"Waterloo - Friedrich May" Topic

As promised, here is the final extract for the time being, of an account written by Friedrich May, a former Drummer with the 1st Battalion, 28th Orange-Nassau Regiment (translated from German):

'As early as 3 o'clock we realised that the ammunition was in very short supply, and we could not use the ammunition from the 2nd Battalion because they have had French muskets and were using a different calibre. Therefore, I removed all of my leather accoutrements and ran back through the line of fire to the British troops, from whom I received sufficient cartridges to fill my haversack. Having returned to the battalion and distributed the cartridges I ran back a second time, but on the way back I was struck just beneath the right hip by a spent musket ball (which I later found in my underwear). But this did not prevent me from returning a third time. However, when I returned on this occasion with my haversack full of cartridges I met Prince von Sachsen-Weimar, and he asked me how many times I had been to collect ammunition in this manner, and then asked how many cartridges a haversack could hold. My having answered, he then told me that I would not have to return for more, because the men had enough cartridges, but he would remember me. I put my leather accoutrements back on and picked up my drum. Now we were face to face with the French Guards, who received us with the utmost calm, which forced us to retire a short distance. The Prince arrived along with Lieutenant Rath, and he ordered us not to retire a single step further. When I heard this I went to the front, and without having received any orders I beat the pas de charge, whereupon my comrades cried: 'Follow the little one, do not leave him alone!' Under the heaviest fire imaginable, we advanced. The reserves followed and the French subsequently retired. During this attack I received a ball in the neck and collapsed. From this moment I was unconscious for almost half an hour, and recall nothing which transpired; I can only provide information given to me from my wounded, Captain Götz, and Lieutenant Vollvrecht. They said that I tried to rise on to my knees several times, but that I always fell. I only remember that the cavalry rode over me. I was lying on my back and turned over to avoid the unpleasant feeling. I was fortunate not to be kicked by a horse. I suspect that this was the cavalry behind our brigade, which was formed of Dutch Dragoons. Later, when I was in hospital, I heard that the Prince sent the sappers, who had nothing to do on that day, and who were stationed behind the cavalry, to collect the wounded. I was carried to the Prussian columns that were arriving on the back of a Sapper called Knetsch, and the Prussians bandaged our wounds and tended our needs. As Knetsch placed me on the ground a Prussian staff officer noticed that I no longer had a hat. He said: 'My God, please give something to the poor thing, put something on his head', whereupon Knetsch replied: "But I have nothing!" So the staff officer rode back to his column and returned with a Prussian undress cap, which Knetsch duly put on my head. In this way, wearing a Nassau uniform and a Prussian cap, I arrived at the hospital in Brussels on the 19th.'

1815.ltd.uk

The following links will take you to some of the Waterloo accounts I have added in recent weeks (although there are others I have posted in the past which you can search under my name):

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Hi John,
Having enjoyed these letters very much, I have been looking at "Project Hougoumont" I wonder if someone might consider using "Kickstarter" to try and raise money for "Project Hougoumont". Perhaps some talented, possibly some well-known English/Continental actors might be found to read these wonderful letters, and a product produced that the project could sell to raise funds.
The product, as a digital download, could be an audio/video 'timeline' of the campaign, even a video of stills from various artworks and 'landscape'shots of the field today, with the letters read as a voiceover. All proceeds from kickstarter to pay for the production, and sales from the download/disk to go to the fund. It would put print translations in a more visible position as well. If you know of someone who would like to look into taking this germ of an idea further, pass it along. Alternately or conjunctivly, a producer might take the idea of a television show featuring the letters as voice over, with narration tying it, to the BBC. Just spitballin', as we say over here across the pond…
Best,
Rob

kickstarter.com

Rob,

Thanks for taking the time to write and for your ideas with regards to raising money for Project Hougoumont. I support the charity, but of course, all of these letters are produced by 1815 Limited. I'm reluctant to say too much (for obvious reasons), but I have been working with several TV Production companies on this exact theme, and ITV in the UK will be using my material for a programme they are filming in early 2013. In addition, BBC Scotland will be using other material I have collected for a programme entittled: 'A Celtic Waterloo', which tells the story of a number of Scots and Irish soldiers during the Waterloo campaign. However, I do not know the date or the schedule of the film, which is being done with Caledonia TV.

I think drummer May's account is indeed a very interesting one, and as such I was glad to provide this one to you John from my collection of 1815 accounts :-)

'As early as 3 o'clock we realised that the ammunition was in very short supply, and we could not use the ammunition from the 2nd Battalion because they have had French muskets and were using a different calibre.

I don't understand this – in case the 2nd Batallion had French muskets and the 1st British, the 1st Batallion should have been able to use the smaller French cartridges.

Hi John,
Glad to hear that this great material is going to be accessable via those venues :) Wishing you success in these ventures.
Best,
Rob

"in case the 2nd Batallion had French muskets and the 1st British, the 1st Batallion should have been able to use the smaller French cartridges."

Perhaps they didn't want to use the French cartridges in their British muskets, as because of the smaller musket balls the fire would have become too inaccurate, except for a very short range ? Just a guess.

Instead of an elucidating the problem with its pros and cons, the easiest way to explain this to a simple soldier or a drummer boy (Friedrich May seems to have been quite young ?) may have been an apodictic "We can't use their caliber !"

Hello Oliver!, both your explanations sound good.

In fact just prior to 15th June, just three days before, the 2nd battalion arrived and it was already clear they had almost no ammunition avalaibale and were equiped with French muskets from the Duchy of Nassau. This is I believe quite well explained in my study ( 1815fieldarmy.nl ) and for this reason the 2nd battalion of the 28th Orange-Nassau Rgt. did not really participate during the fighting for Frasnes on the evening of 15th June and neither during 16th June (albeit on this day for a small supportive action!).

Thanks John, I enjoyed the various accounts of Waterloo you've posted.