'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 13, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE NAPOLEONIC WARS group.

"History of the King's German Legion" - Recruiting for the Legion started of very slowly but by January 1805 it filled out to a well-rounded unit of considering size consisting of;

Cavalry Brigade:
1st Dragoons
1st Hussars

Light Infantry Brigade:
1st Light Battalion
2nd Light Battalion

First Line Brigade:
1st Line Battalion
2nd Line Battalion

Second Line Brigade:
3rd Line Battalion
4th Line Battalion

Artillery:
1st Horse Battery
2nd Horse Battery
1st Foot Battery
2nd Foot Battery
3rd Foot Battery

with attached engineers.

The Origins of the King’s German Legion 1803-04 and the Expedition to Hanover, 1805:
https://www.dcmmedals.co.uk/the-origi...

Betsy wrote: "15 years in irons? I wonder how much Sergeant Ahrens had to actually serve?"

Good question Betsy - no answer in the book yet.

"History of the King's German Legion" - On the recruitment of soldiers for the Legion:

"The increasing emigration from Hanover appears, about this time, to have alarmed the French. On the 6th October a proclamation was issued by the executive commission, warning the magistrates not to encourage recruiting for the English army, and requiring them to give information against all persons found to be so engaged. This was followed, on the 10th, by another proclamation, in which the inhabitants were informed that any one who was engaged in recruiting for the English army, or induced others to enter into the English service, would be given to the French military tribunal, and punished according to its laws, with death. This formidable warning was read for three successive Sundays in the public churches; but notwithstanding the severity of the threatened sentence, and the imposing manner in which it was denounced, the agents of the new corps continued their exertions, and except in one instance appear to have evaded the vigilance of the French. The case in question was that of a sergeant named Ahrens, who was apprehended and brought to trial on the charge of embauchage or secret recruiting, of which he was found guilty; but the majority of his judges being against the extreme punishment of death, the sentence was commuted fifteen years' imprisonment in irons!."

History of the King's German Legion, Volume One by N. Ludlow Beamish

An amazing effort by Charles Vanderbac. It sounds like he is about to embark on a pretty hectic career in Napoleon's army!

Sounds like you are enjoying the book so far Betsy. I'm still reading about the events leading up to the 1803 Convention of Suhlingen and the effects on the Hanoverian army:

http://www.kgl.de/KingsGermanLegion/g...

I've started reading "History of the King's German Legion, Volume One" by N. Ludlow Beamish. The book was first published in 1832 and this is a 1997 reprint. So far, it's been an engaging read except for when I hit a section written in French with no English translation. A common issue with books published back in this period.

You have chosen an excellent book for the theme Betsy, I hope you enjoy it!

I was in a bit of a panic for this theme month. I couldn't find any books on a Napoleonic unit that I hadn't already read until I remembered that I had a two-volume set on the King's German Legion that was still unread.

History of the King's German Legion, Volume One by N. Ludlow Beamish

The August theme read is ready to go - the theme is on a Napoleonic unit:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The August theme read is any book or books of your choice that covers the history of a Napoleonic unit.

Betsy wrote: "Did you see that one of his hats sold for $2.1 million? Who kept all this stuff--family, admirers?"

That's a good question Betsy!

Just a bit outside my price range - auction of Napoleon's pistols:

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/08/st...

At very sad ending to two brave combatants on that field of horrors!

Very interesting post Betsy, a fine note to finish this theme read on Waterloo!

I'd also like to thank everyone who joined in the discussion and for bringing forth various and interesting books on the subject.

I'm always shouting, 'Vive l'Empereur!', just ask my wife! :)

Very interesting post Betsy. Finally, a reasonable reason for not using balloons on the battlefield; "Napoleon's decision to disband them can be seen as an instance of his inherent military conservatism, but the difficulties of transporting the gas-generating apparatus and time to inflate the balloons greatly limited their role."

Scott wrote: "Witnessing Waterloo: 24 Hours, 48 Lives, A World Forever Changed

Here are some somewhat ‘creepy..."

He does sound like a fairly repulsive man of the cloth!

Betsy wrote: "Good quote there at the end. I would say the French soldiers did give it their all. For whatever reasons the French leadership--Napoleon, Ney, Grouchy and Soult--just were not at their best that day."

I can't argue with that Betsy!

"Waterloo 1815: The British Army's Day of Destiny" - Final quote to finish my book with:

"Many British officers, like Ross-Lewin, magnanimously hailed the staggering determination of French fighting spirt and doggedness - more generous than the ordinary victor's magnanimity:

'The French never fought with greater acharnement [fierceness], as they express it ... Their artillery was admirably served and the gallantry of their cuirassiers, though baffled by the intrepidity of our troops, was most conspicuous, and merited the highest encomiums. They were chosen men, of tried courage and experience, and formed really splendid cavalry; all behaved well, but several acts of chivalric daring performed by individuals of their number, on both these memorable days, were worthy of the olden times of a Dubois and a Bayard. Victories gained over such troops are indeed glorious. The conduct of the infantry of the Guard at Waterloo, at the end of the day, was also most heroic and devoted, although their efforts were also unavailing.'

The epic struggle for Hougoumont, in particular, attracted the admiration of many - who rightly regarded its preservation as pivotal to the outcome of the battle."

Further commentary:

" ... 'We knew we had beaten the French, and that too, completely', Cotton recorded:

'but they were not defeated because they were deficient either in bravery or discipline. Their bearing throughout the day was that of gallant soldiers: their attacks were conducted with a chivalric impetuosity and admirably sustained vigour, which left no shadow of doubt upon our minds of their entire devotedness to the cause of Napoleon, of their expectation of victory, and the determination of many of them not to survive defeat. The best and bravest of them fell: but not till they had inflicted almost equal loss upon their conquerors. To deny them the tribute of respect and admiration which their bravery and misfortunes claim, would tarnish the lustre of our martial glory'."

Waterloo 1815: The British Army's Day of Destiny by Gregory Fremont-Barnes

I also found this statement very interesting:

"Over the following 22 years of his active military career, he had a further 18 horses killed beneath him in battle."