry

clearing the ground in front of them of any Hessians

A Hessian battalion rallys while their artillery begin to bombard the fort.

American guns are blown apart

Their second line of guns rush up to take positions in the battery.

The Loyalist brigade begins their advance.

The American left was quite until the close of the game where their light gun held back the Hessians, until their Jagers began to snipe at the infantry and gun crews.

Only some officers and one gun hold the line.

A single company on the American right attempt to hold back the tide,

but the Loyalists are able to charge the battery.

And the Hessians rush the battery capturing the final gun, adding another trophy to their list of laurels.

The remains of the American outer defences. The Crown forces blasted these aside, rather then charge straight in like their historical counter parts.

My final black powder game for 2014. Happy New Year.