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My early fascination with Toy Soldiering comes back to me with those first images of the British scarlet red coats and Russian coats both with the wide white color belts and braces in the "X" cross their chests and backs, and some with backpacks. For me, it all starts with the Crimean War Soldiers, and then expands out into later Colonial Wars.
while searching this side I found three contemporary series of French uniforms of the 18th century. And this was just the beginning. I hope you can enjoy this page as I do. Search for the museums (for example Musee de l'armee) and check all their items. The army museum has nearly 9000 photos to offer! I've finished with them and now I am working on Versaille:-)
As for The Crimean war and especially the British my bookshop send me the news for Spring and there will be an excellent book about the uniforms of the British in the Crimea available. Lot's of Original stuff, prints, maps etc. A must for the CW enthusiast.
Those pics of the Battle of Alma are priceless. The French side or flank often gets neglected or is lesser known. They seem to have condensed time so that episodes occur simultaneously.
The chap pointing with white gloves to the right of centre of pic 06-521339 on the brown horse looks like Prince Napoleon(Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte) and also looks a little like Napoleon I his uncle. If so that is the the position closest to the English
at Bourliouk.
It would be nice to see a French command set with Canrobert and so on
I have several accounts from the French side and it is clear that they attacked the Russian left flank. The Zouaves climbed the mountains and later they brought artillery upwards. So they turned the Russian flank and the Russian were forced to weaken their center and shift units to their left to face the French. So the British were able to take the Bulls by the horns.
Yes and Scotland and Britain's worst poet, William Mc Gonagall, committed it to verse:
"
'Twas on the heights of Alma the battle began.
But the Russians turned and fled every man;
Because Sir Colin Campbell's Highland Brigade put them to flight,
At the charge of the bayonet, which soon ended the fight.
......
Then boldly and quickly they crossed the river,
But not one amongst them with fear did shiver,
And ascended the height, forming quietly on the crest,
While each man seemed anxious to do his best.
......
Then, terror-stricken by this terrible advancing line,
The Russians broke down and began to whine,
And they turned round and fled with a moaning cry,
Because they were undone and had to fly. "
just a selection from 17 verses. He must have been inspired by Tennyson though not influenced by him.
He put the victory down to Colin Campbell and the Highland Brigade and no mention of the French or the English for that matter.