Thursday, January 22, 2015

The 95th Rifles - Napoleonic Wars

    Although perhaps the most famous British unit of the Napoleonic Wars, the 95th was also one of the youngest. It derived form the Experimental Corps of Riflemen, formed in 1800, which became the 95th (Rifle) regiment of Foot in 1803. The 95th trained in light infantry tactics along with other two other new  Light Infantry regiments  in 1803. A second battalion was raised in 1805, and a third in 1809. All three battalions served in the Peninsula and elsewhere during the Napoleonic Wars. The 95th was renamed the Rifle Brigade in 1816.


The 95th (Rifle) regiment.  Picking off officers of French units on a tabletop near you!


Old Glory 28mm figures. A is often the case, the green is darker on the figures than it appears in the pictures. 


The Baker Rifle was said to be able to hit a man sized target at 200 years, and as far as 400 years in the hands of an expert marksman.


Many of the riflemen were taught to read and write, which may account for the unusually large number of memoirs penned by enlisted men of the Regiment. Those in turn may also partially explain some of the fame of the regiment as it pertains to the Napoleonic Wars!


Similarly, there are an unusually large number of re-enactor/living history units inspired by the 95th, including outfits in the UK, the USA, and Australia. 

http://www.95thrifles.com/home.html

http://www.95th-rifles.co.uk/

http://www.1st95thrifles.com/

http://www.95thriflesaustralia.com/

21 comments:

  1. very nice and impressive riflemen

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    1. Thanks, Phil. The pictures aren't my best - too dark and cold out for natural light which works a lot better!

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  2. Great job on these minis, congrats!!! (which one is Sharpe...? :) )

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  3. Splendid work, very tempted to do some myself.

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  4. Nice work! Your Old Glory riflemen look like pretty good sculpts. I finished my version of the 95th not so long ago.

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  5. Oh no not the 95th again... ;) Nicely painted anyway Gonsalvo!

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    1. Just one Battalion, Mark, and I painted over 300 British before them! :-)

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    2. 300, well I guess I can't really complain then! :)

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  6. A fine body of men all ready to add to their legendary status...though of course if new on the table the law of wargaming will probably dictate that they rout in their first game! :-)
    Best wishes,
    Jason

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    1. The British did pretty well in their first tabletop outing with Die Fighting back ion December... but the Rifles were still naked lead then!

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  7. Great looking Rifles - what's not to like about them - great uniform and great shots.

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  8. Another great unit Peter! I think these guys are my favorites for the British army of the period simply because they seem to on the cusp of figuring something out. "What if we wore green instead of red and actually aimed at the other side with a precision weapon?"

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    1. In many ways, the British were rather "late to the party" with Light infantry, despite having had plenty of opportunity to learn during their conflicts in North America. Green uniforms were already long in use by German Jagers and French Light Infantry of the 7 years war.

      However, once they get started, the 95th seems like a very modern out fit, from their uniforms, to their marksmanship competitions, and the degree to which individual initiative that was encouraged. As noted, the large number of memoirs from the men of the 95th, and the fact that we can read them without translation, probably biases our views to some extent.!

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  9. Glad to see them join your British Army. Although my figures are 15mm, Old Glory has been my figure of choice for many years--although like you, there more than a few Minifigs in my armies.
    Hope you get them on the table soon.

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    1. Thanks, Mike! they should make it to the tabletop by the end of the year at latest!

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