I was the last officer to carry the Royal Irish Fusiliers colours when the were layed up in Armagh Cathedral, I was serving in the Royal Irish Rangers at the time the escort SNCO’s were all WW2 vets and one had fought at Casino.
Ive volunteered at the Royal Irish Fusiliers museum in Armagh Northern Ireland where the original Eagles staff and the replica eagle made for Wellingtons funeral currently reside. Very interesting the the first eagle captured by the British was the only one to be lost.
I was up in Drummad mate. We all know the rumor that some twat of an officer stole it. It was 'leant out' then, hey presto, magically disappeared. Typical of that lot.
Im an Aussie but having been a huge fan of the sharpe books series for years stumbled across this channel by accident I bloody love it! Good work mate it's very informative and well presented! Subbed and liked 👍
There is a captured Eagle on display at Oakland’s Museum in Chelmsford. It was captured at the battle of Salamanca in 1812 by the Essex Regiment, which I think is what the Sharpe story is based upon? Many thanks for the video very interesting stuff👍
And later became the 3rd Bn Royal Anglian Regiment. Every Year we would have the Eagle march through the Lines on Salamanca Day also part of our badge is of that Eagle
Wow! Great story. My great grandfather was a later day 57th grunt (India/N.Z. campaigns). 2 VC's awarded in N.Z. to this gallant regiment out of 15 VC's awarded during this campaign. I understand at this time (approx. 1860's) there were more Bristish troops stationed in N.Z. than the whole of Great Britain! A battle hardened Irish regiment with distinction at Albuera & later in the Crimea! My eldest son now has the rank of Captain in the N.Z. army. He has held the hand of our beloved "Queen"! He's continues the fighting "spirit" of his forebears. Least we forget!
N.Z. military has done more in wars than many of all UK military. Amazing movie l saw back in the early 1970s. N.Z. were so much in worldwide campaigns thru out the UK military battles before WW1 . During WW2 they were so valuable every Aillie Commander wanted them.
A great Regt,my old regt in 1811 28 oct captured the french drums and mace of the same number the 34e regt de ligne at arroyo dos molinos which to this day are still held, sadly in 2006 the criminal blair and is crooks disbanded the 4,34,55 of foot the Kings own Royal Border regt,(Lions of England)
He indeed is a scummy bastard mate. Got rid of 3 of our Bn's as well. Greedy scummy war criminal, still collecting government money as a millionaire. Respect to your old Regt.
Lived in Aldershot for nearly 10 years whilst my dad was a Sergeant & Colour Sergeant in the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment. The army estate that we lived on was called Salamanca with road names such as Badajos & others related to the Peninsula war. My primary school was also called Talavera. It wouldn't surprise me if the barracks in Aldershot was named after Keogh as you've mentioned.
Ah we see the young Hugh Gough, later the commander of the Anglo Indian Army in the 1st and 2nd Sikh Wars.Thanks for covering this battle and the act of capturing the eagle.Immortal words, just love it," Bejabbers boys, I have the cuckoo ".
You can see the Eagle in a museum in Chelmsford Essex which was also part of the Essex regiments uniform the battle flags from the peninsula wars Waterloo and the flag from Afghan wars Are in a church in warley breentwood which used to be a army barracks
I have never seen an Eagle in real life - would love to one day. I think the one in Chelmsford is a different one though right, not the one captured by Masterson of the 87th?
The one in Chelmsford is the Salamanca Eagle, captured at the Battle of Salamanca in Spain in 1812. It has been used as the iconic emblem of the Essex Regiment ever since. It was a party of the 2/44th, under command of Lieutenant W. Pearce, that captured the Eagle Standard of the 62nd Regiment of French Infantry during the Battle. You can see it in the Essex Regiment Museum which is part of Chelmsford Museum.
As an American, I appreciate Valor no matter the uniform worn. This was a great story. I think I need to do some more reading into the History of the Peninsular War.
My maternal grandfather served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers during WW1. The 87th Regiment in the Peninsula were The Prince of Wales Own Irish . They were later amalgamated with the RIF. This was not the first Eagle lost by the French, but it was the first one taken by a “ British “ regiment.
An Irish sergeant capturing an Imperial french Eagle in battle , and getting commissioned for bravery as a result. Might not be Talavera, or a proper green clad, but "God save Ireland!"
Loved learning more about Keogh and Masterson, initially learned about them with Forlorn Hope's "Eagle Hunters". "Touched by Napoleons hand, Carried across conquered land! The standard for which men would die! Keogh and Masterson's pride!"
Interesting vid, just one small correction, French Eagles were not the equivelent of British colours. French carried 1 eagle per regiment, British carried 2 colours per battalion. That's one eagle per 3 battalions compared to six colours per 3 battalions. Eagels are a much rarer prize.
Good to finally see this historic battle being recognised. We have a house near the battlefield and often visit the heights trying to imagine the scene at the height of the fighting. In my opinion more needs to be said about the significance of the weak Spanish General La Pena and his refusal to follow up the unlikely and heroic victory by driving the French forces away, instead choosing to retreat back to Cadiz. Actions that rendered the whole episode futile and the deaths of brave British and Portuguese troops in vain. I believe the original Eagle was taken back to the UK and kept at the Irish Regiment HQ, but the top was subsequently stolen leaving just the staff which remains, adorned with a replica eagle.
It's been suggested that lifting the siege would not have been in the best interest of the British. It would have released something like 25,000 men to join a French field army against Wellington. Against that, by 1811, the chance of Cadiz falling was very small and there were fewer than 8,000 British troops involved. The siege was finally lifted in mid 1812 when, after the Battle of Salamanca, Soult lifted the occupation of Andalusia and marched to relieve Madrid. Wellington visited Cadiz in December 1812.
I knew that because in the afterword of ‘ Sharpe’s Eagle ‘ Bernard Cornwall apologized for stealing the accomplishments of others to give to Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper I do appreciate the flushing out of the story
Sharps event was inspired by the real life event of the battle of Salamanca when Lt. William Pearce of the 44th foot East Essex captured eagle of the 62nd foot, its held at regimental museum in Chelmsford, and Salamanca day and tradition is still celebrated by 3 company 3 royal Anglian based in Chelmsford and 1st battalion Royal Anglian Regiment 🇬🇧
I grew up reading Hornblower, Ramage and Bolitho books, so it was only natural that I picked up a land-based version when Cornwell started writing Sharpe. The difference that BC made though was to put the Historical Notes at the end of his books and in doing so, he turned a science geek, who hated anything involving essays at school, into a history geek too.
There was such a row between Graham and the Spanish after the battle that it nearly came to a duel. It was decided best to get Graham out of Cadiz so he joined the main army, something he'd wanted for some time.
Having looked up the 87th Fusiliers The Connaught Rangers ("The Devil's Own") and The Dublin Fusiliers, Royal Irish Fusiliers quite a bit of history there to be honest and very interesting thank you.
The Connaghts were, according to Duncan Anderson, the Spearhead of the British Army at the time. He told us that they were always held back as basically, the best regiment In the Army with a rep for striking sheer terror into the enemy.
Ha I see what you did, fair Play, may be do a video of all the Eagles Captured. I always saw the Sharp BS to of been Essex Reg as he has him go to Essex. Our Eagle is Held at Chelmsford Natural History Museum.
@@1Selous Nice one mate. I might look at doing more on the eagles in the future. If I was in the Uk I'd try and do a film visiting them all but sadly I have no clue when I'll next get home.
@@73North265 I agree on that for the eagles purposes, but the difference in names also captures a difference in outlook. Castille/Aragon was never in the same wave length as the Anglo-Portuguese; that was one of the biggest lessons Wellesley took from Talavera, 1809. Most people are not aware of this due to the the romantised guerrilla myth. However, didn't know about the 4 eagles in Bailén; so that makes the British having only captured a 6th eagle in the Iberian peninsula.
I enjoyed Sharpe & watch it on weekends as a repeat but it really got me originally with how warfare got conducted during the late 18th & 19th centuries up to 1880 when things started to change. Heroics or nit, its was raw courage & skillful planning that won the day mot always in our favour & in 1812 as Napoleon, brilliant as he was lost that too! Real soldiers on them says, Scum & all as Wellington said... Brilliant. A great video.
Did a Brigade level battlefield tour of the Penninsula war in about 05? Anyway, Barrosa, Cuidad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Talavera Fuentes D'Orono but the hell that must have been the worst was Badajoz. If anyone has been there, the forlorn hope must have been decimated it is somber even today. Dr Duncan Anderson and 39inf Bde Cmdr led the tour. 5 star the whole way. Brilliant. I still have the tour 'Tams' type folder that was given to us beforehand as questions would be asked. Mucho drinko lol! Our mob brought a company flag and we had a reenactment of the charge of the Connaght Rangers (I think it was there?) We also had a wreath laying for ole Black Bob who is buried in the wall at Cuidad Rodrigo. There were some Rifles lads with us. Anyway, thanks for that chum. Brought back memories. All good! Faugh à Ballagh, 3Bn R Irish.
Following up on the comments on Ladysmith SA. I understand that Lady Smith was the wife of a British officer who met her when she was a young teenager. She was along with a friend fleeing a town in Spain which had just been taken by the British having had the earrings ripped from her ears by looting troops. She married the officer becoming initially Mrs Smith and eventually Lady Smith. The town of Ladysmith in South Africa is named after her.
Interesting and passionate war story , wow ! . As an aside , I am a native Spanish speaker and the presenter and narrator of this video pronounced all the Spanish toponyms incorrectly , something I obviously noticed. That war story was so good and worthy , though , something which I noticed much more than the incorrect pronunciation, though
Love this time period, first started off with the American war of independence, to looking at the history behind the last of the Mohicans. Only now I'm watching the sharpe series and I love them, low budget sets are outplayed by amazing acting 👏. And now I've discovered this channel , thanks to the YT algorithm. Interesting piece of history and as an Irishman I'd love to know more about Irish activities/Influence in battles of the time. Thanks for the video, I'm staying tuned for more 😉
Morning Sergeant, I'm glad you like the channel. You certainlky arent the first to mention an interest in the Irishmen who fought in the Peninsular - I've added it to my list of subjects to cover as soon as time allows. Thanks a lot.
As I understand it you've made a pretty good summary of what happened.graham was so disollusioned with la pena ,he asked Wellington for a move , la pena accused Graham of disobeying orders and blamed him for what might have been a victory . However ,la pena apologised after Graham proposed a duel lol.i understand la pena was replaced .Wellington had no doubts as to where the blame lay
Faugh a ballagh,,, pronounced fock a balla,,,,, clear the way,,,, also it was probably bejasus boys I've got the cuckoo, meaning by jesus,, it would have sounded like bejasus
Another cracking mini-vid. Nice to see Masterson get some recognition. Faugh a ballagh, the "gh" in "Faugh" is pronounced like the "Ch" in the Scottish "loch". Don't worry, we'll get the Celtic pronunciations from you yet ;) Keep up the good work, my daily commute/lunch break listen.
@@mickeencrua no words spelt with a "ch" in Scottish Gaelic or Irish Gaelic are pronounced with a hard "ck". That doesn't exist in either language's lexicon
I'd have to check my notes on ORBAT but there were at most only a small number of Portuguese at Barossa - great lads and nobody would accuse them of running away. If I've overlooked them then apologies.
the first eagle was captured by the spaniards mate, maybe at Cádiz when they captured the fleet of Amiral Rosily, and after that General Castaños captured some eagles at the battle of Baylen 1808
I'm sure you are right - but I was talking about the British army. A friendly nod to our good friends the Spanish would have been nice in the video. I'd like to do more on them in the future. Fair play.
Have to agree - the title suggests the first French eagle of the war, but to be fair in the intro he does specify by the British. Still, 4 eagles and many other banners captured by the Spanish at Bailén (although they were recaptured later by Joseph Bonaparte) deserves a good mention. Napoleon was so ashamed of the loss that, even when they were recovered, he ordered that no great attention should be given to them and that a General should not be the one returning them, but rather a Captain or Lieutenant Colonel.
I'm not sure where, and if It's true, but somewhre I've read that one of the Sergeant's descendants became a comissioned officer during the Second Boer War and win the VC.
Over 20 years ago I was rooting around in the museum behind Dover Castle, what did I see, but the first Eagle captured, it’s quite beaten up. Possession of the Eagle followed the Regiment, which had long since ended, but it’s inheritors had passed it along. Of course, rumour has it that other Eagles had been captured, but the soldiers hadn’t “handed them in” through cupidity and because of spite for their officers. You will recall the credit for the first one went to the Officer, not the privates, even when the officer fell early in the fight.
The successors to the 87th the Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and The Ulster Defence Regiment) still celebrate Barrosa Day and Faugh A Ballagh is their motto. Officers wear a black cross belt with their No1 and No 2 dress uniform the pouch of which has the eagle emblazoned upon it.
@Samuel McKittrick: Whatever about the other regiments, the UDR did very little to be proud of. Especially in Northern Ireland. When it was perceived by the British Government, in the aftermath of the Burntollet ambush, that the B Specials were out of control, they were forced to hand in their weapons and they were disbanded as a unit. The Ulster Defence Regiment was then established. This was essentially the B Specials under a different name. No Catholic would serve in that regiment. They remained the same bigoted thugs that they had been. The history of the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland is littered with instances of collusion between the UDR and Protestant Loyalist murder squads. It's a criminal shame that they were allowed to use an Irish language phrase as their motto.
@@mickeencrua There are far more examples in the story of the UDR (who had a Latin not Gaelic motto by the way I suggest you read up on the subject) of courage and sacrifice by everyday ordinary people facing challenging and difficult circumstances in their own home. Not that any of that has anything to do with French Imperial Eagles, the Battle of Barossa or the Napoleonic Wars which is what is discussed here. So why bother to bring it up?
@@Sammy1234568910 I worked in Donegal in the 70s and 80s. I encountered their sectarian bigotry every time I travelled within Northern Ireland. I just couldn't let the occasion pass to remind people that the UDR were definitely not heros. Uniformed Loyalist Paramilitaries is what they were. Please don't insult me with suggestions of courage and sacrifice. I refer you and your readers to the Miami Masacre and similar atrocities. Remove the blinkers.
Actually a Scottish one. Description of the flag once captured identifies is at belonging to the King's Own Scottish Borderers. It was a hard fight indeed.
I was the last officer to carry the Royal Irish Fusiliers colours when the were layed up in Armagh Cathedral, I was serving in the Royal Irish Rangers at the time the escort SNCO’s were all WW2 vets and one had fought at Casino.
Thanks for sharing that - much apprecited.
Very interesting 👌
I have in my loft a Royal Irish Rangers Flag acquired at a TA camp in the late 1960s early 1970s. I was in the Ayrshire Yeomanry at the time.
Speedy was in your Battalion
@@donaldpaterson5827 my uncle from Saltcoats served with the Ayrshire Yeomanry in 1960 early 1970.
Ive volunteered at the Royal Irish Fusiliers museum in Armagh Northern Ireland where the original Eagles staff and the replica eagle made for Wellingtons funeral currently reside. Very interesting the the first eagle captured by the British was the only one to be lost.
I wanted to volunteered for the royal Irish fusiliers during the napoleonic wars but unfortunately I was too young at the time.
@@michaelwale9933 proboscis
Apart from after Waterloo
I was up in Drummad mate. We all know the rumor that some twat of an officer stole it. It was 'leant out' then, hey presto, magically disappeared. Typical of that lot.
Im an Aussie but having been a huge fan of the sharpe books series for years stumbled across this channel by accident I bloody love it! Good work mate it's very informative and well presented! Subbed and liked 👍
Merry Christmas and happy holidays from the United States, friend!
Cheers mate I hope you have a bloody good Chrissy awell, good on ya mate and cheers again!
Aussie Aussie Aussie!
@@martinmichaels8968 oi oi oi!!
There is a captured Eagle on display at Oakland’s Museum in Chelmsford. It was captured at the battle of Salamanca in 1812 by the Essex Regiment, which I think is what the Sharpe story is based upon? Many thanks for the video very interesting stuff👍
And later became the 3rd Bn Royal Anglian Regiment.
Every Year we would have the Eagle march through the Lines on Salamanca Day also part of our badge is of that Eagle
Wow! Great story. My great grandfather was a later day 57th grunt (India/N.Z. campaigns). 2 VC's awarded in N.Z. to this gallant regiment out of 15 VC's awarded during this campaign. I understand at this time (approx. 1860's) there were more Bristish troops stationed in N.Z. than the whole of Great Britain! A battle hardened Irish regiment with distinction at Albuera & later in the Crimea! My eldest son now has the rank of Captain in the N.Z. army. He has held the hand of our beloved "Queen"! He's continues the fighting "spirit" of his forebears. Least we forget!
Which battalion I was with 2/1 RNZIR
N.Z. military has done more in wars than many of all UK military. Amazing movie l saw back in the early 1970s. N.Z. were so much in worldwide campaigns thru out the UK military battles before WW1 .
During WW2 they were so valuable every Aillie Commander wanted them.
A great Regt,my old regt in 1811 28 oct captured the french drums and mace of the same number the 34e regt de ligne at arroyo dos molinos which to this day are still held, sadly in 2006 the criminal blair and is crooks disbanded the 4,34,55 of foot the Kings own Royal Border regt,(Lions of England)
He indeed is a scummy bastard mate. Got rid of 3 of our Bn's as well. Greedy scummy war criminal, still collecting government money as a millionaire. Respect to your old Regt.
Barracks down in Aldershot is named after Ensign Keogh still. At least I am assuming thats whom Keogh Barracks is named after?
Lived in Aldershot for nearly 10 years whilst my dad was a Sergeant & Colour Sergeant in the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment.
The army estate that we lived on was called Salamanca with road names such as Badajos & others related to the Peninsula war. My primary school was also called Talavera.
It wouldn't surprise me if the barracks in Aldershot was named after Keogh as you've mentioned.
Keogh barracks was named after Sir Alfred Keogh Director General of Army medical services.
@@googleaccount7071 Ahh fair enough....I can't lie....I am a little disappointed at that :D
Ah we see the young Hugh Gough, later the commander of the Anglo Indian Army in the 1st and 2nd Sikh Wars.Thanks for covering this battle and the act of capturing the eagle.Immortal words, just love it," Bejabbers boys, I have the cuckoo ".
Thanks a lot - yes They are classic words!
I love seeing the photographs of Peninsular & Waterloo veterans in old age. There are more than one of Gough
You can see the Eagle in a museum in Chelmsford Essex which was also part of the Essex regiments uniform the battle flags from the peninsula wars Waterloo and the flag from Afghan wars
Are in a church in warley breentwood which used to be a army barracks
I have never seen an Eagle in real life - would love to one day. I think the one in Chelmsford is a different one though right, not the one captured by Masterson of the 87th?
The one in Chelmsford is the Salamanca Eagle, captured at the Battle of Salamanca in Spain in 1812. It has been used as the iconic emblem of the Essex Regiment ever since. It was a party of the 2/44th, under command of Lieutenant W. Pearce, that captured the Eagle Standard of the 62nd Regiment of French Infantry during the Battle. You can see it in the Essex Regiment Museum which is part of Chelmsford Museum.
Thanks for the information 👍
As an American, I appreciate Valor no matter the uniform worn. This was a great story. I think I need to do some more reading into the History of the Peninsular War.
My maternal grandfather served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers during WW1. The 87th Regiment in the Peninsula were The Prince of Wales Own Irish . They were later amalgamated with the RIF. This was not the first Eagle lost by the French, but it was the first one taken by a “ British “ regiment.
An Irish sergeant capturing an Imperial french Eagle in battle , and getting commissioned for bravery as a result.
Might not be Talavera, or a proper green clad, but "God save Ireland!"
Loved learning more about Keogh and Masterson, initially learned about them with Forlorn Hope's "Eagle Hunters".
"Touched by Napoleons hand,
Carried across conquered land!
The standard for which men would die!
Keogh and Masterson's pride!"
Bejabbers we got ourselves a cuckoo.
'Like to join the Rifles, Dobbs?'
'That I would, sir!'
'It's a good life... if you can stay alive.'
Interesting vid, just one small correction, French Eagles were not the equivelent of British colours. French carried 1 eagle per regiment, British carried 2 colours per battalion. That's one eagle per 3 battalions compared to six colours per 3 battalions. Eagels are a much rarer prize.
Thanks for the info
I don’t know if you know Arthur Bryant’s trilogy on the Napoleonic wars? - it is brilliant - and Graham shines many times through its pages.
Good to finally see this historic battle being recognised. We have a house near the battlefield and often visit the heights trying to imagine the scene at the height of the fighting. In my opinion more needs to be said about the significance of the weak Spanish General La Pena and his refusal to follow up the unlikely and heroic victory by driving the French forces away, instead choosing to retreat back to Cadiz. Actions that rendered the whole episode futile and the deaths of brave British and Portuguese troops in vain. I believe the original Eagle was taken back to the UK and kept at the Irish Regiment HQ, but the top was subsequently stolen leaving just the staff which remains, adorned with a replica eagle.
Thanks great shame it has never turned up
As a Junior Boy soldier at JTR in 1972, one of our rifle companies was named Barrosa. All rifle companies were named after British victory's.
It's been suggested that lifting the siege would not have been in the best interest of the British. It would have released something like 25,000 men to join a French field army against Wellington. Against that, by 1811, the chance of Cadiz falling was very small and there were fewer than 8,000 British troops involved.
The siege was finally lifted in mid 1812 when, after the Battle of Salamanca, Soult lifted the occupation of Andalusia and marched to relieve Madrid. Wellington visited Cadiz in December 1812.
marmont had ONE JOB!!!!!
I knew that because in the afterword of ‘ Sharpe’s Eagle ‘ Bernard Cornwall apologized for stealing the accomplishments of others to give to Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper
I do appreciate the flushing out of the story
I have never heard of ensign Keogh before I will be adding this to my war stories along with miles Keogh from the battle of the little bighorn.
Once again, great job. Look forward to your videos. Keep them coming.
Cheers, Hayden!
My 3xgeat grandfather, Thomas Denery, served with the 67th Regt and was wounded going up Barrossa Ridge
Graham's wife was painted by Gainsborough.
I'm surprised there not a Film somewhere saying it was the Americans.
First video I've watched from you and I am subbing! Great stuff. Cheers from the U.S.
Everypone knows it was Sharpe of the 95th who captured the Eagle from the French.
I was in 1st and 4th abertillery scout troop and I can honestly say, we had nothing to do with the eagle! 😱😨🙌 lol
Sharps event was inspired by the real life event of the battle of Salamanca when Lt. William Pearce of the 44th foot East Essex captured eagle of the 62nd foot, its held at regimental museum in Chelmsford, and Salamanca day and tradition is still celebrated by 3 company 3 royal Anglian based in Chelmsford and 1st battalion Royal Anglian Regiment 🇬🇧
First learned about this battle years ago in Sharpe's Fury then more recently in the song Eagle Hunters by the band Forlorn Hope.
A fellow fan of Forlorn hope! Nice.
I grew up reading Hornblower, Ramage and Bolitho books, so it was only natural that I picked up a land-based version when Cornwell started writing Sharpe. The difference that BC made though was to put the Historical Notes at the end of his books and in doing so, he turned a science geek, who hated anything involving essays at school, into a history geek too.
Have you encountered the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser ? Lots and lots of fascinating historic footnotes.
By gadd same here, Hornblower, always picturing Geegory Peck, Bolitho, Ramage & Sharpe got me thru every crisis in my life.
Perhaps the only Battlefield in Spain I’ve yet to visit, Graham went north to join Wellington after this battle
There was such a row between Graham and the Spanish after the battle that it nearly came to a duel. It was decided best to get Graham out of Cadiz so he joined the main army, something he'd wanted for some time.
@@johnhaines4163 de la pena was replaced, although he was made to apologise in view of the duel
Having looked up the 87th Fusiliers The Connaught Rangers ("The Devil's Own") and The Dublin Fusiliers, Royal Irish Fusiliers quite a bit of history there to be honest and very interesting thank you.
The Connaghts were, according to Duncan Anderson, the Spearhead of the British Army at the time. He told us that they were always held back as basically, the best regiment In the Army with a rep for striking sheer terror into the enemy.
You forgot the Salamanca Eagle Won by the Essex Reg
Did I though? Which came first - Barossa or Salamanca? 🧐
PS cool name - the Selous Scouts are certainly an interesting unit. Might do a video on them one day!
Ha I see what you did, fair Play, may be do a video of all the Eagles Captured.
I always saw the Sharp BS to of been Essex Reg as he has him go to Essex.
Our Eagle is Held at Chelmsford Natural History Museum.
@@1Selous Nice one mate. I might look at doing more on the eagles in the future. If I was in the Uk I'd try and do a film visiting them all but sadly I have no clue when I'll next get home.
I wonder where this Eagle is now?
Capture a French eagle, now that’s soldiering
10 August 1810 - Portuguese General SIlveira takes Puebla de Sanabria, all its garrison and the Eagle of a battallion of the 2nd Swiss Battallion.
The Spanish captured 4 at Bailén in 1808.
@@73North265 Yeah, but Castilians call it War of Independence, so it doesn't count for the Peninsular War tally.
@@jorge6207 Hmm…that’s really just semantics over a name.
@@73North265 I agree on that for the eagles purposes, but the difference in names also captures a difference in outlook. Castille/Aragon was never in the same wave length as the Anglo-Portuguese; that was one of the biggest lessons Wellesley took from Talavera, 1809. Most people are not aware of this due to the the romantised guerrilla myth. However, didn't know about the 4 eagles in Bailén; so that makes the British having only captured a 6th eagle in the Iberian peninsula.
Ensign Ewart captured a French eagle at Waterloo. Killie boy.🏴
Thanks, very interesting, sounds like a very brutal event.
Yes I have read all the Sharpe books, but real life differs from the novels.
I enjoyed Sharpe & watch it on weekends as a repeat but it really got me originally with how warfare got conducted during the late 18th & 19th centuries up to 1880 when things started to change. Heroics or nit, its was raw courage & skillful planning that won the day mot always in our favour & in 1812 as Napoleon, brilliant as he was lost that too! Real soldiers on them says, Scum & all as Wellington said... Brilliant. A great video.
Bejabbers boys !… two b’s 👍🏻…..thanks for the telling of this capture of the 1st eagle of the french 8th foot !!…great reference for a future model !!
Even though I'm an American, I am totally on side with the British in the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon was fighting a war of conquest.
I would like your vids even more if you showed a lot more pictures as you talk.
Its a good life
If you can stay alive
Did a Brigade level battlefield tour of the Penninsula war in about 05? Anyway, Barrosa, Cuidad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Talavera Fuentes D'Orono but the hell that must have been the worst was Badajoz. If anyone has been there, the forlorn hope must have been decimated it is somber even today. Dr Duncan Anderson and 39inf Bde Cmdr led the tour. 5 star the whole way. Brilliant. I still have the tour 'Tams' type folder that was given to us beforehand as questions would be asked. Mucho drinko lol! Our mob brought a company flag and we had a reenactment of the charge of the Connaght Rangers (I think it was there?) We also had a wreath laying for ole Black Bob who is buried in the wall at Cuidad Rodrigo. There were some Rifles lads with us.
Anyway, thanks for that chum. Brought back memories. All good! Faugh à Ballagh,
3Bn R Irish.
Great mentor
heard that story about masterson in a roscommon accent shouting be bejabers boys i have the cuckcoo lol cracked me up when i heard it
It's a classic!
British Field Marshal sees a couple redcoats roasting over a fire.
Field Marshal: Are you cooking a goose?
Soldiers: No Sir! Eagle.
Following up on the comments on Ladysmith SA. I understand that Lady Smith was the wife of a British officer who met her when she was a young teenager.
She was along with a friend fleeing a town in Spain which had just been taken by the British having had the earrings ripped from her ears by looting troops. She married the officer becoming initially Mrs Smith and eventually Lady Smith. The town of Ladysmith in South Africa is named after her.
Correct - she married Sir Harry Smith after the storming of Badajoz.
Interesting and passionate war story , wow ! . As an aside , I am a native Spanish speaker and the presenter and narrator of this video pronounced all the Spanish toponyms incorrectly , something I obviously noticed. That war story was so good and worthy , though , something which I noticed much more than the incorrect pronunciation, though
Great stuff, have you come across, General Sir Paul Anderson, of Grace Dieu, Waterford, aide de camp to General Moore?
Every one knows it was Richard Sharpe.
Excellent, thanks 😊 👍
Sounds more like a group effort than that of a single person. "Let the crown be shared..."
bejasus, boys ive got the cuckoo .. ill remember that forever .. different times indeed
Love this time period, first started off with the American war of independence, to looking at the history behind the last of the Mohicans.
Only now I'm watching the sharpe series and I love them, low budget sets are outplayed by amazing acting 👏.
And now I've discovered this channel , thanks to the YT algorithm.
Interesting piece of history and as an Irishman I'd love to know more about Irish activities/Influence in battles of the time.
Thanks for the video, I'm staying tuned for more 😉
Morning Sergeant, I'm glad you like the channel. You certainlky arent the first to mention an interest in the Irishmen who fought in the Peninsular - I've added it to my list of subjects to cover as soon as time allows. Thanks a lot.
@@redcoathistory Awesome can't wait definitely subbed to you 😀
Sir Thomas Graham what a jolly good chap- a life dedicated to fighting the French.
Interesting fact that Napoleon’s Irish Legion was the only foreign regiment in French service to have its own Eagle.
Need to re-read my Sharpe Books from India to Chile
Same here!
Thanks, for another great tale..
Cheers, Bernard
Well done!
Dalrymple, the only of our best friends he was to much here in Portugal, seems he was a napoleon lover.
I do seem to remember Bernard Cornwall gave credit for the actual Capture in the preface to Eagle? Might be mentioned here so I will watch on 🙂🙂
Enjoy!
My Regiment Has a Eagle it's still in Our Regimental Museum it was Essex Regiment, won at Salamamca.
In 64 became 3rd Bn Royal Anglian Regiment.
Up the Poachers!
@@Vic-ng8if err all the 444444's The Pompadours 🤣
@@1Selous we had an ex Selous Scout in my mob, and you won't believe it but he married George Bests Sister!
a Irishman 😁
As I understand it you've made a pretty good summary of what happened.graham was so disollusioned with la pena ,he asked Wellington for a move , la pena accused Graham of disobeying orders and blamed him for what might have been a victory . However ,la pena apologised after Graham proposed a duel lol.i understand la pena was replaced .Wellington had no doubts as to where the blame lay
Hey guys look at this silly golden bird on a pole I just found in a french column
30% of Wellington's army was Irish at the time.
Correct.
And 50% of Wellington!
Wellington was born in Trim in the Republic of Ireland, was schooled in Dublin.
He was also Prime Minister of England twice.
Well done, very interesting, as an ex-L/cpl I found the 'human touch' fascinating.
Decca the beast from the northeast says he was the first one to capture the French eagle 🦅 is he lying 🤥 ?
Great stuff . Your work on The Zulu Wars was a thing of beauty.
Glad you enjoyed it
Such a great channel. Thankyou very much sir.
God did not create anything... because their is no God!!
Did you know how many French Golden Eagles were captured by the English in total during the Napoleonic wars?
Not off the top of my head but I'm sure a quick google search will answer for you, Sir.
I served in the Regiment that has the eagle to the Royal Irish Regiment
whoever did capture the eagle, I'm sure that regiment must have ANSWERED WITH ITS LIFE!!
?
@@peterchessell28 I think he likes to think the French took revenge and defeated the British regiment that took the Eagle.
News flash, they didn't.
NO! THEY DIDN'T! STOP SHOUTING WILL YE?
Faugh a ballagh,,, pronounced fock a balla,,,,, clear the way,,,, also it was probably bejasus boys I've got the cuckoo, meaning by jesus,, it would have sounded like bejasus
Another cracking mini-vid. Nice to see Masterson get some recognition.
Faugh a ballagh, the "gh" in "Faugh" is pronounced like the "Ch" in the Scottish "loch". Don't worry, we'll get the Celtic pronunciations from you yet ;)
Keep up the good work, my daily commute/lunch break listen.
Nice one thanks a lot - I should be fluent in my Celtic languages in about 2 months 😀👍🏻
@@redcoathistory see, it's easier with books. As long as you get the spellings you're sorted 🤣
@CrichtonNo5: "Fág an bealach" which literally means, "Get the fcuk out of my way" is correctly pronounced, "Fog on ballock"
@@mickeencrua thanks.
@@mickeencrua no words spelt with a "ch" in Scottish Gaelic or Irish Gaelic are pronounced with a hard "ck". That doesn't exist in either language's lexicon
Well done thank you, Sir
Really enjoy your videos
Many thanks!
"...unsupported by her allies..."
Did the Portuguese run away?
No.
I'd have to check my notes on ORBAT but there were at most only a small number of Portuguese at Barossa - great lads and nobody would accuse them of running away. If I've overlooked them then apologies.
Great stuff as usual.
Glad you enjoyed it
the first eagle was captured by the spaniards mate, maybe at Cádiz when they captured the fleet of Amiral Rosily, and after that General Castaños captured some eagles at the battle of Baylen 1808
I'm sure you are right - but I was talking about the British army. A friendly nod to our good friends the Spanish would have been nice in the video. I'd like to do more on them in the future. Fair play.
Have to agree - the title suggests the first French eagle of the war, but to be fair in the intro he does specify by the British. Still, 4 eagles and many other banners captured by the Spanish at Bailén (although they were recaptured later by Joseph Bonaparte) deserves a good mention. Napoleon was so ashamed of the loss that, even when they were recovered, he ordered that no great attention should be given to them and that a General should not be the one returning them, but rather a Captain or Lieutenant Colonel.
I think it was a Pigeon fancier, they lost so many of them that year.
I'm not sure where, and if It's true, but somewhre I've read that one of the Sergeant's descendants became a comissioned officer during the Second Boer War and win the VC.
I've should have watch the hole Video🤦🏻
Every one knows Sean bean captured it.
Sharpe has a chat with General Graham in one of the new books
You know, you can not stop, once again congrats my friend.
Thanks again!
Over 20 years ago I was rooting around in the museum behind Dover Castle, what did I see, but the first Eagle captured, it’s quite beaten up. Possession of the Eagle followed the Regiment, which had long since ended, but it’s inheritors had passed it along. Of course, rumour has it that other Eagles had been captured, but the soldiers hadn’t “handed them in” through cupidity and because of spite for their officers. You will recall the credit for the first one went to the Officer, not the privates, even when the officer fell early in the fight.
I also heard that other eagles had been captured but the troops belived they were pure gold and kept them
The successors to the 87th the Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and The Ulster Defence Regiment) still celebrate Barrosa Day and Faugh A Ballagh is their motto. Officers wear a black cross belt with their No1 and No 2 dress uniform the pouch of which has the eagle emblazoned upon it.
Awesome - I didn't know that. Thanks Samuel.
@Samuel McKittrick: Whatever about the other regiments, the UDR did very little to be proud of. Especially in Northern Ireland. When it was perceived by the British Government, in the aftermath of the Burntollet ambush, that the B Specials were out of control, they were forced to hand in their weapons and they were disbanded as a unit. The Ulster Defence Regiment was then established. This was essentially the B Specials under a different name. No Catholic would serve in that regiment. They remained the same bigoted thugs that they had been. The history of the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland is littered with instances of collusion between the UDR and Protestant Loyalist murder squads. It's a criminal shame that they were allowed to use an Irish language phrase as their motto.
@@mickeencrua There are far more examples in the story of the UDR (who had a Latin not Gaelic motto by the way I suggest you read up on the subject) of courage and sacrifice by everyday ordinary people facing challenging and difficult circumstances in their own home. Not that any of that has anything to do with French Imperial Eagles, the Battle of Barossa or the Napoleonic Wars which is what is discussed here. So why bother to bring it up?
@@Sammy1234568910 I worked in Donegal in the 70s and 80s. I encountered their sectarian bigotry every time I travelled within Northern Ireland. I just couldn't let the occasion pass to remind people that the UDR were definitely not heros. Uniformed Loyalist Paramilitaries is what they were. Please don't insult me with suggestions of courage and sacrifice. I refer you and your readers to the Miami Masacre and similar atrocities. Remove the blinkers.
@@mickeencrua Indeed many UDR were members of the glenanne gang who were sectarian killers at night
Every know and then UA-cam recommends some corkers of a channel. Today is that day
Thanks, James!
The best British armies are always allied ones. Marlborough's army with Eugene of Savoy and the Monty at Normandy under Eisenhower.
Better than an episode of Sharpe
Female French eagle ? I digress ,
Now thats soldiering
It’s Richard sharpe!!!
Just found this channel
Now binge watching 👍 hello from Australia
Excellent stuff sir
Just as well those Eagles weren't captured off colonial savages, or we'd be shamed into handing them back
Thank you Christian.
We captured English flags at Fontenoy too.
Viva la!☘️
Tough fighting lads the Irish. No one will deny that 👍🏻
Actually a Scottish one. Description of the flag once captured identifies is at belonging to the King's Own Scottish Borderers. It was a hard fight indeed.
Superb vid, thanks. "I've got their cuckoo!"