Hi All
Another update.
This is the second on my 'British' Heavy Cavalry Regiments. The first was the
Scots Greys. As you can see I've added the Irish contribution to the Union Bigade, the 6th Dragoons or better known as the Inniskilling Dragoons, nicknamed
'The Skins'.
Again I've used the brilliant PERRY MINIATURES casts.
The photos were taken a such a focus you can see the faint casting lines that I should probably have filed down. Oh well.
I obtained the following details from Wikipedia:
The Charge of The Union Brigade at Waterloo
The Union Brigade was composed of three regiments of heavy cavalry, one English (The
Royal Dragoons), one Scottish
The Scots Greys and one Irish (the Inniskillings), hence their brigade title.
"The Union Cavalry Brigade was now ordered forward. The 6th/Inniskilling Dragoons passed through the ranks of the Royal Scots and the Black Watch, and the Royal Dragoons, further to the right, went through the 28th Foot and passed the right flank of the Royal Scots. The Greys, who had been in a theoretical reserve position, according to W. A. Thorburn, late curator at the National War Museum of Scotland, "moved straight to their front, which took them through the ranks of the Gordons. The head of the French Division was now only 20 yards away and the Greys simply walked into the 1st/45th Infantry of the Line. There was no gallop and no charge." It is clear from the French report that they did not expect to see British cavalry materializing through the ranks of the British infantry. When the cavalry hit them, the 45th were in the act of forming line, and their 1st battalion was at once thrown into violent confusion, already shaken by the fire of the 92nd. The regimental eagles were carried by the 1st battalion of all French infantry regiments, and in a few minutes the Greys were in the midst of the battalion, at which stage Sergeant Charles Ewart of Captain Vernor's troop captured the eagle of the 45th. He was ordered to take it to the rear, which he reluctantly did, but sat on his horse for sometime watching the engagement before finally setting off for Brussels with his trophy. The rest of the French columns believed what they saw could only be an advance guard, and were now under the mistaken impression that they were being attacked by large numbers of cavalry. The Royal Dragoons and 6th/Inniskilling Dragoons charged Donzelot's Division and the Eagle of the 105th Regiment was taken by the Royal Dragoons. These were the only two Eagles captured during the entire Waterloo campaign. At this point the divisions of Marcognet and Donzelot were not completely shaken, although contrary to romantic legend, the Union Brigade did not, and could not, defeat at Army Corps of some 16,900 infantry on their own. Having carried out a highly successful defensive action in support of infantry, the Union Brigade lost all cohesion and refused to recognize or hear any orders. The Greys were given the recall several times but were so out of hand that no notice was taken. Instead they went off on a wild rampage down the interval between the French Divisions, NOT through the troops themselves; many Greys were shot by the surprised and somewhat bewildered rear French battalions, who were still advancing, unaware of the confusion on their own front, or of the defeat of their leading brigade. In fact, the French infantry, expecting what they thought must be the main cavalry attack (by their own massive standards), finally brought themselves to halt, made an effort to form to receive Cavalry, and finally fell back in considerable confusion." (the Scabbard, Journal of the Military Miniature Society of Illinois, 1998)
BELOW: I particularly like the Sergeant on the extreme left of the rear rank leaning forward in the saddle. Obviously keen to ensure the 'Dressing' is maintained. Good Man!
I actually prefer this Regiment to the
Scots Greys myself.
I'll be using these chaps for playing
LASALLE and
FoG:N
BELOW: The 'Skins' charging the French 1st Regiment of Cuirassiers. Bound to end in tears for someone.
Uniform details can be found
HERE
As usual, comments welcomed.
Cheers
