68th at the weekend

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Waterloo earlier by Photosm Stephen Moss

 

2015 by Deviouswolf photography

 

The Cavalry that broke Napoleon

 My library has this. Might read it. Anybody read it?

On 18 June 1815, Napoleon and Wellington took to the fields of Waterloo for one final, decisive battle – a battle that would put an end to over two decades of warfare and determine the fate of Europe. Yet, little is known about the significant contribution made by the 1st or King’s Dragoon Guards who, ultimately, helped deny Napoleon victory. As a regiment, the KDG was the greatest contributor to the charge, made by the British heavy cavalry, fielding nearly half of the Household Brigade’s sabres, but it also made the biggest sacrifice. In successfully repelling the main French assault of the day it paid a heavy price: of the 540 men who bravely fought, only thirteen of its number were still standing at the close of the battle. With the regiment severely depleted at the end of the fighting, it did not make sense for the officers and sergeants to dine separately, as was the custom. So they ate together, a tradition that continues to this day, every 18 June, with the KDG’s descendant regiment 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards. Here, Richard Goldsbrough tells the remarkable story of the KDG before, during and after the Battle of Waterloo.

Foot Guards Hamilton Smith

 

Duchess of Richmond's ball

Leaving the Duchess of Richmond's ball to fight at Quatre Bras, 1815

From the wiki

 Elizabeth Longford described it as "the most famous ball in history".^[1] "The ball was certainly a brilliant affair",^[2] at which "with the exception of three generals, every officer high in Wellington's army was there to be seen".^[3]

David Miller's book is a detailed monograph on a famous historical event, the remarkable 'Duchess of Richmond's ball' which took place the night before Waterloo. His wish list of questions in the introduction is admirable: Why did it take place and where? Who actually attended and what happened? Indeed, who were the Duke and Duchess of Richmond? As ever with events of the Napoleonic period, there is much that is myth that surrounds this ball. Mr Miller picks with skill through the material and gives a clear account of the events. The biographical sketches of many of those present at the ball are of particular, as are the maps showing Belgium, Brussels and the Richmonds' chateau respectively. Also included are six appendices (three detailed guest lists, statistics regarding the numbers of military men invited and the percentages of them who died the following day, a discussion of Wellington's affair with Lady Frances (Wedderburn-Webster) and Major General Maitland's elopement. The book ends with a bibliography and index.
 
David Miller is author of Lady De Lancey at Waterloo: a story of duty and devotion (Spellmount 2000)

Corps of Royal Artillery Drivers

Men of the corps depicted by Charles Hamilton Smith in his Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812

 Wiki

 From here

Uniform of Heavy and Light Cavalry Cloaked, from Costume of the British EmpireCharles Hamilton Smith (1776-1859)

'Cavalry Staff Corps 1813' | Hamilton Smith

 

From the National Army Museum

 Here

Drum Major John Goodger, 1815 (c)Oil on board by Dr Major John Goodger, 1815 (c).

This is said to be a self portrait by Drum Major John Goodger, 94th Regiment of Foot. Drum majors commanded drummers, buglers and bandsmen. These soldiers sounded calls, orders and signals that were followed by the rest of a battalion or regiment so they had to be controlled by an officer who was also responsible for their defence in battle. Drum majors also played an important ceremonial role, leading marching bands and concerts. Sometimes they would also administer field punishments such as flogging

Privates of the First Regiment of Foot Guards on Service,

 from Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812, engraved by J.C. Stadler, published by Colnaghi and Co. 1812-15

by Charles Hamilton Smith

1st Life Guards trooper 1816

 Description. In the uniform they wore at Waterloo. Part of the Household Brigade. This study Yves Martin tells me was part of a series commissioned by the Prince Regent. 

Alexander Ivanovitch Sauerweid 1783-1844 British Army. Private, Life Guards. About 1816

Knötel King's Dragoon Guards

 

British 15th Hussars

 

Wiki. Took part in Peterloo.

Scots Greys

 

A Private of the 2nd or Royal Northern British Dragoons (Greys), 1812

Aquatint by J C Stadler after Charles Hamilton Smith, 1812.

16th Light Dragoons in the Waterloo campaign by David Blackmore

 A history book written by the author of the below series of novels.

Making extensive use of previously unpublished material this book gives an unprecedented view of the Waterloo Campaign from the viewpoint of a single regiment. It reveals the preparations that preceded the battle, the role of the regiment in the battle, and the long months spent in France after Paris fell, until the regiment finally returned home in December 1815. An Order Book for the year, and letters and diaries of several officers, shed light on the internal life of the regiment and their – occasionally humorous – social life.

The British Foot Guards at Waterloo, June 1815

 Bryan Fosten 1974. Almark publications. One to track down.

Almark - Soldiers of The Napoleonic Wars 1 - British Foot Guards at Waterloo June 1815 -

 Read here

Artilleur et chasseur anglais / Collection de costumes dessinés d'après nature (1817)

 

Death of Robert Macara

By Captain Jones Battle of Waterloo 1817

 Wiki On the 16 June 1815 at the Battle of Quatre Bras, Macara was wounded during an engagement and as he was carried from the field he was taken prisoner by a party of French soldiers. His decorations gave him away as an officer of rank and he was killed on the spot.^{[2][unreliable source?]}