"Household Brigade Commander; Peninsula War" Topic

Does anyone know which battle this brigade's commander is supposed to have resigned in front of Wellington rather than obey an order to charge?

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"The Life Guards spent what must have seemed like an eternity waiting to be called out to fight in the Napoleonic wars. It was not until 1812 that a Household Brigade was raised and despatched to Lisbon. This was something of a historic event in itself what with being the first time that the two Life Guard regiments had ridden together with the far more battle-experienced Blues. However six months of virtually ceremonial duties in Lisbon helped acclimatise and prepare the Life Guards for their first campaign in 1813 against Napoleon's brother Joseph. The Life Guards were part of the central column under Wellington's direct control that entered Salamanca and went on to do battle at Vittoria. Unfortunately for the Household Brigade it was twice denied its prey. Once by a deep ravine and the other time by the headlong flight of its foe before it could come into contact with them. Still, the Household Brigade was acquiring valuable experience and not an inconsiderable amount of booty, both at Vittoria and later with the fall of San Sebastian. There was now only the natural obstacle of the Pyrenees to stop the British from invading France proper. This did little to slow the British forces and on April 10th the British fought and won the totally unneccessary battle of Toulouse. Neither side had heard that the war had been concluded and that Napoleon was in the process of being deported to Elba. The Life Guards took no part in the battle other than being part of the reserve force that was never called upon."

Possibly Francis Slater-Rebow (b. 1770; d. 7.x.1845).

Francis Slater Rebow (b. 1770; d. 7.x.1845) See'

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Sir Robert Chambre Hill (25.iii.1778 – 5.iii.1860):

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Some additional information:

Major-General Terence O'Bryan O'Loghlin (c. 1764-1843)
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Took cmd of brigade ‘about' 15.ix.1813

Rebow obit:
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28.xi.1812 Rebow apted cmdr Household brigade

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Sir Robert Chambre Hill (25.iii.1778 – 5.iii.1860 Prees Hall, Shropshire):
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Sir Robert Chambre Hill served on the Continent in 1794 and 95. Embarked with the Blues for the Peninsula in Oct. 1812. Soon after his arrival in Lisbon, was ordered to take command of the Household Brigade of Cavalry, which he commanded at and for some time after the battle of Vittoria, for which he has received the Gold Medal. Present also at the actions in the Pyrenees; and subsequently with Lord Hill's Division until after the battle of tho 13th Dec. 1813 near Bayonne. Served also the campaign of 1815, in command of the Regiment, including the action on the 17th .Tun3, and battle of Waterloo, where he was severely wounded. He has the War Medal with one Clasp; and is a Knight of Maria Theresa of Austria, and 4th Class of St. Anne of Russia.

So, the brigade cmdrs for the Household brigade 1812-1814 in Spain were:

Francis Slater Rebow: from 28.xi.1812 to late Feb or early March 1813, when he returned to England on an 'absence of leave'.

Robert Chambre Hill: brigade cmdr Feb-March 1813 to ‘about' 15.ix.1813. Note: a ltr of 19.iii.1813 from Wellington to Hill calls him brigade cmdr.

Terence O'Bryan O'Loghlin: brigade cmdr from ‘about' 15.ix.1813 through 1814.

very interesting but I'm not sure I understand – who was this impudent officer who refused Wellington's orders?

Barton?

My Lord,

I think you understand quite well – I do not think the 'story' is true.

Who is Barton?

'von und zu'

My Dear Mr Smith
In the account you gave us
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Gordon states of a Lt-Col Barton "I hear he has resigned…and I hope it may be so."

I thought this might be the chap from the story?

Or do I have entirely the wrong end of the stick?

My Lord,

Ah yes, however the units were not even at the front at that point – still in Lisboa.

It would appear that both of these units were 'a pain in the Lesser Antilles', if you get my drift.

At one point it appears everyone wanted to go home. Welly stating no one goes home without a replacement.

Yours, in firm research,

Big Al

Just for the Halibut:

Robert (b. 1770 (Fethard/Tipperary) – d. 17.iii.1853 (London)):
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53. Sir Robert Barton served the campaign of 1799 in Holland, and was present in the actions of the 8th, 10th, and 19th September. Accompanied the Life Guards to the Peninsula, where he served for a short period.

He accompanied the Life Guards to the Peninsula, but returned to England soon after ….

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Update: I found the reference, or one of them, in Miniature Wargames Magazine #14 "The Empire Strikes Back-In a Tactical Way" by David C. Hamilton-Williams. The author doesn't cite the reference but maybe someone knows if he is still contactable?

"…To illustrate this the reader may recall the incident in the Peninsula when the Duke of Wellington called upon the household Cavalry brigade commander, ordering him to advance with this brigade. The brigadier did not agree with Wellington, and protested vigorously. The Duke again ordered the brigade forward, at which time the brigadier once again refused, resigned on the spot, and, as he rode off, contemptuously reminded Wellington that only the King could appoint a replacement commander for Household troops!"

Ah, this is the David Hamilton Williams whose book on Waterloo has been massively criticised, with some suggestions that sources were invented.

Rod

Hi Rod,

I dont know that he has been "massively" criticized. I see there is some controversy concerning some German language sources/citations from his Waterloo book (Which I have not read) and a lot of personal vitriol against him by some message board unknowns but no scholarly or official group has pronounced his sources suspect across the board. I also see that the book has many adherents.

However, a claim such as this one about an English speaking event could, if verifiably false, tend to prove that author makes things up.

Further, if false, this sort of assertion in a British wargames magazine about an extremely popular British period would seem inexplicably reckless and might give us some insight about the author's state of mind concerning honesty.

But first, we have to either KNOW that the assertion is false or have the author account for it.

Further to Steve's link to Oman's Wellingtons army 1809- 1814

It says in this, rather cryptic entry, on pages 366-367:

"Cavalry.

By January 25th a new brigade (H) was added, composed of two squadrons each of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards, O'Loghlin had apparently been appointed to command it, but by order of November 28th, 1812, F.S Rebow was appointed to command it in his place. It ranked as 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, but was transferred to the 1st on February 5th. In March it was under Sir Robert Hill, Rebow having gone home."

Just out of curiosity, this is a miniature of Robert Hill in the uniform of the Royal Horse Guards (Blue)

PS. There is also a Caricature of a portly T.O'Loghlin, depicting him sitting on a stool, legs apart, wearing Huge a cocked hat and boots, resting on his sword.

And here it is. By Dighton.

Though I think the story may be a myth, If there is some truth to it, then it may be that Rebow 'could be' your man.