De Latte's Dispatch to Priness Antonia III. . .

30 July 1768

My Dearest Princess Antonia,

In a week’s time, I will advance my army to contact with Stollenian forces. An understrength, dispersed army is reported to be arrayed loosely around Pelnikkel , a small town two days march into the Grand Duchy of Stollen. I am most confident that my army can surprise and overwhelm General von Drosselmaier’s troops before they have a chance to concentrate and offer any real resistance.

It will be easy to defeat von Drosselmaier’s motley collection of grenadiers, dragoons, and musketeers. We will then advance along the postal road into Krankenstadt, the capital of Stollen, and force Irwin-Amadeus II to return what is rightfully yours . . . The Duchy of Scleiz

I have received word recently of a draft of troops from our ally Pillau-Zerbst, which will augment our own already strong army. These men are on their way from Schmitten under the command of one Captain Ernst Licentius von Meckern. He is young, but sounds imminently corruptible if his correspondence is anything to go by. If this proves to be the case, I will naturally groom the young man and make sure that he is sent to your summer residence at the earliest possible convenience.

I remain your humble servant.

Yours,

De Latté

Here's an RSM Painting Update

Here's a picture illustrating my (S-L-O-W) progress with the second company of Stollen's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers. You can see I'm doing things a bit differently this time, altering the painting process to keep it interesting basically. This evening, I'll do the white gaiters and, if that goes reasonably quickly, and time allows, the red breeches. Still lots to do, but I like the way these fine fellows are shaping up along side the completed 1st company that's standing in formation just off camera, to the left here. Until tonight then!

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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