The British Army at Waterloo - 1815

[ashmie]

Again great models and thanks for the history. My Grandad used to tell fibs about being in the black watch during WW2. I've taken a leaf out of your book and typed up the ECW history on the thread. It's really interesting getting a handle on the period we are trying to recreate isn't it. Thanks for pointing out the sheer unbalanced numbers at Torrington. That could have been a nightmare to paint and field. In light of this I've decided to focus exclusively on the fight at the barriers of the town so as to give a better chance of favour to either player.
Also found this just now which you might be interested in. A what if for Waterloo http://www.amazon.co.uk/Napoleons-Water ... f+napoleon

[Primarch]

The 92nd Regiment of Foot. Gordon Highlanders
Regimental Colours - Yellow
Nickname - Gay Gordons (This probably had a much different implication 200 years ago )
Raised in 1794 the 92nd performed garrison duties for 5 years before being sent to Holland to participate in the overthrow of the Batavian Republic, a client country of France. In 1800 they sailed to Minorca in the Mediterranean and then on to Egypt. They fought on the 13th of March 1801 at the Battle of Mandora. Nearly a week later they were due to be shipped back to the main British staging post at Abukir as they only had 150 men left fighting fit due to injury and disease. However, upon hearing the sounds of the start of the Battle of Alexandria, they petitioned the British General to be allowed to take part in the battle.
After returning from Egypt, the regiment served in Copenhagen and the Walcheren Campaign where they suffered horrendous losses. In 1810 they were posted to the British forces in Portugal and, along with the rest of Wellington's troops, fought their way back and forth across the Iberian Peninsula as far as Toulon in Southern France.
In June 1815 the regiment took part in the Battle of Quatre Bras where they were one of the British regiments that arrived to support the Dutch/Belgian contingent holding off the French advance. Nearly half of the regiment were wounded or killed in that action, leaving them with 250 fighting men to take part in the Battle of Waterloo 2 days later, where they fought as part of Picton's 5th Division, in the 9th Brigade alongside the Black Watch. During the battle the 92nd were ordered to charge a French Column. The French broke and ran from the approaching Scots, remaining out of reach of their bayonets. At this point, the Scots Greys (a Dragoon regiment) passed through the lines of the 92nd to run down the fleeing French. Claims have been made that some men of the 92nd clung to the stirrups of the passing Dragoons, so eager were they to get at the French.

[job]

Interesting stuff.

Recently I've been interested in seeing what will be written about your hussar regiments. I've got hussar uniforms and awesome mustaches on the mind recently, but I know near nothing about the British units.

[ashmie]

I don't think I've seen them before. Are they a newer regiment you have painted?

[Primarch]

I don't think I've seen them before. Are they a newer regiment you have painted?

I did them in December last year.

Interesting stuff.

Recently I've been interested in seeing what will be written about your hussar regiments. I've got hussar uniforms and awesome mustaches on the mind recently, but I know near nothing about the British units.

Hussars are coming soon.

[Primarch]

I had intended to post up the rest of my infantry, but I guess the Light Bobs can wait whilst we look at my cavalry.


10th Light Dragoons (Hussars) - Prince of Wales' Own
Nickname - The Chainy 10th. (This came about from the elaborate cross belts they wore).
The 10th Regiment of Dragoons was raised in Hertfordshire at the time of the First Jacobite Rebellion (1715). They distinguished themselves during the second rebellion at Falkirk and Culloden in 1745 before taking part in the Seven Years War in actions from 1758.
In 1784, King George III appointed his son, then the Prince of Wales to be Colonel of the Regiment, granting them the title Prince of Wales Own as well as adding the motto Ich Dien (I Serve). In 1806, the Prince was given approval to change the Dragoons into a Hussar regiment and was allowed to clothe and equip them as light cavalry. The 10th thus became the first British Hussar regiment. As with all British Hussar regiments mustaches were a required part of the uniform.
In 1808 the 10th took part in the British expedition to Portugal. During an action at Benavente they captured 100 French cavalry, including General Lefebvre-Desnoettes, the commander of the entire French Cavalry Division. A few days later they formed part of the rearguard at the Battle of Corunna.
The regiment took part in further battles during the Peninsula Campaign and was assigned to the 6th Cavalry Brigade at the battle of Waterloo. During the battle, the 6th Brigade along with two Dragoon Brigades (The Household Brigade and the Union Brigade) were ordered to charge the French columns as they approached the British positions. Having suffered badly in actions during the Peninsula Campaign when they had charged recklessly, the Hussar regiments reigned in their attack after pursuing the French. The Union Brigade charged right across the valley and into the French lines where they received a severe beating from the French heavy cavalry.
The 10th came out of Waterloo with relatively light casualties. 22 Dead and 46 wounded from their starting complement of 437 men.
After the Napoleonic Wars, the 10th spent some time in the UK before being deployed in India and then the Crimea. It then returned to the UK where the officers of the regiment introduced the sport of Polo to the nation.

[kojibear]

I had intended to post up the rest of my infantry, but I guess the Light Bobs can wait whilst we look at my cavalry.

Thanks Prim that was a very interesting write up! The historical information is well received and appreciated.

Nicely painted minis too!

[job]

Hurrah! for the huzzars. Now I want to make mine own up: Job's Own.

You are clearly getting good and detailed information. What are you using for sources? It is interesting how many served in Egypt expelling the Frenchmen abandoned by Napoleon. It seems a little discussed episode considering the 18 Brumaire and Marengo seem to overshadow it.

And, I of course would like to read the rest about your infantry, but I could always read Bernard Cornwallis and get a very accurate image of your lights and rifles, right?

[Primarch]

Hurrah! for the huzzars. Now I want to make mine own up: Job's Own.

You are clearly getting good and detailed information. What are you using for sources? It is interesting how many served in Egypt expelling the Frenchmen abandoned by Napoleon. It seems a little discussed episode considering the 18 Brumaire and Marengo seem to overshadow it.

And, I of course would like to read the rest about your infantry, but I could always read Bernard Cornwallis and get a very accurate image of your lights and rifles, right?

Bernard Cornwell. Cornwallis was the British General who gave you colonial rebels a run for your money. I would have expected a history major to know that.

I'm using wikipedia for most of the units especially casualty records and the division/brigade details. Websites run by the regimental museums provide a few more details and offer up some nice artwork from time to time. The nicknames I found by accident, but I felt they added flavour so I included them as well.

Before I started writing this lot up, I knew next to nothing about the Egypt Expedition. It certainly seems like it was a big deal as far as the British were concerned.

[job]

Bernard Cornwell. Cornwallis was the British General who gave you colonial rebels a run for your money. I would have expected a history major to know that.

Yes, I guess I read too much of Cornwell.

Just glad I missed referencing this guy instead.

Of course that beard and 'stache is pretty awesome.

Oh, are you using 45cmx45cm bases, 60x45 or something else?