A brand new addition to the forces of the Frei Stadt, the Graf Georg von Kumwarden Fusilier regiment. Its service record is yet to be established, but I expect to see it in service in many battles in future. Marching out onto the parade field Deployed for action Figures are the new SYW Prussians from HaT ------------------------------------------------- This post was delayed due to my Fathers death, but I had already decided that the Regiment would have a link to the Coombe Ward in the Hospital where he spend his last four weeks, and thanks to all the staff for looking after him so well.

Merkovan Cossacks (2)

The meeting with Colonel Von Clemens was quite convivial and the Colonel had immediately arranged for a courier to inform Count Vladislav of the Hetman’s arrival

“ Hopefully he will inform us shortly of your role, it the meantime it would be helpful if you could patrol the Frundsberg border” he explained “we will of course organise sufficient rations for your men. Did you have any questions I could help you with?”

“Well, where exactly is the border?”

“if you look at this map, it runs along the ridgeline, but the road itself, the Altweg, is on the Frundsberg side of the border, in the winter it’s the only dry east-west route”

“And that large hill that rises over the plain, there seems to be something on top of it”

“Yes, we know of it, it is some sort of signalling station used by the Frundsbergers.  I should also warn you of one of the Frundsbergers favourite tricks, which is to lure you into an ambush, their patrols usually fall back past cover, which conceals jaegers backed up by militia”

“Now these militia, do they wear grey uniforms?”

“Yes, unlike the regulars who wear yellow, have you seen any?”

“Yes, I mean I have seen the Militia, but no regulars apart from their cavalry patrols”

“Hmm I wonder where they are?”

Merkovan Cossacks (1)

As they rode back into Bruckewasser, Major Gripple heard how the Cossacks had trekked across Poland and Germany, the only difficult stages were those when they had to cross Prussian territory given their mutual dislike. It appeared that the Hetman was married to one of Count Vladislav’s sisters and had received a request from the Count for assistance.

“Since we didn’t have much to do as the Polish/Turkish border is quiet at the moment I decided to bring some of my men for some sport”

“And how did you come to cross Pommaine?” asked the Major.

“Well it wasn’t our intention, but we ran into a large force of Prussians and had to avoid them. We then ended up somewhere on the hills over there” pointing north."

“Hmm in Frundsberg, didn’t they attack you?”

“No not directly, we had a little bit of trouble at times with riflemen sniping at us and bridges being removed, but we seemed to be able to find a route here”

“Sounds like you were carefully shepherded out of their lands, your force could have been trapped and destroyed in those flat lands.  Ah here we are at the Commanders residence!”

Unwelcome visitors (4)

While the major waited for his visitors to organise themselves he had a look around at his troops and the progress on the fortifications. The northern suburb of Bruckewasser was not normally defended, as the river provided a more than adequate defence in that direction. However the Colonel had decided to build some light fortifications there to prevent any surprise attack and to reduce interference with the river traffic. It would consist of a ditch backed by an earth rampart. A shambling figure now came into sight, Lieutenant Uston.

The sergeant had also spotted him and his heart sank. The Lieutenant would probably give a different reason for his absence and he would be in trouble. The Lieutenant climbed the earth bank behind the ditch, saw the Major and waved before tumbling into the ditch.

Just then the Major heard a cough. “We are ready now Major”

“Very good, please accompany me”

As the Major passed the sergeant he called out “When you are relieved tell Lieutenant Uston that I would very much like to see him”

Unwelcome visitors (3)

Major Gripple didn’t like what he could see, a small force of his men was blocking the road, but beyond there must be well, there must be, over four hundred cavalry.  The good news was that they were not acting aggressively, but that could mean they might be about to summon the city to surrender.  Putting such thoughts to one side he rode up to meet the person who seemed to be in charge who was conversing with the sergeant of the guard, who looked up as he approached.

Passing the sergeant he asked “Where’s Lieutenant Uston?”

“At the latrine sir, it must have been something he ate”

Turning to the obviously foreign commander he stated “I am Major Gripple of the Von Clemens Regiment and I would be pleased to hear why you have entered Pommaine”

“I am Sergai Orlov, Hetman of the Merkovan Host and I have brought my Cossacks to assist Pommaine at the direct request of Count Vladislav,  I have a letter of introduction here” and handed over a letter.

Quickly studying the letter, the major confirmed “Yes it seems in order, but we were not warned of your approach.  Would you like to accompany me to see Colonel Von Clemens to discuss how we can assist you?  Oh and please bring a along some of your officers.”

“Very well.”  Turning to the rider next to him “Micha tell the men to wait here and send Alexandr to accompany me”

Unwelcome Visitors (2)

The cavalry halted out of musket range and a small number approached the troops covering the road into the town. With fifty men behind him, Sergeant Schmidt felt confident that he could prevent a quick assault down the main road, but the fieldworks were incomplete and could be easily crossed as no abbattis was in place. All he could do was conduct a fighting withdrawal down the road to the bridge.

Trouble was they didn't look like Frundsberg or any other German cavalry, but Frundsberg did deal in mercenaries, so he couldn't be certain who they were. But they seemed to be dressed in all sorts of oddments without any obvious uniform. However the leader was more smartly dressed and rode up accompanied by a couple of other riders.

He spoke with a heavily accented voice “Good Morning Sergeant, are we in Pommaine?”

“Yes suur, can I ask your business, and can I see you Pass-porte” responded the Sergeant not at all sure how he should handle this.

“Ah yes, I have a letter here somewhere from Count Vladislav” and opened his saddlebag, then stopped and exclaimed. Micha! leave the soldiers alone”

 The Sergeant instinctively turned to where the leader was looking to see one of the riders returning one of his men’s hat on the end of his lance.

“I’m sorry about that Sergeant, now I see one of your officers has arrived”

Counting them all out

Meanwhile in a tavern in Pappenheim two gentlemen are discussing the parade

“Well how many did you count?”

“Ummm, about two thousand foot and five hundred horse”

“What do you mean about?” came a raised voice

“Keep calm, it was difficult to keep count, besides, someone might be listening”

“So my count was just over 1,800 foot and 460 horse, what did you actually count?”

“Well there were eight companies and assuming the ranks stayed six wide for the infantry and eight files that would make 1,920 men, plus officers, etc.  I think that makes two thousand foot more or less and similar for the cavalry”

“OK, lets go with your figures and explanation for our master, will you pass the message on this time?”

“Yes, but how do we get south to check what is really happening?”

“It’s all conveniently restricted because of so called bandits; I’ll try and find a way”

“Very good, I’ll leave to usual mark to indicate if we need to meet again.

After the gentlemen left the tavern, the father treating his daughter to a meal in a quiet corner asked “Well did you get a good look at them?”

“Yes father”

“Those are just the two spies we know of, and we know they use Frau Wurmser’s Academy as a post box, but we need to find out what happens to the letter after that.  So finish off your lunch and we’ll sort out what you might need”

Unwelcome Visitors (1)

In Bruckewasser the atmosphere was quite different the gates were closed, the walls manned and the militia were being hastily mustered in the main square. The cause of their nervousness soon became apparent as a large mass of cavalry came into view.

Earlier, Sergeant Schmidt had been alerted by an observant sentry that cavalry were approaching the city and sent him back to warn the city. “But, what about the Lieutenant?”

 “Just get back and tell the Major to call out the guard, now get going” Turning around the Sergeant called out “Fall in and prepare for cavalry” his men quickly climbed out of the various ditches and ran for their piled arms, before assembling on the road behind him.

Seeing the various townsfolk stopping their work on the fortifications he shouted out “And you lot keep working, it’s nothing to worry about”

From behind he heard the question “Where’s Lieutenant Uston Sergeant?”

“Don’t you worry lad, he’s better off sleeping off his hangover” The Sergeant wasn't as sure when he looked out at the mass of cavalry that had appeared in front of them.

Grand Parades

The Glowstein Electoral Grenadiers looked splendid as they passed by the saluting platform in Pappenheim, but their impression was surpassed by the Horse Guards who followed the open coach with General Bludnitz of Glowstein waving to the crowds. Following the parade the troops headed south to join their compatriots on the Pommaine border awaiting the order to attack.

Meanwhile to the south the Prussian army had been assembled and the message from their King was read out to the troops, the officers had had separate briefings the previous evening. Their orders stated that they were assisting a friendly state threatened by a lackey of the Emperor and that any looting or disorder would be severely dealt with.

Further south the Austrian forces were conducting a very similar event, parading past the “Grand-Duke” and the officers pledging to restore him to his throne.

Meanwhile while across the Rhine, the Alsatian troops seemed quiet and stunned when told they would be shipped down river to Pommaine while the Rhine was at its usual spring high.

Dozing!

Slight cough, then somewhat louder.

"Baron?"

The head began to move.

"Baron?"

"Oh Margrave, I must have dozed off, it's the warm weather you know, and unfortunately combined with the excellent wine you brought it put me to sleep"

Rising from his chair "Now remind me where I was at while I get some coffee"

"Well Baron, you were explaining about the War of the Pommaine Succession and how you came to employ Ilse Von Barner as a spy".

"Right, just give me a moment and I'll resume"

Meeting the Baron (3)

“Thank you Ilse” responded Baron Wilhelm to her detailed explanation of her trips to Pommaine “I must admit I was worried when your father initially suggested your name for this assignment. After all it is not uncommon for people to suggest their relatives as suitable for a mission, whether they are competent or not!”

 “However, I see in your case that your father has suggested the right candidate, despite your young age you are quite a capable spy, but as your father explained, you need to learn the airs and graces of a lady”

 “What!” exclaimed Ilse to be silenced by a raised finger from the Baron.

 “And as your father has already explained you are to attend Frau Wurmser’s Academy, which will be at my expense”

 “But!” again a slightly raised finger.

 “You already know that there are Prussian agents in Pommaine but you are probably not aware that the trail leads to Frau Wurmser’s Academy.   So we need someone inside to find out what is happening and where this information goes next. Are you prepared to take on this mission?”

 “Of course!” responded Ilse.

Meeting the Baron (2)

“Oh, and what’s that mark on your arm?” asked the Baron

“It’s a tattoo” answered Ilse caught unawares

Ilse father butted in “She did it to hide a scar from when she broke her arm”

“Yes, but it’s a bird, may I suggest it might even be a sparrow” replied the Baron smirking.

Ilse looked at him and then her father who had a broad smile on his face and then demanded “Right who’s going to explain what’s going on!”

Ilse’s father nodded to the Baron, who responded “Your father claimed that one of his most useful agents in Pommaine was Sparrow, who provided some very useful information. So how did he convince you to go”

“He didn’t, I had read the reports and saw the frustration at how little could be discovered so I decided I could try it myself, after all I thought that if I could break into my fathers study with its locks and other safeguards I could do the same in the palace in Traunsberg”

Ilse then went on to explain the events of both her trips to Pommaine.

Meeting the Baron (1)

The Major and Ilse were shown into Baron Wilhelm’s study. He immediately stood to greet them. “…and I’m especially please to meet you young lady”

“Well, then perhaps I can tell you about the Alsace communication that came into my possession, my father has been too concerned with my appearance to pay any attention to it” Ilse looked cross and determined to have her way

“Really, and what makes it so important” replied the Baron trying to keep control of the meeting.

“It was written in code and is some sort of agreement between Prussia and Alsace over splitting Pommaine between them”

“Perhaps we ought to cover this first as it seems relevant to our situation. Now can you show me what this message contains Ilse?”

“Of course” Ilse pulled out a sheaf of papers from her bag “Here is the original message”

“I see and how did you obtain it?”

“It was in the saddlebags of a horse I stole in Traunsberg” at the Baron’s raised eyebrows she continued “I didn’t realise it was a Alsatian courier’s horse until after I had escaped”

“Very well, I see it’s a code, so how did you work out the message”

Ilse pushed up her sleeves “right, first I looked for obvious patterns such as double letters that normally give an initial clue like MM in Pommaine, then I looked for common letter groups, but with no luck. It was only when I relaxed then looked again that I saw the letters were in groups of four.”

“I see it now you have pointed it out”

“Once I had reversed the groups I found the pattern, it used the keyword kraut and the rest of the alphabet reversed, and here is the translation”

“Excellent work! Normally we pass the information to Professor Töring at the University for him and his Mathematics students to find the code”

“I know!”

“How?” demanded the baron

“Well, he has written some interesting papers on the subject”

“But those had limited circulation!”

Von Barner interjected “I admit only recently discovered my daughter’s capabilities in espionage”

Feeling the conversation was drifting in the wrong direction Ilse asked “The part I don’t understand in the agreement is how they define Upper and Lower Pommaine”

“Ah, that’s an old term from the very early days of the Empire, when much of what is now the Frei Stadt was called lower Pommaine. Hmm, it seems that Prussia is out to occupy us should all the current claimants to Pommaine die, while Alsace will occupy Pommaine proper. A very fortunate discovery, I’ll pass on a suitable warning to the Emperor.”

The talk of the town?

When Ilse knocked and then entered General Wurst’s study, Major Von Barner was shocked, was this smart young lady his daughter? It was quite a transformation.

The General responded before he could “Fraulein Von Barner, I’m glad to see my wife could find some suitable apparel for you and I must say it is more than suitable in my opinion”

“Thank you General, but I must say, I am puzzled by all this attention”

“Well I must let the Baron reveal what he might wish you to do for the Freistadt”

It was only a ten minute walk to the Baron Wilhelm’s residence in Pappenheim, but it took nearly a half hour to traverse the roads through this fashionable part of town. This was due to the large numbers of young gentlemen who insisted on stopping and passing the time of day.

Looking at his daughter as she responded to yet another gentleman passing the time of day the Major realised that she could be very attractive and yet dangerous as the highwaymen had discovered.

Smartened up

No sooner than they had stepped through the door of General Wurst’s house than Frau Wurst was there to greet them.

“Welcome Major, I see the problem, now young lady if you will accompany me”

“Father” queried Ilse

“We are going to meet the Baron and you have to be presentable, now go along with Frau Wurst and she will do the best she can in the limited time we can spare, I’ll be in the study with the General”

Having ascended to a bedroom, Frau Wurst looked Ilse up and down “ I don’t know if I can manage in the time. Now girl, don’t looked so frightened, just get out of those things, as you just look like a maid”

“But it was the best I had at the time”

“Of course, but now, give yourself a quick wash, while I find something suitable from my daughter’s clothes. Martha, where’s the hot water?”

“Coming Marm, have you heard the excitement about the highwaymen attempting to rob the Welle post-coach?”

“No! What happened?”

“Well they shot the guard, then this girl! Can you believe it! She took his place and killed lots of them”

“I only killed one!” exclaimed Ilse to their surprise. “and killed a horse….and knocked another off his horse”

“Well no wonder you need tidied up” expressed Frau Wurst “Now run along Martha and find a suitable bonnet as I don’t have time to wash and set this young ladies hair”

New arrivals in Pappenheim

As the coach swept into the main square in Pappenheim, Ilse was surprised to see a mass of red uniforms. By the time the coach reached the Greyhound Inn, she realised they were from Glowstein and she could see her father waiting for her.

Of course he was shocked as she leapt down from the driving seat and grabbed her bag from the militiamen. “Hello father”

“No time for that, you are late, come with me straight away to General Wurst’s house”
With that they were striding off up the main streets with Ilse given no chance to explain what had happened.

Highwaymen (3)

As the coach neared Tonclot, the Driver turned to Ilse “could you hold the reins Miss, while I sound the coaching horn”

“No it’s OK, I can sound it what should I play?”

“One long and then two short blasts”

Ilse picked up the horn took a deep breath and sounded a long note, another breath and then two short ones”

“Good Miss, nice and loud, now wait a moment and sound it again”

By the time Tonclot came into view Ilse could see the Militia assembling.

Once they arrived the driver quickly explained what had happened and a couple of riders disappeared up the road to look for the missing Guard and any traces of the highwaymen.

Another rider headed off for Pappenheim with the news and two burley militiamen settled into the carriage with their equipment in case of further trouble. Ilse was glad she had decided to remain on top of the carriage. With another change of horses the coach was off.

Well Miss, if we’re lucky they’ll find Kurt and fix him up. You see he was new to the business and he grabbed the blunderbuss first and fired at too great a range. Now settle back and we’ll soon be in Pappenheim”

Highwaymen? (2)

“What did you think you were doing Micha?”

“Well you said find out where we were and the simple solution was to ask the wealthy people on the coach”

“You mean your lads wanted a bit of fun, and now one is dead and another has a face covered in bruises, you were lucky you didn’t lose more”

“Sorry Sergei”

“Well we had better find out where we are and head in the right direction before they come looking for you. Did you discover anything at all?”

“No, it was all in that funny writing, but I could draw the words on the coach if it would help”

Studying the drawing Sergei eventually worked it out “Frundsberg Post!, So in avoiding the Prussians we have come to far north. We have to head south, lets go”

First meeting of the Regents

The three regents and General Von Gessler reconvened in the Morning room with guards posted outside the doors.

“I didn’t think it would come to this” sobbed the Grand-Duchess Mari
a
“Well the Grand-Duke did and that is why we are allied with Prussia and Alsace” expressed the General “We had hoped for a bit more time to get our allies into position, but we still have the advantage of the ground and our fortified cities”

“Is there anything I can do?” asked the Archbishop

“You could pray for victory and for the Ottomans to cause trouble for the Austrians”

“No I meant I could try negotiating with the Austrians”

“Too late for that, I’m afraid; the Ambassador must have had pretty specific instructions”

A couple of shots broke the momentary silence. Count Vladislav, walked to the window “A bad day for pigeons it seems. Our precautions seem to be working , no-one allowed in or out off the gates and game keepers and falconers ready to deal with any carrier pigeons. It may give us a couple of days extra to prepare.”

“I may be a man of the cloth, but why is there a red flag flying on my cathedral?” asked the Archbishop.

“What, exclaimed the Count. Guards, Guards!”

As the guards entered the room he count shouted at the officer in charge “Get to the cathedral immediately remove that flag and catch whoever is responsible”

“Hmm” expressed the General, “It seems our enemies anticipated our precautions, we need to be more careful”

The bells

Franz was exhausted; it had been a long limb up the Cathedral bell tower. But there was a splendid view from the top, especially across to the Ducal Palace. Finding the flagstaff, he got prepared and as he looked across to the palace he could see all the dignitaries arriving.

Taking out his telescope, he could get a clearer view. Watching the last one enter and the doors being closed he settled down to wait, but trying to remain alert. He was sure he had prepared everything for a hopefully unseen rapid departure and a wedge was ready to place behind the roof door as he left.

After what seemed an age people began to emerge from the palace, Franz lifted his telescope and spotted the Austrian Ambassador pausing just outside the entrance and mopping his brow. The Frundsberg ambassador joined him and offered him his startlingly red kerchief, the offer was declined, but the offer was strangely repeated.

Franz scrabbled over to the flagpole and raised the flag he had already attached to the halyard and left as quickly as possible.