'Greys'

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Oil on canvas.
30 Inches x 20 Inches.
©Copyright Glenn Zlanabitnig 1991.
All rights reserved.

Battle of Waterloo, Belgium, 18th June 1815
"I felt a strange thrill run through me, and I am sure my noble beast felt the same, for, after rearing a moment, she sprang forward uttering loud neighings and snorting, and leapt over the holly hedge at terrific speed." *Corporal Dickson, Scots Greys(Royal North British Dragoons).

The Battle of Waterloo was an historic turning point, finally seeing an end to Napoleon Bonapart's bid to dominate Europe.
The location was in Belgium, some kilometers South of Brussels, just South of where the Ohain road crossed the Chaussee de Charleroi leading Northward to the town of Waterloo.

Following a heavy bombardment, the allied center had come under a massive attack from d'Erlon's corps of 16,000 men.
Dense phalanxes of infantry supported by a detachment of Cuirassiers (Heavy cavalry)had already cut off the allied held Farm House of 'La Haye Sainte'.
By sheer weight of numbers, it would just be a question of time before the allied line would give way.
The Duke of Wellington could see that drastic action was needed.

So the go ahead was given for Lord Uxbridge to order a double advance of the Union and Household heavy cavalry on the right under Lord Edward Somerset, on the left under Sir William Ponsonby.

By all accounts, they came down the slopes like a tidal wave, sweeping away all before them "In they went like a torrent shaking the very earth."*Captain Hay.
As Napoleon looked on, he was heard to remark, "Those terrible grey horses, how they fight."

The French advance now repulsed, the buglers sounded the Rally to call back the men, but the Scots Greys did not respond. It is thought by some that they were out to attack the French artillery batteries that had caused so much damage at the start of the battle, or maybe they just got carried away. Whatever the reason, they plunged themselves ever deeper in to the French lines till they were cut off completely.
Corporal Dickson was one of but a handful that made it back alive.
Next day Captain Edward Kelly wrote to his wife: "My dearest love, I am alive but there is little joy. All my fine Troopers knocked to pieces".
Sold to a buyer in the UK from the Inner Vision Gallery
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