 | Storming of Badajoz by the Sherwood Foresters painting by Mark Churms. | £600.00 |
DHM0299. Assault on the Breach of San Sebastian by Mark Churms.
The Storming party, 750 volunteers, included 200 men of the Guards, one hundred
each from the First and Coldstream Guards. They moved off at two in the morning
on the 31st August 1813, and occupied a ruined convent where they remained till
half past nine. Aware of the almost impossible task ahead of them, and subjected
to a violent electric thunderstorm, the troops waited in a state of savage anticipation. ' Wild
senseless laughter' was said to have preceded the attack on the breach which
could not be entered except in single file under heavy fire. The troops attacked
in succession, but were struck down by hundreds. General Graham then ordered
the artillery to fire over the heads of the assailants, clearing the ramparts.
A shell ignited a quantity of powder, and under cover of the explosions, the
storming party forced its way into the town. San Sebastian was savagely sacked and burned, and the good name of Wellington's
Army suffered as it had done at Badajoz. The civilians were raped, robbed and
murdered in revenge for the heavy losses suffered by the troops. The Franco-Spanish
governor retired the citadel (San Marcial) and on the 9th September, after
a gallant resistance of over a week, surrendered the charge he had so faithfully
defended. The casualties among the officers of the first Guards were one Officer,
Ensign Burrard, First battalion (a son of Sir Henry Burrard who was responsible
for the disastrous Treaty of Cintra) severely wounded, since dead, and one Officer,
Ensign Orlando Bridgeman, wounded. In the Coldstream Guards, one officer ensign
Thomas Chaplin, According to Lord Saltoun there were in round numbers, 150 casualties
amongst 200 Guardsman. Total losses of volunteers from all regiments were 1500
men. (text by Atlanta Clifford, assistant to the Curator-The Guards Museum)
In the painting. you see Ensign Chaplin lying wounded, attended by an Officer
of the Coldstream Guards, Orlando Bridgeman is calling Assistant Surgeon Bacot,
First Foot Guards, to go to the aid of his fellow officer, Burrard.
DHM0453.
Tireur D'Elite by Mark Churms. A Voltigeur corporal, 2nd battalion, 4th regiment
etranger, Holland 1813.
DHM0256. Napoleon at Friedland by Mark Churms.
The famous French victory over the Russian Army in Eastern Prussia. In a simple
attire and Characteristically astride a nimble grey arab. Napoleon Bonaparte
rides forward with his reserves of the Guard to survey the final victory.
DHM0455.
Napoleon's Dream by Mark Churms. French domination of Europe could never be assured without
Britain's defeat. Had he defeated Russia, Napoleon may have been able to
launch an invasion of England in 1813. Using American designed paddle
steamers.
DHM0253. Wellington Leaving Quatrebras for Waterloo by Mark Churms.
Wellington watches as his army retires from the battle field area of
Quatrebras, (shown in picture, Coldstream Guards, Blackwatch, and Scots Greys,)
DHM0250.
Marshal Ney at the Battle of Waterloo by Mark Churms. Marshal Ney charging at the head of the French cavalry against the
British Squares, Off all Napoleon's Generals at waterloo none
distinguished himself more than Marshal Ney, Prince of the Moskowa, the
splendid warrior upon whom his Imperial master had conferred the proud
title of Le Brave des Braves' (The Bravest of the Brave). twice he led
the attack on the British centre, first at the head of the cavalry and
then with the Old Guard, and he only retired from the field at
nightfall, after five horses had been killed under him.
DHM0367.
Badajoz by Mark Churms. Depicting the 45th Regiment (Nottinghamshire) storming the castle
with Lt. Mac Pherson leading the escalade.
MARK0001.
Original Oil Study of the Storming of Badajoz by the
Sherwood Foresters painting by Mark Churms.
