Men-at-Arms
8 primary works • 12 total works
Book 253
Ultimately, regiments are judged by their behaviour in battle; and highlanders have always had a reputation as 'stormers', as exemplified by the impetuous charge of the Gordons at Waterloo, intermingled with the Scots greys. This reputation probably resulted at least in part from an unusually close bonding between officers and men, and an assumption that highlanders were natural soldiers, possessed of an impetuous spirit and temperamentally more inclined to use the bayonet. Complemented by many illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten, Stuart Reid's engaging text examines the uniforms and organisation of Wellington's Highlanders.
Book 261
The new 43rd Regiment formed in 1739 not only wore bonnets, but had short jackets in place of coats, and belted plaids instead of breeches. In addition to their firelocks and bayonets they were armed with Scots broadswords, pistols and dirks. In the early days a few of them may even have carried circular shields or targets. The British Army was never to be the same again. Stuart Reid explores the history, clothing and equipment of the 18th-century Highland regiments, and explores various battles, such as the Black Watch Mutiny of 1743 and the Jaconite Rising of 1745, in a text complemented by a multitude of photographs and illustrations, including full colour plates.
Book 285
To most contemporary politicians the 18th century British Army was no more than an unwelcome necessity in wartime and an unjustifiable extravagance in peacetime. Nevertheless, the overall impression which is to be gained from a close study of the Army's own records, and from the surviving letters, diaries and memoirs, is that the British Army of the 18th century was very little different in character or in spirit from today's British Army. It was, above all, a force which was led, not driven, into battle. This book looks at the uniforms and organisation of the infantry of King George's Army.
Book 331
In the summer of 1642 the First Civil War between king and parliament had broken out in England. Initially both sides were confident of victory, but after the first campaigns ended in stalemate they began looking for allies. The meddling of the Stuart Kings with Scotland's religious traditions provoked the National Covenant, and later the Solemn League and Covenant. Yet many Scots continued to support the King, and after his execution, his exiled son.This fine text by Stuart Reid examines the Scots armies who fought in the English Civil Wars, and features numerous illustrations and photographs, including full page colour plates by Graham Turner.
Book 398
For ten extraordinary years following its successful revolution and independence from Mexico, Texas was a sovereign republic with its own army and navy. It fought not only to defend itself against Indians and Mexicans, but also to extend its frontiers to the Pacific. This absorbing text tells the little-known story of the armies of the Texan Revolution and the independent Republic of Texas and is illustrated with many rare images that add colour to this insightful book.
Book 442
This book is not only a tribute to the proud Highlander regiments who have served with distinction for over two centuries but will also be an insightful study of the period in which they made their name. As the British Empire dominated every corner of the globe, Queen Victoria's Highlanders served in a variety of campaigns from the Indian subcontinent to Africa. This title will study their organization, histories, and evolution of uniforms. Each of the famous regiments - including the Black Watch, the Gordons, the Argylls, the Camerons - will be covered and the full glory of their romantic, tartan uniforms revealed.
Book 453
Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, which grew in size to become larger than that of any European sovereign state. This is the history of this army, examining the many conflicts they fought, their equipment and training, with its regiments of horse, foot and guns, which rivalled those of most European powers. The uniforms, combining traditional Indian and British dress are illustrated in detail and make for a colourful account of a private band of adventurers that successfully captured the jewel of the British Empire.
Book 460
The Seven Years' War in Germany was characterised by an increasing use of 'light' troops in conjunction with regular infantry and cavalry as part of an ongoing evolution in military tactics. This book draws attention to these tactical developments and also provides an analysis of the allied army that fought alongside Frederick the Great in Germany. Composed of troops from the electorate of Hanover and contingents from Hessen-Kassel, Brunswick and Prussia, this force was funded by Britain and led by a Prussian officer, Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. Later, British troops joined this army as it operated throughout western Germany, and together the allied army won a great victory at the famous battle of Minden in 1759.
In August 1745 Charles Edward Stuart, the 'Young Pretender', landed in Scotland and sparked the Second Jacobite Rising. The Jacobite forces seized Perth, then Edinburgh, where they proclaimed the Young Pretender's father King James VIII; they trounced their Hanoverian opponents at Prestonpans and crossed into England, getting as far south as Derby before withdrawing into Scotland. Far from universally popular north of the border, the Jacobite army bested another Hanoverian army at Falkirk and besieged Stirling, only to be routed by the Duke of Cumberland's army at Culloden in April 1746, a crushing defeat that ended any prospect of a Stuart restoration. Featuring full-colour artwork depicting the distinctive uniforms of Cumberland's men, this exhaustively researched study offers a wealth of detail of regimental strengths and casualties and includes an extended chronology that places individual units in specific places throughout the campaign that culminated at Culloden.
In 1798, the Irish rose up against the corrupt English government run out of Dublin. Joined by both Protestants and Catholics, the rebellion quickly spread across the country. Although the Irish peasantry were armed mostly with pikes, they were able to overwhelm a number of small, isolated British outposts. However, even with the half-hearted assistance of the French, the Irish could not compete with the organized ranks of the British Army when under competent leadership. In a brutal turning of the tide, the Redcoats plowed through the rebels. In just three months, between 15,000 and 30,000 people died, most of them Irish. This book tells the story of this harsh, but fascinating, period of Irish history and covers the organization and uniforms of the forces involved.