Edward Orme (1775–1848)
Historic, military, and naval anecdotes, of personal valour, bravery, and particular incidents which occurred to the armies of Great Britain and her allies, in the last long-contested war, terminating with the Battle of Waterloo…
London: Edward Orme, 1819
Harley-Mason.a.78, plate opposite p. 44

‘French Cuirassiers in the Battle of Waterloo’. Engraving by M. Dubourg after John Augustus Atkinson. The letterpress opposite this image describes the exploits of the 92nd (Highland) Regiment whose soldiers are depicted. ‘Being then reduced to about two hundred men, they found it necessary to charge a body of the enemy’s Cuirassiers from 2 to 3000 men. They broke into the centre of this column with the bayonet; and at this instant the Scotch Greys dashed in to their support, when they and the 92d cheered and huzzaed “Scotland for ever!” By the efforts which followed, the enemy were destroyed almost to a man’. The writer showed a strong interest in the cuirasses, or armoured breast and back plates, worn by some regiments of French heavy cavalry. This product of ‘French ingenuity’ could ‘turn off a musket shot unless fired very near’, but even so, ‘it does not appear that any invention will ever be found capable of superseding the invincibility of British courage.’ Cuirasses were afterwards adopted by the British Life Guards and Horse Guards, and are worn by the Household Cavalry on ceremonial occasions to this day.

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