Posts Tagged ‘Battle of Balaklava’

I am not a “wargamer,” so the Historicon event on 8-11 July, 2010, at King of Prussia, PA, was totally new to me, and I had no idea what to expect. I was surprised, pleased, amazed, and pretty much blown away. Apparently there are three of these wargaming events each year on the east coast: One I’m not quite sure about I believe called “Cold Wars” in the April timeframe, Historicon in July, and an event called Fall-In, October 29-31, 2010. The major focus of these events is on wargaming various military battles in history on large tables.

The dedicated participants use small figures of various sizes to depict companies of troops, regimental units, or even armies – depending on the battle. Very detailed and elaborate sets are constructed on which to fight – from Medieval castles, to Viking raids on villages, to desert warfare, and, yes, even the skies over Britain for the battle thereof – using model aircraft, flying and fighting at different altitudes no less. This is an over simplification, but combat movements, engagements, confrontations, and the like, are decided by a roll of the dice. These folks really take their work seriously, and one movement or confrontation might take an hour or more to accomplish while they move the various pieces measured distances around the table.

Wargaming Hall

Historicon this year was located at the Valley Forge Convention Center, and it needed the space. They filled two major hotels, and rooms were scarce throughout the entire area. There were three primary features to the event. The foremost was the wargaming activities not only in a huge room full of tables, but in smaller rooms, passageways, and even various hotel rooms. The second feature was an enormous vendor area, sectioned off, which included sellers of everything one might need to wargame from miniature soldiers, to tanks, to planes, to set construction materials, to military history books, and on and on. To my delight, this area hosted such fine historical military artists as Keith Rocco, and Peter Culos, as well as sculptors like Terry Jones. The third activity at Historicon was the “War College.” This was an on-going series of talks by military historians throughout each day of the event and into the evenings.

Notice the detail in this Viking ship

Actor and military consultant for the film and TV industry, Captain Dale Dye, USMC (Ret), was Guest of Honor speaker. The quest speakers included such notables as Rene´Chartrand, former Chief Curator, Parks Canada; Colonel David Glantz, renowned expert on combat studies; and Angus Konstam, former Senior Curator of Weapons, Royal Armouries, London. There were numerous other speakers – including your humble servant. I was asked to give a presentation on the Battle of Balaklava in the Crimean War. When I did so, I discovered, again to my delight, that the folks who enjoy wargaming are not only gaming enthusiasts, but extremely precise and accomplished historians in their particular historical period of interest. My audience asked some excellent questions, and their interest was intense.

All in all, Historicon was a first-rate experience, and I look forward to attending next year. The theme for next year is the American Civil War, and I have been asked to give possibly two talks. One on the impact of the Crimean War on the American Civil War, and the other on Lincoln’s personal security, comparing it to personal security provided modern leaders.

I should also mention that I’ll be busy at the wargaming event in October (Fall-In at Lancaster, PA). The theme there this year is the US Marine Corps, celebrating its 235th Birthday. The US Marine Corps Historical Company will be setting up a massive display to illustrate the theme with uniforms, equipment and weaponry from the Revolutionary Marines to the Marines fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq today. In addition, GySgt Tom Williams, Director, USMCHC, and I will present talks on the Marines at Harpers Ferry and the Marines at First Bull Run.

The Theme for this year's Historicon was 17th Century Warfare

Battle of Isandlwana - January 1879

Keith Rocco - Historical Artist and good friend.

Sir James Scarlett's specially modified helmet

General Sir James Scarlett was placed in command of the entire Heavy Brigade of cavalry in the Crimean campaign.  English Army of the East landed at Kalamita Bay in the Crimea in September 1854, without the Heavy Cavalry Brigade (2^nd Cavalry Brigade), which was still at Varna, awaiting transport.  Brigadier General Scarlett began landing the Heavy Brigade along the Crimean coast on 24 September 1854, and completed the landing at Balaclava on 6 October 1854.  The Heavy Brigade battle honours include The Battle of Balaclava and the Siege of Sevastopol.

On 25 October 1854, in South Valley at the Battle of Balaclava, General Scarlett led his Heavy Brigade in a charge against a strong force of Russian cavalry, and succeeded in driving them off the field.  Unfortunately, not much is heard of this charge, as it was over-shadowed by the spectacular disaster that followed it.  This was when Lord Cardigan led his Light Cavalry Brigade against massed Russian artillery and cavalry down a gauntlet of enemy fire in the North Valley.  The Heavy Brigade followed in support of the Light into the Valley of Death, but stopped midway into the valley on orders from Lord Lucan, who commanded the entire cavalry division.

General Scarlett’s own regiment was the 5^th Dragoon Guards.  The helmet of the 5^th Dragoon Guards is brass, but the front peak is straight down over the eyes, and there is a regimental badge on the front.  Scarlett was nearsighted and designed the helmet in this photograph with the front peak extended forward, no doubt to lend a better view.  He substituted long elegant black feathers for the horsehair plum.  He also seems to have redesigned the 5^th Dragoon Guards helmet plate with a full silver garter surmounted by a crown, leaving out the dragoon badge in the center.  Altogether this makes the helmet and this photograph quite unique.

Ironically, in spite of the better view afforded by his modified helmet, the near-sighted Scarlett almost missed the on-coming Russian cavalry until a staff officer politely pointed them out to him.

This artifact was photographed courtesy of the Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum, Burnley, Lancashire, UK, where the Scarlett collection is maintained.