British Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars
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1. Introduction: British Cavalry. 2. Cavalry of King's German Legion. 3. Household Cavalry and the Dragoons. 4. Light Dragoons and Hussars. 5. Uniforms. 6. Horses. 7. Tactics and Combat (We pursued them 5 km, they then pursued us 10 km). 8. Sources and Links.
In the small combat at Sahagun the 15th Hussars
The cavalry of King's German Legion followed
The charge of KGL dragoons at Garcia Hernandez |
 Picture: British light cavalry attack the retreating French baggage train at Vitoria 1814.
even more impressive by their bearskin caps, the Scottish dragoons bore down upon the men of Grenier's brigade, who were crossing the sunken lane. ... Immediately after overwhelming Grenier's brigade, the Grays attacked the first regiment of Nogues' brigade ... In the meantime, the Royals and the Inniskillings had followed the fleeing infantry all the way to the bottom of the slope." (- A. Barbero)
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Introduction: British Cavalry.
British cavalry consisted of light and heavy dragoons.
Between 1806 and 1862 several light dragoon regiments converted to "hussars",
a Hungarian style popularized by the French.
Weapons.
Organization.
The basic tactical unit in cavalry was squadron. It was made of two troops.
The troop consisted of: 1 Captain, 1-2 Lieutenants, 1 Cornet, 1 Sergeant-Major, 1 Furrier, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 1 Trumpeter, and 85 Troopers. At Waterloo the British squadrons were between 112 and 180 men and were larger than the French squadrons.
The official establishment for cavalry regiment was 5 squadrons. One squadron served as depot and was left at home. The British cavalry regiment at Waterloo mustered 2-4 squadrons in the field and was commanded by lieutenant-colonel. The average strength of regiment was 460 men.
The smallest was the 2nd Life Guards (235 men in 2 squadrons) and the largest
was the 3rd Hussars KGL (712 men in 4 squadrons). The regiments carried 1 standard per squadron (sometimes "King´s standard" for the 1st squadron and "regimental guidons" for the 2nd and 3rd) The standard was carried by a NCO.
Two or three regiments formed brigade. There were no higher units (divisions, corps) in the British cavalry. At Waterloo several British regiments were larger than entire French brigades.
For example the French 2nd Cuirassier Brigade (GdB Guiton) had 541 men, and the 2nd Cavalry Brigade (GdB Merlin) had 485 men, while the 2nd Light Dragoon KGL Regiment had 540 men, 13th Light Dragoon Regiment 455 men.
British cavalry brigades before the battle of Corunna in 1809
British cavalry brigades - Talavera 1809
British cavalry brigades - Salamanca 1812
Cavalry in the famous charge at Garcia Hernandez 1812
Quality.
The uniforms of British cavalry made great impression on many onlookers and their horses were one of the best in Europe.
Their sabers and firearms were well made, and the men were brave and good sworsdmen. The weakest point of British cavalry however were their tactics and discipline in real combat.
"The heaviest English cavalry is far from possessing the uniformity and the firm seat of the French and Austrian cuirassiers; and their light-horse is still more inferior in intelligence and activity to the Hungarian hussar and the Cossack. They have no idea of the artifices of partisan warfare, and they know little how to charge en masse. When the fray commences,
you see them equally vulnerable and offensive, cutting instead of thrusting, and chopping with more fury than effect at the faces of their enemies..." ( - French General Maximilien Foy)
On British cavalry: "... testimony of impartial writers of different nations have given the first place amongst the European infantry to the British; but in a comparison between the troops of France and England, it would be unjust not to admit that the cavalry of the former stands higher in the estimation of the world." (Napier - Vol II, p 367)
Despite the criticism and not the highest opinion even in Britain, the British cavalry
enjoyed several notable victories, especially on the smaller tactical level, against French cavalry
(Sahagun, Benavente) and against infantry (Garcia Hernandez, Salamanca, Waterloo).
and the firm seat of the French and Austrian cuirassiers;
and their light-horse is still more inferior in intelligence
and activity to the Hungarian hussar and the Cossack.
They have no idea of the artifices of partisan warfare,
and they know little how to charge en masse. When the fray
commences, you see them equally vulnerable and offensive,
cutting instead of thrusting, and chopping with more fury
than effect..."
- General Foy
"... testimony of impartial writers of different nations have given
the first place amongst the European infantry to the British;
but in a comparison between the troops of France and England,
it would be unjust not to admit that the cavalry of the former
stands higher in the estimation of the world."
(Napier - Vol II, p 367)
Cavalry had the advantage of mobility, an instrument which multiplied the fighting value of even the smallest forces, allowing them to outflank and avoid, to surprise and overpower, to retreat and escape according to the requirements of the moment. Cavalry remained the primary choice for confronting enemy cavalry. Attacking an unbroken infantry force head-on usually resulted in failure, but the extended linear formations were vulnerable to flank or rear attacks. Cavalry was an indispensable tool for scouting, screening the army's movements, and harassing the enemy's supply lines
Between 1816 and 1822 the remaining light dragoons converted to "lancers", a Polish
innovation that had been previously copied by the French. After Poland lost independence and there was no Polish
uhlans, the British lancers became the top dogs of this type of light cavalry.
Despite Wellington's scathing comments on French cuirassiers, the British were quite
impressed with them and after Waterloo issued armor to the Household Cavalry. They still wear the cuirass today on the world-famous ceremonies in London.
Sabres, Carbines, Pistols.
On photo: British heavy cavalry sabre from Military Heritage
>
The broadsword was used by Austrian, British, Prussian and Russian heavy cavalry and was a straight, single edged weapon.
It was somehow old-fashioned weapon and was withdrawn from the Russian cavalry in 1809-1810,
and from the Austrian chevaulegeres in 1802. The Austrian, British and Prussian heavies
however kept this sword.
The sabers of British heavy cavalry were described as "lumbering, clumsy,
ill-contrived machine. It is too heavy, too short, and too broad."
Waymouth of 2nd Life Guards also complained at the way of wielding the saber,
with the elbow bent and the point upraised. It was a "very bad position whilst
charging, the French carrying theirs in a manner much less fatiguing, and also
much better for attack of defence."
According to Martin Read the British 1796
pattern heavy cavalry saber was a direct copy of the sword of the Austrian heavy
cavalry dating to 1775. Due to the saber's width this type of point was a very poor at piercing heavy
clothing or rolled cloaks, making a thrust a largely unprofitable exercise.
Before Waterloo the men were ordered to 'grind the backs of their swords' to make
the tip into the more effective point.
The British cavalry also used carbines and pistols. See picture -->
The carbines were short barrelled and thus short range weapons,
carried by privates and corporals.
In Peninsula, Stapleton Cotton, ordered the Household Cavalry not to carry carbines.
In 1815 however the Household Brigade and the Union Brigade were issued carbines with bayonets
(the bayonets were not carried). The heavy cavalry carbine weighed 8 pounds
and had a barrel length of 28 inches. The light cavalry carbine had a barrel length of 16 inches.
The raamrod was permanently mounted beneath the muzzle to prevent it from being lost.
In 1815 the 10th Hussars were issued Baker rifles !
The cavalryman carried one pistol. It was used even less than the carbine.
The heavy cavalry pistol had a barrel length of 9 inches.
Brigade, Regiment, Squadron, Troop.
(Mark Adkin - "The Waterloo Companion.")
Regiments
Squadrons
Men
Guards
4
9
1319
Dragoons
3
9
1332
Light Dragoons
9
30
4089
Hussars
10
35
5137
(Mark Adkin - "The Waterloo Companion.")
Regiments
Squadrons
British
16
45
King's German Legion
4
16
Hanoverian
1
4
Other
8
28
Cavalry Brigade: Stewart
- - - - - - 3rd Light Dragoons KGL
- - - - - - 7th Light Dragoons
- - - - - - 18th Light Dragoons
Cavalry Brigade: Slade
- - - - - - 10th Light Dragoons
- - - - - - 15th Light Dragoons
1st Cavalry Brigade: Fane
- - - - - - 3rd Dragoon Guards
- - - - - - 4th Dragoons
2nd Cavalry Brigade: Cotton
- - - - - - 14th Light Dragoons
- - - - - - 16th Light Dragoons
3rd Cavalry Brigade: Anson
- - - - - - 23rd Light Dragoons
- - - - - - 1st Hussars KGL
1st Cavalry Brigade: Le Marchant
- - - - - - 5th Dragoon Guards
- - - - - - 3rd Dragoons
- - - - - - 4th Dragoons
2nd Cavalry Brigade: Anson
- - - - - - 11th Light Dragoons
- - - - - - 12th Light Dragoons
- - - - - - 16th Light Dragoons
3rd Cavalry Brigade: von Alten
- - - - - - 14th Light Dragoons
- - - - - - 1st Hussars KGL
4th Cavalry Brigade: von Bock
- - - - - - 1st Dragoons KGL
- - - - - - 2nd Dragoons KGL
Cavalry Brigade: von Bock
- - - - - - 1st Dragoons KGL (3 sq.)
- - - - - - 2nd Dragoons KGL (3 sq.)
Cavalry Brigade: Anson
- - - - - - 11th Light Dragoons (1 sq.)
- - - - - - 16th Light Dragoons (1 sq.)
Men, Weapons, Uniforms, Horses, Tactics.
Cavalry of King's German Legion.
The cavalry of KGL followed the pattern of treating their mounts first, grooming, trimming, saddle and hoof cleaning, and so forth, so it kept their horses in great condition when many of the British cavalrymen (but not the Guard) were walking because their neglected horses had broken down or were sold for alcohol. During the campaigns in Spain and Portugal the losses in the KGL cavalry were approx. only half of the English.
Captain Kincaid writes: "If we saw a British Dragoon at any time approaching in full speed, it excited no great curiosity among us, but whenever we saw one of the 1st Hussars KGL ... it was high time to gird on our swords and bundle up." According to Kincaid the 1st KGL Hussars were "deserved favourites of the Light Division... it was one of the romances of a soldier's life to hear them chanting their national war songs - some 3 or 4 voices leading and the whole squadron joining in the chorus. They were no less daring in the field than they were surpassingly good at outpost duty.' One May day in 1813 the German Hussars were so affected by British cheering when the Light Division turned out to line the road and greet their old friends that many of the singing Germans burst into tears." Captain Mercer, wrote about their horsecare: "These beautiful animals they had brought with them ... and I shall never forget the grief and indignation with which they parted with them. Affection for, and care of, his horse, is the trait, par excellence, which distinguishes the German dragoon from the English." The German would sell everything to feed his horse; the English would sell his horse itself for spirit ... In the Peninsula the only means of enforcing some attention to their horses amongst our English regiments was to make every man walk and carry his saddlebags whose horse died or was ill." Edward Costello of 95th Rifles: "As cavalry, they were the finest and most efficient I ever saw in action; and I had many opportunities of judging, as some troops of them generally did duty with us during the war. Indeed, while alluding to the cavalry of the German Legion, I cannot help remarking on the care and fondness with which they regarded their horses. A German soldier seldom thought of food or rest for the night until his horse had been provided for. ... The consequence of this attention to their horses was, they were in condition when those of our own cavalry were dying, or otherwise in very deplorable state; this, without wishing to throw a disparagement upon our own countrymen, I attributed to the difference in custom between the two countries." (Costello - "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" pp 24-25) Costello described one cavalry combat in Peninsula where the Germans fought: "On the 18th of June we passed along the banks of a fine river. Our company, along with but half a troop of German Hussars, formed the advance. On turning a winding of the road, we suddenly came within sight of a party of the enemy's cavalry who formed the tail of their rearguard. Our Germans, who were commanded by a very smart young fellow, immediately charged them. The French, perceiving the number of our cavalry only equal to their own, instantly wheeled about and calmly awaited the attack. A very smart combat soon took place, and was supported by great resolution for some time on both sides, but terminated in the flight or capture of the enemy. Several prisoners were brought in, all of whom were badly wounded; and scarcely one of our gallant Germans had escaped without some sabre-wound." (Costello - "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" p 122) |
Household Cavalry and the Dragoons.
"The disaster in North America had demonstrated that the army was falling badly behind the
times. The Private Gentleman's club of the Horse Guards were converted into the two regular
cavalry troops of Life Guards. Both Regiments received an establishment of 230 men between
the strict height regimens of 5' 11" and 6'1". ... Costello writes: "On the third day's march our battalion encamped near Salamanca, in a wood, where we were joined by the Life Guards and Oxford Blues [Royal Horse Guards], that had just come out from England, and whom we beheld drawn up at the side of the road. Their fresh and well-fed appearancce gave rise to many jests at the expense of the 'householders'. They, in fact, as I learnt, took us [95th Rifles] at first, from our dark clothing and embrowned visages, for a foreign regiment." (Costello - "The Peninsular and Watreloo Campaigns" pp 119-120) "The Life Guards were part of the central column under Wellington's direct control that entered Salamanca and went on to do battle at Vittoria. Unfortunately for the Household Brigade it was twice denied its prey. Once by a deep ravine and the other time by the headlong flight of its foe before it could come into contact with them. Still, the Household Brigade was acquiring valuable experience and not an inconsiderable amount of booty, both at Vittoria and later with the fall of San Sebastian. ... On June 21st 1814, the Life Guards began being shipped back to Britain. It was true that they had not yet covered themselves in glory at this point, but they had garnered valuable horsemanship and organisational skills that were to be put to good effect in the very near future." (- Charles Griffin)
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The British and Russian Guards were one of the best troops Allies had. In Austerlitz the Russian Lifeguard Horse mauled French 24th Light Infantry and captured Color of 4th Line Regiment. In 1812 the Lifeguard Uhlans captured Color of the famous 18th Line Regiment (nicknamed 'The Brave').
Dragoon Guards and Dragoons.
The dragoon guards and dragoons were represented by many regiments:
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Light Dragoons and Hussars.
During the Napoleonic Wars there were many regiments of light cavalry:
Edward Costello of 95th Rifles described a duel between a light dragoon and a French
cavalryman: "One of their videttes, after being posted facing English dragoon, of the 14th
or 16th [Light Dragoon Regiment] displayed an instance of individual gallantry, in which the
French, to do them justice, were seldom wanting. Waving his long straight sword, the
Frenchman rode within 60 yards of our dragoon, and challenged him to single combat.
According to M. Read the British saber 1796-Model for light cavalry was designed by Le
Marchant. He was a strong advocate of the cut in cavalry combat. This saber had a broad
blade with a pronounced curve, with a single broad but shallow fuller. Despite the
sword's obvious unsuitability for use in the thrust some attempts were made to increase
its efficiency in this regard. The back of the blade, for the distance between the
termination of the fuller and the tip, was sometimes ground down to increase the acuteness
of the point. (Martin Read - "The British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Sword")
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Uniforms.
The British dragoons wore crested helmets with black horsehair, scarlet coats, and either white breeches with high boots or grey overalls.
Until 1812 the light dragoons wore Tarleton helmet (ext. link) with white over red plume and turban of facing colour (changed to black for all regiments). In 1812 the Tarleton was replaced with shako with white over red short plume. The light dragoons wore short tailed dark blue jacket with plastron front and epaulettes, white breeches (or grey trousers with one or two stripes in facing colour) and short boots. Other sources give grey trousers with either 2 red stripes or 2 facing colour stripes.
The British hussars wore fur caps with white over red plume, red bag of cap, yellow cap-lines, blue tailess dolmans with white braid, white breeches (or grey overalls with one or two stripes in facing colour) and short boots. The British hussars were required to sport moustaches. The 1st and 2nd Hussars of KGL distinguished themselves with yellow braid (white for the 3rd).
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The splendid English horses.
In 1815 (Waterloo Campaign) the French cavalry was impoverished and had considerably scaled back the strength of cavalry regiments. By contrast England had always good horses and the financial means to obtain more of them wherever they might be found. French General Maximilien-Sebastien Foy wrote: "The pains bestowed by the English on their horses, and the superior qualities of their native breeds, at first gave a more favourable idea of their cavalry than the experience of war has justified. The horses are badly trained for fighting. They have narrow shoulders and a hard mouth and neither know how to turn or to halt. Cropping their tails is a serious inconvenience in hot climates. The luxurious attentions which are lavished upon them, render them quite unfit to support fatigue, scarcity of food, or the exposure of the bivouac. The men, however, are excellent grooms." However, in the beginning of Peninsular campaign the lack of experience cost the British cavalry many excellent horses. “The tragic end of Lord Paget’s heroic cavalry chargers is made even more shameful when one considers the verdict of William Napier: '‘The very fact of their being so foundered was one of the results of inexperience; the cavalry had come out to Corunna without proper equipments, the horses were ruined, not for want of shoes, but want of hammers and nails to put them on !” (Summerville - “March of Death” p 177)
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Tactics and Combat. The British cavalry regiment had 2-4 squadrons in the field. According to George Nafziger the interval between squadrons was 1/3 of their actual front, but there was no additional or different interval between regiments and brigades. It is worth noting that the British regulation states that in a flank march the cavalry occupied 3 times the interval it occupied when facing to the front. The British used a movable pivot like the French, and also used a variation of the French manoeuvre of marching diagonally directly to their final position. However, instead of wheeling forward, their units wheeled backwards.
On the level of individual horseman, and up to one or two regiments, the British and German cavalry were generally superior to the French. Private Cotton described a fight between a man of the 3rd Hussars of the King's German Legion and a French cuirassier that took at Waterloo; "A hussar and a cuirassier had got entangled in the melee, and met in the plain in full view of our line; the hussar was without cap and bleeding from a wound in the head, but that did not hinder him from attacking his steel-clad adversary. He soon proved that the strength of cavalry contains in good swordsmanship ... and not in being clad in defensive armor .. after a few blows a tremendous fencer made the Frenchman reel in the saddle ... a second blow stretched him on the ground, amidst the cheers of the horseman's comrades, who were ardent spectators of the combat."
In the left wing of the French army were on the point of being defeated by the Anglo-Portuguese 3rd and 5th Infantry Divisions when Le Marchant's dragoons charged in and destroyed battalion after batallion. Le Marchant, knowing he had achieved a magnificent success, was leading a squadron against the last of the formed French infantry when he was shot and his spine broken. Wellington's despatch after the battle stated: In this charge Major-General Le Marchant was killed at the head of his brigade, and I have to lament the loss of a most able officer."
French General Foy wrote that the French cavalry was superior to the British:
"In cavalry service it is not sufficient for the soldiers to be brave, and the horses
good; there must be science and unity. More than once, in the Peninsular war, weak
detachments of British cavalry have charged French battalions through and through, but
in disorder; the squadrons could not again be re-formed; there were not others at hand
to finish the work; thus the bold stroke passed away, without producing any advantage."
At Waterloo the seasoned General Dornberg decided to attack a single French cuirassier
regiment with two of his own, the British 23rd Light Dragoons and the 1st Light Dragoons KGL.
Dornberg outnumbered the French by 2 to 1. The two frontal squadrons of the French regiment
were attacked on both flanks and routed. Dornberg's entire cavalry dashed after the fleeing
enemy. But the French colonel, unlike his adversary, was holding two other squadrons in
reserve, and these counterattacked and smashed the enemy. The British and Germans were
remounting the slope in great disorder when another cuirassier regiment appeared and blocked
their way. The French drew their sabers and awaited the enemy unmoving.
In 1812 in Spain, at Maguilla (Maquilla) took place cavalry battle. General Hill detached
Penne Villemur's cavalry on the right flank, and General Slade with the 3rd Dragoon Guards
and the Royals on the left flank. French General Lallemand came forward with only two
dragoon regiments, whereupon Hill, hoping to cut this small force off, placed Slade's British
cavalry in a wood with directions to await further orders. In 1812 at Villadrigo, the French and British cavalry attacked each other and a prolonged fight (10 minutes!) took place. Then came one more French regiment "got around one flank and rolled the British up."
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Sources and Links.
Adkin - "The Waterloo Companion"
Muir - "Salamanca, 1812"
Barbero - "The Battle"
Fortescue - "A History of the British Army"
Hofschroer - "Waterloo - the German Victory"
Costello - "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" 1968
Nosworthy - "With Musket, Cannon, and Sword."
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
British Cavalry
Cavalry of King German Legion.
Uniforms of the British Hussars
Uniforms of the British Dragoons
Paintings of English horses.
Plastic little
soldiers for wargaming and dioramas: "British Lancers - Crimean War."
Russian Cavalry
"The origins of the Kings German Legion stem back to the invasion and occupation of the Electorate of Hanover by France in July 1803. The ruler of Hanover was none other than King George III of England. Although forbidden by Napoleon to take up arms against France, men from the Hanovarian army soon began to come to England, to serve their Ruler, and free their land from French rule. ...
Due to the large number of recruits joining, it was soon decided to raise units of all arms. In December the regiment was renamed the Kings German Legion. By 1805 the Legion had both light and heavy cavalry regiments, foot and horse artillery batteries, their own corps of engineers, plus two light and eight line infantry regiments. At its height, there were around 14,000 men serving in the Legion and some 28,000 were eventually to have been part of the KGL. The British supplied uniforms, weapons and equipment ..."
The cavalry of King's German Legion (KGL) was made up of Hannoverians and consisted of five
regiments:
- 1st Hussar Regiment 
- 1st Dragoon Regiment (became 
- 1st Light Dragoons) 
The Household Cavalry was the elite of British cavalry and consisted of 1st and 2nd Lif Guards (the senior regiments of the the
British army) and the Royal Horse Guards. The Royal Horse Guard was founded in 1650 by Oliver
Cromwell as the Regiment of Cuirassiers. The first troop was originally raised in in 1658 as
His Majesty's Own Troop of Horse Guards. Membership of these was originally restricted to
gentlemen, and accordingly they had no NCOs; their corporals were commissioned, and ranked as
lieutenants in the rest of the army. This state of affairs persisted until 1756.
In theory the three guard troops formed personal bodyguard of the head of state.
Lord Robert Edward Henry Somerset led the Household Brigade at Waterloo.
British dragoons and dragoon guards served with distinction in the Peninsular War and during the Waterloo Campaign.
The British Army first used the designation 'dragoon guards' in 1746, when the King's Own Regiment of Horse
and the Princess of Wales's Own Regiment of Horse were redesignated the 1st and 2nd Dragoon Guards.
Other regiments followed. The dragoon guards regiments had abandoned their cuirasses and were almost indistinguishable
from dragoon regiments. "The exercise of converting from Horse to Dragoon was to save money - Dragoons were
paid less than Horse - and the change was very unpopular." (- wikipedia.org)
Major-General Sir William Ponsonby at Waterloo led the (Dragoon) Union Brigade,
so-called because it included an English, a Scottish and an Irish regiment.
The brigade (1st, 2nd and 6th Dragoon Regiment) had counter-attacked to great effect against the disorganised French columns of infantry. Ponsonby's troops then were charged by French lancers, effectively destroyed and played no further part in the battle.
The British light cavalry consisted of hussars and light dragoons.
The hussars were formed in 1806 from light dragoons. (The 18th Hussars in 1807).
According to www.lightdragoons.org.uk the light dragoons "were first raised in the middle
of the Eighteenth Century for reconnaissance and patrolling - in other words scouting -
but soon acquired a reputation for courage and dash in the charge.
The British and German light cavalry enjoyed victories at Sahagun and Benevente.
In the small combat at Sahagun the 15th Hussars defeated French cavalry.
They took many prisoners for very little loss to themselves. The 15th Hussars where awarded
"Sahagun" as a Battle Honour.
The British-German force at Benavente was led by Paget (later Lord Uxbridge, and subsequently Marquis
of Anglesey). Henry Paget was not only an excellent officer but also a womanizer.
When he decided to elope with Wellington's sister-in-law (and got her pregnant, before
returning her to a tearful husband only to elope for a second time, forcing a parliamentary
divorce and then marrying the lady), the military establishment in London wrongly supposed
that his talents were no longer required by Wellington because of the scandal.
But there were also not so bright moments. In 1815 at Genappe, Lord Uxbridge
unsuccessfully attempted to persuade the British 11th Light Dragoons to charge in support
of the 7th who were being driven back by French lancers. ("My address to these Light
Dragoons not having been received with all the enthusiasm that I expected, I ordered them
to clear the chausee and said, 'The Life Guard shall have this honour', and instantly sending
for them.")
The uniforms of British cavalry made great impression on many onlookers.
French General Foy wrote: "During the war in the Peninsula, the French soldiers were
so struck with the elegant dresses of the light dragoons, their shining helmets, and
the graceful shape of men and horses, that they gave them the name of Lindors
(figures from Greek mythology, half-man, half-horse)
The British and German horses, whose tails were docked in accordance with British practice,
were one of the best in Europe at a time when all the major continental armies were feeling
the effect of the dreadful equine destruction occasioned by the numerous wars. The campaign
against Russia alone resulted in tens of thousands of the best French horses dead.
Fig. 116: changes of position of a regiment.
Costello of 95th Rifles described a fight between British and French regiment:
"... a loud cheering to the right attracted our attention, and we perceived our 1st Dragoons
charge a French cavalry regiment. As this was the first charge of cavalry most of us had ever
seen, we were all naturally much interested on the occassion. The French skirmishers who
were also extended against us seemed to partiicipate in the same feeling as both parties
suspended firing while the affair of dragoons was going on.
In 1808 at Benavente several British and German regiments (British 10th Hussars and 18th Light Dragoons, and 3rd KGL Hussars) attacked French cavalry regiment (the Guard Chasseurs). "There was an indecisive clash between Lefebvre-Desnouettes' men and Paget's force of 10th Hussars and King's German Legion cavalry. Drawing the French off to Benavente, Paget then ambushed them and pursued the surprised enemy back across the Cea."
(- napoleonguide.com) The Guard Chasseurs lost 127 men, and their commander, Lefebvre-Desnouettes, was captured by a German named Bergmann, who gave up his precious prize to British hussar Grisdale.
Maneuvering or charging in good order with several regiments or brigades, was beyond their capabilities and American historian George Nafziger ranked them below the Saxon, Polish and French cavalry. In Wellington's opinion though one British squadron could defeat two French,
it was the best for the British to avoid encounters when the opposing forces consisted of
more than four squadrons each. The larger the formation the more chaotic was the British
cavalry. 
At Waterloo the French lancers practically wiped out the Scots Grays, of the 24 officers
who had taken part in the charge, 16 were killed and wounded, and the lower ranks suffered
approx. the same proportion of casualties. Colonel Hamilton body was found the next day,
missing both arms and with a bullet in the heart. The two other regiments of Union Brigade
suffered approx. 600 dead and wounded out of 1,000 men, a percentage that makes the famous
charge at Balaklava pale in comparison. In the elite Household Brigade of the squadrons that
had charged in the first line, fewer than 50 % turned back. The whole action took less than
one hour.
In some point of the battle not only the foreign cavalry felt like figthing anymore. Lord Uxbridge's exhortations met the same obstinate reluctance everywhere, and in the end his chagrin was so great that he declared himself ashamed to be an Englishman.
The brave British-German-Netheralnd infantry packed into their squares probably had never felt any great love for the cavalry. In the square in which Wellington himself had taken refuge, the infantrymen were so exasperated at the sight of cuirassiers, calmly riding past them a short distance away, that someone began to shout: "Where are the cavalry ?! Why don't they come and pitch into those French fellows ?" Out of the entire Household brigade there were only few squadrons left. After the battle, only 1 or 2 men reported out of the entire squadron of the King's Dragoon Guards.
