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The 100 Days and 10 Years - plus ca change!

I realise this is not a political board, but it seems that nothing changes in politics nor history. I noted that within four hours of Keir Starmer’s resignation as Prime Minister of the UK, some journalist was already talking about what the next PM would be doing in the first hundred days.

Now, of course, the term “the Hundred Days” was not coined by Napoleon, but by Comte Chabrol, prefect of the department of the Seine, who addressed the King in a speech that began "Sire,—One hundred days have passed away since your majesty, forced to tear yourself from your dearest affections, left your capital amidst tears and public consternation.” It had however also marked a time of great activity by Napoleon, which is probably why the term was popularised by US President FD Roosevelt in a radio speech on July 24, 1933, marking the start of his Presidency (although…


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Alfred Brans
Alfred Brans
12 hours ago

It's the Metric System, we use now and then.

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Major George Halford

I am trying to determine the location of Major George Halford of the 59th foot in 1817. I know he fought through the Peninsular War with the 2nd Battalion, was not at Waterloo, and later joined the 1st Battalion in India. The question is: when did he go to India, and thus was he still in Britain in 1817?


Apologies if I have already asked this question on the old forum, but I don't have access to the posts from that much-lamented site.


Thanks


Paul Martinovich

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David Hollins
David Hollins
yesterday

Here is an interesting item from some American auctioneers https://auction.potterauctions.com/online-auctions/potter-potter/staines-sir-thomas-1776-1830-pair-of-indentures-on-ve-8854686

Looking at Halford, there is a family memorial in what was St Margaret’s church in Canterbury: https://warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/306056/ :Memorial tablet to the Halford family, including Major George Halford, who died while returning home from India on sick leave. St Margaret's Church Canterbury was converted into 'The Canterbury Tales' visitor attraction in 1986. This memorial is apparently still in place, but concealed behind the exhibition panelling.”


There is also a Richard Halford, who was an Alderman in Canterbury https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/richard-halford-17541823-alderman-and-chamberlain-75910 (1754-1823) I wonder if Richard the banker and George are his sons?


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Colpack / Busby of French Imperial Guard Horse Artillery

What is the top of the French Imperial Guard Horse Artillery colpack / busby made of? What color is it?


Is the interior of the colpack / busby lined with cloth? If so, what color would it be?


I checked the Roussellot plates and he does not show them.

Thanks!


Bob

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Bob,


From "L'Artillerie Francaise" - but no picture of the inside - will check my other prints/books:


Ian

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Westphalian cuirassier valises

Can anyone help me with the shape of the valise used by Westphalian cuirassiers? The generally seem to be depicted as round but WJ Rawkins states they were square. Is there a definitive answer?

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As the "Prince of Essling", I have taken another look at "The Westphalian Army in the Napoleonic Wars 1807-1813" by Peter Bunde, Markus Gaertner & Thomas Hemman - page 287 shows a square valise for the years 1808-1810; page 293 shows a round valise for the years 1810-1812, and further plates show round for 1813.

Ian

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Rob GriffithRob Griffith
Rob Griffith

Helion Books Update

I just thought I'd let you all know what Napoleonic titles are on their way from Helion in the next few months.


Samuel MacAllister's Awash on Unfriendly Tides (https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/awash-on-unfriendly-tides-the-algeciras-campaign-and-the-daring-escape-from-the-mediterranean-in-1801.php) should be out very soon. The book looks at the campaign and two naval battles of Algeciras in 1801, and also features Sam's stylish artwork.


Volume 2 of The Russian History of the War of 1814 (https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/the-russian-history-of-the-war-of-1814-volume-2-the-war-to-depose-napoleon.php) should be released soon. This is the last of Pete Phillips' Bogdanovich translations, but we will be publishing a new series of his translations of Milyutin’s history of Russia's campaigns in 1799.


Graeme Callister's Napoleon's Conscripts (https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/napoleons-conscripts-conscription-and-the-french-army-1798-1815.php) should be published in September, and is an excellent examination of how conscription functioned under the Empire.


Jim Tildesley's The Untold Story of Nelson's Tactician, looking at the influence of John Clerk's writings on Royal Navy tactics, should also hopefully be out in September, or maybe Octobe…


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Collingwood’s flag saved

Not as big as the famous Spanish flag flown at Trafalgar, but the flag worn on the bowsprit of HMS Royal Sovereign under Collingwood has been saved for the nation and will soon be on display in Newcastle. https://www.instagram.com/p/DbxK4_pFrr2/

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Careme: the First Celebrity Chef

I have been watching the show on Amazon Prime. It takes place in Paris in 1800 and it is a "biography" of Antonin Carême. . . both Talleyrand Fouche play a prominent role and there is an occasional appearance of Napoleon and Josephine.


It is entertaining and since this is an area I have only basic knowledge on, I will not comment on its accuracy.



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From my post of 8th Feb 2025:

Given recent issues around UK celebrity chefs, it was probably best made in French about the original celebrity chef, who cooked for Napoleon and Tsar Alexander. However, looking at internet items about Careme, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Antoine_Car%C3%AAme and https://parisfordreamers.com/2024/03/17/the-incredible-life-and-delicious-legacy-of-antonin-careme-the-original-parisian-celebrity-chef/, it seems he was just a chef and the spy bit has been added to embellish the story. Maybe we will see UK follow-ups like 'The Hairy Spies' and 'Two Fat Spies'?

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Marengo - what is it with academics?

I put this comment on Zack’s Youtube chaannel too, where he has put up a video of Dr Graeme Callister - just to find the answer really. I noticed the same thing with Kurt Baird’s PhD on Austrian experiences of military life:

”Is there some weird other universe where academics actually bother to read research by non-academics? Terry Crowdy and I have worked on this for nearly 30 years, the results appearing ads an Osprey first and then a full-sized book. What is all this nonsense about Corps systems, Zack?”


I then listed several examples of major errors, which are all laid out properly in the works by Terry and myself. The account of the Desaix stage from Dr Callister makes no sense at all. The Austrian plan was based on the expectation that Bonaparte would swallow their fake plan and advance down the Sale road - it is in…

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Dave I do keep hoping Zack calls you for a interview.

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Napoleonic Prague Landwehr

guys I am using regional flags of the time for my 1809 Austrian Landwehr so it’s not just a sea on table of Austrian flags and adds a different bit of colour . In addition Piano wargames have released a summit unit in 1/56. So any help please with the Prague Landwehr flag would be greatly appreciated

Peter

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I have written up all I have come across with Austrian flags for Wikipedia. The flags carried by Landwehr and Freiwilliger units are poorly documented and are largely speculative. The Prague Landwehr, featured in the Eder paintings, would either have had a spare Ordinarfahne (probably 1792 pattern) or possibly one of the Legion standards from 1800. But unless something definite turns up, that is a guess.

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