Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Goodbye to 2013

Just a few hours left of 2013 to reflect on the year that was.

The big anniversary was of course Leipzig, 1813. This image, in the Public Domain, captures the high drama of the Battle of the Nations.

Husaren Völkerschlacht bei Leipzig

This was a big year for Horse and Musket, one in which I reached 35,067 page views and posted 111 entries.

Napoleonics are clearly the most read posts, with the top 5 being:

7eme Regiment de Hussards   #556 
Kurassier Regiment von Zastrow  #535 
Regiment de Chevaux-Legers Lanciers   #528
Austrians at Leipzig   #455
More Austrians at Leipzig #430

However this was a year in which I reported on my many gaming and collecting interests. 

My Seven Years War Collection was featured in many photographic essays on a regiment-by-regiment basis. I re-based every one of my SYW units to "Maurice" standards and using thick Litko bases, a real labour of love.

My mid-year fascination with the Lace Wars was overtaken by a new ACW collection, starting with the 144th Pennsylvania Zouaves and then followed by Wings of Glory. Wings of Glory led to a retro search for Wings of War. 

Throughout the year, my abiding interest in Napoleonics saw expression in the addition of new units of Austrians and Saxons and a review of some of my earlier units. The von Zastrow's are some of the finest miniatures in my collection

September saw the passing of Donald Featherstone with many tributes across the wargaming world.

Some excellent Craft Days were held throughout the year, mostly featuring Commands and Colors and, lately, Wings of Glory, with a brief but intense foray into the Age of Sail with the Close Action game system. Will and Jeff were, as always, great gaming companions.

I was happy to rediscover "War and Peace" during the summer, listening to the unabridged reading from Audible by the incomparable Frederick Davidson and watching several movie versions.

2014 will no doubt be devoted to much research on the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 and to Napoleon's last desperate battles on the French frontier in 1814.  I am also expecting to increase my ACW collection and add a few units to the SYWs and Napoleonics. I am hoping to NOT undertake any new collections in 2014 as I approach retirement and the complete filling up of my display cases. I do hope to actually enjoy some interesting wargames with the many new game systems released recently, including Maurice, Longstreet and others.

Thank you to my readers for your encouragement and advise. Happy collecting, painting and gaming in 2014. And Happy New Year!