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The Members of St. Crispin’s Irregulars HMGS/PSW Demo Team managed to transport over 1000 miniature soldiers and a large terrain layout to replay the Battle of Borodino. Battle commenced at 11:00 AM at The Muzeo in Anaheim and over the course of the day the French were able to systematically reduce the Russian artillery while threatening the Russian left flank. The Russians held the bridge leading into Moscow despite losing their artillery support. In desperation, ‘Kutuzov’ ordered a charge against the French guns threatening his left flank. The French battery held ground and sent a devastating volley downrange, thoroughly breaking the Russian cavalry division and sending them running. As night fell over the battlefield the situation was still a bit in doubt with the French apparently still having the upper hand, but the stubborn Russian defense was still in place.
Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, the Battle of Borodino (Bah-Rha-Dee-Nuh) Sept. 7th, 1812 just outside the gates of Moscow – should have called it the battle for Moscow, but then the Russians lost the battle and yielded the city (of a thousand churches) to Napoleon – only for him to find it empty and burning – and with no food, and winter fast approaching – he was forced to withdraw. We all know how that turned out.
One should read the novel or watch the movie “WAR and PEACE” and listen to Tchaicovski’s 1812 Overture both pieces dealing specifically with this conflict.
The game was run at Harmon Ward’s Hobby Day as a dry run for the Anaheim Muzeo exhibit the following day.
The fine collection of miniatures used  belong to Rod Galati with the Russians (and a growing French Army) and his brother RJ with the Brits, Allies and more French. The troops are 28mm: mostly Front Rank, Elite, some Old Glory, Conniesseur and even Hinchcliffe. The rules used were Fire and Maneuver. The superb “Redoubts” and Trees were built by Ray of Art of War Terrain. We are lucky to have such a fine terrain maker in our backyard – shout out for Ray and his Crew. Good work to the demo team led by Harmon, Rod, Mark, Frank, Rick and new member Alex (as Napoleon quipped about a young soldier’s gallant action “he carries a Marshall’s Baton in his knapsack.”). Thanks to the Muzeo for letting us stage our battle in a gallery of Russian artworks. Many museum visitors appreciated our display and mentioned this to the museum staff.

One of the great features of The Muzeo in Anaheim is the focus it brings to it’s exhibits. Artifacts that would get lost in a gigantic museums get to shine in their own spotlight for us to enjoy. Each of these exhibits cannot help but have a connection to each other, even if we don’t see it on the surface. The first Muzeo exhibit hosted ancient works of art from Rome. A later exhibit held the Treasures of Napoleon. A single book from that collection was a history of ancient Rome. In that book Napoleon left hand written notes in the chapter detailing Hannibal’s trip over the alps. Of course, the purpose of the trip was a rather unfriendly visit to Rome.
On January 9th the Muzeo’s current exhibit, Divine Reflections, the Sacred Icons of Tsarist Russia comes to a close. Tsar, of course, is Russian for “Caesar”. In 1812 the French Caesar, Napoleon was involved in a massive battle at Borodino on the road to Moscow.

The Russian army prayed for divine intercession before the ancient Madonna of Smolensk icon. In the spirit of those connections between history and art, old exhibits and new, St. Crispin’s Irregulars are returning to the Muzeo to relive the Battle of Borodino using hundreds of one inch tall miniature French and Russian soldiers. The miniature dynamic diorama will feature Old Glory miniatures from England that were hand painted decades ago In Scotland. The vignette of Napoleon used in the battle was sculpted using the famous painting by Verischagin as a guide. The St. Crispin’s Irregulars hobby club will guide the visitors through the battle as the opposing generals try attempt to change the course of history.

Date: January 9th (this is closing day, so you might want to order tickets early)
Time: 10:00am the soldiers muster. Battle Begins at 11:00am and will end at 4:00pm
Location: The Muzeo in Anaheim 241 S. Anaheim Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92805 (714) 956-8936

We are  sure yet where in the Muzeo we will be located, but it is not a huge place. The cost to tour the exhibit is $13 dollars. The game will be set up in the main museum building, not the annex so everyone who attends the closing day will see us. This event is intended to demonstrate our hobby to a larger audience that has an interest in history. Bring a friend who would you think might never be interested in the game by talking up the art angle. When they see the layout and it’s connection to the bigger historical tableau they might change their minds.

At Hobby Night in Anaheim the St. Crispin’s Irregulars were having a miniature blast in 28mm when a new guy approached the table. He started asking questions about the scale, rules and historical era. Elan had been to the hall many times for role playing games and boardgames but he has always found the study of history to be his favorite subject. So with “The Longest Day” playing on the big screen our Demo Team signed him up and collect his dues. So say “Hello” to Elan Goldmann at our next convention and welcome him aboard. At the following Hobby Day we met John Laughlin. He was a member when he lived in the Sacremento area and was happy to find us active  here in the Southland.

Elan joins the St. Crispin's Irregulars band of the HMGS/PSW