Monday, December 10, 2018

Tiroler Schutzen #5 Wolfgang Iselsberg


Next up is another unit of Tirolese Schutzen, this group lead by Herr Wolfgang Iselsberg.


Their order of dress is grass green jackets, pants in shades of brown and hats inn shades of grey. 



Resuming our narrative by Charles Morris:


    The freedom thus gained by the Tyrolese was not likely to be permanent with Napoleon for their foe. The Austrians hastened to the defence of the country which had been so bravely won for their emperor. On the other side came the French and Bavarians as enemies and oppressors. Lefebvre, the leader of the invaders, was a rough and brutal soldier, who encouraged his men to commit every outrage upon the mountaineers.

    For some two or three months the conflict went on, with varying fortunes, depending upon the conditions of the war between France and Austria. At first the French were triumphant, and the Austrians withdrew from the Tyrol. Then came Napoleon's defeat at Aspern, and the Tyrolese rose and again drove the invaders from their country. In July occurred Napoleon's great victory at Wagram, and the hopes of the Tyrol once more sank. All the Austrians were withdrawn, and Lefebvre again advanced at the head of thirty or forty thousand French, Bavarians, and Saxons.



    The courage of the peasantry vanished before this threatening invasion. Hofer alone remained resolute, saying to the Austrian governor, on his departure, "Well, then, I will undertake the government, and, as long as God wills, name myself Andrew Hofer, host of the Sand at Passeyr, and Count of the Tyrol."

    He needed resolution, for his fellow-chiefs deserted the cause of their country on all sides. On his way to his home he met Speckbacher, hurrying from the country in a carriage with some Austrian officers.

"Wilt thou also desert thy country!" said Hofer to him in tones of sad reproach.

    Another leader, Joachim Haspinger, a Capuchin monk, nicknamed Redbeard, a man of much military talent, withdrew to his monastery at Seeben. Hofer was left alone of the Tyrolese leaders. While the French advanced without opposition, he took refuge in a cavern amid the steep rocks that overhung his native vale, where he implored Heaven for aid.


2 weeks ago, my daughter, Kristie's dog, Annie gave birth to a litter of six puppies. They were born by Cesarean section,  so we all helped resuscitate them. Here are mom and pups at 10 days old. Annie is a very attentive mother!


Here I am holding one of the pups, who is happy to sleep in my arms. They are starting to really like being held and petted. This is probably the one that we will keep. Kristie will keep another, and the other four are all spoken for., and will go to their new homes at about 9 weeks of age.

11 comments:

  1. Cute puppies!

    Did Heaven answers Haspingeer's plea?

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    1. It's a little unclear from the wording, but it was Hofer, holed up min his cavern, and a deeply religious man, who implored the aid of Heaven. As to the response he got, all we can do is recount the further history of the revolt, which is not yet concluded!

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  2. I lost my golden retriever last year and miss him terribly. Wonderful dogs, full of character.

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    1. Jon, so sorry for your loss. They are a part of the family. We have pictures of all three of our previous goldens in our living room, and there are three adult dogs in the house now; Rory age 10 and Annie, age 5, belong to Kristie, who just completed veterinary school at Cornell, in October, and we have Zoe, also age 5. They are all great people dogs!

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  3. Another fine looking contingent of figures, and the same goes for the dogs. It was almost exactly year ago we lost our Golden Retriever as well and I would gladly take one of those new arrivals off your hands if we lived locally. Terrific dogs, and far better behaved than beagles.

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    1. Thanks, Lawrence, and for sure we'd save one for you if we were a bit closer! :-)
      My daughter has 2 beagles. Nice dogs, but the goldens *are* FAR better behaved, although training matters too!

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    2. My older daughter, Katie, that is...

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  4. Lovely looking armed peasantry and super looking puppies!
    Best Iain

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  5. Great looking figure and wow a period not often gamed!You almost made me cry to see these these little pups as I thought of the five Golden's I have owned over the years and the many hours of painting with one of them at my feet! I wish they were not all spoken for!
    Bill W!

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    1. Thanks, Bill. Not to worry, there will be more gratuitous puppy pictures in weeks to come! :-)

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