Posted on 06/23/2015 1:12:10 PM PDT by beaversmom
Full title:
5000 people reenacted the battle of Waterloo in front of 60 000 spectators for its 200th anniversary, making it the greatest war reconstitution of all time. It took place exactly where it happened in 1815. Pictures by Olivier Papegnies.
(Excerpt) Read more at collectifhuma.com ...
Awesome pictures, thanks!
The 135th reenactment of the Gettysburg battle hosted over 30,000 participants. There were over 100 full size artillery pieces. The pony soldiers counted 4,000 horses and riders. Infantry from both sides approached 25,000. The 3rd day of the reenactment which was Pickett’s charge, the Confederate numbers available for the attack were less than 200 from what Pickett’s manpower reports were for that day in 1963.
It was probably the largest reenactment in North America.
It also exceeded the number of participants at the 150th anniversary a couple of years ago.
I’m looking for Sean Bean - where is Richard Sharpe?
A youtube search “Waterloo 2015 re-enactment” will reveal quite a few long videos of the event.
The Daily Mail UK article stated that four tons of black powder were used for the four day ‘battle’, one ton a day.
Fire, smell of brimstone, and smoke.
The French had a penchant for advancing in column. A division of 6,000 could form a column of 60 across and 100 deep. The British regiments of 1000 formed in line, two deep, 500 yards across, backed by artillery. Artillery could start in with round shot at a half mile, then switch to case and finally grapeshot. Firing at a mass of men, muskets could begin firing at 150 yards. British troops were trained to fire 3 rounds per minute. In the two minutes or so it took the column to march that final distance a brigade could fire 6,000 rounds into the mass of men. Only those on the front and sides of the column could fire back, and they simply melted away under the fire. All of which prompted Wellington’s famous quote:
“They came on in the same old way and we defeated them in the same old way.”
You’re welcome. :)
dear henkster,
smokeless powder didn’t come about till AFTER the 1860’s.
IIRC, Waterloo, was in 1815.
Yes, the uniforms are nice pieces of work. And if they are anything like the uniforms worn by American Revolution re-enacters, the actual materials, thread count, stitch count, all are ‘regulation’.
In those days, the armies were not attempting to be one with the ground, but one of national pride, and, since the ‘spyglass’ quality was the best they could do with, for their time, it was a little easier to see where your guys were.
WTH is that? It looks like some campy 1970’s Saturday morning “live cartoon”.
Son in law was a Confederate re-enactor, but moved toward the WW2 506th PIR so he could talk with actual veterans while they we still able to attend.
Have been to Kennesaw several times
Ordnance on top of Kennesaw Mountain
(©two23 2015)
Thanks for info and added pics.
Able was I ‘ere i saw Elba.
PTC Mama, you asked “where was Richard Sharp?”
I refer you to Bernard Cornwell’s news NON-fiction book:
“Waterloo, the history of four days, three armies, and three battles”
I just finished reading it. It is an excellent popular history of the Battle of Waterloo based upon thorough research and has fantastically well done maps and all of the plates are in color. It is well worth buying, if you are a fan of Cornwell’s Sharpe and/or the Napoleonic Wars.
Able was I ere I saw Abba.
LOL! Perfect!
LOL!
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