A short thread on Charles Ewart, Sgt of the Scots Greys at Waterloo, famed for his Eagle capture on the 18th June 1815.

He died #OnThisDay 23 May 1846

Born 1769 (same year as Wellington & Napoleon) in Scotland, he joined the Dragoons when he was 20. Whilst serving in Flanders in the Revolutionary Wars he rescued a baby, found alongside it's dead mother, he brought it back to camp & amazingly found the father, a Sjt in the 60th who offered him money, Ewart refused, eventually accepting a silver watch in thanks.

#OnThisDay 19 May 1812, Almaraz raid.

Trusted with a daring plan, Sir Rowland Hill, leads an audacious mission to destroy a remote French bridge.

The 50th Regt & some of the 71st storm 'Fort Napoleon', while the rest, with the 92nd sweep round the flank of the enemy.
The British managed near complete surprise on 'For Napoleon' despite being spotted days earlier.

The French abandon the fort without defennon the blockhouse & Fort Ragusa opens fire across the British, before panic overwhelms them & they too flee.

Fought #OnThisDay 16 May 1811, the Battle of Albuera.

The allies, led by William Beresford, were outflanked by Soult, almost crumbling under pressure, but they held, with high casualties on both sides Albuera is one of the bloodiest battles of the Peninsular War.

The "Die Hards" were the 57th Regiment,
At the battle, the 57th came. Their wounded commander, Lieutenant-Colonel William Inglis, rallied his men with the words "Die hard, 57th, die hard". From that day on, the 57th were known as "The Die Hards".

Today is Douro Day!

Fought #OnThisDay 12 May 1809, Crossing the Douro, The Second Battle of Porto.

One of most risky battles of the era, when Wellesley's troops stole across the river in a few boats, under the nose of the French to liberate Portugal's second city.

WHY PORTO MATTERED:

Oporto, as it was known to the British was a wealthy trading hub, famous for exporting its' wines (port🍷).

In May 1809 it was occupied by Marshal Jean de Dieu Soult. It was the largest French force in Portugal, Porto needed Liberating to free Portugal.

7:30pm #Waterloo #OnThisDay The Imperial Guard reach the ridge of Mt St Jean.

They're taking heavy casualties from shrapnel & now cannister shot from the Royal Artillery.

Wellington moves in his Infantry, mostly British Line regiments, supported by the Guards & Dutch... Volley, after well drill volley is fired.

The range is close, the British use Platoon fire, a ripple effect & causing constant casualties in the Imperial Guard ranks. Something strange happens. They falter, then stop, the "Vive..." chants stop. THEN THEY STEP BACK.

Fought #OnThisDay 16 May 1811, the Battle of Albuera.

The allies, led by William Beresford, were outflanked by Soult, almost crumbling under pressure, but they held, with high casualties on both sides Albuera is one of the bloodiest battles of the PW.
dukeofwellington.org/post/battle-of… The "Die Hards" were the 57th Regiment,
At the battle, the 57th came. Their wounded commander, Lieutenant-Colonel William Inglis, rallied his men with the words "Die hard, 57th, die hard". From that day on, the 57th were known as "The Die Hards".

Fought #OnThisDay 21 December 1808 The Battle of Sahagun.

A cavalry action during Sir John Moore's retreat.

Lord Paget (Later Uxbridge) led the 15th Hussars on a brilliant cavalry manoeuvre which led to a complete success against 2 French Regiments.

Paget's 15th Hussars overtook French the 1st Provisional Chasseurs (commanded by Colonel Tascher, a relative of Empress Josephine) & 8th Dragoons.

When spotted, the French stopped to fire their carbines. Leading the charge the Hussars caught the enemy completely stationary.

General Sir Thomas Graham, Lord Lyndoch died #OnThisDay 18 December 1843 aged 95.

A fierce scotsman who had served through the Revolutionary & Peninsular Wars, often leading from the front & earning his place at Wellington's side, he fought a personal war too.

🧵 After an early political career in 1792 Graham's wife died whilst at sea with him. In bringing her remains back, French officials opened her casket & "violated" her remains".

This started what would be a personal vendetta against the French Revolutionaries for Graham.

Fought #OnThisDay 23 Sept 1803 The Battle of Assaye.

Wellesley commanded 6,500 Indian & British troops against 40,000-200,000 Mahratta troops led by Hanovarian mercenary Colonel Pohlmann

Asked what his greatest vistory was, Wellington replied "ASSAYE".

Under the fire of enemy cannon (which vastly outnumbered his own) Wellesley led a flanking manoeuvre across the river in plain sight whilst the remainder of his army fought in line.

The Mahratta army had also been trained in European drills so also fought with muskets in line.

Badajoz was stormed #OnThisDay the evening of 6 April 1812.

3 breaches had been made between the end of March & 5th April by 38 British guns, 14 additional howitzers widened these the day before.

The city was stormed by attacking each side & breach simultaneously. Napier describes the British looking like 'savages' with 'brown unshaven faces', in battered uniforms, trousers rolled up & tunics loosened.

The 5/60th led Picton's attack, across the stream.

The French had laid mines in front of their positions, causing high casualties.