Hello There! I have been painting units to refight the Battle of Maida so have decided to write the British and French orders of battle to show progess on the project.
Here is the British first.
British Order of Battle
Commander: General Sir John Stuart
Light Infantry Brigade: Commander Lt-Col James Kempt, (formerly 81st Reg commander)
Composite Light Infantry Battalion, (nine companies)
'Flankers' from 35th Foot, (120 men) (possibly part of the Light Battalion)
Royal Corsican Rangers, (two companies)
Sicilian Light Infantry, (one company)
1st Brigade: Commander: Brigadier Sir Lowry Cole
Grenadier battalion, (seven companies) Lt-Col O'Callaghan
1st battalion, 27th Foot, (eight companies)
Second Brigade: Commander: Brigadier Wroth Palmer Acland
2nd battalion, 78th Foot, (eight companies) Commander Lt-Col Patrick MacLeod
1st battalion, 81st Foot, (eight companies)
Third Brigade: Colonel John Oswald
20th Foot, (eight companies) (Veteran, from Egyptain campaign, Distiguished)
1st Battalion, 58th Foot, (eight companies)
Watteville Regiment, (nine companies)
Artillery, Commander Major Lemoine
10 x 4pdr
4 x 6pdr
2 x howitzers, (Calibre?)
Light Battalion
This was formed while the battalions were in Malta. Lt- General Sir James Craig stripped the other battalions of their light companies and formed a light battalion of nine companies. While in Malta they were trained in light infantry tactics and he encouraged esprit de Corps in the new unit.
The unit fought well in the battle and was considered strong and reliable.
Although this tactic was seldom used by the British and not again after this battle, (according to Oman), the historian described this action as 'an execrable device'. He highlighted the removal of the battalions best shots and removing the light skirmisher screen which the battalion would also benefit from.
The system was abolished by Sir John Moore, who commanded the army in Sicily after the replacement of Stuart in July 1806.
Royal Corsican Rangers
Raised in Malta on 14 September 1803 and commanded by Hudson Lowe this unit consisted of ten companies of sixty men each, two companies of which were present at Maida. Spending all their existence in the Mediterranean area they were uniformed in a very similar way to the 95th rifles, (although I do not believe they were armed with a rifle), the only difference being the black cords had an obvious red fleck included in it.
I will use figures representing 95th Rifles for this unit leaving out the red fleck so I can use them for further Peninsular War scenarios in the future.
This unit is illustrated in Osprey men at arms 335 Emigre and Foreign Troops in British Service (2) 1803-1815 by Rene Chartrand, plateA3
Sicilian Light Infantry
Raised in Sicily in May 1806 part or all of this unit was present at Maida. Some sources say just one company was present and another says'it' was present inferring it was all present.
It was barely raised and kept in reserve so could not be trusted in battle.
This unit is illustrated in Osprey men at arms 335 Emigre and Foreign Troops in British Service (2) 1803-1815 by Rene Chartrand, plate D2
Grenadier Battalion
This was a composite battalion composed of the Grenadier companies from all except the Watteville regiment, hence their extra company compaired to the other battalions.
Again formed on Malta it provided another battalion for this force and were very accomplished during the battle.
1st Battalion 27th Foot, Inniskillin
This battalion had buff facing which also included buff trousers and turnbacks. They were described as 'Hard biting fellows' according to Lt-Gen Sir Hensy Bunbury, (Head of the expeditions quarter master generals department). Therefore I would consider them veteran rather than line in morale value.
Further information can be found here.
2nd battalion, 78th Foot, (Highland) Ross-shire Buffs
This was a recently raised regimment which had arrived in Messina in May 1806 and was due to go to Malta to reinforce the Sicilian garrison there. They were considered inexperienced. Their service took them to India later and they did not take part in the Peninsular. Due to this I have found it impossible to source their flags and so have made them myself. In turn as I would lke to use the figures in Peninsular games later I will paint another highland unit and use that instead.
Further information is here.
1st battalion, 81st Foot
This unit also has buff facings and turnbacks. They spent the vast majority of the time in the Meditterranean. Further information can be seen here.
1st Battalion, 20th Foot, East Devon
The East Devons had yellow facings. They had a long history being a part of the Peninsular War and were with the army at Rolicia, Vimero, Corunna, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthez and Toulouse.
Later they guarded Napoleon on St Helena in 1819 and 12 grenadiers of their regiment bore Napoleons coffin in 1821.
Further information can be found here.
1st Battalion, 58th Foot, Rutlandshire
This unit had black facing which leads to a drummer in a white jacket. They were considered inexperienced green troops but previously fought with great distinction in Egypt so this may be undeserved.
This unit spent its time in Messina and had no further part in the Peninsular War.
Further information cen be found here.
Watteville Swiss Regiment
This regiment also had black facing. I managed to source their flags from 'Flags of War' from their 'War of 1812' range. This is because it is one of the few units in the British Army that served in the Mediterranean, Peninsular and Canada. The flag does bear the battle honour of 'Maida' but with the flag being folded on the flagstaff it cannot be seen.
Artillery
How this was divided up has been difficult to ascertain.
There was an artillery reserve of 4 x 6pdr and 2 x howitzers.
Dyneleys Battery of 2 x 4pdr supported the light brigade.
This leaves 8 x 4pdr which I assume was spread evenly between the remaining two brigades.
Sources
Osprey men at arms 335 Emigre and Foreign Troops in British Service (2) 1803-1815 by Rene Chartrand
The Battle of Maida 1806, Fifteen Minutes of Glory by Richard Hopton
Wellington's Switzers by Alistair Nichols
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