Waterloo 1815 (Friderick Mother [sic], 2nd Light Batt. K.G.L.), 'K' of 'K.G.L.' obscured throug...

Waterloo 1815 (Friderick Mother [sic], 2nd Light Batt. K.G.L.), 'K' of 'K.G.L.' obscured through wear, original steel clip and ring suspension, attractively toned, minor contact marks and edge wear, better than very fine

Provenance:
Glendining's, May 1911 (Ex-Gaskell Collection).

Friederick Muthert served during the Hundred Days' Campaign as a Private with the 5th Company, 2nd Light Battalion, King's German Legion. Armed with the Baker Rifle, this crack Battalion numbered 38 officers and 352 men, commanded by Major George Baring. At the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June, it successfully defended the farm of La Haye Sainte - at the centre of Wellington's line - from the start of D'Erlon's attack at 1.30 p.m. until forced to abandon the post five hours later.

Baring's gallant and memorable defence of La Haye Sainte was achieved with every disadvantage against him. During the night of 17 June, in an effort to keep warm in the dreadful conditions, some of his men - unaware of La Haye Sainte's strategic importance - removed the barn door and used it for firewood, giving easy access to an attacking force. Pioneers of the King's German Legion, instead of building up La Haye Sainte's defences, were ordered to assist with the fire-steps at Hougoumont, viewed by Wellington's staff as the bigger priority. Through the torrential rain, Baring's men frantically jabbed their sword bayonets into the walls to create loop-holes. Barricading the open doorway, they blocked the approach road with an abatis of wagons and farm machinery.

At 1.30 p.m. La Haye Sainte was attacked by Quiot's 4,000-strong Division. Each attack was repulsed, enfilading fire from La Haye Sainte wreaking havoc among French cavalry ascending the ridge. By 4 p.m., Baring's men were running desperately low on Baker Rifle ammunition. Despite sending Wellington five requests for more cartridges, Baring was never resupplied. His men resorted to searching the cartridge-boxes of dead and wounded comrades. When Durette's fresh Division bore down on the garrison at 6 p.m., Baring calculated that his men had just three rounds each.

When the French entered a narrow passage through the farmhouse's stables, Baring's men wildly counter-attacked with bayonet and rifle butt. Standing on each other's shoulders, the French then climbed onto the farmhouse's roof, firing down on the defenders in the courtyard. Meanwhile, French pioneers led by Lieutenant Vieux smashed through the makeshift barricade in the main gateway. With great reluctance, Baring ordered his men to abandon the post and withdraw to the ridge as best they could. The effective strength of Baring's battalion at the end of the day was 42 rank and file. Muthert lived to claim a 6-clasp Military General Service Medal; sold with copied research.




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