Firstly, a couple of figures from the 3rd Villa Real deployed in open order:
and, the 3rd, 4th and 5th formed into line:
I did briefly entertain the idea of painting these last three regiments as battalions of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion who, at the start of the Peninsular War, wore green jackets and pantaloons, which would have provided a nice bit of variety. The only problem is that the Essex Cacadores have the barretina shakoes, whereas the Lusitanians appear to have worn the a stovepipe cap from the outset.
The other thing is that, "technically" speaking, the jacket cords were officially yellow up until 1811. I preferred to run with the information in Rene Chartrand's excellent Osprey on the Portuguese army however when he indicates that from July 1809 (at least) soldiers and officers started swapping to black cords and buttons by reason of expense, but also because black was a little less distinct than on the battlefield than yellow. Not that attempting to "blend in" with the surroundings appeared to be high on the list of priorities of many Napoleonic armies.
"Dress them with yellow cords or blackones on their brown uniforms, and they'll fight like heck just the same!"
ReplyDelete(Paraphrase of the famous remark of the Bourbon King of Naples and Sicily)
Looking great, Lawrence!
Nice quote Peter, and I'll remember that in case I cop any criticism!
ReplyDelete