Brassey's History of Uniforms

Current titles
Napoleonic Wars
American Civil War: Confederate Army
American Civil War: Union Army
apoleonic Wars: Napoleon's Army
Napoleonic Wars: Wellington's Army
Wellington's Army
English Civil War
Mexican-American War 1846-48 By Ian Fletcher
Barbarian Warriors: Saxons, Vikings and ormans
Roman Army: Wars of the Empire
Color plates by Richard Hook
Spanish-American War 1898
World War One: British Army
World War One: German Army

Forthcoming title

British Army: Zulu War to Boer War

About the author

Ian Fletcher is an internationally respected expert on

the British army of the apoleonic Wars. A director
of Midas Battlefield Tours, he regularly escorts tours
to the sites of Wellington's victories in Spain.
He is the author of several books of the Peninsular
War and edited collections of contemporary writing
by Peninsular War veterans.

Series editor Tim Newark

 Contents

Copyright 1996, 2000 Brassey's

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be 6 Introduction

reproduced, stored in a retrevial system or transmitted in
any form or by any means; electronic, electrostatic,
8 The Peninsular War
magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without permission in writing from the 13 1802 Dress Regulations
publishers. 37 Facings and Lace
39 Cavalry
First English Edition 1996
First Paperback Edition 2000 50 Royal Artillery
57 Military Dress on Campaign
UK editorial offices: 84 Weapons
Brassey's, 9 Blenheim Court, Brewery Road,
London N7 9NT 110 Artillery
Tel: 020 7700 7611 Fax: 020 77004552 113 Colours and Rank Distinctions
E-mail: [email protected] 119 Fighting Spirit
Website: www.brasseys.com
A member of the Ch~1is Group pic 134 Bibliography
137 Napoleonic Wars Directory
Ian Fletcher has asserted his moral right to be
142 Index
identified as the author of this work.

Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data

available
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the
British Library

ISB 1-57488-307-0 Paperback

Typeset by Hedgehog
Printed in China

F1Wlt covel': Half a battalion of92nd Highlanders defY all

enti1'e French division at tbe battle ofMaya in tbe Pymlees,
J1IIy 25 1813.
Detail ofpainting by Ricbm'd Hook.
Introduction

Upon being invited by Tim ewark and Brassey's to On December nnd 1810, Robert Mercer, an
write this volume on the uniforms and equipment of officer in the 3rd Foot Guards, wrote from the
Wellington's army, the obvious thought immediately Peninsula, 'Every person here dresses as he likes.
sprang to mind; what more can one possibly add to a These fancy dresses occasion much surprise and
subject which has been studied in the most tremend- horror to the martinets who arrive from London.'
ous depth over the last three decades or so? The study Within these three lines lies one of the great mysteries
of military uniform has generated, and still continues of the Peninsular War; what did the British soldier
to generate, hundreds of articles and books, most of really look like on campaign? I imagine we will never
which cover pretty much the same ground. Indeed, really know. Yes, of course we are all well aware of
repetition is rife amongst such studies although there what the regulations laid down, but as we all know
continues to be an avid readership eager to glean what these dress regulations changed drastically once the
few fresh crumbs they can from whatever new books British arnlY began to get to grips with the extremes of
or articles. the Iberian climate. Items of clothing and equipment
Much fine work has been carried out over the years were either lost or damaged or were simply discarded
by artists and historians on the uniforms and equip- once they were worn out, circumstances which, when men had a thin layer of clay between the soles and The battle of Vimeiro, August 21st 1808, after a painting by
ment of Wellington's army. The names of Charles combined, contrived to produce a picture of the how British hussars, had they worn fur caps ,vith the Caton Woodville. As usual, Caton Woodville has shown the
Hamilton-Smith and Robert Dighton immediately British soldier far removed from the popular image. same iron protection a their French counterparts British troops wearing the 1812 uniform, complete with 'Belgic'
spring to mind from the Napoleonic period itself, An incident on a recent visit with a group to Waterloo instead of soggy cardboard, could have been better shako, whereas it had another three years to go before it was
while our own generation has produced fine works by confirmed my belief when, having watched a small protected against enemy sabres. It is, shall we say, the even designed. However, despite the anachronisims of his
c.c.P. Lawson, WY. Carmen, Gerry Embleton, Don group of French cavalry re-enactors ride past, one of 'face of battle' approach, rather than the view from the paintings they remain amongst the most spirited depictions of
and Bryan Fosten, and Philip Haythornthwaite, to our guests bent down to pick up a couple ofbunons parade ground. the war in the Peninsula.
name a few. One has only to dip into any of the works which had fallen off one of the cavalrymen's uniforms. We shall, of course, deal with regulation uniforms
produced by these artists and historians to find Given that these re-enactors had ridden just a short and equipment but the thrust of this book is aimed campaign of 1815. If such a short, sharp campaign as
complete descriptions of unifonns and equipment distance one wonders just how much equipment was firmly at anempting to discover how the men viewed Waterloo could reduce a fine looking army to such a
worn by Wellington's men. Hence the immediate lost in real campaign conditions? We know for a fact their military dress and how it effected their state after just a few months, we can only imagine
problem for any author or artist who sets out to add to that enough clothing and equipment was either lost or performance in battle and on campaign. The life of a what Wellington's Peninsular army must have looked
this vast collection of information. Whether or not wore out to prompt the men to adopt all sorts of non- British soldier in the Peninsula, between 1808 and like at times after such hard campaigns as Salamanca
this particular volume has added anything new to the regulation clothing. It is these non-regulation items of 1814, has been described as long periods of boredom, and Vittoria, not to mention Moore's army at the end
subject remains to be seen but it is hoped that by uniform, adopted out of necessity or to satisfy the vain punctuated by spells of intense activity, pitched battles of me Corunna campaign.
adopting a different approach this may indeed be the whims of dandy officers, that continue to hold a and sieges occupying just a fraction of each of the This volume will endeavour to answer some of
case. This different approach has involved taking a strange fascination for those of us seeking to discover years spent in the Peninsula. But mese periods of mese questions and will hopefully conjure up such
look at uniform through the eyes of the men what life was really like for the British soldier on boredom, during which me men undertook marches, images as to make us understand a little more about
themselves, as opposed to the usual regulation dress so campaign. training and fatigues, till took their toll on uniforms Wellington's men in Portugal, Spain, France and
often set out in previous books. Indeed, I was struck The object of this book is, therefore, to endeavour and equipment. The quality of British army uniforms Belgium. Wellington once described his army as able
rather forcibly by the thought, when copying out the to explore these uniforms through the recollections of and equipment can perhaps be borne out by me to go anywhere and do anything. In addition to mese
dress regulations; 'I can't believe that Wellington's the men themselves and to try and discover what it reaction of a Frenchman who was shocked by me two fine attributes he should, perhaps, have added mat
men looked anything like the sort of chocolate-box was really like to wear a banered old shako in battle, scruffy, rag-tag army British army that marched down it was also able to wear anything.
type soldier we so frequently see pictured.' Hence the or how uncomfortable it was to wear a cocked hat in tile Champs Elysees at me conclusion of me Waterloo
need to offer a different view of the British soldier in the rain with the water running off the front like a
the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns. fountain. Or why the boots worn by Sir John Moore's

6 Introduction bltrodllctio17 7
'The Peninsular War

The British army under Sir Arthur Wellesley began to this book on military dress. The British army had
disembark at Figujera, Portugal, on August 1st 1808. arrived in Portugal in response to calls for assistance
It was to be the first act in a war that was to last nearly from both Iberian nations follo\ving the French
six years and end in triumph in southern France in invasion of the Peninsula in 1807 and 1808.
1814. The following year, 1815, Wellesley, by then the Wellesley fought his first battle of the war - a
Duke of Wellington, fought the glorious postscript, slcirmish by later standards - at Rolica on August 17th
Waterloo, although his army there was a mixture 1808. It resulted in a victory and was followed four
of British, Dutch, Belgians, Hanoverians and days later by a more impressive win over the French at
Brunswickers and other contingents from European Vimeiro, a victory which sounded ominous warning
states. bells throughout the French Empire and brought the
We will not dwell too long on the campaigns or
battles fought by the British army between 1808 and The battle of Corunna, January 16th 1809. Another painting by
1815 but it will be necessary, however, to take a brief Caton Woodville, bringing home the ferocity of the fighting in
look at the events which provide the background to the village of Elvina.
name of Wellesley to the attention of the mighty in The 23rd Light Dragoons at Talavera, July 28th 1809. The light
the halls of European capitals. The battle resulted in dragoons are seen tumbling into the dry watercourse which
the expulsion of the French army from Portugal they had failed to notice as they charged forward recklessly.
following the notorious Convention of Cintra, by They are correctly depicted wearing their Tarleton helmets.
which Britain and France negotiated a treaty which
allowed the French to sail away with all their accum- the battle of Corunna but his army managed to
ulated arms and plunder and to sail away in British embark in relative safety for England.
ships. The Convention caused outrage in Britain and In April 1809, the British army was back in
Wellesley was recalled to face a Court of Enquiry, Portugal under the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley,
along with Sir Harry Burrard and Sir Hew Dalrymple, who had been acquitted of all charges brought against
both of whom had superseded him and who had been him following the Convention of Cintra. On May
a party to the signing of the Convention. 12th 1809 he crossed the Douro at Oporto in one of
In the meantime, the British army in Portugal was the boldest operations of the war and expelled Soult
placed under the command of Sir John Moore who and his French army from Portugal. Two months later
was destined to lead the army through one of its most he fought the battle of Talavera, a hard-won victory
traumatic experiences of the war, the retreat to which earned him the title 'Wellington'.
Corunna. Misled into believing that his Spanish allies There was to be no further serious fighting for
would act in support of him, Moore's plan involved a over fourteen months, during which period
bold move east towards Burgos to threaten Tapoleon's Wellington held on grimly to his position on the
communications with France and in doing so hoped to Spanish-Portuguese border, awaiting the expected
draw the French army away from Madrid. The capital French invasion. The summer of 1810 was one of
had already fallen, however, and Moore was left with great strain for ''''ellington who had to deal not only
little choice but to lead his army through the snow- with tl1e French but with his own officers, many of
covered Galician mountains, with the French snapping whom conducted a 'whispering' campaign against him
away at his heels, until he finally reached Corunna. On and questioned the wisdom of remaining in me
January 16th 1809 Moore was mortally wounded at Peninsula.

8 The Peninsular T#1r Tbe PeninSillm' Wm" 9

 The French invasion duly occurred in the summer A superb painting by James Beadle showing Robinson's
of 1810, when Massena's army took both Ciudad brigade at the battle of Vittoria, June 21st 1813. In spite of the
Rodrigo and Almeida, forcing vVeliington to retreat 'Belgic' shakos worn by the men and the cocked hat worn by
into Portugal. Wellington, in fact, had already an officer, the painting conveys the chaotic nature of the
foreseen this and the previous year had ordered a fighting at Gamara Mayor. Note the cavalry flaying and hacking
series of lines of forts and redoubts to be built across in the smoke in the background.
the Lisbon peninsula. These formed the famous Lines
of Torres Vedras which were to thwart Massena's plans Portugal was once more free of French troops.
entirely. Wellington stopped only once during his The year of 1811 saw some hard fighting, notably
retreat, at Busaco on September 27th 1810, a battle at Fuentes de Onoro, on May 3rd-5th, and at Albuera,
which gave Massena a bloody nose but which did not on May 16th. This latter battle, won by Beresford in
stop him. The Lines did stop him, however, and after Wellington's absence, was one of the bloodiest and
spending a few months in front of them, Massena most controversial of the war, centring mainly on
withdrew in March 1811, his starving army pursued Beresford's choice of position. The year petered out in
vigorously by Wellington. By the spring of 1811, a series of moves and countermoves by both sides until
the \vinter of 1811-12 brought an end to campaigning,
Opposite top. or so the French thought.
Robert Craufurd stands up and calls to his men 'Now 52nd, On January 8th, Wellington's soldiers arrived
avenge the death of Sir John Moore!' before launching his before the walls of Ciudad Rodrigo, the French-held
Light Division at the French columns at the battle of Busaco, fortress that guarded the northern corridor between
September 27th 1810. Painting by Caton Woodville, Spain and Portugal. After just eleven days of open
inaccurately showing bearskin caps and 1812-pattern shakos. trenches the town was taken by storm. The following
month Wellington slipped away to the south and on
Opposite bottom. March 17th began besieging the much tougher
The 57th Regiment at the battle of Albuera, May 16th 1811, fortress of Badajoz. This town was stormed on the
during the famous firefight which decided the battle. night of April 6th but at an atrocious cost and

10 The Peni17su/m' War The Peni17Sll/m' Wm' 11

 1802 Dress Regulations

When the British army under Sir Arthur Wellesley in the VlTinter 1940 issue of the Journal of the Society
arrived in Portugal in August 1808 its soldiers were for Army Historical Research. The regulations are
clothed in the manner laid down in the 1802 Dress included here merely to lay a background against
Regulations. Of course, few, if any, of the men actually which we may study the different ways in which
had these regulations with them but had they done so
I would imagine that these were consigned to the A painting by Richard Simkin of the 1st Foot Guards Trooping
nearest Portuguese gutter once the campaign had got the Colour in 1814. The privates of the Battalion Companies
underway and the time for adapting to climate began are wearing their full dress uniform of white pantaloons and
in earnest. However, as with any study of uniform we gaiters, while the bearskinned Grenadier Company files into
must begin somewhere and in the case of the British position in front of them to the sound of the fife and drum. The
army of the Peninsular and VlTaterioo campaigns this NCO and privates of the Grenadier Company appear to dwarf
does indeed mean the 1802 Dress Regulations. those behind them. In fact, the average height of the Grenadier
The following pages of Dress Regulations are Company in 1809 was 5 feet 11 inches, compared to 5 feet
adapted from W.Y. Carmen's fine article that appeared 7 inches in the Battalion Companies.
afterwards the town was sacked from top to bottom The battle of Toulouse, April 10th 1814, showing the attack on
with extreme violence for a full 72 hours in what has the Calvinet Ridge. The battle was fought four days after
since gone down as one of the great excesses Napoleon's abdication and need not have been fought at all.
committed by the British army.
On July 22nd 1812, Wellington's army crushed the last found themselves fighting in France.
French, under Marshal Marmont, at the battle of The penultimate battle of the war was fought on
Salamanca. It was one of Wellington's greatest February 27th 1814 at Orthes and, save for a few
victories and was one which raised his level of fame to smaller actions such as Aire and Tarbes, the war was as
that of Marlborough throughout Europe. Madrid was good as over. The final battle, at Toulouse on April
entered on August 12th and yet just two and a half lOth 1814, need never really have been fought at all as
months later the British army was on the retreat back Napoleon had abdicated four days earlier. Even later
to Portugal following its disastrous attempt upon than this battle were the sorties from Bayonne, on
Burgos. As at Corunna, some three years before, the April 14th, during which 1,500 men on both sides
army's discipline dissolved, much to Wellington's fury, became casualties in what was a totally unnecessary
as the Commissariat failed and the officers lost control action.
of their men. The Peninsular War had ended but there was still
By the spring of 1813, however, Wellington's army one last battle to be fought before Napoleon was
had regained its strength and in May began the finally defeated. After a period of exile on the island of
advance which was to culminate in the great victory at Elba he escaped and returned to France on March 1st
Vittoria on June 21st 1813. It was the victory which 1815 and so began the Hundred Days which
was to prove the most decisive of the war and, indeed, culminated in the battle of Waterloo on June 18th
from here on there was no looking back for 1815. It was Wellington's crowning achievement as his
Wellington, it was simply a matter of when he was to 'infamou army' of British, Dutch, Belgians and
achieve victory. The French were pushed back over Germans hung on grimly throughout the day until
the Pyrenees, San Sebastian fell in August 1813 and on Blucher's Prussians arrived to help complete the Allied
October 7th British troops crossed the Bidassoa and at victory.

12 Tbe Peninsulm' f#w 1802 Dress Regulations 13

An 1812 universal shako plate. Shako plate of the 4th (King's Own) Regiment, made of The stove-pipe shako with universal shako plate and white
embossed brass. over red battalion company plume. It was this type of shako
Wellington's and Moore's men adapted to the climatic which was worn by the British army in the Peninsula, even
conditions of the Iberian Peninsula and, later on, to uppermost of which was to be half the breadth of the after the intrOduction of the 1812-pattem shako.
the conditions in Belgium in 1815, although the two below it but of the same pattern. The narrow lace
problem faced in the very short \Naterloo Campaign to go round the collar. Gilt buttons, set at equal Full Dress uniform for a Major General was the
are trifling when compared to those faced by distances, ornamented with a sword and truncheon, same as a general except it had just one broad lace
Wellington's Peninsular army over six years of warfare encircled with a wreath of laurel. round the cuffs, without the narrow lace above it.
between 1808 and 1814. The Half Dress uniform of a General was of scarlet Half dress and undress unifornl were similar as
The regulations apply to the infantry only. Cavalry cloth, long skirts made to hook back, lined with white those for a General except that the buttons were set 2
regiments will be dealt with later, owing to the variety ker eymere. Standing collar of scarlet cloth with small on 2.
of uniform in 1808, not to mention the changes to blue cuffs. Lapels the same colour as the cuffs, 3 The uniform coats for Adjutant General,
uniform that this arm of the army underwent in 1812. inches in breadth and made to button over the body Quartermaster General and Barrackmaster Generals
Once we have taken a look at how the soldiers down to the waist. 0 pocket flaps, embroidered were the same as the Lieutenant General's undress
looked 'according to the book', we can begin our study button holes. Ten buttons on each lapel including one uniform except that the lace was silver. Officer's jacket of the 68th Light Infantry and 1803-pattern
of how this altered once the men had landed in on the front of the collar, four on each sleeve and skirt. Deputy Adjutant Generals, Deputy Quartermaster sabre, the belongings of Captain Leith, killed in action 1813.
Portugal and how it affected their performance in General's undress uniform was the same as the Half Generals and Deputy Barrackmaster Generals were Deep green facings and silver lace.
battle. Dress uniform, except the button holes throughout the same as the Major General's undress uniform
were not embroidered. except in silver lace. one on the cuff and the same number on each skirt.
Coats and Jackets The Full Dress uniform for a Lieutenant General ADCs wore scarlet coats, with long skirts made to I 0 pocket flaps and the pockets to open in the plait,
General officers, staff and ADCs was the same as that of a full general except that there hook back lined with white shalloon or kerseymere. two embroidered button holes on each back skirt
The Full Dress uniform for a General was of scarlet were only two broad laces round the cuffs, without the No lapels, and were buttoned over the body down to between the hip buttons. Plain flat gilt buttons were
cloth, long skirts lined with white silk. 0 lapels, small third narrow lace above them. the waist. A falling collar and small cuffs of blue cloth. set 2 and 2, excepting one on each cuff and the upper
round blue cuffs, short standing scarlet collar, cross Half Dress and undress uniforms for a Lieutenant Ten embroidered buttons on each front of the coat, one on each skirt. The ADCs undress uniform was
pocket flaps, one broad gold lace round the coat and General were the arne as a Generals except the including one on the collar, and three double similar to the above except that there was no
pockets and three rows round each cuff, the buttons were set 3 and 3. embroidered button holes on each sleeve, including embroidery except on the epaulette.

14 J802 Dress Regulations J 802 Dress Regulations J5

 The plain wlifornl coat for Assistant Adjutant same and part of the skirts on both sides were edged to
Generals, Assi rant Quartermaster Generals, and where they met on being sewed back. At the joining of
"lajor of Brigades wa the same a those described for the skirts there was a small oval like piece of blue
ADCs except \\~th sih-er lace. cloth, richly embroidered. Three laced loopings as
button holes as on each of the back skirts, beginning at
Foot Guards
the hip button and joined to the lace on the skirts.
Full Ores uniform for officers of the Foot Guards was The cuff were roWld and 3't, inches in breadth, 3
of carlet cloth \\~th long skirts lined with white button on each and two rows of lace, the lower one
shalloon and sewed back. Lapel and cuff were dark broad and similar to that on the lower part of the
blue, the lapels 3 inches in breadth throughout, pockets, the upper row narrow and similar to that on
reaching down in a line with the pocket flap, to be the collar and lapels. Grenadier and Light Infantry
sewn down and not made to button over the body. Ten officers had laced carlet \~ngs on their coats \~th
buttons on the lapels et at equal di rances. Cross bullion and fringe besides the epaulettes. Embroidered
pocket flap, on which a narrow gold lace. On the grenades replaced the blue oval cloth on the kirts of
upper part of the flap, and rOWld them on the skirts, a Grenadier officer and bugle horns on those of the
broad gold lace, double the breadth of the narrow, and Light Infantry.
which nearly covers this part of the kirts. Three The Frock uniform coat ofthe officers of the Foot
buttons set on the skirt and nearly covered by the flap. Guards was of carlet cloth, lined \~th white shalloon,
standing collar of carlet cloth, lined with white silk with long skirts sewn back. Lapels and cuffs were dark
and laced round with the narrow lace imilar to that blue. The lapels were 3 inches in breadth throughout
on the lower part of the pocket flaps. The button holes and made to button over the body down to the waist.
on the lapels were looped with the same lace and the Cuffs were round with no slits, 3"1 inches in breadth
outer side of the lapels and skirts were edged with the and the collar was standing of scarlet cloth. There wa

Other ranks' shako plate, 1st Foot Guards, 1815. The plate is Other ranks' shako plate, 3rd Foot Guards, 1815. Brass, with ~o. E:iOIlFOr..K REGl:IIE..~TopL,.-pA...~TllT~

brass with an embossed Star of the Order of the Garter, with an embossed Star of the Order of the Thistle with a thistle in U:"', (~", ,84....rJ..T ~~MrAl~ raLOCJrl.

1Ir~4 rDLOrA .£1UfJ.JLLTT.w ~rrr..l,

GR reversed in the centre. the centre.

Two Highland soldiers, both wearing the white plume An Ensign and Colour Sergeant of the 9th (East Norfolk)
signifying grenadier company. The man on the left is of the Regiment, 1813. The rank of Colour Sergeant was instigated in
42nd and the one on the right the 92nd. After a drawing by August 1813. The badge consisted of a single lace chevron,
Hamilton-Smith. the colour of the regimental facing, above which was a Union
Flag below the Royal Crown with two crossed silver swords
no lace on the button holes but the collar and cross below the flag. The badge was worn on the right arm only.
pocket flap were laced rOWld with gold lace, the outer After a drawing by Hamilton-Smith.
edge of the lapel and skirts laced the same to the
bottom. The upper part of the skirts were laced on The coats for the Sergeants of the Foot Guards
both sides \~th a row oflace from the hip buttons were of scarlet cloth lined throughout \~th white
down the plait of the skin to where it joined the part serge and were short skirted, the front skirts sewn back
turned back and had an edging of blue cloth on the and faced \~th serge with an edging of blue cloth c10 e
skirts on each side of the lace. A small oval like piece to the lace. There were no lapels but the coat was
of blue embroidered cloth was set on each skirt where made to button over the body down to the waist. Both
they met. Officers of Grenadiers had scarlet wings, fronts were edged with gold lace and had ten looping
laced and fringed besides epaulettes and had of the same sort of lace on each front, except in the
embroidered grenades on the kirts. Officers of Light 3rd Foot Guards, the looping being 3 inches in length
Infantry were to have jackets, the short skirts turned throughout. There were ten buttons on one front and
back and fronted with white ker eymere. The pocket holes on the other. The collar, cuffs and shoulder
flap to lope diagonally. The cuffs, collar and lapels straps were of dark blue cloth. Standing collar wa 3
imilar, and laced imilar to the Battalion, but bugle inches in breadth and wa laced round. The cuffs were
horn on the points of the turnbacks of the skirts. 3"1 inches in breadth and had no lits. There were 4
mall buttons on the jackets for Light Infantry, large buttons on each cuff, except in the 3rd Foot Guards,
ones on the coats for Grenadiers and Battalions, and the holes looped with gold lace \\~th one row of lace
to be et at equal distances, 2 and 2, or 3 and 3, round each cuff. Cros pocket flaps for Grenadiers and
according to the regiment. Battalions, opening to the outside, whereas the Light
16 1802 Dress Regulntio1lS
1802 Dress Regulations 17
The 1st Regiment of Foot Guards

The central figure of this plate is a corporal of the 1st Foot The 1st Foot Guards had two battlions present at
Guards, 1815, wearing the uniform worn by his regiment at Waterloo on June 18th 1815, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions. The
Waterloo, June 18th 1815. He is a corporal of the light infantry light companies initially assisted in the defence of
company and wears 'wings' on his shoulders in place of the Hougoumont before they were withdrawn to the main Allied
normal straps. His 1812-Belgic shako also bears the bugle position on the ridge above. Perhaps the regiment's most
horn above the shako plate. His grey trousers are tucked into famous exploit during the battle was its part in the repulse of
his gaiters in the style worn by only the 1st Foot Guards at Napoleon's Imperial Guard at the crisis of the battle. It was an
Waterloo, the other two regiments of Guards, the Coldstream achievement which earned the regiment the title, the following
and 3rd Foot Guards, wearing loose white trousers. The figure year, of the First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards, in
is surrounded by the following items of uniform and recognition of its part in defeating Napoleon's grenadiers.
equipment; clockwise from top right; 1812 shako plates, left to Painting by Richard Hook.
right, 1st Foot Guards, Coldstream Guards, 3rd Foot Guards;
1st Foot Guards, officers' epaulette; Trotter knapsack, with
regimental badge of the 1st Foot Guards painted upon it;
1803-pattern infantry officers sabre, and 1796-pattern infantry
officers' sword; 1st Foot Guards pouch and bayonet belt, plus
17-inch regulation bayonet; shoulder belt plates, left to right,
1st Foot Guards, Coldstream Guards and 3rd Foot Guards; Above.
officers' water canteen; other ranks' water canteen, 1st Foot The 28th (North Gloucester) Regiment at Quatre Bras, June
Guards; forage cap; sergeant's 9-foot pike and India-pattern 16th 1815, by lady Butler. This otherwise superb portrayal of a
musket with older swan-neck cock; stovepipe shako with light typical British infantry square incorrectly depicts the regiment
infantry company plate; Coldstream Guards officers' gorget; wearing the 1812 Belgic shako, whereas in fact the 28th wore
front and back view, 1812-pattern Belgic shako, light infantry their old stovepipe shakos. The correct depiction can be seen
company shako plate; Belgic shako with oilskin cover. in the painting by Woollen, featured elsewhere in this book.

1802 Dress Regulations 19

 and 2, or 3 and 3, according to the regiment. (See skirted, the front skirts turned back and faced with
Line Infantry for Corporals and Privates coats and Cassimere the colour of the lining. Small button were
jackets.) worn on the jackets of Light Infantry and large ones
on the coats of Grenadiers and Battalions. Scarlet
Line Infantry wings for Grenadiers and Light Infantry with bullion
Officers of Line Regiments of infantry wore scarlet and fringe besides epaulettes. An embroidered grenade
coats with long kirts made to hook back and were was worn on the skirts of the Grenadiers and a bugle
lined with white or buff kerseymere or shalloon, horn on those of the Light Infantry. The button holes
according to the Regiment. Lapels, cuffs and collar need not have embroidery or lace but if the Colonel
were the colour of the facings of the regiment. The saw fit gold or siker embroidered or laced button
lapels were 3 inches in breadth throughout and were holes and epaulette were permitted.
made to button over the body down to the waist. Cuffs The uniform coats for officers of Highland
were round, were 3'" in breadth and had no slits. The regiments were the same as those for the ordinary
collar wa turned down. Cross pocket flaps were worn Line regiments except that the skirts were short and
for Grenadiers and Battalions whereas in the Light the part turned back was sewn and fronted with
Infantry they sloped diagonally. There were 10 Cassimere like Light Infantry, and on the same colour
buttons on the lapels, including one on the collar, four as the lining, and that they had eight buttons on the
on cuffs and on pockets and were set at equal fronts and three on sloping pocket flaps.
distances, 2 and 2 or 3 and 3 according to the Sergeants of Line Regiments wore scarlet coats
Regiment. Two worked button holes on each of the lined throughout, the sleeves with linen, the other
back skirts where they break off at the hips. Officers parts with white or buff serge according to the
appearing at Court were to have the lapels buttoned regiment. They were short skirted. The front skirts
back. The jackets for Light Infantry were short were sewn back and faced with serge, with an edging
of white lace. There were 10 loops of lace on each
Officer's gilt gorget, Coldstream Guards, 1810. The Royal coat front of the coat, with buttons on one front and holes
of arms on the front with the regimental badge on either side.
The rosettes are dark blue. Other ranks' brass shoulder belt plate, 3rd Foot Guards.
lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry SUllivan, Bt., Coldstream Guards.
Sir Henry was killed dUring the futile sortie from Bayonne in
April 1814. His shako bears the gold banding around the false
front which was removed dUring active service. This portrait
proves that at least some officers did in fact wear the 1812
pattem shako, as Sir Henry retumed to the Peninsula in March
1814, after this painting had been done. It follows, therefore,
that he took this new pattem shako with him. He also carries
the 1796-pattem infantry officers' sword.

joining of the back kirts which were to fold well over.

The Grenadiers and Light Infantry wore blue cloth
wings with five darts of lace on each. The wings of the
Light Infantry were also laced round and those of the
A rifleman of the 95th Rifles, 1810. Green uniform with black
Grenadiers had a row of lace on the bottom. The
facings edged white. Black leather belts with brass clasp. He
wings of each likewise had a gold fringe, with gold lace
is carrying the superb Baker rifle. The brass flap on the butt
epaulettes with fringe to be worn on each shoulder.
hides a compartment in which the rifleman's tools were kept.
One similar sort of epaulette was worn on the right
shoulder of sergeants of the Battalions and on the left
Infantry pocket flaps sloped diagonally and opened at shoulder a laced strap with gold fringe. The 3rd Foot
the plait. There were -+ buttons on each flap, except in Guard had 9 buttons on their lapel, and 3 on each
the 3rd Foot Guards. The holes were looped with lace cuff and pocket flap. The button on the pocket flaps
with a row of lace round the flaps on the skirts. Each and hips of the Grenadier and Battalions were large,
kirt and the turn back of the front skirts were laced to on the other parts of their coats they were mall, as
the bottom. There was a diamond of lace under the were all of the buttons on the jackets of the Light
an_d_a_n_o_th_e_r_in_a_h_·n_e_\_\~_·th_th_e_m-=o
,--h_i_p_b_u_tt_o_n_ _ __n__th:.:. :.:e -=In::.:..::fa:::n.:.:.:try. The buttons were set at equal distances, 2

20 l802 Dress Regulations

---
/ 02 Dress Regulations 2/
 Officer's gorget, 1st Foot Guards, 1815. It bears the Royal coat Other ranks' pouch badge, 1st Foot Guards, 1815. A grenadier of the 1st Foot Guards, 1815. In spite of the grey A black 'time beater' or cymbalist of the 1st Foot Guards, 1815.
of arms in the centre.
service overalls, bearskins were not worn on campaign, Red jacket with gold stripes, white turnbacks edged gold and
equal distances, 2 and 2, 3 and 3, according to the although the few companies of the Guards at Cadiz in 1811 what appears to be the letter 'G' on the turnback. Pointed gold
on the other. There were no lapels and the coat was regiment. The sergeants lace was a whjte wor ted complained that the shakos were in such bad repair that they lace loops on lapels, white sleeves with gold chevrons and
made to button over the body down to the waist. The brajd. Coats for Sergeants of Highland Regiments had to wear their 'grenadier caps.' stripes, blue collars and elbows edged gold, blue cuffs with
loops were four inche in length at the top which were sirrular to those described for other regiments pointed gold lace epaulettes edged gold, white turban with red
reduced gradually to three inches at the bottom. The except that they had 8 buttons on the fronts of the the Foot Guards had their coats lined throughout \vith top edged gold, with maroon ball decoration at back. Loose
cuffs, collar and shoulder straps were the colour of the coats and 3 on each pocket Aap, whjch opened and whjte serge. Those in Line Regiments and the Royal white trousers. The sleeve pattern survived for at least 150
regimental facings. The standing collar was 3 inches in sloped diagonally like those for Light Infantry. The Staff Corps had no sleeve linings. In every other years, until the 193Os.
breadth and along with the shoulder straps was laced lace for the 42nd was white silk instead of worsted. respect they were lined, the inside \vith serge or faced
round. The cuffs were 3'" inches in breadth with 4 The coats for Corporals and Private men of the with cloth, and the skjrts turned back and faced \vith wajst and was not to be \vider at the top than at the
buttons and loopings on each. Cross pocket Aaps for Foot Guards and Line Infantry were made of red cloth white or buff serge in a similar fashion as those for bottom. The sleeves of the coat had a small round cuff
the Grenadiers and Battalions to open on the outside. instead of scarlet and of inferior quality to the sergeants, but were of a coarser quality. The Corporals without any slit, and were made so they could be
In the Light Infantry they sloped diagonally and sergeants and were exactly the same in respect of the of Grenadjers and Light Infantry wore two epaulettes unbuttoned and let down. The whole to have cross
opened in the plait. On each pocket Aap there were 4 colour of the facings, in the formation, turning back or or knots. The coats of the Corporals had a silk pockets, the Aap to be sewn down, and the pocket to
buttons and loopings. The buttons on the cuffs, sloping off the skjns, and in setting of the lace, but- epaulette on the right shoulder. The coats of the be cut in the lining of the coat. The cuffs of the sleeves
pocket Aaps and hips of the Grenadiers and Battaljons tons, shoulder straps and pocket Aaps, as also the Grenadiers had the usual \vings of red cloth on the which turned up was 3"2 inches deep. Those of the
were large. On other parts of their coat they were wings of Grenadier and Light Infantry, as already point of the shoulder \vith six loops of lace of the same battalion companjes wore one on the right shoulder.
small, as they were throughout on the jackets of the described for the sergeants of their respective reg- son as the button holes and a border on the bottom. The regimental button was white throughout.
Light Infantry. The wings of the Grenadiers and Light iments. The lace wa white worsted ground through- The men's coats were looped with worsted lace but
Infantry were scarlet with 6 darts of lace on each. out, with distingujshing stripes or worms as per the wi th no border, the ground of the lace to be whi te The Rifle Corps
Grenadjers also had a row of lace at the bottom of the general view of the facings. The corporal knots were with worsted stripe. The breadth of the lace to make The Full Dress uniform for officers of the lliAe Corps
wings and those for the Light Infantry were laced white silk, varied something like the lace, except in the the loop round the button hole was about half an inch. was of dark green cloth, had long skjrts and was lined
round. There was a diamond of lace between the hip Foot Guards, whose knots and lace were entirely Four loops on the sleeves and four on the pockets, with white shalloon. The skjrts were turned back and
buttons, over the joining of the back kjrts, which white. The knots were silk, the lace wor ted and about with two on each side of the slit behind. The breadth fronted \vith white Cassimere sewn down, and at the
were well folded over. The button were set on at 'I, inch in breadth. The Corporals and Private men of of the lapels was three inches to reach down to the join was a circle of black velvet embroidered \vith
22 1802 Dress Regulations
1802 Dress Regulations 23
 A plate, dated 1808, showing the various gorgets, shoulder
belt plates, lace, insignia, etc., of the three regiments of Foot
Guards.

silver. Lapels, collars, cuffs and wings were black

velvet. The lapels, were rather shon and made to
button across the body at the 5th button. They were 3
inches in breadth at the bottom and increased
gradually to 3'/, inches at the top. A standing collar
was faced with green cloth which, along with the cuffs,
was to be 3 inches in breadth. There were no slits in
the cuffs. Cross pocket flaps. Ten buttons on each
lapel, including one on the collar, three on each cuff
and pocket flap. The wings were laced and had bullion
and fringe besides epaulettes. The buttons were set at
equal distances and were all large except for those on
the collar and epaulettes. The buttons were flat plated
with a raised bugle horn with a crown over it.
The Service uniform of Rifle Corps officers was a
jacket of dark green cloth, without lapels or skins, and
was made to button over the body down to the waist.
The breast was fromed with green cloth and was lined
with green silk or shalloon. It had a black velvet
standing collar lined with green cloth. Cuffs were
black velvet, 2'/, inches in breadth, poimed and made
to open with 5 buttons. There was a double row of
buttons on one front and a single row with button
holes on the other. 22 buttons in each row and the
same number of loopings of black silk twist on each
front between the rows with a knot on the outer side.
The loopings were 7\ inches in length at the top
which reduced gradually to 2'/, inches at the bottom,
and in which form the buttons were set on. There was
a loop of twist on each from of the collar, a row of the
same down the seams from the shoulders to the hip
buttons, and a double row on the fronts instead of
pocket welts. Black velvet wings and straps with
bullion and fringe besides which there was a silver
chain on the wings and straps. The buttons were of a
round form like a ball and were set at equal distances.
The lace and epaulettes were silver.
The jackets of the sergeants of the Rifle Corps
were of dark green cloth without lining, except for the
sleeves, although the inside of the fronts were faced

Officers' gilt shoulder belt plate, 1st Foot Guards, 1815.

Opposite.
Ensign John Rous, Coldstream Guards, 1810. After a painting
by Thomas Beach. Note the dark blue piping around the broad
gold lace and the dark blue rosettes on the gorget. The
buttons are worn in pairs, signifying the 2nd (Coldstream)
Guards.

2-1 1802 Dress Regll/otiolls 1802 Dress Regll/otio71S 25

 Guards, and of all Royal Regiments were made of red
cloth, similar in quality and colour as those of the rank
and file. For those regiments that were faced with red
or black the coats were of white cloth and for all other
regiments the coats were to be of the colour of the
regimental facings and were of a superior quality to
the rank and file. The coats were short skirted and
lined throughout. Those regiments that were faced
with white, red, black or buff, had red linings. The
Foot Guards and all other regiments had white
linings. The front skirts were turned back and faced as
the linings and the edge laced, those of the Foot
Guards having a blue feathered edge under the lace.
The coats had no lapels but were made to button over
the body down to the waist. Both fronts of the coat
were looped with lace, and ten buttons (or in
proportion for boys) set on one side and holes on the
other. The lace was set on the fronts as per the
regiment. The cuffs, collar, wings and shoulder straps
for the Foot Guards and for all Royal Regiments were
dark blue. For all other regiments they were of scarlet
cloth. The pocket flaps and buttons were set on as
stated for their respective regiments and, where the
size of the boys would admit, were to have the same
number. The seams of the coats were laced, but the
bars of lace on the sleeves were at the option of the
Colonel. The cuffs of the Drummers of the Foot
Ensign William Rous, of the Coldstream Guards, after a Lord Charles Vere Ferrar Townshend, 3rd Foot Guards in the Guards were indented, whilst those of all other
painting by Thomas Beach. The brother of John Rous, William uniform of the light infantry company, buttoned across at the regiments were round and were without slits. The
served in the light infantry company and was slightly wounded top. He wears the serpent and lion's mask belt clasp. Drummers of the Foot Guards had three rows of
in the face at Bayonne. The two portraits afford us a good double lace down each front of the coat and two rows
opportunity of comparing the different uniforms worn by the The jackets for Corporals and Private men of the of single lace down the back between the rows of lace
battalion and light infantry company of the Coldstream, the Rifle Corps were of dark green cloth, inferior to that on the seams. The fronts of the coats were edged with
obvious difference being the 'wings' of the flank company of the sergeants but in formation, colour of the collar, lace (besides the loopings) as were the skirts and
compared to the normal epaulette of the battalion company. cuffs and shoulder straps, and in the buttons were pocket flaps, in the same manner as their regiments.
exactly the same. Each corporal wore two epaulettes of The wings of the Drummers of the Foot Guards had
with green cloth. The skirts were rather short and not green and black worsted instead of silk. darts of white silk lace and along with the collar was
turned back, but cut to slope off behind. 1 0 lapels and The jackets for Buglers of the Rifle Corps were of laced round with the same sort of lace, besides which
jackets were made to button over the body down to dark green cloth. In their form, number of buttons both have a white silk fringe. The whole of the other
the waist. They had standing collars which, with the and setting them on, they were similar to those of the lace on the coats of the Drummers of the Foot Guards
cuffs, were of black cloth and feathered with white. rank and file, with the collar, cuff and shoulder straps
There were three rows of buttons on the fronts of the and wings of black lace. The seams throughout were Two views of the 1812-pattern 'Belgic' shako with universal
jackets and 12 in each row; two rows on one side and feathered with white, and there was a black and white shako plate. Note the black tape at the bottom of the false
one row and holes on the other. The buttons were set worsted fringe on each wing. front. This shako was apparently never worn in the Peninsula,

at equal distances but the rows were 7',] inches apart at The jackets for the armourers of the Rifle Corps save for drafts late in the war or by officers who had them sent
the top, gradually reducing to 2',] at the bottom. The were of dark grey cloth and in the formation, number out or obtained them when on leave in England. In spite of the

cuffs were 2\ inches in breadth and were pointed, of buttons and setting them on were similar to the apparent white feathers in the plume this shako was worn by a
opening at the hand with 4 buttons. The pockets were rank and file. The cuffs and collar were of dark green light infantry company. The bugle horn can clearly be seen on
pretty high on the fronts of the jackets and the welts cloth and the seams throughout were feathered with the left side of the shako, and the cockade and cords are
set on sloping. There was a button on each hip and the green. green. This photograph illustrates one of the varieties of the
back skirts were made to fold weLl over. The buttons way in which shakos were worn as regards flank or centre

were small throughout being much raised, with a Drummers and Fifers companies. Foot Guards light companies wore bugle horns
bugle horn and crown over it, engraved. The coats for Drummers and Fifers of the Foot above their shako plate.

26 1802 Dress Regulations 1802 Dress Regulatio11S 27

 Lieutenant Colonel George Collier, Coldstream Guards, An unusual variation of officers' headdress worn during the
painted wearing the uniform of a flank company. The rich gold Peninsular war. The shako is made of strong black felt, with a
lace of the Foot Guards is much in evidence here. Collier was black ribbed silk band around the bottom, black silk cockade,
killed at the sortie from Bayonne in April 1814 and lies buried silver half-ball button and green cords, indicating that this was
in the Coldstream Guards Cemetery, Bayonne. worn by a light infantry officer. It also has an oilskin lining. The
feather is not original. The inside of the shako is stamped with
and for the Drummers of Royal Regiments came the inscription, 'Hat for (?). Paid; two shillings, (value 12/-)
under the denomination of Royal Lace, and consisted Makers C. Oliphant, Cockspur Street, London.'
of blue and white, or blue, white and yellow worsted,
considerably raised above the common lace. The lace described for other regiments except that there were
for Drummer of all other regiments was rai ed in the just eight bunons on the front of the coats and three
same manner and was a mixture of coloured worsted on each pocket flap, which were to slope diagonally.
approaching nearly to the colour of the lace of the
rank and file, but the panern of it was various and was Waistcoats
at the option of the Colonel. The coats for Drummers Waistcoats were plain, without embroidery or lace.
in the Highland regiments were similar to those For the Full Dress uniform of General Officers and of
officers of the Foot Guards, waistcoats were single
Opposite. breasted and were made of white cloth or cassimere.
Two privates of a battalion company, 1st Foot Guards, 1812, The skirts were rather short and with flaps to the
after a drawing by Hamilton-Smith. Both men are wearing their pockets. There were 3 or 4 bunons on the skirts.
grey trousers tucked inside their black gaiters, the style worn Those for the frocks or undres uniforms were of a
by only the 1st Foot Guards at Waterloo. The Coldstream and similar material and form but were without skirts or
3rd Foot Guards wore white trousers at Waterloo. The plume is pocket flaps. All other officer of infantry regiments
white over red, worn with white worsted cotton chain and had waistcoats of similar materials and form a tho e
tassels. The shako plate is brass and has an embossed Garter of the Generals' ndress, but were to be white or buff
Star with a reversed GR in the centre. according to the regiment. The Full Dress waistcoat

28 1802 Dress Regulatio1ls 1802 Dress Regulatio1ls 29

 Two fine views by Atkinson of a private of the 3rd Foot Guards,
1807, just prior to the Peninsular war. He wears tight white
overalls buttoned all the way up the side. He also wears his
hair tied back in a much-hated 'queue', a practice abolished in
1808. He has no knapsack but carries his blanket rolled up.
The regimental star of the 3rd Foot Guards can be seen on his
cartridge pouch. He is wearing the old stove-pipe shako, worn
in the Peninsula. Note the buttons, worn in threes, signifying
the 3rd Foot Guards. Collar and cuffs are dark blue with white
edging.

Opposite.
for officers of the Rifle Corps were white and were of Sergeant and private, 1st Foot Guards, 1812. Both men are
similar materials and form as those for officers of Line wearing greatcoats and have covered their shakos with oilskin
Infantry. The service waistcoat for officers of the Rifle covers. Note the flap at the rear of the cover. From 1808
Corps were of dark green cloth, like the jacket, cut sergeants were ordered to wear the facing colour of the
rather short and without skirts, a standing collar which regiment, dark blue in this case, on their collar and cuffs. Note
with the breast were faced with green cloth, and the the black haversacks worn here. Dighton's paintings, which
pockets made at the breast. There were 22 bunons on are as good as eye-witness material, shows the Guards with
one side of the front and button holes on the other. white haversacks, as do virtually all other sources. Did the
The bunons on all waistcoats were small with a Foot Guards also have some sort of foul weather cover for
uniform button similar to those on the coats. their haversacks? This is the only reference I have found to the
The waistcoats for Sergeants of the Foot Guards Foot Guards wearing black ones. After a print by Hamilton-
and Line Infantry regiments were of cloth nearly Smith.

30 1802 Dress Regulotio17S 1802 Dress Reg/llotio17S 31

 or white wore red waistcoats and breeches, and those coat had a large falling cape to cover the shoulders and
of all other regiments were of the same colour as the reached down to (or below) the calf of the leg.
men.
Stocks
Breeches, Pantaloons, Kilts and Trousers \\'hite tocks were worn by General Officers and
The breeches for General Officers, Officers of the Officers of the Foot Guards in their Full Dress
Guards, Officers of Line Infantry regiments and for uniforms and black silk stocks when in their frocks or
the Full Dress of officers of the Rifle Corps, were of undress uniforms. Black silk stocks were also worn by
the same materials and colours as their wai tcoats. all other officers either of Line Infantry, Rifle or Staff
Officers of the Foot Guards were permitted to wear Corps and by the taff throughout.
white leather breeches with regimental button with Black leather tocks were worn by the NCOs,
their frock uniforms. The service dress of the Rifle drummers, fifers and privates of the Foot Guards, the
Corps was dark green pantaloons with a row of Line Infantry and all other regiments and corps.
black twist down the seams. Officers of Highland
Regiments were to wear the kilt, purse and hose Headdress
similar to their men. Officers of the Royal Staff Corps The uniform cocked hat for officers throughout was to
were permitted to wear blue cloth pantaloons similar be without lace with a crimson and gold cord round
to their men. the crown with crimson and gold rosettes or tufts
The breeches for Sergeants of the Foot Guards and brought to the edge of the brim. A black cockade and
the Line Infantry were of a similar cloth to their coats their uniform button with a gold or silver lace loop
and were of the same colour as the lining. They were according to the regiment. The officers of battalions
made to come well up on the hips and below the knees wore a white feather with red at the bottom, tho e of
as far as the calf of the leg. They were unlined except the Grenadiers were all white and tho~ of the Light
the waistbands, the seams covered, in the inside, on Infantry and of the Rifle Corps were dark green.
the fork, with one pocket on the right side. There was General Officers and those on the Staff wore a white
one small regimental button and white tape strings at feather with red at the bottom, with the loop of the
each knee and another button behind, set above the hat being gilt or ilver cales. The feather for the
knee band, to keep up the garters. whole was the cock's hackle. The officers of the Foot
The breeches for Corporals and Private men of the Guards had gold lace and the usual feather when in
Foot Guards and Line Infantry were similar to those Full Dress unifoml. The officer of the Highland
of the Sergeants and were made from cloth equal in Regiments wore the Scots Bonnet and black ostrich
quality to their coats and were of the ame colour a feather similar to their men. Officers of the Rifle
the Sergeants of their respective regiments. Corps, when in service unifoml, wore cap like their
men.
Greatcoats Caps made of felt and leather \\~th a brass plate,
The Greatcoats for General Officers, Officers of the cockade and tuft were worn by the NCOs, drummers,
Guards, Officers of Line Infantry Regiments and of fifers and privates of the Foot Guards and the Line
Highland Regiments, were made of dark blue cloth, Infantry, except the Highland Regiments. The caps
were double breasted with two rows of buttons and a were made of sufficient size to come completely over
falling collar of scarlet cloth. Blue cuff with slits to the head. It wa worn straight and even and brought
open with 4 small buttons. The pockets opened at the well forward over the eyes. The brass plate featured an
The shako plate, gorget and shoulder belt plate worn by John Highland Regiments were of similar quality to other plait. Buttons were similar to their respective uniforms engraved regimental number on each side of the lion,
Rous during the Peninsular war. The shako plate is gilt, and regiments but were rather shorter on account of the or regimentals. The Greatcoat for officers of the Rifle on the lower part of the brass fronting and those
has a silver garter star with a red enamel cross and blue kilt. Sergeants in the Rifle Corps wore dark green Corps were of dark grey cloth, were double breasted regiments entitled to badges were permitted to bear
enamel backing. The strap and motto are gilt. The shoulder kerseymere waistcoats. They were single breasted with with 3 rows of buttons, a falling collar, cuffs and slits them in the centre of the Garter. The Grenadiers who
belt plate is also gilt and has a silver Garter Star with gilt strap, 12 buttons on one ide and holes on the other, without with 4 small buttons. The collar and cuffs were of dark were allowed to wear these caps occasionally were also
blue enamel backing and a red cross. loopings. The fronts were rather short and there were green cloth. The pockets opened at the plait and the permitted to bear the grenade in the same manner as
no pockets or kirts. The buttons were small and were buttons were similar to the large size of the Full Dress other regiments wore their badge. The tufts worn by
imilar to their coats, and were either white or buff as similar to the ones on the jackets. coat. Battalions were white over red, by the Grenadiers all
the linings of the coat. They were ingle breasted with The waistcoats and breeches for the Drummers COs, drummers, fifers and private men in the white, and for the Light Infantry dark green. The 5th
small buttons on one side and button holes on the and Fifers of all the Royal Regiments were of the same Foot Guards and Line Infantry regiments wore great- Regiment claimed the pri~lege of wearing white
other without lace. They were short and were without colour as that which were ordered for their respective coats made of a dark grey woollen stuff kersey wove, feathers, a distinction gained at St Lucia in 1 98. All
pockets or skirts. \ Vaistcoats for Sergeants in regiments. Those from regiments faced with red, buff loose made, that came well up about the neck. The wore the button of their respective regiments in the

32 1802 Dress Regulations 1802 Dress Regulations 33

centre of the cockade, except the Grenadiers who Generals, Assistant Quartermaster Generals and Foot Guards were of three stripes of crimson, white
wore a grenade. The Rifle Corps wore no brass plate Deputy Assistants to both, and of Majors of Brigades, and blue worsted. Regiments of infantry whose facings
but instead sported a bugle horn and crown with a were of silver embroidery on dark blue cloth, with rich were red wore crimson sashes with a white stripe. The
green cord round the cap. Sergeants, buglers and rank bullion and fringe in similar pattern as those for sergeants of other regiments wore crimson worsted
and file wore green feathers. ADCs. Those for Officers of the Foot Guards were of sashes with a stripe in the colour of the regimental
The caps of the Grenadiers were of black bearskin. gold lace with rich bullion and fringe. Those for facings. Sergeants of the Rifle Corps had sashes of
On the front was the King's Crest in brass on a black Officers of all other regiments of infantry were of gold black, crimson and green worsted. Sashes of sergeants
ground with the motto 'Nec aspera terrent'. There or silver embroidery or lace with rich bullion and of all regiments except Highland Regiments were
was a grenade on the back of the cap, with the number fringe, according to the patterns approved by their worn round the waist over the coat and outside the
of the regiment on it. The Royal regiments and the six respective Colonels. shoulder belt, with the tie and ends hanging on the left
old corps had a crest and a grenade. The badges of the The Adjutant General, the Quartermaster General side. Highland regiments wore them over the left
regiments were white and were set near the top of the of the Forces and the Barrackmaster General in shoulder with the tie and ends hanging on the right
back part of the cap. The height of the cap (without England and their respective deputies were side.
the bearslcin which reaches beyond the top) was twelve distinguished exclusively by wearing two epaulettes. Officers' gorgets were of the same size and form
inches. All other Adjutant Generals, Quartermaster Generals throughout, gilt, with the King's Cypher and Crown
The regiments of Fusiliers wore black bearslcin and Barrackmaster Generals, with their deputies, wore engraved on the middle and was worn with a ribbon
caps and were made in the same manner as those one epaulette on the left shoulder. ADCs to General and tuft or rosette at each end which was of the colour
ordered for the Grenadiers, but were not so high, and Officers of Cavalry wore one epaulette on the lefr of the facings of the regiment, except those which
were not to have a grenade on the back part of the cap. shoulder. Those attached to General Officers of were faced \vith black which were worn with a red
These regiments also wore the felt caps on common infantry wore one epaulette on the right shoulder. ribbon. The gorget was fastened to the upper button
parades like other regiments and with similar tufts. Assistant Generals and Assistant Quartermaster and the lower part of it was not to come below the 5th
Drummers and Fifers wore black bearslcin caps, Generals wore two epaulettes and Majors of Brigade button.
with the King' Crest on the front in brass on a black one. These were similar to ADCs but were silver.
ground with trophies of colours and drums. The "Then a Major of Brigade was attached to cavalry the Boots
number of the regiment was found on the back of the epaulette was worn on the left shoulder and when General Officers, Staff Officers, Officers of the Foot
cap as well as the badge if the regiment was entitled to attached to infantry on the right shoulder. Effective Guards, Effective Field Officers and Adjutants of
wear it. Field Officers of the Foot Guards and of Line regiments of infantry were to wear black topped boots,
Grenadier officers and officers of Fusilier Regiments and Fusilier Regiments wore two while officers of the Rifle Corps and Staff Corps wore Officer's shako plate, 1812, Coldstream Guards. The plate is
regiments wore black bearslcin caps, with gilt epaulettes. All other officers wore just one epaulette, Half Boots. All other officers, except those of the gilt, with a silver Garter Star and a red enamel cross. The strap
ornaments. In dimensions and every other respect which was worn on the right shoulder, except for the Highland regiments, wore black cloth woollen gaiters and motto are gilt with blue enamel backing.
they were similar to those worn by the men. Adjutant of the Foot Guards who were permitted to with small white metal buttons which were to be the
Officers of Light Infantry wore caps of the same wear two, with a small deviation in the bullion, as also same as the men's. Officers of the Guards, when in and the pantaloons. NCOs, drunU11ers and private
materials as that ordered for the rest of the infantry, were officers of the Grenadier and Light Infantry Full Dress, wore white linen gaiters and black silk men of the Royal Staff Corps wore half boots in the
but with a dark green feather and a bugle horn in the companies, and all the officers of the Rifle Corps when garters below the knee. On the march or on Out same way.
front. Officers of Grenadiers and Fusiliers wore caps in Full Dress. The epaulettes for officers of Duties, officers were permitted to wear dark blue
with a white feather and a grenade at occasional Grenadiers had an embroidered grenade on the broad cloth pantaloons. No other colour was permitted. Swords, Sword Knots and Belts
parades but when not required were to wear hats as end of the strap and those of the Light Infantry and Long black woollen cloth gaiters were worn by The uniform sword for General Officers, Officers on
already specified, except for a gilt or silver grenade Rifle Corps had an embroidered bugle horn. NCOs, drummers, fifers and privates of the Foot the Staff, Officers of the Foot Guards and of Line
instead of button, and with a white feather. Guards and Line regiments. They came up over the Regiments, was the same; the 1796-pattern infantry
Sashes and Gorgets breeches to the edge of the cap of the knee and were officers' sword. It had a brass guard, pommel and
Epaulettes Sashes for General Officers, Staff Officers and all rounded off so as to cover the knee band of the shell, and gilt, with the grip or handle being of silver
The straps of the epaulettes for General Officers Officers of infantry regiments were of crimson silk, breeches behind, without appearing to have a crease or twisted \vire. The blade was straight and was made to
(except for the Full Dress coa t) were of gold and were worn round the waist but over the coat, a wrinkle, and were fastened behind to a Regimental cut and thrust, one inch at least broad at the shoulder
embroidery on scarlet cloth according to the pattern excepting the Highland regiments. General Officers button set on sufficiently high above the knee band to and to be 'strong and substantial'. The scabbards were
of the button holes, which with a rich bullion and and Staff Officers wore their sashes under their waist prevent any opening from appearing between the black with gilt mountings. The Officers of the
fringe formed the epaulette. Those for their ADCs belts whilst all others wore theirs on the outside of the gaiters and the breeches. The gaiter buttons were Highland Regiments wore a broadsword, whilst that
were to be embroidered on dark blue cloth according shoulder belt, with the knot and ends on the left side. small and were of white metal and set at equal carried by Officers of the Rifle Corps was a sabre,
to the pattern of their button holes, with a rich bullion The officers of the Highland regiments wore them distances. similar to that of the light cavalry. Sword knots were
and fringe. Those for the Adjutant General, the across the left shoulder, outside the belt, with the knot Sergeants of the Rifle Corps wore half boots and crimson \vith gold stripes. The hilts of the swords
Quarternlaster General and the Barrackmaster and ends on the right side. The sashes for sergeants of the rank and file, buglers and armourers short black were either gilt or silver according to the colour of the
General, and also their deputies, were of silver the 1st Foot Guards were crimson worsted with a woollen cloth gaiters, with small white metal buttons, buttons of the regiment.
embroidery on scarlet cloth, similar in pattern to the white stripe, those of the Coldstream Guards were which came up sufficiently high above the ankles to The swords for sergeants of the Foot Guards and
General Officers. Those for Assistant Adjutant crimson worsted throughout, and those of the 3rd prevent any opening from appearing between them of Line Regiments were the same. They had a brass

34 1802 Dress Regulations 1802 Dress Regulations 35

hilt with the grip being of brass twisted wire which, pouch by a strap and button. Attached to the pouch
with the blades, were of the exact dimensions as those
of the officers. The swords were worn above the coat,
and covered by the flap was a small leather pocket,
used for carrying spare flints, rurnscrews, etc. The
Facings and Lace
across the right shoulder in a buff belt of the same Foot Guards wore their badges on the flaps of the
width and colour as the men's with a buckle or plate pouch.
on the breast. The belts for the pouches and bayonets were worn
Drunm1er's swords had a straight blade, 24 inches crossways over the shoulders and were of buff leather,
long, with the hilt, grip and mounting similar to 2'/1 inches wide. They were coloured white for all
sergeants' swords. regiments except those whose facings were buff. The
Pikes were carried by the sergeants of the Foot belts of these regiments were buff. The belt was
Guards and Line regiments, except light infantry and fastened to the pouch by two small buff straps and
Rifle regiments. Sergeants of the light infantry carried buckles lli1der the pouch. The plate of the shoulder
muskets and bayonets. Their pouches were smaller belt had the regimental number upon it and was
than the men's but were of the same design and were placed so as to cover both belts where they met on the The following chart lists the facing colour and lace of
plain. The belts were the same width as the men's also. breast. The sling for the musket was of buff leather, those British infantry regiments which served in the
Sergeants of the Rifle Corps carried rifles and sword 1\ inch wide and was the same colour as the pouch Peninsula and at Waterloo. They are adapted from the
bayonets. The pouch was smaller than the men's and and bayonet belts. 1802 Dress Regulations. Although officers' lace is
the flap was ornamented with a brass lion's head. The The pouch for Rifle regiments had a wooden box listed there are many contradictions witlUn various
belt was similar to the men's. They also carried a green for 12 rounds and another capable of holding 24 sources as regards other ranks' lace. Therefore, only
ivory whistle, Eke the officer's, and a powder flask and rOlli1ds. The flap of the pouch had no ornaments and the style of men's lace is shown, e.g. bastion shaped
horn like the men. The sword belt was worn round was rounded at the corners and was fastened (loops with the outer ends shaped like a bastion),
the waist and was the same form and width as the underneath with a strap and button. The pouch belt square (square-ended loops), or pointed. The
111en's. was of black leather, 2'/, inches wide, which was arrangement of the lace is also shown, e.g. pairs or
Swords were carried in a white belt round the fastened to the pouch by straps and buckles similar to single loops. Note that the 3rd Foot Guards' lace
waist, but over the coat, by General Officers and by Line regiments. They also had a powder horn laying arrangement was in threes, denoting the 3rd
Officers on the Staff. All other officers, except the on the outside of the top of the pouch which was Regiment, of course.
Rifle Corps, carried their swords in a buff belt of the suspended by a green cord that passed over the belt
same breadth and colour as the men's with a silver or and across the left shoulder. A small powder flask was The Full Dress uniform worn by Lieutenant Colonel William

gilt plate or buckle according to their lace. \!\Then on kept on the breast, suspended from the neck by a Miller, of the 1st Foot Guards. The gold lace on the front of the

duty the belt was worn on the right shoulder and over green cord. The sword bayonet belt was of black coat is extremely broad and is edged dark blue. The facing

the co,n. \!\Then off duty it was to be worn under the leather and was the same width as the pouch belt. It colour of the collar is scarlet, the cuffs dark blue. The coat is

coat and over the waistcoat. The Officers of the Rifle was worn round the waist and over the jacket, to lined with white silk.

Corps carried their swords in a black leather belt which the carriage for the sword bayonet was fixed, as
round the waist on which the mounting was silver. well as a ball bag which hung almost in front of the Regiment Fncings Officers'Lnce Othel' Ranks
The belt was the same breadth as the men's. body. The sEng for the rifle was of black leather, 1\
inches in breadth. 1st Foot Guards blue gold bastion, single
Equipment Coldstream Guards blue gold pointed, pairs
Sixty munds of ammunition were to be carried by Pistols 3rd Foot Guards blue gold pointed, threes
every man of each infantry regiment and by the Foot Officers of the Rifle Corps, besides their swords, 1st (Royal) blue gold square, pairs
Guards when upon active service, twenty-four of carried a small pistol in a pouch worn with a black 2nd (Queen's Royal) blue silver square, single
which were carried in a tin case furnished by the leather belt across the shoulder, the flap of the pouch 3rd (East Ken t) buff silver square, pairs
Board of Ordnance. This magazine was covered with ornamented with a silver lion's head and a chain with a 4th (King's Own) blue silver bastion, square
black leather and was delivered complete with buff green ivory whistle on the front of the belt at the 5th (Northumberland) gosling green silver bastion, square
straps and buckles which were fastened to the bayonet breast. 6th (1st Warwickshire) deep yellow silver square, pairs
belt. The remaining 36 rounds were carried in a pouch 7th (Royal Fusiliers) blue gold square, single
in which there was a double box of wood bored with Pioneers 9th (East Norfolks) yellow silver square, pairs
this number of holes. The flap of the pouch was plain, Each Pioneer carried an axe, saw and an apron, lOth (North Lincoln) bright yellow silver square, single
except for the Foot Guards, and the bottom part of exclusive of accouu'ements, and arms like the rank and 11 th orth Devon) full green gold bastion, pairs
the corners were rounded and fastened underneath the file. 14th (Bedfordshire) buff silver bastion, pairs
20th (East Devonshire) pale yellow silver square, pairs
23rd (Royal Welch Fusiliers) blue gold bastion, square
Hth (2nd Warwickshire) willow green silver square, pairs
26th (Cameroruans) pale yellow silver square, pairs

36 1802 Dress Reglllntio11S Fncings nnd Lnce 37

 ----
Regiment Facings 0ffiCl?rS' Lace Otber Ranks

27th (Enniskillen)
2 th Ci"orth Gloucestershire)
buff
bri ouh t .vellow
gold
silver
square, single
square, pairs
Cavalry
29th (\"arcester hire) yellow silver square, pairs
30th (Cambridgeshire) pale yellow silver ba tion, single
31 st (Huntingdonshire) buff silver square, single
32nd (Cornwall) white gold square, pairs
33rd (1st Yorkshire We t Riding) red ilver bastion, pairs
Hth (Cumberland) bright yellow silver square, pairs
36th (Herefordshire) go ling green gold square, pairs
37th (North Hampshire) yellow sih-er square, pairs
38th (I st Staffordshire) yellow silver square, single
39th (Dorsetshire) pea green gold square, pairs Three regiments of the Royal Household troops Coat Facings Lace Remarks
40th (2nd Somersetshire) buff gold square, pairs fought under Wellington. The 1st Life Guards, 2nd Life
42nd (Royal Highland) blue gold bastion, square GUf11'ds and Royal Horse Guards 1st Life Guards
43rd (Monmouthshire Light Infantry) white silver square, pairs The De Bo set Diagrams of 1803 give regimental Scarlet Blue Gold Loops in pairs
44th (East Essex) yellow silver square, single colours, facings, etc., as follows: 2nd Life GUf11'ds
45th (1st Nottinghamshire) deep green silver bastion, pairs Scarlet Blue Gold Scarlet collar, blue collar
47th (Lancashire) white silver square, pairs patch. Loops in pairs
48th (Northamptonshire) buff gold square, pairs Royal Horse Guards
50th (\Vest Kent) black silver square, pairs Dark Blue Scarlet Gold No loops on lapels
51 st (2nd Yorkshire, "Ve t Riding,
Light Infantry) deep green gold square, pairs Wellington directs the battle at Vittoria, June 21 st 1813. Note Captain Sir William Robert Clayton, Royal Horse Guards, 1816,
52nd (Oxford Light Infantry) buff silver square, pairs the 'mameluke' type sword hanging at his left side. Wellington wearing his Waterloo medal. He is carrying the Household
53rd (Shropshire) red gold square, pairs himself was quite a dandy and could often be found discussing cavalry pattern heavy cavalry sword. Dark blue uniform, with
57th (\Vest Middlesex) yellow gold square, pairs the latest fashions with his servants. scarlet facings edged gold.
58th (Rutlandshire) black gold square, single
59th (2nd Tottinghamshire) white gold bastion, square
61st (South Gloucestershire) buff silver square, single
62nd (\Viltshire) yellowish buff silver square, pairs
66th (Berkshire) yellowish green silver square, single
67th (South Hampshire) pale yellow silver square, pairs
68th (Durham Light Infantry) deep green silver sq uare, pairs
69th (South Lincolnshire) willow green gold square, pairs
71st (Glasgow Highland Light Infantry) buff silver square, single
73rd Foot dark green gold bastion, single
74th (Highland) white gold square, single
76th (Hindoostan) red silver square, pairs
77th (East Middlesex) yellow silver square, single
79th (Camerons) dark green gold square, pairs
81 t Foot buff silver square, pairs
82nd (The Prince of Wales's Volunteers) yellow silver bastion, pairs
83rd Foot yellow gold square, pairs
84th (York and Lancaster) yellow silver square, pairs
5th (Bucks Volunteers) yellow silver square, pairs
87th (Prince onVales's Irish) green gold sq uare, pairs
88th (Connaught Rangers) pale yellow silver square, pairs
91stFoot yellow silver square, pairs
92nd (Highland) yellow silver square, pairs
94th (Scots Brigade) green gold square, pairs
9 th (Queen's Germans) blue silver square, pairs

3 Facings and Lace Cavab)' 39

 The 16th Light Dragoons at Fuentes de Onoro, May 3-51811. A private of the 3rd (King's Own) Dragoons, wearing the
The men are still wearing their old Tarleton helmets. unsatisfactory Grecian type helmet with black and red woollen
crest, heavy cavalry sabre and grey overalls.
The drawings done in 1812 by Charles Hamilton-
Smith show the following changes: regiments saw little action in the Peninsula, mainly
1st Life Guards owing to the fact that the country in northern Spain
Scarlet jackets with blue collars and cuffs with gold and southern France was unsuitable for cavalry. They
lace. Square-ended loops in pairs on blue lapels. did, however, see service during the Waterloo
2nd Life Guards campaign of 1815, where they comprised the
Scarlet collar with blue patches on fronts. Household Brigade. v\Then the Household Cavalry
Royal Horse Guards arrived in the Peninsula they were wearing the 1812-
Dark blue jackets with scarlet collars, cuffs and pattern uniform. Prior to this they wore the large and
lapels. Gold lace. Yellow buttons, no loops on lapels. most cumbersome bicorne hat and white breeches. In
Buff breeches. the Peninsula they wore the so-called 'first-pattern'
The three Household cavalry regiments did not heavy cavalry helmet, made of leather with a brass
arrive in the Peninsula until lovember 1812, just as comb and horsehair mane. This was replaced in 18H
Wellington's army contemplated its disastrous retreat with a similar type of helmet except that the mane was
from Burgos. Other than entering the battle of replaced by a woollen comb. The 1st and 2nd Life
Vittoria towards the end of the fight, the three Guards wore scarlet jackets with blue facings, whilst
the Royal Horse Guards wore dark blue jackets faced
A private of the 1st Royal Dragoons, 1815, wearing the 1812-
with scarlet. Both regiments sported gold lace as well
pattern helmet with black horsehair mane. The regiment
as a gold and crimson girdle. Grey or light blue
captured a French 'eagle' at Waterloo. He is armed with the
1796-pattern heavy cavalry sword and heavy cavalry carbine. This portrait of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Webster, 9th Light
The suspension ring on the back of the carbine can just be
Dragoons, shows him with a lmameluke' sword, much
seen. favoured by light cavalry officers.

40 Cavahy Cavahy 41
 A print by Andrew Weir, dated 1811, showing a fight between a The 10th Hussars at Benavente, December 29th 1808. The
British 15th Hussar and a French 8th Dragoon, at Sahagun, on hussars wear their pelisses in the cold weather. This was the
December 21 st 1808. The British hussar is shown wearing his occasion when Private Levi Grisdale, of the 10th Hussars,
pelisse slung over his shoulder, rather than actually wearing it captured General Lefevre-Desnouettes, a favourite of
as he almost certainly did on this extremely cold December Napoleon himself, who watched the fight from the southern
day. The 1796-pattern light cavalry sabre can be seen cutting banks of the River Esla.
towards the Frenchman's head. Good detail of the hussar's
shabraque can be seen also. , Gold lace for the officers but white loops for the
men.
overalls were worn on campaign.
Five regiments of Dragoons saw service. The 1st The changes depicted in the Hamilton-Smith
Royal Drago07lS, 2ud (Royal North Bl'itisb) Dragoons, 31'd drawings of 1812 were:
(King's Own) Drago07lS, 4tb or Queen's Own Dragoons All jackets were shown as red with cuffs and collar
and the 6th (bmiskilling) Dragoons. of the facing colour. The lace at the front of the jacket
went right up to the front of the collar. Lace and
Regiment Coat Facings Laee e.e1l1arks girdles had stripes in solid colour.
1st Scarlet Blue Gold Loops in pairs
2nd Scarlet Blue Gold' Loops in pairs. Regiment Coat Facings Lace GiI'dle
Men's lace wrute 1st Red Blue Yellow Yellow
3rd Scarlet Blue Gold Loops in pairs 2nd Red Blue White Yellow
4th Scarlet Green Silver Loops in pairs
This Woollen painting shows some of the equipment carried
6th Scarlet Yellow Silver Loops in pairs
by the 10th Hussars during the retreat to Corunna. The
A private of the 7th Hussars on active service in the Peninsula. 1796-pattern light cavalry sabre, suspended by slings is clearly
This cavalryman is holding his carbine and wears his pelisse visible, along with black leather sabretache, blanket and mess
slung over grey service overalls, buttoned up the side. ~ tin.

42 Cavalry Cavah)' 43
 Captain Sir William Loftus Otway, 18th Hussars, painted
wearing the 1812 uniform with bell-topped shako. Blue jacket,
white facings and but10ns and silver lace. White sash with blue
barrels. His grey pantaloons have a very ornate design running
down the seams.

3rd Red Blue Yellow Yellow

4th Red Green V\'hite VVhite
6th Red Yellow Yellow VVhite

p until 1812 the dragoons wore a single breasted

jacket with buttons, lace loops and wings. The 1812
jacket was single breasted but had a broad band of lace
down both fronts. Cuffs were pointed and were in the
regimental facing colour, as were the collars and A fine portrait of Sir Bellingham Graham, 10th Hussars, 1810.
turnbacks. On active service dragoons wore grey He appears to have the 1788-pat1ern light cavalry sabre. Note
overalls reinforced with leather insides and bottoms. the very rich detail of his pelisse which hangs over his left
VVhite gauntlets were worn also. The old bicorne hat shoulder.

Opposite. was still worn, and continued to be worn after 1812

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Francis Mellish, 10th Hussars, and until replaced by the 1812 pattern helmet which
Assistant Adjutant General for a while in the Peninsula. He is featured a leather slnJll and peak, protected by metal
carrying the 1788-pat1ern light cavalry sabre. Note the elabor- scales. The front plate bore the Royal Cypher and
ate cap lines and tassels. The theatrical-like plume is worthy of regimental title. The chinstrap was also covered with
note as is his cap itself. It appears to be very similar to the metal scales and the whole was surmowned by a black
'watering' cap or the mirleton but no peak is discernable. horsetail fixed to a fluted metal crest. A most attractive

44 Cavalry Cavah)' 45
 Regiment Coat Fadngs Lace Rl!1l1m-ks
1st Scarlet Blue Gold Loops in pairs
3rd Scarlet White Gold Loops in pairs
4th Scarlet Blue Silver Loops in pairs
5th Scarlet Green Gold Loops in pairs

The Dragoon Guards wore jackets with the front

edged with a band of vertical lace.
The Hamilton-Smith drawings of 1812 showed the
following changes:
The jackets of all Dragoon Guards regiments were
red with facing colour and cuffs_ The collars had red
patches on the fronts. Jackets had broad lace down the
fronts and worsted girdles with stripes. Breeches were
white.

Regimem Coat Facings Lace" Gil-die

1st Red Blue Gold Yellow
3rd Red vVhite Gold Yellow
4th Red Blue White White
5th Red Green Yellow Yellow
" Officers' lace was either gold or silver.

Save for a few details, such as square cuffs and a

different type of lace, the jacket, helmet and overalls
worn by the Dragoon Guards was almost identical to
that worn by the Dragoons. Armament was similar
also, the 1796 pattern Heavy Cavalry sword, Heavy
Cavalry carbine and pistol.
Four regiments of hussars served in the Peninsula
and at Waterloo. They were the ttb (Queen~ Own)
Hussars, 10tb or Prince of Wales~ Own Hussars, 15tb Tbe
King~ Hussm-s and 18tb King~ h-isb Hussars.
The De Bosset Diagrams of 1803 give regimental
colours, facings, etc., as follows:

Regiment Jacket Facings Lace

7th Hussars Blue White Silver
10th Hussars Blue Yellow Silver
15th Hussars Blue Scarlet Silver
18th Hussars Blue \Vhite Silver
Captain the Hon. H. Cecil Lowther, 7th Hussars. Blue jacket, slightly cumbersome, 1796 pattern Heavy Cavalry A fine painting by Harry Payne of a dismounted private of the
with silver lace and red and gold barrelled sash, white sword, with officers' versions having a more ornate Uniform changes of 1812 were depicted in a chart 15th Hussars_ He is holding his light cavalry carbine in his right
breeches. The 7th wore white fur-trimmed pelisses but hilt. They were also armed with the Heavy Cavalry drawn by Charles Hamilton-Smith, in 1812. All four hand whilst his light cavalry sabre hangs at his left. Dark blue
Lowther appears to have a dark coloured fur on his. carbine and pistol. hussar regiments wore blue jackets and white jacket, white scarlet facings edged white. His white breeches
There were four regiments of Dragoon Guards breeches. Facings, braid and buttons and sash details were replaced by grey overalls on campaign.
helmet. The 2nd Royal North British Dragoons, or which saw active service in the Peninsula or at were as follows:
Scots Greys to give them their more romantic title, Waterloo. The 1st King~ Dmgoon Gum·ds, 31·d (p1-ince of barrels
wore a black bearskin cap with brass plate at the front, 1¥i7/es~) Dmgoon Guards, 4tb (Royal Irisb) Dragoon Regiment Facings Bmid & Buttons Sasb 15th Hussars Scarlet vVhite Crimson,
gold or yellow cap lines and a white plume worn on Guards and the 5tb (princess Cbm·/otte of 1¥i7/es~) 7th Hussars White White \Vhite, Blue white barrels
the left side of the cap_ There was a red cloth patch on Dmgoon Gum-ds. barrels 18th Hussars White vVhite White, Blue
the rear of the cap bearing the \Vhite Horse of lOth Hussars Scarlet White Crimson, barrels
I-Ianover. They were armed with the fearsome, but yellow

46 Cava")' Cavah)' 47
By the time of the \Naterloo campaign of 1815 some Officers' sabretaches were decorated with regimental dragoon helmets caused \Nellingron no end of grief
changes had been made to the hussars regiments' devices or badges. owing to its similarity with the helmet worn by French
facings, buttons and lace: A total of eight regiments of Light Dragoons cavalry. The shako had reinforced rear and tops,
The 7th Hussars had blue facings, gold lace and served in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo. They possibly as a result of complaints about the hussar fur
buttons for officers and yellow for rank and file. were the 9tb Ligbt Dragoo71S, 11 tb Ligbt Dragoons, 12tb caps which provided little protection against enemy
The lOth Hussars facings were blue (from 18H), (prince of f#1les's) Ligbt Dragoons, 13tb Ligbt Dragoons, sword cuts. The shakos had lace bands and braid front
gold lace and buttons for the officers, yellow for rank 14tb 01' Ducbess of Ycwk's own Ligbt Dragoons, 16tb 01' ornaments and were either gold or silver with gold or
and file. Queen's Ligbt Dragoons, 20th Ligbt Dragoons and the silver chin scales and matching holders for the feather
The 15th Hussars wore scarlet facings, silver lace 231'd Light Dragoons. plume. Cap lines were gold and crimson mixed cord.
and buttons for officers, white for rank and file. The De Bosset diagrams of 1803 give regimental The shako worn by other ranks was basically the same
The 18th Hussars had white facings, silver lace and colours, facings, etc., as follows: except white or yellow ornaments replaced the fancier
buttons for officers and white for rank and file. officers' versions, plumes were woollen and cap lines
All four hussars regiments had worn the fur cap in Regiment Jncket Fncings Lnce yellow instead of gold. Chin scales were brass.
the Peninsula. This was brown with a red bag 9th LD Blue Pale buff Silver Officers' buttons were gilt or silver, other ranks being
although officers of the lOth Hussars apparently wore 11th LD Blue Pale buff Silver pewter. Officers' epaulettes were gold or silver, other
a grey fur cap with red bag, yellow cap lines and 12th LD Blue Pale yellow Silver ranks were yellow or white. Otherwise, apart from a
yellow metal chin scales. Rank and file of the lOth 13th LD Blue Pale buff Gold difference in quality, officers' jackets were virtually the
Hussars wore the same brown cap as the other three 14th LD Blue Orange Silver same as other ranks.
regiments. The 18th Hussars had a bright blue bag 16th LD Blue Scarlet Silver On active service grey pantaloons or overalls were
with yellow lines and yellow metal chin scales. In 20th LD Blue Yellow Silver worn, strengthened with either brown or grey leather
1812, however, the 7th, lOth and 15th Hussars 23rd LD Blue Crimson Silver on the inside leg. Officers' overalls had two stripes of
adopted the dark blue and scarlet bell-topped shako, lace running along the outside seams, the colour of
of which Wellington complained so much, it having a In 1812 new uniforms were issued. The chart drawn their buttons. Other ranks had two stripes on the
very similar appearance to the French shako. The 18th by Charles Hamilton-Smith gives the following outside seams which were the same as the facing
Hussars appear to have worn the fur cap throughout details: colour of the regiment. Officers' girdles were gold
and, indeed, both the 7th and 15th Hussars returned with two crimson stripes, other ranks being of the
to the fur cap for the Waterloo campaign in 1815. Regiment Fncings Lnce & Gil'dle facing colour with two blue stripes.
Hussar uniforms consisted of laced jackets and Buttons • Officers' pelisses were almost the same as their
laced pelisses, trimmed with fur. They wore white 9th LD Crimson Yellow \Nhite, 2 blue stripes jackets, lapels being square cut and the linings being
pantaloons of leather or cloth. Hussar boots were 11th LD Pale buff White Buff, 2 blue strips the colour of the regiment's facings. Cloaks were dark
tasselled. Officers' jackets and pelisses were made of 12th LD Yellow White Yellow, 2 blue blue with linings of the regimental colour.
fine cloth and, in the traditional hussar fashion had stripes Equipment was fairly similar to Hussars, with
fine gold or silver lace, according to regiment, with 13th LD Buff Yellow Buff,2 blue officers' pouch and sword belts faced with gold or
fine interlocking braid work and complex knots and stripes silver lace. Pouch belt fittings were silver. Sword belt
braiding at the cuff end of the sleeves. Undress jackets 14th LD Orange White Orange, 2 blue stripes clasps were similar to those worn by the Light
for officers and other ranks were simpler, and less 16th LD Scarlet White Scarlet, 2 blue Infantry, i.e. snake head. Dress sabretaches had blue
ornate than the service uniform jacket. Blue flannel stripes facings with a universal design of gold lace edging, the
stable jackets were worn by the rank and file with 20th LD Orange Yellow Orange, 2 blue stripes Crown over 'GR' Cyphers and sprays of laurel.
white duck trousers. According to Hamilton-Smith, 23rd LD Crimson White Crimson, 2 blue stripes Leather pouches with solid silver flaps bearing the
Officers' sashes were crimson silk cord for the lOth * Officers' lace and buttons either gold or silver. Crown and Cypher. Other ranks had white leather
and 15th Hussars with gold woven barrels and tassel pouches and narrow white sword belts, except for the
ends. They were wound round the waist about twice 9th, II th and 13th who had buff leather belts. Pouches An officer of the 5th Dragoon Guards, 1812, in undress with

and were fastened with a toggle at the back, the had brass fittings whilst the pouches themselves were watering cap. His grey overalls are reinforced extensively with

tasseled ends being fastened in front. Other ranks of of black leather, as were the other ranks' sabretaches. brown leather bottoms and insides.

the lOth and 15th wore red sashes with yellow barrels.
The 7th and 18th Hussars wore white sashes with blue
barrels. On active service hussars wore grey or dark
blue overalls, while many artists depict them wearing
white pantaloons, particularly those who painted the
cavalry actions at Benavente and Sahagun in 1808.
The overalls were reinforced with wide black or tan
leather seams. Equipment included leather pouch belt,
pouch, waist sword belt with slings and sabretache.

48 Cnvnhy Cnvnby 49
Royal Artillery

The uniform worn by the Royal Artillery was based on of the coat was decorated with rows of yellow bastion
regulations laid down in 1799. Officers' uniform ended tape. In 1 06 other ranks adopted the infantry
consisted of a blue double-breasted coat with scarlet shako. The new 1812 Dress Regulations altered the
piping on the leading edge. Collar and cuffs were Royal Artillery's dress. The coat remained blue with
scarlet with no ornamentation except for the bunons. scarlet collar and cuffs, but it had four gold lace bunon
The coat could be worn open at the top and bunoned loops on the cuffs and gold lace gorget tabs on the
back in order to show the scarlet cloth lining. A collar. The lapels were turned back to form a plastron
crimson waist sash was worn, knotted at the left side front with rows oflace on each side. On December
with tassels hanging down. Breeches were white with 2-+th 1811 the Belgic shako was introduced with a
black leather boots. The men wore a blue, single
breasted, short-tailed coat with red collar and cuffs, Norman Ramsay's Royal Horse Artillery at the battle of Fuentes
edged in yellow worsted tape. Red cord bunon loops de Onoro, May 3rd-5th 1811. Cut off by French hussars,
were woven on the cuffs. Shoulder straps were red Ramsay's troop had to ride through the cavalry to make their
with yellow tape edging and worsted tufts. The front escape.
Another view of the Royal Horse Artillery in action. The officer crimson sash was worn round the waist. Other ranks'
has drawn his 1796-pattern light cavalry sabre, carried by the uniform was almost the same except that a white
artillery. The uniform in general resembled that worn by the cross-belt with rwo sword slings was worn along with a
light dragoons prior to the introduction of the 1812 clothing. brown leather holster which was anached to the
After a painting by Woollen. waistbelt on the left side. Grey overalls were worn
with a broad red stripe down the outer seam of each
black beaver false front for officers and a felt one for leg. These overalls were reinforced with brown leather
other ranks. Lines were of white cord and the plate around the bottom of the legs.
was a crowned oval with the GR cypher within it and a
mortar and two flaming grenade below it. However, Corps of Captains, Commissaries and Drivers
like the infantry officer, it is almost certain that few Prior to 1 96, drivers were drawn by civilian
officers actually wore the Belgic shako in the contractors who supplied horses for the artillery. This
Peninsula. Other ranks continued to wear the 1 99 practice ceased in 1796 with the fornlation of the
uniform save for yellow worsted button loop. corps of Captains, Commissaries and Drivers. Their
uniform wa very similar to that worn by the Horse
Royal Horse Artillery Artillery, with a light dragoon helmet with a dark blue
The uniform of the Royal Horse Artillery c10 ely turban. A print by Hamilton-Smith shows the Drivers
resembled that of the light dragoon. The helmet was wearing a white plume on the left side, and blue shell
essentially the light dragoon 'Tarleton' with a crimson jacket with red collar and cuffs and yellow cord
turban tied in a rosette at the back. It had a bearskin frogging on the front. Just prior to the Peninsular
comb on the top and across the front above the peak \Var, the jacket was altered and the yellow frogging
was a band in gilt with the words 'Royal Horse removed and a row of fifteen bunons added instead.
Artillery'. A gilt badge sat on the ride side of the \Vhite breeches and black leather riding boots were
helmet with a white plume on the left. In 1799 a shell worn although grey reinforced overalls replaced these
jacket replaced the old coat, with a fully frogged front on active ervice. \ Veapons carried by the Royal
in gold for officers and yellow for other ranks. A Artillery included the traight-bladed 1796-pattern
----
Royal Al1:iIlI!1J' 5/
50 Royal t111:ille,.y
infantry officers' sword and the 1796-pattern light between this W1it and the Corps of Guides, a small
cavalry sabre, which appears to have been the norm body of men raised by the Quartermaster General for
for the Royal Horse Artillery. Both carbines and the purpose of acting as guides and interpreters. By
pistols were carried also. the end of the Peninsular \ Var, however, the corps was
involved in the gathering and transmission of
Royal Engineers intelligence and even in the preparation of maps. In
Royal Engineers wore a blue coat with black facings. June 1809, \Vellesley had written, 'I have been
Yellow metal buttons on the front of the coat, with endeavouring to form a corps of guides, that is to say,
yellow buttons in fours on the cuffs and on the false one of officers and non-commissioned officer, who
pockets. Regulation breeches were white with either should be interpreters between our people and those
Hessian or Hussar boots. Epaulettes were gold lace of the country, who must show them their roads. \ Ve
and were the same order as infantry officers. Crimson have got some officers, but we want non-
sa h, gilt shoulder belt plate bearing the Royal commissioned officers.'
Cypher. The cocked hat bore the white Ordnance
plwne. The 1812 uniform changes introduced a new
coat of scarlet cloth, faced with 'garter blue' velvet,
laced in gold loops at the inner end and at the bottom
of the cuffs. ""hite breeches with white embroidered
knots on the thighs. 1796 pattern infantry officers'
words were worn.

Royal Sappers and Miners

Service dres consisted of a plain red jacket with blue
collar, cuffs and shoulder straps. Blue grey overalls
with red stripes at the sides, with a row of regimental j\ <j)-,\l. AHTII.1. 1-: l: r.
buttons. Headdress consisted of a cap made of black
leather with flaps to the front and rear. The front flap Opposite
flap bore the RS&M legend in brass. Full Dress Top left.
uniform consisted of a red coat with blue facings, Two gunners of the Royal Artillery, 1815. Dark blue jackets,
even-spaced yellow bastion shaped lace loops, single with red collar and cuffs edged yellow, white breeches and
forward-pointing loop with a single button on each 1812-pattern shako. Note the white leather cartridge pouch
side of the collar, with four loops on the cuffs as well with regimental badge.
as a yellow stripe. Breeche were white with black
knee-length gaiters. Regulation shako with a white Top right.
Ordnance tuft. A private of the 9th Light Dragoons, showing the 1812-pattern
uniform of which Wellington complained. After a drawing by
Royal Wagon Train Hamilton-Smith.
Blue coatee with red facings, and white lace.5quare
lace loops. Overalls were worn on active service with Bottom left.
white breeches and black gaiters on Full Dress. In A corporal of the 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars,
1812 the uniform was altered and the jacket was red after a drawing by Hamilton-Smith. Dark blue dolman and
with blue facings. Officers wore extensive ilver lace pelisse with scarlet facings. The shabraque is scarlet with
on breast and sleeves with a bell-topped shako, similar white shark-tooth edging.
to that worn by Light Dragoons.
Bottom right.
Staff Corps of Cavalry Colonel Peter Hawker, 14th Light Dragoons, 1812. This fine
Basic wliform was a red jacket with blue facings, white portrait illustrates the elaborate lace worn not only by Light
piping and red and blue girdle. Overalls were worn on Dragoons but by Hussars. He wears grey trousers with two
active service with a Light Dragoon bell-top shako thin red stripes. The sash is crimson with gold barrels and gold
with white lace, metal furniture and red plume. The tassels. He also carries the 1196-pattern Light Cavalry sabre,
work of the Staff Corps included giving assistance to designed by John Gaspard Le Marchant. Hawker fought at
the Provost Marshal in patrolling camps and dealing Talavera and wrote an account of the campaign. He also wrote
with stragglers, etc. There was much overlapping Insfructions to Young Sportsmen.

52 Roynl A17i//C1) Roynl A17i//C1) 53

Sahagun, December 21st 1808 chasseurs, hurting them backwards and causing the dragoons
to turn and run. The British hussars quickly warmed to their
During Sir John Moore's campaign in the winter of 1808-09, task and hacked and hewed their way through the enemy
two outstanding actions were fought by British cavalry, under ranks to leave thirteen officers - including two lieutenant
the command of Lord Henry Paget, at Sahagun and colonels - and 157 men killed, wounded or taken prisoners at a
Benavente. On the freezing morning of December 21 sl, Paget cost to themselves of just fourteen casualties.
was in the saddle along with the 10th and 15th Hussars bound The 15th Hussars wore blue dolmans with scartet facings
for Sahagun where he planned to make a surprise attack on a and siler lace. Pelisses were blue and were most certainly
small force of French cavalry. The French cavalry commander, worn on this cold winter's morning. Captain Gordon, of the
Debelle, had neglected to post any vedettes other than a 15th Hussars, wrote later that it was so cold during the
guard on the main road. The guard was quickly surrounded morning that some of the men could not feel their horses'
and taken before it realised what was happening although one reins or could not handle their sabres property. He also said
French trooper did manage to escape and rode back to that as many of the 15th Hussars wore cloaks it was often
Sahagun to raise the alarm. Within minutes trumpets stirred impossible to tell just who was who in the dim grey light of the
the shivering French troopers into life. Paget immediately dawn. Many of the hussars also wore oilskin covers over their
ordered General Slade to charge into the town with the 10lh fur caps to protect them from the weather. Painting by Richard
Hussars while he himself took the 15th Hussars and dashed Hook.
round to the rear of the place in order to sever the French
cavalry's escape route. Without waiting for the 10lh Hussars,
who had yet to appear, Paget formed his own troopers and
with a cheer charged straight into the town. The two French Above.
regiments, the 8th Dragoons and 1st Provisional Chasseurs, The crossing of the Bidassoa, October 7th 1813, by James
were still in the act of forming and the sudden appearance of Beadle. Much detail in the painting including Royal Horse
Paget's sabre-wielding troopers had an unsettling effect on Artillery, left, Hussars in the centre and a long column of
them. Debelle had twice as many men as Paget but this infantry. Note also the Spanish guide behind the leading
counted for nothing as the 15th Hussars crashed into the hussar.
 Military Dress on Campaign

The 1 02 Dress Regulations were the basis of all cloth, the men being forced in tead to patch their
Briti h infantry dre at the time of the beginning of threadbare jackets with whichever colour was available
the Peninsular \ Var. However, by the time the men to them. Trouser were likewise far from being
had been exposed to one or two Portuguese storms, regulation, a large number of\Vellington's men being
and subsequently dried out by a blistering sun, few of forced to wear improvised trou er made from
them could have looked like the sort of soldier laid out blankets or from local Spanish cloth. These are not
in the regulations. Indeed, I would go so far as to say fanciful illusions but are based upon fact, handed down
that, judging from the wealth of eye-witness accounts to us by the very men who had to resort to uch
left to us by \\ ellington's men, few of us today can methods in their daily fight to pre erve their existence.
really have an idea of just what the British soldier This chapter is based olely on eye-witness accounts
looked like on campaign. Red faded to a dusty brick and looks at some of the non-regulation and more
colour, ri£le green faded to black or brown, whilst few unusual items of dress worn by both officers and men
jackets were actually patched with the correct colour during the \ Vaterloo and Peninsular campaigns.
part from the colour of the facings, the unifomls
Opposite. worn by the infantry, according to the official dress
Top left. regulations, were no different from regiment to
A fine portrait of an unidentified officer of the 1st King's regiment, namely, a red jacket with either grey or
Dragoon Guards. The broad gold lace is clearly seen here, as is white breeches or trousers. The riflemen of the 95th
the ornate red and gold waist sash. The officer wears the 1812- were the exception, of course, the regiment being
pattern cavalry helmet which proved unsatisfactory and which decked out in green, as was the 5th Battalion 60th
was replaced by a second helmet, very similar, except the Regiment. However, as the non-practicalities and
woollen black and crimson crest was replaced by a black deficiencies of some items of the uniform became
horse-tail mane. It was this second helmet which the King's apparent, a great deal of improvisation began to occur,
Dragoons Guards wore at Waterloo. He is leaning on his 1796- so much so that Robert ,\Iercer, of the Third Guards,
pattern Heavy Cavalry officers' sword. wrote on December 22nd 1 10 - still at an early stage
of the Peninsular \Nar - 'Every person here dre ses as
Top right. he likes. These fancy dresses occa ion much surpri e
An officer of the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, 1811. This portrait and horror to the martinets who arrive from London.'
illustrates the so-called 'watering cap', with upturned peak, Mercer's views were echoed later on by John Cooke,
white over red plume and a star bearing the Castle of of the 43rd, who wrote, 'as to any other uniformity for
Inniskilling motif within it. Note also the very elaborate cap the officers, it was quite out of the question; the
lines. The overalls are grey with reinforced leather bottoms. fantastical dresses of those days would have
Two silver or light blue stripes run down the outer seams. confounded the most ancient or modern
di ciplinarians.' These 'fancy dresses', as Mercer calls
Bottom. them, were occasioned by condition in the field,
A fine painting by Harry Payne of a dismounted private of the conditions which started almost from the first day of
15th Hussars. He is holding his light cavalry carbine in his right each man's service. After all, whenever the Briti h
hand whilst his light cavalry sabre hangs at his lett. Dark blue army landed, particularly on the t1anctic coast of
jacket, white scarlet facings edged white. His white breeches Portugal, they had to jump from their landing crafts
were replaced by grey overalls on campaign. into the sea in order to gain the beach. Therefore,

56 j\![ilitm) Dress 011 Campaign iHilitm) Dress 011 Campaigll 57

The 1st Foot Guards embarking for Corunna, September 1808. caps, pocket-handkerchiefs, &c. &c. in proportion.' jacket; leather bucker; 15 cakes of soap; boot jack; I Charles Stadden's painting of the 3rd Foot Guards at Talavera
After a painting by Loutherbourg. This very detailed painting We are also indebted to George \ Voodberry, of the dressing gown; 2 blankets; I rug; I bearskin bed; on July 28th 1809. The Guards got carried away with
shows the men wearing a variety of legwear including blue 18th Hussars, who described his appearance at the dressing case; writing case; 10 books; I pair hussar themselves on this occasion and suffered heavily in pursuing
trousers, white breeches and loose white trousers. The beginning of the 1813 campaign that would lead to pistols; I pocket pistol; I powder flask; 1 pouch belt beaten French columns. Note the black knapsack with the
knapsacks of the men in the boat are brown with the regiment Vittoria. 'The Regiment paraded in watering order (plain); dres sword; dress sabretache; plain sword; regimental badge painted upon it. The Guards are wearing
badge painted on them. thi morning, when we received our orders respecting plain sabretache; sword knots; racing jacket; 2 feathers; loose white trousers, as they did at Waterloo. A corporal
the review tomorrow. The lOth and 15 th I understand 6 pair boots; I pair shoes; 2 pair slippers; I hussar pipe stands right foreground with the two white lace chevrons. The
their uniform were becoming oiled almost from the brought out the whole of their Review Furniture, we (complete); hus ar horse accoutrement (complete); 2 bare-headed officer in the centre is Robert Dalrymple, killed
word go, in addition to which I imagine the journey had none, therefore, shall not be equal to them in horse cloths; 2 horse blankets; I plain saddle; 2 plain during the battle. Note also the sergeants with their pikes
from England to the Peninsula was not without some appearance. However, there is one comfort, our dress bridles; pack saddle, bridle, etc. (complete); 3 shoe guarding the Colours in the background.
sort of discomfiture and re ulting wear and tear to will be more becoming a Regiment on ervice than brushes and black].; 2 clothes brushes; oil skin and
uniform, cooped up as they were aboard the tran port either of the other. Most of the day employed myself straps (to go over the baggage).' course, these rations were all subject to availability
ships of the Royal I avy. arranging of packing up my clothes, etc., preparatory It is rather interesting to compare vVoodberry's which, for the most pan in vVellingron's army, was not
We are fortunate that one or two of\Vellington's to our marching up the Country to join the army campaign kit with that ofJohn Spencer Cooper, of the a problem, ave for unpleasant episodes such as the
men left us detailed descriptions of the clothing and under Lord Wellington. Had the whole of my baggage 7th Fusiliers, as he too marched towards Vinoria. retreat from Burgos.
equipment they took to the front. Gleig, of the 85th, on the mule and find he can carry it well. I take the Cooper listed his kit, with the weight of each item, as One of the first tasks facing a British officer upon
arrived in the Peninsula in 1813 with the following following articles with me: 2 pelisses; I jacket; I dress follows; , I Fusee and Bayonet, 14; I pouch and sixty arrival in Portugal or Spain was to procure a baggage
items in his portmanteau; 'In one of these waistcoat; 4 regimental pantaloons; 3 white rounds of ball, etc., 6; I canteen and belt, I; I mess mule. Every Thursday, at the Rocio, an area on the
portmanteaus, then, I deposited a regimental jacket, pantaloons; I leather pantaloons; 2 blue waistcoats; 2 tin, I; I knapsack Frames and Belts, 3; I white jacket, northern side of Lisbon, a large horse, pony and mule
with all its appendages of wings, lace, &c.; two pairs of white waistcoats; cotton drawers; 2 flannel drawers; 3 \ 2 shirts and three Breasts, 2 1/,; 2 pairs of shoes, 3; I market was held where British officers could be found
grey trousers; sundry waistcoats, white, coloured, and flannel waistcoats; 12 hose; 4 black handkerchiefs; 6 pair trousers, 2; I pair gaiters, 1/,; 2 pairs tockings, I; 4 haggling with Portuguese vendor, anxious to relieve
flannel; a few changes of flannel drawer; half a dozen pocket handkerchiefs; 2 foraging caps; I hussar cap brushes, bunon stick, comb, 3; 2 cro belts, I; pen, 'Johnny I ewcombe' of hi purse. \Villiam Thornton
pairs of worsted stockings, and as many of conon. In ,vith oilskin cover; I cap line; I sash; I pelisse line; 3 ink and paper, 't,; pipe clay, chalk, etc., I; 2 tent pegs, Keep, of the 2 th Regiment, arrived in Lisbon in
the other were placed six shirrs, two or three cravats, a pair gloves; 2 night caps; canteen, breakfast and dinner \.' In addition to this kit Cooper had to carry his ovember 1812 and was one such officer in need of a
dressing case competently filled, one undress pelisse, service complete; I leather trunk; double saddle bags; rations, consisting of three days' bread (3 lbs), two mule. 'We are in orders to march to join the army by
three pairs of boots, two pairs of shoes, with night- basket with socks, etc; spy glass; great coat; flannel days' beef (21bs), and a canteen of water (3Ibs). Of the end of this week,' he wrote to his mother,

58 j\;Iilitary Dress 011 Campaigl1 Militmy Dress 011 Campaign 59

A British infantry private taking two French officers prisoner in the army were exposed for what they were - mi erable,
the Peninsula. Grey overalls and stove-pipe shako. cheap and totally inadequate, so much so in fact that
some oldiers said they broke up on the first day of the
'allowing us these few days to prepare ourselves and campaign. During the retreat of Sir John "loore's
provide animals for conveyance of baggage, etc. I have an11Y through the bleak, snow-covered mountains of
only been enabled to purchase the half of a donkey Galicia, the British an11Y endured terrible
with Ensign elson, for which we paid 33 dollars, this depri\'ations, made worse by the poor footwear worn
kind of cattle is in such high reque t here just now. To by the men. Boots and shoes were simply sucked off in
tell you the truth, I was more choice in my pannier the slu hy, muddy roads and hundreds of men were
than about the arumal to carry it. These are basket forced to march bare-footed, their sore, bleeding feet
trunks slung across the Donkey's back in equilibrio ( as leaving bloody red trails as a testament to their boots'
you may have seen the bags of brick dust convey'd inadequacies. The First Guards suffered along with
about London). They make them here of various kinds the rest of the army but owing to their superior
with great ingenuity. I chose one of leather, with a discipline and esprit de corps they were one of the few
padlock, and it will contain all that is needful. This units to maintain discipline and as we shall see later,
one donkey serves for two of us, each having a trunk Moore were moved to remark upon their splendid
apiece. I hope, nevertheless, to purchase a mule to
carry a pair of grey panniers for my own use and by Opposite.
and bye (the great point of ambition among us) £15 or The pre-1812 pattern infantry coat, as worn by Ensign Scott,
20 will be necessary to do this.' George L'Estrange, of 3rd Foot Guards. The broad gold lace worn by the Foot
the 31 st, paid 100 dollars for his pony, and a further 80 Guards' officers is clearly seen here, as is the dark blue
dollars for what he called a long-legged ugly mule. edging. The rear pockets and diamond-shaped lace in the
\ \ e may like to begin our look at campaign dress in small of the back can be seen also. Scott was wounded at
the British army \\~th footwear, for it was during one Talavera on July 28th 1809, and a bullet hole is clearly visible
of the first campaigns in the Peninsula, the ill-fated beneath the right shoulder. The epaulette would appear to
Corunna campaign, that the wretched boots issued to have been added at a later date.
---
60 ,Hilitmy Dress 011 Campaigll .\lilitmy Dress 01/ Campaign 61
The 26th Foot at the battle of Corunna, January 16th 1809, between the thin inner and outer soles there was a The 7th (Royal) Fusiliers at the battle of Albuera, May 16th difficulty was, when French shoes were taken at the
showing the sort of uniform worn by the British army in the layer of clay. Needless to say, as soon as the boot was 1811. The advance ofthe Fusilier Brigade turned the tide of surrender of the Retiro at Madrid, to induce the men
early years of the war. immersed in water they dissolved. Brunei set to work the battle. The men here are wearing grey trousers and wear to quit the easy, well-fitting, and pliant sandal, for the
designing a new improved boot for the army and the their brearskin fusilier caps. Note also the wings on their hard and cumbrous leather shoe.' These 'sandals' were
appearance when they arrived at Corunna. However, following year filed a patent for it. It was to be a jackets. indeed most comfortable to wear, so much so that, as
this was not accomplished without pain and suffering further two years, however, before the British Stepney Cowell stated, when the army entered Madrid
and there were more than a few barefooted government decided to place an order for Brunei to Blackman wrote that the Foot Guards had 'marched many of them could not be persuaded to use captured
Guardsmen when the ships of the Royal Navy spirited supply all boots for the army but once this had been their shoes off' which must rank as something of an French shoes that were found in the Retiro, so well-
them away safely to England. done production climbed to some 400 pairs of boots indictment of army boot design. fitting were they. Many of the men were still lacking
When the battered wreckage of Moore's army per day. The issuing of the new boots came towards 'With no prospect of replacements forthcoming, shoes the following year when they began to embark
reached England there was one particularly interested the close of the Peninsular War, by which time Wellington's men frequently adopted the mode of upon the Pyrenees campaign. Fortunately, they were
spectator standing on the dock watching in horror as "'Tellington's men had resorted to several different footwear used by the Spanish muleteers, raw cattle provided with light hempen sandals which were made
the dishevelled, ghost-like figures dragged themselves alternatives to the standard issue army boot, but when hides cut into shape and used as a sort of sandal, as and worn by the local people and these were well
along the quayside, their lacerated and festering feet Wellington's men defeated Napoleon's army at John Stepney Cowell, of the Coldstream Guards, suited to the steep and slippery slopes of the
swathed in tattered bloody bandages. The shocked Waterloo in 1815 they were wearing the Brunei boot. recalled: 'Another material consideration on service is mountains.
onlooker was Marc Isambard BruneI, the father of the Footwear was a major problem for Wellington's the men's shoes. After the battle of Salamanca a John Patterson, of the 50th Regiment, gave his
great engineer, Isambard Kingdom BruneI. Marc army and his men would try anything to ease the circumstance occured to the First Division of the army own humorous verdict on army footwear. 'And as for
Brunei was an inventor in his own right and when he problem, ranging from the wearing of captured enemy in relation to this. With no immediate means at hand shoes, 0, what a falling off was there! with sole and
saw the miserable wretches coming off the ships he footwear to the wearing of cow hides cut to the shape to supply them with others, they had fairly marched body in a state of separation, the partnership was
inunediately began to enquire as to just how many of the feet. On March 28th 1812, Ensign John Lucie their shoes off; they adopted the system of the Spanish
men had been lost or had suffered due to poor Blackman, of the Coldstream Guards, wrote from muleteers, and resorted to the raw hides of the fresh- Following pages.
footwear. The results of his enquiries came as Abrantes, 'Our reason for staying here so long is that killed bullocks, which had been slaughtered for their The storming of San Sebastian, August 1813. Some of the
something of a shock as figures revealed that as many the men may get new shoes and other necessities they food. They placed their foot on the warm hide, and officers are wearing greatcoats as well as the old cocked hat,
men were lost through faulty footwear as from enemy may be in want of as they will not have another cut out a sufficiency to cover this most vulnerable part which by now had been superseded by the shako. The men
action. opportunity till we arrive at Elvas.' And yet by the of a soldier's person, and making a sandal of it have left their knapsacks in camp, as was the practice when
Upon examining the boots BruneI found that time of the battle of Salamanca, just four months later, marched on with ease and glee. Afterwards, the storming fortresses.

62 Militmy Dress on Call1paign Militmy Dress 011 Campaign 63

64 Militar] Dress 011 Campaign IHilitary Dress 011 Campaigl1 65
Sergeant Newman, of the 43rd Light Infantry, organising the hutters. It is all over \vith us. I must shut up hop;
stragglers at Betanzos during the retreat to Corunna, January Ensign Churcrull withdraws rus custom from me.'
1809. Several details can be seen in this picture, including the Other evidence for the short life-span of army boots
artilleryman with carbine, stove-pipe shakos, and a bugler with can be found in various references in the letters of
bearskin. Guards officers reque ring new boots from England,
amongst whom were Ensigns John Lucie Blackman
about to be dissolved. They could not be said to have and John Rous, both of the Coldstream Guards.
held out to the last, for as they approached their end, Regimental cobblers were bedevilled by the shoddy
they were something like the Irishman's brogues, that construction of the army boot wruch kept them busy
were happily supplied with holes to let the water out for most of the time. And, of course, the cobblers, ljke
as fast as it rushed in, and gave our feet the advantage llifleman Benja.run Harris of the 95th, had extra loads
of an excellent portable bath.' to carry in addition to their own kit. They had to carry
Perhaps the flimsiness of contemporary boots can leather for repair work, se\ving and cutting tools and,
be illustrated by an anecdote from Ensign Rees worst of all, a smalliapstone which, as Harris rumself
Gronow, of the First Guards. \¥hen Sir John Shelley said, 'I took the liberty of throwing to the devil.' mountains to Corunna it was an army relatively short Wellington giving orders to a group of officers prior to the

went into Hoby's the booonaker of Stjames he Towards the end of the Peninsular campaign, by which of experience and the campaign rughlighted not only storming of Ciudad Rodrigo, January 19th 1812. The two

complained that his boots had split in several places time Wellington's army had become a finely-tuned the deficiencie of bad boot design but also the officers are wearing light infantry uniforms whilst the men

and upon being asked how thjs had happened, Shelley fighting machine, 'the finest for its numbers in inexperience of the British soldier, something which themselves are wearing greatcoats. When the army marched

replied, '\¥hy, in walking to my stable.' Hoby was Europe', as \Vellington himself put it, the problems had largely disappeared by the time Welljngton's men from Ciudad Rodrigo after the storming, the Coldstream

taken aback. '\Nalking to your stable! I made the boots wruch had be et regimental cobblers like Harris had crossed the Bidassoa into France. Indeed, as we have Guards' greatcoats were in such a poor state that they simply

for riding not walkillg.' On another occasion Hoby largely been ironed out. The amlY supply system was seen, the men had adopted the local 'sandals', they left them in the breach!

wa visited by Ensign Horace Churchill, of the First second-to-none, and the problems of poor footwear wore improvised shoes cut from cow hides and, more
Guards, who said that ru boots were so ill-made that had largely been overcome as we have seen by a important, were blessed with an improved upply As befitted the Foot Guards, the officers and
he would never use Hoby again. Churchjll must have combination of improvisation, good supply and by sy tern which kept them well stocked with the sort of NCO took great pride in their appearance but the
previously spent a large sum of money in Hoby' shop experience, wruch counts for much. \ Vhen Moore's supplies wruch had been sadly lacking in the early rigours of the Penin ular campajgn took their toll and
for when he left Hoby said to his assistant, 'John, close army was pushed back through the Galician years of the war. before long their uniforms were quite djfferent from

66,\1ilit01) Dress 011 Campaigll ,Hilitary Dress 011 Campaigll 67

 tho e worn in Stjames' Street and along Pall ;\lall. instead of a sash; Bull wore beard and moustache; 0
Indeed, the overall appearance of the Guards was such did Newland; I wore the moustache. The usual dre
that Ensign John Stepney Cowell, of the Coldstream of hussars was frock coat open, \vith a red wai tcoat
Guards, was moved to write in 1 12 that, 'in the richly laced \vith gold. At that time our regimental
haberdashery line we were all a little like those troops pantaloons were pepper-and-salt, with straps of brown
with which Falstaff, from a delicate sense of propriety, leather inside the legs and round the bottom, and a red
would 1I0t march through Coventry.' stripe down the seam.'
Changes to the regulation unifornl were made Not all officer were as relaxed about regimental
purely out of necessity and although the l\'COs of the uniform, as an extract from the diary of George
Guards did their best to ensure the men looked their vVoodberry illustrates; 'Cop~' of the Order re pecting
best even they, after a couple of Spanish summers and the dress of the officer tomorrow for the Review by
Portuguese winters, were forced to accept that non- order of Colonel ;\1urray. Luz, Feb 23 rd 1 13.
regulation items of clothing were part and parcel of 'The Regiment \vill as emble at Luz in Review
campaign life. It was just as well, therefore, that Order tomorrow morning at I,) past 8. Neither officers
Wellington himself apparently cared little what his or men are to wear their cloaks which are to be left at
men looked like provided they were well stocked with home. As the officers have not their Horse Review
ammunition. Indeed, as early as Tovember 1810, Furniture, only the plain blue sharabraque and
vVilliam Grattan, of the 88th, wrote, 'The army was in Regimental sheep skin to be worn, and leather horse
the highest state of discipline; and tho e gentlemen collars, and plain Hussar bridles.
who had, or fancied they had, a taste for leading the 'The officers will wear white leather pantaloons,
fashion, had now a fine opportunity of bringing their white leather sword and pouch belts. Regimental fur
talents into play. VVith such latitude it is not to be caps, caplines and feathers. Regimental jacket, Hussar
wondered at that our appearance was not quite as sash with three rows of gold knots in front according
uniform as some general officers would approve of; to order. The Regimental silver sabretache. The
but Lord Wellington was a most indulgent officers as well as the men must wear their peli e
commander; he never harassed us with reviews, or slung. The order on the subject of officer' dress,
petty annoyances....Provided we brought our men into being thu fully detailed, no excuse will be taken from
the field well appointed, and with sixty rounds of good any officer appeared dressed in any other manner. James Beadle's fine painting of the 4th King's Own, storming infantry on the march, something which he noted, also
ammunition each, he never looked to see whether 'The Lieut-Colonel trusts that both officer and San Sebastian in August 1813. They were led by Lieutenant in July 1811. 'Seven regiments of light infantry and
their trousers were black, blue or grey; and as to men will turn out in a manner creditable to the Maguire who had worn a white feather in his hat to make riflemen defiled before u \vith their threadbare
ourselves, we might be rigged out in all the colours of Regiment. If the men turn out ill, they have no excu e himself more conspicuous. Unfortunately it worked too well as jackets, their brawny necks loosened from their stocks,
the rainbow if we fancied it. The consequence was, whatever for they have everything requi ite for their the French shot him dead. In a later painting he is shown their wide and patched trousers of various colours, and
that scarcely two officers were dressed alike! Some appearance in Review Order, though the officer have wearing the cocked hat. brown barreled arms slung over their shoulders.' It is
with grey braided coats others with brown; some again not their Review Furniture, still if they make their interesting to note the reference to the 'brown
liked blue; while many from choice, or perhaps servants turn out their plain bridles and furniture well green. Never was seen such a motley group of fellow. barreled arms' which the light infantry carried to stop
necessity, stuck to the "old red rag." Overalls, of all cleaned, they will have quite as soldierlike appearance I luckily got ome French shirts and other articles, or I the sun reflecting on them which often gave their
things, were in vogue, and the comical appearance of a as the more plendid Review Furniture of the other hould be nearly naked.' This was in 1811, barely the positions away to the enemy. Compare Cooke's
number of infantry officers loaded with leather two Regiments of Hussars.' Obviously, the halfway point of the Peninsular \Nar. That his jacket de cription with that of his uniform worn at
bottoms to their pantaloons, and huge chains Lieutenant-Colonel was keen that his men make an had gone brown in the bright sun was not an Shorndiffe camp, prior to the war. 'Our uniform was
suspended from the side buttons, like a parcel of effort to smarten themselves up and, reading between uncommon occurence. In fact, some of the dark green plain, faced with green, but suddenly altered owing to
troopers, was amusing enough.....The "cut-down" hat, the lines, I would suggest that there had been quite a jackets worn by the 95th went extremely dark, almost an officer of expensive habits, who ordered a new coat
exactly a span in height, was another rage; this bit of indulgent dressing on the part of his hussars. black. Many of the riflemen of the 95th who had to be made and covered with a profusion of gold lace,
burle que on a chapeau was usually out-topped by Wellington himself was considered a dandy and fought in the Peninsula later journeyed to South in which he appeared at the mess-table, and so
some extraordinary-looking feather; while, again, rarely wore his full uniform, choosing instead to don America to join the partisan armies of Bolivar and San captivated his companions by his rich display, that a
others wore their hats without any feather at all - and civilian garb, usually a blue coat and buff breeches. Martin, and fought their old Spanish allies during the unanimous burst of admiration broke forth.' Cooke
indeed this was the most rational thing they did.' The Commander-in-Chief had the benefit of good savage vVars of Independence. Many of them wore also left us a vivid description of an army on the march
The point about \Nellington not being particularly quarters, servants and valets, but for the majority of their old Peninsular uniforms which by then had gone in August 1812: 'the officers sleeping as they rode
fussy about his men's dre s is borne out by Captain his men maintaining one's appearance in the Peninsula completely black, prompting the locals to call them along after the fatigue of the previous night, still
Cavalie .\lercer, of the Royal Horse Artillery, who was difficult. The follO\ving are just a few accounts 'the black rifles'. dressed in their ball attire, such as crimson, light blue,
wrote in 1815, 'The Duke onVellington was so which illustrate just how badly the uniform, both One of Simmons' comrades in the Light Division, or white trousers, richly embroidered \vith gold or
indifferent to the manner in which officers dressed, officers' and men' , faded. George Sinlffions, a famous James Cooke, of the 43rd, has left us a marvellous silver, velvet and silk waistcoats of all colours,
that they indulged in all sorts of fancies. I remember diarist of the 95th Rifles, wrote that, 'clothes are account of his adventure in the Peninsula. His decorated in a similar manner; dandies ready alike for
at this inspection, Ramsay wore the light cavalry belt expensive and bad. ;\ly jacket is brown instead of writings lend support to the descriptions of threadbare the dance and the fight; most of them had received a

68 ,Hili/my Dress 011 Campaign ,'vlilitmy Dress 011 Campaigll 69

wound, and other more, nor can I call to mjnd one of when the forests were damp. I have often observed
the officer present at this time, including the enior these ponderous kettle turned bottom upwards, and
officer, who had reached twenty-five years of age. encircled by ten or twelve weather beaten soldiers,
Owing to the heat of the weather, it wa the fashion of who, with empty stomachs, stepped forward, one at a
the times to wear the jacket open, which was the only time, and each of them in turn rubbing his blacking-
particle of dress left to denote to what nation we brush on the sooty part of the kettle, blacked his dusty
belonged.' shoes, cap-peak, canteen strap, and knapsack.'
The shabby nature of the uniforms of Well ingron's George Wood, of the 82nd, was another soldier
men can best be summed up by the men themselves. whose uniform suffered at the hands of the Iberian
Fortunately, the Peninsular \-Var produced an climate. 'Our coats were patched over with different
unrivalled crop of memoirs, journals, and letters from colour cloth, for which purpose we had even cut off
which we have been able to glean much useful our skirts. My own coat was mended with the breeches
infonnation as regards clothing. VVilliam \ Vheeler, of of a dead Frenchman, which I found on the field - the
the 51st, wrote in January 1812, '\Ne were on duty only trophy I yet had to boast of having retained from
every other night, our clothes worn thin and wrecked the poils of the enemy. In this state we marched for
by the fatigues of the former campaign. It was difficult Sali bury, when we were invited to dine \vith the
to tell to what regiment we belonged, for each man's Mayor and Corporation of that town. It so happened
coat was like Joseph's 'a coat of many colours.' James that I sat next to a major of the local mjlitia, whose
Anton's experience was no different, Servi/lg with tbe splendid uniform and sparkling epaulettes, contrasted
4211d High/andel·s, he wrote in December 1813, 'the with my thread-worn patched jacket and mud-like
clothing of the army at large, but the Highlanders in looking shoulder-knot, once so brilliant on these
particular, was in a very tattered state. The clothing of parades.' And yet this wa as early as 1 09, when the
the 91st Regiment had been two years in wear; the British anny had hardly been in the country for very
men were thus under the necessity of repairing their long. If the rigours of campaigning took such a toil
old garments in the be t manner they could; some had after just a few months in the field what on earth did
the elbow of their coats mended with grey cloth, the men really look like when they had been in the
others had the one half of the sleeve of a different field even longer. It was a similar case \vith John
colour to the body; and their trousers were in equally Patterson, of the 50th. Admittedly, he had taken part
as bad a condition as their coats.' One ofJames in the Corunna campaign of 1808-09, but should just a
Cooke's other accounts of the men in the Peninsula few torrid months on the march really have taken such
shows us the gritty, earthy side of the soldier's life, the a toil on a man's uniform? He wrote, 'Our clothes
more practical side. 'Previously to our advance, the were worn to rags, the jacket being no better than "a
greatcoats belonging to the soldiers were delivered thing of shreds and patches", metamorphosed from
into store, it being considered that the blanket was a red to a sort of muddy claret colour; the other
sufficient covering for them at night, the more garments were in good keeping; unmentionables, of
particularly as tents were served out for the use of the every shade and colour, were inexpres ibly worn our,
whole anny, in the proportion of three to each and pieced in a manner that would have qualified the
company, to be carried by the mules that had fonnerly wearer to perfonn the part of Harlequin. The whole
conveyed the iron camp-kettles for cooking; instead of attire was sunnounted by a nondescript article,
which a light tin kettle, between every six men, was vulgarly called a cocked hat, which, glazed with a
sub tituted, to be strapped on their knapsacks, and substance that had once had a polish, formed a good
carried alternately on the march. Each man was reservoir for rain, its angular point answering the
provided with a reasonable supply of neccessaries, purpose of a waterspout, while the flap hanging over
including three pairs of shoes, and an extra pair of the dorsal region, like that of a London coal heaver,
soles and heels, in his knapsack. The iron kettles were
very heavy, and were carried on the backs of mules, Opposite.
one of which was attached to each company; but, A Dighton print dated May 1811, showing Sergeant Patrick
when near the enemy, and the baggage had been ent Masterson, or 'Masterman' as it says here, of the 87th
to the rear, these unwieldy and capaciou kettle were Regiment taking the 'eagle' 01 the French 8th Line Regiment.
not at all times to be laid hold of. Besides, it occupied Masterman is wearing grey overalls buttoned along the seams.
the soldiers a considerable time to cook their rations, He is armed with the 9-loot sergeant's spontoon and sword.
particularly in the extensive plains, where only stubble The stove-pipe shako is shown to good effect, with shako-
could be procurred; and al 0 during the rainy eason, plate, black cockade and white over red plume.

70 Mi/itmy Dress on Campaign Militmy Dress 011 Campaign 71

imparted to the owner, a look of a most dubious September 1810. 'We here received our new helmets
character.' from England, and not before they were wanted. The
\Vhen the Coldstream and 3rd Foot Guards old ones were completely worn out, and so warped by
marched from Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812 their the sun that the men could carcely wear them. They
greatcoats were so badly worn out that they simply left are bad things for a soldier, only looking weU for a few
them in the breaches, in pite of the cold weather at months; the fir t rain puts them out of shape. All the
the time. \\That a state they must have been in for siker to the edging comes off \\~th both men and
them to have to resort to such a cour e. \ Villiam officer, and the ooner we adopt some other
Thornton Keep, with the 2 th, had his own greatcoat headdress the better.' Tomkinson's wish for a new
modified to suit his own taste and left a nice design came in 1812 when a completely new design of
description of his uniform and equipment, and yet helmet wa i sued to replace the old, and one has to
another insight of how \Vellington viewed his men's say much more attractive, 'Tarleton' helmet, worn by
appearance. 'I have had a grey greatcoat made with a the Light Dragoons. This, however, was something
few marks of my vanity attached to it, and have set the which iritated Wellington somewhat and he
tailors to work at a forage cap. Our noble commander complained that the new helmet looked too much like
I must tell you cares little how we equip ourselves, and that worn by the French. It was to be some time,
leaves it entirely to our convenience and option. however, before all the cavalrymen were equipped
Among the vagaries this license admits of, I ordered with the new helmet.
the said article to be made of cloth similar to the coat A new design of infantry shako was also issued in
but in the form of the Westminster Scholar's caps, but 1812 and was a most attractive headdress. However, it
after it was finished I was not so proud of it, as I is generally accepted that few soldiers ever wore it,
expected to be, and thought it too grotesque and save for drafts which came out to the Peninsula late in
pedantic.' Keep went on to say, 'Delmar has just the war. The 28th actually wore their old stovepipe
arrived from England and has brought a forage cap shakos at Waterloo. Some officers did, nonetheless,
with him....and for that I have gladly exchanged my wear the new shako, only because they were able to
new and extraordinary one. It is of light grey, \vith a order it from England at their own expense. John
black tassel and broad band of velvet. \Vith this, and Rous, of the Coldstream Guards, was one such officer.
said coat, sash round my waist, black belt and sword, He wrote to home to his parents towards the end of The 52nd Light Infantry on the march to Talavera, July 1809. difficult, and every soldier has a long welsh flannel
grey trousers, shoes and black gaiters, you may figure the war requesting the new shako. 'InViUiam [his The stove-pipe shako is much in evidence here, as are the waistcoat, with sleeves, and does not suffer at aU from
my equipment, which is the same as worn by one half brother] has not left England before you receive this, grey trousers. Note the sergeant with his pike. One man, cold in the wrist.' Green, of the 68th, also commented
the officers here. On parade occasions the Regulation pray desire him to bring for me a new cap from Cater's marching with his shako upon his musket, appears to have on the length of these flannel shirts, the long sleeves
cap only is worn, but universally covered up \vith oil [milliners], plain black cloth with a round peak, a gold loosened his stock around his neck. of which were most welcome. 'Arrived in good health
skin concealing its ornaments. We all therefore look band round the cap; mine is completely worn out.' at Pedrogo , with about eight hundred new flannel
equipped for bad weather, even in the very finest.' The gold band round the peak can be seen in the took to pulling down the sleeves of their long \Vel h shirts for the regiment; the shirts were full sized, \vith
This latter comment about parades is most interesting. portrait of Sir Henry Sullivan, also of the Coldstream flannel shirts over their hands which were then tied to long sleeves, which I have no doubt had a tendency to
It would appear, therefore, that in some regiments, Guard , which is featured el ewhere in this book. "Ve form a sort of crude glove. The officers could not do preserve health more than linen shirts could do.'
even on parades the non-regulation clothing was worn know that Sullivan wore his 'Belgic' shako in the this and 0 instead a number of them had 'muffatees' \Vhen Green was wounded in September 1813 he was
and, as Keep says, only the shako was obligatory. Even Peninsula because his portrait was done during a sent out from England which were normally knitted sent to hospital and given a white uniform. He
here, he and his brother officers wear an oilskin cover period of home leave. Sullivan was killed during the by 'the prettiest ladies we know,' according to Ensign described it thus, 'All our regimental clothing was
to protect it, even it good weather, whereas we usually sortie from Bayonne in April 1814 and almo t John Rous, of the Coldstream. \Vhen he wrote home taken from us, and put into the store-room; each man
associate the oilskin covers with foul weather only. certainly wore hi new shako at the time. on September 17th 1813 to ask for some muffa tees, he received a complete suit of hospital clothing,
The shapes of shakos and cavalry helmets were, of \Vhen the new 'Belgic' shako was ordered for said they were worn by a few officers but said that the consisting of a long coat, a flannel waistcoat, a pair of
course, more difficult to retain than any other item of 1812, a change in jacket design was likewise issued. To ladies should not knit any for the soldiers as it would trousers, and a shirt, to which was added a flannel cap.
clothing or equipment. nlike a jacket or pair of replace the old long-tailed coatee, a short jacket, of the make them too tender and added that they would not Our uniform was complete, all being dressed in white.'
trousers that simply had to be sqeezed into, a shako or sort already worn by light infantry companies, was to keep them more than six hours! \Vhen he received the The extremes of the Iberian weather also caused
helmet had to stay on the soldier's head. After just a be worn. John Mills, of the Coldstream Guards, muffatees he wrote home saying, 'You may depend on both officers and men to adopt suitable measures.
couple of showers, followed by a period of hot sun, received the news of these new designs in October my taking the greatest possible care of the Muffatees, mbreUas, for instance, were very fashionable
hakos were prone to warp badly, often forcing the 1811 and did so \vith ome trepidation. 'We are all in which \vill be of great use in the \vinter, at the same amongst the officers of the Foot Guards, not only to
men to perform balancing acts in order to keep them consternation at the idea of the dress of the army time you may be as ured that the soldiers will never keep themselves dry, as witnes ed in the celebrated
on their heads. Oilskin cover were provided, of being altered from cocked hats and coats to cap and keep anything that they are not obliged, nor are they 'incident of the umbrella' before Bayonne in
course, but quite often even these, in the long run, jackets. Ye heavens, what \vill become of crooked legs, permitted on service to have anything in their December 1813, but also to provide shade beneath the
could not prevent the sort of damage described by large heads, and till larger hinder parts?' During the possession which is not a regimental necessary. One blistering summer sun. The weather, of course, paid
Tomkinson, of the 16th Light Dragoons, in cold winters in the Peninsula many of the Foot Guards would ea ily be lost, but to replace it would be cant regard to rank or social standing and when

72 ,Hilit07y Dress Oil Campaigll ,VIilit07y Dress Oil Campaign 73

 The 48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment at Talavera, July 28th men pointing at them, with a malicious satisfaction,
1809. Colonel Donellan, seriously wounded, takes off his saying, "There goes three thousand a year," or, "There
cocked hat and gives command of the regiment to Major goes the prodigal son, on his return to his father,
Middlemore saying, 'You will have the honour of leading the cured of his wanderings." Even in the midst of all our
48th to the charge.' Donellan was still wearing his hair in a sorrows, there was a bitterness of spirit, a savageness
'queue' with a powdered white wig, almost a year after the of wit, that made a jest of its own miseries.'
practice had been abolished. Of course, as the war proceeded, and WeLlington's
army advanced towards northern Spain, the army was
Moore's army retreated through the mud and snow to able to be supplied by the ports on the northern coast,
Corunna in the terrible winter of 1808-09 one soldier, rather than from Lisbon with its consequential long
of the 71st Regiment, made note of a Guards officer, trek across hundreds of miles in order to reach the
struggling through the appalling weather. 'The marching army. This meant that the men could be
officers, in many points, suffered as much as the men,' better supplied and clothing and equipment issued far
he wrote, and added, 'I have seen officers of the more regularly. Being close to the supply ports also
Guards, and others, worth thousands, with pieces of meant that the British officers found it easier to obtain
old blankets wrapped round their feet and legs; the supplies for themselves. One of Wellington's cavalry
commanders, Hussay Vivian, wrote home in January
Opposite. 1814 to ask his wife for six shirts, four pairs of net
A corporal and officer of the 88th (Connaught) Rangers, a pantaloon drawers, four net under-waistcoats, twelve
regiment of Picton's 'Fighting' 3rd Division. Facings are yellow. pairs of thin worsted half stockings, six black neckties,
Some good detail in this painting includes a sergeant, six white waistcoats, half a dozen pairs of nankeen
complete with pike, stalking through the trees in the overalls and white trousers for summer wear. Flannel
background. The officer on foot behind the corporal appears drawers and waistcoats, towels, sheets and pillowcases
to be carrying a musket. It is possible he might be a were also in heavy demand to ease the lot of the
'volunteer', one of the men who came out to the Peninsula and British officer on campaign.
served much like a private until offered a commission. One wonders what those Foot Guards who had

74 Militm)' Dress 011 Campaign Militll1)' Dress 011 Campaign 75

The 28th (North Gloucestershire) Regiment at Waterloo, 1815. As befits the 'Gentlemen's Sons' there was a great
Both officers and men were still wearing their old stove-pipe deal of excess campaigning kit and items of clothing
shako during the campaign instead of the 1812-pattern shako sent out from England to the officer of the Guards
which had long since been introduced. during the Peninsular and \Vaterloo campaigns but
one of the more unusual items worn belonged to the
been at Barrosa looked like by the end of the 1812 Honourable Orlando Bridgeman, a captain in the First
campaign in the Peninsula. The Brigade of Guards Guards. The garment in question was a fine red silk
con i ting of the six companie of the 2nd Battalion cloak to which is attached a remarkable story worth
First Guards, and three companies each of the recalling.
Cold tream and Third Guards, was parr of the Allied Bridgeman was ser.;ng with the 1st Battalion First
force defending Cadiz and in 1811 the accoutrements Guards who were at the time defending Cadiz.
and arms which were new in 1809 were still being However, following Soult's retreat from Andalucia, the
worn. The jackets of the Coldstream were said to be Guards, under General Sherbrooke, marched nearly
'very shorr in the waist...and not very well 400 miles to take Seville in August 1812. After
fitted .....First Guards also rather shorr in waist and Sherbrooke's men had captured the city, Bridgeman
wear the clothes of last year.' Their caps were also in was placed in charge of a group of French prisoners
poor condition and when a supply of new ones were amongst whom was a wounded captain of Chasseurs,
ordered only 102 arrived. \Nhen the siege of Cadiz named De Marbot. Bridgeman spoke good French and
wa raised, the Foot Guards then marched to Seville,
on to Talavera, and reached Madrid before retiring to Opposite.
Salamanca, a total of some 640 mile. They then took The rear view of a private of the Coldstream Guards battling
parr in the retreat to Portugal. One hudders to think the French outside Hougoumont during the battle of Waterloo,
how they must have looked after the rigours of this 1815. Note the white trousers, regimental badges on both
particular campaign, first in the blistering Andalucian knapsack and cartridge pouch, and fairly large white
sun, across the plains of Leon, and then in the haversack. The black tape ties on the oilskin shako cover can
torrential rain and mud of the retreat to Portugal. be seen also.

76,\1ilitary Dress 011 Campaign MilitOl)' Dress 011 Campaign 77

 The Coldstream Guards at Waterloo, June 18th 1815. All but An officer on the march to Quatre Bras, June 16th 1815. He is A French officer is captured by a Coldstream Guards officer at
two companies of the 2nd Battalion defended the chateau of carrying a rolled up blanket on his back and is still wearing his Hougoumont. After a painting by Dighton. Note the oilskin
Hougoumont, whilst the 7th and 8th companies remained on white silk stockings and dancing pumps which he wore the shako cover tied across the front.
the ridge with the Colours. Dighton's painting shows them night before at the Duchess of Richmond's ball. Indeed,
wearing their oilskin covers with black tape chinties. several officers fought at Quatre Bras wearing their dancing there was little time to wash or shave and when
pumps. After a painting by Hillingford. Captain George Bowles, of the Coldstream Guards,
De Marbot told him that he was due to marry a wrote to Lord Fitzharris on June 19th, the day after
Mademoiselle de Casteja, her mother being French and her red silk cloak and wrapped herself in clothing the battle of Waterloo, he said he had not washed his
and her father a Spaniard. He had arranged to meet more suited to her journey. She asked Bridgeman to face or taken off his boots since the 16th. Beards were
her in Madrid but now, of course, this was impossible. accept the jacket and cloak as a token of her also in abundance and two days after tlle battle, when
De Marbot asked Bridgeman that if he was ever in appreciation saying it was all she had to give him. the Guards were on the road to Paris, the order to halt
Madrid would he find the lady, tell her of his Bridgeman duly accepted and no doubt wore the cloak was given and every officer and soldier set to work
circumstances and if possible do what he could to help during the rest of the campaign. Bridgeman was later getting rid of the beards that had grown over the last
her. Bridgeman agreed and when he found himself in wounded at Waterloo and one wonders whether few days. As Ensign Gronow, of the First Guards
the Spanish capital in ovember of that year he did Bridgeman wore the cloak during that campaign. relates, this taslC'quickly sparked off the sporting
indeed manage to find Mademoiselle de Casteja. She The Waterloo campaign of 1815 opened in instincts of the Guards officers. 'During this not very
begged Bridgeman to help her escape from the city dramatic circumstances with the officers dashing away agreeable duty, a shout was heard from Lord Saltoun,
which he did, delivering her safely into the hands of from the Duke of Richmond's Ball to rejoin their
some Spaniards who promised to get her to France. As battalions but such was the speed in which the army Following pages.
Bridgeman helped her onto her horse at the outskirts assembled and marched off to Quatre Bras that many A superb painting by Dighton of riflemen skirmishing in the
of Madrid she took off her small black velvet jacket officers found their uniforms packed up and the Peninsula, c.1811. Two officers in cocked hats keep a wary eye
baggage already strung out along the road and as a on the opposition through their glasses while an officer of the
The rear view of a light company officer of the Coldstream result many of them had to fight in their Ball dress. Rifles points out the enemy to his men. He wears the curved
Guards, Hougoumont, Waterloo. He carries the 1803-patlern However, it was not only their dress that gave cause 1803 infantry sabre. The men are making good use of their
sabre, suspended by slings and is wearing white gloves and for comment. Indeed, this hasty conmlencement of Baker Rifles. Note the sword bayonet of the man on the right
white trousers. operations caused personal hygiene to suffer also as and the powder horns carried by the men.

78 Military Dress on Campaign Militmy Dress on Campaign 79

80,Hilitmy Dress 071 Campaign IHilitmy Dress 071 Campaign 81
who called us to witness a bet he had made with Bob Bordeaux in 1814 the local inhabitants were taken of I 10, a difficult year for the Light Division, he fortresses, or escalading forts.'
Ellison, that he, Ellison, could not shave off his beard aback by the hoddy appearance of the men who were wrote, '\Ve had the unnost difficulty, however, in Finally, it is worth noting that it was not just the
in one minute. Preparations were made, Ellison taking on the thre hold of victory over their own keeping up appearances in the way of dress. The soldiers' unifomls that suffered from the Iberian
care to bathe his face for a considerable time in water. countrymen. 'The people flocked to see the Engli h jacket, in spite of shreds and patches, always climate. I refer to the soldier himself, in the days
He then commenced operations, and in less than a soldiers Our clothing was old, and almost the maintained omething of the original about it; but woe before effective sun-tan lotions and sun blocks were
minute and without the aid of a looking glass, actually whole of the men wore blanket trousers. The French befell the regimental mall-clothe, and they could invented. \Vriting in '\iay 1 II, John Mills, of the
won his bet, (a considerable one) to the astonishment, expressed much wonder at seeing the troop of the only be replaced by the very extraordinary apologies, Coldstream Guards, told his mother that he was
and I must add, the satisfaction of his comrades. This richest nation in the world so threadbare and poorly of which I remember that I had two pair at this period, tanned to the colour of a dark boot top, and that his
feat appeared to us all perfectly impossible to clad. The soldiers carried their new clothing, which one of a common brown Portugue e cloth, and the hands, from not wearing glove, to two degrees darker
accomplish, as he face was covered with the stubble of they had lately recei,·ed, and which was not yet altered other, or Sunday's pair, of black velvet. \Ne had no than mahogany. This was after just a short time in the
a week's growth of hair, so dark that it procured for and made up, on the top of their knapsacks.' women with the regiment; and the ceremony of field. \Ne all know just how painful sunburn can be on
him in the regiment the sobriquet of Black Bob.' That blankets came in very useful besides their washing a shirt amounted to my servants taking it by the unprotected kin and maybe it was just something
When the Peninsular \Var ended, the Foot Guards intended use is borne out by Patter on, of the 50th, the collar, and giving it a couple of shakes in the water, which the men got used to, although soldiers with
could look forward to receiving an issue of new who wrote in October 1811, 'I remember an officer and then hanging it up to dry.' ginger or red hair must have felt the pain quite
clothing upon their return to England. However, if we joined our camp ftom England, with a canteen In his famous journal of the Waterloo campaign, considerably. Some officers took to carrying
are to believe that they wore new clothing during the profusely stocked, as well a good kit. He was, Cavalie Mercer, of the Royal Horse Artillery, left an umbrellas, others, including Sir Thomas Picton, wore
Waterloo campaign we must think again. The 2nd moreover, a well dressed young man, apparently fresh account of the post-\Naterloo parade, held in front of wide-brimmed hats to shield their eyes from the glare
Battalion Coldstream Guards had sent six companies from the hands of Dodd, of Stjames's Street, the Allied commanders, which demonstrates how of the sun. Some, like Dyneley of the artillery, did in
to Holland in November 1813 and were joined in equipped in garments that seemed as if they were much the men's uniforms were affected even by such a fact write home for lip salve, w!Lich obviously existed
Brussels the following year by a further four pasted on his body, besides a grey frock coat, lined short campaign. 'Our infantry - indeed, our whole in the early 19th century. One problem caused by the
companies. They were still stationed there at the throughout with silk, and adorned with frogs and army - appeared at the review in the same clothes in hot sun was the swelling up of the lower lip which
outbreak of the Waterloo campaign following tassels in abundance. Such a set of poor unfortunate which they had marched, slept and fought for months. then burst, the trickle of blood then presenting an
1 apoleon's escape from Elba. The battalion had gypsies as we were must have been doubtless held in The colour had faded to a dusk), brick-dust hue; their unsightly spectacle for all to ee. One method of
received an issue of new clothing in 1814, whilst the little estimation by our hero, who viewed ,vith scorn coats, originally not very smartly made, had acquired combating this was by placing a leaf between the teeth
First and Third Guards were still wearing their 1813 our dingy costume, tarnished and tattered in so vile a by constant wearing that loose easy set so to give the bottom lip some shade. Light Dragoons
issue in May 1815. By then, of course, the men's manner that even a Jew broker or an Irish beggarman characteristic of old clothes, comfortable to the often wore oak branches in their helmets to do the
clothing was in a very poor condition, particularly the would have scarcely picked them up. We had however wearer, but not calculated to add grace to his ame. So, as with uniforms, the soldier himself must
greatcoats which prompted the Quartermaster of the each of u a good blanket, (and some had two) that was appearance.' Cadell, of the 28th, also left an account of have presented a most unusual sight indeed.
Coldstream Guards to write, 'we shall be very designed a double debt to pay - "By night a coverlet. A the parade and made particular reference to the The descriptions of British uniforms worn in the
fortunate if they will hang on the men's backs two saddlecloth by day." That night the blanket merchants knapsacks worn by his regiment. 'He [Emperor Peninsula and at Waterloo are numerous but they all
months longer. It is impossible to make them last near sheltered under their blankets whereas the new officer Alexander) was much pleased with our brown calf-skin give the same sorry verdict on how badly the rigours
the summer...Many of the men have got them very suffered in the wind and rain and left the camp soon packs, and after minutely examining one, asked their of campaign life took their toll on uniforms and
much patched already.' after.' origin. He laughed much when I told him that they equipment. As I have tried to stress throughout this
By early May 1815 the much needed new clothing Cadell, of the 2 th, has left us a description of an were found in a French store we took in Egypt.' book, I would uggest that we would have some
for all four battalions of Guards in Brussels had still experiment to find out the most suitable method of Patterson also commented on his knapsack, worn difficulty in recognising \Nellington's army on the
not been packed ready for transportation to Brussels. wearing trousers, carried out by different officer prior in the Peninsula, writing that, 'Mo t of us had been march in the Penin ula if we could be transported
The Quartermasters of the Coldstream had every to the Walcheren expedition of 1809. 'Previous to provided with small knapsacks, holding our kit, back to the heady days of 1808-1815. It would appear
confidence in being able to supply the 2nd battalion of leaving Colchester on the Walcheren e:l:pedition, together with the haversack, and canteen, lung across that the majority of the soldiers' uniforms did retain
their regiment before hostilities broke out but by June Colonel Wynch commanding the 4th, Colonel Ros of the shoulder; of which the two former, (including their the look of the 'old red rag', if only as a dusty, red-
5th the ships had still nOt sailed and it was not until the 20th, and Colonel Belson of the 28th, agreed to contents,) were rendered totally unfit for service, brick hue, but if we consider that each one of the
the last day ofJuly that the clothing finally arrived. try grey trousers made in different ways. The 4th had nothing being left for consolation but the brandy, or Peninsula diarists described his uniform as being
The Guards certainly cut fine figures in Paris during them made tight, with black gaiters, the 20th, as rum; cordials which were well calculated, and by no either threadbare and patched or of all as resembling
the occupation but on the great day ofJune 18th they overalls, with buttons down the sides, and the 28th means unneccessary, to elevate our drooping spirits.' Joseph's 'coat of may colours', is it not unreasonable to
defeated apoleon's men wearing the old, much loose, with half boots. On our return they were One often imagines that the British troops fought imagine the majority of Wellington's men looking in a
patched clothing of the year - and in some cases two compared; those of the 4th were all torn at the legs, without their knapsacks which is incorrect. Indeed, as similarly tattered state? I end this chapter as I began it,
year - before. the buttons were off the overalls of the 20th, whilst Cooke, of the 43rd, wrote on October 7th 1813, at the echoing Robert Mercers's words that, almost certainly
Soldiers' trousers were perhap more prone to wear those of the 28th were nearly as good as when we time of the crossing of the Bidassoa, 'During the out of necessity, each man in Wellington's army
and tear than other garments, the campaigning often started. The grey trousers, as first worn by the 28th whole night the fatigue parties continued to arrive 'dressed how he liked' and that far from looking like
involving marches through tall grass, thorn bushes and regiment, were thus adopted throughout the army, to from Santa Barbara, with their knapsacks, which had the sort of soldiers we see portrayed in uniform books
other natural barries including, of course, rivers and the great comfort of the soldier.' been left there. The troops always fought with their their 'fancy dress' would indeed surprise the military
treams. By the end of the war many regiments had John Kincaid, of the 95th, not only had difficulty in knapsacks on; and thi is the only time I ever knew history 'unifoml' fraternity of today in quite a big way.
been forced to resort to cutting up their blankets in keeping up appearances as regards his tunic but also them left behind, except when storming breaches of
order to make new trousers. \ Vhen the 43 rd reached his 'small clothes as he called them. Towards the end

82,vIi/itmy Dress 011 Campaign iHi/itmy Dress 011 Campaign 83

I Weapons

There were many forms of the British flintlock musket the French who lived off the land. Of course, once the
between the 18th and 19th centuries but the two land had been stripped bare of its resources an army
models which concern us most are the India Pattern, had to move on or starve. VVitness Massena's unfruitful
from 1793-1815, and the New Land Pattern, 1802- sojourn in front of the Lines of Torres Vedras in 1810-
1815. vVellington's army in the Peninsula was able to Il. By the end of the Peninsular War in 1814,
defeat the French as a result of a combination of Wellington's Commissariat, so inexperienced and
several important factors. We may look at a superior inadequate in the early years of the war, had got their
supply system of purchase, unlike that employed by operation down to a fine art and it was a bad day
indeed if the army ever suffered due to no rations. The
British Napoleonic firearms. From top to bottom: India Pattern work of the Royal Navy in keeping the army well
musket; Baker rifle fitted for sword bayonet; Baker rifle, fitted stocked from the ports along Spain's northern coast
for socket bayonet; 1796 Heavy Dragoon Carbine with Nock's should not go amiss either. The unyielding support of
screwless lock; three Baker rifle sword bayonets; Elliot the people of the two Iberian nations, coupled with
Carbine; Paget Carbine; India pattern musket. the deadly and manpower-draining work of the
guerrilla fighters was another major factor, something
which Wellington freely admitted at the end of the
war that he could not have done without. The key role
played by Wellington himself does not need to be
dwelt upon here of course, and one could argue that
his presence alone was a major factor in the defeat of
France in the Peninsula, and indeed at vVaterloo. But
at the end of the day both the Peninsular War and
Waterloo campaign were decided by what happened
on the battlefield, and that inevitably brings us to the
British infantryman and the tools of his trade.
The popular image of the British infantryman,
standing stoic and unmoved in the face of enemy fire
or in square formation as French cavalry swarmed all
around him, is one of the most enduring aspects of our
period. It was something which may have happened
only two or three times a year, the rest of the time
being spent in camp, on the march or laying siege to
an enemy-held fortress. But when Wellington's men
did get to grips with the enemy it was usually witl1 the

Opposite top.
Issue Baker rifle flat lock, with raised pen. Tower markings.

Opposite bottom.
Issue Baker cavalry carbine, with flat lock.

84 Weapons Wenpons85
 Issue Baker rifle showing regUlation proof marks. Note chapter deals with.
browning on barrel. From 1 30 until 1797 the standard British infantry
musket was the Land panern musket, the famous
most resounding success and this has as much to do 'Brown Bess'. In fact, there were three types of Land
with his arms as his training. Panern musket, the Long Land Panern which sported
It is not the intention here to go into too much a 46-inch barrel, the hort Land Panern, with a 42-
detail about the training and tactical deployment of inch barrel, and the Marine & Militia Panern,
\ Vellington's infantry. It is a most generalised identical to the Short Land Panern, save for a few
statement to make, but I'm going to state it anyway, cosmetic changes. The musket was a fine servant for
and say that it was the triumph of the Biti h line over the British army and had swept its enemies from many
the French column which was instrumental in driving a bloody banlefield during the 18th century. However,
apoleon's armies from Spain and Portugal, a tactic when the Corsican usurper emerged on the scene
which was successfully employed right up until the demand was so great for the muskets that a cheaper
battle of Waterloo in 1815. Of course, there is far alternative had to be examined. Indeed, in 1794, the
more to it than just a mathematical equation. For Board of Ordnance possessed just 110,000 muskets
instance, \Nellington's choice of ground, his use of with which to arm some 250,000 men. Hence the need
artillery and his employment of light troops also come for a musket that was not only fast to produce but was
into the reckoning. But it is the tactical deployment of also cheaper. It was to the East India Company that
Wellington' troops, i.e. the line, and the weapons the Government turned and to their huge arsenal in
used by them that is the particular aspect that this particular. Thousands of firearms were brought into
service and from 1797 gunsmiths were ordered to
Opposite top. produce muskets to the India Panern only.
Nock screwless lock fitted to a 1796 Heavy Dragoon carbine. The start of the apoleonic Wars in 1793
coincided most fortuitously with the introduction of
Opposite bottom. the India Panern flintlock musket. During the period
Volunteer Baker cavalry carbine, with frizzen spring roller. from 1793 to 1815 it i e timated that around three

86 WenpollS Wenpo71s87
 Beadle's great painting 'The Rearguard' shows Robert one major alteration, that being the introduction, in
Craufurd and a group of 95th Rifles during the retreat to late I 09, of the ring-neck cock which replaced the
Corunna, or in the light brigade's case, to Vigo. The officer on older swan-neck design. The change djd not make the
the left wears his greatcoat with crimson sash worn over it. He musket any cheaper to produce but it was considered
wears his shako with the peak upturned. to be much stronger. The Indja Panem mu ket wa ,
therefore, a cheap weapon to produce but in the hand
million Indja Panern muskets were produced. It was of\Vellingron's infantry in the Pellin ula it wa a mo t
to be the India Panern musket that was to take destructive weapon. \ Vhen one thinks of barues such
\ Veil ingron to victory in the Peninsula and at as A1buera, fought on ;\'Iay 16th 1811, one can only
\ aterloo. There were very few djfferences between marvel at the sight of British infantry firing away for
the old Land Panern musket and the India Pattern. all they were worth until the French could stand no
There were certajnly no techrucal innovations. more. Even the French commander himself, Marshal
However, it was cheap to produce. The wood was of Soult, was moved to remark that the day was his and
an inferior quality and the overall firush was rather yet the English did not know it and would not run.
poorer on the India Pattern than on its older brother. Therein lay a mIghty combination - the British
But it did the job and fulfilled the Government's need infantryman and the India Panern musket.
for muskets at a time when stocks were runnjng It is sajd that the French used a much coarser
dangerously low. The India Pattern musket undenvent powder in their Charlville muskets which often caused
few changes during its period of production except for it to jam. Apparently, a common method of rectifying
this fault was by urinating down the barrel! One other
Opposite top. small, but signjficant advantage that the British had
Paget carbine, showing regulation proof marks. Note sling bar. over their French counterparts was that the bore of
the Indja Panern musket wa .75 compared to the
Opposite bottom. French .67. This, of cour e, meant that \Vellingron's
India pattern mUSket, ring neck cock and regulation proof men could use French ammunjtion when needed,
marks. unlike the French who e smaller (comillued 011 page 93)

Weapolls 9
8 Weapolls
Light Division Camp Scene soldiers, who, with empty stomachs, stepped forward, one at a
time, and each of them in turn rubbing his blacking-brush on
James Cooke served with the 43rd Light Infantry and one of the sooty part of the kettle, blacked his dusty shoes, cap-peak,
his accounts of life in the Peninsula shows us the gritty, earthy canteen strap, and knapsack.'
side of the soldier's life, the more practical side. 'Previously to The 43rd, along with the 52nd and 95th Rifles, formed
our advance,' he wrote, 'the great coats belonging to the part of the elite Light Division in the Peninsula. The 43rd were
soldiers were delivered into store, it being considered that the the real dandies of the army and some of its officers even wore
blanket was a sufficient covering for them at night, the more pelisses similar to those worn by the hussars. Their uniforms,
particularly as tents were served out for the use of the whole however, were not to be spared the attentions of the Iberian
army, in the proportion of three to each company, to be carried climate and Cooke goes on to say that their shakos were often
by the mules that had formerly conveyed the iron camp-kettles distorted beyond recognition, whilst they too, like many other
for cooking; instead of which a light tin kettle, between every regiments, were forced to adopt trousers made from local
six men, was substituted, to be strapped on their knapsacks, brown cloth. The green uniforms of the 95th Rifles were known
and carried alternately on the march. Each man was provided to have gone almost black, as the dark green cloth became
with a reasonable supply of necessaries, including three pairs discoloured, whilst George Simmons describes wearing a
of shoes, and an extra pair of soles and heels, in his knapsack. brown jacket, not that this colour would have done any harm
The iron kettles were very heavy, and were carried on the as far as blending in with the dusty Spanish terrain. Painting by
backs of mules, one of which was attached to each company; Richard Hook.
but, when near the enemy, and the baggage had been sent to
the rear, these unwieldy and capacious kettles were not at all
times to be laid hold of. Besides, it occupied the soldiers a Above.
considerable time to cook their rations, particularly in the British troops undergoing drill in their white fatigue uniforms.
extensive plains, where only stubble could be procured; and The sergeants keep the men in line while officers look on. One
also during the rainy season, when the forests were damp. I officer wears white breeches, the other grey trousers. The men
have often observed these ponderous kettles turned bottom still wear their hair in queues and sport the stove-pipe shako.
upwards, and encircled by ten or twelve weather beaten The officers wear the cocked hat.

90 Weapons
 Rifleman Tom Plunket puts a bullet through the head of musket was still a cumbersome weapon to load and, in
General Colbert at Cacabelos during the retreat to Corunna. fact, the British Manual and Platoon Exercise listed
He followed this up by doing the same to Colbert's trumpeter. eighteen different movenmts from shouldering arms
This position is still used in rifle shooting today. to actually firing. Basically, a small charge of powder
was poured into the priming pan and the frizzen
calibre muskets could not take the larger British ball. closed. The ball and the rest of the powder, along with
The ew Land Pattern musket was yet another the wadding, was in erted into the barrel with the
fine weapon used by the British anny during the ramrod which was then replaced beneath the barrel.
apoleonic \Vars. Dating from 1 02, it boasted a .J.2- The half-cock was then pulled back to fuJI-cock and
inch barrel and officially was the ucce sor to the older the musket fired. The charge in the pan ignited a
Land Pattern musket. However, its period of actual fraction of a second before the main charge which
u age appears to be restricted to 1 02-04 and 1 1.J.-15. then exploded in the barrel, sending the ball flying,
The musket was certainly used during the Peninsular hopefully into the head or body of an unfortunate
War, by the Foot Guard in particular, but other than enemy soldier. Trained soldiers were capable of
these troops it was more likely to have been used by loading and firing three, sometimes four or even five
draft from England towards the end of the war. In shots per minute. This latter figure, however, was only
spite of its effectiveness on the field of battle the really achieved by taking a short cut and, instead of
priming the pan first, the whole cartridge was poured
Opposite. down the barrel, along with the ball, and the musket
A famous print of Captain E Kent, of the 95th Rifles. The banged on the ground. HopefuJly, a small charge of
uniform closely resembles that of a light dragoon, with curved powder would filter through to the pan to provide the
light infantry sabre, dark green pelisse with brown fur trim, and charge for the main shot. Of course \vithout having
cavalry-style overalls, reinforced with saw-toothed leather, the wadding the ball would often roll out of the barrel.
and a black stripe on the outer seam. The peak on his shako is It was aI 0 common practice for infantrymen to stick
turned up, has a green tuft and black cap lines. The braiding their ramrods in the ground to ave themselves the
on both his dolman and pelisse is black. A crimson sash. time and trouble of drawing and withdra\ving them.

92 Wenpons Wenpons 93
Elliot carbine with proof marks and sling bar. many cartridges also presented another hazard, thirst.
Where the firing was at its hottest, such as Albuera
This al 0 improved the rate of fire. However, if by and Talavera, the men's thirst must have been raging
chance the battalion was ordered to change position yet few would have been allowed to stop and take a
the ramrod might be left behind in the excitement. drink.
Another peril to be avoided was the firing off of one's The firepower ofWelJington's line was certainly
ramrod which raw recruits, in the heat and excitement destructive but it was the long, sharp piece of steel
of battle were often prone to do. Once the ramrod was fixed to the end of the barrel of the musket that often
fired away the hapless soldier had to wait for one of his delivered the coups de grace. The bayonet issued with
comrades to obligingly drop dead or wounded, or, of the India Pattern musket was triangular and measured
course, he could resort to the 'banging' technique about 17 inches in length. It was fixed to the muzzle of
already described. the musket by a socket, four inches long. It was the
Physically, the British infantryman must have been bayonet that was frequently the deciding factor
very fit, as were all Napoleonic infantry. The weight of whenever the British and French infantry locked horns
the musket, around 10lbs or lUbs with fixed bayonet, with each other. Indeed, the bayonet was a terrible
was bad enough, even without the weight of psychological weapon. Attacking French columns
ammunition, knapsack and equipment. \iVellington's would usually be greeted with two or three thunderous
men rarely went into battle without their packs, save volleys from Wellington's men who, after a rousing
for the storming of fortresses. So when the British
anny attacked such positions as the Lesser Rhune, the Opposite top.
Bayonet Ridge or the French redoubts along the line Baker cavalry carbine. Note back sight and sling bar. The mark
of the ivelle, you have to marvel at their stamina. on the stock indicates that the weapon was authorised for sale
One can only imagine that by the time of these by the government.
particular fights, late 1813, the men had become
extremely fit and well adapted to their tasks under Opposite bottom.
such conditions. In the firing line the biting of so 1796 Heavy cavalry carbine, proof marks and sling bar.

94 Weapons Weapons 95
 New Land Pattern musket, butt plate with markings to the 2nd references to it by eye-,vimesses. 'Bayonet away' was
Battalion, Coldstream Guards. the British exhortation on this occasion. So, the
bayonet and the Brown Bess was the corner tone to
cheer, would advance with fixed bayonets to complete \"'ellington's success.
their victory. More often than nor, their adversaries
would not stand around to test the metal of the Rifles
enemies but would retreat to the relative safety of The Brown Bess musket was undoubtedly the most
their own lines. In fact, bayonet fighting in the famous weapon of the Napoleonic Wars. But not far
Penin ular \Var was very rare. Naturally, there was behind it came the famous Baker Rifle, perhaps the
hand-to-hand fighting whenever a town had to be most effective weapon of the wars. Prior to the
stormed as \Nellington's men set about the defenders apoleonic Wars, Britain's flirtation with the rifle had
on the ramparts or in the breaches, assuming they not lasted particularly long. The breechloading
could pass the obstacles the French usually placed Ferguson rifle, used during the American War of
there. And there was bound to be bayonet work done Independence, enjoyed just a year's service between
in the wake of any failed French attack as straggler 1776 and 1777 before disappearing from the picture.
fell behind or turned to fight. \Nhenever villages had However, the harsh lessons of the war at the hands of
to be taken, such as Fuentes de Onoro, there was hard the An1erican ri flemen convinced the British army to
work to be done, but generally speaking bayonet tread the path already taken by European armies who
fighting is unusual and, wherever it did occur, such as had employed riflemen for many years.
Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees, it is usually marked by It was not to be until 1 00 that the rifle was
officially adopted by the British army but when it was
Opposite top. it was given to a corps of troops that was to establish
Baker rifle stock, cheek rest. itself as one of the finest fighting units of the period, if
not the finest. The somewhat awkwardly-named
Opposite bottom. Experimental Corps of Riflemen was formed in the
Baker rifle with rounded patch box for tools. spring of 1800 by Colonel Coote Manningham,

96 Weapons Weapons 97
Powder horns. The top left horn is believed to have been the butt of the rifle with a brass cover, inside which
issued for the Baker rifle. was kept the rifleman's tools, including the torque bar
and ball drawer. Tests proved that the Baker was
as i ted by Liuetenant Colonel the Hon. \Villiam capable of hitting a target some 200 yards away with
tewart. The corps existed for just two years during considerable ease. The India Pattern musket, on the
which it gained invaluable experience, often at great other hand, whil t having a range of 300 yards, wa
cost to itself, before being brought into the Line in really only good for volley firing. Indeed, tests howed
1802 as the 95th Rifle Regiment. And so was born one that only 50% of hots fired at a target 100 yard away
of the great elites of the British army. actually struck home.
The 95th Rifles were armed with the glorious The Baker rifle came \vith a vicious sword bayonet,
Baker rifle, a weapon which was to see continuous measuring 23 inches by I J/. inches. The bayonet had a
service with the British army for more than forty years bras knuckle guard and was sharpened for 5 inches at
with only a handful of slight modifications. It had a the point. Some blades were made with a saw-backed
30-inch barrel and an overall length of 46 inches edge, similar to pioneers saws, but were very few.
compared \vith 55 inches for the India Pattern musket They were used as much for cutting wood as for
and 58 inches for the ew Land Pattern. Its calibre slaughtering Frenchmen.
varied from 0.625 to 0.70. The barrel of the Baker was As nice as the India Pattern is, it seems like a
made in plain and t\visted iron and finished in a length of scaffolding on a piece of wood when
reddish brown. This prevented too much reflection in compared to the short, sleek lines of the Baker.
the sun which often gave away the rifleman's position, Anybody who has had the privilege of handling a
something which the 95th, and indeed the other
troops armed with the Baker, could ill afford. The Opposite top.
Baker had a rear sight situated about 6 inches ftom the Powder horn marked to Percy Tenantry, Duke of Cumberland.
breech consisting of a hinged flip-up sight, the fixed
position being for short range and the flip-up ight Opposite bottom.
for longer ranges. A small compartment was cut into Irish scoop fitted to a powder horn.
-----------------------
98 /lVeapol1s WeapOl1S 99
 Standard issue 17-inch socket bayonets and scabbard. sieges at Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz. A dangerous
operation but one which suited the 95th down to the
genuine government-issue Baker will know what I ground. John Kincaid, of the 95th, was moved to
mean. It really is a beautiful firearm, wruch rucks remark that this mode of operation, and siege warfare
neatly into the shoulder and feels every inch a rifle. In in general was a cross between a gamekeeper and a
the hands of the men of the 95th it was also a deadly grave-digger as it offered employment with both rifle
one. Witness the exploit of rifleman Tom Plunkett at and shovel! The accuracy of the Baker Rifle can,
Cacabelos during the retreat from Corunna in January perhaps, be illustrated by a passage from the memoirs
1809. As General Colbert picked his way gingerly of \Villiam Surtees, who served for twenty-one years
across the river Cua in attempt to find a way across, in the 95th Rifles. After joining the Rifles in 1802 he
Plunkett crept forward and, apparently for a bet, shot quickly began drilling with rus new regiment. 'As
the Frenchman straight through the forehead and recruits,' he wrote, 'we were first drilled at what is
followed this up by picking off Colbert's trumpeter for termed the horse, i.e. a machine to assist young
good measure. Plunkett acrueved this notable feat by riflemen in taking aim. At this I pleased my
laying upon his back with his Baker rifle resting commanding-officer so much the first time I tried,
between his legs, one of which was crossed over the that he ordered me to the front, and told me to load,
other to steady rus aim. It is no coincidence also, that and fire at the target. I did, and made a pretty good
the riflemen of the 95th were sent forward in rifle pits shot, rutting pretty near the bull's eye; on which he
to pick off the gunners on the ramparts during the made me load again and fire, and hitting that also, he
made me go on till I had fired ten rounds, all of which
Opposite top. hit the target, and two of which had struck the bull's
New land pattern light cavalry pistol, with swivel ramrod. eye. The distance was only fifty yards, but for a
recruit, that is, a person unaccustomed to rifle
Opposite bottom. shooting, he called it a wonderful exhibition, and in
Various musket balls and grape shot, found at Waterloo, consequence he gave me sixpence out of his pocket.'
Burgos, Almaraz and Maya. SUTtees went on to add that Major Wade, who gave

100 Weapons Weapons 101

 weighed about 8lbs. The bayonet was 15 inches long
and weighed a further 13 ounces. Calibre was .75. The
following year, many of the carbines were issued with
Henry Tock's 'screwless lock', a device by which the
trigger mechanism wa hidden behind the locking
plate. The carbine was attached to the rider's shoulder
belt by way of a ide bar which was affixed to the tock
and which clipped on to the belt by war of a spring
clip.
Light cavalry regiments were issued \vith the
famous Paget carbine, the standard light cavalry
carbine in the British army of the Peninsular and
\ Vaterloo campaigns. It featured a barrel of 16 inches
long, had an overall length of 31 \ inches and had a
calibre of 0.66. Innovations included a s\vivel ramrod
and bolted lock, a sort of 'safety catch' which proved
most useful for cavalrymen on piquet duty.
In 1803 the lOth Prince of Wales's Light Dragoons
were issued with the Baker Cavalry Rifle with a 20-
inch barrel and an overall length of 35 inches. Calibre
was 0.625. Like the infantry version of the rifle, the
barrel was browned, it had a rear sight and a small
compartment for keeping cleaning tools. The carbine
also sported a s\vivel ramrod to prevent it loss in
action. A sling bar was fitted to the left side of the
carbine which, by way of a spring clip, was attached to
the shoulder belt of the cavalryman. variation of the
British swords: left to right: 1796-pattern light cavalry sabre, Baker Cavalry Rifle was introduced around 1813 \vith Sergeants' spontoon or halberd. Campaign but although attractive was somewhat
1796-pattern infantry officers' sword, 1796-pattern heavy a pistol grip stock instead of the usual scroll guard. flimsy in battle. Indeed, it is probably safe to say that it
cavalry sword and 1803 flank company officers' sword. Dimensions were roughly the same as the standard pistols was the ew Land Pattern pistol which, like was as much an officer's symbol of authority and rank
Baker Cavalry Rifle, a 35',]-inch length overall \vith a the Paget Carbine, had a s\vivel ramrod to prevent its as it was a fighting weapon. As a means of self defence
him the sixpence, was one of the best shots in the barrel length of 20\ inches. The calibre was 0.625. loss in action. We know that as \vith infantry officers against cavalry, for example, on the odd occasion when
regiment, and that he and another rifleman, Smeaton, The hort barrels of both the Elliot Carbine, the who took their own private sporting guns with them the two foes met in action, the sword would have been
used to hold the target for each other at a distance of Paget Carbine and the Baker Cavalry Rifles did little to the Peninsula, cavalry officers too were wont to take fairly useless. Certainly, when one compares the
150 yards while the other fired at it, so accurate was for the weapons' accuracy but like the Baker rifle, their their own pistols \vith them. As such, a \vide variety of superb Cuirassier's word to the British infantry
their shooting. short, neat forms tuck comfortably into the shoulder non-regulation pistols were used on active service, officer's sword there is little doubt which one would
Other troops armed with the Baker rifle included and feel just right. The men who used the carbine had many \vith superb levels of craftsmanship. have come off best. The year of 1803 saw the
the 5160th, the Portuguese Cacadores and the rifle different views, however, and thought them pretty introduction of a much better sword, a sabre in fact,
battalions of the King's German Legion. It is useless. They did prove their worth on occasion, Infantry Swords which was designed to replace the old 1796-pattern
estimated that production of the Baker Rifle did not however. Private Levi Grisdale, of the lOth Hussars, The standard British infantry officers' sword, used by sword. The 1803-pattern sabre consisted of a much
exceed around 40,000 which, when one considers the captured the French general, Lefevre-Desnouettes, at Wellington's army, was the very attractive 1796- stronger blade, 30 inches long and substantially
three million muskets produced, accounts for the Benavente on December 29th 1808 after first sending pattern sword. This consisted of a straight 32-inch curved, \vith a lion's head pommel and knuckle-bow
rarity of good Government issue Baker Rifles today. a shot from his carbine across the Frenchman's cheek. blade, pointed at the tip, \vith a brass knuckle-bow guard bearing the Royal Cypher and leather grip. The
Whether it was the Paget carbine is difficult to say as guard, a ball pommel and side shells, and silver twisted sabre was carried in a leather scabbard \vith brass
Carbines it had only been introduced that year. It is quite wire grip. The side shells were hinged in order that fittings including two suspension rings as opposed to a
t the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars, British possible that Grisdale was using the Elliott carbine. the sword might lay flat against the officer's side when frog which was the usual manner in which the 1796-
heavy dragoons were armed with the very In addition to the cavalry carbines, both heavy and marching for ease of carrying. The leather scabbard pattern sword was carried. Although the 1803-pattern
cumbersome heavy dragoon carbine, with a barrel light dragoons and hussars were armed with pistols. had brass fittings and a thin wooden lining. The sword sabre had been introduced to replace the 1796-pattern
which measured all of 42 inches. Imagine having to These varied from the Heavy Dragoon pistol, with a was worn with a crimson and gold lace sword knot for sword it appears that it was only ever carried by flank
load and fire this from horseback. In 1796, however, 12-inch barrel to the Light Dragoon model, which ease of return in action. The sword was carried by company officers, and by the light company officers in
the Board of General Officers approved the issue of a sported a to-inch barrel. As with the muskets, large virtually all of the battalion company officers as well as particular. In fact, even before its introduction light
new heavy cavalry carbine with a much shorter 26- number of pistols were purchased from the arsenals Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery officer company officers were wearing sabres similar to light
inch barrel. Its overall length was 41'"_ inches
__ and of the East India Company. One of the more attractive
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _----J
throughout the Peninsular War and \Naterloo cavalry sabres. Light company officers appear to have

J02 Weapol1s Weapons 103

 Hilt detail, 1803-pattern infantry officers' sabre. Sergeant Charles Ewart, of the 2nd (Royal North British)
Dragoons, or Scots Greys, slashes and cuts his way through
had a peculiar habit of adopting cavalry fa hions, the the French 45th Regiment in order to relieve them of their
43rd even going so far as to wear pelisses. The 1803- prized Imperial Eagle. An enemy lancer tumbles backwards
pattern sabre was a great improvement on the 1796- after feeling the power of Ewart's 1796-pattern heavy cavalry

pattern sword although the officers themselves still sword across his face.
thought it a clumsy and inadequate weapon. John
Kincaid, of the 95th RiAes, one of the Peninsular face rather than cutting away with the blade! There
\Var's most celebrated diarists claimed 'it was good for were also many non-regulation sabres within the army,
nothing more than shaving a lady's leg.' Thomas including the 'mameluke' type of sabre used by some
Austin, of the 35th, remarked, quite humourously, that light cavalry officers, several examples of which survive
he ent more Frenchmen to the dentists than the grave today. Again, these appear to have been used mainly
by way of jabbing away with the hilt at his enemy's by light infantry company officers rather than
battalion company officers.
Opposite top left.
Hilt details of an officers' 1796 light cavalry sabre. Pikes
Pikes were issued to sergeants of battalion and
Top right. grenadier companies from 1792 onwards. This
Knuckle guard motif on the 1803-pattern infantry officers' fearsome weapon consisted of a nine-foot long staff
sabre. made from ash, surmounted by a spearhead screwed
into a steel socket and crosspiece. The blade of the
Bottom left. spear was around 13 inches long and the crossbar 5't,
Hilt detail of the 1796-pattern infantry officers' sword. inches wide. The pike was frequently used by
sergeants in keeping the men's ranks straight,
Bottom right. particularly in battle. Colour Sergeant Wood, of the
Baker rifle sword bayonet, with company markings. 1 t Foot Guards, wrote in his account of the Battle of

Weapolls 105
104 Weapolls
 'The Captive Eagle', a painting depicting the capture of a sergeants, therefore, were to be seen moving along the
French eagle by Corporal Styles of the 1st Royal Dragoons. rear ranks of the battalion, steadying the men with
Captain Clark-Kennedy also lay claim to its capture during the their pikes. They were, of course, useful weapons in
battle of Waterloo, June 18th 1815. Styles is carrying the 1796 close quarter struggles. When Fort apoleon was
heavy cavalry sword at his side and wears a plain black stormed during the attack on the bridge at Almaraz,
leather sabretache. the French commander, general Aubert, refused to
give in, despite being surrounded by a group of men of
Waterloo that during the late afternoon such was the the 50th Foot. Eventually, after refusing all offers to
intensity of the fight that even the Foot Guards surrender, a disgruntled sergeant of the 50th stepped
themselves showed signs of wavering. The company fonvard and ran Aubert through with his pike, much
to the disgust of his comrades. Aubert died of his
Opposite. wounds a few days later. The weapon could, however,
Top left. prove remarkably clumsy, as Sergeant Cooper, of the
Hilt detail, 1796-pattern heavy cavalry sword. 7th Fusiliers, remarked having witnessed a fellow
sergeant run himself through with his pike after
Top right. stumbling. In a way, the sergeant's pike must have
The 1796-pattern heavy cavalry sword with markings to the drawn similar comparisons with the French lance, its
Royal Dragoons on the scabbard. 9-foot length giving the British sergeants a distinct
advantage in close quarter fighting. A print by Denis
Bottom left. Dighton shows Sergeant Patrick Masterson, of the
1796-pattern heavy cavalry sword showing the disc shaped 87th Regiment, standing over the body of a dead
guard. French officer of the 8th Ligne Regiment from whom
he had just taken their 'eagle' at the battle of Barrosa
Bottom right. on March 5th 1811. It was the first French 'eagle' to
Heavy cavalry sword scabbard with makings to the Royal be captured by the British army in battle in the
Dragoons, B Troop, 27th man. Peninsular War.

106 Weapons Weapons 107

Cavalry Swords and leather grip. Officers' abres were often \'err disc-shaped guard pierced \\;th holes. Officer' around with him whilst slaughtering Frenchmen left,
British cavalry in the Peninsular and \Vaterloo ornate compared to the simpler design issued to \'er ions had an ornate hilt compared with the right and centre, but also to the romance anached to
campaigns were armed \\~th two regulation swords, troopers. The sabre was carried in a steel or iron troopers' imple design. One notable feature of the the sword in the wake of the Scots Greys' famous
the light cavalry sabre and the heavy cavalry sword, scabbard with suspen ion rings for use with a blade was its hatchet point which made it difficult to charge at \\'aterloo on June 18th 1815. During the
both dating from 1796. The two versions were vastly waistbelt. Some officers' sabres had leather scabbards. thrust home and, indeed, by the time of the \ Vaterloo charge Sergeant Ewart captured the 'Eagle' of the
different with the light cavalry sabre drawing high The broad tip of the blade - it was wider towards the campaign in 1815, troopers of the Royal Dragoons at French 45th Regiment of the Line. During the fight,
praise and the heavy cavalry sword attracting nothing tip than at the hilt - was to draw complaints from least were told to sharpen their swords on both sides Ewart slayed a lancer, an infantryman and the eagle
but derision. \Vhen the apoleonic Wars broke out French officers after they saw the effects that the sabre to achieve a spear point which was much more suitable bearer, all of whom perished by way of cuts, rather
the British cavalry were armed with 1788-pattern had upon their men. for the thrust. It was a tremendously fearsome weapon than thrusts. It is also interesting to note that by
swords. The heavy cavalry sword was a straight bladed Coupled \vith Le Marchant's sabre design came his and yet was extremely cumbersome one. Bragge's killing the enemy lancer, Ewart proved that in spite of
sword with a 39-inch blade, pointed at the tip, and a acclaimed Rules and Regulations for the Sword reference to the method of the sword's use brings us to their nine-foot lances they were not invincible by any
hilt of half-basket of steel bars. The sword was 47 Exercise of the Cavalry, which was published in a subject for which there is no room for discussion in means. It i also interesting to note that Ewart's own
inches long overall and weighed 3lbs. The design was December 1 96. The book featured drawings by Le this book. Suffice to say that one school advocated the word sun"ives today and is one of the original
copied from the sword u ed by the 6th Inni killing Marchant's brother-in-law, Peter Carey, including one thrust whilst the other thought the cut to be the only hatchet-pointed swords, not one \vith a spear point.
Dragoons. Apparently, all heavy cavalry regiments, sketch of the famous 'six cuts', a man's face drawn with way of using the sword. It is quite ironic that Le Heavy cavalry officers also carried a dress sword,
save for the Household Troops, were issued with the the required cut across it. Le Marchant's drill required :\Iarchant, the designer of the Light Cavalry sabre dating from 1796, which con isted of a straight blade,
sword. The light cavalry version was six inches shorter each soldier to stand a few feet from a wall upon which died in his first major action, at Salamanca on July often very ornately decorated, with a gilt pommel,
overall than the heavy cavalry version and weighed was painted a circle to simulate a man's face. The 22nd 1812, armed \vith his sabre and yet leading the knuckle bow and boat shells and a silver \vire grip.
three ounces less. The blade was curved with an iron trooper then went about practicing the six cuts upon it Heavy Brigade which did such devastating work in This was carried in 'a black leather scabbard with brass
single-bar stirrup hilt. Compared to the later 1796- before moving on to doing the same from horseback, a destroying eight French battalions. mounts. Dress sword knots were crimson and gold.
panern light cavalry sabre, the 1788-panern sword much more difficult proposition. Apparently, so great Today, the 1796-panern Heavy Cavalry word is a The Household Cavalry carried the 1796-panern
feels much longer and less manoeuvrable, although a success was the book that even small boys could be much sought-after beast, due not only to the fictional heavy cavalry sword, although officers carried a
being a well balanced weapon. seen up and down the country practicing the cuts \vith exploits of Major Richard Sharpe, an officer of the straight-bladed, basket-hilted sword, \\~th a brass
\Vhen the Duke of York embarked upon his sticks! 95th Rifles who, nevertheless, drags the heavy sword scabbard.
campaign in Holland in 1 93 one of his officers, a The sabre was to see ffidespread use in the
certain Major John Gaspard Le Marchant, noted that Peninsula right from the outset. On the retreat to
hardly any two British cavalry regiments were armed Corunna, Lord Paget's hussars made light work on
with the same sword. It is evident, therefore, that the French hussars at Sahagun and Benavente, whilst the
standardisation laid down in 1788 had yet to take grip, terrible cutting power of the Light Cavalry sabre was
even five years on. He also made pertinant demonstrated at Campo Mayor, in March 1811, when
observations as regards the quality of the swords, Corporal Logan, of the 13 th Light Dragoons, slew the
adding that the most popular sword used by the colonel of the French 26th Dragoons with a cut that
troopers was a most cumbersome sword indeed and 'nearly cleft his skull asunder, it cut in as deep as the
that it was prone to shaner upon the first blow from nose through the brain.' Creditable actions were
an enemy's sword. He also noted that many of the fought later on at sagre and Villagarcia involving
wounds inflicted upon British cavalry were, in fact, self light cavalry. At this laner action, at Villagarcia on
inflicted, usually as a re ult of a lack of proper April lIth 1812, often refered to mistakenly by some
training. The campaign did not pass \vithout the historians as Bienvenida, Conon's cavalry won a tidy
British cavalry achieving some measure of success, little victory over the French after which Captain
however, but it was the observations made by Le \Villiam Bragge, of the 3rd Dragoons, was moved to
Marchant that had, perhaps, the more lasting effect. observe that, 'It is worthy of remark that scarcely one
Le Marchant came to the conclusion that both Frenchman died of hi wounds, although dreadfully
heavy and light cavalry should be equipped with the chopped, whereas 12 English Dragoons were killed on
same sword, a curved sabre for slashing and cutting. the spot and others dangerously wounded by thrusts.
His design was submined to the Board of Cavalry If our men had used their swords so, three times the
General Officers in 1 96 but was only adopted in part number of French would have been killed.' Here,
for the Board decided to continue the practice of Bragge is making direct reference to both the heavy
issuing different swords to both heavy and light cavalry sword and the method of its use.
cavalry. Le Marchant' design for the light cavalry The 1796-panem Heavy Cavalry sword was not of
sa bre was accepted and adopted as per the General Le Marchant's design and was based squarely on the
Order ofJune 27th 1796. It had a much more 1775 Austrian cavalry sword. It had a 35-inch long
pronounced curve than the old 1788 version, straight blade, \vith both edges sharpened for the 12
measuring 33 inches, with an iron stirrup knuckle bow inches near the tip. It had a single knuckle-bow and a

108 Weapons Weapons 109

Artillery

Throughout his campaign in the Peninsula and at weighed in at 13'11 cwt. These were the mo t conunon
\Naterloo, \Nellington was never blessed with a great artillery pieces u ed by Wellington's gunners.
deal of guns which to a certain degree dictated the For siege work, 18-pounder and H-pounder guns
tactics he was to employ. ever one to indulge in were used. These mighty guns were made of both
counter-battery fire he preferred instead to turn his bra and iron, although the brass guns were so
guns on attacking enemy columns and as such they unsatisfactory that they were withdrawn from service
were grouped together in small numbers, often just in 1811. One of the problems of using bra s guns in
twos and threes. siege warfare was that their 9 ft 6 inch and 5 ft 9 inch
At the outbreak of the Peninsular War, the Royal long barrels were prone to 'droop' after prolonged
Artillery consisted of ten battalions of ten companies firing. The iron guns, on the other hand, proved
each, although these did not erve over ea together as most satisfactory, if somewhat cumbersome. The
a complete unit. On active service we find 'brigades' I -pounder had a 9 foot 6 inch barrel and weighed in
rather than battalions, each brigade consisting of six at 42 cwt, whilst the 24-pounder boa ted a barrel of
guns wherever possible. The normal composition of a between 9 and 10 feet and weighed a much as 52 cwt.
brigade was six guns, usually five guns and one Each of these 24-pounder guns was capable of firing Royal Horse Artillery in action, apparently at the battle of artillerymen po ted lookouts to watch for incoming
howitzer, limbers for each, eight ammunition its ball twenty times an hour and after each firing had Salamanca, JUly 22nd . One gunner stands with his foot upon a shells. Case, or cannister, shot consisted of a
waggons, three baggage waggons, one spare wheel to be dragged about eight feet back to its firing dead Frenchman. An enemy lancer appears to be standing cylindrical tin case containing 40 (for a 6-pounder) or
waggon and a field forge. To cart this lot around Spain position after recoiling. Firing was only of use in behind the gun at right, presumably a prisoner. 44 (for a 9-pounder) solid iron balls. Upon firing, the
and Portugal required around 200 draft animals and daylight and, unless there was a breeze, it took thirty
tin exploded and the effect was much like a gigantic
100 drivers. The Royal Horse Artillery was formed in seconds for the black smoke to clear before it could be 24,983 rounds of other calibre shells. Each barrel of shotgun with shot spread, apparently, in a circle of 32
1793 and just prior to the Peninsular War numbered loaded and fired again. Accuracy was vital, of course, powder weighed in at 90lbs and some 2,253 barrels feet diameter for every 100 yards of range. The effect
12 brigades. Troop organi ation was not dissimilar to although the method of aiming the guns was little were used at Badajoz. on densely packed enemy columns or on cavalry was
the Foot Artillery and consisted of 6 guns (five more than a case of pointing the barrel at the target As with the guns themselves there was a \vide devastating.
9-pounders and one 5\-inch howitzer), nine and adjusting it accordingly. During sieges, each shot variety of ammunition available. The most common Spherical ca e shot consisted of a shell filled with
ammunition waggons, spare wheel waggon, baggage wa aimed at a selected spot with the sole purpose of ammunition used by Wellington's gunners was round musket balls, with a lighted fuse which, after exploding
waggon and forge, etc. bringing down the wall forward into the ditch at the shot, a solid iron ball capable of inflicting terrible in the air, cattered the balls. The origin of spherical
The guns themselves fell into several catagories foot of it. This would mean that not only would there damage on enemy troops. \Nhen fired at low case dates back to 1573 but the type used by
dictated by the weight and type of shot fired. Initially, be a breach in the wall but the rubble, in theory, would trajectory round shot often bounced or ricocheted Wellington's gunners was designed in 1784 by
Wellington's gunners were armed with the light fill the ditch and enable the stormers to approach the onwards, sometimes taking out as many as 20-25 men Lieutenant Henry Shrapnell, Royal Artillery. This
6-pounder and the 5112 inch howitzer. 8-inch and breach somewhat easier up a form of ramp. Standing in a single file. These solid iron balls were capable of type of shell is often called' hrapnell', but in error, as
lO-inch howitzers were withdrawn during the at the site of the gun positions at Ciudad Rodrigo one reducing a human being to mere atoms with ease. it was not until 1852, ten years after Shrapnell's death,
Peninsular War after proving unsatisfactory. These is struck by the accuracy of the gunners, given the Even spent balls, appearing to roll harmless along the that it was finally given that name.
two pieces dated back to as early as 172 7 and 1719 and distance they had to fire and the small nature of the ground, were still capable of taking off a man's foot or Common shell was simply a round hollow shell
had been in constant service with very few changes target. Indeed, standing on the Greater Teson, the site leg. The terrible wounds inflicted upon both Sir John filled \vith powder and fused so that upon exploding,
made to their design. During the course of the war the of the Lesser Breach appears to be no bigger than Moore and VVilliam de Lancey at Corunna and the casing would scatter itself amongst enemy troops.
6-pounder was replaced by the 9-pounder, although it one's fingernail. Of course, some guns were wildly off \Vaterloo respectively were done by round shot, each It was possible, of course, for any particularly brave
did remain in service with the Royal Horse Artillery. target, as the damage to the Cathedral and some of the of the e two brave men been plucked from their soldier to pluck the fuse from any common shell
The 6-pounder had a brass barrel of 7 feet and neaighbouring buildings testifies. During the siege of horses by the force of the balls. It was also possible to which lay spluttering on the ground and in fact
weighed 12 cwt. The 9-pounder gun, regarded as an Badajoz, in March and April 1812, the 24-pounder see these balls as they came hurtling forwards. Indeed, Captain Colquitt, of the 1st Foot Guards, performed
excellent field piece, had a barrel 6 feet in length and guns alone fired 22,367 round shot with a further during the siege ofBadajoz in 1812, Portuguese just such a feat at Waterloo, throwing the shell back in
11 0 Anillery
Anillery 111
 Colours and
Rank Distinctions

The colours of an infantry regiment were its greatest Lieutenant Colonel's Colour: Crimson, the same
possession, serving not only as a rallying point in design as the Colonel's Colour but with the union in
battle but also as the symbol of regimental pride in the upper canton. Major's Colour: Same design as the
which was embodied the spirit of the regiment. To Colonel's Colour but with a union in the upper
lose one's colours to the enemy was as great a disaster canton, with a gold 'pile wavy' issuing from its lower
as a regiment could suffer. The colours were placed in canton.
the front rank between the 4th and 5th companies and
were guarded by a sergeant, or a colour sergeant from 3rd Foot Guards
1813, in the front rank with an additional sergeant in Colonel's Colour: Crimson, with a red rampant lion of
the rear rank. Scotland in the centre on a yellow shield, with the
British infantry colours measured 6 feet 6 inches motto 'En Ferus Hostis' below, and the Imperial
wide by 6 feet deep, mounted on a pike which was 9 crown above. Lieutenant Colonel's Colour: Crimson,
feet 10 inches long. On the top of the pike was a with, in the centre, a red and white rose with a thorn
spearhead and a metal ferrule. In a strong wind they issuing from one stem with the motto' nita Fortior'
The Royal Horse Artillery in action against some French 24,22 and 21 feet. Medium rockets were 42-,32- and required great strength to hold them upright, the below and the crown above. It also has a small union
infantry in the Peninsular. One gun has fired whilst another 24-pounders, whilst light rockets were 18-, 12-,9- and more so since the ensigns carrying them were flag in the dexter canton. Major's Colour: Crimson,
waits to come into action. Note the gun teams and drivers 6-pounder. They were usually fired from large tripods generally fairly young men. In order to combat this, bearing the badge of a Star of the Order of the Thistle
waiting towards the rear. but it was possible to fire them from small ships at sea. therefore, a good deal of the colour would have been with the motto 'Semper Pararus'. Also has a small
Wellington had little faith in the rocket and at wound round the pike. union flag in the dexter canton.
the direction from whence it had come. vVaterloo, when a brother officer told vVellington that British regiments carried two colours, the
Perhaps the most innovative, and yet least used of it would 'break poor Whinyates' heart (commanding King's Colour, which, basically, consisted of the The Regimental Colour
all artillery projectiles, was the rocket. Introduced the rockets at Waterloo) if he was not allowed to use Union Jack, and the Regimental Colour, which The Regimental Colour was the national flag. Each
mainly as a result of the unstinting efforts ofvVilliam them. Wellington simply replied, 'damn his heart". bore regimantal devices. As usual, the t11fee reg- company of the Guards regiments had a Company or
Congteve, the rockets saw action at Copenhagen in They did have their uses, however, and at the crossing iments of Foot Guards were different. In fact, each Regimental Colour, distinguished by its own company
1807 where some 40,000 of them were used during of the Adour in February 1814, the first troops to regiment of the Foot Guards had three crimson badge, which was borne in rotation by each battalion.
the attack. There were three catagories of rocket; cross did so covered by a battery of rockets, one of King's Colours; the Colonel's Colour, the Lieutenant By the time of the \Vaterloo campaign in 1815 the 1st
heavy, medium and light. The heavy rockets were 8, 7, which was sent straight into the middle of an Colonel's Colour and the Major's Colour. The colours Foot Guards had 24 company badges, in the
and 6 inches in diameter of head and sported sticks of approaching enemy column. for the three regiments of Foot Guards were as Coldstream there were 16, while in the 3rd Foot
follows: Guards there were 13. The badges were as follows:

1st Foot Guards 1st Foot Guards, Company Badges

Colonel's Colour: Crimson, with the Imperial crown 1st The Royal Crest in gold, a crowned lion standing
in the centre. Lieutenant Colonel's: Crimson, with a on a large crown.
small union in the upper canton. Major's Colour: 2nd A red rose surmounted by a white rose.
Crimson, as Lieutenant Colonel's, but with gold blaze 3rd A gold fleur-de-lys.
or 'pile wavy' issuing from the union. 4th A gold portcullis with hanging chains.
5th A silver rose in a flaming sun.
Coldstream Guards 6th A thistle in full colours.
Colonel's Colour: Crimson, with the Star of the 7th A silver stringed gold harp.
Garter in the centre and the Imperial crown above. 8th A red winged Welsh dragon on a green mound.

1/2 A/til/elY Cololl1os fllld Rflllk Distillctions 113

9th A silver greyhound with a red collar on a green Urbes' beneath. RANK DISTINCTIONS
mound. 10th A salamander standing amidst flames, with the
10th The flaming sun. motto, 'Pascua Nota Mihi' beneath. Officers
11 th A silver unicorn with a prince's coronet and a 1[th A cross of St Andrew on a blue shield. Motto, 'In During the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns the
chain. Hoc Signo Vinces' beneath. officers of the Foot Guards and Line infantry wore the
12th A white antelope with a ducal crown and chain 12th A group of war trophies, with the motto, following rank distinctions. It should be noted that
standing on a green mount. 'Honore Praefero' beneath. Captains of Grenadier or Light Infantry companies in
13th A white hart, gorged with a ducal crown and 13th A Talbot passant on a green mount, all in a gold the Foot Guards wore their epaulettes over the wings.
chain on a green mount. shield, with the motto, 'Intaminata Fide'
14th A white falcon with wings expanded, perched on beneath. Foot Guards
the barrel of a close golden fetterlock. Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and Majors of
15th A red rose with green stalks and leaves. The first battle honours awarded to the 1st Foot Battalion Companies:
16th A white swan with expanded wings, gorged with Guards were granted in 1811. 'Lincelles' was awarded Two epaulettes witll bullions, with Royal Crowns
a ducal crown and chain on a green mount. in June, and 'Corunna' and 'Barrosa' in October. Both and the regimental star on the straps of both.
17th A white falcon with a sceptre standing on a tree these battle honours appear to have been added to the Captains of Battalion Companies:
trunk with red and white roses sprouting. colours in 1814. After the Egyptian Campaign of 1801 Two epaulettes with bullions with only the
18th A trunk of a tree with three leaves sprouting. the Coldstream Guards were awarded the battle regimental star on the strap.
19th A golden sceptre and sword proper. honour 'Egypt' and a Sphinx was added to the colours. Captains commanding Grenadier or Light Infantry
20th A crowned head in a tree on a green mount. The Sphinx was silver, and was mounted on a plinth Companies:
21 st A SWl rising behind clouds. inscribed with Egyptian heiroglyphics within a circular Two epaulette"s with bullions which were worn over
22ndA beacon or cresset with flames. wreath of golden laurels with red berries. Between the the wings and with either silver bugle horns or
23rd Silver ostrich feathers, crossed. tips of the wreath was the word 'Egypt', in gold roman grenades worn above the regimental star.
24th A white hart with golden antlers springing from capitals. The battle honour 'Egypt' was ordered to be Lieutenants and Ensigns of Battalion Companies:
the gate of a golden triple towered castle. painted on the regiment's colours in 1807, although One epaulette \vith bullion worn on the right
new colours were issued before this was done. It is not shoulder only with the regimental star on the shoulder
Coldstream Guards, Company Badges clear, therefore, when 'Egypt' was actually added to strap.
1st A white lion on a green mount, surmounted by the colours although by 1811 it had been done. On Lieutenants and Ensigns of Grenadier or Light
an Imperial crown. An officer of the Coldstream Guards. The buttons are paired, June 20th 1811 the Coldstream Guards were awarded Infantry Companies: A wing on each shoulder
2nd Three ostich feathers with the motto 'Ich Dien'. as befits the 2nd Foot Guards. Note the broad gold lace and the battle honour 'Lincelles' and on February 12th decorated with either bugle horns or grenades.
3rd A white and black spotted panther, having flames high black stock. His belt is fastened with a serpent and lion's 1812 the honours 'Talavera' and 'Barrosa' were
of fire coming from its mouth, on a green mount. head clasp. awarded. These were painted on to the colours in Line Infantry
4th Crossed swords, with points upwards, in silver. 1814. Like the Coldstream Guards, the 3rd Foot In March 1809 Line Infantry officers were given new
The hilt and pommel in gold. 3rd Foot Guards, Company Badges: Guards added a Sphinx to their colours after 1802 orders as regards the wearing of badges on their
5th St George and Dragon. 1st A red lion standing on an Imperial crown all on a which was awarded to them following the Egyptian epaulette straps. They were ordered to wear the
6th A red rose with golden seeds and green thorns in silver shield, with the motto, 'In Defensio' campaign of the previous year. The battle honour following badges: Colonels wore two epaulettes with
a garter. beneath. 'Lincelles' was awarded to the regiment in June 1811 crown and star; lieutenant colonels wore two
7th A centaur provided with a bow and arrow on a 2nd A hand grenade with a lighted fuse. Motto, and the honours 'Talavera' and 'Barrosa' in February epaulettes with a crown; majors wore two epaulettes
green mount. 'Terrorem Affero' beneath. 1812. These honours were added to all the regiment'S with a star; officers of battalion companies wore single
8th Two crossed sceptres in gold. 3rd The red rampant lion of Scotland, with the colours in 1814. One final note concerns the battle epaulettes, captains wearing a single epaulette on the
9th The knot of the collar of the Order of the motto, 'Intrepidus' beneath. honour 'Peninsula'. This was awarded in April 1815 right shoulder with bullion twisted fringe, and
Garter. 4th The cross with a representation of St Andrew, and it is therefore rather doubtful whether it appeared lieutenants and ensigns a single epaulette on the right
lOth A carbunkle in gold. upon a star of silver, all under a thistle. Motto, on the colours of any of the regiments of Foot Guards shoulder with a thin wire fringe. Officers of grenadier
11 th A white boar, passant, tusked in gold on a green 'Nemo Me Impune Laccesit' beneath. at Waterloo. It certainly did not appear on the colours companies wore a wing on both shoulders \vith a
mount. 5th A red lion passant and full faced, on a gold shield of the 1st Foot Guards, as the Major's Colour of the grenade whilst light company officers wore a wing on
12 th A dun cow, on a green mount. with the motto, 'Timere Nescius' beneath. 3rd Battalion had just 'Lincelles', 'Corunna' and either shoulder \vith a bugle horn. Adjutants wore a
13th A red and white rose impaled with a golden 6th A blue griffin on a gold shield, with the motto, 'Barrosa' upon it, and as the 2nd Battalions of the 1st, fringed subaltern's epaulette on the right shoulder and
pomegranate bearing green leaves. 'Belloque Ferox' beneath. Coldstream and 3rd Foot Guards were in Holland
14th A white horse galloping on a green mount. 7th A pheonix rising from flames on a green mount, when the battle honour was awarded it is probable that Following pages.
15 th The crown of Charlemagne in gold. with the motto, 'Per Funera Vitam' beneath. none of their colours carried at Waterloo bore the Thomas St Clair's picture of the British camp at Villa Velha,
16th Three crests of German origin, emanating from 8th A thunderbolt with silver wings, with the motto, honour 'Peninsula', in spite of its being pictured in Portugal, May 1811. St Clair's pictures contain a wealth of
Saxony, Brunswick and Hanover. 'Horror bique' beneath. some paintings, notably Simkin's, painted nearly a detail as regards uniform, life-style, camp quarters, etc. This
9th A cannon represented as though in the act century afterwards. particular picture shows a wide variety of activities and is one
of firing a shot. Motto, 'Concussae Cadent of his finest pictures.

JJ4 Colours and Rank Distinctions Colow'S and Rank Distinctions 115
 - ------------
and corproals was introduced. L1stead of the old
shoulder knots and epaulettes, chevrons were
introduced both for the Foot Guards and the Line
illfantry. In the three regiments of Foot Guards the
Fighting Spirit
chevrons were worn as follows:
Sergeant Major: four gold lace chevrons on dark
blue cloth. Colour Sergeant (from]uly 1813): three
gold lace chevrons on dark blue cloth, with a crimson
King's Colour placed upon the chevrons with the
Royal Crown above and crossed swords below it.
Sergeant: three gold lace chevrons on dark blue cloth.
Drum Major: same as sergeants. Corporals: two white
worsted lace chevrons on dark blue cloth. Chosen
Man (Lance Corporal): a single white worsted lace Ever since 1661, when British troops were shipped off him. After six years of hard struggle Wellington
chevron on dark blue cloth. to distant Tangier to fight a cunning and clever finished his job and was hailed a national hero by a
These chevrons were worn on the right sleeve. Moorish enemy, right up until the 1982 Falklands grateful British public. However, he was swift to
There is little evidence to show that the sergeants of War, British armies have fought and defeated a vast deflect some of the huge amount of praise heaped
the grenadier and light infantry companies wore their array of different enemies and have achieved dozens of upon him onto what he called 'the best of all
chevrons on both arms, as was the practice in the Line decisive, dazzling victories. The British soldier is instruments', meaning the British infantryman, for it
infantry regiments. TCOS also wore their chevrons on indeed a master of the art of fighting and some of the was largely as a result of the tremendous efforts of that
the right sleeves of their greatcoats. Another rank best exponents of this particularly deadly art must
distinction was of course the sergeants' sashes. These surely be those who fought under Sir Arthur Wellesley Sir John Moore (1761-1809), commander ofthe British army
were crimson with a white stripe in the 1st Foot in the Peninsular War. illdeed, of all the armies that during its ill-fated Corunna campaign of 1808-09. Although
Guards, plain crimson in the Coldstream, and crimson Britain has put into the field during her long and very remembered for being mortally wounded whilst saving the
with a blue and white stripe in the 3rd Foot Guards. illustrious martial history, the old Peninsular army army at Corunna on January 16th 1809, his major contribution
By the time of Waterloo, however, in 1815, all sashes must rank very high on the list. Some modern to the army lay in his training of Light troops at Shorncliffe
are presumed to have been just crimson. historians have chosen to dismiss the Peninsular War camp, prior to the Peninsular War.
ill the Line illfan try regiments sergeant majors A particularly young looking officer of the 10th Regiment, as 'a mere sideshow', comparing it to Tapoleon's
quartermaster sergeants and drum majors all wore 1815. The bottoms of his grey trousers will not last very long campaigns in Europe and Wellington's victory at
four white lace chevrons edged blue on their right unless he reinforces them with leather, the method favoured Waterloo. Try telling this to the men who stormed the
arm. Sergeants wore three chevrons on their right by the majority of officers on campaign. bloody breaches at Badajoz, or the men who 'reeled
am1, and on both arms for flank companies, as did like battleships' in the ferocious firefight at Albuera,
lance sergeants, whilst corporals wore two chevrons on the men who crushed the French at Salamanca and
their right arms and on both in flank companies. Vittoria and who flushed them from their rock)' crags
Chosen men wore a single chevron on their right arm, atop the Pyrenees in 1813. Sideshow? I think not.
and on both in flank companies. Politically perhaps, but these six years of hard,
sustained conflict warrant more respect than to be
called a mere sideshow. ill any case, in human terms
war never IS.
'The most complete machine for its numbers now
existing in Europe', was how Wellington described his
army on November 21st 1813, eleven days after his
victory at the battle of the ivelle and with his men
poised to begin the last leg of their triumphant march
that had seen them advance from Portugal to southern
France. Wellington was not given to such praise
without good reason and, indeed, such a tribute had
not been earned without a vast amount of toil,
triumph and tragedy. It was also a far cry from
Wellington's own estimation of the task facing him
when he assumed command of the Peninsular army in
1808, when he said that his job was to do the best he
could with the instr1lments that had been sent to assist

118 Colollrs and Rank Distinctions Fighting Spi1'it 119

The 57th Regiment withstand heavy fire during the battle of raising antics, Robert Craufurd. These senior army
Albuera, 1811. Illustration by Lieut. Col. Marshman. officers were followed by scores of superb regimental
officers such as Cameron of the 92nd, Becbvith and
particular 'instrument' that Wellington's laurels were Barnard of the 95th and Wallace of the 8th, who
gained. were revered by their men and to whom nothing but
\Vellington's army was, in reality, an Anglo- the highest respect and obedience were given. The
Portuguese one, and we should never overlook the British soldier was indeed fortunate that he had such
part played by the Portugue e army in the Penin ula brave men who led from the front. Those who did
or the role of the Spani h parti ans and the people of not, such as Colonel l'iathaniel Peacock of the 71 sr, a
the two Iberian nations. coward at the battle of St Pierre, stand out a
The rea ons, however, behind the British army's exceptions to the rule. That the officers led by
success in the Peninsula were not totally dissimilar to example and inspired the men can be gauged by men
those which saw it to victory in other campaigns like Colonel Henry Ridge, traditionally the first man
although during the Napoleonic "Vars, Britain could to scale the castle walls at Badajoz on the night of
lean very heavily on her seapower and on the mighty April 6th 1812. Ridge gained the ramparts, only to be
British pound. Aside from these most important
factors, the crucial elements in the British Army's Opposite top.
victory in the Peninsula were good leadership, The storming of the castle of Badajoz by the 3rd Division, April
motivation, tactics, a sound system and, above all, an 6th 1812. Although intended as a diversionary attaCk, it was
imperturbable and brave British soldier. this assault, along with the 5th Division's attack at the San
That \"ellington possessed a number of woefully Vincente bastion, which won the town for Wellington after the
incompetent commanders in the Peninsula it cannot assaults on the breaches failed.
be denied. However, these were far outnumbered by
sound, high-quality divi ional and brigade Opposite bottom.
commanders, such as Picton, Graham, Hill, Col borne, Wellington visits the horrific area in front of the breaches at
Cole, Le Marchant and, even if he was given to hair- Badajoz on the morning after the attack.
------ -------------'
Figbtitlg Spirit 121
120 Figbtillg Spirit
 Battle of Albuera,16th May 1811. Illustration by R. Caton from the profes ional classes which encompassed
Woodville. everybody from the landed gentry to doctors, lawyers
and tradesmen. These officer would lead their men to
shot down shortly afterwards, but his men, following hell and back if need be, as they did at Ciudad
behind, went berserk at the sight of their commander Rodrigo, Badajoz and San Sebastian. And whilst on
weltering in his own blood and the defender paid a the subject of ocial cla it i worth noting that one of
terrible price for their defence of the place. the Peninsular War' most famous diarists, Kincaid, of
A myth has grown over the years as to the social the 95th Rifles, bemoaned the fact that more members
backgrounds of Wellington's officers, a myth that of the aristocracy did not end their sons to join the
would have us believe that the army was officered army as they were able to command more respect
almost entirely by the aristocracy and the landed from their men.
gentry. This is far from the truth, however, for in 1809 Of course, the British soldier could count himself
there were just 140 officers in the army who were fornrnate they he was led, ultimately, by one of the
peers or sons of peers and almost half of these were great commanders in military history, namely
with either the cavalry or the three regiments of Foot Wellington himself. ever loved by his men,
Guards. Indeed, the majority of British officers hailed Wellington was, nevertheless, a man who inspired
great confidence in them, never wasting lives and
Opposite Top. always careful not to fritter away his valuable
The storming of Badajoz, April 6th 1812. British attacking resources. One has only to look at the example set by
columns move forward in the midst of a veritable volcano of Beresford at Albuera, to use perhaps the most obvious
fire from the French. one, to gauge the feelings of the men towards the rwo
commanders. After the battle, one of the bloodiest of
Opposite Bottom. the Peninsular War, Wellington visited the wounded,
British cavalry at the battle of Salamanca, July 22nd 1812. The saying that he was sorry to ee so many of them lying
dragoons are shown incorrectly wearing the 1812-pattern there, whereupon one of them replied that if he had
helmets which were not yet introduced in the Peninsula. been in command they probably would not have been

122 Figbting Spirit Fighting Spirit 123

The Household Brigade clash with French Cuirassiers at the Burgos, aid by those who had gone through that
Battle of Waterloo. Illustration by Lieut. Col. Marshman particular episode as well as the retreat to Corunna, to
be by far the wor e of the two, \\ ellington i ued his
there. The British soldier knew that as long as 'old infamou memorandum in which he laid the blame
~o ey' was with them they had a more than equal fairly and squarely on the officer commanding
chance of victory and, more important, survival. This divisions and brigades. He knew deep down, perhaps,
confidence was borne of the experience of the early that after having put them through hell at Badajoz, for
year of the campaign, when the British Army was a example, it was too much to expect the battle-crazed
small and precious one with which \ Vellington could survivors to simply 'switch off'. A gallows was erected
take few risks, lest the doubting politicians at home in the town after the storming but nobody was actually
press for a recall, which they would do until deep into hanged. Furthermore, \\{ellington's anger at the black
the war. deeds perpetrated upon the population of Badajoz
The British soldier has attracted a great deal of must have been tempered by the sight of hundreds of
bad pre s over the years regarding his conduct, British corpses lying warm and still in the ditches in
particularly following the sieges and on the retreat to front of the breaches.
Corunna and from Burgos. Strangely enough, the rank Discipline was of paramount importance, of
and file had the backing of their commander-in- chief course, because, asJohn Keegan has pointed out, an
on everal of these unsavoury occasion. Following the amlY is often just one step away from becoming a
sacking of San Sebastian, for example, \ Vellington was rabble and in \"ellington's day it was no different.
quick to defend his men against Spanish allegations Hence the need for a sound supply system which,
made by the Spaniards that the British had torched the hopefully, would a\'oid having (Contil/ued 01/ page /29)
town after its storming, but follo\\~ng an internal
inquiry \ Vellington found he could attach no blame to Opposite.
his men. He may also, of course, have been busy Battle of Fuentes de Onoro, 5 May 1811, Captain Home, 3rd
fending off newspaper allegations concerning his own Foot Guards, is attacked by three French troopers. Painting by
role in the business. And at the end of the retreat from Harry Payne.

/ U Figbting pirit Figbting pint /25

The Battle of Maya, 25th July 1813 advance. The 400 Scotsmen performed heroically and held at
bay an entire French division until after about twenty minutes
The fight at the pass at Maya on July 25th 1813 formed one of they too were gradually forced back.
the three main battles of the Pyrenees, Roncesvalles and One of the better accounts of the fight at Maya comes
Sorauren being the other two. The battles represented a from the pen of William Thornton Keep, of the 28th, who
desperate attempt by Soult, commanding the French army in described how his battalion arrived to find the 92nd sittin9
the Peninsula after Vittoria, to relieve the French-held fortress down watching the approach of the French. After a while he
of Pamplona. On July 25th, Soult's troops attacked the two said he was called to carry the colour and even had time to
passes over the Pyrenees between France and Spain at stop and talk to another soldier about the events of the day as
Roncesvalles and Maya, driving the BritiSh back and the 92nd carried off their wounded in blankets. Eventually, his
occupying both passes. battalion was thrust back, leaving him isolated and with a
While the battle for the pass of Roncesvalles was raging French soldier levelling his musket at him. Keep was forced to
D1Erion's corps, numbering 21,000, advanced against the jump down a ravine to save himself and the Colour. By this
BritiSh troops holding the equally important pass at Maya. stage of the war many of the 92nd were wearing sandals cut
At about 6am, O'Erion launched an attack on the eastern from cattle hides whilst their kilts had been replaced in some
edge of the ridge at Maya, overrunning the 4OO-strong piquet instances by brown cloth trousers. The 28th were still wearing
placed on the Gorospil hill and thrusting back the British their stovepipe shakos and would still be doing so two years
troops, the 28th, 34th, and 39th, who had rushed to their aid. later at Waterloo. Painting by Richard Hook.
Three more British battalions, the SOth, 92nd and 71 st,
witnessed the fighting from their positions to the west of the
main road and one of them, the lISOth, was sent to their
assistance. For a while the SOth held the French in check but
they could not be stopped and the Kentish re9iment was
thrown back across the main road. Above.
At this point Pringle, the local commander, sent forward Black Watch at Bay, painted by W. B. Wollen. Battle of Quatre
half a battalion of the 1/92nd to try and halt the enemy Bras, 16 June 1815

126 Figbtillg pirit

 Saddle of Lt. James Gape, Scots Greys, pierced twice by have made them the fine fellows they are.' It is worth
bullets during the charge of the Union Brigade at Waterloo, he noting, however, that Wellington did not add this
was unscathed. The saddle can be seen at Edinburgh Castle. latter conunent until 1831, in a conversation with Earl
Stanhope, whereas he did, in fact, use the phrase 'the
scum of the earth', in a letter to Earl Bathurst dated
the men plunder the Iberian villages in an effort to July 2nd 1813. In the letter Wellington berates his
supplement their rations. By and large the system men for their conduct and his officers and COs for
worked and the British soldier was able to fight the not being able to control them. 'It is really a disgrace
war well supplied from the bases in Lisbon and, later to have anything to say to such men as some of our
in the war, from Santander and Passages. Indeed, one soldiers are.' It was, therefore, some 18 years before he
of the marked differences between the fortunes of the added the 'fine fellows' postcript.
British and French soldiers is that the former was far But even during the retreat to Corunna the men
better supplied. The Spanish and Portuguese, may have lost their discipline but they did not lose the
meanwhile, took all of this philosophically - at the end will to fight. That much maligned arm of Wellington's
of the day they were left with nothing, the only army, the cavalry, achieved two of its most notable
difference was that the British paid for their supplies successes during the retreat, at Sahagun and
whereas the French just took them. This is not to say Benevente, whilst even the exhausted, ragged infantry,
that the commissariat did not break down occasionally dragging themselves through the snow-covered passes
and when it did it often provoked the sort of scenes of the Galician mountains, were capable of turning on
that prompted Wellington to use such phrases as 'the their tormentors occasionally to give them a bloody
scum of the earth' when referring to his men. nose.
Incidentally, many writers tend to ignore Wellington's The British soldier in the Peninsula, and in
lesser known postscript, 'it is wonderful that we should particular the infantryman, was served by a tactical
system that saw him sweep his French adversaries
Opposite. from many a dusty battlefield. Wellington's reliance on
British Heavy Dragoons at Waterloo, 1815, by R. Knoetel. the two-deep line against the French colunm, coupled

J 28 Figbtil1g Spi1'it Figbtillg Spirit J 29

British troops form squares to repel French cavalry, still from tremendously from the vineyards of Vimeiro to the
'Waterloo', Columbia Pictures. intimidating ridge of Busaco, and from the hot, dry
plains of Salamanca to the lofty peaks of the Pyrenee .
with Ills judicious use of ground, was a major factor in Indeed, the battlefields of northern Spain and south-
his ultimate success. Indeed, the spectacle of long, western France are amongst the most picture que in
silent lines of red-jacketed infantry waiting to greet Europe. Yet the British soldier took tills in hi
the enemy columns is one of the great images of the unruffled stride, and all this in the days when a trip to
war, as is that of the angry, bayonet-wielding Brits, a neighbouring village in England was often the
charging forward in pursuit of their Aeeing French furthest extent of a man's travel. In fact, it has been
adversaries who had wisely declined their invitation to calculated that the British soldier in the Peninsula
cross bayonets \vith them. Tills is not to say that the marched an average of 6,000 miles during the war.
French troops were incapable of manoeuvre. On the But at the heart of the British soldier's raison
contrary, the French were considered superior in their d'etre was the regiment. When a man enlisted he not
movements, as John Mill , of the Coldstream Guards, only joined the British Army, he joined a regiment,
noted in Ills letters. 'Their movements compared with and that regiment was to become Ills home and his
ours are as mail coaches to dung carts....but at fighting family for the duration of Ills service. If the men of the
we beat them, and they know it', he wrote. regiment were its life blood, then the Colours were its
Wellington's use of artillery was also of significance as heart, for there is something about the sight of a large
he forbad any real counter-battery fire, preferring piece of square cloth, mounted upon a long wooden
instead to use Ills guns in twos and three against the pole that stirs a man to perform great deeds of
enemy columns wlllch would have already been heroism. How many times have we read in the annals
greatly annoyed by the tIllck British skirmish line. of British military Illstory the phrase, 'Save the
It cannot be denied that the firepower of the
British soldier proved decisive in the majority of Opposite.
battle in the Peninsula, but Ills adaptability proved of Battle of Waterloo. Sergeant Ewart of the Scots Greys
equal value. The terrain fought over varied captures the Eagle Standard of the French 45th Regiment.

130 Fighting Spi,-it Fighting Spirit 131

 ColoursI') Names like .\leh~lIe, Coghill and Souter wounded and with the last sergeant killed, the colour
ring out over the years as examples of such heroism, party had virtually ceased to exist. In an effort to save
men who made the ultimate sacrifice in order to sa\'e the Regimental Colour from the French, Vance ripped
the spirit of the regiment from falling into the hands the flag from its taff and wrapped it round his body.
of the enemy. In the Peninsula it was no different. That night both Vance and Furnace were found dead
Take, for example, Lieutenant Latham of the 3rd Foot on the battlefield but the two colours were safe,
(The Buffs). His regiment fornled part of Col borne' hidden by their guardians before they had died. But
ill-fated brigade at Albuera which was ~rtually this was what wa expected of an officer and it wa to
annihilated by a regiment of Polish lancers, supported such men that the rest of the battalion looked.
by French hussars. In the ensuing carnage the lancers Regimental pride was one of the greatest
made a determined assault on the Buffs' I(jng's motivations the British soldier had, and always has,
Colour, hacking, hewing and spearing the helpless and such men as Furnace and Vance were just typical
infantrymen whose muskets had been rendered examples of men doing their utmost to maintain their
ineffective by a sudden rainstorm. In the midst of the honour. This regimental pride ran through the veins
bedlam Lieutenant Latham could be seen fighting for of the men themselves who were no less proud of their
all he was worth in order to save the Colour. After a adopted family, its traditions and its fighting
desperate fight the enemy cavalry were seen off but at reputation. There were, of course, a core of bad apples
a terrible cost, not least to Latham himself who, to be found in every regiment that were usually the
despite surviving the onslaught, lost an arm and wa stimulus and motivating force behind the sort of dark
terribly cur up. The Colour was saved, however, as deeds that have tarnished tlle reputation of the greater
Latham had managed to wrap it round his body. part of the army and who may well have been called
Ensign Furnace, of the 29th Regiment, performed a the scum of the earth with some justification.
similar feat of heroism, also at Albuera. 1\vo sergeants However, in spite of everything that had happened in
had been killed and Furnace, himself wounded, was the Peninsula, Wellington was able to look back and
propped up by the last survi~g sergeant. Another say that the army was in such perfect order he could
officer offered to take the I(jng's Colour from him but have gone anywhere and done anything \~th it. I think
Furnace refu ed. The Regimental Colour, meanwhile, this stands as perhaps the greatest tribute of all to the
was carried by En ign Vance, who was mortally fighting prowe s of the British soldier.

Opposite top.
The 10th Hussars trying to find their way in the Peninsula by
way of a map and a local guide. After a painting by Simkin.

Bottom.
An extremely nice painting of a 16th Light Dragoon on patrol in
the Peninsula, c. 1811. He is wearing the pre-1812 uniform with
the 'Tarleton' helmet. He is also wearing grey trousers and is
carrying a carbine in his hands.

J32 Fighting Spi"it Fighting Spirit 133

 French, was published in Paris towards the end of the HAYTHOR1"JTHvVAlTE, Philip. Weapons and

I Bibliography last century. Other worthy memoirs containing

uniform description include John Stepney Cowell's
Equipment oftbe Napoleonic IMws. Poole, 1979.
HAYTHORi"-TTHWAlTE, Philip. Unifimns oftbe
Leaves from tbe Dimy ofan Officer oftbe Gum'ds, John PeninSlllm" Wm; 1807-1814. Poole 1978
Patterson's Adve11tm'es in tbe 50tb Regiment, William HAYTHORi"JTHWAlTE, Philip. Unifo17l1S of
Grattan's Adventures hi tbe Connaugbt Rangers, Watel·loo. Poole, 1974.
Mercer's ]oumal oftbe H7ate1"l00 Campaign and Cooke's HAYTHORiVTHWAlTE, Philip. Britisb bifantly of
Memoirs oftbe Late H7rI1·. These are just a few, however, tbe Napoleonic WaJ:r. London, 1987
and others are listed in this bibliography. HAYTHORl T~rAlTE, Philip. Bl'itisb Cavahyman,
In many ways, these memoirs are far more valuable 1792-1815. London, 1994.
than any book on uniform, this volume included, HAYTHORiVT~rAlTE, Philip. Wellington's
because these were the men who had to wear the Specialist Troops. London, 1988.
uniforms and are the men who have passed down their HAYTHORNTHWAlTE, Philip. Tbe A17llies of
There is a vast array of literature on the subject of anachrorusms in their work to be a reliable source of verdicts from those heady days of the early 19th Wellington. London, 1994.
apoleonic military dress to which this modest effort information. Indeed, Caton Woodville even shows the century. Dress regulations are fine as a starting point LAWSOI ,CCP' A Hist01Y oftbe Unif017IlS oftbe
will be added. The number of books on the subject has 1812 pattern shako in his paintings of the battle of but really should be left to the 'buttons and lace' world Bl"itisb AmlY. Vol.5. London, 1967.
grown in tandem with the increase of the model Alexandria, 1801 1 However, they do capture of miLitary modelling, for as the eye witness accounts APIER, W Hist01Y oftbe Wal' in tbe Peninsula and in
soldier and wargaming industry. The real increase in something of the flavour of the times and so their featured in this book amply demonstrate, the tbe SoMb ofFmnce, from tbe yem' 1807 to tbe year
books of the subject of military dress has occurred work is often to be found in books on the subject. difference between regulation clothing and campaign 1814. London, 1828-1845.
during the last forty years with such authors as R. Much of the information regarding the true picture dress appears to be vast. OMAl'\J, Sir Charfes. Wellington's AI7IlY, 1809- 1814.
Money Barnes, CCP. Lawson and W. Carmen being of Wellington's men on campaign lies, namrally, in Listed below are some of the best and most Oxford,1913.
amongst the pioneers. Indeed, Bill Carmen continues their memoirs. Unfortunately, the majority of them important works produced on the uniforms worn by ONlAN, Sir Charles. Hist01Y oftbe PeninS1llm' Wal:
to flourish today. During the last couple of decades are priced far beyond the reach of most readers and vVellington's army. Couple with this is a very brief Oxford, 1902.
authors and artists such as the Fosten brothers, Gerry have become inflated to an extreme by coIJectors selection of memoirs which contain references to ROBSON, B. Swords oftbe Bl'itisb A17ny; Tbe
Embleton, Martin Windrow, Richard Hook, Mjchael an;cious to obtain the missing pieces for their jigsaws. I uniforms and equipment. These are just a few of the Regulation PattmLS, 1788-1914. London, 1996.
Barthorp and, of course, Philip Haythornthwaite have hold my own hand up here. Moreover, memoirs many accounts left to us by Wellington's men and, ROGERS, Col. H.CB. Wellington's AmlY. London,
added to our knowledge of the apoleoruc period as written during the Perunsular War and Waterloo indeed, if one scans the pages of the majority of 1979.
regards uniforms and equipment. Campaigns are by far the most desirous of volumes, memoirs, readers will usually find some references - VERN . R, Col. Willoughby. History and Campaigns of
aturally enough, it is the paintings and pictures which doesn't help matters. But there has of late been usually complaints - about the quality and standards of tbe Rifle Brigade, 1800- 13. London, 1912.
of contemporary artists that'are a prime source of a move by certain publishers, such as Ken Trotman, military dress on campaign. ~!ELLER, J. Wellington in tbe PeninS1lla. London,
information. Probably the most important source we Greenhill, Worley and Spell mount, to produce 1962.
have comes from Charles Hamilton Smith, whose facsimiles of rare books at affordable prices. They may WINDROW; M. & EMBLETON, G. Militmy Dress
drawings of British military uniforms of the period are not be first editions, of course, but the information GENERAL oftbe PeninS1llal' Wal: London, 1974.
the most easily recognisable today. His drawings adorn therein is the same and we should be grateful to them
the pages of scores of books and provide a unique for providing the service. Sigruficantly, the steady flow BAILEY, D. W Bl'itisb Militmy Longarllls, 1715-1815. Various issues of Mjlitary Ulustrated, Tradition, The
reference work on the uniforms of Wellington's army. of reprints and facsimiles does not appear to have London, 1971. Journal of the Society for Army Historical
Another important source are the superb paintings of affected the antiquarian book market. There are still a BRETT-JANIES, A. Life in Wellington's A17J1)'. Research, Royal United Services Institute Journal.
Major Thomas St Clair, an officer who served with the number of unpublished memoirs in homesteads, London, 1972.
Portuguese army in the Peninsula. St Clair could only museums and archives around Britain, some of which FLETCHER, Ian & Poulter, R. Gentlemen's Sons; Tbe MEMOIRS
paint what he saw, of course, and therefore there are will, undoubtedly, contain new information on Foot Gum'ds in tbe Pe11inSllla and at Watel'loo, 1808-
very few anachronisms - if any exist at all - in his military dress. Indeed, the letters of William 1815. Tunbridge Wells, 1992. CADELL, Charles. Nr!17"ative oftbe CampaiEJILS oftbe
paintings. The detail in his pictures is wonderful; take Thornton Keep, of the 28th Regiment, contain some FLETCHER, Ian. Wellington's Foot Gu01·ds. London, Twenty-Eigbt Regiments, since tbeir retll171 from Egypt
for example the camp scene at Villa Vehla, featured in very graphic descriptions of his clothing and 1994. in 1802. London, 1835.
this book. The picture contains a wealth of detail equipment, some brief extracts of which appear in this FLETCHER, Ian. Wellington's Regiments. Staplehurst, COOKE, John. Me11l0iJ:r oftbe Late War: Comprising
showing camp life as it appeared in the Peninsula. The book. 1995. tbe PeJ:ronal Nan'ative ofCaptain Cooke oftbe 431"d
Waterloo paintings of Denis Dighton are also superb. The lists of clothing and equipment given by Gleig FOSTEN, Bryan, Wellington's bifm1tly 1. London, Regiment ofLigbt bifm1tly. London, 1831.
Again, details are reproduced in this book. The later and Cooper, given in the chapter on campaign dress 1981. COOPER, John Spencer. Rongb Notes ofSeven
artists, particularly the Victorian and Edwardian artists appear in their respective memoirs, Gleig's Tbe FOSTE ,Bryan, Wellington's bifantly 2. London, Campaigns in P01·tIlgal, Spain, Frmlce and AmeriCfl,
like Woollen, Beadle and, of course, Caton Woodville, Subaltel?l, of which several editions are to be found, 1982. dnring tbe Yem:!" 1809-1815. Carlisle, 1869.
captured the spirit of the period with their action- and John Spencer Cooper's Rongb Notes ofSeven FOSTEI ,Bryan. Wellington's Ligbt Cavahy. London CO~LL, John Stepney. Leavesfrom tbe Dimy ofan
packed paintings of such stirring episodes like the CampaigllS, published in 1869 and 1914 and recently 1982. Office1' oftbe Guards. London, 1854.
storming of Badajoz, Albuera, Vittoria and Talavera. reprinted by Spellmount. Woodberry's list comes from GLOVER, Mjchael. Wellington's AmI)' in tbe Peninsula. DUNN-PATTISON, R.P. Tbe Hist01Y oftbe 91st
But, unfortunately, there are far too many his own manuscript although an edition, curiously in Newton Abbot, 1976. Al'gyllsbin Higblandm. Edinburgh, 1910.

134 Bibliogmpby BiblioEJI"f1pby 135

DYNELEY, Thomas. Letters w"itten by Lieut.-General LA\VRE TCE, William. Tbe Autobiography of e'"geant
Thomas Dyneley, CB. RA., while on active service
between the years 1808 and 1815. Woolwich, 1896.
FLETCHER, Ian. (Ed). A Guards Officer in the
William Lawrence, a Hero ofthe PeninSilIOl" and
Wilterloo Campaigns. London, 1 86.
MERCER, Cavalie. Jo1t171al ofthe Wilterloo Campaign.
Napoleonic Wars Directory
Peninsula; The PeninSlllar Wilr letters oJJohn ROILS, London, 1927.
Coldstream Guards, 1812-1814. Tunbridge Wells, PATTER ON, john. The Adventtlres ofCaptain John
1992. Patte"son, with otices ojthe Officers, &c. ofthe 50th,
FLETCHER, Ian. (Ed). For King and Country; The or Queen's Own Regiment, frcnJl 1807 to 1 21.
Letters and Diaries oJJohn Mills, Coldstream Guards, London, 1837.
1811-1814. Staplehurst, 1995. SIMMONS, George. A British Rifleman. The Jou17lals
FLETCHER, Ian. (Ed). In the Service ojthe King; The and Correspondence ofMajor George Simmons, Rifle
Letters oj William Th017lton Keep, 1808- 1814, at B"igade, dul"ing the PeninS1llar Wilr and the Campaign
Hcnlle, Willcheren and in the Peninsula. Staplehurst, ofWilterloo. London, 1899.
1997. SURTEES, William. Twenty-Five Years in the Rifle This directory is a comprehensive guide for Fort Amherst, Chatham, Kent, Britain's premier
GLEIG, G. The Subaltern. London, 1825. Brigade. London, 1833. apoleonic re-enactors, historians, art collectors, Napoleonic fort. Contact R. Prisley, 37 Byron Road,
GORDON, Alexander. A Cavalry Officer in the TOMKINSO ,Lr.Col. William. The Diary oja modellers and wargamers. Gillingham, Kent ME7 5QH.
Corunna Campaign, 1808- 1809; The Jou17Ial of Cavalry Officer in the PeninslllOl" and Wate,"loo The 68th (Durham) Light Infantry has become
Captain Gordon ofthe 15th H1LSSOl"S. London, 1913. Campaigns, 1809-1815. London, 1894. Napoleonic Re-enactment Groups widely renowned for its painstaking authenticity and
GRATT , W Adventures with the Connaught WHEELER, William. Tbe Letters ofPrivate Wheeler, The umbrella organisation for many of the recreates one of the fine regiments that fought in the
Rangers, 1809-1814. London, 1902. 1809-1828. London, 1951. apoleonic re-enactment groups in Britain is the long Peninsula. Contact Tony Parker, 213 Bishopton Road
HENEGAN, R. Seven Years' Campaigning in the WOO D BERRY, George. The 18th H1lSsars and the established apoleonic Association organising events West, Fairfield, Stockton, Cleveland, TSI9.
Peninsula. London, 1848. Victoria Campaign of 1813. (MSS account, courtesy not only in this country but throughout Europe. Over Distinct in their green uniforms, the 95th Rifles
KINCAID, j. Adventt17'es in the Rifle Brigade, in the of Mr Eddie Webb.) the years the A has grown from a purely re- are always popular at re-enactments and the recent
PeninS1lla, France, and the ethedands, from 1809 to enactment organisation to incorporate research and success of the Sharpe television series has created
1815. London, 1830. wargaming sections and members also receive the much interest in the e 'specialists'. Contact Les
magazine, Fi'"51 Empire. For details write to the Handscombe, 48 Mutton Place, Prince Of Wales
Chairman, Mike Freeman, 5 Thingwall Drive, Irby, Road, London NWl 8DF (Tel: 01714854942).
Wirral, Merseyside L61 3XN. The Hoch und Deutschmeister are Britain's only
Winners of Military Illustrated's Best Re-enactment apoleonic Austrian regiment standing out at re-
Group award in 1995, the 12th Light Dragoons are enactment events in their white uniforms. The unit
one of Britain's finest living history groups. The 12th has been in existence for over 20 years and has also
have high standards of authenticity and horsemanship forged strong links \vith other groups in Europe.
and pride themselves on maintaining the spirit of the Contact Ian Castle, 49 Belsize Park, London NW3
original regiment they proudly base themselves upon. 4EE.
Contact Martin Render, Shepherd's Cottage, Femhill, La Garde Imperiale dedicates itself to recreating
Glemsford, uffolk, COlO 7PR for details. the glories of apoleon's elite fighting force. The unit
Another fine cavalry unit is the 15th King's Light is particuJary impres ive because of its live firing
Dragoons (Hussars) who are also very exacting in their displays using full size cannon, at the annual Euro
standards. The 15 th can be contacted through eil Militaire model show at Folkestone and other events.
Leonard, Rose Cottage, Caledonia, Winlaton, Tyne & Because of its reputation, the Garde has taken part in
Wear, < 21 6AX. many prestigious events in France and from a foot and
The 3rd Battalion 1st Foot Guards portray the artillery group it has now diversified into cavalry,
elite troops who fought under Wellington through the recruiting a group of Garde lancers. Members pay for
Peninsula and Waterloo campaigns. The unit is run by their uniforms with a subscription of£20 per month.
Waterloo expert Derek Saunders who can be In the north, prospective recruits should contact
contacted at the Waterloo Museum, Crow Hill, Derek Mellard on 01924 381 820, Midlands,jim
Broadstairs, Kent, CTI0 lHN. jackson, 01455 449 264, South, jerry Lavender 01323
The 2nd Queen's Regiment of Foot recreates the 724433.
2nd Foot during the early years of the Peninsular War. The geme Demi-Brigade Legere dedicates itself to
Contact G. Brown, 18 Lilac Close, Bellfields Estate, re-enacting the life and traditions of French soldiers
Guildford, Surrey, G I IPB. during the revolutionary and apoleonic periods and
The 42nd Royal Highland Regiment was formed has become a particularly large unit, counting over
over a decade ago and its events include displays at 100 chasseurs in its ranks. Members pay £10 per

136 Bibliography apoleonic Wars Diuctory 137

month, which covers the cost of their uniforms and The German States Study Group has been set up and where he had breakfast on the morning ofJune 18 elegant looking building.
travel throughout Britain and Europe. Prospective in the Napoleonic Association to suldy the period of 1815. A selection of battle flags is also on display. Although a comparatively small unit in the
recruits should be a minimum age of 15 and hold a German military history during the revolutionary and The ational Army Museum, Royal Hospital Napoleonic Wars, the Royal Marines rendered good
current passport. Contact 'Louis' at II Birchwood Napoleonic wars and sends out newsletters four times Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT, features The Road service and their story is told at the Royal Marines
Avenue, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 7HE (Tel: 0181669 a year. For further information write to the Co- To Waterloo gallery telling the story of the Museum, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, P04
0900). ordinator, John Henderson, 118 Milton Road, Napoleonic Wars and incorporates a fine display of 9PX.
The 21eme Regiment De Ligne is another large Hartlepool, Cleveland. original artefacts including a captured French eagle The achievements of the 3rd Foot, The Buffs, one
re-enactment group with a membership of over 100 Though not exclusively Napoleonic, La Sabretache, and the hat General Picton was wearing when he was of Britain's oldest regiments who aw many fine
that always looks impressive at battle displays and France's long established society and magazine for mortally wounded. moments during the Napoleonic Wars is celebrated in
living history events. The unit includes sappers, two military historians and collectors has published many The Guards Museum at VlTellingron Barracks, the Buffs Regimental Museum at the Royal Museum,
eagle guards and an eagle bearer. Contact Chris excellent articles on Napoleonic uniforms. The Birdcage Walk, London SW41A 2Pvv:.. has good 18 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, CTI 2JE.
Durkin 22 Swallow Street, Oldham, Lancashire OL8 Bulletin de la Societe des wlleetionneu1'J de jig/wines displays on the Guards' Napoleonic service with At Dover Castle in Kent you can see the additional
4LD (Tel: 0161 652 1647). Histo1'iqnes, merged witll the La Sabretacbe in the 1970s special emphasis on their legendary defence of towers added during the Napoleonic VlTars and the
France has an impressive range of re-enactment and many great artists such as Lucien Rousselot and Hougoumont and their part in thwarting the attack of inner bailey houses The Princess of Wales' Royal
and study groups, particularly when it comes to the Eugene Leliepvre have been featured In the journal. the Garde Imperiale at Waterloo. Regiment and Queen's Regiment Museum.
cavalry. One of the best groups is Les Hussards De For further information write to La Sauretacbe 7 Rue The Museum of Artillery in the Rotunda, The Military Museum of Devon and Dorset
Lasalle, 7 impasse des Balmes, 78450 Villepreux. Guersant, Paris 75017. Woolwich, London SEI8 4DN has much to offer the situated in the Keep, Bridport Road, Dorchester, has a
Contact Jean Pierre Mir Del Rieu (Tel:(l) 30 56 24 The Napoleonic Society of America is well worth Napoleonic enthusiast. Displays include a six pounder good selection of Napoleonic artefacts and some fine
16). Another fine group is Le IOe Escadron de joining for all apoleonic enthusiasts. Membership cannon used by the Royal Horse Artillery in the period paintings.
Chasseurs 11 cheval de la garde 48, rue Chapon 75003 includes a 40 page members' Bulletin with reports on Peninsula. The Durhan'! Light Infantry Museum, Aykley
Paris. Contact Michel Pourrey (Tel: (I) 48874954). Napoleonic sites and re-enactments and a conference ear to the Museum of Artillery is the Royal Heads, Durham City, has exhibits on the famed 68th
The United States has seen the development of is held every year. For further details write to the Artillery Regimental Museum at the Old Royal Foot and their heroic actions in vVellingron's
1 apoleonic re-enacting in recent years. One of the Napoleonic Society of Anlerica 5744 W Irving Park Military Academy, Red Lion Lane, London SEI8 Peninsular campaigns. The colours of the regiment
biggest organisations is the Brigade apoleon which Road, Chicago, II, 60634. 4D J. In this museum the accent is more on uniforms, are laid up in nearby Durham Cathedral.
has a number of good units and publishes the Another leading society studying the life and times campaigns and equipment and a trip to both the The Duke ofWellingron's Regimental Museum at
quarterly magazine Le Ban. Further details about the of apoleon is the International Napoleonic Society. Museum of Artillery and the Royal Artillery the Bankfield Museum Akroyd Park, Halifax, traces
organisation are available from Brigade apoleon, Details about the International Napoleonic Society are Regimental Museum, offers an ideal day out. the services of the 33rd Foot and 76th Foot and also
18914 Walnut Road, Castro Valley, California 94546. available from Mr Weider at 2875 Chemin Bates The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum is has some artefacts connected with Wellington himself.
Road, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H35 IE7. situated in the Tower of London and again offers a The Worcestersnire Regimental Museum at
Napoleonic re-enactment suppliers The Polish Military Collectors Association takes a worthwhile day out in conjunction with a visit to the Worcester City i\1useum, Foregate Street, Worcester,
Ages of Elegance at 480 Chiswick High Road London strong interest in Poland's role in the Napoleonic Tower itself. mainly concentrates on the history of the 29th and
W4 5TT (Tel: 0181 7420730) is run by Dawn Wood, Wars. The $50 annual dues include the society's For a taste of the Duke ofWellingron's life and 36th Foot. The VlTorcesters stood firm at Rolica in
an experienced re-enactor and costume expert whose magazine, HetJJlan. Further details from 168 Jackson times, a trip to his London residence at Apsley House, 1808 and 'Firm' became their regimental motto.
clients include English Heritage, the 12th Light Mill Road, Freehold I\'TJ 07728, USA. 149 Piccadilly, is a must. The house has been recently Artefacts of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the
Dragoons and the Coldstream Guards Museum. Ages re-furbished and features a breathtaking display of heroic Greys, whose charge at Waterloo is one of the
of Elegance accepts commissions to make uniforms Museums with Napoleonic collections Napoleonic memorabilia collected by and awarded to best known aspects of the battle, are housed at
and they also carry a range of buttons, leatherwork The mecca for all apoleonic enthusiasts is the Musee the Iron Duke. Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish United Services
and other items in their shop which is a treasure trove de L'Armee, Hotel National des Invalides, Paris. A Stratfield Saye House, near Reading in Berkshire, Museum in the Castle has many items of interest to
for re-enactors. staggering variety of Japoleonic uniforms are on is the country residence of the VlTellingron family and apoleonic enthusiasts.
The Plumery at 16 Deans Close, Whitehall display and the walls are festooned with pictures, many also has many personal possessions of the first Duke. The Black \"'atch Museum at Balhousie Castle,
Gardens, Chiswick London W4 3LX (Tel: 0181995 of them by the great French artist Edouard Detaille. Also on display, is the first Duke's funeral hearse, made Perth, commemorates the famous 42nd Foot who
7099) offers a wide selection of Napoleonic shakos Situated close to apoleon's tomb, the museum offers out of metal cast from melted down French cannon fought gallantly at Quatre-Bras. The museunl also has
from £85 and other headgear accoutrements. The plenty of material for even the most insatiable captured at Waterloo. exhi bi ts on the 73 rd Foot.
plumery makes plumes for the British army, and with apoleonic fan. The Royal Green Jackets Museum, Peninsular The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welch
such exacting standards quality is assured. The Musee de L'Emperi at Chateau de L'Emperi Barracks, Romsey Road, VVinchester, S023 8TS has Fusiliers in the Queen's Tower, Caernarfon Castle,
Salon-de Provence 13300, is another fine museum exhibits on the role of riflemen in the Napoleonic Caernarfon, Gwynedd, has some particularly
Napoleonic Associations featuring an outstanding collections of Napoleonic Wars and also features a massive diorama of the Battle interesting material on the regiment'S servive during
With the success of the Sharpe television series, a fan and Second Empire uniforms painstakingly built up in of Waterloo, wnich has over 20,000 figures and the Peninsular campaign.
club has been set up for Sharpe enthusiasts. The club the Brunon Collection and now owned by the Musee incorporates a sound and light commentary. The Regimental Museum of the Queen's Dragoon
has the approval of Richard Moore who is a consultant de L'Armee. The Museum of The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Guards at Cardiff Castle, has a fine uniform collection
on the series and provides plenty of information. For Caillou, Tapoleon's headquarters at Waterloo has Regiment - Redcoats in The Wardrobe, 58 The Close, including items worn at Waterloo.
further details contact Chris Clarke, East Lea, been turned into a museum and you can see the rooms Salisbury, Wiltshire, SPI 2EX has exhibits on the 49th, The fine house of Pias Newydd at Llanfairpwll,
Brookfield Drive, Hoveringham, otts, NG 14 7JW. where Napoleon spent a fitful night before the battle 62nd and 66th Foot and is housed in a particularly Anglesey, Gwynedd, LL61 6EQ, has a military

138 Napoleonic U0rs Direet01Y Napoleonic WfII'S Oil-ectmy 139

 r
museum with sections devoted to the 1st Marquess of artist Mark Churms and also offer a range of prints of David Grieve run D.E Grieve Models, St French cuirassier, 1812, in their range sculpted by
Anglesey, the British cavalry commander at the Battle classic paintings by other artists including Caton Andrews, \Vestwood Road, Betsham Nr Gravesend, 1\1ike Tapavica. A bust of a 95th Rifleman, sculpted by
of Waterloo. \Voodville's Defiam Highlander and Wellington lit Kent DA13 9LZ. Hi work includes a selection of rising British talent]on Cheeseman, is also available
UIfltel"loo by Crofts. In the United States and Canada, 100mm figures of the Briti h anny at \Vaterloo; and from Fort Duquesne.
Napoleonic Book Suppliers Cranston are represented by Fredericksburg Historical the range includes an officer of the Royal Horse '\iany of the figure mentioned above and other
One of the most popular periods of military hi tory, a Prints, 829 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, V 22401 Artillery, and a sergeant of the 79th Cameron Napoleonic miniatures are tocked by Historex
vast selection of books on the apoleonic period is (Tel: 540 373 1861) and the '\1ilitary Art Gallery, Highlander. Agents, \Vellington Hou e, 15 Snargate Street,
available both new and secondhand. The following is a 1935 Kelly Road, Harper Woods,,\II 48225 (rei: 313 Poste Militaire feature a range of definitive Dover, Kent, CTI7 9BZ. One of the largest model
list of some of the leading suppliers. 6521 6420). Napoleonic miniatures in their range of figures, mail order specialists in the world, Historex Agents
Caliver Books, 16-81 London Road, Leigh-on- American artist Keith Rocco is the nited States' including magnificent 90mm mounted models of a also stock the legendary 54mm Historex plastic kits
Sea Essex SS9 3NH, (Tel & Fax 01702 3986), offer a leading exponent of painting the Napoleonic period French hussar trumpeter and a trooper of the 2nd that revolutionised the model soldier hobby back in
big election of Napoleonic Books from uniform and he's also renowned for his work on the American Regiment red lancer. Poste Militaire are at Station the 70s and which are still very popular today.
studies to a selection of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe Civil \ Var. Rocco's recent works include the Road, orthiam, Rye, East Sussex T 31 6QT, British, French, Russian, Prussian and Austrian
novels. Caliver Books are also the publishers of the Lincolnshires in action at Waterloo and portrait pieces Metal Modeles, the French firm run by talented 25mm warga me figures are part of the vast
excellent magazine The Age of apoleon. of a French Grenadier officer and a Cuiraissier officer. sculptor Bruno Leibovitz, produces some exquiste Napoleonic range produced by Connoisseur Figures
Hersant's Military Books, whose shop on the One of the main outlets for limited edition prints of French apoleonic subjects in 54mm including a at 27 Sandycombe Road, Kew, Richmond, Surrey
Archway Road in North London was a favourite haunt Rocco's work is the Tradition Studio, PO Box 779, mounted dragoon and a range of French light infantry. TW9 2EP (Phone & Fax 01819408156).
for book enthusiasts, now operate a mail order service Woodstock, VA 22644 (rei: 540459 5469 or 540 459 Leibovitz has also sculpted a magnificent large scale Bicorne Miniatures have a range of 25mm
from 17 The Drive. High Barnet, Hertfordshire, E 5 5951). French hussar. Metal Modeles are at BP 66, La Napoleonic miniatures and £1 will bring you a price
4]G (Tel: 0181- 440- 6816, Fax: 0181 +40-6816) and Ed Dovey whose work has been extensively Queniere, Route de Mons, 83440 Fayence. list and a sample figure. Write to Brian Holland, 40
have a good selection of apoleonic books. featured in Militmy Illustrated and other magazines Among the range of figures produced by Le Churrch Road, Uppermill, Oldham, OL3 6EL.
Francis Edwards the long experienced military and books offers some of his orginal artwork for sale. Cimier, 38 Rue Ginoux, 75015, Paris, are a range of Iregular Miniatures of 69A Acomb Road, Holgate,
history booksellers who were established in 1855 and write to Ed at 70 Clement Close, Willesden, London busts of apoloenic French army soldiers. The range York, Y02 4EP (rei: 01904 790 597) have brought out
have their shop at 13 Great Newport Street, Charing 87AN. includes a hussar, and a carabinier. a range of 42mm apoleonic figures for the wargamer
Cross Road, London WC2H 7]A, (reI: 0171-379- Bob Cowan, 100 Kiowa Drive South, Lake Kiowa, Tradition of London Ltd at 33 Curzon Street, and collector. The range includes French line infantry
7699 Fax: 0171-836-59 7) offer a range of secondhand TX 76240 SA. (rei: 817-668-6420) offer slides and Mayfair, London, WlY 7AE (reI: 0171 493 7452, Fax: and British light infantry at the ready.
apoleonic books for collectors on big and small prints of the famous Knbtel range of plates of 01 13551224) and nderTwo Flags, 4 St Minifigs, one of the originators of wargame
budgets. Contact them to be put on their catalogue apoleonic uniforms. Christopher's Place, Oxford Street, London WI (Tel figures, are still producing a wide range of apoleonic
list. Pompadour Gallery 1-3 Fairview Parade, Mawney or fax 0171 935 6934) both stock a variety of figures. For details write to Minifigs at 1-5 Graham
Ken Trotman Ltd, nit 11, 135 Ditton Walk, Road, Romford, Essex RM7 7HH has apoleonic Napoleonic figures. One of Tradition' latest releases Road, Southampton SOI4 OAX.
Cambridge, CB5 8PY (reI: 01223211030. Fax: 01223 subjects in their vast range of military postcard. is a set of toy figures depicting some of the characters Elite Miniatures of 26 Bowlea e Gardens,
212317), issues three free catalogues a year, featuring a Le Cimier, 38 Rue Ginom:, 75015, Paris, feature in the Sharpe eries. Bessacarr, Donca ter, South Yorkshire, D 4 6AP (rei:
good apoleonic selection. plates of apoleonic subjects by leading French arti t Napoleonic figures are continuing to grow in the 01302 530038) produce high quality 25mm
Victor Sutcliffe, 36 ParkJands Road, London Pierre Conrad, who e work is fuJI of vigour and very range produced by the Italian company, Pegaso. The apoleonic figures for the wargamer and collector
W16 6TE (rei: 0181-769-8345. Fax: 01 1-7696446) exacting. list includes a magnificent 90mm hussar of the including a particularly fine Peninsula Campaign
is a specialist in the apoleonic era and issues a The Red Lancer Inc, PO Box 8050, Mesa, AZ 1 eapolitan Guard 1812-1815, sculpted by Luca British foot artillery battery.
apoleonic book catalogue. His premises are open by 85214 SA (reI: 602 9649667. Fax: 602 8909495) Marchetti. Pegaso Models are at c.P., 99 Siena Wargames Foundry of the Foundry, Mount Street,
appointment. offers apoleonic prints and fine art, rare books, Centro, 53100 Siena, Italy. ew Basford, Nottingham, G7 7HX produce
Chelifer Books at Todd Close, Curthwaite, military artefacts and medals. Catalogues printed four Relocated to America from Belgium, Verlinden quality 25mm ranges of apoleonic figures from
Wigton, Cumbria CA7 8BE (reI & Fax 01228 or five times a year, are available by subscription and Productions at the VLS Corporation, 811 Lone Star 1805-1815 and also from the French Revolutionary
711388) offers a choice selection of apoleonic books. cost $12 dollars for America, $20 for Canada and 35 Drive. O'Fallon, Missouri 63366 are producing some Wars 1789-1802.
Wanted lists are accepted, visitors by appointment. for overseas. 120mm resin apoleonic figures including an officer Dixon Miniatures at Spring Grove Mills,
Worley Publications & Booksellers, 10 Rectory of the Polish lancers of the Imperial Guard, a French Linthwaite, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD7 5QG
Road East, Felling, Tyne and Wear JElO 9D (reI: Napoleonic Model Soldiers and Wargame hussar officer and a figure of the flamboyant French (rei and fax: 01484 646 162) include an extensive
o19l 469 2414), offer a range of facsimile reprints Figures cavalry commander, Lasalle. range of 25mm 1 apoleonic figures in their range of
including The Recollections ofColonel de Gonneville who Sculptor Maurice Corry produces 120mm resin and Fort Duquesne miniatures, 105 Tristan Drive, wargaming figures.
rose through the ranks of the French army to become white metal Napoleonic models available through his Pittsburgh PA 15209, USA have a 120mm mounted
a major in the 13th Cuirassiers. company The Roll Call, 316 Goodyers End Lane,
Bedworth, Wanvickshire CV12 OHY (reI or Fax
Napoleonic Art 01203494123). Releases include a Cha seur it cheval
Cranston Fine Arts, Tonvood House, Tonvoodhill of the Imperial Guard, and an ensign of the 1 t Foot,
Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, G84 8LE (reI: 01436 820 Royal Scots, at Waterloo carrying the regimental
269) are the agents for widely acclaimed 1 apoleonic colours.

apoleonic Wars Direct01Y 141

 o
Index Oportb,9
Orthe , 13
P
Patterson, John, 63, 0,82
Picton, Sir Thomas, 83
Pi tis;
1\'ew Land Pattern, 102
Plunkett, Tom, 101
Pyrenees, 13, 119, 129
R
Ridge, Henry, 120
Rolica,8
A E Roncesvalles, 97
Aire, 13 Ewart, Charles, 109 Rous, John Edward Cornwallis, 66, 72, 73
A1buera, 11,89,119, 123, 130 F S
Almaraz, 107 Figueira, 8 Sahagun, 108, 126
Almeida, 11 Fuentes de Onoro, 11,97 Salamanca, 7, 12,50,62,63,76, 109, 119, 129
Anton, James, 70 G San Sebastian, 13, 123, 124
B Gleig, George, 58 Simmons, Geore, 68, 69
Badajoz, 11, 101, 110, 119, 120, 123, 124 Grattan, William, 68 Stewart, William, 97
Barrosa, 76, 107, 114 Green, John, 73 Sullivan, Sir Henry, 72
Bayonne, 72, 73 Grisdale, Levi, 102 Surtees, \Nilliam, 10 1
Benavente, 101, 108, 126 Gronow, Rees Howell, 66, 79 Sword;
Bida oa, 13,66,83 H 1796 Infantry Pattern, 103
Blackman, John Lucie, 62, 66 Harris, Benjamin, 66 1803 Infantry Pattern, 103
Bowles, George, 9 K 1796 Heavy Cavalry, 10 -109
Bridgeman, Orlando, 76, 7 , 79 Keep, William Thornton, 59, 1 1796 Light Cavalry, 108
Bragge, William, 10 Kincaid,John, 83,101, 105, 123 T
BruneI, Isambard Kingdom, 62 L Talavera, 9, 6, 114
BruneI, Marc Isarnbard, 62 Latham, Lieutenant William, 130 Tarbes,13
Burgos, 9,12,4059,124 Le ~Iarchant,John Gaspard, 10 Tomkinson, William, 72
Burrard, Sir Herry, 9 L'Estrange, George, 60 Torres Vedras, Lines of, 84
Busaco, 11, 129 M Toulouse, 13
C Manningham, Coote, 97 U
Cadell, Charles, 82 Marmont, Marshal Auguste, 12 Usagre, 108
Cadiz, 76 Massena, Marshal Andre, 11,84 V
Carbines; Masterson, Patrick, 107 Villagarcia, 108 Acknowledgements
Baker Rifle Cavalry Carbine, 108 Mercer, Cavalie, 68, 83 Vimeiro, 8, 129
Elliiot Carbine, 108 Mercer, Robert, 6,57,83 Vittoria, 7, 13, 40, 59, 119 A great debt of gratitude must go to Timothy Edwards
Paget Carbine, 108 Mills, John, 72, 83, 129 Vivian, Sir Hussey, 75 for allowing me to handle and photograph his very
Churchill, Horace, 66 Moore,SirJohn,9, 75,110 W extensive collection of weapons. It is not often that
Cintra, Convention of, 9 Muskets; Waterloo, 7, 13,36,41,48,57,62,72,76,79,82,83, one gets the chance to size up an example of every
Ciudad Rodrigo, 11,71,101,109,123 Land Pattern, 87, 89, 93 84,87,89,105,109,110, Ill, 114 single personal weapon used by the British army in the
Congreve, vVilliam, III Short Land Pattern, 87 Wellesley, Sir Arthur, 1st Duke of Wellington, 13, 14, Peninsula. Thanks also go to the late lamented Army
Cooke, John, 57, 69, 83 Marine & Militia, 87 50,56,68,71,87,89, Ill, 119, 120, 123, 124, 126, Museums Ogilby Trust, Wmchester, from where many
Cooper,John Spencer, 59, 107 India Pattern, 87, 89, 94, 98 133 of the illustrations used in this book originate, and to
Corunna, 7,12,58,66,70,75, 110 114, 124, 126 ew Land Pattern, 93 \Nheeler, William, 70 Peter Newarks Military Pictures (picrures on pages 19,
Cowell, John Stepney, 63, 68 N Wood, George, 70 93,119,120,121,123,124,125,126,128,129,130,
o Napoleon, 13 Woodberry, George, 58, 68 131,132). Thanks also to Robin Smith for providing
Da1TYmple, Sir Hew, 9 Tive, 13 the Directory and Philip Haythorthornthwaite for
Douro, 9 Nivelle, 13,94 coming to my assistance when the cavalry once again
Dress Regulations 1802, 13-36 got into difficulties.

/42 Index Index /43