The British Army (1805-6)

[[N]Avon Ulysses]

British in 1805-6
BDC asked me to provide some information on the British army in 1805-6.

The British preferred to use their army in ‘penny packets’ through most of this period, helping the navy seize colonies and mounting small expeditions. As well protecting the far flung British Empire. It was not until 1808 that major efforts were made on the continent in Spain, then near Antwerp in 1809.
However, to support their allies in the Third Coalition in 1805 Britain sent a force under Cathcart to land in North Germany. These were to join with a Russian Corps, recover Hanover and incite revolt against Napoleon in Germany!

The force consisted of:
three Foot regiments (700 men each),
4 companies of the 95th Riffles
Detachment of Guards
2 Batteries.
They also bought the Kings German Legion (KGL):
4 Line battalions
2 Light Battalions
1 Dragoon Regiment
1 Hussar Regiment
5 batteries.

At the same time a simular sized force landed in Italy. This co-operated with another Russian Corps in a plan to recapture Sicily.

By January 1809 the force In Hanover had been reinforced with:
3 Brigades of Foot
3 Batteries

Meanwhile the KGL had recruited:
4 Line Battalions
1 Dragoon Regiment
2 Hussar Regiments

After the results of the battle of Austerlitz were known, both these forces had to re-embark.

In June 1806 another attempt was made in Italy to support Prussia’s manoeuvrers in Northern Europe.
The Force under General Sir John Stuart landed in Calabria it consisted of:
3 Brigades (Each with 2 Battalions & 2-3 4lb guns)
Advance Guard (Reinforced converged Battalion of elite companies & 2 4lb guns)

This Force Fought in the first significant encounter with Napoleons troops at the Battle of Maida.

Description From Wikipedia:
A British force of over 5,000 men commanded by Major-General John Stuart sailed from Messina on 27 June, landing in the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia three days later. At the same time a French force of 6,000 men under the command of General Jean Reynier, the only French force in Calabria, moved to confront them.
On 4 July 1806, the two combatants met on the plain of Maida, with the British occupying a low ridge. As Reynier advanced, the British held their fire, then released a series of devastating volleys at point-blank range. The French faltered, and when the British charged at bayonet point, were routed. The entire action lasted only fifteen minutes.

I don’t have any detailed OOBs for the British in this period. Most of my books on them cover the Peninsular war to Waterloo.
I do have some general information about the Strengths of Battalions, regiments & batteries and the organisation of higher formations. I will post a follow-up with this shortly.

Most of this information from:
Napoleonic Armies (Ray Johnson)
Armies of the Napoleonic Wars (Osprey – editor Chris McNab)

[[N]Avon Ulysses]

A more detailed breakdown of the Briish force at the battle of Maida, taken from Wikipedia:
A lot less guns, which is probably more accurate as they would of had trouble moving too many batteries in the terrain.

Major General John Stuart

Advance Guard (Colonel James Kempt)
1 Combined Light Infantry Battalion (660)
3 Companies of Royal Corsican Rangers & Sicilian Volunteers (300)
1st Brigade (Colonel Lowry Cole)
1 Combined Grenadier Battalion (660)
1st Battalion, 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot (660)
2nd Brigade (Colonel Acland)
2nd Battalion, 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot ("Rosshire Buffs") (660)
1st Battalion, 81st Regiment of Foot (Loyal Lincoln Volunteers) (660)
3rd Brigade (Colonel John Oswald
1st Battalion, 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot (600)
4 Companies, de Watteville's Swiss Regiment (300)
Detached from 3rd Brigade
1 Battalion, 20th (East Devonshire) Regiment of Foot (600)
Artillery
Royal Horse Artillery: 3 Guns (136)

[[N]Pints of Guinness]

Very interesting. What would these figures mean in terms of gameplay?