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...
Lots happening on the battlefield late in Move Five, but not for Gussie Finknottle's Newts, who are still too far from Pickelhaubewicz to affect the events unfolding there.
A second sharp combat between Zichenau's 11th Hussars and Stollen's 4th Dragoons resulted in one casualty for the latter, who also took three casualties from the skirmish fire of O'Mally's Irish Grenzers. Above, you can see the victorious hussars rallying just to the west of Pickelhaubewicz. Don't they look full of swagger?
Out of the frying pan and into the fire! Following their loss in the cavalry melee, plus musketry casualties, the 4th Dragoons fell back, leaving the immediate confines of Pickelhaubewicz. . . and falling right into the clutches of Major von Hirschbiegel's Grenadiere zu Pferd. At this point in the game, Colonel von Grundig's infantry remained too far away to help, while his artillery was still limbered and travelling along the road leading to the southeastern corner of the village, so it was in no position to provide covering fire.
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-- Jeff
Stokes