Waterloo Court-Martials :

[Iain...]

Hi All !

Apart from the relevant RHQs..., can someone tell me if there is an Internet site or e-mail address where I can get the details about specific Court-Martials issued during the Battle of Waterloo ?   

Thanks..., Iain.   

[Regorian]

Do you think there were a lot, chuckle. Only one I can think of, was Wellington put a Battery commander RHA under open arrest during the battle. Whether it led to a court martial I don't know.

I know he had little respect for the cavalry. Quote: 'Other peoples cavalry win them victories (ie the French), mine only get me into trouble'.   

[Iain...]

Do you think there were a lot, chuckle. Only one I can think of, was Wellington put a Battery commander RHA under open arrest during the battle. Whether it led to a court martial I don't know.

I know he had little respect for the cavalry. Quote: 'Other peoples cavalry win them victories (ie the French), mine only get me into trouble'.

Hi !   I know of 34..., just in two companies !!   Lol !

[Regorian]

You surprise me. I remember Wellington saying in the Peninsular 'I don't care how many times they run away, as long as they come back'. I hope you give us some examples.

 

[Iain...]

Hi...
Following the first French attack from the wood and around the west wall to push back the Coldstream Guards and the my 2nd Battalion The Scots Guards, (Scots Fusilier Regiment of Foot Gaurds) they all retreated and entered the farm by the north gate. (some by the south gate aparently)
The Coldstream then closed the north gate, which stopped 16 CG and 18 SG from entering.
They then made for the slope (or the Sunken Lane) to join the remainder of the Brigade.
They were all Court Martialed !

Lol..., but that’s not helping me to find the written reasons for the Court Martials ! 

..., Iain.       

[Regorian]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[Wintle]

Iain,
I am interested in your comment that 18 Coldstreamers were Court-Martialed after Waterloo.
There is no mention of this in The Regimental History,nor in Julian Paget`s book : Hougomont,which is the most detailed book that I am aware of on this action,it is not mentioned in Matthew Clay`s account,( Scots Guards ),which,as far as I am aware is the only other ranks account to be published,nor have I read of this in any account of Waterloo.
This begs the question where did you get this information from ?
So I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions
1/ What is the original source for this information ?
2/ What were they actually charged with ?
3/ What was their punishment ?
4/ Where was the punishment carried out ?
5/ do you know any of their names ?
I await with great interest your reply.
Many thanks.
Regards,Keith.

[Viktoria]

It is staggering to think Courts Martial were held DURING such a battle. or any battle come to that.
Have you any idea what the outcomes/punishments were?
Interesting.Viktoria.

[Iain...]

Hi All !

Perhaps a first quickie for Viktoria...   As you mention, this was probably done elsewhere.   Probably Oostende or in the UK !   But don’t forget, the battle was over 6 to 8 hours after the incident.   As such, they would have been placed in the report for the following day’s Adjutants’ Orders..., before any court martial.

@Keith :   Welcome to RootsChat !
I’m writing a book about the affair which had been programmed for the bi-centenary, (I live in Belgium only a few miles from Hougoumont) but I was obliged to postpone publication untill November because of someone else’s book due out in May. 
He told me that for secrecy reasons imposed by his publisher, he cannot be seen divulging too much info.   Nonetheless, there’s nothing I’ve mentioned so far that is not already available on the Internet. (the reason for my research here)   
1/   As above
2/   This is what I’m trying to find out because I’m at a standstill with my book until I find the details which must be available somewhere. (National Archives perhaps)   
3/   Ditto:   But as I mentioned above, I know they did not receive the death penalty as they were refused ‘war money’ and medals.    The Regimental Adjutant Col. Vandeleur CGRHQ also wrote to me last month inviting me to forage his archives but because I live in Belgium; I have a mate who will be doing that for me. (he told me that they have the names of about 100 Guardsmen who took part in the battle)
Me:-   http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3994/scotsguards.jpg
4/   See Viktoria.
5/   Lol…, we’ll have to wait until May for that ! (unless RootsChat can provide an answer)

This source is absolutely watertight and will contradict many notorious publications.   

Also, as far as I can see it, Clay only got in by the scrape of his teeth..., otherwise, he’d have probably joined all the others !   

Have a nice weekend..., Iain.

http://blidworthhistoricalsociety.co.uk/10501.html
http://www.waterloo-collection.com/newsletter_1.html