French Horse Artillery c.1812

[Anna Elizabeth]

Interestingly, in his latest Osprey on Quatre Bras, John Franklin argues that the dragoons made it into action that day.

Oooh, I need to get a copy of that. I'd always heard of the Cuirassier seeing action there.

[janner]

Unfortunately, the Osprey formats precludes the degree of footnoting needed to properly verify this claim. However, I hope to have something firm off him shortly that can be shared publicly to confirm it, or at least add some weight to his argument

[Anna Elizabeth]

Sweet! I can't wait to hear more.

I have a thing for Dragoons, comes from Battletech and 'Wolf's Dragoons'. XD

[Dr. The Viking]

Brilliant stuff Stephen!

[janner]

Here we go, from John Franklin,

Oberjäger Carl Wilhelm Pöhling of the 2nd Company, Grey Jäger of the Avantgarde. Pöhling was wounded during the fighting in the Bois de Bossu, and did not serve at Waterloo. His letter, dated 17th July 1815, written to his brother, is fascinating and includes the following extract (translated from German):

‘Our captain ordered the front section to extend […] […] the wood. We had hardly undertaken this movement when the French cavalry came on very rapidly. Our beloved duke and our comrades in the Leibbataillon were the object of this attack. The shock threw them into confusion. A number of the French Dragoons dismounted and began to fire upon the brave Brunswickers. It was during this attack that our father, the duke, was killed.'

[Anna Elizabeth]

Here we go, from John Franklin,

Oberjäger Carl Wilhelm Pöhling of the 2nd Company, Grey Jäger of the Avantgarde. Pöhling was wounded during the fighting in the Bois de Bossu, and did not serve at Waterloo. His letter, dated 17th July 1815, written to his brother, is fascinating and includes the following extract (translated from German):

‘Our captain ordered the front section to extend […] […] the wood. We had hardly undertaken this movement when the French cavalry came on very rapidly. Our beloved duke and our comrades in the Leibbataillon were the object of this attack. The shock threw them into confusion. A number of the French Dragoons dismounted and began to fire upon the brave Brunswickers. It was during this attack that our father, the duke, was killed.'

Thank you! I think this man would know what Dragoons look like.

[janner]

There's a lot more to come apparently, but it may feature in a future volume.