During the Hundred Days campaign of 1815, it was the 2nd British heavy cavalry brigade – made up of three elite heavy dragoon regiments – that smashed the enormous attack columns of d’Erlon’s corps in the opening moves at Waterloo, putting to flight, capturing or killing thousands of French infantry. Not content with such a feat they continued on to harry the French gun line before becoming blown, over-extended and driven back with staggering casualties by vengeful French horse. The Union Brigade was named thus as it was made up of three units: 1st Royal Regiment of Dragoons (English), 2nd Regiment of Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), and the 6th Dragoons (the Inniskillens from Ireland). All clad in red, they rode particularly large and aggressive horses – Britain had the pick of the best horses in this period. This set allows you to build any of the three regiments in the Union Brigade as well as headgear options for the Peninsular campaign. Contents:

• 12 plastic British Union Brigade heavy cavalry.
• 2 metal command miniatures (officer and trumpeter).
• Includes options for bearskin, oilskin-covered bearskin, Grecian helmet, oilskin-covered Grecian helmet, bicorne, and watering cap.
• Background leaflet.

The 95th Rifles were an elite unit of hard marching, sharp shooting light infantry that served in many bloody battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Unusually they did not wear the classic red coat of the British army, but instead a dark bottle green uniform which gave them their nickname of the ‘Sweeps’ or the ‘Grasshoppers’ by their French foes. They were equipped with the Baker rifle – a supremely accurate weapon for the period – which would hit single targets at ranges unheard of for the smoothbore muskets which most other troops carried. They earned a superb reputation in the Peninsular campaign and later at Waterloo, being battalions that Wellington could rely upon. To help maintain the effectiveness of the companies, reliable and trusted men would be issued with a white tape around the arm distinguishing them as ‘chosen men’ and expected to inspire the rank and file. To make up for the short length of their rifles, they were issued with wicked looking sword bayonets, long enough to give a parity against an enemy bayonet.