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The British Army (Officers (2,3 or 4 battalions combined into a brigade…
The British Army
Officers
2,3 or 4 battalions combined into a brigade commanded by a colonel or major general.
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Recruitment Problems
Harsh discipline: Flogging was the usual punishment, usually 25-200 strokes would be given - up to 700 still common - would be performed in front of the regiment.
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Poorest: Most recruits were from very poor families, often on the same level as common criminals and had been offered the choice between prison or the army.
Marriage: It was allowed but not encouraged, their families would be made to stay in communal barracks with only a blanket hung for privacy.
Drill: They were made to perform strictly defined actions. Practice was repetitous until it became a conditioned reflex.
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The Militia
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1807-12 - 74,00 men transferred.
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Infantry
In 1808 the British infantry was divided into 103 regiments. - most were described by numbers and had also a territorial designation.
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The first battalion was supposed to have 950 officers and men but diseases and casualties meant that battalions often went to battle with 550 men.
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Light Infantry
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They had to make use of any available cover - armed to weaken the opposing battle line before the French approached.
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Cavalry
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Light Cavalry consisted of small men, smaller mounts, carried a sabre and were intended for missions like screening.
Heavy cavalry consisted of large men large horses and they were armed with straight swords - intended for shock.
Foreign recruitment
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By 1813 there were some 52,00 foreign troops in the army.
Artillery
Types of guns:
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British batteries had six guns, usually five cannon and one howitzer.
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Types of projectile:
The most common form of projectile was round shot: solid iron ball capable of knocking down whole flies of men.
Canister consisted of small cast-iron balls within a metal can which disintegrated on discharge, spreading shot over a large area.
British gunners used a new shrapnel shell, names after its inventor. Effective at 700 yards, it consisted of metal ball filled with musket balls.
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