Napoleonic British Cavalry

British Cavalry - Battle of Waterloo - 18 June, 1815

At approximately 1:30 pm, the second phase of the Battle of Waterloo opened.
Napoleon launched D'Erlon's corps against the allied centre left. After being stopped by Picton's Peninsular War veterans, D'Erlon's troops came under attack from the side by the heavy cavalry commanded by Earl of Uxbridge including Major General Sir William Ponsonby's Scots Greys. The shocked ranks of the French columns surrendered in their thousands.

During the charge Sergeant Ewart, of the Greys, captured the eagle of the French 45th Ligne. The Greys charged too far and, having spiked some of the French cannon, came under counter-attack from enemy cavalry. Ponsonby, who had chosen to ride one of his less expensive mounts, was ridden down and killed by enemy lancers.

The Scots Greys' casualties included: 102 killed; 97 wounded; and the loss of 228 of the 416 horses that started the charge. This engagement also gave the Scots Greys their cap badge, the eagle itself. If you plan on visiting Edinburgh the eagle is displayed in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards museum.

"Ces terribles chevaux gris! Comme il travaillent!" (Those terrible grey horses, how they strive!) - Napoleon