A Foray into Napoleonic Wargaming

The 14^th Light Dragoons (Duchess of York’s Own) Regiment served in the Peninsula from 1809 to 1814, and were present at a number of major battles, with their battle honours for the period noting Duoro, Talavera, Fuentes D’Onor, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthes and Peninsula. After the defeat of the French at Vittoria, which caused Joseph Bonaparte to abandon his baggage and royal carriage, the 14^th participated in a little bit of light looting. Most of the valuables were recovered by the British General HQ, except for a silver chamber-pot, which was retained by the 14^th and became part of the valued silverware of the regiment. This is also responsible for the regiment getting the nickname of the Emperor’s Chambermaids.

After hostilities ended in 1814, the 14^th Light Dragoons were shipped to America, and did not return to Europe in time to participate at Waterloo. Only three British light cavalry regiments served throughout the Peninsula campaign and through to Waterloo (the 12^th, 13^th and 16^th Light Dragoons).

The models are all by AB Miniatures, and are wearing the Tarleton helmet, which was replaced in 1812 along with some other uniform changes. As with all Napoleonic uniform changes, there was a transition phase before the new uniform was adopted in its entirety, and apparently, there was a particular reluctance to ditch the Tarleton in favour of the new shako.

Couple of notes on the details. The dragoons are sporting grey coveralls rather than dress whites. There’s a bit of conflicting evidence over whether the coveralls should have an outside stripe in red or the facing colour, or indeed a single or double stripe. I plumped for a single red stripe rather than matching the facing colour of orange. The officer’s sash is wrong; I was struggling to find good information on the colours, so painted it as if it was an infantry officer’s sash. It should be white with red braids.

Having got some artillery and cavalry completed, I think I’ll be working through some more infantry next. Thanks to the Event, I’ve been fairly productive with painting this year, and I’m aiming to get at least 200 painted models fully completed in 2020. Another infantry battalion will almost reach that milestone, and hopefully can be turned around relatively fast now I’m pretty familiar with the models and the colour schemes.