Tweet
Henrey Bradley
·
Jan 30
Amateur Historian, Adventurer
Have any mercenary groups changed the course of history?
The highly effective veterans of the Napoleonic wars, who formed a mercenary group and became the most feared soldiers in the South American wars of independence
The Albion Legion, 1817–1824.
British professional light infantry, the 95th Rifles.
With the final defeat of Napoleon, peace was secured in Europe, and the British no longer required a large professional standing army.
“In 1817, The Times calculated that there were 500,000 ex-soldiers in the British population.”
Around 7,000 British, Irish and German veterans of the British Army, were recruited in London, by agents of Simón Bolívar, who promised the ex-soldiers promotions, pay equivalent to what they received in the service of the British Army, and the chance to fight for a worthy cause.
These men were literally the cream of the crop, mercenaries drawn from arguably the most highly trained and skilled core of soldiers of their age. A total of 5 detachments were formed, with British officers recruited for command positions.
The British Legion, motto - Die or Conquer.
Known as the Legion Britanica, by the Spanish, who they fought against. The Rifles detachment in perticular was of such a high standard that their enemies were reported to have fled the field during multiple battles, after coming under withering accurate fire at unprecedented ranges.
‘During the Battle of Vargas Swam, Bolivar found himself in a difficult position; the left flank of the Patriot army was outflanked and withdrew in disorder. Major Rooke then led the 2nd Rifles against the Spanish positions on the hills. A ferocious bayonet charge regained the positions for the Patriots. Rooke fell mortally wounded while Sandes was also wounded twice. Despite heavy casualties the British troops distinguished themselves.’
The Albion Legion performed sublimely in many battles across South America, playing a critical role in securing independence for Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru, from Spanish rule.
During another fierce fight at Battle of Boyacá, the Rifles again performed a miracle, slaying many enemies from extreme range and after their allies came under fire from Spanish cannons, the Rifles fixed bayonets and carried out a legendary charge, capturing the Spanish cannons, turning the course of the battle.
After this engagement Simon Bolivar said of the Rifles; - "Those soldier-liberators are the men who deserve these laurels"
Battle of Carabobo, the deciding battle that liberated Venezuela.
The British Legion, Rifles Brigade defended strategically important hills while being greatly outnumbered and low on supplies, their heroic stand was the decisive moment of the battle. Fighting against waves of Spanish infantry, who tried to dislodge them, the Rifles pushed back all opposition and held the key positions against all odds. They suffered 119 casualties, of those there were two officers among the dead.
Bolívar described the Legion and all who served as "The saviours of my country".
The British/Albion Legion would fight all the way across South America, a crack core of veteran mercenaries which formed the backbone of the liberating armies and took part in nearly every major battle of the campaign.
History has not been kind to these brave men, who fought like lions to defeat Napoleon, and then volunteered to again fight far from home, to liberate foreign lands and peoples. Many of the survivors eventually settled in the new South American states that they helped to liberate.
Thought you might be interested in this story & found on Quora. I have studied the General a little but wasn't aware of this troop. Guess settling in South America would have been the best option for those that survived, sure they would have been treated better than back home & they must have all spoken good Spanish after 7yrs of fighting.
Comment