Bavarian Artillery Train

As a treat I decided to paint my second limber and the ammunition caisson for my Bavarian artillery before moving on to the last battalion of infantry.

While doing some image research, I noticed in these contemporary paintings that the horses for Bavarian artillery teams were matched.

Bavarian artillery at the siege of Breslau in 1806, detail of a painting by von Kobell

Detail of painting of Bavarian Corps at the Battle of Polotsk, 17 Aug 1812

So I've done the same for my artillery limbers. Yes, probably with horse casualties and replacements, this nicety didn't last long, but I don't care. It looks better.

Looking at strengths for the 1809 and 1812 campaigns, I could increase my Bavarian artillery considerably. In 1809 each of the 3 divisions had 1x light and 2x line batteries, with 3x batteries of 12 pounders held at the Corps level. For the Russian campaign the army was reorganized into 2 divisions (each of 3 brigades, there's that 3rd Brigade again!), each with 2x  light batteries, 3 x line batteries of 6 pounders and 1x heavy battery of 12 pounders. 

Fortunately the light (horse) artillery batteries wore almost the same uniform as the line, so I could use the simple expedient of "the battery with the limber is the light battery." Or spend the money and get a proper Wurstwagen for it.

Bavarian light artillery crew riding their Wurstwagen caisson. This doesn't look comfortable, but I guess it's better than walking.

If I use 1 gun model batteries, then I'm good for 1809, with 3x 6 pounders and 1x 12 pounder. Scott likes 2 gun model batteries, which do look better and take up a more appropriate amount of real-estate. But this leaves me a few models short!  To do 2 gun model batteries, for 1809 I'd need 3 or 4 more guns, and for 1812 I'd need eight more guns and crews plus 3 or 4 limbers! Yikes.

I know, I know, First World Problems.