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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 2

Waterloo 1815 (John Finleason, 1st Batt. 4th Reg. Foot.), with swivelling straight-bar suspension, very fine

John Finleason served with the 4th (King's Own) Regiment. On 4 May 1814, following Napoleon's abdication, the 1st Battalion, 4th Foot joined a Royal Navy convoy at Garonne and were transported across the Atlantic, participating in Major-General Ross's victory at Bladensburg on 24 August. With just over 4,000 men, Ross defeated an American force twice that size. The battle-hardened 4th Foot managed to outflank the U.S. Marines, taking over 100 prisoners and capturing ten guns. Had it not been for this manoeuvre, the British would have suffered far higher casualties in a frontal assault. 'Bladensburg' became a regimental Battle Honour. The Americans, including President Madison, fled in panic after putting up very little resistance. This retreat, forever known as 'The Bladensburg Races', has been described by an American historian as 'the greatest disgrace ever dealt to American arms,' and 'the most humiliating episode in American history' (Howe 2006, 67).

Entering Washington, just 8 miles away, Ross and his officers enjoyed a civilised dinner in the White House before setting it aflame. Numerous other government buildings were torched in retaliation for the American damage to York in Upper Canada the previous year. A heavy storm then saved the city, and within 24 hours the British had returned to their ships. General Packenham's needless assault on New Orleans, on 8 January 1815, was rather less successful. The 4th Foot were in the front line, almost reaching the Rodriguez Canal before withering American fire forced them to withdraw. The assault took place after peace had already been concluded with the United States under the Treaty of Ghent; the news had not yet reached the combatants.

The 4th Foot were still in America when Napoleon escaped from Elba. They were rushed across the Atlantic, arriving at Ostend on 15 June 1815. After a determined 48-hour march, they arrived at Waterloo just in time to influence the battle. The 4th reinforced Wellington's beleaguered centre at 6 p.m., when La Haye Sainte had fallen and it looked as if Napoleon might clinch victory. When the Imperial Guard recoiled at 8 p.m., the 4th Foot swept forward and retook La Haye Sainte. The Allied pursuit did not stop until Paris was reached. To commemorate the Regiment's performance at Waterloo, a laurel wreath was added to its insignia. Finleason served at Waterloo in Captain Edgall's Company and was discharged on 10 July 1818.

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Sold for
£2,500

Starting price
£1100