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Auction: 25360 - The 360th Anniversary Sale
Lot: 24

THE SUPERB WATERLOO MEDAL AWARDED TO PRIVATE J. SMITH

Of American interest - the superb Waterloo Medal awarded to Private J. Smith, 4th (King's Own) Regiment of Foot, whose long career spanned Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria - being wounded in the retreat from Burgos - and the War of 1812; present at the Battle of Bladensburg on 24 August 1814, he shared in the Burning of Washington and the failed assault on New Orleans.
At Waterloo, Smith was severely wounded in the left elbow by a lance, his Regiment playing a key role in recapturing La Haye Sainte after the repulse of the Imperial Guard.
Waterloo 1815 (John Smith, 1st Batt. 4th Reg. Foot.), gold ring.
Very fine.

John Smith was born at Hipper, Suffolk in May 1792 and enlisted in the 4th Foot in April 1810 and was discharged in June 1818. He was present at a number of battles in the Peninsula including Corunna and Badajoz (M.G.S.M. not claimed) and was wounded during the retreat from Burgos.

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, and Chapple later received prize money for his part in capturing the French capital. To commemorate the Regiment's performance at Waterloo, a laurel wreath was added to its insignia. Smith received a lance wound in the elbow in the actions. Having been discharged in June 1818, this Medal was first sold by his father at Bury St Edmunds in 1824.

Smith died in 1883 at the grand old age of 92 and is buried at St Nicholas's Church, Thelnetham, Suffolk. His headstone still exists and has the following inscription:

"JOHN SMITH / A BRAVE SOLDIER AND GOOD / CHRISTIAN. HE SERVED HIS KING AND / COUNTRY IN ALL THE BATTLES AND SIEGES / IN THE PENINSULAR WAR IN AMERICA AND WATERLOO. / HE DEPARTED THIS LIFE IN THE FAITH AND / FEAR OF CHRIST / JAN 12TH 1883 / AGE 92 YEARS."

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Estimate
£2,500 to £3,000

Starting price
£1666