Napoleonic British ADCs
As I shift my focus to completing more British for my Napoleonic collection this winter, I have purchased two sets of the Perry ADCs and two colonel set to paint up as ADCs as required in GDA2. Compared to the French range of ADCs it is not as large, I personally would like to see some more.
Uniforms
In 1799, British Army staff officers of the Adjutant-General's and Quartermaster-General's Departments, Brigade-Majors and Aides-de-Camp were allowed a full dress and an undress uniform.The full dress consisted of a single breasted, scarlet coatee; with white lining; long skirts; dark blue collar and cuffs; button-holes with gold loops; 10 (sometimes 9 or 11) plain gilt buttons set in pairs on the breast, 3 set 2 over 1 on the skirts and sleeves, and 2 on the hips behind.
Per the regulations of 1799, Aides-de-Camp wore golden epaulettes worked on blue. Those to the Sovereign, Commander-in-Chief and ranking as field officers wore epaulettes on both shoulders. Those to generals of infantry wore a single epaulette on the right shoulder. Those to generals of cavalry wore a single paulette on the left shoulder.
In 1811, Aides-de-Camp of cavalry replaced their epaulette by an aiguillette, worn on the right shoulder.
In 1814 Aides-de-Camp to the Prince Regent and Commander-in-Chief were allowed to wear epaulettes on both shoulders, together with an aiguillette. Those to the Commander-in-Chief were yet allowed gold embroidery around the cuffs and collar. Aides-de-Camp to Commanders of Forces serving Abroad were allowed to wear epaulettes on both shoulders, and no aiguillette. Those to general officers of infantry were allowed a single epaulette on the right shoulder. Those to general officers of cavalry reverted back to an epaulette on the left shoulder, together with an aiguillette on the right.
While the regulations made it clear that the collars of junior staff officers should be dark blue, multiple portraits depict scarlet collars with dark blue collar patches. The orders of 1826 made it clear that this should be the distinction between officers on “the King’s Staff” and officers on “the other Staffs”.
What Wellington’s Personal Staff Wore
Wellington’s core staff at Waterloo which included figures like his military secretary Lord FitzRoy Somerset and his crucial aides-de-camp generally adhered to a highly recognizable "service dress" on the field rather than grand full dress: Most of his personal ADCs wore the standard single-breasted scarlet staff coat with dark blue cuffs and collar. However, instead of white breeches and formal hats, they overwhelmingly wore plain dark grey or blue-grey overalls (trousers) and civilian-style cloaks or coats to protect against the torrential rain that soaked the field the night before the battle. Several of his aides entirely ignored staff scarlet. Lord George Lennox, for example, served on Wellington's staff while proudly wearing his flashy blue-and-gold uniform from the 9th Light Dragoons.
Noted British ADCs on Wellington’s staff
Sir Alexander Gordon (mortally wounded at Waterloo) He was mortally wounded on the ridge while trying to help Wellington rally Brunswick troops near La Haye Sainte and died later that night
Charles Fox Canning (mortally wounded at Waterloo) Another close personal aide who was shot through the body and killed during the fierce French cavalry charges in the afternoon.
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Percy (ADC): One of the few personal aides to survive the battle completely unhurt. Wellington selected Percy to carry the famous "Waterloo Dispatch" and the captured French eagles back to London to deliver the news of victory to the Prince Regent.
Colonel Sir William Howe de Lancey (Quartermaster-General): Acting as Wellington’s chief of staff, he was tasked with organizing the position and movements of the entire army. While standing next to Wellington on the ridge, he was struck in the back by a bouncing cannonball and mortally wounded.
Major-General Sir Edward Barnes (Adjutant-General): Responsible for the personnel, discipline, and daily strengths of the army. He was wounded during the battle but survived.
Colonel Colin Campbell (Headquarters Commandant): Responsible for the physical management, security, and movement of Wellington’s personal headquarters camp
Lieutenant John Fremantle (ADC): Another core member of the inner circle who helped carry immediate tactical orders across the lines
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Adam Wood (Artillery Commander): The senior British Royal Artillery officer at headquarters, responsible for directing the placement of the British artillery batteries across the Allied ridge.
Colonel Colquhoun Grant (Head of Intelligence): Wellington’s famous "exploring officer" and spymaster. He had spent weeks gathering intelligence on Napoleon’s troop build-up along the border and was present at headquarters to advise the Duke on French movements.
Lieutenant-Colonel John Waters (assumed Major General Barnes Position after he was wounded and wrote the returns for the centre after the battle)
Wellington’s staff at Waterloo was structurally unique because it wasn't just British. Because he was commanding a multinational Allied army, his immediate entourage included high-ranking foreign liaison officers acting as extensions of his staff. On the field at Waterloo, riding directly behind Wellington, you would have seen:
Colonel Sir Friedrich von Herzberg (Brunswick) commanded the Brunswick Corps after Johann Elias Olfermann was wounded.
Captain Willem Tribels - Dutch Belgian ADC
Count Friedrich von des Sales (Sardinia-Piedmont)
Major-General Sir Edward Barnes (Adjutant-General): Responsible for the personnel, discipline, and daily strengths of the army. He was wounded during the battle but survived.
Colonel Colin Campbell (Headquarters Commandant): Responsible for the physical management, security, and movement of Wellington’s personal headquarters camp
Captain Lord Arthur Hill (ADC): A reliable staff courier who survived the day unscathed despite being constantly in the line of fire.
Lieutenant the Hon. George Cathcart (ADC): A young officer who rode in Wellington's immediate entourage throughout the dayLieutenant John Fremantle (ADC): Another core member of the inner circle who helped carry immediate tactical orders across the lines
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Adam Wood (Artillery Commander): The senior British Royal Artillery officer at headquarters, responsible for directing the placement of the British artillery batteries across the Allied ridge.
Colonel Colquhoun Grant (Head of Intelligence): Wellington’s famous "exploring officer" and spymaster. He had spent weeks gathering intelligence on Napoleon’s troop build-up along the border and was present at headquarters to advise the Duke on French movements.
Lieutenant-Colonel John Waters (assumed Major General Barnes Position after he was wounded and wrote the returns for the centre after the battle)
Colonel Sir James Carmichael-Smyth, commander of the Royal Engineers and sappers. (Dark blue uniform, black velvet cuffs and collar, gold laced button hole lace, gold epaulettes both shoulders, dark blue trousers leather lined, bicorne gold laced button and lace)
The "International" Staff at Waterloo
Wellington’s staff at Waterloo was structurally unique because it wasn't just British. Because he was commanding a multinational Allied army, his immediate entourage included high-ranking foreign liaison officers acting as extensions of his staff. On the field at Waterloo, riding directly behind Wellington, you would have seen:
General Miguel de Álava wearing a Spanish uniform.
Count Carl von Müffling in a distinct Prussian blue uniform.
Prince Pozzo di Borgo representing the Russian Empire.
Baron Vincent representing the Austrian Empire
Major Sir Julius Hartmann KGL artillery commander Count Carl von Müffling in a distinct Prussian blue uniform.
Prince Pozzo di Borgo representing the Russian Empire.
Baron Vincent representing the Austrian Empire
Captain Willem Tribels - Dutch Belgian ADC
Count Friedrich von des Sales (Sardinia-Piedmont)
Hope that helps
Cheers
Matt
