If you see a head, hit it! Irish, Pt 2.

This delightful quote was Brig. General Michael Lawler's favorite Tipperary saying, which explains his decision to lead 4 Union regiments in an assault on rebel entrenchments at Vicksburg.  Charging entrenchments was a recipe for slaughter in the American Civil War. To make matters worse, Lawler and his troops had to wade chest deep through a bayou to get at the rebels.  A reporter described the charge as "the most perilous and ludicrous charge I witnessed in the war." As the Irish are prone to do, Lawler and his men achieved the impossible. They got through the bayou, into the trenches and routed the rebels, capturing 1,200 prisoners for their efforts.

There were times I almost hit my head against the painting desk while painting up the Irish hearthguard. Tartan is exceedingly slow work. You really can lose yourself and your sanity between those stripes! I do like how Gripping Beast modeled the Dark Age Irish here. There are only 2 figures of the 12 with chain-mail and most are barefoot.  A couple men sport leather helmets. Don't let the ragtag look fool you. As the rebels learned, the Irish can wade through a bog, hit you upside your head and then run you down for good measure. Long odds and common sense be damned!

I've thought about having a T-shirt made with the old Irish saying,  "If you see a head, hit it."  I still might one day but what if someone takes me up on it? For now, I'll safely wear my favorite Pogues shirt featuring a man fighting the devil.  Does the devil represent whiskey, lust or addiction to painting? Depending on the wearer, it might represent all 3!