Marcus Cribb

Fought #OnThisDay 13-14 October 1810, the Battle of Sobral.

Under Masséna, encountering the Lines of Torres Vedras, Junot's force probed forwards, they pushed back skirmish lines & seized an outpost, but were quickly ejected from the position by a British counterattack.

YouTube video by Marcus Cribb Battle of El Bodón 1811, with Redcoat History, The Peninsular War.

The Combat at El Bodon 25 September 1811 might not be a grand tactical battle, but it highlights Wellington's long front line, but it is perhaps best best known for the charge of the 2/5th Regt against French Cavalry!

@redcoathistory made this
youtu.be/nrZdOdIRKsM?...

Fought #OnThisDay 23 Sept 1803 The Battle of Assaye.

Wellesley commanded 6,500 Indian & British troops against 40,000-200,000 Mahratta troops led by Hanovarian mercenary Colonel Pohlmann

Asked what his greatest vistory was Wellington replied ASSAYE.

YouTube video by Marcus Cribb The Battle of Prestonpans 1745, a devastating Highland Charge, just outside of Edinburgh.

#OnThisDay
21 Sept 1745 –Battle of Prestonpans. The Jacobites struck at dawn with a surprise attack.
Both armies ~2,000 strong.
Gen Cope fled, but his troops lost 1,100 killed, wounded or captured.
Jacobite losses: just ~100.

youtube.com/shorts/2ITah...

Sadly #OnThisDay 14 September 1852, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington passed away at Walmer Castle, he was 83 years old.

He had likely suffered a series of strokes overnight & his condition deteriorated.

He was moved from his bed to a chair where he expired at 3pm.

Can’t wait to do this all over again next year! Tickets now on sale at abroadforpleasure.uk/waterloo/

Home from a wonderful week/weekend with Sophie & Chris aka GreenMatthews they brought together a great group for their concert, and I guided them through the 100 Days then over the Battlefield at Waterloo!

Loved it!

And we're doing it again in 2026
greenmatthews.co.uk

YouTube video by Marcus Cribb The Explosion at Almeida, one of the largest of the pre-atomic age, ripped apart this castle!

Almeida explosion 26 August 1810, a beautiful walled Portuguese town, where the dramatic fort defences meets sleepy streets.

On the scene of the castle, you can see the huge blocks of stone "thrown" a long way from the massive explosion.

Short style if you prefer that
youtube.com/shorts/plR7c...

I do not I'm afraid, but I doubt it'd me burnt, but moved into conditioned storage probably.

It was an act of revenge for York, modern day Toronto being burnt down earlier.

So forgiveness need not be saught. (Not that an eye for an eye is a good policy, but Britain certainly didn't start it)

You're very welcome. It is commonly said.

@alanallport.bsky.social note, probably not the East Essex, as 3 units claim to be the ones.

Perhaps the most interesting part of The Burning of The White House today is three modern unitd claim their predecessors lit the torch:
Royal Marines: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines
Royal Scots: 21st Regt (Royal North British Fusiliers)
Royal Anglian Regiment: 44th (East Essex).

This was not a war of race, The British Army fought alongside native allies under Tecumsech and included the Colonial Marines (mostly free black slaves).

Perhaps the most interesting part of The Burning of The White House today is three modern unitd claim their predecessors lit the torch:
Royal Marines: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines
Royal Scots: 21st Regt (Royal North British Fusiliers)
Royal Anglian Regiment: 44th (East Essex).

Part of the Chesapeake campaign of the War of 1812, the burning of Washington/White House followed the Battle of Bladensburg, where a small force of British soliders & Marines under Gen Ross, fought back a much larger American army of regulars & Milita.

not so, it was a white mansion from at least the 1800/1801 renovation. The common myth that the building was white washed due to the burning cannot be true as the surviving walls were torn down and the building completely rebuilt. An inage from 1814 showing the already white walls scorched.

#Onthisday 24th August 1814 the burning of The White House.

British troops set The White House ablaze as they sack Washington D.C. largely as retaliation for the Americans burning York, Canada, the year before. The US President, Madison had already abandoned his home.

New video uploaded over on my YouTube Channel (I'd be very grateful for a follow there, thank you)

On the skirmish at Highbridge, the opening shots of the 1745 Jacobite Uprising, filmed on location.
Featuring Rusty 🐾

youtube.com/shorts/7eUWR...

YouTube video by Marcus Cribb The first shots of the '45 Jacobite Uprising! The Skirmish at Highbridge, Highlands.

New video uploaded over on my YouTube Channel (I'd be very grateful for a follow there, thank you)

On the skirmish at Highbridge, the opening shots of the 1745 Jacobite Uprising, filmed on location.
Featuring Rusty 🐾

youtube.com/shorts/7eUWR...

That is a great setting!

YouTube video by Marcus Cribb The opening shots of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion "The '45", the Skirmish at Highbridge, Royal Scots.

#OnThisDay 16 August 1745

The first shots of the last Jacobite Rising were fired on this day, 280 year ago.

Two companies of The Royal Scots were ambushed at High Bridge, they were attempting to reinforce Fort William, but the Jacobites blocked their passage.

youtu.be/xwXLZ8nPFUU?...

Four Company's of Rifleman were engaged by the French, Rifleman Harris was there;
“The first man that was hit was Lt Banbury... I thought I never heard such a tremendous noise as the firing made on this occasion, and the men on both sides of me, were falling fast"

#OnThisDay 15 August 1808 The Combat at Obidos.

As the British advanced from their bridgehead, the French advanced to meet them. A force under Delaborde, clashed with riflemen from the 5/60th & 95th at Obidos, the first combat between France & Britain in the Peninsular War.

Battle of Majadahonda, 11th August 1812 between Wellington’s advanced guard (especially Portuguese & KGL) & Joseph Buonaparte’s cavalry rear-guard.

A rare tactical draw, the allies lost 3 guns, later recovered, both sides had senior officers casualties & similar casualties.

Already done that, but the camera didn't pick it up, so you'll have to take my word on it 🤥

Expanding my technology for filming (MarcusCribbHistory on YouTube if you're interested), so this is what is being packed for today's battlefield exploring way up north (no, not Killiekrankie, but after that).

Rusty is taken care of it seems 🐾

YouTube video by Marcus Cribb The Battle of Prestonpans 1745, a devastating Highland Charge, just outside of Edinburgh.

The Battle of Prestonpans September 1745, a devastating Highland Charge, on the flat fields just outside of Edinburgh.

A battle that often takes longer to explain than it was fought, just 4 to 9 minutes long, one deadly rush and the regulars fled.

youtube.com/shorts/2ITah...

A massive change in commanders & a few years of campaigning in Ireland?

Just had the defeat at Killiekrankie too, lots of lessons to learn.

But it is an interesting point, not long in some terms, careers that would follow them to Blenheim.

The Battle of Fort of Mackinac, 4 August 1814.

A scratch British & Indignious allied force had captured the island early in the war.

As the Americans advanced on the fort from the north, they were ambushed by Native warriors & forced to re-embark with heavy casualties.