Saturday 17 July 2010
Civil War Cannons
French artillery in the Crimea
Friday 16 July 2010
A couple of Bull Run links
Bull Run
Origins of the Bersaglieri - inspired by the Chasseurs
The relatively poor Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia could not afford large numbers of cavalry, so a quick-moving infantry corps of marksmen was needed. These troops were trained to high physical and marksmanship standards. Like the French chasseurs à pied who inspired their creation, a level of independence and initiative was encouraged so that they could operate in looser formations where direct command and control was not required. They fired individually and carried 60 rounds instead of the standard 40 rounds of traditional line infantry. The first uniform was black with brimmed hats, called "vaira". These were intended to defend the head from sabre blows.
The first public appearance of the Bersaglieri was on the occasion of a military parade on 1 July 1836. The First Company marched through Turin with the rapid, high-stepping gait (130 paces/minute) still used by the Bersaglieri in World War II and later. The modern Bersaglieri still run both on parade and even during barracks duty - on penalty of punishment if they do not. The new corps impressed King Carlo Alberto, who immediately had them integrated as part of the "Armata sarda" - the Piedmontese regular army.
Throughout the nineteenth century, under La Marmora’s leadership, the Bersaglieri filled the role of skirmishers, screening the slow-moving line and column formations, but acting as special shock troops if required. They were originally intended to serve as mountain troops, as well; the climber Jean Antoine Carrel was a Bersagliere. When the Alpini Corps were created in 1872 a strong rivalry arose between the two elite corps.
General Clers
Thursday 15 July 2010
Reminiscences of an officer of Zouaves
Covers the Crimea and much more. I think we had the same work in its French form a few days ago but this edition would have been read in the Americas in the run-up to the Civil War. Just to give you a little taster:
Lord* Frederick Paulet, colonel of the Coldstream Guards, whose tent stood close to the bivouac of the Zouaves, said to Colonel Cler, as he sorrowfully shook his hand, " No later than last night, there were three fine fellows in it, all three of whom have honorably fallen upon yon bloody field. To-night, I am all alone; —come, then, and share my tent with me, and let me flatter myself with the hope, that I have at least gained a new friend, in lieu of the three whom I have lost."
Photo of Cler here
Those Russian helmets
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Alma Figures - 1/32 (54mm) Crimean War
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![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TD7MJ4cGXiI/AAAAAAAAFWY/ItWvADyIgts/s400/jeff-artillery.jpg)
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![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TD7KItMy1cI/AAAAAAAAFWI/4K9qYWm6Cr0/s400/almarussian.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TD7J_xj-kHI/AAAAAAAAFWA/Uq2LJeoNaeU/s400/rifles.jpg)
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Wednesday 14 July 2010
Chasseurs à pied in various shooting positions
Images of Russians
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TD3VZyl_8JI/AAAAAAAAFVo/HSo7ZCKFVD0/s400/2007-09-18_100616.jpg)
Alexander Viskovatov (1804—1858) for the period but with no luck but came across this photo. I think it's from the 1860s - there's another one and a description here
Sebastopol Sketches Leo Tolstoy
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TD2BaLElENI/AAAAAAAAFVY/42s7dLoXTf0/s400/Tolstoy+as+soldier+Petersburg+56.jpg)
I haven't had much from the Russian side of the Crimea - mostly as I don't speak Russian but some works are such that they are translated - one being this series of short stories by the famed Leo Tolstoy who commanded a battery at the siege of Sebastopol. Google books version (limited preview). Printed copies of this book are pretty cheap so maybe track one down if you fancy a classic read.
Tuesday 13 July 2010
Illustrating the speed of Chasseurs
Crimean War by Paul Kerr
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This and the below images come from a book brought out for the Channel 4 series a few years ago - it is a visual feast though the pictures are quite small. The good thing about this book is it's very cheap - if you want a paperback it'll only set you back a few quid and it's worth it believe me. A good introduction but much more than that. A mini coffee table book at a pocket money price.
More by Carol Szathmari
Turkish cavalry 1854
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TDxkgefHM8I/AAAAAAAAFUU/XtfthDyn9vM/s400/Szathmary_-_Turkish_cavalrymen_1854.jpg)
More on the photographs here
Pictorial history of the Russian war 1854-5-6: with maps, plans, and woodcuts
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TDxUsYIGlVI/AAAAAAAAFUM/xeSy-cbYv58/s400/bashiba2.jpg)
Book here
Battle of Guaymas 1854
Greek Legion
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TDw9VAD94VI/AAAAAAAAFUE/KkKKNDor5vU/s400/greek.jpg)
Monday 12 July 2010
French infantry book
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Portuguese North Africa
Sunday 11 July 2010
Light Drill in the French army
Ardant du Picq
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Military theorist and writer this was an important figure who fought as a Chasseur in the Crimea and eventually was killed leading his regiment, the 10th of Line in the Franco-Prussian War. Read his work online.
Sardinians
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TDmpdPusDrI/AAAAAAAAFTU/cdW6yMASxRw/s400/crimee06.jpg)
Thanks to Scott again here's some images of the Sardinian-Piedmont contingent in the Crimea. The page is part of this reenactment Brigade de Savoie group's page. Thanks again.
Turkish Army in 1/72
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TDmh3MQXSiI/AAAAAAAAFTM/V6-BsCntY4s/s400/turk.jpg)
Mercenaries in the Crimea
The Enlistment of Foreigners Act 1854 allowed the government to recruit foreign mercenary troops to make up the low number of British men being recruited during the Crimean War. These mercenaries formed the British German, British Swiss and British Italian Legions, often collectively called the British Foreign Legion. Recruitment began at the beginning of 1855, and eventually 14,000 men joined the legions. None of these men saw active service, although a number of regiments had arrived in Turkey when peace was signed. At the end of the War the Legions were disbanded. Men were encouraged to emigrate to the colonies and many from the British German Legion went to Cape Colony.
Sardinian capote
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/TDmUyiluRGI/AAAAAAAAFTE/b0QiBO3hEAU/s400/069_uniforms.jpg)